My Heart’s Tattoo

In the vibrant heart of Austin, Texas, where progressive values clash with deep-rooted traditions, two men’s lives collide in an unforgettable story of love, loss, and the price of living authentically. Jed Taylor has always been different - blessed (or cursed) with visions of the future that have shaped his entire life. After losing his first love in military service, he’s learned to carefully guard his gift and his heart. But when he meets Darren McAllister, all his carefully constructed defenses begin to crumble.

Darren seems to have it all - a successful career, a picture-perfect marriage, and the respect of Austin’s elite social circles. Yet beneath the polished exterior lies a man suffocating under the weight of expectations, struggling with addiction, and hiding his true self from the world. When he encounters Jed at a friend’s game night, their immediate connection ignites something neither can deny.

As their relationship deepens in the shadows of the city - in quiet coffee shops, hidden corners of bookstores, and stolen moments under starlit skies - both men begin to imagine a future they never thought possible. Jed finds himself falling for someone again despite his fears, while Darren finally discovers what it means to be truly seen and accepted. But their growing love is complicated by more than just societal expectations and Darren’s marriage. Dark visions plague Jed’s nights, warning of danger he can’t quite grasp. Meanwhile, Darren’s battle with addiction intensifies as he tries to break free from his past.

When tragedy strikes, it sets off a chain of events that will test everyone’s beliefs about love, loyalty, and justice. A mysterious death. A grieving community. A police investigation that threatens to unravel carefully guarded secrets. As past and present collide, the boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds begin to blur, raising profound questions about fate, free will, and whether love can truly transcend death itself.

Set against the backdrop of Austin’s eclectic neighborhoods and pulsing with the city’s unique rhythm, “My Heart’s Tattoo” weaves together multiple perspectives to create a symphony of love, loss, and redemption. Through the interconnected lives of its characters - from Jed’s fiercely protective sister Raelynn to the determined Detective Owen Bates, and the complex, troubled Jennifer McAllister - the novel explores how our choices ripple outward to affect countless others, and how the bonds of love can persist even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

This haunting debut novel celebrates the courage it takes to be truly ourselves, the destructive power of secrets, and the healing potential of unconditional love. With lyrical prose and deeply drawn characters, it challenges readers to question their own beliefs about destiny, forgiveness, and the eternal nature of human connection. Part love story, part ghost story, part gripping mystery, “My Heart’s Tattoo” is an unforgettable exploration of how far we’ll go for love, what we’ll risk to protect it, and how love itself can survive beyond the boundaries of life and death.

This contemporary queer love story transcends genre conventions to deliver a powerful conversation about identity, addiction, and the choices that shape our destinies. It’s a novel that will stay etched in readers’ hearts long after the final page is turned, reminding us that some love is strong enough to leave a permanent mark on our hearts and souls.