Clarissa Johal's Blog, page 6

UPDATE: July Charity Event for @SafeHaven4Cats #raleigh #cats #nonprofit #shelter

July royalties were sent into SAFE Haven for Cats 
to sponsor Pesto and Sable.These cats are looking for forever homes. I'm crossing my fingers they will be placed soon.Thank you to everyone who bought Struck!
_____________________

Every July, I donate 100% of my royalties from one or more of my books to a charity of choice. It's my way of giving back during my birthday month.

This year, all royalties from the sale of Struck during the month of July will go to:
SAFE Haven for Cats to sponsor a cat/s in need.
______________

Struck by lightning, claimed by shadows.

Caught in a terrible storm, Gwynneth is struck by lightning. She wakes in the hospital with a vague memory of a mysterious stranger. Following her release, the stranger visits her at will and offers Gwynneth a gift—one that will stay the hands of death. She is uncertain whether Julian is a savior or something sinister, for as he shares more of this gift, his price becomes deadly.


Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon CAN
Amazon AU



Please spread the word! If you've read Struck and liked it, check out  Poppy . 

A red-headed, pink-loving mortician who speaks to the dead.
A moody, unsociable funeral director.
Poppy and Dante from Struck are back.

Something is lingering around Skyview Funeral Home—and it's stealing souls of the dead.
With Dante in tow, Poppy is determined to put a stop to it.
Can she protect those who are trying to cross over, or will her soul be next?

Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon CAN
Amazon AU

Whispers in the Wood by Clarissa Johal #paranormal #darkfantasy #newrelease

Book Details:
Title: Whispers in the Wood Genre: Paranormal Dark Fantasy Author: Clarissa Johal Editor: Frank MoorePublisher: Faeriemoon Press
ISBN-13: 9781721036677ISBN-10: 1721036679ASIN: B07F9TBTNS








About Whispers in the Wood:
It all began with an acorn.
There are some places you shouldn’t disturb, places where history lingers. When Rowan travels to England, she finds a remote village, hidden in the shadow of an ancient forest. Vague warnings from the local people aren’t enough to stop her from venturing into the trees, or from picking up a single acorn. It seemed a simple action. But when a stranger emerges from the forest claiming the acorn belongs to him, Rowan finds herself pulled into something both centuries old and deadly.

Excerpt from Whispers in the Wood:
Stars dotted an inky sky and the moon cut a path across the pastures like water. It would have been a beautiful night in other circumstances, one where she would have been happy to go for a midnight walk. But tonight, her senses were on edge and she startled at every sound. Rowan’s feet made sloshing sounds in the wet grass as she hurried towards the church.

The standing stone reflected the moonlight like a beacon. The churchyard beyond it appeared empty, its gravestones pointing like accusing fingers towards the sky. The silence was oppressive and she resisted the urge to whistle. She stole up the steps to the church itself, hoping the teens would be inside.

Pressing her ear against the door, she breathed the pungent scent of burnt wood. Hesitant, Rowan tried the handle. The door gave way and opened with a long, drawn-out creak.

A giggle sounded behind her.

Whipping around, her gaze swept the darkness. The sound was coming from the graveyard itself. A shiver trailed down her spine like icy fingers. “Hello?”

A low whisper drifted with the breeze, followed by another giggle.

“Fiona? Will? Jennifer, Jonathan? C’mon, you guys. Not funny.” She waited for the teens to show themselves. “I’m not going with you to the forest, by the way. I don’t think you should go either.” She walked to where the sound came from and steeled herself for a ‘gotcha’ moment.

Expecting to see the teens hiding behind a gravestone, she was surprised instead by scattered flowers, left like offerings. She picked one up and twirled it in her fingers. The flower’s petals reflected alabaster in the moonlight like finger bones. Freshly picked, the scent of the plucked stem was still strong. Rowan began to toss it aside when she was hit with an icy gust of wind. Her vision clouded and she felt a jarring shift in her surroundings.

She kicked up debris as her feet pounded the forest floor. The trees were a wild blur, as were the smells. The strong scent of greenery mixed with the scent of blood. Her blood. Heart pounding, she saw a bright spot in the distance. Escape. The bright spot grew larger and larger as she tore through the overgrowth towards it. Suddenly, she was jerked off her feet and dragged backward. A scream ripped her throat and everything went black. A sharp pain cut through her spine. Unable to move her arms and legs, she tried to take a breath. Panic welled in her throat like bile.

