Tag: tattoos

The Chamber of Curiosities, a medieval fantasy, by Anastasia Blackwell is now available on all major podcast servers. The audio is narrated by the author and will be available in ten segments of a series.

The Chamber of Curiosities Podcast

‘The night of the blue moon’ is a rare event. The townspeople and visitors to Tressaria throng to the carnival, staged in an ancient fortress overlooking a vibrant seaport. But, not everyone is free to join the revelry. Darné Veskka, stands at the bars of a cage consumed by loneliness. In the late hours aerialist, Clare Dupree, breaks inside - armed with a razor and obsession. Her quest is to shave off his beard to see his face. The giant who has never felt a woman’s touch, threatens her - but ultimately succumbs. And, their pact marks the dawn of a new age in Tressaria, and plants the seed of revolution.

The dark fantasy is set in the fictional seaport, where ‘Coin is King’ and citizens pawns to whims of their debauched rulers. Mr. Beedro’s Carnival is a lucrative business, with games, flying shows, equestrian acts, feasts, flesh and alcohol for sale. The Freak Show lies at its heart and is a pleasant distraction for citizens, sailors, and visiting traders to gloat over those less unfortunate. It is here the giant of a man, Darné Veskka, billed as The Human Beast, lives in a cage with other ‘mistakes of nature’.

The Chamber of Curiosities Podcast

Hope you enjoy listening to The Chamber of Curiosities, and please share, review, subscribe, and reach out to Anastasia Blackwell on social sites.

Please Note:  "The House on Black Lake" has been adapted to screenplay. Go to Home Page to view provocative trailer by award winning cinematographer. The story chronicles a  woman's journey of self discovery and transformation in the French Canadian underground. There are three tattooed charmers in HOBL, and a woman ready to leave her "perfect" life behind.

An obscure new book by an unknown indie author is set for a major breakout. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie Mcguire is a simple tale, the story of a good girl and a bad boy.

"The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend America, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the charming college co-ed. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his charms, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’ apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match."

Jamie McGuire was raised in Blackwell, Oklahoma, and now resides in Enid, Oklahoma with her two  daughters. The author began her writing career in 2009 when she finished the first  of the Providence  series (young adult paranormal) in eleven weeks.

Ms. McGuire, like Stephanie Myers, author of the Twilight series, has struck an immediate and deep cord with readers. The cover of Beautiful Disaster  has created quite a controversy, but it is the tattooed bad boy Travis that has thrust the novel to the top of book and e-book sellers lists.

Please Note:  The House on Black Lake has been adapted to screenplay. Go to Home Page to view provocative trailer by award winning cinematographer.

All three of the central male characters in The House on Black Lake sport tattoos. Charismatic Ramey Sandeley  has "In One Man Lie All the Mysteries of the Universe" in ancient script across the high arch of his perfectly formed backside. Ramey's cousin, Georgie LaPointe, the decadent Montreal rock god, has an intricate tribal band encircling his immense triceps. And sensuous French artist Andre Labat has a vicious rattler inked up his arm. There is also a tattooed and pierced Oriana, who has a taste for both sexes and hidden rooms in the back of her Old Montreal salon where taboos are broken by discreet adults.

In a dream sequence (or perhaps a look into her future) protagonist Alexandra Brighton dreams she is tied to a four poster and about to receive a branding of her lover's initials as part of her wedding ceremony. The finality of the ceremony will have her branding the groom in turn, followed by consummation of their unbreakable vows. A ring may be removed - but a branding is forever. Alexandra has lived her life as "the good girl", the perfect daughter, wife, and mother. But society does not reward her efforts as she seeks freedom from a suffocating marriage. She is about to turn "bad" and the trio of men will aid in her journey to self actualization.

I have researched romance forums (thanks to Amazon community and others) and the following novels feature the best of the tattooed and pierced heroes/anti heroes  in romance novels.  The novels featuring the marked bad boys are as follows:

1. Ink Spots by Lissa Matthews

2. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

3. Rock Hard by Olivia Cunning

4. Backstage Pass (Sinners on Tour Book 1) by Olivia Cunning

5. Nauti Boys Trilogy by Lora Leigh

6. Rock Me (Ross Siblings Book 2) by Cherrie Lynn

7. Making Chase (The Chase Brothers, Book 4) by Lauren Dane

8.Obsession Untamed (Feral Warriors Book 3) by Pamela Palmer

9. Squeeze Play (Richmond Rogue Series)  by Kate Angell - for those who prefer it "light"

10. Lover Unbound (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 5) by J.R. Ward - a number to choose from

11.  Lead Me On (Tumble Creek) by Victoria Dahl

12. Rough Edges by Ashlynn Pierce

13. Redeeming Characters by Jennefer L. Hart

14.Tempting Alibi by Sylvannah Stuart

15. Cracklin' Rosie: Blue Jeans and Hard Hats book 2 by Lissa Matthews

16. Carnal Ecstacy by Lisa Matthews

17.What the Librarian Did by Karina Bliss

18. ICE (The Elite Forces Series Book 1) by Anne Stuart

19. Lady of Desire by Galen Foley

20. Lords of the Underworld series by Gena Showalter

The sexy male model  featured on Pamela Palmers cover of Hunger Untamed  is featured in The House on Black Lake trailer, which may be viewed on Home Page.

