Clarissa Johal's Blog, page 61

July Animal Shelter Event Update

To everyone that purchased a copy of BETWEEN during the month of July and helped spread the word about my Animal Shelter Event--thank you so, so much!

Once I receive my royalties statement in November (yes, it takes awhile!) I will split 100% of my proceeds between the Rohnert Park Animal Shelter and the Franklin County Animal Shelter.
A huge thank you to both shelters for helping me spread the word on this event.

If you didn't get a chance to participate, I'm planning to run the same event (but different shelters) next year during my birthday month of July.  

Until then, you can purchase a copy of BETWEEN right here:
Amazon.com
and here:
Barnes and Noble

Have a wonderful weekend.






*photo of Clover, adopted by my family via Alley Cats and Angels

Hot Paranormal Nights Winner!

The winner of an ecopy of my novel BETWEEN (drum roll) is Rachel dosSantos! Congrats! I sent an email to you. Let me know what format you'd like (PDF, ePub, PRC or Mobi) and I'll email it.

Thank you everyone for participating! Remember--100% of proceeds from the sale of BETWEEN during the month of July go to animal shelters. See July Animal Shelter Event for details. Today is the LAST day!

I'm currently on tour with BETWEEN hosted by Bewitching Book Tours, so there are still opportunities to win a copy. Dates and details in my blog.

Hot Paranormal Night Winner!

The winner of an ecopy of my novel BETWEEN (drum roll) is Rachel dosSantos! Congrats! I sent an email to you. Let me know what format you'd like (PDF, ePub, PRC or Mobi) and I'll email it.

Thank you everyone for participating! Remember--100% of proceeds from the sale of BETWEEN during the month of July go to animal shelters. See July Animal Shelter Event for details. Today is the LAST day!

I'm currently on tour with BETWEEN hosted by Bewitching Book Tours, so there are still opportunities to win a copy. Dates and details in my blog.

Hot Paranormal Nights Blog Hop

Yes, you are at the right place. Welcome! Pull up a cushion and get comfy, I'm going to tell you a ghost story....

If you are intrigued, follow my blog and leave a comment or contact email to enter my contest to win a free ecopy of BETWEEN, in the format of your choice (PDF, ePub, PRC or Mobi). Winner will be announced July 31st right here and via email.




