An Interview with Tami Hoag

To say that this interview excites me would be a gross understatement. Every since I can remember reading adult books only one author comes to mind as that 'favorite author' and that's, Tami Hoag.

When she replied to my inbox to her asking if I could interview her I jumped with joy.

Ms. Hoag's writing has done more for me than any other author and one day I hope to meet her. My  best friend got me hooked on her in high school. She's been a 'bonding' source for Laura and I.

I safely can say I have read every one of her books and there isn't a single one I can remember putting down and thinking, "meh." All of her works are practically perfection and help to transport me out of my current reality and bring me into her wonderful worlds.

Here is a link to my latest review of Ms. Hoag's newest release, The 9th Girl. I seriously loved it!

So without further delay ... Here is the wonderful interview with myself and the very talented, Tami Hoag!

~*~ Ashley ~*~

~~INTERVIEW~~

Ms. Hoag - Thank you for taking the time to virtually visit Memories In A Box blog. I have to admit, you are the interview I have secretly hoped for since I started this blog. My first question for you is pretty simple ... What made you start writing?

---I've had a love of books as long as I can remember--before I could read them by myself, even.  As soon as I learned how to put sentences together, I wanted to be a writer. 


When you were starting off, was there ever a moment where you just knew this was what you were meant to be or did you wake up one day and everything suddenly lined up all in your favor.

---I always knew this was what I wanted to do, and I was always determined to make it happen.


As I mentioned in my email Ashes to Ashes was the first novel I read of yours. What inspired you to write it? And Dust to Dust? I loved those two books.

--- ASHES TO ASHES was inspired by a real-life case--or series of cases, I should say. Someone was murdering women, placing their bodies in a Minneapolis park and setting them on fire. I was watching the coverage on the news, and was shocked, horrified, fascinated (as every suspense writer would be), but when I spoke to friends who lived in Minneapolis, the story wasn't even on their radar because the victims were street prostitutes. My friends didn't feel any real sense of danger to their lives. I found that sad because, while the victims' lives had taken a bad turn that led them to prostitution, they still had parents and families that loved them and mourned them. Their lives were no less precious than the life of a spoiled rich socialite, in my opinion. So I wanted to write about that.

---DUST TO DUST developed in an entirely different way.  There was no true-story inspiration. The idea grew out of a lot of little "what if" questions.


My favorite novel of yours is Dark Paradise. I remember thinking that when I finally married and settled down not only did I have to do it in Montana but it had to be with a man just like JD Rafferty. How did you come up with these two great characters and why did you pick that setting?

---That's so funny because JD and I butted heads every step of the way through that book. I kept thinking he was the most contrary man I had ever dealt with.  Marilee was inspired by a woman I met who had been a court reporter for a long time.  I think we all see the court reporter doing her thing in the courtroom and get this idea that they're all prim and proper and buttoned up. They look so calm and cool. I had never considered the stress that comes with that job  As for the setting, Montana is a favorite place of mine.  It's just so incredibly beautiful and wild and pure, and the small towns have become so wonderfully, weirdly eclectic with the mix of ranchers and artists and Hollywood people. Wonderful from a writer's standpoint, at least. That influx of outsiders can also be a source of conflict, which was what I wanted to write about. 


Another one of my fav's is Lucky ... what's that all about? Where was he from, is he a figment of your imagination or is Lucky's Lady based on anyone you happen to know?

---Lucky was entirely a figment of my imagination, I'm sad to say!


Is it hard for you, after all of these years, to keep your stories fresh?
---Not really.  I'm a very curious person, so I always have new questions to ask and always find new angles and perspectives from which to examine the questions.


I feel like, as a reader, your work has shifted from romance, to mystery/romance to now more solid mysteries. I'm not complaining at all! I love all of them ... but why the transformation?

----For me, all stories are about the psychology of the characters and the dynamics of their interpersonal relationships.  Suspense allows me to explore the darker elements of people's minds and relationships, and gives me more latitude for different types of characters. For instance, Elena Estes from DARK HORSE and THE ALIBI MAN. She's a very flawed and not always likable heroine I probably wouldn't have been allowed to write in romance. In romance you want a heroine you would be friends with in real life.  In suspense you don't necessarily have to like her, you have to want to understand her, which is trickier to write.  But I like writing the grittier, edgier stuff, and I like not being bound to wrap the story up in a pretty, happy big red bow at the end.


I have a lot of indie and small press author friends and we are always looking for ways to sharpen our craft and polish our novels. Do you have any advice?

---I'm very much a "method actor" type of writer.  I need to fully immerse myself in my characters, and feel really passionate about telling their story.  This can be a bit of a descent into madness, but I think it's the thing that gives depth and weight and realism to what I write. But every writer is different.  It's a different journey we take for different reasons. I often wish I could be more detached and analytical as I write, but that isn't who I am. I guess the lesson is that you have to find your own voice and be true to it.


