National Tattoo Removal Day by Merrillee Whren

 The photo above shows someone getting a tattoo, but today is National Tattoo Removal Day. Do you have a tattoo? Do you love it, or do you wish you could get rid of it? The art of tattooing can be traced back to 3000 BC. However, today one in seven adults who have tattoos regret getting them. There is good news for those who wish to be rid of the tattoos they regret getting. Laser removal of tattoos started in the 1990s. The technology for removing tattoos has improved over the years. Astanza, a leading company in tattoo removal founded this day. 

It takes thirty days for a tattoo to heal. Tattoo removal can't be done before that, so the date for National Tattoo Removal Day is set for at least thirty past National Tattoo Day, which fell on July 17 this year. So if you're looking to remove a tattoo that you got on National Tattoo Day this year, it's time. Also the date is six months after Valentine's Day if you got a tattoo to celebrate a valentine who is no longer your valentine, today is the day to get rid of that tattoo.

So what do tattoos have to do with my writing and my books? I have only one book with a character who has tattoos. Even the character on the cover of this book doesn't have a tattoo. When I first wrote this book for Harlequin Love Inspired, they did not put any tattoos on my hero's arms. When I reissued this book on my own, it was very difficult to find a photo with a male character with tattoos. So the cover still remained without any visible tattoos. I suppose these days, one could create a cover using AI to create a character with tattoos. Here is the cover from my reissue.

 Below is an AI generated picture with the tattoos. I kind of like it. What do you think of AI generated book covers? He certainly has tattoos.

Here is a short excerpt from Kirsten's Mission.

“Now there’s a fine-looking man, wouldn’t you agree?” Jen leaned on the counter.

Kirsten shook her head. “If you like tattoos and the scruffy unshaven look.”

“I was concentrating on those golden-brown eyes and that tousled brown hair.”

Kirsten frowned as she shook her head. “He looks like he’s been sleeping in his clothes, and that tousled brown hair hasn’t seen a barber in weeks.”

“Looks good on his six-foot-plus muscled frame.” Jen let out a low whistle. “I think somebody needs an attitude adjustment.”

“I suppose you mean me.”

“Uh, yeah.”

Kirsten sighed as Jen came back around the counter. “I know I was rude, but he made me angry. He was impolite not to let us know he was coming or that he’d arrived.”

“Did he tell you why he never responded to your messages?”

Kirsten lowered her head and put a hand to her forehead. “He implied my messages were curt and unfriendly.”

Shrugging, Jen frowned. “I thought you sounded okay when you left messages.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t hear them all. Maybe my anger came through even when I was trying not to let it show.” Kirsten raised her head. “Oh well, he’s here now, so I don’t have to worry about it. I hope his presence will make Cora happy. That’s all I care about.”

An unsettled feeling washed over Kirsten as she tried to concentrate on her work. She didn’t want to spend time defending her reaction to the smooth Mr. Hewitt. The man had waltzed in here thinking he could flash around his good looks and charm and make everything okay. Nothing about a cocky guy appealed to her, especially one with a plethora of military and animal tattoos decorating his arms. She suspected there were probably more that couldn’t be seen.

Jen raised her eyebrows. “Did Cora seem happy to see him?”

“Don’t know.” Kirsten shrugged. “She was sleeping, and he was sitting there beside her bed when I looked into the room. All that matters is Cora’s happiness.”

“You’re right.” Jen nodded. “But I was thinking he might be a good candidate for your date to Annie and Ian’s wedding.”

With incredulity screaming through her mind, Kirsten turned to Jen. “You’re joking, right?”

“No, I’m as serious as can be.” Jen tapped her fingers on her keyboard. “Taking Brady would show your dad you can get your own dates.”

“My dad would have a fit if I showed up with a guy sporting tattoos.”

“And the plot thickens.”

Kirsten shook her head. “There’s no plot, and the only thickness is in your skull.”

They worked for several minutes in silence until Jen craned her neck to see down the hallway. She chuckled. “The hero of our story is on his way back.”

“Will you please behave?” Waving a hand at Jen, Kirsten stared at the computer monitor and hoped the man would pass by without a comment. “Don’t say a word to him.”

“Can’t be unfriendly.”

“We have work to do.” Kirsten tried to concentrate on the scheduling chart on her monitor and not be tempted to see where Brady was. Why was she letting him bother her? She had to admit Jen was right. Underneath the tattoos and scruffy appearance was a good-looking man, but she couldn’t let that interest her. Charm and good looks didn’t undo bad character. What kind of man would ignore his grandmother for years?

If this story intrigues you, you can find the book by clicking on this link to take you to my website. 

I don't think Brady should get rid of his tattoos. What do you think?

Merrillee Whren is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award presented by Romance Writers of American. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of forty-plus years, and has two grown daughters. Connect with her on her Facebook page and sign up for her newsletter.