* * * *Buy Links:
Available via Kindle UnlimitedAmazon USAmazon UKAmazon CN
Amazon AU

About the Author:


Clarissa Johal is the bestselling author of paranormal novels, Whispers in the Wood, Poppy, The Island, Voices, Struck and Between. When she’s not listening to the ghosts in her head, she’s dancing, taking pictures of gargoyles, or swinging from a trapeze. She shares her life with her husband, two daughters, and every stray animal that darkens their doorstep. 


Find Clarissa Online:
Author WebsiteBlogFacebook YouTubeTwitter Goodreads Amazon Author Page Pinterest

Whispers in the Wood by Clarissa Johal #paranormal #darkfantasy #newrelease

It all began with an acorn.

There are some places you shouldn’t disturb, places where history lingers. When Rowan travels to England, she finds a remote village, hidden in the shadow of an ancient forest. Vague warnings from the local people aren’t enough to stop her from venturing into the trees, or from picking up a single acorn. It seemed a simple action. But when a stranger emerges from the forest claiming the acorn belongs to him, Rowan finds herself pulled into something both centuries old and deadly.
Coming July 10th

Guest Author - Date Night Dinners by Sloane Taylor #recipe #recipebook @sloanetaylor2

Please welcome guest author Sloane Taylor with her newly-released recipe book.

Date Night Dinners
Meals to Make Together for a Romantic Evening
by Sloane Taylor

Ready to ignite that old flame? Or perhaps spark a new one? Take your partner by the hand and turn on your stove. A true romantic, award-winning author Sloane Taylor brings her creativity to the kitchen with easy-to-make meals sure to spark the intimacy and quality time you want with your special someone. Cooking together is only the start of the fun!

Create 45 complete dinners for two or flavor your evenings with a new dish. These 80 recipes use everyday foods already on most kitchen shelves. The recipes are easily increased for those fun times friends or family join your table.

Date Night Dinners is an ideal gift for engagements, bridal showers, anniversaries, or anyone who wants to spice things up.

BUY LINKS
Amazon Kindle | Smashwords | Kobo


My recipe review:
There are few vegetarian recipes in this recipe book, save for side-dishes, but most could be adjusted according to a vegetarian or vegan diet. I found this vegetarian recipe very easy to follow and required few ingredients. Perfect if you want to impress that special gal or guy but don't want to spend forever in the kitchen! (My family loved it, by the way) I used fresh basil and oregano from my garden which made the recipe pop. Add garlic bread and a salad and you have a summer meal.

Whore's Spaghetti 
Pasta Puttanesca

Sauce

¼ cup (60ml)
olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 – 14.5 oz. can (411g) Italian plum tomatoes, drained and coarsely chopped 1 tbsp.
(15ml) capers, chopped
1 can pitted black olives, drained and chopped
½ tsp. (2.5ml) red pepper flakes
1 tsp. (5ml) dried basil
1 tsp. (5ml) dried oregano
Freshly ground pepper to taste

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic, stir 2 – 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, capers, olives, pepper flakes, basil, and oregano. Turn heat to low, and simmer 15 minutes. Add pepper. Taste the sauce, adjust seasoning to suit you. Reduce heat to low, simmer another 15 minutes.

Pasta

1 lb. (454g) spaghetti
1 tsp. (5ml) fresh or dried parsley
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Toss pasta with the sauce, sprinkle on parsley. Serve with plenty of Parmesan cheese on the side.

___________________________

Author

Award-Winning author Sloane Taylor is a sensual woman who believes humor, sex, and good food are healthy aspects of our everyday lives and carries that philosophy into her books. She writes spicy romance. Being a true romantic, all her stories have a happy ever after. Taylor is also an avid cook whose recipes are featured in Divine Magazine.

Taylor was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. She and her husband now live in a small home in Northwest Indiana and enjoy the change from city life.

Learn more about Taylor and read excerpts from her books on her website, blog, and all popular vendors. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter.

