Cover Reveal and Re-Release of PRADEE

It's been 10 years since I wrote PRADEE. Since then, I've had two books published via Musa Publishing, have another due out May 19th via permuted Press, and yet another I've submitted to several publishers for consideration. I've learned a lot in 10 years about writing, editing, cover design and the business of publishing. It's been in the back of my mind to "someday" re-edit PRADEE and give the cover a face-lift. Which is exactly what I've been doing for the past two weeks! With no further ado...welcome to the re-lease of my very first book.

In the tradition of The Dark Crystal by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, PRADEE will pull the reader into an exciting, otherworldly adventure.

*Second round finalist in Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award Contest 2012

Pradee

What if there were an artifact that had the power to change the future? Would you use it?

Three friends are accused of poisoning an Elder in their village. They escape to the mysterious region of Vel to search for the Guardian of a mythical artifact, one with the power to see the past and change the future. If they find the artifact, it could prove their innocence. However, if it falls into the wrong hands, it could destroy the future of their world as they know it. 

BUY LINKS

Amazon
Barnes & Noble

PRADEE - A Young Adult Fantasy - Excerpt

PRADEE - A young adult fantasy

What if there were an artifact that had the power to change the future? Would you use it?

Three friends are accused of poisoning an Elder in their village. They escape to the mysterious region of Vel to search for the Guardian of a mythical artifact, one with the power to see the past and change the future. If they find the artifact, it could prove their innocence. However, if it falls into the wrong hands, it could destroy the future of their world as they know it.

In the tradition of The Dark Crystal by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, PRADEE will pull the reader into an exciting, otherworldly adventure.

*Second round finalist in Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award Contest 2012

Excerpt:

   Cerj scampered up the hill that led to the Lawkeeper’s home. The Elders had told him which way to go and had given him a description of the Lawkeeper.  Excited to be given such a task, Cerj had set off running as fast as he could.  Few villagers ever spoke of Wir’yinn, fewer still had actually seen the reclusive Lawkeeper.  It was as if everyone was hiding something, thought the youngster.  His heart beat rapidly, partially because of the important task he had been entrusted with, and partially because for the first time in his young life—Cerj was afraid.

   As he reached the top of the hill, the forest closed around him like a fist.  The light was fading quickly.  Cerj slowed his pace as he approached a brier wall that, he was told, encircled Wir’yinn’s home. Maybe he could catch him off guard, wouldn’t that be something to tell his friends! The great Lawkeeper caught in one of his secret moments! He took a deep breath and bravely pushed his way through the brier.  As he pushed farther and farther, the young Riverfolk became caught in the thorns and began to panic.

   “Help! Help me!” Cerj thrashed around like a fish in a net. Suddenly, something closed around his wrist and he was pulled unceremoniously off his feet and held in mid-air.  A creature that could only be the Lawkeeper looked him over as if inspecting a piece of food. “Pl-please don’t hurt me!” Cerj stammered.  “My name is Cerj, son of Pulk. I was sent here from T’hal to deliver a message!” Cerj cowered as the creature’s black, pupil-less eyes narrowed. “You are Wir’yinn, am I right?”

   The creature responded by snapping his sharp beak.

   “W-we need you to stand by for a possible Contract!”

   Wir’yinn raised a feather-tufted eyebrow. His short horns gleamed ebony against his mottled green skin.  His sharp beak opened and closed soundlessly.

   “Three of our villagers have been accused of poisoning an Elder!” Cerj continued nervously. “The Elders think Wex and Mourr have committed the crime. They’re not sure, really. Cobweb helped them escape. Tordok thinks they’ve gone in search of the Guardian of the Orb but the other Elders think they’ve just run away.” Cerj ran out of breath, heart beating wildly. “The village is waiting until the first seed sprout and if they haven’t returned, they would like you to return them to T’hal.”

   The Lawkeeper studied him silently. Seemingly satisfied that he was telling the truth, he dropped him on the ground. 

   Cerj grunted in pain and struggled to his feet.

   Wir’yinn turned on one clawed heel and strode over to log.  His long fingers closed around the handle of an axe that was longer than Cerj’s whole body.  Shouldering the axe easily, the Lawkeeper turned and climbed up a large, nearby tree. 

   Absently picking the brambles from his fur, Cerj approached the tree.  In the fading light, it seemed as though the Lawkeeper had disappeared. He stepped back and squinted to get a better look. The Lawkeeper’s home looked like a large box. Camouflaged, it perched between several of the tree’s larger branches about half-way up.  Cerj ran his webbed paws along the trunk and started the climb with difficulty. Higher and higher he pulled himself. He avoided looking down.  As he reached the base of the box, he spotted a small hole carved at the bottom.  Cerj steadied himself against one of the branches and poked his head into the hole. 

