With time running out, a modern-day Celtic warrior must convince a skeptical woman she’s his talisman and their union the key to ending a centuries-old curse on warriors.
Talisman is my first in the paranormal romance series based on Celtic mythology about modern-day warriors—I loved this book. The descriptive scenes and settings come alive on the page, as does the passionate, fated union between the warrior Rowan and his Talisman Alyssa. And like most warrior stories, you know or at least presume there will be a happy and victorious ending. Yet, the author keeps the excitement and adventure riding high to the point you’re not sure the story will end well and if Rowan and Alyssa’s magical bond will keep them alive. There are evil goddesses out for revenge and an ever-powerful team of warriors, talismans, and druids, out to reverse a century-old curse that will otherwise continue to haunt them for near eternity. The stakes are high, and with the main characters so well developed, you’ll be cheering them on during their battles with rogues, zombies, and mythical monsters and praying the power of love conquers all. Page after page, I was thoroughly entertained, intrigued, and captivated by this action-packed tale—a must-read.
Author
levia
2 years ago
A testosterone heavy paranormal romance. It was a fun read and has great world building. I’d like to know more of why/how the war started. I feel like we got barely just enough answers to make sense of this bookverse but that many things were left out – to which I’m hoping to enjoy unfolding those secrets by continuing the series. I’d also really like to understand that chip on brother’s shoulder.
This book was given to me at no cost, and all opinions are my own.
Author
michelepackard
2 years ago
Winning paranormal fantasy combo!
Author
laurambaird
2 years ago
A rich saga with an intriguing plot and great characters. Loved the pacing and the steamy romance. Tam left the door wide open for plenty more to come in the series.
Author
christinewoinich
2 years ago
I loved the concept of talismans, and I really enjoyed the lessons in the Celtic history. Alyssa had no idea what was about to happen to her life once she met Rowan. As things presented themselves, she found her education came in handy. Rowan was so protective, big-hearted, and somewhat clueless at moments. I enjoyed the adventures with all the secondary characters who were so supportive (for the most part) of Alyssa and Rowan, and I look forward to the next one in the series.
I received a copy of this book through CBR Services, and this is my unsolicited review.
Author
barj70
2 years ago
The first book in the Talisman series a well written story with a very good storyline, the story kept me turning pages. This is a new Author to me. I want to read the rest of this series. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Author
cassidyreyne
2 years ago
Talisman is the first in the Talisman Series
I was drawn into the book pretty much right away. I liked the different characters and the well described settings. The story centers around Rowan, a not so ordinary man with extraordinary abilities who descends from an ancient race of Celtic Warriors, and Alyssa, a woman who is currently working on her Masters thesis on Celtic Mythology and is also descended from the same Warriors, only she has no idea. When the two meet, Rowan quickly realizes she is his Talisman, the woman he is destined to bond with in order to avoid a thousand-year old curse. Alyssa was brought up by her Grandmother and was taught nothing about her destiny or her heritage, and resists Rowan’s advances at first. As he is on a short timeline, he bulldozes his way into her life, while making insanely hot love to her at every opportunity, which leaves her reeling. Nonetheless, she agrees to help him and his family in their battle against two evil Goddesses who both want Rowan for themselves.
Despite Rowan’s, at times, heavy handedness and occasionally clueless behavior, he acted out of necessity, under a time constraint, and to protect the people he loved, it all made sense as you got to know him. Alyssa attempts to slow things down, but it almost falls on deaf ears. She needs time to process everything she’s being told and the things she has to learn, but as time is running out and a battle with the goddesses and their minions is looming, only a crash course will help. It won’t teach her everything, and it certainly won’t help her sort out her feelings about her heritage, her destiny or Rowan.
I really enjoyed the story. It caught me in its grip, and I found I couldn’t put it down until I’d read till the very end. The characters were well developed with real depth and strong personalities, the settings were descriptive and imaginative and the story flowed well with attention to detail, consistency throughout. Celtic Folklore and Myths were woven into the fabric in a seamless and believable way. If you’re a fan of Paranormal Romance with a bit of action, hot alpha males and strong, sassy women, then this book is for you. Highly Recommended.
