Clarissa Johal's Blog, page 9

#OctoberFrights Blog Hop - Rafflecopter Prize Package Winners!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who stopped by to enter one/all of my 2016 October Frights Blog Hop contests. It was really cool to read your Random Acts of Kindness

The winners of my five prize packages have been notified. Check your emails!

Linda M.
Bonnie J.
Jackie M.
Susan V.
Shelley H.

If you didn't win, please take a moment to join my Mailing List (sign ups are at the top of the page!).Stay up-to-date on my new releases & giveaways. 



If my books intrigued you, you can pick up your copy right here:
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Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

#OctoberFrights Blog Hop - LAST Day! #paranormal #darkfantasy #giveaway

Welcome to the 2016 October Frights Blog Hop! 
Today is the LAST day!
If you haven't entered my contests - now's your chance. 
Winner of my Rafflecopter Contests will be announced on October 16th


Giveaway #1 - a signed copy of Poppy & a Starbucks $10 gift cardGiveaway #2 - Struck is FREE this week
Giveaway is for a $10 Starbucks gift cardGiveaway #3 - an ecopy of Voices & a Starbucks $10 egiftcardGiveaway #4 - signed paperback of The Island & a Starbucks $10 gift card
Giveaway #5 - Release day ecopy of Whispers in the Wood (coming 2017) & a Starbucks gift card

a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Clarissa Johal is the bestselling author of paranormal novels, 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 WebsiteAmazon Author PageBlogFacebook YouTubeTwitter Goodreads Pinterest

Keep hopping!                                                 Hosted by Clarissa Johal

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#OctoberFrights Blog Hop - Whispers in the Wood by Clarissa Johal #paranormal #darkfantasy #giveaway

Welcome to the 2016 October Frights Blog Hop! 
You're in the right place, so pour yourself a cup of coffee, and read on...
Today, I'm treating you to an exclusive (unedited) sneak-peek
of my paranormal dark fantasy, Whispers in the Wood. 
Coming in 2017

If it strikes your fancy, the Rafflecopter to win a RELEASE DAY ecopy (ePub, mobi, PDF) & a Starbucks $10 gift card is at the end. 
*INTERNATIONAL PRIZE PACKAGE: EBOOK & STARBUCKS EGIFTCARD
Winner will be announced on October 16th

Enjoy! 

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:


