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Encounter In Paradise
This is the story of Ace, a young Australian football, , player, from a small town in Queensland who flees his questioning relatives to holiday in Thailand. There he rescues Matt a young sophisticated man from Sydney, who in turn rescues him and helps him accept who he is.
A story of discovery. With a few twists and turns thrown in.
A love story.
A story of discovery. With a few twists and turns thrown in.
A love story.
41 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2001
About the author
Julie A. D'Arcy
18 books13 followersJulie A. D'Arcy lives in rural Victoria, Australia with her two spoiled Oriental cats, Keelah and Sarsha. She was a potter for around 40 years but has now retired. She has a love of travel and has visited the UK, Asia, and many European countries.
Julie grew up reading the likes of Lord of the Rings, Once and Future King, and every fairytale she could get her hands on. Later on falling in love with the works of David Gemmell, and Johanna Lindsey.
Her love of both the Fantasy and the Romance genres prompted her to try her hand at writing her own novel.
Her first book, Time of the Wolf, was published in 1999 and went on to win the 1999 Dorothy Parker RIO Award for Women’s fantasy-fiction. She was also runner-up in the Australian RWA Ruby Award.
(Time of the Wolf has been submitted to The Wild Rose Press and will be re-released in late 2020)
'Time of the Wolf' and Spellbound are also available in Audio Book
This is a list of Julie's current books in print
WHISPERS OF YESTERDAY-Paranormal/Ghost/Witchcraft
Spellbound-URBAN F
TIME OF THE WOLF-Fantasy romance
THE CROSS OF TARLIS: The Awakening
THE CROSS OF TARLIS: The Reckoning
ETERNAL VOW-Vampire Romance
The Shape of Destiny
Encounter in Paradise
A Whisper on the Wind
Julie grew up reading the likes of Lord of the Rings, Once and Future King, and every fairytale she could get her hands on. Later on falling in love with the works of David Gemmell, and Johanna Lindsey.
Her love of both the Fantasy and the Romance genres prompted her to try her hand at writing her own novel.
Her first book, Time of the Wolf, was published in 1999 and went on to win the 1999 Dorothy Parker RIO Award for Women’s fantasy-fiction. She was also runner-up in the Australian RWA Ruby Award.
(Time of the Wolf has been submitted to The Wild Rose Press and will be re-released in late 2020)
'Time of the Wolf' and Spellbound are also available in Audio Book
This is a list of Julie's current books in print
WHISPERS OF YESTERDAY-Paranormal/Ghost/Witchcraft
Spellbound-URBAN F
TIME OF THE WOLF-Fantasy romance
THE CROSS OF TARLIS: The Awakening
THE CROSS OF TARLIS: The Reckoning
ETERNAL VOW-Vampire Romance
The Shape of Destiny
Encounter in Paradise
A Whisper on the Wind
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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November 16, 2013Review to be posted in upcoming issue of InD'tale Magazine
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December 15, 2021
Rating: 4.5/5.0
A mere nine chapters is all it took for this magical novella to encapsulate romance, suspense, fantasy, and adventure.
Read full review in the 2021 Holiday issue of InD'tale Magazine.
A mere nine chapters is all it took for this magical novella to encapsulate romance, suspense, fantasy, and adventure.
Read full review in the 2021 Holiday issue of InD'tale Magazine.
July 30, 2016
Spellbound is an intriguing short story about a modern woman who, in an effort to reclaim her life from an abusive relationship, returns to the house where she grew up only to discover that her beloved and recently deceased grandmother was actually a witch. Yearning for love, Isabella takes a page out of her grandmother’s book (literally) and attempts a spell that will change her life forever. However, the Story Weaver, a dark entity “desperate to fill his book of tragedy and woe”, is determined to interfere in any happiness Isabella’s spell might bring her. Spellbound is a well written romance with just enough of the supernatural to keep you enthralled. I only wish there were more detail about Isabella’s love interest – where he comes from, what his life was like – but then it wouldn’t be a short story any more. If you like a quick, romantic read, this book is for you.
August 17, 2016
I read it all at once as I could not wait to see what happened next. At the heart of the engaging story is good old fashion hope and romance with the book having a HEA. Sherry, the main character lives an unique adventure that will mark her whole existence. I can’t tell more as I don’t like spoilers. True happiness is like a warm breeze that touches your life when you least expect it, a strange old man tells Sherry.
Great story. Perhaps the author will enlarge it and make it a novel.
Great story. Perhaps the author will enlarge it and make it a novel.
July 20, 2016
4.5/5.0
The first thing to note about this book is the writing style: the words the author uses are beautiful and a mix of modern and ancient.
