Today, we have a character interview from the wonderfully tattooed Shep from Ink Inspired. This is part of the Midnight Ink anthology available at the moment. At the end of the post is an excerpt from the short story… enjoy (I know I did!)
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Hi Y’all! Thanks so much for having me here today. Today I’m going to interview my character, Shep, from Ink Inspired. I tried to get him to write his own post but he’s a brat sometimes when it comes to doing things for me. Yes, I know. I just called a 6’5, heavily tattooed, tattoo artist a brat. It happens.
So without further ado, here is Shep. 🙂
Carrie Ann: So, tell me, how did you end up in a book?
Shep: *rolls eyes* You do realize you made me up right?
Carrie Ann: Shush you. Go alone with it. K?
Shep: I work at Midnight Ink, a tattoo shop right in New Orleans. I’m part of that huge bundle you had with 7 other authors. So I got to work with almost every single character within the bundle.
Carrie Ann: What do you mean?
Shep: Well, because I’m one of the veteran artists there as I’ve worked at Midnight for about a decade, I got a chance to ink most of the crew. I’m in, I think, 5 of the 8 novellas. Only Sassy has more exposure and since she’s freaking amazing, I totally get that.
Carrie Ann: Did you mean to be in each book?
Shep: *shakes his head* No, but I went where I was needed. They needed ink, so I was there. I love my job and my art so it worked out.
Carrie Ann: Speaking of Sassy, will she get a book?
Shep: *Narrows eyes* Only you know that, Carrie Ann but I think it’s a good possibility. *coughs*
Carrie Ann: *clears throat* Okay, so back to you. You met Shea, your heroine, in Midnight Ink. Did you ever think you’d settle down?
Shep: *grins at the thought of Shea* I’d been thinking about settling down a bit, but it wasn’t until that prim and proper woman with those ice blue eyes showed up at Midnight that I knew for sure.
Carrie Ann: Was it love at first sight?
Shep: If you believe in that sort of thing, sure, but it was attraction and intrigue for sure. She wanted ink but didn’t know what exactly she wanted. I got to help her figure it out and got to get to know her at the same time. Totally worth it.
Carrie Ann: Okay, what’s your favorite part about Shea?
Shep: Her eyes. Her smile. Her attitude. The way she blushes just for me. You name it, I love it about her.
Carrie Ann: *swoons*
Shep: No really, I wouldn’t change a thing about her.
Carrie Ann: *clears throat* Okay then. So what’s next for you?
Shep: Well, Shea and I are still new so we’re enjoying our life but we’re going to enjoy it together. As for Midnight Ink? I think you know a bit about Sassy’s story. Plus my cousin Austin up in Denver has a new series that you’re writing called Montgomery Ink.
Carrie Ann: Yep, 2014 will be a busy and fun year with the Montgomery clan. Okay, some fun questions then I will let you go back to Shea.
Shep: Good answer.
Carrie Ann: Hard or Slow?
Shep: Hard then slow. Or the other way.
Carrie Ann: Leather or Lace?
Shep: Lace on Shea…but I think she’d look hot in leather too.
Carrie Ann: Chocolate or Vanilla.
Shep: There’s nothing vanilla about me.
Carrie Ann: *grins* I wouldn’t think so LOL. Okay, thank you so much Shep for being here! And thank you so much readers and Nix for having us!
Links/Bio
USA Today Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan never thought she’d be a writer. Not really. No, she loved math and science and even went on to graduate school in chemistry. Yes, she read as a kid and devoured teen fiction and Harry Potter, but it wasn’t until someone handed her a romance book in her late teens that she realized that there was something out there just for her. When another author suggested she use the voices in her head for good and not evil, The Redwood Pack and all her other stories were born.
Carrie Ann is a bestselling author of over twenty novels and novellas and has so much more on her mind (and on her spreadsheets *grins*) that she isn’t planning on giving up her dream anytime soon.
Carrie Ann loves hearing from readers. You can find her at:
Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter: @CarrieAnnRyan |
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An Excerpt from Ink Inspired
Shea would be outside within the next five minutes, and he didn’t want her to wait. Remembering the way she’d looked like a frightened rabbit the last time he’d seen her, he wasn’t about to leave it up to fate that she’d actually stay.
His phone buzzed against his leg, and he cursed. It better not be Shea calling to cancel.
Without looking at the screen, he answered. “You better be outside and not ready to cancel on me, babe.”
“Having to threaten your dates now? What the hell is going on in New Orleans that a Montgomery is losing their street cred?”
Shep cursed at Austin’s words. “Jesus. I thought you were someone else.”
“Clearly. What’s wrong? Having trouble in the sack?”
“I’m not talking about sex with you, Austin, just because you aren’t getting any. I don’t have time to discuss it right now.”
“Ouch. Cruel words for a man who thinks his date is about to dump him.”
“Shut it. I’ve got to go since Shea is probably outside waiting for me and I’m here talking with you.”
“Shea, is it? Pretty name.”
“Austin,” Shep growled.
“Hey, don’t jump on me. Go on your date if she shows. Hope she does because I’m not in the mood to deal with your emo bullshit if she doesn’t. I called to tell you I booked a flight to come down there in three days. That cool?”
Shep sighed. He knew Austin needed to come down and clear his head for whatever reason, and Shep wanted to help. Even though they got on each other’s nerves, they were family.
“Yeah, man. It’s cool.”
“Good. And, Shep? For what it’s worth, I hope she shows. Just the way you said her name made me think she’s something.”