If you like MC romances then this book is for you. It has all the feels you could possibly want in the complicated world of a Motorcycle Club.
The main character, Hunter ‘Cid’ Reed, is the Sergeant at Arms and spends a lot of his time drinking, taking drugs and having sex. He’s happy with what he has, until he meets a pretty doctor in the emergency room. He never wanted to get married, never wanted a relationship, but suddenly, he can’t get the beautiful woman out of his head. With a complicated family situation dividing his focus, and the Club involved in a turf war that os about to explode, can he convince the doctor to take a chance on him and more importantly, can he keep her safe?
I have never been a fan of MC romances stories, but I decided to take a chance on this one as the premise of a patched member and an ER doctor somehow being able to find common ground and build a relationship sounded intriguing. I wasn’t disappointed. The characters are well written with big personalities without being over the top, the settings are descriptive and the story flows well. My only slight issue with the story line was a timing problem about two thirds of the way through, but it was so small that it was easy to overlook.
I still don’t love MC romances, but I will definitely look out for the next book in this series as I found it both gripping and entertaining. Who doesn’t enjoy growly, hot-as-sin alpha males and the strong, independent women who make them fall to their knees?
Author
annettereviews
2 years ago
I was immediately intrigued and entertained from the beginning of this story. It’s intense and full of action with likeable characters. Although Morrigan & Mauve are key, I think their antics within this story being so descriptive and dominating broke the flow of Rowan’s opportunity to deal/help with Alyssa’s insecurities, training and romancing. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. 3 1/2*
Author
readallaboutit
2 years ago
Pixie Girl!! Holy cow it’s amazing. This is the first book by this author and it definitely will not be the last. If your a fan of Celtic lore or just great paranormal romance your gonna love this book. Alyssa Macaulay is a shy bookish student. She knows nothing of her heritage that was kept from her. Rowan Sheridan is a warrior looking for his talisman and time is running out. I’m a big fan of mythology so this book is right up my ally. There is a perfect combination of action, suspense, paranormal and love story. You would never realize this was her first book it’s that good.i am eagerly waiting for the next book about Rio and Ceri coming in March. Tam De Rudder Jackson is definitely going on my auto buy list!!
Author
debfromoz
2 years ago
I’m not sure if this is a debut novel by this author as I have never read any of their work before but I have to say it was definitely a wonderful book I was enthralled from the word go with this wonderful mix of steamy chemistry battle s and Celtic lore.
Alyssa is a quite bookish girl raised by her grandmother What she doesn’t know is that her grandmother has been keeping secrets she is actually from a long line of powerful druids and she herself is a talisman that one woman that can bond with one of the legendary fighters who have protected mankind through the ages. Rowan Sheridan is one of those warriors and he is nearing his 28th birthday a time when if he isn’t bonded he faces death or worse so he is stunned when a woman’s soul calls to him in a bar yes she is his talisman. Now he has to convince her that their love is forever and at the same time prepare her for the danger that her life will now face. Can he keep her safe until she is ready to be a warrior herself.
Author
jewlsbookblog
2 years ago
Never know what you’ll discover when scrolling around Netgalley… A curse, a bit of Celtic mythology, a wallflower, and a warrior-yep! My attention was snagged in no time! Alyssa and Rowan are fated mates. She’s unaware of her heritage and he’s pressed for time to explain it to her. What follows is an interesting tale of curses, revenge, magic, romance, gods and goddesses, friendships, and a good versus evil battle. For some reason, I found it hilarious that Morrigan was called Morgan as well.
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley and this is my honest review.
Author
sandys
2 years ago
4.25 stars—TALISMAN is the first instalment in Tam Derudder Jackson’s adult TALISMAN paranormal/fantasy series based in Celtic mythology. This is twenty-seven year old, Celtic warrior Rowan Sheridan, and twenty-four year old, Celtic researcher/teacher Alyssa Macaulay’s story line.
