Help me to Celebrate, My Lovelies! Design My Tattoo!

I have a very special tradition, my lovelies: when a book I've written finds a home, I commemorate the occasion with a tattoo.  My first was a cross on my left shoulder blade, in honor of the first book I ever finished (a story about finding faith); my second is an arrangement of Nordic runes, the Hero, the Thorn, and Tempered Strength, in honor of my first series being considered by DAW books.  Now, with Lotus Petals ready to make its debut, it's time to celebrate again, with a brand new tattoo!

The tradition for me is to make the tattoo reflective of the story. In this case, I want a version of the tattoo on Rhiannon, my hero, who is a member of the Guild of Orchalyva, the weaponsmasters.  Here is the description straight from Lotus Petals:

On her left shoulder blade, she wore the savage black tattoo, the image of a double-headed axe ringed by weaving knotwork patterns. The ring grew narrower at the top, wider and more intricate at the bottom, like a circlet, a royal diadem around the warrior’s blade. Along the bottom of the design read a short inscription in the Greek language—Aijyn recognized the characters from engravings and artwork the daimyo and his samurai sometimes collected. Orgí kai chályva, the creed of the weapons-masters: "rage" and "steel".

  
Here is my challenge to you, my lovelies: help me commemorate the release of Lotus Petals and become part of the tradition. If you are artistic, like to design tattoos, or just want a chance to win a free copy of the book, send me a tattoo design that will incorporate the elements of Rhiannon's tattoo above.  They don't have to be arranged the same way as described, but the key elements -- the labrys (axe), the Greek phrase, the diadem -- should all be included.  Fonts, designs, knotwork if you want to include it, are all at your leisure to design. Though Rhiannon wears her tattoo on her left shoulder blade, I've already got a tattoo there, so this one will be going on my right ankle.  Design it however you like: as a single image, as an "anklet", or any other creative design.  My tattoos are generally small, so something roughly 3x3 (think a standard Post-It Note) would be best. I would consider larger, if the design is worth it.  One thing to note: lettering on a tattoo can only be so small, and my tattoo artist won't do it if he thinks the letters will bleed together.

Lotus Petals is set to be released on Friday, January 17th; I'll be at the tattoo parlor on Saturday, getting the celebratory ink!  Submit your designs to me at Brantwijn at gmail dot com, by January 10th extended to January 16th!, for a chance to win a free copy of Lotus Petals on the day it is released. I'll post all the designs here to share them with the world, and one lucky winner will be announced.  If you help spread the word, you might have a chance to win some other free books from me, too! Please keep in mind that as I'm the one who will be getting this tattoo permanently inked on my skin, I reserve the right to choose the design based on what speaks to me most.

So get your pencils ready, darlings! Show me your tattooing talent and let's celebrate the book's release!

(Original designs only.  I shall be very cross if I find out you've taken another's design.)

Naughty or Nice? Take your Pick! Guest Post by Ivy Bateman

 Today on Foreplay and Fangs, we welcome another special guest, part of the Breathless Press team of erotic authors.  Ivy Bateman is here to share with us a little bit of holiday cheer, and a little peek at something under the tree: Christmas Eve Surprise, her new upcoming book!

Hello everyone!

Does Christmas bring out the best or the worst in you? Is it an occasion that makes you feel particularly naughty or extremely nice?  To be honest, I hop madly between feeling an incredible sense of well-being and love for my fellow humans and wishing it was January so that I could sleep again. I want to share my joy with the world and let everyone who means something to me know how much I care while at the same time I gaze with a certain animosity at the big pile of Christmas cards I need to send out.

However, it passes quickly. I stress about the season, but usually I get everything I need to get done, well, done and the feeling of love for everyone fills my head to the pointy of giddiness come Christmas day.