[image error] BETWEENby Clarissa Johal
How far would you go to redeem yourself?
As a young girl, Lucinda was able to see spirits, a gift that didn't come without its problems. Now, a dedicated young veterinarian, she is committed to the idea that every life can be saved.After a devastating accident, Lucinda tries to escape her past by moving to a small town. There, she meets a newcomer and feels an immediate connection with him. But there is another mysterious stranger to the small town, one that stirs within her a mixture of unease and desire. As Lucinda is drawn into a bitter tug-a-war from the forces around her, she is likewise pulled into a dangerous twist of past and present events. Forced to make difficult choices, she finds that the two men are locked in not only a battle for her life...but a battle for their salvation.
Excerpt:
The soporific sound of drumming rain soon lulled Lucinda to sleep and her book slipped to the floor. The flames in the fireplace burned down low. Muted light played across the living room window, mixing with the rivulets of rain from outside. There was a faint knock at the door. Startled awake, Lucinda checked the small clock that hung on the wall. One forty-nine in the morning. Who could be stopping by so late? she wondered. Marny? No, she would have called first. Maybe an emergency with somebody’s pet.
“Just a minute.” Re-wrapping the blanket around herself, she went to open the door. As soon as she twisted the doorknob, the unlocked door flew open, blasting her with a gust of icy wind and rain. Lucinda let out a cry of surprise as she was temporarily blinded.
A man stood on her porch. As he stepped closer, he went from a gray, watery outline to a solid entity. His black sweater dripped with rain and lay like a second skin on his powerful-looking torso. Dark black jeans were plastered onto his equally muscular legs.
“Come in! It’s freezing out there!” Lucinda moved aside as the man stepped over her threshold.
“I apologize for knocking so late.” His voice was even and low. “I saw the light coming from within.” He bowed his head, running a hand through his short, dark hair. His eyes flickered up to meet hers.
Lucinda blinked, startled by their flash of shocking, ice-gray.
Darwin growled at him, hackles raised.
“Darwin!” Lucinda scolded. “Did you break down somewhere?”
The stranger paused before answering. “Yes. I broke down.”
“I’m so sorry! Do you need to use the phone? The only tow truck company I know of around here is probably closed for the night.”
He stood dripping in her front room, the water pooling darkly around his feet onto the hardwood floor.
“Let me get you a towel. You must be freezing.” She patted Darwin firmly on the head. “Darwin, stay put.” The dog sat, eyeing the stranger fixedly. Lucinda ran into the bathroom and grabbed the only towel she had, which had been tossed over the shower door. She hoped he wouldn't notice it was slightly damp.
“Thank you.” He took the towel from her.
A shock leapt through their fingers as they touched. Lucinda pulled her hand back. The dying fire flickered off the hard planes of his jaw. She watched as he ran the rough, blue towel through his hair, light eyes never breaking contact with hers. She felt a chill steal through her. “I’ll add some wood to the fire,” she murmured, embarrassed for staring. She turned away to hide a blush stealing over her cheeks. “The phone is in the kitchen if you want to leave the tow truck a message.” The man walked behind her, and Lucinda turned with a start.
“My apologies.”
Her initial alarm dissipated as quickly as it came. She shook her head to clear it. “I’ll get you the phone. You don’t even know where my kitchen is.” Ducking around him, she pulled her blanket tighter. Red-faced, Lucinda returned and handed it to him. He ran a hand through his wet hair again, brushing it away from his forehead. She found herself staring at him. His face was attractive, but there was a darkness about it that made her feel slightly uncomfortable. Not a darkness of color — his skin was quite light — but from within. It made her heart beat faster. His eyes, however, burned a bright, clear gray.
“Thank you.” He ran his thumb over the mouthpiece of the receiver.
“Where are you from, Mister — ?”
“Dead.”
“Excuse me?”
“The phone.” He handed it to her. “It is dead.”
Lucinda took the phone from him and listened to its silence. “The storm must have knocked out the lines. Damn it. I left my cell phone at work. I don’t have a car, or I would offer to drive you to wherever you’re staying. Are you just passing through?”
He raised a dark, arched eyebrow. “Now that is something you do not hear of these days,” he said in his low, even tone.
“What’s that?”
“Not having a car.”
“I know. I used to have a car, but the town is so small, I, um, decided to sell it when I moved here. My bicycle works fine.” His sudden smile was wide and slightly disarming. It left her feeling jumpy. Lucinda cleared her throat, gathering her thoughts and holding her hand out formally. “I’m Lucinda Bell. I’m the town veterinarian.”
“Cronan.” He slid her hand into hers.
The name stirred something within her. Something between fear and a feeling she couldn't place. His icy grip was overly firm, and she fought the sudden urge to run. She drew her hand back and pulled the blanket around her again. “You’re freezing. Do you want a cup of tea?”
“I do not require anything to drink.”
“Okay.” Lucinda shifted her weight nervously. “Well, that’s three new people I've met recently. That never happens in this town.” Something indecipherable flickered across Cronan’s face. “Where are you staying?” Lucinda asked.
“I have yet to take up residence.” Eyes still appraising her, he ran the towel down his neck, catching water droplets in its thirsty folds. 
Lucinda’s gaze followed the towel. “Oh. Well, the closest place to stay is at the motel down the main highway.”
Cronan cocked his head slightly. A shudder of wind and torrential rain slammed against the windows.
“But, of course,” Lucinda continued, “you can’t possibly walk there in this weather. It’s about ten miles away, and it’s kind of late.”
“It is late.” His gray eyes studied her thoughtfully. “And I would not want to get into an accident.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “No, of course not. You can stay here tonight, Mr. Cronan. I don’t have anything for you to change into. I have a clothes dryer but…well, um, you can borrow a blanket while your clothes are in the dryer, if you want.” Lucinda felt herself blush and mentally kicked herself for it. Shut up! Shut up!
“I have not the need to change into anything presently.” He caught Darwin’s fierce glare and chuckled. “And please, call me Cronan.” His light eyes locked with hers again.
“Cronan,” she repeated. “That’s an unusual name.”
“It is a family name.”
“Oh.” Her heart hammered in her chest. Maybe this is a bad idea. The thought was pulled away like the tide, and her panic subsided as quickly as it came. The clock ticked loudly, marking their silence. “Well, you can sleep in here. The fire should keep this room warm. I would offer one of the other bedrooms but there’s no furniture in them.”
“Thank you, this will be quite comfortable, Lucinda.” Her name rolled off his tongue in an intimate way that made her face grow warm.
“You’re welcome.” Studying his face, she felt like she had missed something. “Let me get you a blanket.” Dashing into her bedroom, she realized too late that she was wrapped up in her only blanket. She fingered its worn saffron threads. His clothes are wet. And he’s probably colder than he’s letting on. Grabbing the sheet from her bed, she neatly folded the tartan blanket and wrapped herself in the sheet.
“Here.” She came back out and set the blanket down in the chair. Cronan glanced at it, his expression unreadable. “I have others,” she lied, “but this is my warmest one. Come on, Darwin.” She turned and walked toward her bedroom door, aware of his eyes boring into her back. She shut the door, and for the first time since moving in, she locked it.
Cronan stood alone in the middle of the room and gazed into the fire. Walking over to it, he pressed the damp towel against his face, inhaling deeply. A smile spread across his lips. He turned and his gaze fell upon the tartan blanket. Just as quickly, his smile faded like a memory.
**For the month of July, 100% of proceeds from the sale of BETWEEN will go to animal shelters. See July Animal Shelter Event blog post for details!
BETWEEN buy links:Amazon.com Barnesandnoble.com Musa Publishing 
Author website Author Blog  Twitter   Facebook 