Told from several third person perspectives including Rowan and Alyssa TALISMAN follows the building relationship between twenty-seven year old, Celtic warrior Rowan Sheridan, and twenty-four year old, Celtic researcher/teacher Alyssa Macaulay. Rowan Sheridan is descended from a long line of Celtic warriors, who before midnight on their twenty-eight birthday must find the woman, their talisman, their fated mate who will fight,in tandem, against Morgan and Maeve but Alyssa Macaulay has no idea about her powerful heritage, a heritage that has been hidden and protected for most of her life. For months Alyssa has been dreaming about a man who battles the monsters of her nightmares but her dreams have turned into reality as Alyssa will come face to face with Rowan Sheridan. A night on the town with her best friend Cheri, finds Alyssa meeting the man from her dream, the man with whom Alyssa will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Rowan and Alyssa, and the potential fall-out as Rowan and Alyssa are targeted by Morgan, in an effort to protect a centuries old curse.
Centuries earlier, the Morrigan cursed the descendants of the Sheridan family, a curse that has the potential to be broken with the mating of a warrior and his fated mate. Desperate to prevent the breaking of the curse, Morgan sets into motion a series of battles that will pull the Sheridan family into a war where family and friendships will be tested including our heroine’s self esteem, and her love for a man she believes is only looking for a good time.
The relationship between Alyssa and Rowan is one of immediate attraction. Rowan suspects Alyssa is his talisman, his fated mate but our heroine is completely unaware of the history between warriors and talismans, and the war between Morgan and the Celtic warriors. As Rowan descends head first into Alyssa’s life, Alyssa struggles with the unreality that has become her life, and the instant attraction and lust between herself and Rowan. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Rowan’s brothers Riordan and Riley (Lynette), their parents Sian and Owen Sheridan; Rowan’s best friend Seamus; Alyssa’s best friend Ceri; her neighbor Finn Daly; as well as the war goddess the Morrigan (Morgan) and her sister Maeve.
The world building focuses on Celtic lore: druids and warriors; goddesses and magic; family, friendships, destiny and love. The premise is entertaining and captivating; the characters are energetic and charismatic; the romance is fated, tender and passionate. If your are a fan of Celtic lore, TALISMAN is a wonderful take on a classic tale.
Talisman is my first in the paranormal romance series based on Celtic mythology about modern-day warriors—I loved this book. The descriptive scenes and settings come alive on the page, as does the passionate, fated union between the warrior Rowan and his Talisman Alyssa. And like most warrior stories, you know or at least presume there will be a happy and victorious ending. Yet, the author keeps the excitement and adventure riding high to the point you’re not sure the story will end well and if Rowan and Alyssa’s magical bond will keep them alive. There are evil goddesses out for revenge and an ever-powerful team of warriors, talismans, and druids, out to reverse a century-old curse that will otherwise continue to haunt them for near eternity. The stakes are high, and with the main characters so well developed, you’ll be cheering them on during their battles with rogues, zombies, and mythical monsters and praying the power of love conquers all. Page after page, I was thoroughly entertained, intrigued, and captivated by this action-packed tale—a must-read.
A testosterone heavy paranormal romance. It was a fun read and has great world building. I’d like to know more of why/how the war started. I feel like we got barely just enough answers to make sense of this bookverse but that many things were left out – to which I’m hoping to enjoy unfolding those secrets by continuing the series. I’d also really like to understand that chip on brother’s shoulder.
This book was given to me at no cost, and all opinions are my own.
Winning paranormal fantasy combo!
A rich saga with an intriguing plot and great characters. Loved the pacing and the steamy romance. Tam left the door wide open for plenty more to come in the series.
I loved the concept of talismans, and I really enjoyed the lessons in the Celtic history. Alyssa had no idea what was about to happen to her life once she met Rowan. As things presented themselves, she found her education came in handy. Rowan was so protective, big-hearted, and somewhat clueless at moments. I enjoyed the adventures with all the secondary characters who were so supportive (for the most part) of Alyssa and Rowan, and I look forward to the next one in the series.
