Christina Hoag's Blog, page 14
September 7, 2016
My first RadioBlog Interview
Back Porch Writer's Kori Miller interviewed me about the journey to publication of my two novels, covering the writing, publishing and promotional process. Listen to the interview!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/backporc...
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/backporc...
New 5-star review in for Girl on the Brink!
Thriller author Matthew Peters had this to say: "There are several things I love about Christina Hoag’s fiction: her lyrical prose, well-developed characters, and suspenseful plots. But in addition to these important elements, Ms. Hoag does something I feel makes some fiction stand out above the rest—namely, she deals with issues of crucial significance. Like her gritty, realistic portrayal of L.A. gang life in Skin of Tattoos, Girl on the Brink brings readers face-to-face with a real-world topic some would rather not confront: abusive relationships between teenagers. Inspired by true events, this book is provocative, scary, and extremely engaging. Despite some rather dubious naiveté on the part of the female protagonist and the cops toward the end of the story, Girl on the Brink is a must read for anyone concerned with the issue of domestic violence, particularly among the young. I eagerly await more of Ms. Hoag’s work and will be among its first readers."
September 1, 2016
Miami Herald asks me for a book recommendation!
The Miami Herald asked me on Sunday "what do you recommend?" so I answered:
“I’m reading ‘Robbery Under Arms’ by Rolf Boldrewood, which I picked it up because it’s an Australian classic despite my thought it might be a stodgy read — it was published in 1881. I was completely wrong! I’m spellbound by this frontier tale of Captain Starlight and the Marston boys: bushrangers, cattle rustlers but generally sympathetic scallywags as they evade the law through goldfields and bush country. It is deservedly a classic.”
http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainm...
“I’m reading ‘Robbery Under Arms’ by Rolf Boldrewood, which I picked it up because it’s an Australian classic despite my thought it might be a stodgy read — it was published in 1881. I was completely wrong! I’m spellbound by this frontier tale of Captain Starlight and the Marston boys: bushrangers, cattle rustlers but generally sympathetic scallywags as they evade the law through goldfields and bush country. It is deservedly a classic.”
http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainm...
August 31, 2016
First review in for "Skin of Tattoos" & it's 5-star!
Chuffed to receive the first review in for "Skin of Tattoos" and very chuffed that's a great review! Thriller author Matthew Peters says: "This captivating, gritty, and realistic portrayal of one person’s efforts to leave his old life behind him, shows how incredibly difficult this can be. Lyrically written, with several twists and turns that left me breathless til the very end, this novel is a must read for anyone interested in the perils of gang life. I look very forward to reading more of Ms. Hoag’s work." Read more here: Skin of Tattoos
August 26, 2016
Crime fiction bloggers: Sign up for Skin of Tattoos tour!
Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours will be hosting my upcoming blog tour for my literary crime thriller "Skin of Tattoos." "well crafted, engaging...surprisingly nuanced and wholly enjoyable...Hoag is a talented writer" - Kirkus Reviews.
Sign up here:
http://www.partnersincrimetours.net/s...
Sign up here:http://www.partnersincrimetours.net/s...
Sign up for my upcoming blog tour
Attention YA book bloggers! Sign up for the upcoming blog tour for my romantic suspense novel "Girl on the Brink" - "an engrossing tale of a dangerous teen romance" -- Kirkus. Tour hosted by YA Book Bound Tours.
http://yaboundbooktours.blogspot.com/...
http://yaboundbooktours.blogspot.com/...
August 25, 2016
School librarian reviews "Girl on the Brink"!
Author Isabelle Kane gives a five-star rating to "Girl on the Brink," my YA novel that chronicles a teen abusive relationship. It's a particularly meaningful review because when she's not writing romance novels, Isabelle works as a high school librarian! She totally got the book. Here's what she said:
"I was immediately drawn to Girl on the Brink by its exquisite cover which bears the legend “sometimes the one you love isn’t the one you’re meant to be with.” There is a bittersweet quality to both which draws a potential reader in. Ms. Hoag delivers a sweet and poignant tale of a first love that transforms into an abusive and controlling relationship. As a school librarian and the mother of a teenaged daughter, I have struggled with the power differentials in the literary relationships in some recent, very popular fiction. In the Twilight series, Edward and Bella share a deeply troubling relationship. As the pair grow closer together, Edward effectively places distance between Bella and her family and friends. He is very controlling. I have advised countless young girls to pay attention to the “red flags” in this relationship which make it clear that it is not an entirely healthy one. I also try to point out more empowered heroines, like Katniss Everdeen of the Hunger Games, who demands that the men in her life accept her on her own terms. As mentors to young women, we should seek to give them the skills and the knowledge to recognize an abusive relationship and then to extract themselves. Works like Girl on the Brink are important for this reason.