   The large, one-room box glowed with a yellowish light. The Riverfolk blinked, allowing his eyes to adjust. He slowly pulled himself through the hole and scanned his surroundings. 

   Wir’yinn huddled in one darkened corner, his back to him. 

   Keeping one webbed paw on the wall, he walked carefully around the perimeter.  He was quite conscious of the fact he was high up in a tree and had heard all sorts of rumors about the Lawkeeper’s home.  Looking around, however, he saw nothing out of the ordinary. Small, tightly woven baskets hung around the abode’s perimeter.  Moving lights flickered within. Upon closer examination, Cerj realized that the lights were Polk-Beetles and their larvae. The beetles crawled and hit the walls of the baskets, helpless to escape. Their larvae emitted a soft, yellow glow.  This isn’t that different than my home, Cerj mused. Except that it’s enclosed.  He steadied himself against the wall again. And high up in a tree. There was a single pile of grass and leaves in corner, similar to what Burrowers slept and sat upon.  It’s not so different.

   In the center of the dwelling was a single wooden table and chair.  The table was carved to depict a kneeling Lawkeeper.  Her wings curved gracefully over her head to create the table’s surface. The chair had also been carved to look like wings. Disembodied, the wings cupped themselves to hold the sitter like a pair of hands. Both pieces were polished and glowed warmly in the yellow light. Cerj goggled at the furniture’s beauty and reached out to touch one of the wings.  He glanced guiltily over at the Lawkeeper and pulled his hand back.  “That was the Elder’s message. I…should be going.”  

   The Lawkeeper abruptly turned. His wings, now edged black and yellow, flattened behind him.  He motioned for the Riverfolk to sit at the table. 

   Slowly, Cerj sat in the chair. 

   Wir’yinn walked over to him.  With lightning speed, he grabbed Cerj’s paw and held it tightly. The Lawkeeper seemed to be gauging his response as he pressed his face closer to the Riverfolk’s.

   “We j-just wanted you to stand by,” Cerj stammered. “They still have time to return home, of course.”

   The Lawkeeper's impressive-looking wings stretched outwards, spanning a good eight feet across. Reaching behind with his free hand, Wir’yinn plucked out a long, glassy-looking feather. He pointed the quill end like an accusing finger before sweeping the quill end downward, piercing one of Cerj’s webbed digits. 

   Cerj cried out in surprise.  He stared, wide-eyed, at the drop of blood that welled up.

   The Lawkeeper rolled the quill of the feather across the injury.

   “I really should be going,” Cerj felt light-headed.

   Wir’yinn laid the feather on the table with a finality and released Cerj’s paw. The Lawkeeper folded his wings and turned his back to him.

   Cerj stared at the Lawkeeper’s feather.  He watched the red color bleed into the feather's long vanes.  The Elders had trusted him to deliver the message but they hadn’t said anything about what had just happened.  “So, you’ll wait for us to notify you, right?” 

   The Lawkeeper was silent.

   Confused and heart hammering wildly in his chest, Cerj left the feather on the table, bright red with his own blood.

 ***

Buy Links:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Barnes and Noble Author Event

Join myself and fellow authors; Natania Barron, Clay Griffith, Susan Griffith, Alice Wisler, Tim Tron and Deb Marlowe at the Brier Creek Commons Barnes and Noble in Raleigh, NC on September 13th at 7PM. 

Hope to see you there! 

Purchase BETWEEN, my paranormal novel for adults

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.

Purchase PRADEE, my young adult fantasy

What if there was an artifact that could see the past and change the future--would you use it?

Three friends are accused of poisoning an Elder in their village. They escape to the mysterious region of Vel to search for the Guardian of a mythical artifact. If they find the artifact; it is reputed to have the powers to see the past and change the future, thus proving their innocence. However, if it falls into the wrong hands, the artifact could destroy the future of their world as they know it.

In the tradition of The Dark Crystal by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, PRADEE will pull the reader into an exciting, otherworldly adventure.

*Second round finalist in Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award Contest 2012

Both titles also available through Amazon.com and most on-line book venues.

Blog to Blog

I had a great author spotlight interview on Morgen Bailey's blog awhile back. She's just started a new blog to revisit her author interviews.  Always a pleasure, Morgen!



Morgen's Author Interviews: Author interview no.647 with Clarissa Johal (revis...: Back in February 2013, I interviewed author Clarissa Johal for my mixed WordPress blog . I hope you enjoy it...