Stars dotted an otherwise inky sky. A full moon shone overhead, surrounded by a luminous fairy ring. She ran down the footpath towards the woods and realized she’d left her jacket behind. In spite of that, Rowan didn’t feel cold. She skirted the edge of the trees, eyeing the orange glow from the campfire, burning like a beacon. Rowan picked her way quietly through the underbrush. The moonlight was quickly swallowed by trees. The deeper, wild scent of forest soon overpowered the grassy scent of pasture. Forest animals darted from her path, startled from their nocturnal activities. A lick of flame ahead split the murky darkness. She soon came upon a small clearing.A haze lay over the area like a blanket, though there was no scent of wood smoke. Burning wood crackled from an unattended campfire. Off to the side, an immense oak tree overlooked the glade like a sentinel. Scattered saplings grew at it’s base.Rowan's heart thumped madly in her chest. The fire's fevered intensity beckoned to her and she approached it. She held out her hands. 
   "No heat," she murmured. "What the hell?" Firelight danced across her skin. Rowan. She whipped around, searching the forest with her gaze. “Hello?” Silence. The forest was still.“Hello? Is anyone there?” A small whisper came from behind the oak tree. Two green spots flashed within the darkness. Slowly, Firth emerged from shadows. The fervent green of his eyes caught the firelight. “We meet again.”   She let out a shaky breath. “You scared the crap out of me.” "Apologies." He stepped forward with a half-bow, his shoulder-length hair glowing a red-gold.“Are you allowed to camp here?”  “These are my woods.” His voice held a slight edge.“Your woods?” Rowan kept her eyes fastened upon him as he circled her.   “My. Woods.”“What did you do to my tattoo yesterday?”A smile touched his lips. “What do you mean?”“It’s healed. Look at it.” She pushed up the short sleeve of her T-shirt. “It was still a red gash when we met at the churchyard. You brushed against it when I passed you, and now it’s healed.” “And you feel I did this, do you?” She paused, unsure. “Okay, I have another question, then. Have seen a young man with dark hair? He went missing last December.”"You are a curious little nettle. Why would you ask such a thing?”“Did you have anything to do with his disappearance?” “I repeat, why would you ask such a thing?”“No reason.” Rowan backed away, ready to flee.“She’s a smart lassie, is what she is,” he said softly. “This doesn’t concern you. Unless you choose it to.”“Grace is worried sick about her son. Is he…around?”“He is around.”Her stomach did a flip-flop. “Can I see him?”"Perhaps." Firth narrowed his eyes. “Why are you frightened, little nettle?”“I’m not frightened,” she lied as she backed away. “Do you wish to see him, or not?”A stab of fear hit the pit of her stomach. This was a bad idea. “Forget it—” Moving with preternatural speed, Firth grabbed her wrist and dragged her to the oak tree. He crushed her against its trunk. Gasping with fear, an incongruous scent invaded her senses. It wasn’t the scent of an oak tree, it was the scent of aftershave. And it was coming from under the bark.
_____________
Coming in 2017 
                                   *INTERNATIONAL PRIZE PACKAGE: 
                                    EBOOK & STARBUCKS EGIFTCARD
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Don't forget to enter my other October Frights Giveaways  Giveaway #1 - a signed copy of Poppy & a Starbucks $10 gift cardGiveaway #2 - Struck is FREE from October 10-14th. Giveaway is for a $10 Starbucks gift cardGiveaway #3 - an ecopy of Voices & a Starbucks $10 egiftcardGiveaway #4 - signed paperback of The Island & a Starbucks $10 gift card


Clarissa Johal is the bestselling author of paranormal novels, 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 WebsiteAmazon Author PageBlogFacebook YouTubeTwitter Goodreads Pinterest
Keep hopping!                                                 Hosted by Clarissa Johal

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#OctoberFrights Blog Hop - The Island by Clarissa Johal #paranormal #bestseller #giveaway

Welcome to 2016 October Frights Blog Hop! You're in the right place, so pour yourself a cup of coffee, and read on...
Today, I'm treating you to an exclusive excerpt from paranormal bestseller novel, The Island. 
If it strikes your fancy, the Rafflecopter to win a signed paperback (or ecopy -ePub, mobi, PDF- if you'd prefer) & a Starbucks $10 gift card is at the end. 
*INTERNATIONAL PRIZE PACKAGE: EBOOK & STARBUCKS EGIFTCARD
Winner will be announced on October 11th

Enjoy! 


Book Details:
Genre: Paranormal
Author: Clarissa Johal
Editor: Marisa Chenery
Publisher: Faeriemoon Press
Number of Pages: 210

About THE ISLAND:
Exploring an island can get you into trouble
Especially if you awaken two demons

Rumors and superstition.

That’s what Emma thinks about local gossip concerning her grandmother’s “cursed” private island. Emma journeys to the island to ready it for sale. While out exploring, she unearths a hidden cave which holds answers to the island’s dark past.

There may be more to the rumors than she thought.