Read full review in the 2016 July/August issue of InD'tale Magazine.
The first thing to note about this book is the writing style: the words the author uses are beautiful and a mix of modern and ancient.
Read full review in the 2016 July/August issue of InD'tale Magazine.
December 26, 2013
Talk about an original story...”Elanesse” is a cover-to-cover riveting tale of magic and mayhem, good and evil, love and hate!
Read full review in the 2013 Dec/Jan Holiday issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2013 Dec/Jan Holiday issue of InD’tale Magazine.
June 1, 2024
N.N.Light
This Review is for the Audiobook Edition
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2022
A true love spell brings forth a man destined to love Isabella but there’s a catch. Escaping a bad relationship after she discovers her fiancé has ties to the Russian mafia, Isabella returns to her grandmother’s home in Rhode Island. Rummaging around in the basement, she finds an old witchcraft book. The book opens to a true love spell, so she figures to give it a shot. A handsome man named Zac appears spouting all kinds of nonsense. What amulet? Did the spell really work? Isabella’s not sure. All she knows is that with each day, she falls deeper in love with Zac. For their destinies are entwined and Zac must choose her in modern-day and forget his obligations in his old world. Danger, love, betrayal stalk these two lovers as they unravel secrets long buried. Can they find a way to be together or will they be torn asunder?
Spellbound is a riveting time travel romance I couldn’t put down. I’m a sucker for time travel romance and this book captured my heart from the beginning. I connected with Isabella right away. Her feelings, yearnings, wants, and needs became my own. The descriptive narration was emotional and intricate. I got so caught up in the story, I forgot I was reading fiction. The characters, the romance, the magic, the danger, it all felt so real. Zac is a man on a mission and a hero written for romance readers. There are plenty of twists and turns in the plot I didn’t see coming. And the ending, wow! If you’re a romance reader, escape the ordinary and read Spellbound. If time travel romance is your reading jam, you’ll want to read Spellbound. A brilliant romance from start to finish, Spellbound will have you under its spell.
This Review is for the Audiobook Edition
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2022
A true love spell brings forth a man destined to love Isabella but there’s a catch. Escaping a bad relationship after she discovers her fiancé has ties to the Russian mafia, Isabella returns to her grandmother’s home in Rhode Island. Rummaging around in the basement, she finds an old witchcraft book. The book opens to a true love spell, so she figures to give it a shot. A handsome man named Zac appears spouting all kinds of nonsense. What amulet? Did the spell really work? Isabella’s not sure. All she knows is that with each day, she falls deeper in love with Zac. For their destinies are entwined and Zac must choose her in modern-day and forget his obligations in his old world. Danger, love, betrayal stalk these two lovers as they unravel secrets long buried. Can they find a way to be together or will they be torn asunder?
Spellbound is a riveting time travel romance I couldn’t put down. I’m a sucker for time travel romance and this book captured my heart from the beginning. I connected with Isabella right away. Her feelings, yearnings, wants, and needs became my own. The descriptive narration was emotional and intricate. I got so caught up in the story, I forgot I was reading fiction. The characters, the romance, the magic, the danger, it all felt so real. Zac is a man on a mission and a hero written for romance readers. There are plenty of twists and turns in the plot I didn’t see coming. And the ending, wow! If you’re a romance reader, escape the ordinary and read Spellbound. If time travel romance is your reading jam, you’ll want to read Spellbound. A brilliant romance from start to finish, Spellbound will have you under its spell.
April 1, 2018
She leaned back against the windowsill and breathed in the smell of old books. She loved the scent. Sliding her gaze around the room to the overflowing bookshelves, high ceilings, elaborately sculptured fireplace, and deep ultramarine carpet, she had a feeling of coming home. Especially when she held an ancient manuscript or book of Old World legends in her hand, ready to decipher and translate onto disk. - - from Elanesse by Julie Darcy
Little does Elanesse know the ancient myth recorded in the book she is decoding is about her and the world she comes from, which she has no memory of. Nor does she realize that the pyramid paperweight, she'd had since a child, is really a key. If the key falls into the wrong hands in can be used to unlock an ancient crystal pyramid and unleash an unending army of dead men, wraiths and demons.
Faren Malaan, Knight of Paladia of the Kingdom of Rastehm travels to the future, to the time that Elanesse is in, to retrieve the crystal pyramid before the evil sorcerer, Isanti, loses his demons on the world. Faren saves Elanesse from a lion and a griffin Isanti has brought to life from stone statues. Then Faren reveals Elanesse’s true identity to her as the princess of the kingdom of Rastehm. Sparks fly from the moment Faren and Elanesse meet. They fall in love as they team up to battle the evil wizard, Isanti.
