Tag Archives: Tam Derudder Jackson

Play for Me (Balefire #1) by Tam DeRudder Jackson-a review

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PLAY FOR ME (Balefire #1) by Tam DeRudder Jackson-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 27, 2021

All I wanted was a chance. Now I need a second one.

Jack
When I made my deal with the devil, I thought I was on my way to my rock ’n’ roll dream. Too bad I didn’t read the fine print. Having it all meant giving up the only girl I knew I’d ever love. Five years later, I’m drumming in the hottest rock band in the country, but I live like a monk.

Fate hands me an opportunity to reconnect with my perfect girl, giving me one glorious night with Clio Barnes. Our chemistry is off the charts. Too bad fate plays by her own rules. When Clio hears my bandmate’s idea of a joke, she believes I’ve used her, dissolved our love into a one-night stand, and she blows out of my life. When our tour ends, I’m determined to find her again, no matter how well she hides from me.

Clio
All my life, I’ve been invisible. For a brief moment five years ago, Jack Whitehorse saw me. And he made me feel like the center of his universe. But that was an illusion. Music was Jack’s only love. A chance encounter after a Balefire concert allows us to reconnect, but once again, I’m playing second fiddle to his rock ’n’ roll muse.

When the pregnancy test comes back positive, I decide to keep our baby secret. I can’t force Jack to play for me—I wouldn’t want to. Then he shows up unexpectedly one day, knocking on my door and demanding to be let in. He leaves me no choice but to tell him about the baby. Turns out, I wasn’t the only one with a secret. But the one he’s been keeping might end us for good.

•••••••

REVIEW:PLAY FOR ME is the first instalment in Tam DeRudder Jackson’s contemporary, new adult BALEFIRE erotic, romance series focusing on the members of the rock band Balefire. This is Balefire drummer Jack Whitehorse, and nursing student Clio Barnes’ story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Clio and Jack) PLAY FOR ME follows the second chance romance between Balefire drummer Jack Whitehorse, and nursing student Clio Barnes. At the age of eighteen, Jack Whitehorse found himself at a crossroads when his signed away his life for a future as a drummer with the bank Rude Awakening but it was Jack who got the rude awakening when he discovered the fine print forced his hand, walking away from the girl that he loved. Fast forward two years wherein Jack, now the drummer for the band Balefire, would come face to face with his past, Clio Barnes, but the possibility of reconciliation and a future together evaporated with a phone call, and the woman he loved, walking away. Another year would pass before Jack would walk back into Clio’s life, a life now changed by the arrival of their daughter, a child he knew nothing about but his attempts at normalcy are destroyed when the band heads out on the road leaving behind the woman he loves. Months would pass without contact until Clio is threatened with the loss of everyone she loves.

The relationship between Clio and Jack is a rekindling romance, a romance destroyed by discrimination and threats, secrets and lies, and a total lack of communication. Months and years would pass before Jack had any contact with the woman he loved, then months would pass again, before he dropped back into her life. Clio, desperate for the affection and approval of the man that she loved would forgive and forget, then find herself alone, once again. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Clio’s friends Annabelle Bailey Saunders, and Stacy Newhouse; the members of the band Balefire: Blu Connolly, Adam Tron, and Dakota Perri, as well as Clio’s parents Harrison and Meredith Barnes. Blu Connolly’s story is next in SING FOR ME.

PLAY FOR ME is a story of family, betrayal, secrets and lies; a story of lack of communication, forgiveness, love and happily ever after. The character driven premise is fast paced, engaging and emotional; the romance is seductive but heart breaking; the characters are stubborn and energetic but I struggled with Jack’s numerous absences in our heroine’s life. Jack never once contacted Clio while out on tour, leaving her to raise their daughter on her own, knowing full well she had no familial or financial support. No phone calls, no emails, no text messages, no help…this is not the epitome of a man in love but a man so consumed by stardom and music, he ‘forgets’ about his child, his woman, and his responsibilities at home-definitely not a hero worthy of a second chance. I love the premise but I disliked the actions of Jack Whitehorse.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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DRUID (The Talisman #5) by Tam DeRudder Jackson-a review

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DRUID (The Talisman #5) by Tam DeRudder Jackson-a review

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 20, 2020

A vengeful goddess demands a sacrifice…

Sloane MacIntosh isn’t an ordinary talisman. Gifted with the skill of the Sight, she knows her warrior’s fate. Powerless to stop him from flinging himself headlong into death, Sloane mourns a sacrifice demanded by the war goddess on her summer feast day. Having found-and lost-her warrior, her fated mate, in the same evening, she knows what it means when the goddess demands a sacrifice. Her talisman skills couldn’t stop the goddess bent on evening the score.