Excerpt:
She was jarred awake by a cry. The vestiges of her nightmare dissipated as she orientated herself. Nightmare. Emma let out a sigh of relief. The cry sounded again. A distant sound, high and wailing. A baby’s cry. Her heart quickened. Good god, surely that can’t be a baby?The fire in the stove had burned down, its embers lending a glow to the living room. Emma looked out the front window. The yard was still. She unlocked the door and opened it a crack. The cry drifted in with the breeze, faint but unmistakable. She ran through her mind what possible bird or animal could make the sound and came up with nothing. Characteristically, the island was blanketed with silence, almost like a vacuum. She stood, uncertain. After several minutes, the sound started again—the unmistakable high wail of a baby. She slipped on her boots and parka. Fog trailed like cobwebs in her wake. The mournful cry threaded through the trees and came from the direction of the house ruins. In spite of a growing anxiety at what she’d find, she quickened her pace. If that is a baby, it’s still alive, and I need to get to it. If it’s not a baby… She blocked out the possibilities of what else it could be. She approached the ruins and the sound stopped. Her heart raced. I know it was coming from here. The area held an unnatural heaviness. A branch cracked behind her and she turned with a start. Something dark darted through the trees. “Hello?” Her voice sounded muffled in the fog. Emma’s attention snapped to the left. The dark figure ducked out of sight. She took one step backward, and fled.Heavy footsteps echoed from behind as she plunged through the trees. They were catching up with her. Emma pushed herself to run faster, terrified she’d lose her footing on the uneven ground. The cabin loomed large, a haven in the thick fog. Stumbling across the cabin’s porch, she hurdled through the door and slammed it shut, locking it. Emma rooted her feet to keep from running around in circles. Straining to hear, she was greeted with eerie silence. Several moments passed before the baby’s cry started again. And this time, it sounded from right outside the door.
***
#1 Bestseller in paranormal horror

AmazonAmazon UKAmazon CABarnes and Noble
Book Trailer:


                                     *INTERNATIONAL PRIZE PACKAGE: 
                                      EBOOK & STARBUCKS EGIFTCARD

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Don't forget to enter my other October Frights Giveaways  Giveaway #1 - a signed copy of Poppy & a Starbucks $10 gift cardGiveaway #2 - Struck is FREE from October 10-14th. Giveaway is for a $10 Starbucks egiftcardGiveaway #3 - an ecopy of Voices & a Starbucks $10 egiftcard
Clarissa Johal is the bestselling author of paranormal novels, 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 WebsiteAmazon Author PageBlogFacebook YouTubeTwitter Goodreads Pinterest
Keep hopping!                                                  Hosted by Clarissa Johal


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#OctoberFrights Blog Hop - Voices by Clarissa Johal #bestseller #paranormal #suspense #giveaway

Welcome to 2016 October Frights Blog Hop! 
You're in the right place, so pour yourself a cup of coffee, and read on...
Today, I'm treating you to an exclusive excerpt from my paranormal suspense bestseller, Voices. 
If it strikes your fancy, the Rafflecopter to win an ecopy (ePub, mobi, PDF) & a Starbucks $10 gift card is at the end. 
*INTERNATIONAL PRIZE PACKAGE: EBOOK & STARBUCKS EGIFTCARD
Winner will be announced on October 11th

Enjoy! 
Book Details:
Genre: Paranormal Suspense
Author: Clarissa Johal
Editor: Bobbie Metevier
Cover Art: David Walker
Publisher: Permuted Press, May 2015
Pages: 264

About VOICES:
Sometimes the ghosts from your past…are real.

Moira claims to hear voices and is sent a psychiatric hospital. Her doctor is hesitant to treat her as schizophrenic, as she doesn't show typical symptoms. As their sessions progress, she confesses there are two voices--and they aren't voices in her head, but the voices of ghosts.

And one is determined to drag her into the afterlife with him.