I received a copy of this book through CBR Services, and this is my unsolicited review.
The first book in the Talisman series a well written story with a very good storyline, the story kept me turning pages. This is a new Author to me. I want to read the rest of this series. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Talisman is the first in the Talisman Series
I was drawn into the book pretty much right away. I liked the different characters and the well described settings. The story centers around Rowan, a not so ordinary man with extraordinary abilities who descends from an ancient race of Celtic Warriors, and Alyssa, a woman who is currently working on her Masters thesis on Celtic Mythology and is also descended from the same Warriors, only she has no idea. When the two meet, Rowan quickly realizes she is his Talisman, the woman he is destined to bond with in order to avoid a thousand-year old curse. Alyssa was brought up by her Grandmother and was taught nothing about her destiny or her heritage, and resists Rowan’s advances at first. As he is on a short timeline, he bulldozes his way into her life, while making insanely hot love to her at every opportunity, which leaves her reeling. Nonetheless, she agrees to help him and his family in their battle against two evil Goddesses who both want Rowan for themselves.
Despite Rowan’s, at times, heavy handedness and occasionally clueless behavior, he acted out of necessity, under a time constraint, and to protect the people he loved, it all made sense as you got to know him. Alyssa attempts to slow things down, but it almost falls on deaf ears. She needs time to process everything she’s being told and the things she has to learn, but as time is running out and a battle with the goddesses and their minions is looming, only a crash course will help. It won’t teach her everything, and it certainly won’t help her sort out her feelings about her heritage, her destiny or Rowan.
I really enjoyed the story. It caught me in its grip, and I found I couldn’t put it down until I’d read till the very end. The characters were well developed with real depth and strong personalities, the settings were descriptive and imaginative and the story flowed well with attention to detail, consistency throughout. Celtic Folklore and Myths were woven into the fabric in a seamless and believable way. If you’re a fan of Paranormal Romance with a bit of action, hot alpha males and strong, sassy women, then this book is for you. Highly Recommended.
If you like MC romances then this book is for you. It has all the feels you could possibly want in the complicated world of a Motorcycle Club.
The main character, Hunter ‘Cid’ Reed, is the Sergeant at Arms and spends a lot of his time drinking, taking drugs and having sex. He’s happy with what he has, until he meets a pretty doctor in the emergency room. He never wanted to get married, never wanted a relationship, but suddenly, he can’t get the beautiful woman out of his head. With a complicated family situation dividing his focus, and the Club involved in a turf war that os about to explode, can he convince the doctor to take a chance on him and more importantly, can he keep her safe?
I have never been a fan of MC romances stories, but I decided to take a chance on this one as the premise of a patched member and an ER doctor somehow being able to find common ground and build a relationship sounded intriguing. I wasn’t disappointed. The characters are well written with big personalities without being over the top, the settings are descriptive and the story flows well. My only slight issue with the story line was a timing problem about two thirds of the way through, but it was so small that it was easy to overlook.
I still don’t love MC romances, but I will definitely look out for the next book in this series as I found it both gripping and entertaining. Who doesn’t enjoy growly, hot-as-sin alpha males and the strong, independent women who make them fall to their knees?
I was immediately intrigued and entertained from the beginning of this story. It’s intense and full of action with likeable characters. Although Morrigan & Mauve are key, I think their antics within this story being so descriptive and dominating broke the flow of Rowan’s opportunity to deal/help with Alyssa’s insecurities, training and romancing. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. 3 1/2*
Pixie Girl!! Holy cow it’s amazing. This is the first book by this author and it definitely will not be the last. If your a fan of Celtic lore or just great paranormal romance your gonna love this book. Alyssa Macaulay is a shy bookish student. She knows nothing of her heritage that was kept from her. Rowan Sheridan is a warrior looking for his talisman and time is running out. I’m a big fan of mythology so this book is right up my ally. There is a perfect combination of action, suspense, paranormal and love story. You would never realize this was her first book it’s that good.i am eagerly waiting for the next book about Rio and Ceri coming in March. Tam De Rudder Jackson is definitely going on my auto buy list!!