July Charity Event for @SafeHaven4Cats - Struck by Clarissa Johal #paranormal #awardwinning #bestseller

Every July, I donate 100% of my royalties from one or more of my books to a charity of choice. It's my way of giving back during my birthday month.

This year, all royalties from the sale of Struck during the month of July will go to:
SAFE Haven for Cats to sponsor a cat/s in need.
______________

Struck by lightning, claimed by shadows.

Caught in a terrible storm, Gwynneth is struck by lightning. She wakes in the hospital with a vague memory of a mysterious stranger. Following her release, the stranger visits her at will and offers Gwynneth a gift—one that will stay the hands of death. She is uncertain whether Julian is a savior or something sinister, for as he shares more of this gift, his price becomes deadly.


Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon CAN
Amazon AU



Please spread the word! If you've read Struck and liked it, check out  Poppy . 

A red-headed, pink-loving mortician who speaks to the dead.
A moody, unsociable funeral director.
Poppy and Dante from Struck are back.

Something is lingering around Skyview Funeral Home—and it's stealing souls of the dead.
With Dante in tow, Poppy is determined to put a stop to it.
Can she protect those who are trying to cross over, or will her soul be next?

Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon CAN
Amazon AU

Cover Reveal - The Ghost in the Gardens (A Flower Girl Mystery) by HL Carpenter #MiddleGrade #Paranormal #Mystery @hl_carpenter

Mirror World Publishing presents the cover reveal for The Ghost in the Gardens (A Flower Girl Mystery) by HL Carpenter.
About The Ghost in the Gardens:
Until the first spooky visit, ten-year-old Chrysantha Howe doesn't think about ghosts. She thinks about plants.
All.
The.
Time.
She has her future planned out, and that future includes plants. Chrys is going to be a plant scientist like her uncle and her favorite teacher, and she's determined to find the very rare Coralroot orchid.
The ghost is not in the plan.
But when her teacher disappears and the police suspect her uncle was involved, Chrys has to figure out what the ghost is trying to tell her—before it's too late.
Book Details:
Genre: Middle-Grade Paranormal MysteryPage Count: 152 pagesPublisher: Mirror World Publishing Goodreads
Pre-Order Links:
Mirror World PublishingEbookPaperbackAmazon

Meet the Author:

Florida-based mother/daughter author duo HL Carpenter writes family-friendly fiction. The Carpenters write from their studios in Carpenter Country, a magical place that, like their stories, is unreal but not untrue. When they’re not writing, the Carpenters enjoy exploring the Land of What-If and practicing the fine art of Curiosity. Visit HLCarpenter.com to enjoy gift reads and excerpts and to find out what’s happening in Carpenter Country.
Connect with HL Carpenter:
Website
Author Page

#MeatlessMonday - Umeboshi Onigiri (Japanese rice balls with salt-pickled plums) #vegetarian #vegan

Umeboshi OnigiriYield: about 6 onigiri
I had these in Hawaii recently and fell in love with them. They are the ultimate grab and go food and super-easy to make. Umeboshi isn't for everyone, it has a strong salty-sour flavor (on the level of Sour Patch Kids) but if you like those flavor profiles, you'll be hooked! 

Read about umeboshi and its health benefits HERE. Photo courtesy of alexxis vis FlickrIngredients:
2 cups sushi rice

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

Umeboshi paste (this ingredient is usually much cheaper if you purchase it at your local Asian grocery store)
12 strips of dried seaweed/nori (See picture) You can purchase nori specifically for onigiri or cut the sheets into small or large strips, according to taste.)

Directions:

1. Cook rinsed and drained rice in rice cooker according to instructions.

2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine vinegar, sugar, and salt. Microwave for 20 to 30 seconds until sugar is dissolved.

3. Transfer warm rice to a glass dish and spread into a thin layer. Sprinkle with vinegar mixture and gently fold into the rice until evenly coated.

4. When the rice is cool enough to handle, form into a rice ball (about 1/3 cup of rice) or triangle around a small dab of umeboshi paste. (Have a bowl of water next to you to wet your hands. It will keep the rice from sticking!)

5. Wrap in nori and press lightly to adhere.

6. Serve immediately so seaweed remains crisp. Unwrapped onigiri can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Wrap in seaweed just before serving.

