Today we are SO excited to be one of today’s stop for the Scintillate blog tour. Scintillate by Tracy Clark is a young adult paranormal romance novel that was released February 4, 2014 by Entangled Teen. For more about the tour, visit Rockstar Book Tours.

About the Book

Scintillate
The Light Key Trilogy
By Tracy Clark
Pub: Entangled Teen
Pages: 304
Pub. Date: 2.4.14
Genres: YA,
Paranormal Romance

Synopsis:

A mighty flame follows a tiny spark

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 new-found powers and their role in a conspiracy spanning centuries—one that could change mankind forever…and end her life.

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Inside the Author’s Head

Welcome to the blog! This story sounds SO fascinating. I have to admit I’ve been so excited to read it since I participated in the cover reveal. Can you first tell readers where the idea came from for Scintillate?

Thank you so much!

Have you ever had one of those acquaintances who drags you down? There’s nothing outwardly wrong with what they say or do, but you feel like the very marrow has been sucked from your bones after you’ve been with them? I have. I’ve also had friends whose mere presence uplifts and energizes me so much that I can’t wait until the next time I get to see them again.

That’s energy.

SCINTILLATE was written because I wanted to create a mythology to explain the energetic interplay between people, a story that would get people thinking about the give and take of our invisible energies, or in Cora’s case visible energy in the form of auras.

What kind of research did you have to do to prepare yourself to write Scintillate?

I went to Ireland in 2010 when the story was just in the idea stage. Much of my experiences from that trip made it into the book. Beyond that, I delved into metaphysical books about auras and energy. For The Light Key Trilogy as a whole, I’ve gone down countless rabbit holes of research into everything from real life crimes, to conspiracy theories and secret societies, to ancient civilizations, all to create a mythology that was so steeped in reality that it would feel absolutely plausible.

How did your studies and experiences in life help shape who you are as a writer?

Great question! I think many writers are writers because telling stories is one way we process our life experiences. Like many people, I didn’t have the easiest childhood and I find myself wanting to write stories because that’s what connects us, what makes us feel less alone in our experiences.

I didn’t go to school for writing, but I’ve been so very fortunate to have had wonderful mentors and fellow writers who have taught me so much. I was lucky enough to participate in the Nevada SCBWI Mentor Program and had the amazing bestselling author, Ellen Hopkins, as my mentor. It was a tremendous learning experience. From there, I’ve continued to write and write, to read, and to keep trying to improve my craft.

Okay, so I always like to see what authors read. What are your top five favorite books and why?

A current list (as it’s always changing when I read a new favorite book!)

*The Book Thief by Markus Zusak because it is incredibly inventive and because it’s rare when a book can make me sob, even on the 2^nd read!

*The Daughter of Smoke and Bone series by Laini Taylor – Laini is an incredible weaver of words. Her ability to find new ways to say things, to describe things blows me away. Her world-building is just amazing. I have writer-envy when I read her work.

*The Fault in Our Stars by John Green – I love ALL of John’s work but when a book makes me sob and cry AT THE SAME TIME, I have to bow down to his prowess.

*The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz – I swear, I should get paid for how often I mention this book but I think babies should come with it, like a manual for life. It’s an amazing reminder and if we lived by the four agreements, we’d save ourselves a lot of heartache. I re-read it about once a year.

*The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbowsky – It is everything a YA should be. There were numerous times I felt so understood and felt he captured so much of what that time in life is all about. He could punch a breath from me with one sentence.

Night owl or early bird? How does it help with your writing process?

I am an early bird but that’s not when I write. I get up early to put my self-care first. That’s when I exercise. How that helps my writing is that when my kids are off to school, the entire day can be devoted to what I love doing.

Did you always know you wanted to be an author?

Yes, absolutely. The bug hit in middle school when I made someone cry with something I’d written. The power to create something that can make someone feel so intensely was addicting. But it wasn’t until after my kids went to school full-time that I made it a priority and went for it all-out!

If you could live in one ‘book world’ which one would it be and why?

If I could spend an entire semester at Hogwarts I’d be the happiest person ever!!!

I loved the fun facts about you on your own website (I hate Styrofoam too!) What are three things you’d like our readers to know about you?

Clearly, Styrofoam was invented by cruel practitioners of torture. What would I like for readers to know? Hmmm…

*I’m a survivor—strong as a warrior, but I’m oh-so-tender inside. I’m like a steel-coated Snickers Bar! (Maybe a little nutty, too.)

*I’m a private pilot. I’m saying that to inspire anyone to try to do something they’re not sure they can do. I was enormously proud of myself when I did that!

*That it’s taken me YEARS longer than it should to accept and adore myself and I believe that so many YA books right now are a wonderful example of how to do that. I wish for everyone much quicker learning curve than I.

What is next for Cora and the other characters of the Light Key Trilogy?

Cora and the others have their task cut out for them as they fight to stop the enemy. They’ll discover they’re up against an adversary that is so much bigger than they ever imagined. Everyone has a flight or fight decision to make, and for Cora—it’s fight.

And finally, what other projects, if any, are you working on?

I’m SO excited about a new book I just finished! It’s a YA psychological thriller with a badass girl skydiver. It’s edgy, sexy, and I think—a mind bender! I really let myself be creatively free with this one in ways I haven’t before. I have high hopes for it.

Thank you so much for stopping by Such a Novel Idea!

Thank you so much for welcoming me! I hope you like SCINTILLATE!

About the Author

Tracy Clark is a young-adult writer because she believes teens deserve to know how much they matter and that regardless of what they’re going through, they aren’t alone. In other words, she writes books for her teen self.
She grew up a “Valley Girl” in Southern California but now lives in her home state of Nevada, in a small town at the base of the Sierra Foothills. Her two children teach her the art of distraction and are a continuous source of great dialogue. She’s an unapologetic dog person who is currently owned by a cat.

Tracy was the recipient of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Work in Progress Grant. A two-time participant in the prestigious Nevada SCBWI Mentor Program where she was lucky enough to be mentored by bestselling author, Ellen Hopkins, who taught her so much about the art of writing and cured her of her ellipsis addiction.

Her debut novel was inspired by her enchantment with metaphysics as a teen, seeing it as the real magic in life. Tracy is a part-time college student, a private pilot, and an irredeemable dreamer.

Connect with Tracy

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Now comes the fun part! Today’s giveaway includes:

1 Prize pack of a key necklace and a signed copy of Scintillate (US ONLY)
3 paperbacks of Scintillate (US Only)
3 eBooks of Scintillate (International)

A big thanks to Entangled Teen, Tracy Clark, and Rockstar Book Tours for this chance. Be sure to follow the directions on each entry, as they will be verified and best of luck!