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

What is a blog hop? It’s a way for readers to discover new authors! On this stop on the blog hop, you'll find a bit of info about me and one of my books-in-progress, plus links to three other authors for you to discover.

*Thanks to fellow author Peter Lukes for inviting me to participate in this event. Check out his blog for his Next Big Thing!

I've answered ten questions about my work-in-progress (giving you a sneak-peek). At the end, there are links to THREE other authors for you to discover who have answered the same questions.  Enjoy!

Please feel free to comment and share your thoughts and questions. Here is my Next Big Thing!

1. What is the working title of your book?
    Struck

2. Where did the idea come from for the book?

A scene kept coming to me, over and over. I couldn't get it out of my head--I had to write it down or go crazy. Since I didn't want to go crazy...well. There you go.
I also kept envisioning a peripheral character that I felt was so unique, I had to make them "real" in one of my books. This just happened to be the book!

3. What genre does your book come under?
    Adult supernatural horror

4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I don't like questions like that! I want people to have their own pictures in their heads as to what the characters would look like.

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

A woman who is struck by lightning is rescued by a mysterious stranger who offers her a gift...but one that comes with a price she is unsure of.

6. Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?
    I will be seeking a publisher once it's finished.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

It took 4 months to write the complete first draft. I've been editing for 6 months now and have it complete except for the ending. Those pesky endings! Every time I think I've completed the ending, my antagonist has something to say about it.

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I'd like to think the story is unique, so I can't. If I was writing "something" like "something" I would need to go back to the drawing board because it wouldn't be my idea, it would be a rip-off of somebody else's.

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Like I said, the book grew from the one scene I envisioned, which is the "what" or situation of the plot. As far as the "who" goes, I saw a painting awhile ago that I fell in love with. I knew someday I'd write and antagonist that looked similar to the person in the painting.

10. What else about your book might pique the readers interest?
      Follow this link to Lichtenberg figures. That's all I'm going to say.

My already published works can be purchased via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and through Musa Publishing: 

BETWEEN 
A Story of the Supernatural for Adults

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 Preditors and Editors Readers Poll 2012

PRADEE
A Young Adult Fantasy

What if there was an artifact that could see the past and change the future--would you use it? 

Three friends are accused of poisoning an Elder in their village. They escape to the mysterious region of Vel to search for the Guardian of a mythical artifact. If they find the artifact, it is reputed to have the powers to see the past and change the future, thus proving their innocence. However, if it falls into the wrong hands, the artifact could destroy the future of their world as they know it.
In the tradition of The Dark Crystal by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, PRADEE will pull the reader into an exciting, otherworldly adventure.
*Second round finalist in Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award Contest 2012

Who's next on the NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP?

So glad you asked!

Below you will find three authors who will be joining me through their blogs next Wednesday, April 10th. Mark it on your calendars and bookmark them!
You will be one of the first to discover a new work in progress!

Happy reading!

Keith Yatsuhashi's blog: It's Kind of Electronic Book

Katie  M. John's blog: Katie. M. John. Dark Fairy Tales & Horror

Juli D. Revezzo's blog: Danger is a Fantasy

Contest and New Book Blog

On January 26th Saturday, join me on Gaea, the Greek Goddess of Planet Books blog for an author interview and discussion of my young adult title, PRADEE. This is a kid-run and mom approved NEW blog where Gaea will be discussing and reviewing middle grade and young adult fiction.
If you have/know of any kiddos that would like to follow this blog, please spread the word!

PRADEE
A young adult fantasy by Clarissa Johal

Tagline:
What if there was an artifact that could see the past and change the future--would you use it?

Blurb:
Three friends are accused of poisoning an Elder in their village. They escape to the mysterious region of Vel to search for the Guardian of a mythical artifact. If they find the artifact; it is reputed to have the powers to see the past and change the future, thus proving their innocence. However, if it falls into the wrong hands, the artifact could destroy the future of their world as they know it. 

In the tradition of The Dark Crystal by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, PRADEE will pull the reader into an exciting, otherworldly adventure. 

*Second round finalist in Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award Contest 2012

Buy links:

Amazon.com

Barnes&Noble.com

On January 27th Sunday, join me on Supernatural fiction author Juli D. Revezzo's Blog and enter a contest to win a free ecopy of BETWEEN! Contest will run for 3 days.


BETWEEN
by Clarissa Johal

Tagline:

How far would you go to redeem yourself?

Blurb:

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.

Buy Links:

Amazon.com
Barnes&Noble.com
Musa Publishing