Why tattoos?
By Jocelynn Drake
2012 has been a year of endings and beginnings for
me. In April, the last Dark Days series
story was released (BOUND TO ME), closing the book, so to speak, on Mira and
Danaus in Savannah. Meanwhile, readers
got their first glimpse of Gage and the rest of the crew at the Asylum Tattoo
and Potion Parlor when The Asylum
Interviews: Bronx and The Asylum
Interviews: Trixie were released this summer. The first book Angel’s Ink hits the shelf on October 16, blowing the doors wide
open on this world.
The Asylum Tales shifts to an entirely new world,
populated by humans, vampires, shape-shifters, ogres, trolls, elves, pixies,
goblins, faeries, satyrs, and a whole lot more that’s going to keep readers on
their toes. But the big question is: why
tattoos?
I first thought of writing about magical tattoos and the
tattoo artists who created them during one of my own visits to get some
ink. While I was finishing up the Dark
Days series, I popped in to one of my favorite tattoo parlors for a little
work. I was chatting with a pair of
artists when they suggested that I needed to write about a tattoo artist. I laughed and brushed off the suggestion, but
apparently the idea stuck in my brain.
I started to turn it over days later. The tattoo artists that I knew could tell some
of the best stories of personal experience.
I felt like they saw just a little bit of everything pass through their
doors. What better way to get a good
look at this strange world than through the eyes of a tattoo artist? And if you add an element of magic to that
experience, the chances for adventure expands even further.
The magical tattoos also became an easy way of leveling
the playing field for the humans in this complex world. When your average day may include encounters
with elves, pixies, shifters, sirens, hinky-punks, and all manner of magical
creatures, sometimes it helps to have a little magical help. Charmed items are extremely hard to come by
and very expensive. And in my world,
most potions need to be introduced to the blood stream directly – hence the
tattooing rather than just drinking the potion.
Now, the tattoos won’t fly up off the body and protect
you like some guardian angel if you’re in trouble. However, if you’ve been having a run of bad
luck, a good luck tattoo could help turn the tide. If you’ve been trying to win over that sexy
hunk at work, a special love tattoo may help you catch his eye. Got someone you would like to … get rid
of? Yeah, your local tattoo artist has
got something for that to, but you’re gonna have to pay for it.
The potions placed in many tattoos are mixed from the
usual ingredients you may find around the area.
Nightshade, pollen from an Easter Lily resting on the altar during the morning
Easter mass at the local basilica, tears from a mermaid, or maybe something a
little exotic, like the yolk from a golden egg laid by a somewhat famous goose.
If you’ve got a problem in Low Town, your local tattoo
artist can give you a helping hand. Just
remember, you’re going to have to pay and pay big for the hard jobs.
Author Bio
Love
comes in many varied forms. There is the love of family, love of
country, and love of chocolate. But for Jocelynn Drake, one truly
treasured love is the love of a good story. This Midwestern native
spends the majority of her time lost in the strong embrace of a good
book. When she’s not hammering away at her keyboard, frowning at her
monitor, or curled up with a book, she can usually be found cuddling
with her cats, Harley and Demona, walking her dog Max, or flinging
curses at the TV while playing a video game. Outside of books, cats,
and video games, she is completely enamored of Bruce Wayne, Ezio
Auditore, travel, tattoos, explosions, fast cars, and Anthony Bourdain
(but only when he’s feeling really cranky).
Angel's Ink Description
BUYER BEWARE...
Looking for a tattoo -- and maybe a little something extra: a burst of good luck, a dollop of love, or even a hex on an ex? Head to the quiet and mysterious Gage, the best skin artist in town. Using his unique potions -- a blend of extraordinary ingredients and special inks -- to etch the right symbol, he can fulfill any heart's desire. But in a place like Low Town, where elves, faeries, trolls, werewolves, and vampires happily walk among humanity, everything has a price.
No one knows that better than Gage. Turning his back on his own kind, he left the magical Ivory Towers where cruel witches and warlocks rule, a decision that cost him his right to practice magic. If he disobeys, his punishment -- execution -- will be swift.
Though he's tried to fly under the radar, Gage can't hide from powerful warlocks who want him dead -- or the secrets of his own past. But with the help of his friends, Trixie, a gorgeous elf who hides her true identity, and a hulking troll named Bronx, Gage just might make it through this enchanted world alive.