Excerpt:
“Moira?” Dr. Cassano called from the end of the hall.She bolted for the stair exit, slipping behind the door. It closed with a quiet hiss and she leaned against it, listening. Moira’s heart pounded in her chest with a force that made her head hurt.“He’s going to drag you back into his office,” Jack whispered in her ear.She nudged his presence away with her shoulder. “You’ll never make it down all those stairs before he catches up with you.”They were on the concrete landing of the fourth floor. Jack was right. Dr. Cassano would reach her before she made it down the first flight of stairs.“I don’t like it when you talk to him about me,” Isabella whined. “Of course you don’t,” Jack soothed. “Moira was being mean, wasn’t she?”Isabella nodded, looking injured.“Let’s play a game,” he said.“A game, a game!” She clapped her hands, her previous mood dissolved. “Let’s play tag!” She grabbed Moira’s arm with an icy hand. “If he tags you, you’ll be it.” “Tag, that’s perfect, Isabella,” Jack said. “I think Moira should jump. It’s the only way she’s going to get away.”Isabella looked over the railing. An uncertain frown crossed her face.“It’s not that far,” he said.“It is so!” she argued.“No. It isn’t.” Jack pressed himself against Moira. “I want to see her try and get away.”“It’s a long way down.” “Shut up, Isabella” he growled.Isabella shrunk back for a second and then cocked her head, listening. “He’s coming!”  “If he drags her back to his office, no telling what he’ll do,” Jack said. “This is tag, Isabella. Moira has to get away or she’ll be it.”Excited, Isabella ran back and forth between them and the door. “He’s coming, Moira! Jump!”Jack backed Moira up to the railing. She glanced over her shoulder at the dizzying height of the stairwell. The railing dug into her back. The coldness of Jack’s presence seeped through her body. She could hear Dr. Cassano calling her name. Moira opened her mouth to answer him. “Don’t,” Jack murmured. Panicked, she tried to push past him and couldn’t. “I can feel how scared you are.” Something bordering on hunger crept into his voice. “How scared would you be if you fell?” His presence pressed against her and she cringed. “Your heart is beating so hard, Moira. And your breath…it’s coming faster too.”A wave of dizziness threatened to overcome her. In a fit of desperation, she pushed through Jack’s presence and stumbled. She grabbed the railing with both hands and fled down the stairs, grasping it tightly all the way down. Icy tremors reverberated throughout her core like aftershocks.
***

Bestseller in paranormal suspense
AmazonAmazon UKAmazon CABarnes and Noble KOBOSmashwords Google Play
                                        *INTERNATIONAL PRIZE PACKAGE: 
                                         EBOOK & STARBUCKS EGIFTCARD


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget to enter my other October Frights Giveaways  Giveaway #1 - a signed copy of Poppy & a Starbucks $10 gift card
Giveaway #2 - Struck is FREE from October 10-14th. Giveaway is for a $10 Starbucks gift card

Clarissa Johal is the bestselling author of paranormal novels, 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 WebsiteAmazon Author PageBlogFacebook YouTubeTwitter Goodreads Pinterest

Keep hopping!Hosted by Clarissa Johal


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#OctoberFrights Blog Hop - Struck by Clarissa Johal #paranormal #giveaway #FreeDownload

Welcome to 2016 October Frights Blog Hop! You're in the right place, so pour yourself a cup of coffee, and read on...
Today, I'm treating you to an exclusive excerpt from my paranormal release, Struck. 
Struck is FREE this week via Amazon! 

My Rafflecopter today is for a Starbucks $10 gift card. 
*INTERNATIONAL PRIZE PACKAGE: STARBUCKS EGIFTCARD
Winner will be announced on October 11th

Enjoy! 


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. Somethingpowerful 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

From October 10-14th, Struck is FREE via Amazon!
Amazon US  Amazon UKAmazon CAN
(Paperback) Barnes & Noble
Book Trailer: 

                                            *INTERNATIONAL PRIZE PACKAGE: 
                                                      STARBUCKS EGIFTCARD


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Clarissa Johal is the bestselling author of paranormal novels, 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 WebsiteAmazon Author PageBlogFacebook YouTubeTwitter Goodreads Pinterest
Keep hopping!                                                   Hosted by Clarissa Johal


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#OctoberFrights Blog Hop - Poppy by Clarissa Johal #paranormal #giveaway

Welcome to 2016 October Frights Blog Hop! 
You're in the right place, so pour yourself a cup of coffee, and read on...
Today, I'm treating you to an exclusive excerpt from my latest paranormal release, Poppy. 
If it strikes your fancy, the Rafflecopter to win a signed paperback (or ecopy, if you'd prefer) & a Starbucks $10 gift card is at the end. 
Enjoy! 


Book Details:
Genre: Paranormal Author: Clarissa Johal Editor: Kathryn GalanPublisher: Faeriemoon PressNumber of Pages: 264
*Standalone novel*
Blurb:
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?

