Coming Soon - Evergreen by Clarissa Johal #paranormal #newrelease

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Evergreen 

A pink-loving mortician who can speak to the dead

A moody funeral director who’d prefer not to speak to anyone

Poppy and Dante are back

When Skyview Funeral Home burns down, Poppy and Dante decide to fulfill a lifelong dream of owning their own funeral home. Settling on another Victorian, they unearth several ghosts, and an even darker secret. 

A small town with a questionable history

The ghost of a woman cheated in life

And the lonely spirit of a little girl with a gift

Poppy and Dante’s lifelong dream is about to become...a nightmare

Open the Window #paranormal #ghosts #book #author

 

It's been a long while since I've posted. My writing has been in fits-and-starts due to *everything* (plus a few personal things thrown on top, just for fun). The past eight months, I've done a lot of hiking just to keep my sanity. 

I sense a new chapter is beginning, though. Not only for the world, but for myself. My characters have been waking up one by one. They're whispering in my ear at night while I'm sleeping. They're scratching at the glass to escape their own quarantines. If only that Auther person would get on it and open the damn window...

That said, I've promised to release them and I always keep my promises. Stay with me, readers. Don't forget I'm here. The sequel to Poppy will be coming in 2021. 

While you're waiting for that sequel, why don't you pick up another one of my books to pass the time (if you haven't already)? They're available via Amazon. 

Go on, don't be shy. It would honestly make my day. ;)

The Lighthouse by Clarissa Johal #paranormal #ghoststory #newrelease

Sent to cover the haunting of Pelican Rock lighthouse, Riley Murdock vows to write a historical piece instead. Ghosts aren’t real, and she wouldn’t ruin her reputation as a serious journalist by writing the contrary. Photojournalist Dillon Page loves anything to do with the paranormal. Carefree and open-minded, he’s happy to treat their assignment like a ghost-filled vacation.

​But there’s more to Pelican Rock than either expected.

​When night falls, the mood in the dilapidated lighthouse shifts. Unexplained sounds, fleeting shadows, and icy breezes keep them both awake. And when Dillon starts acting strangely, Riley fears something is going on that she can’t explain.

From the author who brought you bestsellers Poppy, The Island, and Struck; comes a haunting tale that will keep you awake long past lights out.

Amazon US 

Amazon UK 

Amazon CN 

Amazon AU

#Paranormal Wednesday - Exclusive Excerpt from VOICES by Clarissa Johal #99cents #sale

Do you like ghost stories?

VOICES is on SALE for .99 cents via Amazon during the month of October. 

Grab your copy now!

Book Details:

Title: VOICES 

Genre: Paranormal Psychological Suspense 

Author: Clarissa Johal 

Editor: Bobbie Metevier

Cover Art: David Walker
Published by Permuted Press May 2015

ISBN: 9781618685698

ASIN: B00WAH55JW

Pages: 264

Excerpt

“I’m bored,” Isabella complained.

“You’re always bored.” Moira flipped the page of her sketchbook and started another drawing of the hospital.

Isabella flopped down on the bed. “Play a game with me, Moira.”

“I don’t feel like it.”

“You never feel like it. Ever since you got here.”

Moira sighed, exasperated. “Isabella, I can’t exactly play a game with you while everyone can hear and see me, can I? If I start doing that, they’ll never let me out.”

“I wish you’d never been sent here! I hate it!” Isabella cried. She sat up and glared at Jack, who had been standing by the window observing them. “Why did you make her attack that man?”

“I was protecting her.” Jack’s expression hardened. “I don’t need to explain myself to you.”

Moira made an irritated sound. “That’s bullshit, Jack, and you know it. You weren’t protecting me.”

“He would have left,” Isabella continued. “Moira said, ‘No thank you,’ I heard her!”

“He put his foot in the door,” Jack snapped. “You don’t know anything. You’re only six, Isabella. I know what he was thinking—”

“You told me you didn’t!” Isabella tilted her chin defiantly. “You said you were just getting back at her—”

“You lying little—” He lunged forward.

“Leave her alone!” Moira slammed her sketchbook shut. “Stop fighting, both of you. I can’t concentrate if you two are going to bitch at each other the whole time.”

Jack hovered over Isabella for a moment longer before he finally pulled back.