A druid wishes for a sword arm…

Davy Sutherland is a storyteller whose incredible skills immortalize warriors for all time. But he yearns for the life of danger and adventure those warriors live. He also yearns for the special bond the fates give to talismans and warriors, a love at first touch that burns hot and intense, burnishing the iron of lust into the steel of everlasting devotion. The first time he sees Sloane MacIntosh, he wishes more than anything the fates had made him a warrior-her warrior.

Love hangs in the balance.

•••••••••

REVIEW: DRUID is the fifth full-length instalment in Tam DeRudder Jackson’s contemporary, adult TALISMAN paranormal, fantasy, Celtic mythology series. This is Seer and Talisman Sloane MacIntosh, and Scottish Druid Davy Sutherland’s story line. DRUID can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order or book one TALISMAN for back ground and history.

SOME BACKGROUND: 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 and her sisters Macha and Maeve set into motion a series of battles that will pull the Sheridan family into a war where family and friendships will be tested. Morrigan is part of Celtic mythology representing the cycle of birth and death, but is also the patron of magic and revenge, prophecy and night.

Told from several third person perspectives including Sloane and Davy DRUID focuses on the preparations for the wedding between Sloane’s best friend Fallon Graham and her Warrior Seamus Lochlann (Bard #4). With Sloane’s arrival in Scotland comes the memories of what our heroine had lost. Having only known her Warrior Gavin for less than an hour, the goddess Macha targeted our couple pulling Gavin across the river of blood into an eternity of battles and war. Believing love and her own happily ever after had been destroyed Sloane struggled with all of the happiness surrounding the wedding preparations until meeting Druid Davy Sutherland, a man who stirred something deep within our story line heroine. Davy knew Sloane was the woman that called to his heart. With each encounter Davy’s ‘tattoo’ burned with a need to claim Sloane MacIntosh but Sloane battled her memories and the continuous omens that threatened to pull her under. As a Seer, Sloane saw the future but with the help of her best friend Fallon, a woman with the ability to change the story, Sloane is able to protect the man with whom she is falling in love, a man who becomes fodder in a game of vengeance against our story line heroine. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Sloane and Davy, and the potential fall-out as Davy find himself on the precipice of immortality, a choice he must make between love and enduring life.

DRUID is an infinitely detailed story line rich in Celtic mythology with tales of gods and goddesses, and the struggle to survive. There is a very large cast of secondary and supporting characters including Davy’s mentor Hamish; all of the previous story line couples, and their extended families, as well as Macha, Maeve, Morgan and the thunder god Taranis. As everyone prepares for the upcoming nuptials between Fallon and her fiancé Seamus Lochlann, something dark and ominous is on the horizon, taking aim at our story line couple. The premise is complex and intriguing; the romance is flirty and seductive; the characters are energetic and inspiring.

Reading order and Previous Reviews
Talisman
Warrior
Prophetess
Bard

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Bard (Talisman #3) by Tam DeRudder Jackson-a review

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Bard (Talisman #3) by Tam DeRudder Jackson-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 20, 2020

A warrior tempts a wicked goddess…

Seamus Lochlann is always up for a good time-or a battle. At least that’s how it looks to his friends and family who count on his infectious humor and lethal sword arm. Fighting the war goddesses’ rogue warriors on the dark streets of East LA to defend his best friend puts him on the radar of the lustiest goddess in the Celtic pantheon. Maeve wants to spend him in her bed-and she’ll stop at nothing to enjoy the pleasures she expects from him.

A talisman knows his fate…

Fallon Graham can’t shake the premonitions. Flashing through her mind are stories with an up-close-and-personal view of the war goddess stealing the life force of a noble warrior who fights back again and again. Her heart breaks as she watches the warrior’s desperate struggles for his dignity and a chance to die honorably on the battlefield. Never in a million years would she have predicted that dream-warrior would walk right into her office and ask for a date.