Excerpt: 

The spirit of Mr. Santiago had moved on, much to her relief. She pulled the sheet and surveyed the body. “I guess it’s just you and me. Hope you didn’t have any Monday night plans.” She pulled a small sage bundle from her handbag. “I know I didn’t.”Poppy lit the sage and let it burn, filling the embalming room with hazy smoke. The sweet scented smoke hung in the air. Working quickly as she could, she stayed alert for anything out of the ordinary. The only sound and movement in the room was the background noise of her embalming machine. After a while, she let her guard down.She opened the bag of clothes the family had sent. “Suit, fedora, tie. You’re going to look quite dapper after I get you dressed.” Poppy noted the feather on the fedora was broken. Using a dab of skin glue, she fixed the broken quill as best as she could. She shaved his face, did his makeup and hair, and got him dressed. Placing the fedora on his head, she stood back and surveyed her work with satisfaction.“I think you would approve, Mr. Santiago. Hopefully, your family will, too.”Only one thing left to do, she thought. And preferably before it gets dark.The sinking sun cast a red-gold light over the Victorian. Poppy ran out to her car and opened the trunk. The Mason jar she’d brought with her was full of sea salt. She gave it a little shake. Half buried, the locket glimmered in the fading light. She shivered as a chilly breeze cut through her blouse. Once I get this stored away, I’m going to go home and take a long hot bath.Remembering the cellar key, she ran back inside and rummaged through Dante’s desk until she found the key ring. Exiting his office, she jumped as something grated under her feet. The sound continued down the hall, almost as if someone were running a shovel under the floor.This is the only key to the root cellar, she thought, perplexed. The grating sounded in the foyer and circled back toward her. Running along the floor, it stopped right at her feet.“Hello?” She pounded her foot on the floor and waited for a response. The funeral home was silent. “Gladys?” Her question was answered by three raps against the floor. Relieved the spirit had finally decided to come out of hiding, Poppy ran outside to meet her.The distant sound of crows echoed across the fields. She slipped the key into the lock and pushed the wooden door open with a single shove.The root cellar was a small space with a low ceiling. At one point, it probably smelled of apples and potatoes, but now, there was nothing but the scent of lawn mower gas, dirt, and cold stone. Poppy reached into the darkness, searching for the light bulb string. Her fingers connected, and she pulled it on with a click.“Gladys?”Weak light illuminated the usual garden-equipment clutter. Rakes and shovels were piled against a stone wall. Several cans of gasoline sat next to an old lawn mower. Bags of fertilizer and garden fungicide sat beside them. Gladys was nowhere in sight.A rustle sounded from a darkened corner. Fully expecting to see a rat or trapped bird, she held the bulb in such a way to throw light on it. The door slammed shut behind her.“Geez!” Poppy lost her grip on the light. The swinging bulb cast rising and falling shadows on the walls. She made a move to push the door open when the lightbulb suddenly shattered, leaving her in darkness.“Gladys?” Poppy kicked herself for not waiting until morning, when Dante could have accompanied her. The grating sound started up from the corner of the room. It ran slowly along the ground until it stopped in front of her. That’s not Gladys. You walked right into this one.She clutched the jar to her chest, her heart thumping. “I have the locket, if that’s what you want.”The answering silence lay across the cellar like a shroud.“I’ll make you a deal. You leave my dead alone, and I’ll leave the locket right here.” Her voice sounded against the close confines. “Good luck with the sea salt, if that matters.” Poppy inwardly cringed as she felt a trickle of blood from her nose. Dammit. She attempted to put up her barriers, but it was too late.A heaviness descended upon her shoulders like a mantle. Something lashed out and scratched the skin of her throat. ___________________
Amazon USAmazon UKAmazon CanadaBarnes & NobleiTunes
Book Trailer: 



Clarissa Johal is the bestselling author of paranormal novels, 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 WebsiteAmazon Author PageBlogFacebook YouTubeTwitter Goodreads Pinterest


a Rafflecopter giveaway
Keep hopping!Hosted by Clarissa Johal

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Frightening Friday - Haunted #Raleigh #NorthCarolina #Ghosts and Urban Legends - Part 2

In continuing with Haunted Raleigh, here are several other places you may want to check out.