I’m not sure if this is a debut novel by this author as I have never read any of their work before but I have to say it was definitely a wonderful book I was enthralled from the word go with this wonderful mix of steamy chemistry battle s and Celtic lore.
Alyssa is a quite bookish girl raised by her grandmother What she doesn’t know is that her grandmother has been keeping secrets she is actually from a long line of powerful druids and she herself is a talisman that one woman that can bond with one of the legendary fighters who have protected mankind through the ages. Rowan Sheridan is one of those warriors and he is nearing his 28th birthday a time when if he isn’t bonded he faces death or worse so he is stunned when a woman’s soul calls to him in a bar yes she is his talisman. Now he has to convince her that their love is forever and at the same time prepare her for the danger that her life will now face. Can he keep her safe until she is ready to be a warrior herself.
Never know what you’ll discover when scrolling around Netgalley… A curse, a bit of Celtic mythology, a wallflower, and a warrior-yep! My attention was snagged in no time! Alyssa and Rowan are fated mates. She’s unaware of her heritage and he’s pressed for time to explain it to her. What follows is an interesting tale of curses, revenge, magic, romance, gods and goddesses, friendships, and a good versus evil battle. For some reason, I found it hilarious that Morrigan was called Morgan as well.
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley and this is my honest review.
4.25 stars—TALISMAN is the first instalment in Tam Derudder Jackson’s adult TALISMAN paranormal/fantasy series based in Celtic mythology. This is twenty-seven year old, Celtic warrior Rowan Sheridan, and twenty-four year old, Celtic researcher/teacher Alyssa Macaulay’s story line.
Told from several third person perspectives including Rowan and Alyssa TALISMAN follows the building relationship between twenty-seven year old, Celtic warrior Rowan Sheridan, and twenty-four year old, Celtic researcher/teacher Alyssa Macaulay. Rowan Sheridan is descended from a long line of Celtic warriors, who before midnight on their twenty-eight birthday must find the woman, their talisman, their fated mate who will fight,in tandem, against Morgan and Maeve but Alyssa Macaulay has no idea about her powerful heritage, a heritage that has been hidden and protected for most of her life. For months Alyssa has been dreaming about a man who battles the monsters of her nightmares but her dreams have turned into reality as Alyssa will come face to face with Rowan Sheridan. A night on the town with her best friend Cheri, finds Alyssa meeting the man from her dream, the man with whom Alyssa will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Rowan and Alyssa, and the potential fall-out as Rowan and Alyssa are targeted by Morgan, in an effort to protect a centuries old curse.
Centuries earlier, the Morrigan cursed the descendants of the Sheridan family, a curse that has the potential to be broken with the mating of a warrior and his fated mate. Desperate to prevent the breaking of the curse, Morgan sets into motion a series of battles that will pull the Sheridan family into a war where family and friendships will be tested including our heroine’s self esteem, and her love for a man she believes is only looking for a good time.
The relationship between Alyssa and Rowan is one of immediate attraction. Rowan suspects Alyssa is his talisman, his fated mate but our heroine is completely unaware of the history between warriors and talismans, and the war between Morgan and the Celtic warriors. As Rowan descends head first into Alyssa’s life, Alyssa struggles with the unreality that has become her life, and the instant attraction and lust between herself and Rowan. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Rowan’s brothers Riordan and Riley (Lynette), their parents Sian and Owen Sheridan; Rowan’s best friend Seamus; Alyssa’s best friend Ceri; her neighbor Finn Daly; as well as the war goddess the Morrigan (Morgan) and her sister Maeve.
The world building focuses on Celtic lore: druids and warriors; goddesses and magic; family, friendships, destiny and love. The premise is entertaining and captivating; the characters are energetic and charismatic; the romance is fated, tender and passionate. If your are a fan of Celtic lore, TALISMAN is a wonderful take on a classic tale.