#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

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

‘Time of the Wolf’ Audiobook Sample

Please enjoy this FREE SAMPLE of ‘Time of the Wolf’ Audiobook.

Written by Julie A. D’Arcy

Narrated by Matt Haynes

Buy NOW! AT~

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, 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…

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

TIME OF THE WOLF Book Trailer

A Tarlisian Saga

“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…

A Whisper on the Wind, Book Updates, Uncategorized

A Whisper on the Wind

Now Available on Amazon

READ A SAMPLE

‘A Whisper on the Wind’ is where Urban Fantasy, and time travel, meets, re-incarnation with a twist of magick and those sexy little bits everyone loves. 

Can the impossible really become possible? Or is it all just a whisper on the wind?

Sherry’s world falls to pieces when the honeymoon she had planned in Rio with her fiancée turns to a tragedy with his death in a plane crash. Can a twist of fate, a wrong turn and a touch of magick find the love and passion she thought she had lost in the arms of another? Or will her love once again be torn apart? 

Uncategorized

Writing Itself

I am currently working on my new novel. This novel is set in the same inter-dimensional world that I mention in my novel, Silverdawn. Rastehm.

The work is tentatively titled “Mage Princess”. This will not be the published title as I am still working on that. I find titles one of the hardest things about writing 🙂

I wrote 1,275 words today and Mage Princess currently sits at 23,258 out of what I am hoping to be around a 80,000-word novel. However, that is up to my characters as they have a way of taking over and vying for the spotlight.

Scenes are coming out of nowhere that I have not plotted. It is such an incredible journey when this happens while writing. You feel as if you are merely the person typing on the keyboard and the characters are telling the story. Sometimes their voices are so clear in your head you really think they are alive and standing beside you, but that could be the medication I am on. 🙂 (Joke)

Writing News

I am Back

I am proud to say I have almost finished editing my new novel, Guardians of the Underworld. You are the first to know the complete name of this novel as I do not like sharing the title of my books until I finish writing them.

Currently I am working on finishing a vampire novella spin off to Night’s Eternal Vow. This title is available in paperback and eBook.

Already I am thinking on who I might submit them to. There are a lot of good publishers out there. Or there is always self publishing.

I cannot believe how much I love writing again. New stories are beginning to shape in my head at the most inappropriate times when I have no paper and pen or have forgotten my phone. So I have to attempt to commit them to memory.

Now if my two Oriental cats would leave me alone and not try to sit in my lap while I am typing, jump up on the printer or desktop computer box. Or, walk through the jumble of wires at the back of my monitor, I might be able to get more work done.

So if you have not seen me on Facebook for a while you can only surmise that I am lost in the would of one of my novels either on a quest, kissing a hero or battling an evil villain!

Book Updates, Silverdawn

Silverdawn – Julie A. D’arcy #UrbanFantasy #romance #fantasy

Silverdawn350Silverdawn, daughter of Mikkasah, born to the magick.

Mikkasah, King of Rastehm is forced to send his only child into the unknown future of the 20th century Australia, where she grows to maturity and moves to London with her adopted parents. She has no knowledge of her origins nor that she holds the key to the safety or destruction of both her new world and her old, until one night, she is stalked by a lion and a griffin, and cast into an adventure that will change her life.

A dark knight becomes her saviour.

Faren Malaan, Knight of Paladia, is sent forward in time to track and retrieve the Crystal Pyramid. The king’s astronomers have learned that the pyramid, which shifts through the portals of time, is cracked. And, if not restored, the sorcerer, Isanti’s demons will escape.

Through sheer luck, Istani was not imprisoned by the Goddess, when she created the Pyramid to banish him and his demons.

Istani travels through time, taking over the bodies of innocents, then casting them aside.

But this time he is trapped in the sickly weak body of Peter Waymer. His only escape from the cancer eating away at him is to find the Pyramid, release his demons and have them in turn heal him. With one thought in mind after his escape, to wreak destruction upon mankind.