Photo courtesy of Mark Turner - Public DomainMordecai House

Built in 1785, the Mordecai house is located in the heart of downtown Raleigh. Once part of a plantation, it's one of the oldest homes in the area. Historic outbuildings include the overseer's office and smokehouse, the Allen Kitchen, the Badger-Iredell Law Office, St. Mark's Chapel, and the Andrew Johnson house, birthplace of the 17th President, Andrew Johnson.

The ghost who inhabits the Mordecai house is said to be the spirit of Mary Willis Mordecai Turk, who lived from 1858 to 1937. She appears as an apparition wearing grey 19th century dress. She can occasionally be heard playing the piano in the downstairs drawing room, and visitors to the house have seen a grey mist hovering near that piano. The home is filled with family portraits and original furnishings. Many have reported that unkind remarks directed towards Mary's portrait, have resulted in the portrait dropping from the wall. During a field trip, a child reported they'd seen a man with a scar on his face, appear and disappear by the Andrew Johnson house. The child became inconsolable and had to be taken back to the school. There have been many investigations on the property - all resulting in impressive evidence of paranormal activity.

The city of Raleigh hosts a family friendly Haunted Mordecai Festival every October.
Year-round tickets for a guided tour of the home may be purchased at the Visitor Center.

Phot courtesy of Mark Turner - Public DomainGovernor’s Mansion

This Victorian-style mansion, home to N.C. governors since 1891, once was described by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as having “the most beautiful governor’s residence interior in America.” It was built from native materials, and been occupied by 28 governors’ families throughout North Carolina's history. It is also reputedly haunted.

In 1891, Governor Daniel Fowle gave carpenters precise measurements to construct a bed for the second-floor bedroom. He died in the same bed, and many have suggested that his spirit remained. In 1970, Governor Bob Scott decided to replace the massive wooden bed with a modern, king-sized bed. The old bed was moved to a room on the third floor, and the new bed put in its place. A short time afterwards, the governor was awakened at night by a strange rapping sound coming from the wall where the original headboard had been. The rapping continued for several years, and the family nicknamed the pesky spirit, "Governor Fowle’s Ghost."

When a new administration took over the office, they decided to move the old bed back down to its original location. The ghost has not been heard from since.


Photo courtesy of Hans via Pixabay - CC0 Public DomainPoole Woods

During the period of the Civil War, William Poole was a wealthy mill owner with large tracts of wooded land just east of the city. When Union troops marched into Raleigh, rumor spread that Poole had vast amounts of gold hidden in the woods around his estate. The Union troops confiscated Poole's belongings, including his prized white horse, but the gold was never recovered.

Poole's wishes that the trees surrounding his mansion not be used for timber were ignored. They were cut down, but were worthless, having rotted from the inside. Shortly after Poole’s death, a ghostly white horse was spotted along the road in the woods surrounding the mansion.

Poole’s estate house burned to ground over a century ago. The tract of land can be found between Walnut Creek Amphitheatre and the Neuse River.

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Next Week
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Look for more posts on haunted North Carolina during the week of October 17th.

#FolkloreThursday-Spring-Heeled Jack #England

English penny dreadful (c. 1890)
Image Use: Public Domain, Expired CopyrightStepping from the shadows of Victorian folklore, Spring-Heeled Jack, as this entity came to be known, is one of the most unexplained mysteries to come out of Victorian England. He reputedly scratched, slapped and attacked his victims and then bounded away with a supernatural ability. The attacks began in 1837 in Southwest London and continued well into the 1920s.

Wide-spread accounts of Spring-Heeled Jack describe him as wearing a dark cloak over a tight-fitting white oilskin suit. He had a hideous face, glowing eyes like balls of fire, claw-like fingernails made of iron and the ability to spit blue and white flames from his mouth, paralyzing his victims. Eluding capture, the entity could jump incredible heights and distances--a reported 20-30 feet with ease.

