The second book in the series and my second book by the author. A nice continuation in the series with all the paranormal romance and a little mystery. Another good and interesting book.

The character building could have been better. Its a fun romp, and not a bad book, but there were so many opportunities in the story that leave you wondering why they weren't enriched.

As the second book of the series, the journey continues to Scotland. The place where everything has started,

I love how they started, to think that Rio did not know who Ceri is to him.

As f0r the story. I love how the way it continues and each book gets better.

This is book two in the series and it follows the same path as the first. As I did enjoy the book It also was a little weird in that it portrays these women as strong and confident. But when called on to perform the task they fall apart and need the men to coddle them to gather the strength necessary to fulfill their role in the battle to come. It's a nice distraction for a few hours but not really compelling as I thought because the first book was so strong.

This was a hard book to read. It was very wordy and distinct writing. I had to really focus to read it and it wasn't as enjoyable. The storyline was great but the characters didn't connect. Overall, a decent read.

Ceri Ross has obligations to the warrior community. Though she’s required to bond with her fated mate and not get involved with random unattached warriors, it seems she didn’t get the memo. None of which helps Rio: the woman calls to him like a siren.
This was a pretty decent read. I hadn’t read the first book in the series, so some of it had me lost for a bit. Overall though, I liked the characters and the story. I look forward to reading more from this author. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

This was a new author to me, and my favourite genre in romance is Historical, and a did enjoy this contemporary paranormal.

Ceri Ross is a successful estate agent in the US, she was orphaned as a child and brought up by her aunt Shanley (hate this surname/boys name as a girls name thing BTW). The book opens at her best friend Alyssa ‘s wedding, Alyssa has recently discovered she is a talisman and is marrying her warrior mate Rowan. Alyssa has been bust with her degree, and so Ceri, fashion plate and social organiser has planned and arranged the whole wedding.

She and her aunt are Talisman’s - protectors and bonded mates for warrior’s who have until their 28th birthday to find their talisman by trying their sign on her. For Shanley she never found her mate.

Rio is Rowan’s little brother, and he is attracted to the beautiful Ceri, but also thinks that she is a flirt and free with her favours. He thinks she needs to be bonded to a mate, but for some reason even though he acknowledges his attraction to her physically, he doesn’t think to try his sign on her.

Ceri is told on her 25th birthday that she needs to go and live in her inherited manor in the Scottish highlands for at least a year, to fulfil the needs/prophecy of their community. The talismans, warriors and druids, are headed by a goddess, and are fighting to protect themselves from cruel goddesses who steal warriors over to die and then use them to battle the living, because they are stimulated and excited by death and blood.

When she arrives in the highlands, she is unnerved by the lack of security and asks Rowan to help her, he sends Rio and sparks fly immediate - Rio is jealous and quick to judge, and eventually they give in to their attraction and he finally tries his sign on her and they realise they were meant to be. This helps to enhance their protections against the War goddesses.

The plot continues with a secondary romance for Shanley and Alisdair, and a plan to bond Ceri and Rio on Samhain night to increase protections for their clan. Hamish is the Druid and protector of Conlan Manor who masterminds it all.

Overall I found the paranormal plot a bit hokey, but I did enjoy it, and I did like the banter from Hamish, and Ceri’s character. Rio was a bit of an arse for at least half of the book, and I really didn’t understand why. I felt the writing and pacing were good. Massive supporting cast from the families also felt a bit redundant, but I haven’t read the first book so probably didn’t understand the connections well enough.

Recommended if you like PNR.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

Also posted on Goodreads

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.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

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Ibooks (Sandy Sch) posted

Warrior, The Talisman Series Book Two, Tam DeRudder Jackson

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: General Fiction ( adult) ,Romance.