“It doesn’t matter anyways,” Moira continued bitterly. “I’m here now.” She stood and gathered her sketchbooks. 

It would have been a grand exit, except for the fact that the both of them followed her to the door. That, and she practically ran into her nurse opening it.

“Afternoon, Moira,” Sheila said brightly. “You have a visitor.”

Adam leaned in from behind her.

“Hi,” Moira said, surprised.

“Busy?”

She glanced behind her. Jack had retreated to the corner of the room. Isabella lingered beside him, seemingly unsure. “Not exactly.”

“Nurse Sheila,” Adam said as if he were talking to a child, “I know how much you love me, but may I have some private time with my friend now?”

“If you need me, Moira, I’m down the hall.” Sheila eyed Adam warily. “You have a buzzer too.”

“Nice place you’ve got here,” Adam said after the nurse left. “Looks familiar, oddly enough.”

“Yeah, it’s…home for now.”  

“Didn’t see you in the dining room at breakfast.”

“I usually have breakfast in here.”

“Didn’t see you at lunch either.”

She glanced at her leftover spaghetti and hard dinner roll. “I was just finishing up.”

“You left me alone with all the crazies,” Adam said. “You okay?”

Hesitating, Moira picked up her plate and dumped the spaghetti into the garbage. “I’m having one of those days when I just want out.” She scraped the plate clean with a plastic knife.

“Want to go for a walk?” Adam asked.

A chill crept up her spine as she felt Jack’s presence behind her. Moira’s hand tightened convulsively on the plastic knife handle. “Around the hospital?”

“Unless you want to make a break for it?”

Adam approached her and Jack backed away slightly. Well, that’s interesting, she thought. Moira quickly dropped the knife into the garbage. “I’d love to go for a walk.”

“Let’s go, then,” Adam said. “Once we get past the station, I’ll strip naked to distract the nurse, and you knock her over the head. We’ll be out of here before they even catch us.”

Moira paused, torn between laughter and thinking he would actually do it.

“Kidding,” he grinned.

 ***

VOICES Buy Links:
 

Amazon US
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Amazon CAN 
Amazon AUS 

Barnes and Noble

KOBO

Smashwords
Google Play 
iTunes 

#FolkloreThursday - The Headless Nun #Canada #ghosts

Photo by Eric Huybrechts via Flickr

In the town of Miramichi, New Brunswick, an 18th century nun by the name of Sister Marie Inconnue (surname unknown) was murdered. One version of the tragedy recounts that Sister Marie was beheaded by a madman who hid her head in the woods. Another version states it was two sailors who committed the murder. According to that story, the sailors were looking for treasure and heard that Sister Marie had buried a stash of money to assist needy families. Regardless of who was responsible for the murder, Sister Marie was returned to France but her head was never found.

The headless ghost of Sister Marie is reputed to haunt the area, looking for her long lost head so that she may rest in peace. Late night travelers report they've been approached by the headless spirit. Other travelers have said that the ghost carries her head with her, imploring them to bury it with her body.

French Fort Cove, New Brunswick 
Public Domain photo 

Official records of Sister Marie's murder are difficult to track down. Was this a tragedy lending to a restless spirit or merely an urban legend? Join the Headless Nun Tour in French Fort Cove, New Brunswick and decide for yourself.

#Paranormal Wednesday - #Ghost Hunting Equipment

I watch a lot of ghost hunting shows before bed because (oddly) I find them relaxing. I know, I know. My teens think it's a bit weird but c'est la vie, it chases them off to bed and I get the television to myself. There are many shows to choose from, both reruns and newer ones. I judge them with a critical eye because sometimes, I feel the entertainment factor outweighs the genuine goal to gather "evidence." That said, and on my watch list for different reasons; Dead Files (all ghosts are bad and freaky as f*&k), Ghost Adventures (all ghosts are demonic), Kindred Spirits (ghosts are probably people you knew and just trying to get your attention), and Tennessee Wraith Chasers (bring on the ghosts 'cause we have special equipment we made ourselves). I miss Ghost Hunters International and Ghost Hunters, two of my favorites. The investigators were low-key with little drama, which would be my approach.

