If you enjoy Fantasy, Paranormal, and Vampire Romance novels with plenty of story, action, love and lust, including sexy flawed heroes and beautiful spirited women that don't mind getting a little blood on their hands, you have come to the right place.
This story deserves 6 stars! The author and the narrator make this story come alive in a way that is not often found in audiobooks. Listeners are pulled into this story from the start, and there is no escaping the fast pace until the end! The peripheral characters add interest to this story, fleshing it out beautifully. Actions are visualized easily; the narrator does an amazing job of describing everything that happens as the tension builds steadily. Listeners can almost hear the battle scenes and smell the stench of the dungeon. The action is non-stop until the end, and then listeners receive some surprising and welcome revelations. Wow! This narrator takes a wonderful story and infuses the protagonists with courage, conviction, and self-sacrifice. Keilah is a strong female lead, and is perfectly matched with the strength exhibited in Radin, and Matt Haynes makes listeners believe everything that is said by every character. The sound quality and production are both excellent. This is a story not to be missed!
Well this was certainly an experience~ actually quite a good one. I had no idea how to go about arranging to have an Audiobook made of my novel “Time of the Wolf.” I am published in eBook and Print with The Wild Rose Press, quite a large U.S based publisher. However, I own my audio rights, and first checking with my publisher to make sure they were fine with me doing it I decided I may as well join the newest rage. I for one love audiobooks!
First I knew I needed a Narrator. I either wanted a man who could do female voices or a woman who could do male voices. I thought I would look on YouTube. I was lucky. I actually found Catherine Bilson who is also Australian, which is good because so am I. She has a set of 4 videos about the start to finish of getting an Audiobook made from your novel. Audiobook Basics for Authors 1 – 4.
From watching her videos, I learned that I needed a distributor, and also that the big one was ACX. However, ACX only takes on American Canada, Ireland and Uk.
For a moment there I felt quite dishearten, but she went went on to tell me that Findaway Voices is the place I needed to assemble and distribute my audiobook once all the files were completed.
I also found Narrator Matt Haynes on UTube. He actually teaches voice narration and how to do different accents.
So I had a decision to make. They were both very talented. So I counted how many men and how many woman and decided on that factor. My novel had three prominent females, and six male characters. So I chose Matt.
He was very professional and very helpful.
First I had to send a couple of scenes from my novel for him to do a sample.
There is no way to discribe the feeling of excitement and wonder of hearing your written words acted out in narration for the first time. It is amazing!
So we began. Each week Matt sent me 4-5 chapters to listen to and make sure I approved them. All of the chapters are sent in separate files to dropbox and I downloaded them onto my computer.
When all the files were finished he then made a sample piece that goes with the cover that people can listen to and decide if it is something they wish to purchase.
Then all I had to do was go to Findaway Voices, sign in, fill in the Metadata, and upload my files. It was so easy, even I being slightly technologically challenged found it really straight forward.
Now that is my story, but you can log into Findaway and they can help you find a narrator, some work with Findaway. You get to listen to several samples of your book and you pick the voice you like best. The staff are really great and very helpful and they will walk you through all the processes. You will pay a little extra for this but you can also ask if your narrator will do royalty share with you.
Taking Catherine’s advice I opted to pay Matt all upfront. Half just before he starts and the other half when Findaway excepts my audiobook. That way I get to keep 80% royalties.
Catharine Bilson writes beautiful Historical Romance novels as well as narrates them and she has quite a large following for her Audiobook narrations. However, she is also very versatile and could narrate any genre you wish.
This novel holds a special place in my heart as it was the first novel I wrote.
The Cross of Tarlis is now two books because of its length.
Both books will be published this year. 2021 as will the 2nd. Book, “The Cross of Tarlis: THE RECKONING.”
The Cross of Tarlis took me a little over two years to write and it was not until 2010 that it was published for the first time. Over ten years after it was written.
Back in 1997 digital printing had not yet caught on and there was very little online publishing and no print on demand.
All of the traditional publishers I submitted it to in the US and UK at that time told me the book was too long to take a chance on.
I still consider “The Cross of Tarlis” one of my best novels. It is a fast paced, Dark, Heroic, Fantasy Romance and it will be published by, The Wild Rose Press.
