I just want to say a quick thank you to everyone who has participated in the Pricked Party so far, be that blogging, commenting, reading or whatever, this has been a blast so far because there are other people out there hanging out and chatting with us.
When I sat down to write the first chapter of what would become Under His Skin, I knew it started at a convention. If you’ve been to a convention of any kind you know the atmosphere, the level of excitement and the potential for a whole world of shenanigans to happen at these events. Heck, even my work conferences are a blast to be at. A tattoo convention comes with its own aura, the attendees are a certain slice of life and the activities very focused on the artists and art.
I knew that since the Pricked line was all about tattoos, there would probably be a lot of female tattoo artists featured, which I wasn’t too crazy about because I really try to stay away from things that people use a lot in books. But, majority of my tattoos have been done by a female tattoo artist and I wanted to talk about that culture and show what hardships a woman would go through in that environment. A woman who can survive in that lifestyle has to be kind of a bad ass. They have to do what the guys do just as good, if not better to be taken seriously. I think that’s one of the things I like most about Pandora. She’s tough as nails, she’s made mistakes and she’s bounced back.
Using a former rock star as a hero is something I’ve been dying to do. I grew up with a love of music, in high school I worked at a local venue and went on in college to work at several others. I even have an audio engineering degree I’ve never used! The question has always been, when is the right time to write a musician?
I think Brian was it. He’s not the typical eat, breath and sleep musician. For him music served a purpose for a span of his life and now he’s ready to move on. In the book, he and Pandy have a conversation about how they’re different. He comments that he can see her amazing love for art, how it literally wakes her up in the morning. While music was a fun past time for him.
Part of the fun of writing about these two characters and their professions is the opportunity to talk honestly about some of the nitty gritty things. Like, no insurance or benefits and how that plays into real life.
For me, this book was a win/win. I got to write about two things I really love, tattoos and music, and do it in my own way.
Contest: I’m going to give away a $10 giftcard to the winner’s choice of Barnes & Noble or Amazon as well as a copy of Under His Skin. Contest is open to international entrants. Leave a comment answering the question. Contest is open until 7/20/2012 when I’ll announce the winner.
A woman who doesn’t believe she deserves love…
Toe-curling kisses and enough sex to fill a weekend were all Pandora wanted from a fling with her teenage crush. She’s never forgotten how he played the knight in shining armor to her damsel in distress. She’s ready to say thank you in several naughty ways, so long as she can walk away when it’s over with her heart intact.
A man moving on from tragedy…
Brian has no intention of allowing the feisty tattoo artist to leave him after one taste. He hasn’t had enough of her inked curves. The packaging might have changed, but Pandy is the woman he hasn’t been able to excise from his memory. He’s ready to put together a new life, one that includes her. But he’s not the only one vying for her attention. Someone else wants her, dead or alive.