Most of these shows use equipment, save for Dead Files that utilizes a medium, and some of the equipment gets pretty darned complicated. Personally, if I was going "ghost hunting" the less equipment the better. I'm not technologically inclined and would probably break something.
However, if you're interested in the equipment side of ghost hunting, here's a rundown of the basics and not-so-basics. I won't try and explain the science behind these tools, simply because it's complex, debatable, and I'm not a scientist. I will, however, give my opinion because I've observed paranormal teams (in person and on television) use/misuse the same equipment with different results.
Ready? Here we go:

POV or General Camcorder: This camcorder is full spectrum and able to "see" in complete darkness. It is used to capture shadows and other disturbances when nobody is present in the room.
My opinion: Can't argue with visuals as long as the team is completely out of the field of vision.

3D Mapping Camera or Kinect: This piece of equipment is used to give shape to a spirit’s energy, which shows as a visible stick figure on camera.
My opinion: I don't know enough about the specifics of how this works but it's fascinating to see a stick figure show up and respond to questions.

K2 - EMF Meter: Easy-to-use tool that detects spikes in electromagnetic energy. A normal room will register between 0mg and 1.5mg while a room inhabited by ghosts will read between 1.5mg and 8mg.
My opinion:  If the room has other electrical disturbances (wiring issues or household appliances) these may cause the readings to be higher than normal.

EVP - Digital Voice Recorder: Generally used to record questions directed towards paranormal spirits. The recording is then played back in the hope that what the human ear was unable to detect were recorded.
My opinion: I've seen this used in a way where voices are clear as a bell. I've also heard playback wherein random noises in no way sound like words. Example: (Playback) "Pfft."  (Investigator) "Did you hear that? It growled and said, "I'm a demon!"" You get it.

Spirit Box: This tool is used for attempting communication with paranormal entities. It uses radio frequency sweeps to generate white noise which supposedly gives entities the energy they need to be heard. When this occurs, the user can hear sounds and voices coming through the static.
My opinion: I hate this piece of equipment. It's so noisy, plus I feel (in most cases) it picks up random radio words which can be interpreted any way that fits into the equation.

Thermal Imaging Camera:  A "point and shoot" tool used to record temperature changes in the environment. This tool enables the user to easily differentiate between hotspots (usually human) and cold spots (possible ghosts) in a room.
My opinion: Electrical and environmental factors would need to be monitored very carefully in order to rely on this piece of equipment.

REM Pod: Uses a mini telescopic antenna to radiate its own independent magnetic field around the instrument itself. Any shifts in temperature or electrical energy approaching these stationary pods will cause the LED lights to go on/off and an alarm.
My opinion: Probably my favorite instrument if I had to pick one. It seems to have consistent results--especially if the paranormal researcher utilizes them to ask yes/no questions.

Laser Grid: This high powered laser emits a grid of green dots useful for detecting shadows or visual disturbances. It is set in front of a running camera to catch potential evidence. Any solid object or mist will disturb the laser beams.
My opinion: Again, can't argue with visual evidence.

Boo Buddy: Used to communicate with child spirits. This piece of equipment, which looks like a teddy bear, asks questions in order to trigger a response. It detects changes in EMF, temperature, movement, and vibration and responds to those changes in a kid-friendly voice.
My opinion: As long as the paranormal team stays out of the bear's field, I see this as being a solid data gathering tool.

Ovilus: This piece of equipment converts environmental readings into words to enable communication with paranormal spirits.
My opinion: The words can either be spot-on regarding the questions asked, or interpreted way off-base, much like the EVP recorder and Spirit Box.

Overwhelmed? There are many more devices and the cost can sky-rocket. I don't endorse any of these (linked) products but wanted you to get an idea of the cost and what they looked like. If you're inclined to purchase, please do your research. If you use the instruments, again, do your research on the proper way to do so. There are many investigative teams who gather solid evidence but just as many who seem to let their imaginations go wild.
Me? I'll rely on my sixth sense and the blessing of silence. I expect the ghosts will come to me and make their presence known, no equipment needed.

#FolkloreThursday - #GhostStory Bites for Your Reading Pleasure...

It's October! Time for some ghost stories....
I've gathered these little tidbits from around the globe. Enjoy!

Photo by Glen Bowman

The Radiant Boy
Northumberland, England. 