An Excerpt
“That is enough!” She flushed and crossed her arms over her chest. “I am certain I do not want to know.” She turned from his perusal and stared over the treetops at the mist-shrouded peaks of Dragon Spur. “Who are you?” “I am Kaden of Glen-Dorrach at your service, my lady.” He bowed with a flourish and she realized he was mocking her. She would not rise to his bait. “What are you doing out here? Alone?” His expression sobered and when he searched her face, his eyes were pale green. “I could ask you the same question.” “I asked first.” “So, you did. Traveling. I hire my sword for money.” “A mercenary?” “‘Tis honest enough work.” For several heartbeats, they remained silent, then she spoke again. “Thank you for your help.” “You handle yourself well for a woman.” She straightened to her full height, a little below his shoulder, and lifted her chin. Who did this man think he was? Did he not know she was a Warrior Princess of Ellenroh? Then she relaxed. No, he did not, nor was she about to enlighten him. “Again, thank you.” Her words sounded stiff. “I was outnumbered. Eventually they would have worn me down.” He caught her hand, pressing it to his chest. “If I can be of more service. He arched a brow.” “I am certain that will not be necessary.” His heartbeat, rapid and strong against her hand but she could not allow herself to weaken. She had a quest. She had a mission…
A supernatural tale of time travel, past lives, and insurmountable passion, “Time of the Wolf” pulls readers through a vortex of high stakes adventure and enduring romance! The plot is a suspenseful tale steeped in lore, possession, betrayal, obsession, and vengeance.
Characters are flawed, authentic, and believable beings who leap from the page as their stories unfold. Even small bit characters manage to provide imagination, sparking embers readers will relish. Vibrantly evil villains are monstrous, with hints of vulnerability that doesn’t quite offset their diabolical desires. Readers will get a rush from thrilling action-filled battles, and goosebumps from chillingly hungry fiends found within this quest to destroy evil, and put right the wrongs of yesteryear.
Ms. D’Arcy’s first instalment to this series is a howling inauguration to an enthralling saga of vendetta, sorcery, and legend in a wonderfully rich landscape of fairy tales, fantasy, and fate.–
QUOTE— ” Congratulations on the Crowned Heart of Excellence review your book received with InD’tale Magazine. What a fantastic accomplishment! It takes a lot of hard work and perseverance to write a story of such calibre and you deserve this distinction. Enjoy it!”
Time of the Wolf, by author Julie D’Arcy, is a dark fantasy with elements of romance. It tells the story of Lady Keahla of Dros-Delnoch and Radin Hawk, prince of the Wolfhead Clan. Keahla comes through a time portal that takes her 300 years into the future. Her goal: to find Radin. A prophecy has named him as the warrior who can lead her people in their fight against the tyranny of the sorceress Anayha.
D’Arcy makes entertaining plays on genre conventions as she sets up the plot. In the first scenes, Keahla is trying to escape slave traders who have followed her through the portal. She sees Radin up on a ridge and calls for help. In traditional stories, the heroic Radin would come dashing down the slope to her rescue; in more modern versions, Keahla would kick butt herself. Neither happens, though Keahla does show herself quite capable of applying her ambulatory appendages to good effect, here and later. Unfortunately, the reluctant Radin arrives too late, long after the slavers have hauled off Keahla. Radin doesn’t see her again until the slave auction. Noble hero that he is, he buys her for himself. Needless to say, none of this sits well with Keahla.
Now Out in all good online Bookstore.
Eventually they work things out and Radin agrees to help, though at first he is motivated primarily by annoyance with Keahla’s blunt disbelief that he can save anyone, let alone her people. However, she takes him back through the portal and they join the rest of her party. So begins their quest to free Keahla’s land, the realm known as Tarlis.
D’Arcy creates a vivid world in Tarlis, with evocative descriptions and a good cast of characters. She has a knack for names, such as the elf Jarl, whose full name is the musical Jarlisendel Ballindoch. The prose is strong and moves well. I appreciated that it didn’t become purple or overdone in the love scenes. In a few places, it did become a bit melodramatic, but that was rare. I enjoyed the visual images D’Arcy created, particularly of places and people.
Some of the scenes in the book are especially powerful. In one, Anayha must make her way past an ensorcelled wall of roses. Having roses as demons is itself a clever twist on the usual floral arrangements as elements of beauty. The passage where Anayha converts herself into a monstrous rose creature to creep past the tangled vines is well done, chilling in its effect.
Time of the Wolf reminded me in some ways of Robin Wayne Bailey’s critically acclaimed Shadowdance, which placed on the Nebula preliminary ballot a few years ago. Both novels rely on the portrayal of a sorceress queen who requires the death of humans to keep her power. In Time of the Wolf, Anayha is a vampire; she must drink the blood of her lovers to maintain her youth and abilities. Rather than biting them, she cuts their throats. I have to confess, those scenes disturbed me. I didn’t want to see such appealing characters come to such harm! Of course, that shows that D’Arcy did a good job in drawing me into the characters and their situation. The plot line of the evil sorceress/mother also bothered the feminist in me. However, such tropes are part of the dark fantasy genre, D’Arcy knows how to use them well, and she doesn’t dwell on the violence.
The relationship between Keahla and Radin works well. The novel combines two genres often considered disparate: romance and dark fantasy. In D’Arcy’s capable hands, the blend succeeds, with the romantic elements balancing the darker aspects.
Time of the Wolf offers an absorbing read to fans of dark fantasy blended with other genres. D’Arcy is a strong voice with a great deal of promise.