Julie Darcy is a talented, award-winning author. She began writing seriously in 1994, and has been published by ImaJinn Books, Mundania Press, Double Dragon Press, Eternal Press, Noble Romance Publishing LLC, Secret Cravings Publishing and Sweet Cravings Publishing. Her knowledge and artful skill of the writing craft shows in Elanesse. Ms Darcy makes her world of a goddess, valiant knights, a beautiful princess and good and evil wizards come alive in this enchanting, romance adventure.
Julie Darcy's writing is smooth and polished. Elanesse has a fairytale feel to it, giving the reader true escapism, with a good wizard, brave knights, and a princess who fight to save the world against an evil wizard. I highly recommend Elanesse.
Merged review:
He lay back on his towel, pulled his cap down half-covering his eyes and watched. This guy was gorgeous—short black hair, a touch of the oriental look about him, and a slight but well-built body. Ace’s mouth watered just at the sight of all that glistening, golden brown skin.
Ace is from a small town in Australia and for the Holidays he treats himself to a vacation in exotic Thailand where he hopes to meet a man. He’s never been with a man before though he know that’s where his interest lie. Experimenting and self-discovery in a small town can be impossible.
There on the beach in Thailand, Ace spots the man of his dreams. His encounter with his mystery man grows eve more romantic as he’s able to use his paramedic skills to rescue the guy from drowning. It turns out that the man he saved, Matt, is from Australia also. A romance a sultry as the Thailand sun grows from there.
Julie A. D’Arcy is a multi-talented writer and artist. She not only wrote this story but created the cover art as well.
The novelette, Encounter in Paradise, is as luscious as its cover. The two sexy heroes and there hot yet warm hearted tale will sweep you away for an hour or so. It’s also a great beach read for sunning on the sandy shore or lounge chair. I highly recommend Encounter in Paradise.
Little does Elanesse know the ancient myth recorded in the book she is decoding is about her and the world she comes from, which she has no memory of. Nor does she realize that the pyramid paperweight, she'd had since a child, is really a key. If the key falls into the wrong hands in can be used to unlock an ancient crystal pyramid and unleash an unending army of dead men, wraiths and demons.
Faren Malaan, Knight of Paladia of the Kingdom of Rastehm travels to the future, to the time that Elanesse is in, to retrieve the crystal pyramid before the evil sorcerer, Isanti, loses his demons on the world. Faren saves Elanesse from a lion and a griffin Isanti has brought to life from stone statues. Then Faren reveals Elanesse’s true identity to her as the princess of the kingdom of Rastehm. Sparks fly from the moment Faren and Elanesse meet. They fall in love as they team up to battle the evil wizard, Isanti.
Julie Darcy is a talented, award-winning author. She began writing seriously in 1994, and has been published by ImaJinn Books, Mundania Press, Double Dragon Press, Eternal Press, Noble Romance Publishing LLC, Secret Cravings Publishing and Sweet Cravings Publishing. Her knowledge and artful skill of the writing craft shows in Elanesse. Ms Darcy makes her world of a goddess, valiant knights, a beautiful princess and good and evil wizards come alive in this enchanting, romance adventure.
Julie Darcy's writing is smooth and polished. Elanesse has a fairytale feel to it, giving the reader true escapism, with a good wizard, brave knights, and a princess who fight to save the world against an evil wizard. I highly recommend Elanesse.
Merged review:
He lay back on his towel, pulled his cap down half-covering his eyes and watched. This guy was gorgeous—short black hair, a touch of the oriental look about him, and a slight but well-built body. Ace’s mouth watered just at the sight of all that glistening, golden brown skin.
Ace is from a small town in Australia and for the Holidays he treats himself to a vacation in exotic Thailand where he hopes to meet a man. He’s never been with a man before though he know that’s where his interest lie. Experimenting and self-discovery in a small town can be impossible.
There on the beach in Thailand, Ace spots the man of his dreams. His encounter with his mystery man grows eve more romantic as he’s able to use his paramedic skills to rescue the guy from drowning. It turns out that the man he saved, Matt, is from Australia also. A romance a sultry as the Thailand sun grows from there.
Julie A. D’Arcy is a multi-talented writer and artist. She not only wrote this story but created the cover art as well.
The novelette, Encounter in Paradise, is as luscious as its cover. The two sexy heroes and there hot yet warm hearted tale will sweep you away for an hour or so. It’s also a great beach read for sunning on the sandy shore or lounge chair. I highly recommend Encounter in Paradise.
