Thanks so much to the Romance Reader at Heart team for having me here today!
I feel a bit like this whole week is one long party. You see, earlier a group of seven other authors and myself hit publish on an original set of stories we’re calling Midnight Ink. I’m so excited about these books, and in the New Orleans spirit, we’ve been partying it up all week. Okay, so honestly, we’re going to keep this party rolling for a while because who doesn’t like a good reason to party?
The title for this collection is Midnight Ink, which is also the name of the tattoo shop featured in all of our stories. You see, these aren’t just books that happen to have ink in them, they are all related. Yes, there are cross-overs, characters in one book appear in another. It’s like one big rolling story spanning eight different couples, in eight different perspectives, with eight different chances for a happily ever after!
Not too long ago I was—again—talking about this project and the person I was talking to stopped me mid-sentence. In all fairness I was probably talking way too fast or way too much. This person asked me, “Okay, explain it to me. Why are tattoos sexy? I just don’t get it.” In all fairness this individual wasn’t tattooed and is probably outside of the demographic that will ever get inked, but I like talking about tattoos and so I took this challenge on and the conversation went to some interesting places.
Most importantly, it got me thinking.
Why are tattoos sexy?
Tattoos are one of those things that every culture shares, sort of like alcohol and religion, we just mention them less. Trivia fact—did you know the oldest human remains ever recovered have tattoos? In the early days there were many reasons people were tattooed. Among some of the staple reasons you see across early cultures is that tattoo symbolize accomplishment or achievements. Sometimes they denote rank. You could look at someone in your tribe or clan, and see who they were written out in ink.
In our modern times, the perspective of tattoos is ever changing. A couple of decades ago the mentality was that the only people who got tattoos were criminals. In the last decade, or even the last handful of years, the culture is shifting even more to accept the statistics that one out of every four Americans is tattooed.
But why are they sexy? What about a little ink in the dermis do we find so appealing?
For different people, the reasoning varies.
There’s the art of it. The beautiful images captures on flesh that are given life by the person wearing them. I have a friend who has a large warrior on his back, and when he moves it’s as if the warrior is fighting.
The process of tattooing is painful, and there’s a certain bad-ass view of people who undergoe that much pain for their ink.
And then there’s the appeal of fitting into a subculture, or the idea of a subculture, where the tattooed people are artistic or tough.
For me, I enjoy the art of it. Tattoos tell a story, even if it’s one someone walks into a shop and picks off a wall. There’s a reason behind it and I always find it interesting to learn these stories. Also, because I am a heavily tattooed person myself, there’s an appeal because that other tattooed person knows the sensation of being kissed by a needle, the adrenaline rush and all the endorphins.
But let’s face it—a hot guy with tattoos is just pretty to look at!
Do you think tattoos are sexy? Why?
Jayne Rylon
Report For Booty
When Burke Levine got marching orders, he couldn’t bear to make his girlfriend Chavon White a military widow. Years later, discovering his name tattooed on her perfect ass via a New Orleans’ artist’s portfolio confirms his epic mistake. Will Midnight Ink’s New Year’s Eve party grant them a second chance?
Sidney Bristol
Picture Her Bound, a Bayou Bound novella
She’s a police officer desperate enough to break the rules. He’s the bounty hunter standing between her and ruin. Picture Her Bound is —the first book in the brand new Bayou Bound series from Sidney Bristol—a story of right, wrong and binding pleasures.
Robin L. Rotham
Not So Over Eli
Paramedic Bart Rigger finally has the life he wants rather than the one his father dictated, thanks to hot new fiancée Rhonda Giannetti. But a whirlwind trip to New Orleans puts it all at risk when he’s forced to confront unresolved feelings for his first love, tattoo artist Elijah Bell.
PG Forte
Inked Memories
All Sophie wants is a tattoo to commemorate her battle with cancer. What she gets is celebrity tattoo artist Declan Ross, the same sexy bad-boy who used to rock her world. This time, they’ve both got scars and it’s still the ones you can’t see that are the hardest to cover.
RG Alexander
To The Bone, a Bone Daddy novella
Etta Santos has one resolution—to cover up the last visible evidence of her past. When Christie Ryder, sexy musician and new owner of Midnight Ink, pursues her, he seems too good to be true. His music touches her soul, but can she risk trusting another bad boy with her heart?
Eden Bradley
Dangerously Inked, a Dangerous Romance novella
When the tattoo artist Finn Carter lined up for his visit to New Orleans turns out to be the mysteriously alluring sub he played on New Year’s Eve at The Bastille, the city’s BDSM club, more than his skin will be marked forever—and Rosie is just the woman to bring this playboy to his knees.
Carrie Ann Ryan
Ink Inspired, a Montgomery Ink novella
In Carrie Ann Ryan’s Ink Inspired, the prequel to her upcoming Montgomery Ink series, Ice Princess Shea Little wants ink and a change. Shepard Montgomery not only wants to ink her, but get through that icy exterior. Together, they’ll heat up the streets of New Orleans…and each other.
Mari Carr
Blank Canvas, a Big Easy novella
Disillusioned by divorce, Jennifer’s about to discover her wild side, starting with a tattoo from Caliph. And continuing with submission, spankings, wax play…all under the skilled hands of her wickedly sexy tattoo master.
—
It can never be said that Sidney Bristol has had a ‘normal’ life. She is a recovering roller derby queen, former missionary, and tattoo addict. She grew up in a motor-home on the US highways (with an occasional jaunt into Canada and Mexico), traveling the rodeo circuit with her parents. Sidney has lived abroad in both Russia and Thailand, working with children and teenagers. She now lives in Texas where she splits her time between a job she loves, writing, reading and belly dancing.
Website | Release Announcements | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | YouTube | Pinterest
Buy links:
Honorary Mention of Book Sluts 'R' Us Blogger Awards by 
RR@H Novel Thoughts & Book Talk 