Enjoy!

Frightening Friday - Creepypasta and Channel Zero #horror #paranormal

Creepypasta is quite popular with the young adult crowd - my teens included. On Creepypasta.com, you can submit your short horror/paranormal stories for (unpaid) publication, get reader feedback and ratings, explore writing prompts and participate in discussions. The site is a perfect venue for the budding horror/paranormal author and beyond. Their top stories have inspired the SyFy television series, Channel Zero, which just finished its third season. Channel Zero scored 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and if you haven't seen it yet, you're missing out. It's what American Horror Story used to be before it crashed and burned.

If you haven't checked out Creepypasta.com, I encourage you to do so!

Creepypasta
Twitter @creepypastacom
MrCreepyPasta via YouTube

You can catch up with Channel Zero here:

Channel Zero 
Twitter @ChannelZeroSYFY

Season One: Candle Cove (2016) based on Candle Cove by Kris Straub
A child psychologist returns to his hometown to determine if his brother's disappearance is somehow connected to a series of incidents and bizarre children's television show that aired at the same time.

Season Two:No-End House (2017) based on NoEnd House by Brian Russell
A young woman and her group of friends visit a house of horrors only to find themselves questioning whether it is a tourist attraction or something more sinister.

Season Three: Butchers Block (2018) based on Search and Rescue Woods by Kerry Hammond
A young woman moves to a city haunted by a series of disappearances. After learning the disappearances may be connected to a baffling rumor, she works with her sister to discover what is preying on the city's residents. 

#ThoughtfulThursday - Top 10 Twitter Tips

Feeling snarky today. Uh-oh.

Thought I'd share some tips regarding Twitter. These are part of a larger, personal list (compulsive list-maker here).
See if you agree with my Top 10.






1. Don't send a direct message with something like, "Thanks for the follow. Like my FB page! Review my book! Buy my product! Have my baby!"
Um...can I get to know you first? All that awesome stuff usually comes after someone has read your book or discovers your product. Personally, high-pressure tactics make me want to run in the other direction. Quickly. It's worse when an author DMs another author. Really? You do realize I'm also writing/editing/promoting, right? How about you like my Facebook Page? How about you buy and review my book? Yeah...that's what I thought.

2. I can't say this enough: If you follow me and I go to your Twitter page and see an endless string of self-tweets, I'm probably NOT going to follow you back. Twitter is all about give-and-take. Tweeting about yourself 24/7 is obnoxious. Do you talk about yourself 24/7 too?  Yikes. I feel sorry for your friends and co-workers.

3. Don't try and pick someone up on Twitter and don't send naked pictures. That goes for Facebook, Google Plus, LinkedIn, pretty much anywhere on the internet. Tacky as hell and I'm pretty sure it won't get you laid.

4. Don't ignore someone who mentions you (unless they're trying to start a fight). It's flat-out rude. Would you ignore them in a face-to-face conversation? Hopefully not.

5. Pay it forward. I'll return the favor if somebody retweets my books (unless I find their tweets distasteful). For the people who don't return the favor, I wonder what your relationships are like. Ditto for what goes on in your bedroom. Yeah, I'm kind of twisted like that. Sue me.

6. Don't announce how many people you Followed or Unfollowed. Seriously, who the f*%k cares?

7. PLEASE pin a tweet to the top of your page if you want a decent retweet. Don't make people go through your feed to find something relevant. Odds are, they don't have the time.

8. Be mindful of the profile picture you post. Selfies in the bathroom, duck faces, and boob shots make me think twice about following you. They also make me wonder what you're selling.

9. Don't start fights or get personal. In fact, here's a Golden Rule: Say nothing online that you wouldn't say face to face. Don't be a coward and hide behind your computer. There's this weird thing called reputation. Just because you're online, doesn't mean you don't get one if you act like an ass.

10. Maybe it's a writer thing, but please spell check your tweets. Please. It makes you look oh-so-much smarter if you can spell correctly and manage a sentence.

