#fantasy, Action Romance, Dark Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Paranormal, The Tarlisian Sagas, Uncategorized, Writing News

The Cros​s Of Ta​rlis: The Reckoning

This is the second book in The Cross of Tarlis series.

What is it About?

Caught up in a prophecy…

Only by the hand of Princess Tannith of Ellenroh can the last part of the famed talisman, the Cross of Tarlis be joined to restore peace to the world. With her companions, a bastard prince, a white tiger, her bodyguard, a tiny warrior faerie, and an ancient mage, she continues the quest to uncover the remains of the only relic that can rival the Dark Sorcerer, Sernon’s power.

The journey will change them all in different ways. Will they find what they are looking for and will it be enough to save them?

Review by InD’tale Magazine

Julie A. D’Arcy-Romantic Fantasy

Princess Tannith is given the seemingly impossible task of finding four pieces of an ancient cross that holds the magic to bring back the god, Magus.  If she cannot find a way to accomplish this quest, all her people, and the entire world as she knows it, will fall to the evil sorcerer, Sernon.  Luckily the gods have seen fit to send her Kaden, the warrior prince from a kingdom that is also being decimated by evil’s vast forces. Their journey takes them into the heart of danger on every turn, and the evil quickly grows faster than they can keep ahead of. However, the stakes or too high to allow defeat!

As the third book in the Tarlisian Sagas, it immediately dives into the action and suspense! Readers not familiar with the first books in the series might find it a bit difficult to immediately catch up. But it doesn’t take long until enough clues are given and one is so immersed in the story that time fades and pages fly by! The evil is gruesomely portrayed, which adds urgency to the plot, as the characters race to save their world. It is edge-of-the-seat, chew down those nails fun! The tale is expertly written and succeeds in keeping the reader smack in the middle of the action and emotion. The climactic fight between the brothers does stretch believability with a few twists and turns that don’t quite make logical sense, but one is too engaged in what the outcome will be to truly worry. And the ending is so beautifully satisfying, that one will sigh and smile as they close the book!

Ruth Lynn Ritter

Book 1

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My Friend and I

I thought this was a lovely poem. So I wanted to share.

Working Title Blogspot

Walk a while with me, my friend,
Along the far byways that wend
And wind deep in philosophy,
Where wisdom’s always said to be.

This world may seem a foreign place
Where we pass through and leave no trace
A moment now, my friend and I,
Will take before our passing by.

And we will share the tales and tears,
We’ll share the joys and halve the fears,
We’ll take the moments as they rise,
Sorrows bear and happiness prize.

So step out bravely on the road,
Forget you bear a heavy load.
A friend beside you makes this life seem
A sweeter world than you might now dream.

E.M. Swift-Hook

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Adventures & Travels, Audiobooks, Book Updates, The Tarlisian Sagas, Time of the Wolf, Uncategorized, Writing News

What InD’tale Magazine Wrote About ‘Time of the Wolf’ Audiobook

‘Time of the Wolf’ by Julie A. D’Arcy

Narrator: Matt Haynes

Buy Time of the Wolf

Rating: 5 out of 5.
InD’tale Reviewer’s CROWNED HEART AWARD

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!

Carey Sullivan READ THE FULL REVIEW Buy Time of the Wolf

Audiobooks, Book Updates, General Musings, The Tarlisian Sagas, Time of the Wolf, Uncategorized, Writing News, Writing Tips

Dipping my toe into the world of Audiobooks

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.

https://tinyurl.com/t27cyfrt

Book Updates, General Musings, Uncategorized, Writing News

Today I would like to introduce the very talented author Catherine Greenfeder as my guest~

Writing is a passion for Catherine Greenfeder. Born in Greenwich Village, with its artistic influences,  she enjoyed the library, Central and Washington Square Parks, and the art museums. Her earliest influences were the children’s books she read, her Irish grandfather’s ghost stories, and encouraging teachers.

After receiving a B.A. in English, Catherine worked in advertising and promotion before returning to college while her son was a toddler. She acquired her M.A. in Teaching and taught language arts for twenty-five years.

Catherine enjoys researching and writing about what she discovers. Her interest in angels, ghosts, the American West, and reincarnation led to her writing five romance novels and a novella.

https://www.catherinegreenfeder.com/

Follow her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Catherine.Greenfeder.Author

Blurb~

Some things even a clever artist and psychic can’t know. When Kay Lassiter returned to New Jersey to make peace with her past, she didn’t count on meeting her guardian angel. He leads her in the investigation of her parents’ death. Along the way, Kay learns that she can love again and that despite the problems in the world, there are angels among us.

Amazon

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/angels-among-us-catherine-greenfeder/1007837978?ean=2940161510018

Available now in print and e-book.

Excerpt

Excerpt: Angels Among Us by Cathy Greenfeder 

“Come here, Baxter,” Kay called the dog. He obeyed, but stood between her and the stranger.

Blood glistened across the ridge of the man’s nose. “Yeah, that’s right,” the stranger said as he rubbed the blood with the back of his sleeve, “got this for grabbing this.” He held up a handbag. “It ain’t worth it anymore.”

“Good for her,” Kay said, “Teach you to stop robbing women and scaring them to death.” She stepped further away.

“Right. So you ain’t scared of this?” A silver flash cut the air as the man wielded a large knife toward Kay’s face. “Now throw down your jewelry…the gold watch and that thing on your neck.”

