
This month Iāll be posting character interviews from the world of the Melanie Hogan cozy mystery series, which thus far includes Shear Madness, Shear Deception, Shear Malice, and coming in 2018, Shear Murder. This weekās interview is with Melanie Hogan, the protagonist in the series. I hope you enjoy getting to know Melanie. ļ
Can you provide a physical description of yourself?
Other than my greener than average eyes,Ā similar to a catās eyesĀ according toĀ Claire and Jack, Iām Plain Jane. I donāt like a lot of makeup, and typically wear my hair loose or in a ponytail. My favorite things to wear are jeans, black boots or black sandals, both with chunky high heels to make me a bit taller than my five-foot-two frame, and hoop earrings. I have hoops of every size and color.
Where do you live?
In a small town called Birch Haven, Minnesota. Itās up north about an hour from St. Cloud.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I rather like staying home or at my Nanaās. Those are my two favorite places in the world. If I ever get adventurous and travel outside of my comfort zone, Iād visit Ireland or Scotland.
What is your favorite pastime?
Hanging out with my best friendsāClaire, Jack, and Rubie. And, of course, with Nana in her kitchen. She loves to teach me how to cook and weāve made some pretty good progress, proving thereās hope for me in the kitchen. Iām also kind of a loner and love spending time alone.
What is your favorite way to spend a weekend?
Owning a salon, Saturdays are spent neck deep in hair color and perm solutions, inhaling fumes from artificial nails and hair spray, and listening to the hum of blow dryers, stationary hair dryers and the chatter and laughter from our clientele. I love hearing the secrets they tell. On the wall of my salon hangs a plaque that says If These Walls Could Talk. If they could talk indeed. Sundays, I love to spend hanging out at my log house. I enjoy sitting on the balcony that overlooks the lake reading my devotionals, drinking coffee, and an occasional glass of wine with Claire. I also like to take my little boat out on the lake and drift.
What is your biggest secret?
Well, it wouldnāt be a secret anymore if I told you, now, would it?
What makes you angry?
Thanks to my birth mother, Violet, and my ex-husband, Cain, infidelity and dishonesty.Ā I harbor just a wee resentment toward them but am working through it slowly. I might just get there before I die. Maybe. Also, anyone who hurts my friends and Nana.
What brings you the most joy?
Nana, Claire, Jack, Rubie, and Claireās daughter, Sydney. I know itās kind of creepy, but I love children, and since I canāt have them, sometimes I pretend sheās mine.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Showing up on the first day of beauty school wearing the ugly black polyester uniforms when everyone else showed up in ācoolā clothes. Apparently, everyone else read their welcome and orientation packet better than I did. Which is super unlike me. Iām typically a more thorough and follow-the-rules kinda gal than the average person. Well, until a couple of years ago, that is, when dead bodies started littering my life.
If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
My sarcasm. But it is what it is.
What is your most admirable character trait?
Iām more loyal than a dog to my friend and to Nana. That and Iām probably the most stable person youāll ever meet. Wellā¦there, again, until a couple years ago. My life was so stable, planned, and predictable, that I longed for some action and spontaneity. And boy did I get it! I quickly learned to be careful what I wish for. 