Together, they can change the story.

A chance encounter at a mountain cabin seals their fate. The woman Seamus has searched for, the woman the gods determined to be his mate, is the only woman who’s ever turned him down. Fallon can’t believe she’s fated to the warrior Maeve has marked for herself. When the goddess strikes, they have a choice-succumb to the unholy power of the goddess or believe their love can tell a different story.

•••••••

REVIEW: BARD is the third full-length instalment in Tam DeRudder Jackson’s contemporary, adult TALISMAN paranormal, fantasy, Celtic mythology series. This is marketing promoter Fallon Graham, and twenty-six year old, security specialist Seamus Lochlann’s story line. BARD can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order or book one TALISMAN for back ground and history.

SOME BACKGROUND: 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 and her sister Maeve set into motion a series of battles that will pull the Sheridan family into a war where family and friendships will be tested. Morrigan is part of Celtic mythology representing the cycle of birth and death, but is also the patron of magic and revenge, prophecy and night.

Told from several third person perspectives including Seamus and Fallon BARD follows the building relationship between marketing promoter Fallon Graham, and twenty-six year old, security specialist and Celtic warrior Seamus Lochlann. Seamus Lochlann had yet to find his fated Talisman but a visit to a local sports centre found Seamus hoping the fiery auburn haired receptionist was his fated mate. A quick trip to his family cabin in the woods found Seamus face to face with Fallon Graham, when a sudden storm forced a hiking Fallon in search of a place to stay. Discovering each was the other’s fated mate, Fallon and Seamus got down to business but Fallon’s repeated dream where she watches as Seamus dies becomes the stuff of her nightmares when Maeve captures our couple and forces Fallon to watch as her beloved is sexually tortured to death. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Fallon and Seamus, and the potential fall-out as the naïve and ill-prepared Fallon, struggles with her powers, and how to help the man with whom she has fallen in love.

Fallon Graham comes from a long line of warriors and Talismans whose discriminatory attitude towards the magical Druid has affected their daughter’s Talisman training. Unaware of her true potential, Fallon battles between head and heart, and slowly loses hope when she is unable to help the man that she love. Seamus Lochlann is a carefree warrior but a warrior prepared to die to protect the lineage of warriors and Talisman. Hoping against hope that Fallon will be able to stop her dreams from become reality, Seamus will slowly succumbed to the Celtic goddess, when his mate is not strong enough to stop fate from happening.

The relationship and love between Seamus and Fallon is quick to develop. Once a warrior finds his mate, the Talisman quickly falls for the man she was chosen to protect but all is not well Graham family lineage, and Seamus may suffer when his Talisman is unable to protect the man that she loves. The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the to, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters, most of whom we have met in the previous instalments: Rowan and Alyssa (Talisman #1); Shanley and Alaisdair (Prophetess 2.5); goddesses Scathach (warrior woman and martial arts teacher), Maeve and Morgan, and god Taranis. We are introduced to Fallon’s aunt Keela and Uncle Griffin; her parents Clancy and Ivori Graham; and Seamus’ sister Siobhan MacManus and her warrior Duncan, and Duncan’s sister Jennifer.

BARD is a story of family, friendships, power and magic; discrimination, pain, anger and retribution. The premise is detailed and dramatic ; the characters are animated and colorful but I struggled with our heroine who was emotionally and magically weak ; the romance is seductive and captivating.

Reading order and Previous Reviews
Talisman
Warrior
Prophetess

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Prophetess ( Talisman 2.5) by Tam DeRudder Jackson-a review

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PROPHETESS ( Talisman 2.5) by Tam DeRudder Jackson-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 20, 2020

Happily ever after is for other people.

Though she traveled extensively in warrior circles throughout the community, both at home in America and abroad in Scotland, Shanley Conlan never discovered her warrior. When the war goddesses killed her sister and brother-in-law, she assumed guardianship of her orphaned niece and walked away from her dreams of life with her fated warrior. In private, she grieved the man who no doubt lost his life when he didn’t find her, a victim of the goddess’s curse.

Resigned to her destiny…

Called back to Scotland to participate in the Samhain rituals sealing the Conlan heir to their ancestral home, Shanley is shocked to find the family harboring a rogue warrior. How else can a man nearing forty still be alive without being mated to his talisman? Worse, she can’t seem to help the lightning-fast attraction she feels for Alaisdair Graham.