Chillingham Castle is a 13th-century castle reputed to be the most haunted place in the world. The most famous ghost in the castle was the "Radiant Boy" who used to haunt the Pink Room. His cries would emanate from a spot near where a passage was (later) found. As his cries faded away, a bright halo of light appeared, followed by the figure of a young boy dressed in blue. During some renovation work, they found the bones of a young child behind the wall, wrapped in decaying fragments of blue cloth. The child was given a proper burial and the hauntings ceased.

Used by Permission via Mr. Harman

Resurrection Mary 
Chicago, Illinois 

There are many hitchhiker ghosts reported across the USA. The most famous resides near Resurrection Cemetery on Chicago's Southside. Since the 1930s, many have reported picking up the blonde, blue-eyed young woman dressed in a white party dress. Once the driver reaches the cemetery, the young woman asks to be let out and then disappears. She is thought to be the spirit of Mary Bregovy, who died in a 1934 auto accident in the Chicago Loop, or possibly Anna Norkus, who died in a 1927 auto accident while on her way home from the Oh Henry Ballroom.

Used by Permission via McKarri

Flying Dutchman 
Oceans of Europe, Asia, and Africa

The Flying Dutchman is a legendary ghost ship doomed to sail the oceans forever, unable to make port. The myth likely originated from the 17th-century golden age of the Dutch East India Company. The ship and its crew became eternally cursed when its Dutch captain refused to take safe harbor during a storm despite pleas from the crew and passengers. Instead, the captain challenged God to take them down. There are many sightings and literary references to this ship. If hailed by another ship, the crew of the Flying Dutchman will try to send messages to land, or to people long dead. In ocean lore, the sight of this phantom ship is a bad omen.

Blackbeard's Flag
Used by Permission via Fred the Oyster

Blackbeard's Ghost

Oracoke Island, North Carolina

Ocracoke Island is an inlet off the coast of North Carolina. The inlet is reported to be the favored spot where Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, anchored ship. It's also said to be where he met his end. Some say his ghost haunts the spot to this day. On moonlit nights, people have reported that the ghost of Blackbeard (Edward Teach) can be seen swimming around Ocracoke Island cove where he died. It was rumored that after being shot and stabbed repeatedly, his headless body swam three times around the boat before it finally sunk. Many people report seeing a strange light moving beneath the waters of the cove. This ghostly light is thought to be Blackbeard's spirit searching for his missing head.

Eleonore Zugun (right)
Used by Permission via Unbekannt, Wien

Eleonore Zugun 
Teleorman County, Romania

In 1926, Eleonore Zugun, an illiterate 13-year-old Romanian peasant girl, suffered spontaneous attacks of poltergeist activity and stigmata. Fearing she was possessed by the devil, the villagers locked her away in an asylum. She was brought to London for a series of experiments at the National Laboratory of Psychical Research. Conclusions were made that the stigmatic markings (ranging from a whip, scratch or teeth bitemarks) were spontaneous and she was not consciously responsible for the production of the marks. According to the report, she could also move small objects without physical contact. There were over 1,070 recorded instances of either stigmata or poltergeist activity. The activity soon diminished and by 1928, Eleonore returned to Romania where she later married and was said to have lived a “normal life”.

Used by Permission via KatyaMSL

La Llorona ("The Weeping Woman") 
Mexico

The story tells of a woman by the name of Maria who drowned her children in order to be with the man she loved. The man would not have her, and she ended up drowning herself in a river in Mexico City.  Maria was not permitted to enter the afterlife until she found her children. Trapped between the living and spirit world, she wanders the Earth for all eternity. Her constant weeping as she searches for her children has earned her the name "La Llorona."

Portrait of Lady Dorothy Walpole
by Charles Jervas,  circa 1805
Public Domain 

The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall 
Norfolk, England

Said to be the ghost of Lady Dorothy Walpole (1686–1726). She became one of the most famous hauntings in Great Britain when photographers from Country Life magazine claimed to have captured her image in 1936. Lady Dorothy Walpole was the second wife of Charles Townshend, who was notorious for his violent temper. The story says when Townshend discovered that his wife had committed adultery, he punished her by locking her in her room. She remained at Raynham Hall until her death in 1726 from smallpox.

Happy October! #book #sale #99cents #paranormal #darkfantasy #ghosts

Happy October!
To celebrate, all my books are 99 cents October 1-7th. 