It is my belief that Girl on the Brink is a must have for every high school and public library. Young girls can relate to Chloe and the beauty of her love for Kieran. They are going to “save” each other. When the relationship goes horribly wrong, Chloe finds the courage and the support to extract herself from it. This story truly resonated with me in part because I was also in an abusive relationship in my first year of college. Chloe’s experience was mine, as were her words and thoughts. Hoag does a masterful job of representing the elements and experiences that are common to women in abusive relationships, regardless of age, socioeconomic status, and race. Hoag uses a sensitive and deft touch on the highly charged issue.
I was too young and uninformed to extract myself as quickly and efficiently from my abusive relationship. Chloe is stronger and more determined, but she does admit to having some doubts and longing for Kieran, even when it is clear she would never be able to survive with him.
I plan on having my daughter read this book so that we can discuss the issues it presents. The love affair draws a reader in, but the story is really about courage and the fact that even when you feel like you have no place to turn and the person who loves you most is hurting you, you are not alone.
"I was immediately drawn to Girl on the Brink by its exquisite cover which bears the legend “sometimes the one you love isn’t the one you’re meant to be with.” There is a bittersweet quality to both which draws a potential reader in. Ms. Hoag delivers a sweet and poignant tale of a first love that transforms into an abusive and controlling relationship. As a school librarian and the mother of a teenaged daughter, I have struggled with the power differentials in the literary relationships in some recent, very popular fiction. In the Twilight series, Edward and Bella share a deeply troubling relationship. As the pair grow closer together, Edward effectively places distance between Bella and her family and friends. He is very controlling. I have advised countless young girls to pay attention to the “red flags” in this relationship which make it clear that it is not an entirely healthy one. I also try to point out more empowered heroines, like Katniss Everdeen of the Hunger Games, who demands that the men in her life accept her on her own terms. As mentors to young women, we should seek to give them the skills and the knowledge to recognize an abusive relationship and then to extract themselves. Works like Girl on the Brink are important for this reason.
It is my belief that Girl on the Brink is a must have for every high school and public library. Young girls can relate to Chloe and the beauty of her love for Kieran. They are going to “save” each other. When the relationship goes horribly wrong, Chloe finds the courage and the support to extract herself from it. This story truly resonated with me in part because I was also in an abusive relationship in my first year of college. Chloe’s experience was mine, as were her words and thoughts. Hoag does a masterful job of representing the elements and experiences that are common to women in abusive relationships, regardless of age, socioeconomic status, and race. Hoag uses a sensitive and deft touch on the highly charged issue.
I was too young and uninformed to extract myself as quickly and efficiently from my abusive relationship. Chloe is stronger and more determined, but she does admit to having some doubts and longing for Kieran, even when it is clear she would never be able to survive with him.
I plan on having my daughter read this book so that we can discuss the issues it presents. The love affair draws a reader in, but the story is really about courage and the fact that even when you feel like you have no place to turn and the person who loves you most is hurting you, you are not alone.
I'm on author Allie Larkin's blog today!
Bestselling Chick Lit Author Allie Larkin features an interview with me on her blog today! Text below:
http://allielarkinwrites.com/3ws-chri...
WHAT DO YOU CREATE?
I create stories wherein characters have to make hard choices when confronted with extraordinary events, in short – drama. My aim is to create well written stories that have intricate plots but also intricate characters. My problem with most of detective/mystery fiction, which I like in general, is that it tends to be formulaic in plot and character, whereas a lot of literary fiction is too slow-paced to sustain interest. I’m striving to hit the balance between the two. I also gravitate toward foreign settings, probably because I’ve lived in several countries and travelled around the world (travel is another passion of mine), and setting stories amid current events. That’s probably the journalist in me since I’m a news junkie.
WHY DO YOU CREATE?