Do you have any regrets about your books? Something you wish you would have done just a bit differently?

----I try not to do that to myself.  When I finish a book I always tell myself I did the very best I could at that time in my life, and I let it go.  And once it's published I will rarely look at it again.


When you sit down and write, do you have any rituals that you must do? I know I prefer to have certain music on to help me focus. And others who have to sit in a certain chair.

---I have my writer's den, and I'm a creature of habit.  I'm on my fifth ochre yellow and white office. I have the world's most ergonomically correct chair (I'm on my third one of those).  Depending on where I'm at in the process I will either have the tv on in the background or music. I need that little bit of sound going on. When I'm deep into deadline I will run the same three or four movies over and over and over in the background because I don't have to pay attention to them, but the voices are familiar, like having friends keeping me company. And at the bitter end of deadline, like many writers I know, I will crave orange-dyed junk food. For COLD COLD HEART it was crunchy Cheetos. For THE 9th GIRL it was cool ranch Doritos.


The 9th Girl, wow. I have to say that I didn't see that playing out like it did. Really had me by surprise. What made you come up with that plot? Usually when I read your stories I can kind of see where things are heading but this one really caught me off guard. I really loved Zombie Doe.

---The thing is, I seldom know how a book is going to twist at the end. I might have an idea when I start, but as the story unfolds (I don't write from an outline) and the characters develop, that will change many times before I get to the end--and I mean right up to the very climax of the book. So I'm always amused when someone says they knew who the killer was on page 210 because I probably didn't know until page 510.


I know Cold Cold Heart is next in your new releases but what is coming up after that? Any little hints you could give me?

---I work on a ridiculously short timeline, so I have nothing in the pipeline.  I just signed off (It's October as I write this) on the last of the edits for COLD COLD HEART, which comes out in January.  So I'm now just in the idea phase of the next project, trying to decide who's dead and why. I know it will be another Kovac and Liska book. Following THE 9th GIRL, Liska has transferred out of homicide to the cold case unit, which means Sam is having to adjust to a new partner, and is extremely cranky about the whole thing. Kovac's motto is Change is Bad.


Thank you so very much for taking the time to stop at Memories In A Box. You have no idea what a thrill this was for me and how much I will cherish this. The only thing to top this would be to meet you in person.

---You're welcome!

Ash & Jen's Top Ten 80's One Drink Wishes

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The Count Down Begins!!
For those of us who are born in the 80's there are always lots of 'lists' or 'things' that you should know and remember being an 80's child.

Some of these things are extremely obvious, like the awesomeness of ThunderCats and My Little Ponies. Others not so much, like remembering the old Coca-Cola Christmas commercials with Sprite and Santa Clause.

And then there are the classics like Goonies and Sixteen Candles.

So where does Twisted Admiration fall when it comes to us 80's ladies?

We fall back on the drink! The Top Ten Celebrities that were famous in the 80's who we want to have drinks with!

Now - no judging! Especially from you youngins who are 90's children! This is Ash and Jen's dream list ... and trust me, there will be more awesomeness to come...

Starting out the pact at Number 10 is ... James Spader. Now some of you might think of him as a late 90's early 2000's star but you would be wrong! He is deff one of the 80's! You can find him in such classics as Pretty in Pink and Mannequin. Tell me it doesn't get more 'classic' than that!
Oh Mr. Spader, what would it take for Jen and I to sit across the table with you to share a drink? We don't bite ... hard ....

Next, and most certainly a fan favorite is the great and powerful, Henry Winkler. Just because he is #9 doesn't mean he is low man on the totem pole. He started out on great classics like the Mary Tyler Moore show but really set sail with Happy Days. Now, I know what you are going to say, "That is a 70's show!" But I have in deed confirmed with IMDb it lasted through 1984! Hey, I was one years old then, it counts!

Every 80's crowd has a ring leader and who would be better than the wonderful lady who falls in at #8, Molly Ringwall. Come on, she was in everything, and I mean, EVERYTHING! Who better to have all the gossip than the 80's Queen herself? You know every teenage girl now wants the school hottie to show up at her house on her sweet sixteen with a cake full of candles and a dining room table to give you our special birthday kiss.

What awkward high school moment wouldn't be complete without the King of the Nerds himself, our main man coming in at #7, Anthony Michael Hall. Now come on, you know that all you men out there ran to your sisters drawer (or mom's) to pull out their bra's, secure them to your heads and pray for that hottie to pop through the magical worm hole that will appear in your room. Mr. Hall gave hope to all those awkward nerds who didn't know one day they would rule the world.