Look for my next novel STRUCK, coming from Musa Publishing December 2013/January 2014

Please visit the other Hot Paranormal Nights participants. Happy hopping!

Lemonade Shenanigans

As some of you may know, we've had a very sick kitty this past week. As near the vet can tell, it started out as a possible kidney infection, then pancreatitis, then hepatic lipidosis, and rounded out with Twix being diabetic. I consider myself pretty observant, but cats are experts at hiding things--and it all happened so quickly.
Last Saturday, the vet gave us 50/50 odds Twix would pull though, and I could tell by the look on her face that she wasn't hopeful. Normally, I believe things happen for a reason. A change in your life path, a new job, meeting someone...all for a reason. Things like this, however? I can think of no reason why a sweet, little cat would need to suffer. None. On my long drive home from the ER, not only was I despondent, but I was seriously praying for a miracle. I can count on one hand the number of times I've done that.
But you know what? We got one. (Yay!)
We brought Twix home on Monday. And trust me, the total ER bill was high enough to make me wish I could spin straw into gold.
My job now, in addition to insulin injections and plethora of medications, is to feed her via a feeding tube every 6 hours, around the clock, until she eats on her own.
This makes for a very sleep-deprived author.
Last night around midnight, I tottered back to bed with the happy thought that I could catch 5 hours of sleep before I needed to get up and do it all again.
That was the plan.
So, here's the shenanigans that went on in my head:

"I wonder when the next full moon is? The price of rice in China. The priiiice of riiiice in Chiiina. If Moira was going to try and escape, that may work out as an action scene for my novel. I need to make a note on that. ♪ ♫ Come as you are, as you were, as I want you to be... ♪ ♫ If I bought lemons, I could make lemonade. I make good lemonade. I'll add honey instead of sugar this time."Tweedledee and Tweedledum agreed to have a battle." Oh, itchy knee. Twix needs her insulin at six and that other drug I have to crush up, I hate that it won't dissolve in water, and maybe I need to try some food to see if she wants it. I need to sandwich fun things between all this stuff so the girls can have a good summer. It's 3AM, three more hours until I have to get up. I should just get up and write until the next feeding, then I can sleep from 6:30 to noon. Except I can't. I'll bet the girls would play video games all day and be perfectly happy. I love Skyrim. We need to buy a frisbee."