I struggled a bit with book one,m but they have a hard ask, setting the scene for the series and delivering a story so I thought I needed to try book two.
There's lots going on but I still didn't warm to the characters. I liked Ceri, but didn't really understand her antagonism to Rio and vice versa, and then of course when he tries his sign on her ( and that feels weird to me each time I read it) and finds she's his talisman its like forget all that sniping, that they hate each other and lets get in on. For me that just didn't sit right, I couldn't see it happening. I wasn't keen on Rio either, from book one he's very opinionated, and quick to judge, and that hasn't changed.
The story follows the lines set out in the first book, the battle between Warriors, talisman, druids against the Goddesses. Hamish and his secrets annoyed me even as I understood they were needed to drive the story forward. Talanis, another God who seems to sit on the sidelines playing both sides, was really strange. I wasn't sure just what purpose he played, apart from swaying the battle one way or the other. He was very Godlike, in that all which concerned him was himself, really not bothered about morals, fairness, or anything like that so long as he had an easy life. I wanted to like him. Sadly I didn't.
Its a perfectly well written story, everything plays out properly, its just that the characters didn't resonate with me, and I need that to enjoy a novel. Others love them and the story, so again it shows how subjective reading ( and reviewing) is.

Stars: Three, a well written story, good plot but I wasn't really convinced by the characters
Arc via netgalley and publishers

Warrior is a splendid addition to the TAlisman series. It was intriguing and well-written. I really enjoyed the romance.

An enjoyable read better than the first book which I struggled with the way The main character Rowan was, Rio was different but I’m still not keen on the oppressive or aggressive way they use their talisman. Ok, but still not the best given the things women are dealing with, reading a book should be an escape not traumatic. Needs more work on sexual equality in these books.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

This is the second book in the Talisman series. It was good. I enjoyed seeing Rio and Ceri getting along and was glad when Shandy finally met her warrior. I really enjoyed Hamish’s character and liked seeing the warriors working well with the druids. I liked the fact that the action took place in Scotland and I enjoyed looking up all the places in Google maps. I feel like a lot of what takes place is very similar to Alyssa’s story. A big battle approaches and they all have to do emergency training in a remote training area. The gods manipulate them.. In the end Ceri disobeys what she has been asked to do to the detriment of the warriors. The battle and the big party were both terribly anti-climatic so I found it a little difficult to get through the book. I liked it but I think it needs more polish. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is another wonderful book in this series with its links to druids the supernatural and fated mates I would recommend that you read Talisman the first book before reading this one as then you will have a better understanding of what is going on

Ceri Ross has inherited a castle in Scotland and she needs to live there for at least a year the only problem is that she has an uninvited guest as well. She is a flirt and Rio Sheridan the man sent to help her finds her attractive but she is also a Talisman and fated for only one warrior Though Rio may be a warrior he knows he is fated for her or his he as these two strike sparks of one another will they solve the mystery of her uninvited guest

I wanted to read this book because I have a thing for ancient lore and when you tell me that there's a warrior who is yet to find his mate...then I'm sold.
Rio and Ceri literally got off on the wrong foot and in the first few chapters I wanted to jump into the book and slap him not once but severally. Being that this is book two, I am a bit sad that I missed out on book one. The pace is steady and in the very beginning it gives both Rio and Ceri chances, several of them to act civil towards each other.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC. It's a fun read and anyone who is intrigued by a bit of Celtic lore, prophecies and a bit of bantering would enjoy it.

3.75 stars

Tam DeRudder Jackson continues to produce a fun and unique Celtic lore-based 'verse in this latest installment of the Talisman series. I couldn't wait to get into the abrasive dynamic between Rio and Ceri. I enjoyed this continuation but I felt the story fell a little flat for me.

I have been waiting to get the whole story on Rio Sheridan since Talisman. He was always such a thorn in everyone's side and I could not wait to find out why and really just to see him get his comeuppance. And while we do finally discover the truth behind it, the reasoning did not resonate with me. In truth, he acted like a petulant child because of something that happened to his favorite uncle when he was younger and it felt like his mental processes on that subject stayed in that chronological age. Due to his continued mercurial nature, I'm not even really sure I like Rio because I couldn't reconcile who he actually was. One minute he's transferring his crap onto Ceri, then he's a super talented warrior, then he's a crappy-cranky dude, then he's teasing and saucy with Ceri and laid back and talking crap with his brothers.