When I was six years old, I won a prize for “writing interesting stories.” I have no recollection of what I wrote, but obviously it can’t have been too much in first grade! In later report cards, teachers mentioned my vivid imagination, and my ability to read enabled me to skip second grade altogether. But it was a couple decades later, when I unearthed that first little certificate in piles of old stuff, I realized that the urge to write stories was something I’d been born with. It was just there. In high school, I chose journalism as my career because it would pay me to write, and it was a great choice. I loved being a reporter. But these days, having accomplished what I set out to do in journalism (namely being a foreign correspondent), I have rediscovered that writing fiction is my true passion. I actually feel a sense of joy when I write. It engages me like no other activity. When I’ve been immersed in writing and take a break, I almost feel stunned when I get up from my desk, like I’ve been away and I’m re-entering the world. It’s an odd sensation. I truly feel blessed in some way to have this gift.
WHAT DO YOU CONSUME?
In the literary arena, I’m an eclectic reader but I love upmarket women’s fiction, gritty standalone crime novels and most anything set in foreign locations. Graham Greene is one of my favorite authors. These days I also consume television. I’ve never been a big TV watcher, and I confess that I’ve never watched many hit shows that have become part of the popular American zeitgeist because they simply didn’t interest me. But now there’s a surfeit of really good TV, largely because U.S. producers have finally discovered what the British have been doing for decades – serialized drama, which allows for deeper character and plot exploration. I find these shows far more satisfying, maybe because they’re more like televised novels.
http://allielarkinwrites.com/3ws-chri...
WHAT DO YOU CREATE?
I create stories wherein characters have to make hard choices when confronted with extraordinary events, in short – drama. My aim is to create well written stories that have intricate plots but also intricate characters. My problem with most of detective/mystery fiction, which I like in general, is that it tends to be formulaic in plot and character, whereas a lot of literary fiction is too slow-paced to sustain interest. I’m striving to hit the balance between the two. I also gravitate toward foreign settings, probably because I’ve lived in several countries and travelled around the world (travel is another passion of mine), and setting stories amid current events. That’s probably the journalist in me since I’m a news junkie.
WHY DO YOU CREATE?
When I was six years old, I won a prize for “writing interesting stories.” I have no recollection of what I wrote, but obviously it can’t have been too much in first grade! In later report cards, teachers mentioned my vivid imagination, and my ability to read enabled me to skip second grade altogether. But it was a couple decades later, when I unearthed that first little certificate in piles of old stuff, I realized that the urge to write stories was something I’d been born with. It was just there. In high school, I chose journalism as my career because it would pay me to write, and it was a great choice. I loved being a reporter. But these days, having accomplished what I set out to do in journalism (namely being a foreign correspondent), I have rediscovered that writing fiction is my true passion. I actually feel a sense of joy when I write. It engages me like no other activity. When I’ve been immersed in writing and take a break, I almost feel stunned when I get up from my desk, like I’ve been away and I’m re-entering the world. It’s an odd sensation. I truly feel blessed in some way to have this gift.
WHAT DO YOU CONSUME?
In the literary arena, I’m an eclectic reader but I love upmarket women’s fiction, gritty standalone crime novels and most anything set in foreign locations. Graham Greene is one of my favorite authors. These days I also consume television. I’ve never been a big TV watcher, and I confess that I’ve never watched many hit shows that have become part of the popular American zeitgeist because they simply didn’t interest me. But now there’s a surfeit of really good TV, largely because U.S. producers have finally discovered what the British have been doing for decades – serialized drama, which allows for deeper character and plot exploration. I find these shows far more satisfying, maybe because they’re more like televised novels.
August 20, 2016
New Kiwi Crime Noir!
Christina Hoag My birthplace of New Zealand has come in handy: I landed a plum spot on this blog that focuses on crime fiction by Kiwi writers.
http://kiwicrime.blogspot.com/
I was very interested to learn that Craig Sisterson, who runs the blog from the UK, also is the founder of the Dame Ngaio Marsh Awards, (New Zealand's Agatha Christie for those of you don't know her), which honour NZ crime writers.
At any rate, I was very chuffed to see this post this morning!
http://kiwicrime.blogspot.com/
I was very interested to learn that Craig Sisterson, who runs the blog from the UK, also is the founder of the Dame Ngaio Marsh Awards, (New Zealand's Agatha Christie for those of you don't know her), which honour NZ crime writers.
At any rate, I was very chuffed to see this post this morning!
Christina talks to author Barbara Donlon Bradley
Christina HoagLove this interview!
https://barbaradonlonbradley.blogspot...
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Welcomemy Latest Guest Christina Hoag @ChristinaHoag
I want to welcome Christina Hoag. First I’d love you to introduce yourself.