This next one I hold near and dear to my heart ... He was the source of my very first cuss word. He made the Delorean a popular car. Our #6 is the one, the only, Michael J. Fox! When I was still in diapers my parents took me to see Back to the Future in 1985. The next morning my mom tells me I woke up really early and started saying, "Son of a Bitch" just like Marty McFly.
So Mr. Fox - tell me, how does it feel to influence even the youngest of fans? Yes, drinks with him would be stellar!

#5 is one that all children, not just ones from the 80's should hold near and dear to our hearts. He affected and influenced more people than anyone could have predicted when his show first started. The late, Mr. Rodgers. It has been said that he received mail from kids of all ages and for all reasons. From abusive households to children with disabilities to your typical run of the mill youth. He was loved and treasured by all. And still is.
Mr. Rodgers, oh how I wish you could be, really could be, my neighbor.

Our #4 comes in with the best kind of weekend getaway's. He is the one you want to have on speed dial when you’re in a pickle and just need a clever way to withdraw a few bucks and set sail. Andrew McCarthy. Also a member of the Pretty in Pink and Mannequin cast, Mr. McCarthy taught all of us 80's children that sometimes the best solution to a problem is a little voodoo and some good dancing music.
Mr. McCarthy, I ask you, what is your favorite song to shake your hips to and do you ever wish Weekend at Bernie’s could really happen?

Sometimes it is just too hard to assign a number to just one person so coming in at a tie for #2 & 3 are two great actors simply known as, The Corey’s! Corey Feldman and Corey Haim had many known successes individually but they are best known for their joint rolls in The Lost Boys. Other great movies that you should note that they appeared in that helped mold the 80's are, Gremlins, Stand by me, The Goonies and License to Drive.
The Corey’s were many a women's heart throbs and if I could have a single drink with them I'd take a shot. And have one amazing toast.

And finally, in honor of his first appearance on Twitter we have our #1 spot reserved for the great, the Mr. Robert Downey Jr, Mr. Ironman Himself! This all-time heart throb stole laughs in his rolls on Saturday Night Live and had his touch of nerd love with Weird Science. Now the current Marvel Man of Action, Ironman, fan girls everywhere fight for the right to get just a glimpse of the legend himself. One look at that killer smile tells you everything - if you want a good time, this is the man to have it with.
So one drink, one question, what will it be? Why Mr. Robert Downey Jr I ask you ... What's your #1 favorite movie of the 80's?

So there you have it ... Ash and Jen's top ten celebs of the 80's that we wish we could have a drink with. Who would you add to this list and why?

For us, it’s hard to pick just ten but sometimes, the tough decisions have to be made. But have no fear, the top 90's are right around the corner.

Chris vs Chris

I think it is time I have a little confession. I am the blog's lunatic. I love debates and I am a pretty blunt girl when it comes to topics. I blame it on my upbringing and education.

So this morning when I was talking my blogs with my mother I was like you know mom the other day I was asked which is hotter

Chris Evans or Chris Hemsworth?

What the *()%^&%_*& type of question is that????

That is like asking to choose your favorite food or dessert. Seriously impossible.

So I took the question to my fellow blog girl Ashley... Here is her response

You need help, like professional help!!!!
That's my thoughts
And I don't think I could help you they are both great

So as you can see, she was zero help and she told me something I already know. SO I took the question to my fellow female co-workers. What I didn't expect, was the all out debate I would stir in my office. People took the question to their facebook pages, twitter & friends.

In the end it was pretty much 50/50. While I think it is impossible to chose, every single lady answered the question within 10 seconds and gave their answer why... and they are passionate about their Chris of choice. Oh, and women are perverted, some comments I heard made me blush, and that is not easy to do.

What did I find out, the ladies here are loving Chris Evans right now

"did you see those arms? Girl I know a few places he could put those"
"Girl that suit shows all the right body parts"
"I am 50, and he makes me want to go all Mrs. Robinson"
"girl give me 5 minutes with him, just five minutes"

Never fear Hemsworth lovers... I got some pretty awesome quotes on him too

"that Australian accent and that long hair, yeah I just want to pull it"
"swoon, serious swoon"
" He has hair that I just want to grab and pull"

"He just makes think of impossibly naughty ideas."

They all said his wife is one lucky lady. I agree.

Even my gay friend had an opinion

"Neither, I prefer Robert Downey Jr and refuse to comment"

Thanks. that is really freaking helpful.

one of my male co-workers told me he was slightly offended I didn't ask him and he wanted to give his opinion.

He is straight and it is quite possibly the best thought process I have heard when it came to choosing a Chris.

And according to him, if he had to choose he would first have to look at their body, and in his opinion Hemsworth has the better body, but then you look at the character the personify and the Captain America comb over makes you think he is going to take you to the opera and buy you drinks which is boring, but Hemsworth makes you think he is going to pick you up on the back of his Harley and make you do things you never even imagined.

So in the end? he choose Hemsworth.
I don't think I ever laughed this hard in my life at work.