May 18, 2010
Darkness I Weep – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
‘Lance screamed. Jimmy couldn’t think. He crawled away. The creature had Lance by the throat, he was… He had to get out! Across the cabin, out the door, his hands slipped on the pickup’s door handle. He hurled the flashlight, tried again and wrenched open the door. His breath came short, sharp. The keys were in the ignition where Lance had left them. Lance….what was that thing? He shook his head. Not now. As the engine roared to life, he slammed the pickup into reverse and stomped on the gas pedal. Tires screeched and churned up gravel. He swung the pickup about, flicked on the headlights, and peered into the rear view mirror. His blood froze. A large gray wolf stood outside the cabin staring after him. He pushed his foot flat to the floor, the pickup roared and he sped into the darkness, praying that hell would not catch up with him and for Lance’s mortal soul.’
Alara Gale is a detective with the East Precinct. When Jimmy comes into the precinct, turns himself in for robbery and seeks their protection, both Alara and her partner Sam Grayson are intrigued. Jimmy admits to the robbery and insists that Lance was the one responsible for killing the shop owner. He goes on to tell them that he and Lance had gone to an old family place in the mountains to hide out only to be attacked by a Vampire that can turn himself into a wolf. Sam is a non-believer but Alara has seen what a vampire can do to a person. One such creature had been responsible for the death of her childhood boyfriend, Ice. And after checking the cabin, finding the blood drained body of Lance, Alara is sure she is on the track of the same vampire responsible for Ice’s death.
Alara usually keeps to herself. She believes that if you don’t get close, you can’t get hurt. So when she goes into a bar one night and meets Vincent, she surprises herself by taking him home for the night. Vincent turns out to be the one person that Alara can’t seem to get enough of. Then the bodies start turning up and suspicions are tossed around that Vincent just might be a vampire.
True to their existence, vampires have no feelings nor souls. But what happens when a vampire is introduced to an Indian named Red-Cloud who claims he can give back his soul? All heaven and hell both breaks loose with excitement, pain, love, sorrow and death. Julie A. D’Arcy will keep you on your toes with Darkness I Weep. She really had me rooting for what should have been the bad guy. A really fast pace, well written book.
‘Lance screamed. Jimmy couldn’t think. He crawled away. The creature had Lance by the throat, he was… He had to get out! Across the cabin, out the door, his hands slipped on the pickup’s door handle. He hurled the flashlight, tried again and wrenched open the door. His breath came short, sharp. The keys were in the ignition where Lance had left them. Lance….what was that thing? He shook his head. Not now. As the engine roared to life, he slammed the pickup into reverse and stomped on the gas pedal. Tires screeched and churned up gravel. He swung the pickup about, flicked on the headlights, and peered into the rear view mirror. His blood froze. A large gray wolf stood outside the cabin staring after him. He pushed his foot flat to the floor, the pickup roared and he sped into the darkness, praying that hell would not catch up with him and for Lance’s mortal soul.’
Alara Gale is a detective with the East Precinct. When Jimmy comes into the precinct, turns himself in for robbery and seeks their protection, both Alara and her partner Sam Grayson are intrigued. Jimmy admits to the robbery and insists that Lance was the one responsible for killing the shop owner. He goes on to tell them that he and Lance had gone to an old family place in the mountains to hide out only to be attacked by a Vampire that can turn himself into a wolf. Sam is a non-believer but Alara has seen what a vampire can do to a person. One such creature had been responsible for the death of her childhood boyfriend, Ice. And after checking the cabin, finding the blood drained body of Lance, Alara is sure she is on the track of the same vampire responsible for Ice’s death.
Alara usually keeps to herself. She believes that if you don’t get close, you can’t get hurt. So when she goes into a bar one night and meets Vincent, she surprises herself by taking him home for the night. Vincent turns out to be the one person that Alara can’t seem to get enough of. Then the bodies start turning up and suspicions are tossed around that Vincent just might be a vampire.
True to their existence, vampires have no feelings nor souls. But what happens when a vampire is introduced to an Indian named Red-Cloud who claims he can give back his soul? All heaven and hell both breaks loose with excitement, pain, love, sorrow and death. Julie A. D’Arcy will keep you on your toes with Darkness I Weep. She really had me rooting for what should have been the bad guy. A really fast pace, well written book.
November 11, 2013
Elanessë was told that she had been illegally adopted by her parent’s before they died in a horrific murder. It changes her whole view of her life. In all actuality her real parent’s were forced to give her up because she carried magic within her. Her father the king had made these laws to protect their land from the ravages and wars that magic had caused in his kingdom. He didn’t know it would force him to give up his daughter, making his queen turn from him. And that is only the beginning!
