What a fantastic paranormal romance by Tam DeRudder Jackson. Excellent writing and a superb set of characters. Totally enjoyed

So here's the thing. I really liked the idea behind this series. Incredible warriors with special powers are fighting evil goddesses while trying to find their talisman before time runs out for them. Each warrior has a special sign they use in order to find their talisman. And once they do, the two of them spend time together bonding to make them stronger. And the talismans also each have a power they use to aid the warriors in their battles. See? Neat idea. The problem was that the whole thing was just so boring . There was too much talking and way too much descriptions of everything. I truly don't care what color the couch was.

I didn't really care for either of the main characters. I didn't dislike them, but I also didn't like them. Rowan was patient when explaining things to Alyssa and her role in everything, but he was also pushy about getting what he wanted (going so far as to moving into her house without even asking). Alyssa seemed like an intelligent girl, but then she would do something so fucking stupid that I couldn't stand her (like believing all the evil goddess shows her instead of talking to Rowan...I hate it when a couple just can't TALK). She takes this whirlwind of change rather well, but then she would flip out at the dumbest times or over the stupidest things. Too much we hear Alyssa lamenting the fact that she's not perfect and there is no way that Rowan would want her. Her low self-esteem was annoying.

For as boring as I found this, things do happen fast in regards to time. I think everything went down in less than a week. Alyssa meets Rowan while out with her best friend one night and despite all the dead grandmother chastising we get, she invites him into her house and into her bed. Rowan can barely contain his happiness at finding his talisman with only months to spare, but he is shocked to find out that she knows absolutely nothing about what she is to him. So between some journals her grandmother left her and Rowan, Alyssa gets a crash course into a world she never knew existed and her part in all of it. Then a couple days later, she's taken to Rowan's parents' house for another crash course. This one in how to be useful in battle and better use her power. She even gets some help from a goddess. But then the bad goddesses strike and she gets taken. Setting the stage for Rowan and his family to have to rescue her and fight this battle.

Now, this is a part that I don't understand. Apparently, the key to setting the rules back to what they were in the past before these goddesses twisted them, is Rowan and Alyssa. They need to come together and defeat the two goddesses. Okay. Well. They didn't defeat them, so why is everyone so excited that they set things right again? They defeated one of their zombie fighter dudes. Not them.

After that is more drama and talking. And some days later these two finally set all their misunderstandings straight for their happy ending.

The end of the book gives a preview of the next one's beginning with Rowan's brother. I will admit to being intrigued about his story because the guy has a huge chip on his shoulder. But at the same time, I really was bored with this one and I don't want to go thru that again. So I honestly can't say whether or not I'll be reading it.

This is a start to a new series with interesting characters and an new take on mythology. This book focuses on Celtic mythology and pulls it in to the modern world. Rowan and Alyssa are both descended from important figures in the books mythology. Their families have both moved forward in history, until the moment that the book begins. Essentially, they are fated mates (if that is your jam).

Alyssa, however, has been sheltered from life and what she is. Until she meets Rowan, she has no idea about her heritage or what her future might be. Although it was done in the name of protection, it was fairly short-sighted of her grandmother to keep her completely in the dark.

Rowan has always known what he was and what he was going to be. He just needed to find his other half, his talisman.

The action adventure part of this story is great, as is the world building and characters. What took this down from a five star read for me was the ending. I actually threatened to throw my phone at one point I was so frustrated. The relationship between Rowan and Alyssa was extremely new and stressful - so there were bound to be bumps in the road, but the actions both of them took were pretty immature and didn't 100%fit each other's character. I also found it to be a little odd that after the main battle, the goddesses left them alone. Overall, I think the timeline of the ending seemed rushed.

I am interested to read more of this series and see where things go! I also knew nothing about Celtic mythology - so that was extremely interesting to read about!

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

Talisman, The Talisman Series Book One, Tam DeRudder Jackson

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Sci-fi and fantasy, Romance.

I liked the sound of this, I love fantasy married with romance, and the description sounded interesting. Supernaturals living within our current world? Yes please ;-)

Alyssa has been quite sheltered, brought up by her grand after the death of her parents she's all about the studying, especially after being let down badly by her last boyfriend. Then on a rare night out she meets Rowan. I know he's a warrior, but at times even I found him overbearing and arrogant, so I can see how Alyssa felt. He just steamrollers his way into her life. I know she's in danger, but its to his advantage that he protects her and at times I felt he was a bit too thick on the “do it my way”, and thin on actual explanations. I did understand hew was working under time constraints but he always found time to whisk her into bed, and thought that was fun, enjoyable – OK, earth shattering, I felt Alyssa would have appreciated a bit more detail about what was happening.
There's a lot of characters here that come into play, human, warriors and families, Talismen and of course the Dark Side. The rogue warriors and their leaders. I enjoyed the read but wasn't bowled over by it. That could be because its first in series. These novels have a hard ask, to deliver a new world setting, charters, supernatural types and of course a story we readers will enjoy. This didn't quite do that for me but is a good start to a new series.

Stars: Three, a good start to a new series, but I wasn't quite pulled in by the characters.

Arc via netgalley and publishers

4.25 stars

Celtic warriors, druidic magic, goddesses, destined pairings, and righting ancient wrongs, oh my... I love finding new paranormal series'. I wasn't too sure what to expect but Talisman pulling me in from the first.

Alyssa Macaulay is in a slump. She's finishing her Master's thesis on Celtic warriors but she's hit a snag. She is still mourning the death of her grandmother and ever since her death, Alyssa has been plagued by dreams of modern-day Celtic warriors waging battles in the street, which is crazy and likely an effect from all her work to finish her thesis. Right? Now she has been hearing strange noises at night and finding tracts in the snow outside her bedroom window. In an attempt to heighten her home security, she seeks out Sheridan Security services. Rowan Sheridan is a security specialist by day and a powerful warrior protecting us "civilians" from the evil machinations of the Morrigan. Soon Alyssa is thrust into a world filled with warriors and druids, vengeful goddesses, lore, and destiny.

I really seriously dug this book. The Celtic lore infusion was fun. I will say the basis for the Morrigan was a bit off (being she, herself, is a triple goddess where here they created a triple goddess with two of the Morrigan's aspects -Morgan and Maeve- and Taranis) but ya know... artistic license and all that. I really enjoyed it regardless. The story and pacing were fun and entertaining. There were a few pieces that left we questioning things for later installments.

I am absolutely looking forward to the next in the series, Warrior. Can I just say that Rio was such an arse-face at times, I can't wait for his story and his *fingers crossed* comeuppance? But I really, really, really wanna read more about Seamus! gimme gimmie!

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.*

This was a fun paranormal romance! I'm a sucker for fated mates stories and this one didn't disappoint. The book is set in modern times but is full of ruthless gods, heroic warriors, and magic. The story moves a little slow at times and the main characters comes across a little one dimensional but it's still an enjoyable read if you're a fan of PR/Fantasy.

Nice book for in-between, easy to read with an interesting setting of a battle between decendants of celt warriors and the hostile triumvirate of the ancient gods.

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.

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.




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B&N (Sandy_thereadingcafe) posted

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!!

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.