To Tattoo or Not to Tattoo

I got my cover for my upcoming Red Sage Presents story, APHRODITE'S FIRE. I love it, as I do all the Red Sage Presents covers. The story takes place on a tropical island and the hero and heroine are a couple of bounty hunters working undercover at a house party for swingers and swappers. Let the games begin!

The hero as depicted on my cover has a tattoo, and I think it's kinda sexy. Tattoos are becoming so popular today, it's almost hard to find a 20-something without one! Many years ago, I dated a Brit, who had tattoos down both of his arms and on his chest. It wasn't as common then, and he got a lot of looks. He said he got the tattoos in England when he was young and regretted them.

I don't think people would give him a second look today. So many musicians, actors, writers?, and athletes have tattoos, including my fave, David Beckham. And of course, tattoos aren't just for men anymore. Women started with the delicate flower or butterfly in a discreet spot like a wrist or ankle. Now some women have full-on tattoos down their arms or on their backs. I think at my former hair salon it was a prerequisite to be tattooed. Even one of the moms from my son's baseball team this year had tattoos down one arm (she's a pediatric nurse!). My son's soccer coach had tattoos on his legs (which he must've shaved). Several of my sons' teachers have them too.

So what's with all the body art? How's it going to look when these illustrated people reach 80 years old? Are those of us who remain untouched by the tattoo artist's needle going to be the odd ones out? If we stare at someone's tattoo long enough will it come to life and tell a story? (OK, I stole that from one of my favorite Ray Bradbury collections, The Illustrated Man.)

How do you feel about tattoos? Do you have any and can you tell us where? (Shhh, we won't tell.)