You get the general idea. Anyways, if I'm MIA these next few weeks, it's because I'm sleep-deprived and I'm trying to squeeze the fun out of summer like a lemon--because you know what?
Making lemonade out of lemons is my specialty.

Announcement!!

I'm very excited to announce that I've just signed a contract with Musa Publishing for my next paranormal novel, STRUCK.


Release date TBA

STRUCK
The shadows hadn't been waiting, the shadows had been invited.

BETWEEN Virtual Book Tour Hosted by Bewitching Book Tours

Join me on my virtual book tour for BETWEEN hosted by Bewitching Book Tours, July 29th to August 5th.

Details coming soon!

July Animal Shelter Event

For the month of July--my birthday month--I'll be donating 100% of my proceeds from the sale of BETWEEN to the Franklin County Animal Shelter. I'm a huge supporter of animal welfare and adoption and couldn't think of a better gift for myself than to give back to animal shelters.
This is a high need shelter and volunteers work very hard at trying to get all the animals adopted. 
We've adopted both our dogs from them and they've turned out to be wonderful family members!



This is Zeus. 
He was in the shelter as a puppy with six of his brothers and sisters. We were rotating through the puppies in the "get to know you" room, trying to pick which would best for our family. The shelter volunteer brought in his sister for us to take a look at, and Zeus, sensing his time to impress was up, parked himself in my daughter's lap and wouldn't move. 
Our decision was made.

and this is Jasmine.  
She was 2-years-old when we adopted her and had spent her life chained in someone's backyard. It took months for the fur to grow back around her neck and a week to house-train her. That was seven years ago and she's been the sweetest dog we've ever owned.  


If you're looking to add to your family, please consider taking a trip to your local animal shelter to adopt a dog, cat or other animal in need of a forever home.
And please spread the word about this event! 
I'll be posting photos and an update once the event is over, I receive my royalty check, and can take my donation into the shelter. 
Remember: 100% of proceeds from the sale of BETWEEN during the month of July goes to the shelter.


How far would you go to redeem yourself?
As a young girl, Lucinda was able to see spirits, a gift that didn't come without its problems. Now, a dedicated young veterinarian, she is committed to the idea that every life can be saved. After a devastating accident, Lucinda tries to escape her past by moving to a small town. There, she meets a newcomer and feels an immediate connection with him. But there is another mysterious stranger to the small town, one that stirs within her a mixture of unease and desire. As Lucinda is drawn into a bitter tug-a-war from the forces around her, she is likewise pulled into a dangerous twist of past and present events. Forced to make difficult choices, she finds that the two men are locked in not only a battle for her life...but a battle for their salvation.

*Second place in the 2012 Preditors and Editors Readers Poll.
*Paranormal Reads gave BETWEEN 4 out of 5 Bats 

Buy Links
Amazon.comBarnesandnoble.comMusa Publishing

Abusive Boyfriends, Prostitutes and Dead Bodies...Write What You Know

I think it's funny when people say, "I've always wanted to be an author, but I don't know what to write about." My answer to that is this; everyone has experiences. Write about those, and you have a story. I'll bet you can pull some interesting characters out of those experiences too. Use them. It's okay, I won't tell.