First off, thanks so much for hosting me on your blog, Barbara, and giving me this space. I’m a novelist and journalist. I’ve been a reporter for the Associated Press and Miami Herald, and was a foreign correspondent in Latin America for nearly a decade. Now I work freelance so I have more time to devote to my fiction. I’m passionate about reading and writing, and have been my whole life. I’m a member of International Thriller Writers and I’m a volunteer creative writing mentor to at risk girls with an organization called WriteGirl.
Tell us about your latest release.
It’s a YA romantic thriller from Fire and Ice YA titled Girl on the Brink. It’s the story of a girl, Chloe, who gets involved with the wrong guy—haven’t we all done that at some point in our lives?—and this leads to some pretty drastic consequences for Chloe. But Chloe is smart and a survivor. She conquers her fear, summons her strength and not only survives but thrives. Ultimately, it’s a novel about the journey of girl power.
Now I have a few questions for you – I have found readers do like to know fun things about us writers.
1.) Who is your favorite villain – it can be from a book (even one of yours), movie or TV show. And why?
I always wish Arthur Conan Doyle had done more with Moriarty, the foil to Sherlock Holmes. He’s a baddie of Holmes’ own intellectual level, which is a setup for some great plots. In general, I find criminal masterminds who use their superior intellect for villainous purposes the most interesting antagonists.
2.) Who is your favorite character out of your books? Why?
I have to say it is Magdaleno, the protagonist in my literary thriller set in L.A.’s gang underworld Skin of Tattoos, which is also being released this month by Martin Brown Publishing. Mags struggles to do the right thing and leave the gang, but his pride and ego get in the way. He’s just so humanly flawed.
3.) What do genre do you write? What made you pick that one?
I write character-driven thrillers. I love crime fiction, delving into the seamy side of life and what drives people in that world, but a lot of work in that genre is very formulaic, which gets boring after a while. I like to see how extraordinary events, which often happen in the context of crime, affect character so that’s what I write.
4.) What are you working on now?
I’ve got two novels both in the final stages. One is called The Revolutionaries, and it’s a literary political thriller based on the 2002 coup attempt in Venezuela, where I was living at the time and working as a freelance journalist. The other is called Angels Lust. It’s a detective mystery set in Los Angeles.
5.) What got you to start writing?
I won a prize for “writing interesting stories” when I was six years old so I guess writing was always there. It came out as soon as I literally learned how to put pen to paper. I discovered journalism in high school so I knew that’s what I wanted to do as a career. I’ve written fiction on and off my whole life.
6.) Where do you get your ideas from?
Like any writer, I draw on my own experience and what I see around me. Working as a journalist for many years has deeply influenced my fiction. As a reporter, you have an entrée into many subcultures, slices of life and people that normally you would not have access to. I’m also a passionate traveler. I’ve visited over 60 countries so international themes really call to me.
7.) What would people who read your work be surprised to find out about you?
I didn’t come to the United States until I was 13 years old. I lived in six other countries growing up: New Zealand, where I was born, Fiji, England, Sweden, Nigeria and Australia.
8.) Do you have any special talents?
I love languages. I speak Spanish fluently, a decent French and a smidgen of Italian. I always wanted to learn more languages. I’m fascinated how language reflects culture, but it takes a lot of practice to keep them up.
9.) What was the one piece of advice you received when you were an aspiring author that has stuck with you? Why?
“Never, never, never give up.” Winston Churchill said that, and it’s so true. Early on in my creative endeavors, I gave up on myself too easily. It took some maturity to realize you have to keep going even in the face of an onslaught of rejection.
10.) If you could talk to any famous figure (present, past or fictional) who would it be and what would you talk about?
I think it would be William Shakespeare. I’d love to ask him about his creative process, his philosophy of life, try to figure out the source of that marvelous wisdom.
11.) What song would you say describes your life?
A tough one. I think I’ll go with Van Halen’s “Jump,” because I believe in not letting fear hold you back from taking leaps into the unknown in life–I’ve taken many. Plus, I’m a huge seventies big-hair rock fan.
12.) If you could come back as any animal – what would it be?
I’d come back as a scarlet macaw. They are majestic birds with such resplendent colors. It always wowed me when I spotted them soaring wild and free over the jungle canopy in Latin America. The romantic in me also loves the fact that they mate for life.
https://barbaradonlonbradley.blogspot...
