Teague McMurtry finds himself up against a violent biker gang whose leader wants him dead. He must use all his skills to protect himself and the woman he loves.
Synopsis of The Ninja Tattoo – by Dellani Oakes
Teague McMurtry spent 6 years in the Army in Afghanistan. After coming home, he's looked forward to a quiet life. He's content to live in his small house in Edgewater, Florida. When he runs into Vivica Rambo at the Dunkin' Donuts, he thinks his life is going to change. Little does he know how much.
As he's driving to his first appointment, he gets into a weird sort of convoy on Riverside Drive. There is a pickup in front of him, followed by a Ninja motorcycle. He's next, with another biker behind him. Next to last is a red Jeep and at the end is another biker. When the other vehicles turn off, two of the bikers follow them. The third stays on Teague's tail, dogging him down the road. Paranoid and a little freaked, he shakes it off until another biker follows him on the way to his next job.
Both bikers leave when he arrives at gated communities, but that night, he finds men watching his house. He disables one, ties up another and sends the third back with a message for his boss that he's messing with the wrong man. The police arrive and take one man to jail, the other two get away.
The next day, Teague has lunch with Vivica. He finds out that her brother, Randy, is a very dangerous man. He runs a biker gang that's into drug trafficking, gun running and all manner of illegal activities.
Later in the afternoon, Vivica shows up at his home, terrified. Her brother has made threats against her. She went to great pains to lose him, including leaving her phone on a city bus. He tracks her with the GPS. They are involved in a romantic moment when his neighbor taps on the door. She hands him an envelop with pictures of Teague. Each photograph has a red targeting scope drawn on it. One was taken only minutes before through Teague's front window.
At this point, Teague realizes he has to protect himself and Vivica. He makes plans to “get lost in the woods” and contacts family who can help him accomplish that. Unfortunately, a late season storm drives them in from the woods, forcing them to take shelter in a campground near Silver Springs, Florida.
When Randy and his gang track them down and converge on the campground, Teague has to call upon all his military skills to protect himself and the woman he loves.
Excerpt
Early morning sun set the sky on fire, glistening off the water, momentarily blinding him. He flipped down the visor then dug his sunglasses out of the glove compartment, sliding them up his nose with one hand. He'd chosen the scenic route to work just so he could enjoy the sunrise. The river looked like molten silver shot with gold strands. The sky was a cheerful blend of rose, lavender, azure, peach and plum. The sun peeping over the horizon was tinged with red, indicating the start of another scorcher. Hot weather was not unusual in Florida, but wasn't the norm for early October.
Teague McMurtry waved to the few pedestrians out at this hour. He knew some of them slightly, since many of them were his neighbors. Working the odd hours he did, he rarely saw anyone. After moving a month ago to his small house on Riverside Drive, his neighbors had made a point of coming over to introduce themselves. It was by far the friendliest neighborhood he had ever lived in.
Needing his caffeine fix, Teague drove to the Dunkin' Donuts before heading to his appointment. He flirted unashamedly with the older women there, teased the younger ones and got a handful of donut holes tossed in the bag when he wasn't looking. It helped that he was six feet tall, jacked, broad shouldered, sun bleached blonde and tan. The married women drooled, the single ones propositioned him. He dropped a couple bucks change in the tip cup, blowing kisses to them he backed out the door.
"Ow!" A surprised female voice sounded behind him as the door met slight resistance.
"Oh, shit! I'm sorry!" Flustered, he turned around.
In her heels, she was nearly as tall as he was, dark haired, willowy, full busted. Her long, chestnut colored hair was loose around her shoulders, full and curly and damp. When she pushed up her sunglasses, dark green eyes smoldered.
"You always back out the door?"
"Just when I'm working the room," he said. "I'm so sorry. You're not hurt, are you? Can I buy you a coffee to apologize?"
She smirked, giving him the once over with her eyes. "I'll have a caramel latte."
He nodded toward the counter, holding the door with his hip as she walked past. Several other people frowned at him as they walked through. One old woman purposely stepped on his foot, glowering. She mumbled something, but Teague ignored her. He caught up with the young woman as she placed her order. Setting his coffee down, he dug in his pocket.
"My treat, Jenny," he said to the woman at the register. "I nearly killed her with the door. Least I can do."
"You're getting dangerous, Teague. I keep telling you that," Jenny said with a giggle. She was in her thirties, married and solidly built.
"Yeah.... Shit happens, right? Take good care of her. I gotta dash. Keep the change, Jenny. Nice running into you," he said to the woman as he headed toward the door.
He could see her talking animatedly to Jenny as he headed toward his truck. He got his coffee and muffin secured, and pulled away slowly. If the woman had a notion to get his number, it was clearly emblazoned on the doors of his pickup.
Professional Reviews
Why Can't I Find a Guy Like Teague?
If you like action and suspense with your romance novels then this novel is for you! The Ninja Tattoo takes place in modern day Florida. On a seemingly normal workday Teague, the main character, finds himself embroiled in the middle of a conflict that involves gangs, tattoos and violence when he falls for a gorgeous woman named Vivica.
I loved the main character Teague, he is the perfect hero! I wish he were real! *Sigh* Teague is a former marine with a dark, tortured past, he is part bad ass but 100% good guy. His love interest Vivica, wasn't all that impressive in the beginning, but she redeems herself in a big way towards the end. Be warned, there are several really hot love scenes that will have you needing a cold shower. I don't want to put any spoilers in here, so I'll leave it at that.
Hollywood ought to take notes and start making movies based on these sorts of books. It would save a lot of couples arguments about what to watch on movie night LOL! This book has the realistic male characters that guys love, along with all the girly romance stuff women love. I think the author blended both worlds perfectly.
Oh Teague
I must say this book THE NINJA TATTOO Is a hidden treasure!!!
Lots of action from the get go.... There's passion, love, family, bikers & fighting... What else could you possibly need from a book....
Teague meets Viva by a whim. After a strange occurrence of events,turns out to be family that's the enemy.....
It's strange how two completely different worlds collide in this book...
Looking forward to more great reads from Dellani Oakes.
The Ninja Tattoo by Dellani Oakes
THE NINJA TATTOO by DELLANI OAKES
Teague McMurtry has just come home from active service in the middle east and is in business for himself as a landscaper. On an innocent trip to get a coffee he smacks into the lovely Vivica and sparks fly immediately. Getting involved seems like a good thing until mysterious things start happening to him and people start following him and his woman. The bad stuff involves Vivicas brother who is involved in some nefarious business practices.
This story has something for everyone, humor, action, intrigue and enough steam to fill a sauna. The characters are well rounded and the story keeps coming at you. Just when the reader thinks all is calm, BAM; more action. Miss Oakes ties the book up in a nice little package complete with a happy ending.
SURGICALLY RE-WRITTEN and CONDENSED Feb-May 2013... A MONUMENTAL JOURNEY is an adventure mystery historical fiction novel that follows a young mans journey (with friends) to find Truth, happiness, purpose, and a long lost Norse tribe.