Elanessë is an epic romantic fantasy. I’m an avid reader of fantasy and D’Arcy’s writing and style brought to mind the writings of David Eddings for me. A fantastical engrossing romance, Elanessë brought to life the world described in her novel. I dove in and didn’t come up for air until I was done.
The romance weaved amongst the fantasy world was wonderful. Reluctantly Elanessë acknowledged there was more to the world than she knew. Immersed in the past, working for the London Museum Elanessë is fascinated by an ancient tome. Little did she realize that it was really about her home world, an alternate dimension, a world she visits in her dreams. Meeting Faren a Paladian Knight sends Elanessë into shock from an attack and instant lust once she gets a good look at him.
Faren, Knight to her father, knows he is not good enough for the Princess Elanessë. Lucky for Faren she disagrees! Then she sets out to prove it to him.
The fantasy spun is just as good as the romance. To me, Elanessë’s world, current and original invited me in. The romance is just the topping on this wonderful tale. Julie A. D’Arcy is a wonderful storyteller! Re-reading (oh yes I did!) even just sections of this, brought it all back in vivid detail, the mark of a truly great tale.
I was given a review copy by the author for an honest review.
Elanessë is an epic romantic fantasy. I’m an avid reader of fantasy and D’Arcy’s writing and style brought to mind the writings of David Eddings for me. A fantastical engrossing romance, Elanessë brought to life the world described in her novel. I dove in and didn’t come up for air until I was done.
The romance weaved amongst the fantasy world was wonderful. Reluctantly Elanessë acknowledged there was more to the world than she knew. Immersed in the past, working for the London Museum Elanessë is fascinated by an ancient tome. Little did she realize that it was really about her home world, an alternate dimension, a world she visits in her dreams. Meeting Faren a Paladian Knight sends Elanessë into shock from an attack and instant lust once she gets a good look at him.
Faren, Knight to her father, knows he is not good enough for the Princess Elanessë. Lucky for Faren she disagrees! Then she sets out to prove it to him.
The fantasy spun is just as good as the romance. To me, Elanessë’s world, current and original invited me in. The romance is just the topping on this wonderful tale. Julie A. D’Arcy is a wonderful storyteller! Re-reading (oh yes I did!) even just sections of this, brought it all back in vivid detail, the mark of a truly great tale.
I was given a review copy by the author for an honest review.
July 18, 2016
3.75 stars
Cole, a Shape Shifter and descendant of the Apache, finds himself caught in a web of deceit. Hunted by a man named Granger for eight years, he wanders onto Shannon’s ranch and finds not only the home he’s never had…but forbidden love.
Shannon Davidson, owner of a cattle ranch in the middle of nowhere, can’t believe it when she finds a gorgeous but mysterious stranger sleeping in her barn. She encourages him to stay but realizes, like her grandmother, he harbors a secret.
Can Cole keep his identity a secret, win the heart of his lady, and defeat his nemesis? The Shape of Destiny is a tale of lust, revenge and love
This book is one of eight in the collection 'Come Love a Cowboy'. When I saw paranormal in the description, I hesitated to read on. When it comes to my reading choices, paranormal doesn't make the list. Since this is a short story I decided to read it anyway.
To my surprise, I really enjoyed the story. The characters are fairly well developed (for a short story) and having the paranormal aspect mesh with Native American legend fit nicely for me.
Cole, a Shape Shifter and descendant of the Apache, finds himself caught in a web of deceit. Hunted by a man named Granger for eight years, he wanders onto Shannon’s ranch and finds not only the home he’s never had…but forbidden love.
Shannon Davidson, owner of a cattle ranch in the middle of nowhere, can’t believe it when she finds a gorgeous but mysterious stranger sleeping in her barn. She encourages him to stay but realizes, like her grandmother, he harbors a secret.
Can Cole keep his identity a secret, win the heart of his lady, and defeat his nemesis? The Shape of Destiny is a tale of lust, revenge and love
This book is one of eight in the collection 'Come Love a Cowboy'. When I saw paranormal in the description, I hesitated to read on. When it comes to my reading choices, paranormal doesn't make the list. Since this is a short story I decided to read it anyway.
To my surprise, I really enjoyed the story. The characters are fairly well developed (for a short story) and having the paranormal aspect mesh with Native American legend fit nicely for me.
January 24, 2015
This is a Vampire Romance with time-travel, urban fantasy, and crime.
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