Tracey M. Hook's Blog

Natural Elements

The story of a YA biracial woman struggling to fit into Mumbai society. Natural Elements Excerpt available on goodreads.com.

Free YA novel

Enter to win a copy of #YA novel Natural Elements. Available May 19-27 only on goodreads!

Being a writer

Being a writer, trying to get exposed is as hard as looking for a job in a not so great economy. Advertising is difficult when you're on a limited budget. Getting reviews is just as hard. For me writing is a necessity. I've never been much of a talker. Writing helps me to get down my thoughts and feelings, it's personal on many levels, but when you have a story to tell you may want to share it. Maybe it could help someone else. Now how do you get it out there for others to see without getting lost in a void? But even if no one sees it you've expressed yourself. And that alone keeps you going.

Excerpt from Natural Elements

...The car sped toward Ville Parle. Grandmother was now probably having her early cup of coffee in the sitting-room with Grandfather as he read the Times of India. My father was at the firm in the city. Ayah was gossiping with the neighbors--"Did you hear, Mrs. Banerjee's daughter--the one that lives in America, left her husband for another man. I hope my Geeta never goes to America. It puts bad ideas in one's head." Ayah failed to see the same thing goes on in Bombay everyday. She closed her mind to prostitution in the red light district of the city. Young women sold or tricked into the profession, never able to leave it. Never able to return to their villages. Rejected by their families. She was unaware of HIV/AIDS or how rampant sexually transmitted diseases were spreading across the city. She was unaware of life outside of the suburbs. She was unaware of my attraction to man from America, the place where all the craziness goes on. Natural Elements

Except from Natural Elements

First date jitters: I wasn't pleased with any of my sarees. But wearing any of the casual skirts and blouses in my closet was totally out of the question. I opted for a sea green silk Kurta with matching churidar. I borrowed Mummy's white chiffon scarf and draped it over my shoulder. I didn't know what to do with my hair so Mummy braided it into a French row. I gave myself one final look in the mirror, applied more kohl, a press on bindi, and slipped on the white leather pumps... Natural Elements

How the Vampire Lestat Invaded My Life

When I was in college, I thought the only thing worth reading were the classics, and I had a lot of catching up to do because like any teenage girl I was re-reading Judy Blume's Forever and other teen romances. All of Jane Austin's work was at the top of the list (that romance thing) followed by Thomas Hardy, George Elliot and Dostoyevsky. My friends called me the snob of the classics and I wore my title well, head held high and the latest read in my hand for all to see. And then The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice came on the scene. I resisted. As the 6 train made its way to South Ferry I ignored all the other passengers engrossed in their copies. At times someone missed their stop and I smiled as they cursed out loud. Once I arrived on the Staten Island Ferry I encountered more readers of this vampire novel and I shook my head. Why? I asked myself. It's all been done before. "Yo, is that book good?" A young man walking by asked the lady next to me.
"Yeah, she replied. " I can't put it down." He smiled, glanced at my cover and kept on moving. He wasn't asking any questions about Jude the Obscure.

Of course I read it. A couple of months after resisting I finally broke down. Damn, that Lestat was hot! I dreamt about him in his tight leather pants, singing on stage to thousands of young pretty people. But he was looking at me! Yeah, I fantasized for a week or two. Flaunted my book cover like all the others. Imagined Lestat turning me into a blood sucker. Turning me on as he drained me. I was in lust.

I went back to the classics after Lastat. More Hardy, Joyce, Austin. But I was restless. Eager for the next adventure with the hot superstar vampire.

The Immigrant Experience

My love of reading the "immigrant experience" has taken me on a voyage rich in many cultures and into the lives of those I knew little about. It's a privilege to step into a world a writer has created giving me insight into joys, struggles, hopes and dreams of those looking for a better life, yet holding onto the past and the the very things that define who they are. The immigrant not only takes on the newness of their adopted land, but also offers us a glimpse into the world they left behind, expanding our knowledge and making us more enlightened. Here is a short list of some great books of the immigrant experience. When I Was Puerto Rican The Namesake The Frangipani Hotel Hungry Hearts Inside Out & Back Again Drifting House The Turtle of Oman Stealing the Ambassador Nilda Three Strong Women

Natural Elements

Giveaway of YA novel Natural Elements. Natural Elements 4/12-4/20. The story of a young biracial woman struggling to fit into Bombay society.

Giveaway

Build up your home library. Enter goodreads giveaways daily for a chance to win free books! Natural Elements The Cauliflower: A Novel I Will Send Rain: A Novel I Will Send Rain: A NovelAuggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories.Currently available and many more titles!

#Listopia! Take a Vote!

What are some of your favorite books about women of color? Add your favorites to the list and vote. #Women of Color Finding their Place in Society.