Amazon

Writing With Persistent #Ghosts During the Month of #October #amwriting #paranormal

Ahh, the month of October. October is always an interesting time in our house because things go a little haywire. One year, the hot water heater exploded, another year it was my car. Last October, my husband and I both witnessed a weird pocket of electricity bursting in the air. It was like an invisible light bulb exploded in the Otherworld. Who knew they used those? Speaking of, we go through more light bulbs than usual during October. Way more.
This year, I've decided to keep a daily diary, of sorts. I plan to document all the things that go amok in our house. Check back daily, as I'm sure I'll be adding more entries. The craziness is starting a bit early this year, so we're going to start this diary on:


September 24

Feeling unsettled today.  I heard someone walking on our back deck around 3am but when I checked, there was nobody there. It wasn't an animal unless the local raccoons have decided to wear boots and walk bipedally. There's a freaky thought.

Zeus kept barking and growling at empty spots in the living room while I was trying to do some research and work on my opening chapter. Everybody's a critic.
I decided to sage downstairs and went upstairs to do the same. While I was smudging the hallway, I heard heavy footsteps crossing the attic. I considered calling my husband like a damsel-in-distress but knew there's no way anyone could break into our house, much less get into our attic, without Zeus pitching a fit.
Time to man up and check it out. I am woman, hear me roar. (Which is exactly what I did. I figured roaring like a lion was enough to scare any ghost into thinking I was just plain crazy.)

It was spooky up there. No signs of animals or anything else.
Back to writing...

September 25

My coffee maker decided to turn on/off by itself this morning. I'm writing it off as a very thoughtful ghost anticipating my caffeine needs. If they could just figure out how to fill the coffee pod, we'd be set.
Back to writing.

There were strange noises coming from the haunted room upstairs. Both cats and Zeus were sleeping on the couch, so it wasn't them. Zeus knows he's not supposed to be on the couch but I decided to ignore my shameless dog and the noises upstairs because I had too much work to do.

The garage door kept opening and closing at random times this morning. I checked repeatedly to see if something was triggering it and couldn't see a thing. It behaved itself for the rest of the day, so... *shrug*

Of course, just as I drove away to run an errand, it decided to open on its own as a final farewell.

September 27

My daughter mentioned before bed last night that her ceiling fan kept turning on by itself. It was kind of freaking her out so I smudged her room - again. At this rate, I may have to grow my own sage bush.
The living room light kept flickering and going out last night. When I went to fetch a lightbulb, it came on again as if it was just messing with me. I gave up on my late night writing and went to bed early. I can take a hint.

Aaaand...the garage door continued to act up yesterday. I would literally wait for several minutes before I drove away - just to make sure it stayed closed. When I got home, it was wide open again. We'll see if it sorts itself out today. It's getting annoying.

September 28

The hallway light turned on by itself today. Everyone was sitting in the living room. I went to check and...there you go. Weird but I'm getting used to weird at this point.

The lights in the living room keep flickering on/off. At some point, I'll replace the lightbulbs. I'm waiting for them to stay off, which technically gives me a reasonable excuse. Until then, I'll enjoy the light show.

October 3

This morning, I was on my way downstairs to start breakfast. It was dark in the hallway, Nutmeg was on her kitty post and I swear Sushi-Ball was by my feet (I literally saw the shadow form of a cat). I bent to pet him but there was nothing there. When I turned on the hallway light, Sushi-Ball was sitting at the very bottom of the stairs. He ran away from me and was totally freaked out (very unlike him, he never runs away from me). Makes me wonder if Clover was paying a visit--we lost her several months ago. RIP Clover. We miss you.

October 9

There was scratching last night on the sun (or moon, depending on the time of day) roof in our bathroom. I took a flashlight and went to check to see if some animal was trying to dig its way in but there was nothing up there. I literally pointed the flashlight at where the sound was coming from and there was nothing up there. I went back to bed feeling a bit unsettled. My boot-wearing raccoon from September 24th is apparently a "ghost" boot-wearing raccoon, and with huge claws, because the scratching was loud.

I've been having nightmares lately, which I typically don't have. Not "regular" nightmares but seriously scary nightmares where I'll wake with painful adrenaline surging throughout my body. Not cool, dream self. Get it together.