Ceri, to me, doesn't seem like the fun, flirty girl we met in the first book. I felt like she morphed from strong and independent to unsure and unable to cope. In the end, she suffers the basic-h disease of doing exactly what someone Told her NOT to do...I grew extremely frustrated with Ceri's inability to see and own her own actions.

Warrior had a lot of lead-up, and while we did see action, I felt we could have had a few skirmishes to help build the tension. The conversations between Morrighan and Taranis felt a bit stilted and off. And I was left with a lot of unanswered questions. What was Hamish putting in Rio's food and why? To what end? WHO was in the house? What about Seamus? What was Maeve up to with him? What does Taranis do to his lovers? Why do they die? What ever came from the pointed whatevers between Seamus and Alyssa that Rio was always going on about? Did we ever get the full prophecy about Ceri and the house?

This may sound a little pervy, but it really was the saucy-times that pulled this book through for me. Ms. DeRudder Jackson can write some naughty times! I just wish Ceri wouldn't have been such a blushing virgin whenever the Sheridan warriors were ribbing them about it. Dude, 'errbody was doing the same thing you guys were, its ok!

I know it sounds like I'm being a Debbie downer here, but I'm totally not. I am absolutely hooked and I WANT MORE. I wouldn't be so frustrated if I didn't like it. And while I feel Warrior could use some refining and editing, I still really enjoyed the story. I love this take of Celtic lore and warriors, druids, talismans, Gods and champion-zombies.

I still really want Seamus' book. Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie!

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.*

This new book second in the Talisman series just confirms my opinion after the first book. Superb writing. Mark my words Tam DeRudder Jackson is definitely a new author to watch out for.
Cere Ross is a Talisman. She is outgoing and vicarious. Friendly with everyone. She inherits a Scottish estate the catch is she needs to live there for a year.
Rio Sheridan is a warrior and a security expert. I’m just gonna put this out there Rio would try the patience of a saint. I really wanted to slap him up side the head. When they come together sparks fly.
I love the secondary characters and can’t wait to read about Shanley and Alaisdair.
Hamish is a Druid and I want to see more of him and his meddling ways. Modern day warriors, Druid magic and Evil Goddesses. You will not be disappointment.

I am enjoying the heck out of this series! The first book laid a strong foundation of information about this world and the fascinating cast of characters. The author really has the perfect blend of world-building but still telling a story. This book carries that forward really well. It doesn't just rehash the first book - it builds on it and allows the mythology and overall story line to grow.

Ceri and Rio start off as anything but friends. They are on opposite sides of the page - separated primarily by Rio's dislike and prejudice towards Ceri. Rio's feelings, in many ways, it just really didn't make sense. He comes off seeming like a judgmental jerk most of the time (as he did in the first book). The author really had to work hard to rehab his character! Ceri is sweet and comes across as very innocent.

She and Rio are definitely hot together - but will have some work to do if they want to grow into true partners. They definitely come together strongly by the end of the book - but they still have a ways to go.

This book is definitely action packed and advances the overall story and mythology quite a bit! I am excited to see where this series goes.

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

Warrior by Tam DeRudder Jackson is the second book in the Talisman series and delivers more of the magic, mythology, gods and warriors we were introduced to in book one! I’m enjoying the concept behind this evolving series and there’s no lack of happenings to keep the reader intrigued. Everything that happens, does so for a reason, it’s just a matter of discovering what that reason is. I love the Celtic element of these books and the setting in the Highlands is magical. Great characters, imaginative world building and a captivating plot ensure an entertaining read. I’m excited for more from this author.