He hung up, leaving Shep staring at his phone. Jesus. Did he have a sign around his neck saying that Shea was different? He hadn’t even really told himself that, and yet everyone seemed to know.
He just hoped he didn’t scare her off.
Shep made his way through the front door and froze.
Holy fuck.
Shea was even sexier than he remembered, and he remembered every detail about her from the day before.
She wore a white dress with one of those cuts that went right across the shoulders but still showed some skin and made her look hella tantalizing. She had on a light pink cardigan that covered most of her arms and pearls.
Fucking pearls.
Not too big, but Jesus, she was classy.
Her dress was tight at her waist and hips and flared out at her knees. Her legs looked fucking delicious in high-heeled pink pumps with skinny little heels.
She’d put her hair in a bun at the nape of her neck so he could see all the contours of her face. Though she wasn’t all bones and angles, her cheekbones were sharp and made those hypnotic eyes pop.
Right now, though, those eyes were full of fear…and excitement.
He could work with the latter.
And he’d have to get rid of the former.
* * * * * *
Shepard Montgomery loves the feel of a needle in his hands, the ink that he lays on another, and the thrill he gets when his art is finished, appreciated, and loved. At least that’s the way it used to be. Now he’s struggling to figure out why he’s a tattoo artist at all as he wades through the college frat boys and tourists who just want a thrill, not a permanent reminder of their trip. Once he sees the Ice Princess walk through Midnight Ink’s doors though, he knows he might just have found the inspiration he needs.
Shea Little has spent her life listening to her family’s desires. She went to the best schools, participated in the most proper of social events, and almost married the man her family wanted for her. When she ran from that and found a job she actually likes, she thought she’d rebelled enough. Now though, she wants one more thing—only Shepard stands in the way. She’ll not only have to let him learn more about her in order to get inked, but find out what it means to be truly free.
*Ink Inspired is part of the Midnight Ink Anthology.
Midnight Ink Anthology
One tattoo shop in one infamous city sets the stage for 8 stories about resolutions, kink, love and ink. Get ready to let the good times roll!
Jayne Rylon
Report For Booty
When Burke Levine got marching orders, he couldn’t bear to make his girlfriend Chavon White a military widow. Years later, discovering his name tattooed on her perfect ass via a New Orleans’ artist’s portfolio confirms his epic mistake. Will Midnight Ink’s New Year’s Eve party grant them a second chance?
Sidney Bristol
Picture Her Bound
She’s a police officer desperate enough to break the rules. He’s the bounty hunter standing between her and ruin. Picture Her Bound–the first book in the brand new Bayou Bound series from Sidney Bristol–a story of right, wrong and binding pleasures.
Robin L. Rotham
Not So Over Eli
Paramedic Bart Rigger finally has the life he wants rather than the one his father dictated, thanks to hot new fiancée Rhonda Giannetti. But a whirlwind trip to New Orleans puts it all at risk when he’s forced to confront unresolved feelings for his first love, tattoo artist Elijah Bell.
PG Forte
Inked Memories
All Sophie wants is a tattoo to commemorate her battle with cancer. What she gets is celebrity tattoo artist Declan Ross, the same sexy bad-boy who used to rock her world. This time, they’ve both got scars and it’s still the ones you can’t see that are the hardest to cover.
RG Alexander
To The Bone
Etta Santos has one resolution—to cover up the last visible evidence of her past. When Christie Ryder, sexy musician and new owner of Midnight Ink, pursues her, he seems too good to be true. His music touches her soul, but can she risk trusting another bad boy with her heart?
Eden Bradley
Dangerously Inked
When the tattoo artist Finn Carter lined up for his visit to New Orleans turns out to be the mysteriously alluring sub he played on New Year’s Eve at The Bastille, the city’s BDSM club, more than his skin will be marked forever—and Rosie is just the woman to bring this playboy to his knees.
Carrie Ann Ryan
Ink Inspired, Montgomery Ink 0.5
In Carrie Ann Ryan’s Ink Inspired, the prequel to her upcoming Montgomery Ink series, Ice Princess Shea Little wants ink and a change. Shepard Montgomery not only wants to ink her, but get through that icy exterior. Together, they’ll heat up the streets of New Orleans…and each other.
Mari Carr
Blank Canvas, Big Easy, book one
Disillusioned by divorce, Jennifer’s about to discover her wild side, starting with a tattoo from Caliph. And continuing with submission, spankings, wax play…all under the skilled hands of her wickedly sexy tattoo master.
I have the Midnight Ink Anthology but I’ve only read the 1st story. Thanks for the giveaway.
fun character Interview. looking forward to reading his story.
Have read every story and love them all, but Carrie Ann Ryan is the best. Have read every one of her books and have yet to find one I did not love.
Fab giveaway, thanks!
Love character interviews. Shep and Shea were great together – so different but a fab couple!! 😀
Love Carrie Ann’s stories and always look forward to each new one.
Enjoyed the interview and excerpt. This book is on my Christmas wish list. Smokin hot cover.
I recently bought Midnight Ink but haven’t started it yet. I am so looking forward to reading it though. loved the interview and the excerpt.
lacombejc at suddenlink dot net
Great interview! I’m looking forward to sitting down with the Midnight Ink Anthology once this class is over with!
Great interview and excerpt! Shep is adorable; can’t wait to read.
Love character interviews!
Interesting stories
Great interview, and I loved the anthology!
Love, love, love this book! Well duh, I don’t think I’ve read a book by Carrie Ann that I didn’t fall in love with. Can’t wait to see more of Sassy! 😀