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Welcomemy Latest Guest Christina Hoag @ChristinaHoag
I want to welcome Christina Hoag. First I’d love you to introduce yourself.
First off, thanks so much for hosting me on your blog, Barbara, and giving me this space. I’m a novelist and journalist. I’ve been a reporter for the Associated Press and Miami Herald, and was a foreign correspondent in Latin America for nearly a decade. Now I work freelance so I have more time to devote to my fiction. I’m passionate about reading and writing, and have been my whole life. I’m a member of International Thriller Writers and I’m a volunteer creative writing mentor to at risk girls with an organization called WriteGirl.
Tell us about your latest release.
It’s a YA romantic thriller from Fire and Ice YA titled Girl on the Brink. It’s the story of a girl, Chloe, who gets involved with the wrong guy—haven’t we all done that at some point in our lives?—and this leads to some pretty drastic consequences for Chloe. But Chloe is smart and a survivor. She conquers her fear, summons her strength and not only survives but thrives. Ultimately, it’s a novel about the journey of girl power.
Now I have a few questions for you – I have found readers do like to know fun things about us writers.
1.) Who is your favorite villain – it can be from a book (even one of yours), movie or TV show. And why?
I always wish Arthur Conan Doyle had done more with Moriarty, the foil to Sherlock Holmes. He’s a baddie of Holmes’ own intellectual level, which is a setup for some great plots. In general, I find criminal masterminds who use their superior intellect for villainous purposes the most interesting antagonists.
2.) Who is your favorite character out of your books? Why?
I have to say it is Magdaleno, the protagonist in my literary thriller set in L.A.’s gang underworld Skin of Tattoos, which is also being released this month by Martin Brown Publishing. Mags struggles to do the right thing and leave the gang, but his pride and ego get in the way. He’s just so humanly flawed.
3.) What do genre do you write? What made you pick that one?
I write character-driven thrillers. I love crime fiction, delving into the seamy side of life and what drives people in that world, but a lot of work in that genre is very formulaic, which gets boring after a while. I like to see how extraordinary events, which often happen in the context of crime, affect character so that’s what I write.
4.) What are you working on now?
I’ve got two novels both in the final stages. One is called The Revolutionaries, and it’s a literary political thriller based on the 2002 coup attempt in Venezuela, where I was living at the time and working as a freelance journalist. The other is called Angels Lust. It’s a detective mystery set in Los Angeles.
5.) What got you to start writing?
I won a prize for “writing interesting stories” when I was six years old so I guess writing was always there. It came out as soon as I literally learned how to put pen to paper. I discovered journalism in high school so I knew that’s what I wanted to do as a career. I’ve written fiction on and off my whole life.
6.) Where do you get your ideas from?
Like any writer, I draw on my own experience and what I see around me. Working as a journalist for many years has deeply influenced my fiction. As a reporter, you have an entrée into many subcultures, slices of life and people that normally you would not have access to. I’m also a passionate traveler. I’ve visited over 60 countries so international themes really call to me.
7.) What would people who read your work be surprised to find out about you?
I didn’t come to the United States until I was 13 years old. I lived in six other countries growing up: New Zealand, where I was born, Fiji, England, Sweden, Nigeria and Australia.
8.) Do you have any special talents?
I love languages. I speak Spanish fluently, a decent French and a smidgen of Italian. I always wanted to learn more languages. I’m fascinated how language reflects culture, but it takes a lot of practice to keep them up.
9.) What was the one piece of advice you received when you were an aspiring author that has stuck with you? Why?
“Never, never, never give up.” Winston Churchill said that, and it’s so true. Early on in my creative endeavors, I gave up on myself too easily. It took some maturity to realize you have to keep going even in the face of an onslaught of rejection.
10.) If you could talk to any famous figure (present, past or fictional) who would it be and what would you talk about?
I think it would be William Shakespeare. I’d love to ask him about his creative process, his philosophy of life, try to figure out the source of that marvelous wisdom.
11.) What song would you say describes your life?
A tough one. I think I’ll go with Van Halen’s “Jump,” because I believe in not letting fear hold you back from taking leaps into the unknown in life–I’ve taken many. Plus, I’m a huge seventies big-hair rock fan.
12.) If you could come back as any animal – what would it be?
I’d come back as a scarlet macaw. They are majestic birds with such resplendent colors. It always wowed me when I spotted them soaring wild and free over the jungle canopy in Latin America. The romantic in me also loves the fact that they mate for life.