Last night, I was chatting with a friend of mine, reminiscing about an apartment I used to live in many years ago while attending university. Anybody that's been a student knows that sometimes, in order to pay tuition, you end up living in the most...interesting places. And this particular building was interesting, to say the least.
One tenant I became friends with had a boyfriend I wasn't too fond of. He was abusive and used to hit her. I tried repeatedly to help, but sometimes, nothing you say or do will fix these situations. One day, her boyfriend went ballistic and threatened her with a gun, telling her he was going to blow her head off. She took refuge in my apartment and when he came to the door looking for her, I lied and told him she had moved back to San Francisco.
Another tenant would kick out her six-year-old child so she could be free to "entertain" guests. And yes, by that, I mean mom was a prostitute. The child would wander the halls, entertaining herself in god knows how many different ways, until I got home from class. I would ask her if she wanted to hang out with me while I did my homework, and she always did. We'd watch cartoons until her mother was finished with business and come to fetch her. There was never an exchange of many words between us, and I have no idea what her mother thought of me, but I always felt sad when the little girl left. Knowing what I know now, I probably would have called Child Protective Services, but at 23-years-old, I hadn't a clue about that stuff. It's one of those things that will always haunt me.
And then, there was the tenant who died. I used to see him every morning as I would leave for class. He'd be ducking out his door to grab his morning paper and always wore a straw hat. I thought this was odd since most people don't wear hats inside, but hey, different strokes. We'd exchange some sort of greeting, he didn't speak English, and then go about our respective days. One morning, I didn't see him. I didn't think much about it until his newspapers began to pile up. You know that little voice inside that tells you something is very wrong? It spoke up then.  I alerted the manager of the building and we both went to check up on newspaper guy. After a few knocks and my assertion that, seriously, something was wrong, the manager decided to use his key. As soon as the door was opened, we saw that the man had been dead for days. He was still wearing his hat, and it's an image I won't ever forget. The smell too...I won't ever forget it. Ever. Unfortunately, that was the third dead body I'd seen in my lifetime. It's no wonder I write what I do.

And these are the experiences that you draw from, as a writer. I know you have them. Everyone does. So...start writing. You have no excuse.

Just Write

I think it's funny when people say, "I've always wanted to be an author, but I don't know what to write about." My answer to that is this; everyone has experiences. Write about those, and you have a story. I'll bet you can pull some interesting characters out of those experiences too. Use them. It's okay, I won't tell.

Last night, I was chatting with a friend of mine, reminiscing about an apartment I used to live in many years ago while attending university. Anybody that's been a student knows that sometimes, in order to pay tuition, you end up living in the most...interesting places. And this particular building was interesting, to say the least.
One tenant I became friends with had a boyfriend I wasn't too fond of. He was abusive and used to hit her. I tried repeatedly to help, but sometimes, nothing you say or do will fix these situations. One day, her boyfriend went ballistic and threatened her with a gun, telling her he was going to blow her head off. She took refuge in my apartment and when he came to the door looking for her, I lied and told him she had moved back to San Francisco.
Another tenant would kick out her six-year-old child so she could be free to "entertain" guests. And yes, by that, I mean mom was a prostitute. The child would wander the halls, entertaining herself in god knows how many different ways, until I got home from class. I would ask her if she wanted to hang out with me while I did my homework, and she always did. We'd watch cartoons until her mother was finished with business and come to fetch her. There was never an exchange of many words between us, and I have no idea what her mother thought of me, but I always felt sad when the little girl left. Knowing what I know now, I probably would have called Child Protective Services, but at 23-years-old, I hadn't a clue about that stuff. It's one of those things that will always haunt me.
And then, there was the tenant who died. I used to see him every morning as I would leave for class. He'd be ducking out his door to grab his morning paper and always wore a straw hat. I thought this was odd since most people don't wear hats inside, but hey, different strokes. We'd exchange some sort of greeting, he didn't speak English, and then go about our respective days. One morning, I didn't see him. I didn't think much about it until his newspapers began to pile up. You know that little voice inside that tells you something is very wrong? It spoke up then.  I alerted the manager of the building and we both went to check up on newspaper guy. After a few knocks and my assertion that, seriously, something was wrong, the manager decided to use his key. As soon as the door was opened, we saw that the man had been dead for days. He was still wearing his hat, and it's an image I won't ever forget. The smell too...I won't ever forget it. Ever. Unfortunately, that was the third dead body I'd seen in my lifetime. It's no wonder I write what I do.

And these are the experiences that you draw from, as a writer. I know you have them. Everyone does. So...start writing. You have no excuse.