The first reported victim was Polly Adams, a pub worker. In September of 1837, a group of four people were accosted by a 'Devil-like' creature. All of the victims ran but Polly was left behind. The creature allegedly tore at her clothing, scratching her skin with iron claws, before bounding off into the night. In October of 1837, a servant by the name of Mary Stevens was walking to work. The creature sprung from an alley and attacked her, ripping her clothing and kissing her face. The next day, the creature jumped in front of a carriage and caused it to crash. It then bounded over a nine foot wall. Vigilante groups were formed but the creature managed to evade them.
English penny dreadful - (c. 1886)
Image Use: Public Domain, Expired Copyright
In February of 1838, 18-year-old Lucy Scales and her sister were returning home when Spring-Heeled Jack reportedly jumped in front of the sisters and vomited blue flames into Lucy's face, temporarily blinding her.
Two days later, he appeared at the door of another victim, Jane Alsop. Dressed in a black cloak, he stated, “I’m a policeman. For Gods sake, bring me a light, for we have caught Spring-Heeled Jack in the lane.” When she returned to him with a candle, she saw it was Spring-Heeled Jack himself. He immediately attacked her, spitting blue and white "gas" into her face. Thankfully, her sister was able to pull Jane from his grasp and, once again, he bounded away into the night.

The only known fatality connected with Spring-Heeled Jack occurred in 1845 on a bridge in New York. In broad daylight and in front of witnesses, Spring-Heeled Jack grabbed a prostitute and spat blue fire into her face. The girl was thrown into a sewer where she tragically drowned.
In August of 1877, Spring-Heeled Jack appeared before a group of soldiers in Aldershot’s North army camp. Private John Regan was standing sentry when he heard the noise of someone dragging something metallic down the road. When he went to investigate, Spring-Heeled Jack leapt on him and spat blue flames into his face. Witnesses claim that the attacker, tall, thin and wearing a helmet and oilskin suit, jumped over them, clearing them by 10 feet or more.

In September 1904, Spring-Heeled Jack appeared on the roof of a church in Liverpool, England. Onlookers claimed he fell from the church's steeple to the ground. Thinking that he had committed suicide, they rushed to his aide only to find a man clothed in white, wearing a helmet and completely unharmed. Laughing, he ran away from the crowd and disappeared into the night.

The final recorded event occurred in 1920 at the Central Railway Station in London. A man in a white cloak was seen jumping from various rooftops to the street below.

Who or what was Spring-Heeled Jack? Some claim that he was a demon or supernatural entity. Others speculate it was one or more persons with a diabolical sense of humor, causing mass hysteria. The only physical evidence left behind was a set of footprints in 1837, the depths of the prints suggesting that a "spring" mechanism was used in the shoes of the assailant. But in this case, it was argued that a jump of that magnitude would break the ankles of the jumper.
Regardless, the legend lives on.

#MeatlessMonday - Pumpkin-Green Chili Pepper Soup #vegetarian

Our local grocery store has exploded in pumpkin-spice. Pumpkin-spice cookies, cupcakes, coffees, and chocolates. I even saw pumpkin-spice kale chips. *sigh*  I like my veggies as much as any vegetarian, but just...no.

This pumpkin-spice recipe is a bit different. The spices are truly spicy, but not too much. Enjoy!


Pumpkin-Green Chili Pepper Soup

1 onion, diced
1T olive oil
4 ozs diced green chilies
1/4 cup parsley
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 clove garlic, diced
1 tsp ground red pepper
1-15 oz. can pumpkin purée
2-1/2 cups vegetable broth1/2 cup sour cream

Sauté onion in olive oil until translucent. Add green chilies, parsley, cumin, chili powder, garlic, salt, and ground red pepper. Set aside.
Mix pumpkin purée and vegetable broth. Add onion/spice mixture.
Cook in a crockpot on low/med for about an hour. Blender until smooth.
Heat through. Stir in sour cream before serving.