Tantalizing Tuesday

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Angels and Halloween

By Mary Ann Loesch

When I think angels, I don’t think Halloween.  Angels are supposed to be sweet and kind. They’re supposed to have little wings and halos that might occasionally appear to be crooked, but are always fixable.  Vampires, werewolves, zombies—none of those creatures are do-gooders like the angels, because, ultimately, an angel is the good guy, the one thing that doesn’t go bump in the night when Halloween rolls around. Right?

Hmmm…well, not necessarily.

I think angels are vastly overrated in the Good Guy Department.  To further understand my thinking, you need to meet Nathan Ink from my book, Nephilim.  An angel living on earth as a tattoo artist, Nathan is hardly your average cherub.  In fact, he takes great pains to avoid communications with others of his kind who don’t approve of his unconventional methods when it comes to dealing with sinners. Nathan’s specialty is tattooing his clients with symbols that represent the seven deadly sins. However, his tattoos aren’t innocent little drawings, but living entities that can cause all kinds of harm to those branded with them.

For example, a mermaid tattoo from Nathan wouldn’t just remind you of the sin of vanity. Oh, no. It would take things a step further and turn you into a mermaid who drowns in her own beauty.  Like to gossip? Then you might want to stay away from Nathan’s collection of Speak No Evil monkey tattoos. Unless, of course, you don’t mind having your lips sewn together for the sin of envy…

See? Angels can be the perfect hellish addition to your Halloween parties!

A reader recently asked me where I got the idea of writing about angels who are not as helpful and kind as some tales make them out to be.  As cheesy as it may sound, I found the answer in the Bible. I mean, have you read the Old Testament? It’s truly the stuff that nightmare are made of! Angels back then didn’t exactly mess around when it came to dealing out punishment. They didn’t use any Dr. Phil catchphrases or talk about the importance of making good choices. Most angels tended to just drop the hammer of God and go on about their business.

I kind of like that idea. Sometimes we sugar coat things, make excuses—no wonder we are the masters of credit card debt! Anyway, I opted to create a character who is everything your average angel (is there such a thing?) is not.  So come on and meet Nathan Ink this Halloween.  He’s got stories to tell and designs to draw.

Just don’t sit in his chair unless you are very brave…   

To learn more about my book, Nephilim, or me, visit my website www.maryannloesch.com or stop by Loesch’s Muse to chat!http://www.loeschsmuse.blogspot.com.





Mary Ann Loesch is an award-winning author living in the Austin Area. Teacher by day, writer by night, Ms. Loesch has an extensive background in Theatre Arts and education. In 2009 her novel, Nephilim, won the Writers League of Texas Manuscript contest in the category of Science Fiction/Fantasy. Having published short stories in SNM Horror Magazine, A Side of Grits, and Red Fez, she is also a proud contributor to the blogs All Things Writing and Loesch’s Muse, both guides for beginning writers. Lyrical Press, Inc. published her urban fantasy, Nephilim, July 2011.


You can visit her website at www.maryannloesch.com or her blog at http://www.loeschsmuse.blogspot.com.