Can detours lead to second chances?

Alaisdair is desperate. Gone into hiding thirteen years earlier when he didn’t find his talisman in time, he knows the reprieve from the goddess’s curse is short. If he doesn’t find his mate in the next two weeks, he won’t live long enough to celebrate another Samhain. Thinking he was spared to marry the much-younger Conlan heir, his hopes are dashed when her true warrior arrives. Yet into his life walks Shanley, and he thinks the cosmos have taken his side at last. All he has to do is convince her–before the goddess strikes and takes them all.

••••••••

REVIEW: PROPHETESS is instalment 2.5 and novella in Tam DeRudder’s contemporary, adult TALISMAN paranormal/fantasy Celtic mythology series. This is forty-two year old, Celtic warrior Alaisdair Graham, and prophetess Shanley Conlan’s storyline. PROPHETESS runs parallel to and crosses over with the events of book two Warrior. We are first introduced to Shanley and Alaisdair in Warrior.

NOTE: For a complete history of the events leading up to Shanley and Alaisdair’s meeting and relationship, I recommend reading the series in order especially book two Warrior.

SOME BACKGROUND: 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. Morrigan is part of Celtic mythology representing the cycle of birth and death, but is also the patron of magic and revenge, prophecy and night.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Shanley and Alaisdair) PROPHETESS follows the quick building romance and relationship between forty-two year old, Celtic warrior Alaisdair Graham, and prophetess Shanley Conlan. By the age of twenty-eight, Alaisdair Graham had never found his fated mate; his Talisman; the woman that called to his heart. Fast forward fourteen years, following an eternity on the fringes of warrior society, Alaisdair would come face to face with Shanley Conlan, his fated Talisman, and the woman with whom Alaisdair will fall in love. As the Samhaim approaches, and the war with the Morrigan on the rise, Alaisdair must prepare for battle, as his new-found mate discovers she has the ability to prophesize about the future.

PROPHETESS is a quick read; a fast paced story that overlaps with the events of book two Warrior but focuses on the relationship between two people who thought love and fate had left them behind. The premise is entertaining but I was hoping for a little bit more; the romance is passionate; the characters are colorful and charismatic.

Reading order and Previous Reviews
Talisman
Warrior

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Warrior (Talisman 2) by Tam Derudder Jackson-a review

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Warrior (Talisman) by Tam Derudder Jackson-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK:Release Date February 20, 2020

Only she can save her home …

Upon turning twenty-five, Ceri Ross inherits an estate in Scotland. To avoid losing the druidic enchantments that have kept her alive since her parents’ deaths, she must spend a year at Conlan Manor. When she arrives, she discovers the old druid caretaker isn’t the only one sharing the mansion with her–an uninvited guest is lurking. She calls the security company run by her best friend’s husband and anticipates he’ll set up a system to catch her midnight visitor. Business keeps Rowan Sheridan in the States, but his brother Rio is free–Rio Sheridan, the one man she can’t stop thinking about even though he can never be hers.

Only he can save her…

Ceri Ross is a flirt and a talisman with obligations to the warrior community. She must bond with her fated mate and not spend time with random unattached warriors, yet it seems to Rio that she didn’t get the memo. None of which helps him: the woman calls to him like a siren.

A clan is counting on them.

Hamish Buchanan has taken care of Conlan Manor for years. The energy swirling around the Conlan heir and the big American warrior she’s hired to protect the most secure stronghold in the Highlands gives him hope. If Ceri’s warrior discovers his mate within the confines of the manor, the clan will enjoy enhanced protections from the violent war goddesses for ten generations. If only Ceri and Rio would stop sparring long enough to figure out they belong to each other..

•••••••••

REVIEW: WARRIOR is the second instalment in Tam Derudder Jackson’s contemporary, adult TALISMAN paranormal, fantasy, Celtic mythology series. This is twenty-five year old, event planner Ceri Ross, and twenty-eight year old, security specialist Riordan Sheridan’s story line. WARRIOR can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading book one TALISMAN for back ground and history.

SOME BACKGROUND: 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. Morrigan is part of Celtic mythology representing the cycle of birth and death, but is also the patron of magic and revenge, prophecy and night.