So I took a moment and asked my other co-worker (a female, she said she wants her name out ther in case either Chris actually reads this nonsense, it is Latrina) to follow up on my male co-workers thoughts...

TELL (name removed) I SAID YES FOR THOR! HE GETS IT. I CAN TAKE MYSELF TO THE OPERA AND BUY MY OWN DRINKS.

Well this is when one of my managers gets involved and tells me his opinion. He said girls need to go for the good boys, and Hemsworth looks like a true gentleman and Evans looks like a bad boy....

Huh, another co worker said he looked like the boring good guy. Talk about confusion.

This was also the part of the day that Ash emails me & says I am so glad you are working hard.

For the record to my boss if you ever read this, I have settled four cases today AND I am engaging fellow co-workers in a very colorful debate

We took my supervisor out for lunch and they debated the topic with me even more.

So I took it to our young 20 something waitress.

Chris Hemsworth.
hmmmm.

So here is the dilemma, who do I think is hotter?

Hemsworth no wait Evans... but Hemsworth grrr Evans....

Yeah I am conflicted. Talk about having a complicated dilemma.

So I decided to dig a little more into the topic.

PS: The tally at this time was Evans 39 Hemsworth 14

This is when I realized my blog partner Ash thinks I am a lunatic and I might get replaced after writing this post... I don't think she wants to associate with a lunatic.

So I do what any sensible lunatic would do, I took the question to her husband, which sparked a very fantastic twitter debate.

In the end, he choose Hemsworth, because Hemsworth is the new Zac Efron

After lunch my other male co-worker said he has no clue who either is (he hasn't seen any of the Marvel universe movies GASP!!!!) so he entered both names in google. He choose Evans right away. I then said but you haven't seen them without their shirt. Which he then googles both names plus no shirt. He still rolled with Evans.

Wanna have fun? Google Chris Hemsworth No Shirt then Google Chris Evans No Shirt

Yeah I wonder what the IT department is gonna think when they read this office's google searches.

Another male co-worker said Hemsworth because he would hate to be the first dude that dates his ex-girlfriend.

See Scientific research.

At the end of the day I have FINALLY made my decision.

After all day debating who would you rather?

I think I am just going to roll with No Comment. :)

I wouldn't turn either down, I know Bad Jen, but I never said I was a good girl

The tally at the end of the day? WHO freaking cares they are both hot, and seriously WOULD YOU turn either down??

Let's Fangirl Over Chris Evans

If I was asked to describe my thoughts on Mr. Evans, the word mouthwatering comes to mind, or perhaps yummy, or maybe wowza. I guess you really can't just describe him in on word.

If that ad doesn't make you buy Gucci Guilty I don't know what will?

Mr. Evans has been on my list FOREVER, I am pretty sure I started to dig him when he did Celluar in 2004. I remember seeing that movie and thinking, where the hell are all the hot dudes like that on my college campus?

Anyway as usual when it comes to talking celebs, I digress.

He has gone from doing teenage movie parodies to being Captain America

and what a Captain America he is...
It is no secret, that I think Chris Hemsworth is quite possibly Thor Reincarnated he is just WAYYYY to beautiful to be human (actually I considered cashing out my 401k to get him to sign my Thor poster at Sacramento Comic Con, seriously how sick is that? Thank God I snapped out of it)

Ugh again off topic...

The point I am trying to make before getting on one of my famous sexy super hero rants is Chris Evans is really starting to grow on me. In a very big way. In fact this past week I have determine he is in my top 3. Yes you read that correctly. Top 3.

Why you ask?


1. You should not ask such stupid questions, look at him.
2. If you are still asking such a stupid question I have determined that not only is he beautiful, he seems to have his shit together.


I am a firm believer that some actors are douchbags, I dated every type of douchbag in college, so when it comes to men, I have a true asshole radar, I know before a pretty boy opens his mouth whether he is an ass or not. 97% of the time I am correct.

Chris Evans totally does not give off that vibe. I know I know, I have never met him, and if he ever stumbles across this post, he will likely be weirded out. Sigh yet again, I am getting off topic.

Where was I? oh, yes Chris Evans is more than a hot face/body

Sure he has that sexy Boston boy err man thing going for him with his no nonsense attitude but lately the interviews I have read and seen, make me realize that he has a lot going from him, and did I mention he is like... hot?

If you can stop focusing on those beautiful blue eyes, chisled cheeks and amazing body that man has... you will realize that actually he is one well spoken dude. I totally like how he made sure to get the facts straight and that he isn't leaving the industry anytime soon on Entertainment Tonight. Cause you know even the professional writers get their facts twisted.

I would like to thank the stars he isn't leaving anytime soon. Seriously, don't leave us Chris, who else will we fangirl over?

So fellow fans of Chris, I would like to share some of the hottest photos I have found of this super hero. And man oh man he is sexy...

Fun Sexy Chris Evans Article