Kay felt her turquoise-studded watch, pulled it from her wrist, and threw it down. “Here.”

“And that too.”

“No!” Kay touched the cross, an heirloom from her grandmother.

“I guess I’ll have to take it.”

Kay backed away and tumbled over a tree branch.

Almost instantly the knife glinted dangerously above her. “Is it worth your life, lady?”

As she choked on the rank smell of tobacco and stale wine, a gray mist descended on them, its intensity covering them and the stranger. The flutter of wind chimes tingled her ears. Kay sat up. Bewilderment replaced fear. Out of the mist came a man in a white suit surrounded by an aura of violet and gold. His soft features reddened with an intense fury as he turned from her to the thief. Anger lit the emerald of his eyes. Words bellowed like the force of a cyclone from his lips and the thief crunched down in fear and confusion.

“Leave her be! Leave her and never come back!”

The thief scrambled up and took off running as Kay’s astonishment faded.

Baxter hid behind her knees as this interloper closed the gap between them. A smile crinkled the edges of his thin lips, and his palms flew up. “Peace. Be not afraid, Kay.”

She stood immobile then backed away. “Who…who the devil are you?”

Hurt creased his brow and his glow dimmed a moment then resumed its bright appearance. “Do not be ungrateful, Kay.”

“I’m getting out of here,” she said. “First the thief, now you! This must be a bizarre nightmare, one manifested like a Salvador Dali painting.” She turned to run, but a firm and gentle hand held her in place.

“No, please listen to me, Kay.”

“Who are you?”

“Suffice it to say I have known you a long time. And I know your gift did not protect you tonight.” He stared a moment at her neckline. “But this did.”

Kay fingered the cross as she stared up at her strange rescuer.

“A gift too, I see,” he continued.

“Gift?”

“Why do you mortals forget what’s precious within, the precious gift God gave you? It is there, Kay. Yet you neglect it.”

 “First a thief, now a lunatic! I should have listened to my brother and stayed out of the woods at night. What do you want?”

“I’m not here for material rewards.”

She stared hard at him. “You’re not getting that either, bud.”

He shook with laughter. “Oh, Kay, is that what you think? Here, come away, the danger’s not over. Hold my hand, let the dog go. He will follow.”

For some unknown reason, Kay allowed the being to take her hand. His touch felt like a feather yet carried strength beyond hers. She looked down at Baxter. “Follow me, boy,” she called, and then Kay’s feet lifted from the ground. “Oh, no!”

“Hold on, Kay!”

As they rose above the earth, Kay cringed. “Don’t worry, I won’t let go.”

Over treetops and past the empty playground toward the opening to the park they flew while Baxter, a dot below, chased them through and out of the park. “Please,” Kay begged when they reached its outskirts, “please put me down!” In an instant her feet touched a soft patch of grass. “Whoa!” Her voice echoed the word several times until dizziness and her panting subsided. “Are you an alien?”

“No. Don’t go to the park so late.” He handed her a silver whistle on a black nylon cord. “Here, if you need me again.”

“A whistle? I can whistle for you?” She examined the tiny instrument with its indecipherable scrawl on one side. “Your name?” She looked up and the mist reappeared around the stranger and he vanished before her eyes. Only the dog stood beside her. Baxter nuzzled her hand, and she hooked the leash back on his collar. “Come on, boy, we won’t tell anyone about this!”

Amazon

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/angels-among-us-catherine-greenfeder/1007837978?ean=2940161510018

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/932600

Available now in print and e-book.

Book Updates, Elven Magick, General Musings, The Dragon and the Rose, The Tarlisian Sagas, Time of the Wolf, Uncategorized, Writing News

The Cross of Tarlis: THE AWAKENING

COMING VERY SOON!

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…

Uncategorized

FIRE & ICE: VOL #1 THE BLOODING (PT #7)

Errin Krystal

Read all partsHERE

BEFORE

She woke with a gasp, air rushing into her lungs, filling them to bursting as she choked back to life. The air surrounding her was cold, chilled. Night had fallen and the dark was filled with silence.

Her mind was fuzzy, blocked. Yet a knowing nudged at her mind, tickling the edges of her memory.

Sorenti’s eyes adjusted in the moonlight and she felt something dry and tacky upon her skin. She raised a hand in the lowering night. Dark stains marred her flesh, the white of her dress, the crown of flowers crushed at her feet.

Images flashed through her mind, hard and brutal, slamming back into her consciousness.

Her mother’s gown. Her father’s goodbye. Her sisters twisting her hair upon her head, Jarrah.

Jarrah…

Jarrah.

Jarrah!

He killed her.

She looked down once more to the blood stained dress, then to the body…

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Adventures & Travels, Book Updates, General Musings, The Tarlisian Sagas, Time of the Wolf, Uncategorized, Writing News

Time of the Wolf–5 stars

InD’tail Magazine FEBUARY 2021

 

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.–

Reviewed By Tonya Mathenia InD’tail Magazine FEBUARY 2021 Buy Book Now


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!”

Ryan Summers

InD’tale Magazine Special Projects Editor

Adventures & Travels, Book Updates, General Musings, Time of the Wolf, Uncategorized, Writing News, Writing Tips

Time of the Wolf Review

By Catherine Asaro

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.

Copyright © 1999 by Catherine Asaro

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.