Ann Stokes is one of the premiere artists of gothic and fantasy. Her portfolio and pictures of tattoos may be found at http://www.annestokes.com/

In the fantasy realm I also love Michael Parkes http://www.michaelparkesgallery.com/ and Boris Vallego http://www.imaginistix.com/gallery_store.cfm . They have both inspired me with their drawings of powerful female figures. Toward the end of writing "The House on Black Lake" I began to move into elements of fantasy.  I find myself drawn to both  gothic symbols and fantasy as they expand how we view nature and humanity, and most importantly protray women, and their interaction with men and wild mammals in a manner that is supremely sensual, exotic and powerful.

THE HOUSE ON BLACK LAKE HAS BEEN ADAPTED TO SCREENPLAY. GO TO HOME PAGE TO VIEW PROVOCATIVE CINEMATIC TRAILER

 In the process of promoting my novel, I have spoken with many romance enthusiests and spent time researching forums devoted to the romance genre.  I have compled a list of the fifty most popular themes. Asterisks are placed next to topics touched upon in The House on Black Lake.

Book Clubs may want to use  list as  beginning of discussion, or have members write their own and create an extended list that can be forwarded along to community sites. Knowledgable readers may add title examples for each topic to create a resource for individuals to find books that appeal to them.  It is also helpful to the writers of romance novels to be aware of what their readers desire to experience. This is especially true if topics considered taboo are broached. Reading offers a great opportunity to release fear and repressed desires, and explore various aspects of ourselves and our life journey through the experiences of others.

 A number of the themes listed below, such as alpha males, dominant males, cheaters, and forced love are dealt with in my other blogs, including reading examples. I plan to add lists, and will soon make site open to readers suggessions, so please return for more information as it is gathered.

The list of popular themes in in no particular order.

l. A broken heart. The greatest reading choice for this seems to be "Stormfire.*

2. Man uses woman for revenge, kidnapped, seduced, etc. "Stormfire" again, this must be a great read.*

3. Good sex scenes, either explicit or implicit.*

4. Heroine nearly dies, hero is terrified, realizes how much he loves her. Even better, is when hero is directly, or indirectly responsible for putting heroine in jeopardy...*

5. Second chance ex-spouses.

6. Cheating hero.* This one is very popular. But, some want him to realize he loves his wife and family and wants them back.

7. Less than perfect heroes/heroines – scarred or disabled.

8. Rugged cowboy-types.*

9. Hero helps deliver his baby.

10. Heroine saves or rescues hero from harm.

11. Bad Boys.*

12. Pent up sexual frustration – repression.*

13. Great grovel scenes – where rugged hero breaks down.* This is very popular, and an ideal topic for discussion.

14. Hero disappears and reappears years later.

15. Steamy AND emotional scenes between lovers.”*

16. Romance – candlelit dinners, walks in the park. Etc.*

17. Obsessed or deeply in lust.*

18. Villain in love with heroine.*

19. Dominant, alpha males.*

20. Romance and thriller.*

21. Widowed hero grieving over first wife.

22. Vampire and paranormal love.

23. Vikings!.

24. Smutty historical romance.

25. H/H in historical garb.

26. Men with long (preferably dark) flowing hair*.

27. Alpha female who isn’t borderline abusive*

28. Hero bribes heroine to be with him.

29. Heroine playing hard to get.*

30. Drunken sex.*

31. Bad boy falls for nice girl.*

32 Virginal or repressed heroine who falls apart at the touch of the RIGHT man.*

33. Forced mate scenario in paranormal.

34. Jealous bad boy.*

35. Ménage romance.*

36. Incest.*

37. Two men competing for woman.*

38. Forced sex where h/h have strong connection.*

39. Sheik books and big hunky H’s and the feisty heroine.

40. Bad boy who bosses H around until they fall in love.*

41. Spanking/forced sex scenes.*

42. Love triangles.*

43. Bisexual love.*

44. Older women/younger men.*

45. Rugged/outdoorsy men.*

46. Heroine enjoys sex.*

47. Haunted places/ghosts.*

48. Tattoos, piercings, branding, etc.*

49. Beauty and the beast themes.*

50. Time travel – men in kilts, on island, or anywhere ancient.*

Well, that’s a beginning. The list says a lot about what women really want, and discussing these topics is a great exercise in female empowerment.

When Alexandra Brighton enters Black Lake she only knows what she has been taught by contemporary society. The lessons she learns in the underground teach her about her deeper desires and instincts. Some of the topics are a bit disturbing, but I believe all women desire to reconnect with baser animal instincts and enjoy the powerful union between the sexes.

Most of us love a good vampire tale.