I've felt like someone was following me around the house the past few days. A couple of times I actually felt a breeze behind me as if someone had rushed by. Very disconcerting.

Today, I had to replace a total of three light bulbs. One on my reptile aquarium, one in the bathroom, and one in the living room. Coincidence? I would normally agree but all of them blew within the space of an hour. I verbalized to my house ghosts that I'd appreciate another means of getting my attention. I've heard of ghosts leaving pennies lying about...dollars would be even more appreciated. We'll see if they were listening because that would be pretty cool.

October 15th

I keep my elliptical in the living room corner. Today, one of the pedals went down by itself, and it takes a LOT of effort to move those pedals. But hey, who am I to judge a ghost who needs a bit of exercise?

October 18th

The Halloween lights outside have decided they simply must be on in the daytime, even though they're programmed to turn on only at night. Happy Halloween.
Zeus has been stuck to my heels from the time I rolled out of bed this morning to now (1:01pm). No idea why, but he's acting like an 80-pound scaredy-dog. Poor guy. I don't know what's spooked him but this is where I draw the line, house ghosties. My dog is off-limits.

October 19

Yesterday, it was the dog, today it's the cat. I was writing and heard meowing upstairs. When I went to check, Sushi-Ball was sitting in my daughter's bathroom, meowing at the empty shower. For a moment, I almost thought he was meowing at someone (he's very social and it was that kind of meowing) but of course, the shower is empty. I asked him what was up and he settled down on the carpet and wouldn't budge. He's still up there. Do the ghosts want to take a shower, or are they just chatting with my cat? *shrugs* Back to writing.

Our back door in the daytime

October 20

The light in the living room (see September 27th) continues to garner for our attention by sporadically flickering on/off. It NEVER does this any month but October.

Our outside Halloween lights randomly turn on/off. Again, they've been programmed to only turn on at night but...

Last night, I saw a white form run past the back door. It was about the size of a person, so it startled me. When I went to check, there was no one our back porch. They would have had to literally hurl themselves over the railing and then contend with the fact our backyard gate is locked.

October 24

Yesterday, my daughter said Zeus started barking at her and then the stairs. It kind of freaked her out, especially because earlier, she said she'd heard walking around in the attic. I checked but, as usual, the attic was empty.

Zeus was acting weird this morning. He suddenly began to carry his bone around, whining all over the house and then wanted to take it outside. He NEVER does that. In fact, he hasn't given this bone the time of day since I bought it for him several months ago. He'd only do something like that if there were another dog around.
Sooo, either Jasmine's spirit stopped by for a visit or we have a new ghost dog. (Jasmine was our dog who passed away last year. We miss her.)

So, I'm bringing this post to a close. It's November 5th and the light in the living room spontaneously stopped flickering once Halloween passed, the garage door stopped malfunctioning (and we didn't do a thing to fix it) the fan and lights in my daughter's bedrooms stopped turning on/off, and my cats and dog have all stopped acting strangely. The scratching sounds coming from our bathroom sunroof ceased and my elliptical seems to be behaving itself. Probably because it misses me. The footsteps in the attic? They occur throughout the year but I haven't heard a single footstep this past week. Funny how everything just...STOPS...once the calendar page turns to November. I have no explanation for that other than the old belief that the "veil" between our world and the Otherworld thins around October. Maybe there's something to that belief.

Have a good Thanksgiving!

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 Moore

Publisher: Faeriemoon Press

ISBN-13: 9781721036677

ISBN-10: 1721036679

ASIN: 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 Unlimited

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon 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 Website

Blog

Facebook

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Twitter

Goodreads

Amazon Author Page

Pinterest

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

Welcome to Part 2 of Haunted Places to Visit in Raleigh.

Photo courtesy of Mark Turner - Public Domain

Mordecai House

Built in 1785, the Mordecai house is located in the heart of downtown Raleigh. Once part of a thriving plantation, it is one of the oldest homes in the area. Historic outbuildings include the Badger-Iredell Law Office, the overseer's office and smokehouse, the Allen Kitchen, 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 wearing a grey 19th-century dress, and can occasionally be heard playing the piano in the downstairs drawing room. Some visitors have also reported seeing a grey mist hovering near the piano. The Mordecai house is filled with original furnishings and many family portraits. It is said that any unkind remarks directed towards Mary's portrait will result in the portrait dropping from the wall. During a field trip, a child claimed they'd seen a man appear and disappear by the Andrew Johnson house. The child became so inconsolable, that they 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.

