Book 2 in the 21 Tattoos series
Visionary/Metaphysical Fiction; Speculative Fiction; Christian
Fiction
Date Published: forthcoming September 18
Publisher: Acorn Publishing
What do a comatose old woman, a dying gang member, and a brutal assault on a teenage boy have in common? Derek Hollinger isn’t sure, but he knows they’re all connected to the mysterious tattoos that suddenly appeared across his body.
Determined to untangle the web spun by the vicious thug known as “Spider,” Derek embarks on a journey of redemption that leads from his lavish L.A. penthouse to the seedy world of underground fighting and human trafficking. But as he ventures deeper down the rabbit hole, the self-exiled plastic surgeon realizes that the answer lies within his heart and mind … and soul.
Faith is the key to reclaiming his life, but choosing God may be difficult for Derek, who has spent his entire career valuing material success over spiritual growth.
In this thrilling sequel to 21 Tattoos, Derek must face the hard truth about where his tattoos came from and an even harder truth about what it will take to be free of them once and for all.
Derek Hollinger stood motionless, transfixed by his own sorrow and by the wood-grain pattern of his penthouse door. His fingertips moved along with the ridges and dips as if they were a roadmap to some unknown kingdom. He’d lost himself in this journey when suddenly, a loud thud from inside the elevator shaft jarred him back. He wasn’t sure how long he had been standing there, but it felt like hours.
Three weeks had passed, and he was no closer to finding answers to why he had woken up one morning with his entire body covered in tattoos; he still had no clue what they meant or how to get rid of them.
The sound of the elevator motor humming in the vestibule seemed distant now. The world was blurring away. The longer he stared, the further he felt removed from reality.
With shoulders slumped, he forced himself to insert his key into the lock. He wasn’t sure what he should be searching for, but he knew he had to hold onto the glimmer of hope that flickered in the depths of his mind. Eventually, he would find what he was looking for.
Derek eased the door open and stepped into the spacious penthouse, dropping his bag at his feet. He took a deep breath, then paused to exhale and inspect the familiar surroundings. Now back in his own space, he allowed himself a moment to soak in the strong sensation of familiarity. The abandoned room served as a reminder of his not-so-distant past — a metaphor for his anguished feelings.
Despite the lavishness of the penthouse, there was a strange sense of stillness in the air, as if the room itself was holding its breath in anticipation of what was to come. The chairs, upholstered in a rich full-grain grey leather, sat empty. Their high backs arched towards one another like two lovers with arms extended in an eternal embrace. They seemed to be waiting for two people to fill them, to complete the picture of symmetry and balance in the room.
Derek scanned the opulent furnishings and decor, a testament to the wealth and power of the apartment’s owner. The walls were a deep historical shade of burgundy, representing ambition, wealth, and power, and in the center of the room, the floor was covered in a plush Persian carpet that practically begged to be walked on barefoot.
Yet the room sat untouched — a showroom display. Shelves of unread books lined the far side of the room and looked as if they had been abandoned long ago.
He let out an audible deep sigh. As the front door closed, a sudden rush of nausea made his heart slam against his chest. He could feel the palpitations vibrate through his throat and neck. The past month had been traumatic and ecstatic at the same time, but this visceral reaction to his return home and the separation from Kendal caught him off guard. He wasn’t sure exactly what they were to each other, but he’d come to depend on her — his port in the storm.
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-eight years. She has enjoyed various occupations over the years, but her favorite job is the one she’s doing now—writing.
Her debut novel, 21 Tattoos, was published by Acorn Publishing in 2023. The 7th Dimension is Book 2 in the 21 Tattoos Series.
Contact Links
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Blog
Goodreads / Pinterest / Instagram: @monicabroussardauthor
Purchase Links
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Draft2Digital
This looks like a fantastic read. Thanks for sharing.
One of my favorite covers!