Celtic Mythology, Dark Urban Fantasy, Time Travel, Lust and Romance!  

The fate of two worlds rests in the hands of a banished Princess of Rastehm and a Knight of Paladia who is battling his own personal demons.

They must join forces with three friends they meet along their way to restore the Crystal Pyramid to Deharna, and battle the tormented mind of Iraj who will stop at nothing to gain his prize.

‘SILVERDAWN’

AMAZONSMASHWORDS|KOBO|BARNS&NOBLE|iTUNES|

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EXCERPT

He was waiting. Leaning against the outside wall by the door, he loomed large, dark and dangerous. Still dressed in black, he had added a leather coat in the same shade that belted at the waist and fell below his knees to meet his ebony boots. All this Silverdawn noted at a glance before she passed him by.

It was late. She had not really expected him to be there. In fact, she had deliberately stayed late in order to avoid him. He straightened and fell into step beside her.

Silverdawn had not shared company with a male since high school. Those embarrassing attempts at fumbled passion by the captain of the hockey team, and his rumor spreading the next day, were enough to cure her of men for a very long time. She felt uncomfortable in their presence.

“You don’t have to do this,” she said, descending the marble stairs.

“But I do,” he returned, his voice like the rumble of distant thunder.

“It’s cold, it’s late and I wouldn’t think any less of you if you were to leave now.”

“But I would.”

They crossed the road toward the darkened park in silence. Chills feathered up Silverdawn’s spine and prickled her scalp, but her gaze never left the darkness beyond the gates. The grounds seemed even blacker than the night before—more intimidating, as though whispering her name. She stepped up onto the curb and hesitated.

“Is there a problem?”

Silverdawn flinched at Faren’s words. Despite the cold, perspiration beading her forehead, small rivulets of sweat ran between her breasts. “No. No, of course not.”

He knew she was afraid, and he knew she knew. She could sense it. She didn’t understand what game he played, but it could not be all bad, since he had rescued her the night before. Hadn’t he?

She raised her chin, stepped through the gate, turned left as always, and screamed as something leaped at her from the bushes. A second piercing scream ripped from her throat as she fought off her attacker. Then she was in Faren’s arms, and he was laughing.

His chest rumbled against her cheek, and the warm deep sound sprinkled the night. With as much dignity as she could muster she pushed away from his arms.

In the light of the streetlamp, she could see that in one hand he held a trembling ball of fluff. A kitten—frightened and shivering. She closed her eyes, breathed deeply to control her shaking then smiled up at him hesitantly. “May I?”

Faren nodded and placed the tiny animal in her hands.

She stroked its small damp head with one finger, realizing as she did so that the kitten was shaking nearly as much as she was. Murmuring soft words of comfort, she attempted to tuck the kitten down the neck of her coat, but her hands were cold and stiff and the kitten refused to cooperate.

Faren, seeing her dilemma, moved to help.

Silverdawn glanced up, and their gazes met in the dim light. The clouds parted, and the moon shone down, revealing his solemn, handsome face. Their bodies were but a whisper apart. He lowered his head. She could detect the sparkle of his eyes. His aura wrapped itself around her body and cocooned her in the knowledge that this man was safe, dependable.

She could feel the warmth of his breath on her lips and had the distinct impression he was going to kiss her. It was strange; she had known him for no more than a day, yet she wanted his kiss more than she had wanted anything in a long time. She closed her eyes and waited. She yearned to lean into him, wrap herself around him, and just for a moment allow herself this one small measure of comfort. She felt his hands closing over hers, and her eyes sprang open.

“The kitten, ma belle. It is cold and frightened. Perhaps we should see to its comfort.” He guided the kitten into the lapel of her jacket. His large, warm hands closed over hers for a fraction more than necessary. Then he released her and stepped away.

‘SILVERDAWN’

AMAZONSMASHWORDS|KOBO|BARNS&NOBLE|iTUNES|

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