Heart Recaptured by Tillie Cole
Dedication
To the Hades Hangmen Harlots!
Without your unwavering support and campaigning for more from our favorite men in leather, Heart Recaptured would never have been.
Here’s to the rest of the Hangmen Series… It’s gonna be a wild ride!
“Live free. Ride free. Die free!”
Authors Note
As with the first novel in this series, ‘It Ain’t Me, Babe’, ‘Heart Recaptured’, was inspired by the testimonies of ex-members from several New Religious Movements, Cults and Sects and the leaders that abused the power they had over their members—especially the women.
The female protagonist in this novel, ‘Delilah’, endures situations inspired by survivors of such groups. This novel very heavily focuses on the concept of ‘Brainwashing’, and how coercive persuasion can impact victims’ lives.
‘Heart Recaptured’ is a work of fiction, and as such, some situations have been exaggerated. But the doctrines, practices, punishment techniques (very extreme at times) and experiences of ‘Delilah’, her sisters, “Salome’ and ‘Magdalene’, and The Order in this novel, are inspired by academic research collected on ‘unorthodox’ and extreme New Religious Movements.
Glossary
(Not in alphabetical order)
The Order Terminology
The Order: Apocalyptic New Religious Movement. Beliefs based on selected Christian teachings, strongly believe the apocalypse is imminent. Previously led by Prophet David (declared himself to be a Prophet of God and a descendant of King David), the elders and the disciples. Suceeded by Prophet Cain (nephew of Prophet David).
The members live together in a secluded commune; based on traditional and modest living, polygamy and unorthodox religious practices. Believe the ‘outside world’ is sinful and evil. Have no contact with non-members.
Commune: Property owned by The Order and controlled by the Prophet Cain. Segregated living community. Policed by disciples and elders and stocked with weapons in case of an outside world attack. Men and women kept in separate areas of the commune. The Cursed kept away from all men (except the elders) in their own private quarters. Land protected by a large perimeter fence.
New Zion: New Commune of The Order. Created after the previous commune was destroyed in the battle against The Hades Hangmen.
Elders: Comprises four men: Gabriel, Moses, Noah and Jacob. Charged with the day to day running of the commune. Second in Command to Prophet David. Responsible for schooling the Cursed. All deceased.
Council Elders: Comprises four men: Brother Luke, Brother Isaiah, Brother Micah, Brother Judah.
Disciple Guards: Male members of The Order. Tasked with the protection of the commune lands and the members of The Order.
Lord's Sharing: Ritual sexual act performed between male and female members of The Order. Believed to help the male get steadily closer to the Lord. Performed in mass ceremonies. Narcotics often used for a transcendental experience. Females are forbidden from experiencing pleasure as punishment for carrying the original sin of Eve and must perform the act when required as part of their sisterly duties.
The Cursed: Women/Girls in The Order deemed too naturally beautiful and inherently sinful. Live separately from the rest of commune. Seen as too tempting to men. The Cursed are believed to be significantly more likely to sway men from the righteous path.
Original Sin: Augustine Christian doctrine that says mankind is born sinful and has an innate urge to disobey God. Original Sin is the result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience of God when they ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. In The Order’s doctrines (created by Prophet David), Eve is blamed for tempting Adam to sin, thus sisters of The Order are seen as born seductresses and temptresses and must obey men.