Visionary & Metaphysical Fiction; Christian Fiction
Date Published: October 11, 2023
Publisher: Acorn Publishing
What if your deepest, darkest fears were inked on your skin for the world to see?
Famous plastic surgeon Derek Hollinger has it all: money, success, luxury cars, and an L.A. penthouse near the beach. Who cares if he has no friends or lovers? He doesn’t need anyone.
But Derek’s seemingly perfect life is shattered after a chance encounter with a mysterious old woman. When he wakes up covered in tattoos, the shadow of his traumatic past—one he can no longer outrun—looms large.
Aided in his desperate quest for the truth by the young nurse he once scorned, Derek’s only hope for redemption lies within his own damaged psyche. What do the tattoos mean? Are they part of God’s plan for him, a test of his lapsed faith…or a curse brought on by his own arrogance?
And can he get rid of them before he loses everything?
Interview with Monica Broussard
How many books have you written and which is your favorite?
I have written two and almost finished my third. “21 Tattoos” is the first in a series of three. The second book is going into editing and the third book is 80% finished. Out of the three the third is the best. Each book’s storyline builds on the other.
If you’re planning a sequel, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?
The first book starts out with the life changing event of Derek being covered in tattoos and his head nurse and manager Kendal helping him. By Book Two they have lost some of the ground they had gained in their relationship, but the lessons help them to grow stronger. By book three he began to answer the questions that have been plaguing him to solve the mystery as to how and why he has the tattoos and possibly how to get rid of them.
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
It is definitely a three-book series. Each book can stand on its own, but they become a fuller more complete story when you read each book in sequence.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
My publisher and I finally settled on 21 Tattoos- I had picked other titles through the years. After some back and forth we decided this title was the best representation of what the book symbolizes.
How long did it take you to write this book?
It has taken me 15 years to write the three books. This has been an on again off again labor of love as life permitted. I am now semi-retired and have the time to dedicate to publishing and marketing the three books.
What does the title mean?
21 Tattoos has many meanings: it can be a reminder to make peace with our faith, to trust in God’s plan. The number 21 also symbolizes patience, protection and comfort during a transitional period in one’s life. In the bible it is associated with death and rebirth. All the meanings can be applied to the plight of my character Dr. Derek Hollinger as he navigates his way through the turmoil of his life’s journey.
What did you learn when writing the book?
WE all go through transformations in life. Some circumstances are more extreme than others. When we are faced with a sudden change in our lives, we each have our own way of handling it. I could relate to my character Dr. Derek Hollinger because he woke up one morning and his life was not the same after being covered head to toe in tattoos. I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer, lost my hair and had a breast removed at 49 years old. How we evolve from our experience is life’s biggest challenge or reward.
What surprised you the most?
How much of my own story is interweaved throughout the characters. There are sequences in the books that have actually happened in my life but the fabric of the story has come to look very familiar after it is all written out.
Have you ever killed off a character your readers loved?
No. But, I am contemplating right now how one of my characters will end up possibly maimed or dead. We’ll see.
What do you do to get inside your character’s heads?
I ask them what they are doing today? I wait until a scene pops up and the action starts. I used to do this on my commute to work every day. Then on the weekends I would write what I had seen in my head during my daily drives. Once I have my action scene depending on what is going on I may research why they would have the reaction they did or rationalize in my own head as to what would make them think, say and do the things do. It is the same as having a close relationship with anyone, a spouse, a child, a parent… You have a lifetime of interaction with them and hopefully that can help you understand why they do the things they do to help you relate to them.
About the Author
Writer, speaker, and certified life coach Monica Broussard is passionate about writing fiction that contains elements of fantasy and keeps the reader intrigued about the lead character’s motives. She also writes an occasional article for her hometown’s magazine, SeaCliff Living. She belongs to Toastmasters International and enjoys attending national writers' conferences.
Born in North Carolina on a Marine Corps base, Monica now lives in “Surf City,” Huntington Beach, California, with her husband of thirty-seven years. She has enjoyed various occupations over the years, but her favorite job is the one she’s doing now—writing.
Twenty-One Tattoos is her debut novel. For more about her writing, visit her website, MonicaBroussardAuthor.com.
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2 comments:
The cover looks good. Sounds like a really interesting story.
looks like a fun one
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