IN THE AFTERMATH of nuclear fire and political collapse, Atlanta has become a city of control. Behind the wall of the Curtain, a new regime called the Order promises protection, but demands obedience. Through a mandatory injection known as Serexin, they suppress emotion itself, silencing grief, rage, and love alike.
But a rare few awaken instead of going numb. Classified as Tangents by the Order, they are marked by dangerous sensitivity—able to feel too deeply, to tether to others with a touch, and to pull memories and hidden truths to the surface. Feared by the public and exploited by the Order, they are forced into service as living weapons of surveillance and manipulation.
DEX TRUITT is one of them. Once an Atlanta Police Officer, now a conscript in the Order’s secret program, he spends his nights drowning the echoes of lives he’s invaded, and his days under the scrutiny of those who own him. His ability is a curse—until it isn’t. For buried within the pain of tethering comes the possibility of something more: connection, intimacy, even rebellion.
When Dex begins to question whether his gift is truly a burden or a key, he finds himself standing at the edge of a choice that will define not only his future, but the fate of every Tangent still under the Order’s control. Tether launches the Tether Trilogy, a gay erotica meets dystopian saga where intimacy is revolution, empathy is weaponized, and love may prove more dangerous than war.
THE NIGHT BEFORE the world changed, Dex Truitt was on his knees.
Not in prayer. But in an act far more honest.
Heavy bass rumbled the darkroom floor beneath his knees, tempo pulsing like a metronome conducting the rhythm of his oratorio. David’s thighs framed either side of Dex’s head, muscles taut and quivering under his grip. Dex took his time, taking in the heavy musk—sweat mixed with a hint of sandalwood he could only guess was David’s bodywash. He savored the way David’s breath hitched each time he slowed, the way David’s fingers knotted into his hair—respectful, obedient, asking without asking. Dex liked that—a man who knew how to let go without needing to dominate, holding tension and tenderness in the same space.
StephenVerified Thought provoking, steamy, timely exploration of the human psyche and experience. As a lover of mystery, suspense, science fiction, and M/M romance with spicey sex scenes , I was very intrigued by this book. I can’t tell you how happy I am that I read it. I certainly was not disappointed. In addition to it being very well written, the realities of human interaction, attraction and love are handled so realistically. The topic of empathy is one that is so imbedded in our human experience yet so endangered in today’s world, making this book not only an interesting, enjoyable and hot read, but one that also challenges the reader to think about the importance of what is happening in the world currently. While perhaps the dystopian world described in this book may once have seemed far-fetched, it now hits scaringly closer to home. I truly have not seen another book like this and I’m looking forward to the additional books in the series. B.guisgandVerified Must Read An excellent read. I truly felt as though I was in the room with the characters, experiencing the moments alongside them, and seeing everything from their perspectives. I also loved the variety of names; each one feels intentional and strong, adding to how distinct and memorable the characters are. TealWolfVerified Bold, Erotic, and Captivating Tether is completely different from anything I've read. The way the author merges erotica with science fiction/fantasy is unique and captivating. Elijah Steele weaves sensuality and storytelling, creating a dystopian world relatable, thought-provoking, and very seductive. As a gay man, I felt connected to the characters and their stories and really enjoyed the sensuality intertwined with the suspense.A fearless, beautifully written story that leaves you wanting more after you finish. Can't wait for the next book in the series to come out! mdmd62Verified A thoroughly enjoyable story The book starts with several different story lines that slowly wave their way into each other, creating a very multi dimensional reading experience. The story is quick paced. The characters are very three-dimensional. I was able to picture each moment as the story grew like watching a movie or seeing things firsthand. The visual experience simply flows throughout the book. I was able to relate to several characters in the story. As I read further, I didn’t want to put the book down. I’m looking forward to the other two books in the series. This is a book you need to own. You’ll be sorry if you don’t!Amazon rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 4 reviews