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Dragonborn
by Clarissa Johal
Thank you for hosting me in your blog, Laura!
I’ve decided to disclose a little secret here because I knew
you’d understand…I’m addicted to Skyrim.
Yep. The game was given to my younger daughter as a
Christmas present last year. Up until then, I had never picked up an Xbox
controller, or played anything remotely resembling a video game. Even when
games like PacMan were popular in the ‘80s, I never had the inclination to play
them because I was too busy partying (yeah, yeah, we won’t go there).
But when my daughter begged me to try her game, I did so
willingly because I’m a mom and we do things like that. The moment I picked up
the controllers, I knew my trepidation wasn’t unfounded.
I was able to design my character, not a problem, and kind
of had fun doing that. But when it came to game play? My Dragonborn was looking
at the sky, at her feet, walking into castle walls—basically making a
ridiculous fool of herself. Several minutes of that and I was ready to throw my
controller across the room. A bit frustrating.
I gave up and watched my 10-year-old play for the next few
weeks, but I could tell that I had failed “cool mom” status. Big time.
One day while she was at school, I decided to give Skyrim
another go. It took me awhile, but I finally got the controls down and…omg.
When my character found her first awesome sword—I was
hooked. Frost trolls in Skyrim? Not a problem—I killed them. As disturbing as
that was. A treasure chest full of gold, armor and potions? I stole it all. When
Faendal the archer elf offered to be my follower, I snapped him up too.
My girls never completed the game and have moved onto other
games since. But, I admit—I’m still hooked. I’ve completed it twice with two
different characters, scramble like a little kid to buy the latest DLC, and custom
made myself a Skyrim coffee cup that says “Faendal is my Hero.”
My girls won’t be seen with me when I use it.
But I don’t care. I’m the Dragonborn. And Faendal and I will
save the world.
My paranormal novel, BETWEEN, was released through Musa
Publishing on December 14, 2012.
No dragons, but plenty of other paranormal happenings. I hope you’ll check it
out.
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.
Excerpt:
A young woman
stood beside the bed, anguish on her face. She looked vaguely familiar, though
Lucinda couldn’t place her. The forgotten colors of her blousy dress had faded
into indistinct shades of grey. The woman grasped Lucinda’s hand and pressed a
key into it. Lucinda felt the jagged, metal edges pricking her skin. Somewhere
in the distance, a car engine roared to life. The woman’s lips moved but the
growling engine drowned out all other sound. The sound became louder.
Growling. Darwin was growling.
“Darwin?” Lucinda woke with a start.
The shepherd growled again and hopped off the bed, padding
into the living room.
A quiet knock sounded from the front door. Lucinda rolled
out of bed to answer it.
Pushing Darwin
aside to open the door, she peered sleepily into the moonlit night. A breeze
blew across the clearing, stirring the grass. Confused, she shut the door
before the breeze could make its way inside.
“Come on back to bed, Darwin.
Nobody there.”
As she pulled the blanket up to her chin, the knocking
started again.
Lucinda slipped out of bed and walked back into the living
room. The sound clearly came from the other side of the door, faint but
unmistakable. She slid her hand quietly over the knob. At once, the knocking
stopped. Turning the knob slowly, she pulled the door open a crack, heart
pounding in her chest.
“Hello?” An icy breeze slipped by her thigh as the scent of
ozone assailed her senses. Her heart beat erratically. “Darwin,
no!” The dog tried to push past her, growling once more. Rattled, Lucinda
closed the door with a bang and locked it.
Lucinda lay in bed and shivered, unable to get warm. A chill
slipped under her covers, stealing up her spine. The smell of roses clung to
her blanket, the warmth from their scent seemed to be at war with the cold. An
hour passed and she finally dropped off to sleep.
For the remainder of the night, the two unseen presences in
her room remained at an impasse.
Bio:
Clarissa Johal has worked as a veterinary assistant,
zoo-keeper aide and vegetarian chef. Writing has always been her passion. When
she’s not listening to the ghosts in her head, she’s dancing or taking
photographs of gargoyles.
Clarissa shares her life with her husband, two daughters and
every stray animal that darkens the doorstep. One day, she expects that a
wayward troll will wander into her yard, but that hasn’t happened yet.
Author website: http://clarissajohal.com/
Author Blog: http://clarissajohal.blogspot.com/
Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clarissa.johal.9