Photo courtesy of Mark Turner - Public Domain

Governor’s Mansion

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

In 1891, Governor Daniel Fowle gave his carpenters precise measurements to construct a bed for the second-floor bedroom. The bed was constructed and moved into the residence. That same year, Governor Fowle died in the same bed but 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 afterward, 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 to its original location on the second floor. The ghost has not been heard from since.

Photo courtesy of Hans via Pixabay - CC0 Public Domain

Poole Woods

William Poole was a wealthy mill owner during the Civil War and owned large tracts of wooded land just east of the city. When Union troops marched into Raleigh, a 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.

Against Poole's dying wishes, the trees surrounding his mansion were cut down for timber. However, the trees were found to be 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 the ground over a century ago. The tract of land can be found between Walnut Creek Amphitheatre and the Neuse River.

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PART ONE

Frightening Friday - #Raleigh #NorthCarolina #Ghosts and Urban Legends

I love urban legends and haunted places. There are many such legends and places in Raleigh, but whatever city you live in, I'm sure you have some of your own. If you visit Raleigh, here's a couple of less-known hotspots to check out. Whether they're "truly" haunted or not, is up to you to decide....

Ratcliffe Angel of Oakwood Cemetery

In the beautiful and historic Oakwood Cemetery is a grave belonging to Etta Rebecca White (1880-1918). The grave is marked with a stone angel, shown in my photograph above. I've taken photos of this angel numerous times. Little did I know, there was a legend connected to it.
Legend states that if you view the angel at night, the stone angel turns around to look at you. It has also been reported that, by day, people have felt the angel's gaze upon them, following their every movement.

The stone angel is beautiful and makes for a good photo, legend or not. My respects to Etta Rebecca White and her descendants. If this legend is true, apparently, the stone angel is her sentinel.

Dos Taquitos Restaurant

I've eaten at this place - the food was good, the staff was wonderful, and the artistic ambiance was really cool. However, the building itself made me oddly uncomfortable. I felt oddly agitated the entire evening. When doing research on haunted Raleigh, I was surprised when Dos Taquitos turned up! Apparently, the resturaunt has a history of paranormal happenings. The history is grim; the structure has burned down twice, there was a death on the premises, and another death next door. In addition to those two deaths, in 1995, John Williams Jr. murdered four prostitutes on the nearby railroad tracks. Patrons and workers alike have experienced whispers, knocks, and other spooky happenings. In spite of all that, I do recommend you check out the restaurant. Best nachos ever!

The Nazareth Catholic Orphanage c1930
Image courtesy the NC Division of Archives and History

Crybaby Lane

There are a few stories regarding the Nazareth Catholic Orphanage. Once a large and beautiful building, it is now no more than a little stretch of deserted grass off Bilyeu Street and referred to as Crybaby Lane. After doing some research on this place, here's what I came up with.

The story: In 1958, a fire broke out in the orphanage dormitory. The fire spread quickly throughout the building. By the time the sleeping children were aware of smoke filling the hallways, it was too late. When the fire department arrived, the building had already been gutted. Months after the remains of the orphanage were torn down and removed, neighbors complained the smell of smoke was still in the air. The smell was so strong that some people would choke when they walked across the field. There have also been reports of the cries of children, calling out in fear.

The truth: There were several fires, but none that reportedly killed the children. One death was reported on the property. In 1905, a fire consumed the priest’s living quarters. One of the priests was attempting to help his fellow priests to safety but was unfortunately killed in the blaze. In 1912, a fire burned out the stables, but no one was injured. In 1961, a fire was accidentally started by a priest who was attempting to burn wasps’ nests. It burned the rectory to the ground, but again, no one was injured.

Today, most of the houses surrounding the orphanage have been abandoned. The area is an empty field. If you hunt through the grass, you'll be able to find the cornerstone, which is all that's left of the old orphanage.

Stay Tuned for Haunted Raleigh: Part Two

There are several other reportedly haunted places in Raleigh. I'll post them once I finish checking the historical facts.