Catherine Asaro writes hard SF space adventure and near future romantic thrillers. Her book, The Radiant Seas, came out in November 1999 and The Veiled Web in December 1999. Her work has been nominated for the Hugo and Nebula and has won various other awards, including the Analog Readers Poll and Compuserve’s HOMer.
“Time of the Wolf” is a Fantasy Romance with lots of action. It was released 13th. January 2021.
And is available on Amazon all over the world and other major online book stores.
The Prologue is available for you to read at the bottom of the page or you may like to read it in the book preview.
Book Trailer by Julie A. D’Arcy. If you would like to share it on your Blog or share it with a friend you are quite welcome. Just push share.
Read Free Preview- Click on the Book
Prologue
Come sit by the fire lad and warm your bones. The air is chill and the night long when the heavens are without the moons. Here, take a draught of this Upland Fire. ‘Tis the finest in the land. The evening is dull now. My guests have filled themselves with good Highland whiskey and retired to their rooms. You look in need of a cot yourself, and it is to my regret that I have none to spare. For tomorrow the clans meet in celebration of the coming of the Wolf, and on such a day, every tavern within a day’s ride be full to overflowing with any man old enough to hold a tankard and wield a hefty sword. What is so special about a wolf, you ask? The Wolf be not an animal, lad, but a warrior the likes of which will never come again. He stood alone amidst a field of ten thousand warriors to fight to save this world. Or so the legend goes. What was that? Speak up, boy. I am old and my hearing is not as it should be. Do I not believe in the legend? Aye. There are stories and there are stories. Some lose something in the telling, others gain. Who can say what truly happened except someone who was really there? And would the stories be truly worth the telling if all the truth were told? You would prefer the truth. Nay, you would not want to hear it; no listener ever did. They find boredom in truth. They want shining heroes, handsome men—tall and strong—good deeds and fair damsels. There is no room for such things as human frailties and indecision in legend. Yet still you would hear it? Perhaps just this once, for in me I feel a need to release that which has been held too long. To once again free it to the air. Aye, ‘tis midnight. A good time for a story. A time for memories. A time for ghosts. You say I speak as if I was there? Well, maybe I was, and maybe I wasn’t. What is time but someone else’s dream? There have been many tales told of the man, but let it be said that I know this story as well as any man can. You are sure you wish to hear it? Aye, we do have all night. Then settle back, and I shall relate to you the story of the warrior they called the Lord of the Wolves or the Wolf, as it be, the way it truly was. The legend of Radin Hawk. For some uncanny reason you remind me of him. Same coloring—same eyes. I never have seen eyes that exact color again. The color of the moors in spring; deep blue almost purple. Well, where shall I start? I suppose the beginning is as good as any… ‘Twas a time long ago… …a time of sorcery and myth, when legends were forged and magick flowed in the land like water. Men were real men, and women more beautiful than the first rose of spring. And under a younger sun, Dros-Delnor still stood. The mightiest castle in the realm…
After the hectic rush of Christmas(Whew! I am glad that is behind us.)
My Mum
It has been a very sad time for me. My beautiful independent Mother of 87 years old has moved into an aged care facility. My sisters and brothers and myself have the job of sorting through my Mum’s belongings. So many memories are attached to just about everything I touch. I found back copies of every novel I had ever written, all signed that I had given to her over the years. I could not let them go so I brought them all home.
On to a brighter note. Time of the Wolf, was released yesterday by The Wild Rose Press. It is now available on any sort of mobile device you can think of, and the Paperback is absolutely beautiful. I received an author copy to check over and it really came up lovely. Hopeful you will all take a look. I will put up a few links at the bottom of this page.
Well we are on our way. Hopefully you all enjoyed a great Christmas or Holiday time, and celebrated New Years eve, with lots of drink, food, and making merry. Not forgetting those new year resolutions for 2021, some which will be achieved and some which only magick could see achievable. But we have to try right?
What a year 2020 was for most of us with the bringing of Covid-19! A virus akin to a horror movie!
I give my heartfelt condolences to my FB friends, family and readers of Fantasy and Paranormal who lost people during the pandemic, and those still battling it.
Available 13th January 2021 from Amazon Everywhere.
On a brighter note my long awaited release of TIME OF THE WOLF, a Fantasy/Romance with sword, sorcery, action, excitement, Elves and magickal creatures is almost here. So mark 13th of January in your diary or on your calendar to make sure you do not miss out on your copy, which hopefully will allow you to escape into a land of myth, magick, and legend away from the everyday grind of our not so safe normal life, if only for a short time.
Doesn’t everyone want for that?
I will be holding a virtual book release on Facebook so please join JULIE A. D’ARCY Author page for updates, or Mark this page in your browser for Jan. 13th. or you can pre-order your copy of ‘Time of the Wolf’ from Amazon Australia.
Author Julie A. D'Arcy 