Now...go tweet something. Or better yet, go outside and enjoy the day. [image error]

@ClarissaJohal

New Cover & #Sale - Struck by Clarissa Johal #paranormal #darkfantasy #KindleUnlimited #99cents

Book Details:
Genre: Paranormal
Author: Clarissa Johal
Editor: Samantha Ettinger
Publisher: Faeriemoon Press
Number of Pages: 228

About Struck:
Caught a terrible storm, Gwynneth is struck by lightning. She wakes in the hospital with a vague memory of a mysterious stranger. 
Following her release, the stranger visits her at will and offers Gwynneth a gift—one that will stay the hands of death. She is uncertain whether Julian is a savior or something sinister... for as he shares more of this gift, his price becomes deadly.
Excerpt:


She stared into his pale eyes, the color of storm clouds. A scream welled up in her throat. He pushed her against the wall and shook his head in a warning.“Do not scream.”His voice was low and soothing. She nodded quickly with every intention of screaming her lungs out as soon as he removed his hand.“Do not scream,” he repeated.Gwynneth could hear her breath heavy against his hand. He wore finely made black leather gloves. Why would he be wearing gloves inside? She thought frantically. It’s not cold enough to wear gloves. Dressed in black from top to bottom, except for a white, high-collared dress shirt, he looked archaic. She tried to match him with a time period. Mid-eighteenth century? Even his demeanor was aristocratic and proud. Small silver buttons ran the length of his jacket. They pressed sharply against her thin hospital gown.“Do you trust me?” He studied her intently and removed his hand.“You were there when I got hit,” she whispered.“Yes.”“Why didn’t you bring me to the hospital? You left me at the funeral home.”“I had no transportation. I left you where you would be found.”“Why didn’t you stay with me?”“I have my reasons. I am here now.”Gwynneth paused. “Thank you for saving me.”“I wish something in return.”“I-I don’t have anything.” She flinched as she felt a small tug from deep inside. It was as if probing fingers were searching for something. Fear bloomed within her. The probing stopped.“Are you saying no?” His voice held an edge.“I don’t understand.”“Are…you… saying…no?”Confused, she nodded slightly. Suddenly, Julian grabbed her around the shoulders, and they fell into blackness. Something powerful swirled around them. Something malevolent. She panicked and clung to him. There was pressure on all sides of her, as if the air was folding and becoming heavier and heavier. And then, everything stopped.“Open your eyes, Gwynneth,” he whispered.They were in a Victorian house. A fire burned in the fireplace. The scent from the burning wood filled the air. Muted light reflected off elaborate, but worn, wallpaper and furniture. A half-eaten biscuit lay on a delicate-looking plate next to an empty teacup resting on its side.Julian took her by the hand and led her up a winding staircase. She studied him from behind. Tall and lean, though quite broad-shouldered, long white hair draped his back like silk. His form-fitting, tailored jacket hit mid-thigh. Matching black pants were tucked into knee-high leather boots. He walked with catlike grace, his boots making light sounds on the stairs.Otherworldly, her thoughts whispered. Still in her hospital gown, Gwynneth felt vulnerable and naked. Her bare feet pressed against the wooden floor. Grit stuck to her toes.He led her down a hallway lit by fluted glass light fixtures. At the end of the hallway was a door.Never taking his eyes off hers, Julian opened it.Dark figures scattered like exploding glass. Red…so much red. There was blood everywhere. Blood-soaked sheets, pillows; blood pooled onto the wooden floor and soaked into an ornate carpet.A woman lay across the bed. She wore an old-fashioned white nightgown, which was plastered to her body. Her long dark hair spilled across the sheets. Gaping wounds covered her chest. A knife lay on the floor. The windows were open, and white curtains fluttered in the evening breeze.The creatures writhed in the corners as light from the hallway shattered their darkness.A strangled sound escaped Gwynneth’s throat. Julian wrapped his arms around her and urged her forward. The figures that had fled into the corners seeped into the scene once more.“They come for her. I want you to watch.”Gwynneth shook violently. He gripped her tighter.The figures swarmed over the dead woman’s body. They snaked up her torso, across her face, and into her hair. Gwynneth felt their need, burning and relentless.“Oh my God, she’s not dead,” she moaned. Her vision went black.______________________

Indie Book of the Day Award
Second Place - Preditors and Editors Readers Poll 2014

Struck is 99 cents via Amazon!
Amazon US  Amazon UKAmazon CAN


                                                             YouTube Book Trailer