Mirage
Seventeen-year-old Ryan Poitier Sharpe is a gutsy, outgoing girl who spends her summer days hurling herself out of planes at her parents’ skydiving center in the Mojave Desert. Fiercely independent and willing to take risks, she challenges those around her to live life fully. But after a brush with death, Ryan is severely altered—she’s not the same thrill-seeking girl she once was and seems to be teetering on the edge of psychosis. As her relationships crumble and her life unravels, Ryan must fight the girl she’s become—or lose herself forever—in this eerie and atmospheric thriller.
Cora Sandoval’s mother disappeared when she was five and they were living in Ireland. Since then, her dad has been more than overprotective and Cora is beginning to chafe under his confines. But even more troubling is the colorful light she suddenly sees around people. Everyone, that is, except herself—instead, she glows a brilliant, sparkling silver.
As she realizes the danger associated with these strange auras, Cora is inexplicably drawn to Finn, a gorgeous Irish exchange student who makes her feel safe. Their attraction is instant, magnetic, and primal—but her father disapproves, and Finn’s mother orders him home to Ireland upon hearing he’s fallen in love. After a fight with her father, Cora flees to Ireland, both to follow Finn and to look for her missing mother.
There she meets another silver-haloed person and discovers the meaning of her newfound powers and their role in a conspiracy spanning centuries—one that could change mankind forever…and end her life.
Tracy also answered some interview questions:
You make homemade marshmallows!? How?
Yes, it’s true! Be forewarned; you can make homemade marshmallows but once you do, you’ll never want the store-bought ones again. They’re so yummy! There is an obscene amount of sugar and corn syrup involved. After all that, you roll them in powdered sugar. The only negative is that when they’re roasted, they’re so hot—like white molten, sweet-tasting lava—that you need to use patience before eating if you want to avoid tongue injury. :) One of my tricks (inspired by a kid-friend of mine) is to add cocoa powder, cinnamon, and cayenne to the powdered sugar at the end for a take on Mexican-chocolate marshmallows. Great—now I want marshmallows.
Me too! Your novel MIRAGE explores a really poignant journey with Ryan, especially when her perceptions change. How did her story shape as you wrote it?
Thank you! I always knew how Ryan's story would end so the challenge was writing her from the person she was to the person she became. This was one of the trickiest character arcs I’ve ever written. In fact, that was what compelled me to write MIRAGE. I wasn’t sure I could. I love a good challenge! I’m so glad I persisted, because I feel the book has so much to say about identity and living life to the fullest.
It certainly does--and I love how unique Ryan's perspective is. Your other series, the Light Key trilogy, comes from a different place--a fantasy that spans centuries. What about it was most enjoyable to write?
The theme of the series is very much about our metaphysical energy—what we give off and what we take on—and that theme was so real and compelling to me that I never tired of exploring it. I do love writing a good kissing scene! But the most enjoyable aspect of the Light Key trilogy was weaving together the Dan Brown-esque, real-life clues into a mythology that would resonate and make you wonder if it was real.
That's definitely one of the things I loved most about it. What are some of your current projects?
I’ve recently completed a YA historical thriller set in 1889 Paris. It was inspired by a real-life, mysterious death of a young woman and the death mask that has since become famous all over the world. Fingers crossed that it finds a home with a fabulous publisher!
I make it a habit to begin a new project as soon as I finish the last and so I’m currently developing a new YA project that’s been percolating in my head for over a year. It’s sci-fi, which is a new genre for me. Can’t wait to get drafting on that! And for the first time ever, I’m thinking seriously of writing an adult romance series. I have what I think is a fantastic idea and it’s a good sign when scene ideas are already floating around in my head. Both will keep me busy!
And us readers are glad for it. Thanks, Tracy!
To find out more about Tracy and her books, you can visit her website: www.tracyclark.org.
Buy: Amazon.com ~ Barnes & Noble ~ IndieBound
The Light Key trilogy:
Buy: Amazon.com ~ Barnes & Noble ~ IndieBound
Buy: Amazon.com ~ Barnes & Noble ~ IndieBound
Buy: Amazon.com ~ Barnes & Noble ~ IndieBound
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