Told from several third person perspectives including Ceri and Rio, WARRIOR focuses on the relationship between twenty-five year old, event planner Ceri Ross, and twenty-eight year old, security specialist Riordan Sheridan. On her twenty-fifth birthday Ceri Ross inherited her family estate in Scotland. To ensure the druidic magic continues to protect our story line heroine, Ceri must spend one year at Conlan Manor leaving her friends and family behind but Ceri discovers there are secrets and magic surrounding Conlan Manor, and heightened security is needed to protect those within. Enter Ceri’s nemesis and current target of aggression Riordan ‘Rio’ Sheridan, and the man with whom Ceri will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Ceri and Rio, and the potential fall-out as Maeve sets her sights on our leading couple.

Riordan ‘Rio’ 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 the Morrigan(sisters Morgan, Macha and Maeve) or fear fighting beside the goddesses for all eternity. But Rio’s brother Rowan’s mating with Alyssa, broke part of the curse, allowing the warriors to live past their twenty-eighth year.

Rio and Ceri’s attraction to one another is fraught with angry energy and cutting words that barely hide the palpable sexual intensity between a warrior and his talisman but Rio refuses to ‘test’ the theory that Ceri is his mate, preferring to watch from a distance as his anger unfolds. Ceri Ross has known from childhood that she is a talisman, and has trained for the day where she will be asked to stand by his side but with each mating, the talisman will come into her full power, with an ability that is meant to help her mate in an upcoming battle. Immediately upon discovering Rio is her mate, our heroine’s attitude did an abrupt one-eighty knowing they would have to face the Morrigan together. With the approach of Samhain, reinforcements are needed as the Sheridan, Conlans and Ross Clans prepare for a celebration, bringing together Rio’s brothers and their mates , his parents, and Ceri’s aunt in an effort to prepare for the upcoming battle.

The relationship between Ceri and Rio begins acrimoniously as Rio is perturbed to discover that Ceri is a talisman who flirts and flaunts with every available male but his family history will prove there is a backstory to his anger and turmoil. Upon the discovery that Ceri is his talisman, our couple are quick to forget about their jealousy and anger, anger that was growing with every interaction. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate 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 and Alyssa (Talisman #1), Riley and Lynette, their parents Sian and Owen Sheridan, guardian Finn Daly; Ceri’s aunt Shanley; druids Hamish Buchanan and Davy Sutherland; and warrior Alaisdair Graham ; weather god Taranis; goddesses Scathach (warrior woman and martial arts teacher), Maeve and Morgan. Alaisdair and Shanley’s story line is next in Prophetess.

WARRIOR is a detailed story line that closely follows Celtic mythology and lore with druids and warriors; gods and goddesses, magic, family, destiny and love. The complex premise is enchanting, inventive and clever ; the characters are animated and edgy; the romance is seductive and energetic.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one TALISMAN

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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TALISMAN (Talisman #1) by Tam Derudder Jackson-a review

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TALISMAN (Talisman #1) by Tam Derudder Jackson-a review

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au / B&N Paper /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 20, 2019.

Time’s running out…

Rowan Sheridan is a warrior, a powerful being capable of bending time and space to take on the rogues and zombies the triple goddess unleashes on civilians. For centuries, his family has taken on the Morrigan, their successes against her legendary. But if he doesn’t find his talisman by midnight of his twenty-eighth birthday, he faces death–or something worse.

To convince her she belongs to him…

Wallflower Alyssa Macaulay has no clue a community of supernatural Celtic warriors lives alongside her. Nor does she know she’s a talisman, a member of that community. Orphaned at age four, she was raised by her grandmother, a druid of uncommon skill who deliberately kept Alyssa ignorant of her true self. A chance meeting in a bar on a cold winter’s night upends the bookish grad student’s life when Rowan introduces her to their world.

Their love can end a centuries-old curse.

Trying his sign on Alyssa and discovering she’s his talisman, his fated mate, should be cause for their celebration. Too bad Alyssa thinks Rowan’s only looking for a good time and she has no idea who and what they are. The goddess’s imminent arrival doesn’t give Rowan time to show her either. Somehow, he needs to compress the lifetime of training she should have had into a week–and convince her the one amazing night they shared is only the beginning of a lifetime of love. If they can live long enough.

••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: 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.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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