The Emerald Talisman [Paperback]

Brenda Pandos (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 24, 2012

The Emerald Talisman, book 1 in the Talisman Series

You can run from your destiny, but you can't hide.

If for no other reason than to help endure the hormonal rush of high school, sixteen-year-old Julia Parker would trade her ability to feel her fellow students' emotions in a heartbeat, especially half the boys in class.

When the beguiling Nicholas uses his superhuman strength to rescue Julia from the edge of a cliff before she's devoured by a bloodthirsty stalker, Julia is suddenly thrust into an underground world where people and animals are often one and the same. Fellow high school students disappear and only Julia and Nicholas know the truth. While Nicholas, a vampire hunter, is out stopping the ever-growing coven, an old friend entices Julia to join him on the dark side and a psychic tells Julia she alone is the key to stopping the madness, problem is it'll require Nicholas' life.

THE EMERALD TALISMAN is a page turning rollercoaster that will appeal to young adult women interested in a different take on the traditional teenage vampire love story. Instead, the readers are given a warm blooded, green-eyed, hot, day-walking hero who is there when you need him, but disappears when you want him.

** Stalk me by joining my email list to find out about new releases, contests, and much more at brendapandos.com or email me at [e-mail] **

More books by Brenda:

The Sapphire Talisman, book 2 - Talisman Series (available now)

The Onyx Talisman, book 3 - Talisman Series (available now)

book 4 - Talisman Series (coming soon, late 2013)

Everblue, book 1 - Mer Tales (available now)

Evergreen, book 2 - Mer Tales (available now)

Everlost, book 3 - Mer Tales (Feb 2013)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ms. Pandos hit the ball out of the park with her debut novel..."

--Lisa Sanchez, Author of Eve of Samhain

"This is a great series for anyone who loves vampires. So fast paced, it's hard to put down..." --Abra Ebner, Author Knight Angels Series --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Author

The first two books, The Emerald Talisman and The Sapphire Talisman are out. The third--The Onyx Talisman will be out November of 2011. You can find out more at: brendapandos.blogspot.com. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Obsidian Mountain Publishing; No Edition Stated edition (March 24, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 057805339X
• ISBN-13: 978-0578053394
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (124 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,406,075 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Brenda Pandos lives in California with her husband and two boys. She attempts to balance her busy life filled with writing, being a mother and wife, and spending time with friends and family. Working formerly as an I.T. Administrator, she never believed her imagination would be put to good use. After her son was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder her life completely changed. Writing paranormal romance became something she could do at home while tending to the new needs of her family, household and herself.

Brenda now has six books published, The Talisman Trilogy and Mer Tales. You can follow what she's working on next at http://www.brendapandos.com or join her email distribution list for new releases and contests at [e-mail]

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 65 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Emerald Talisman February 22, 2011

By Kara Squire

Format:Paperback

I really had to convince my self to read this but I wasn't disapointed! The Emerald Talisman was truly an amazing read. The pros include a strong and daring leading lady, who has a knack for getting in and out of tight spots. Julia is an original character with an incredible power that only she knows about. Her love interest, Nicholas, is the only thing that keeps her alive, literally. He is a mix between a guardian angel and Buffy the vampire slayer male style! He is her protector. This created a crazy kind of love connection.

I have to be honest vampires have been thing I have purposefully avoided because of the Twilight hype but this book sure swept me into a magical place beyond what I expected. Specifically I enjoyed that the main character was distinctively different from any other female character, I liked how she didn't whine over things or throw self-pity parties. She had courage smarts, and wit.

A truly refreshing story about a girl, Evil vampires, and the love of her life!

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Emerald Talisman April 2, 2011

By Rhonda

Format:Kindle Edition

Julia is a sixteen year old girl that has to go through life without her mother. Although she has her father and brother there, she still needs her mom and she can`t help but feel she may be to blame for her death. Julia was very young when her mom died and she blocks out some of what happened and she doesn`t realize that since her mother`s death she has had someone not only following her but also protecting her. When Julia finally finds love, she also finds herself having to fight for her life and for her town!
After I finished The Twilight books, I wanted to read something else. I am not normally a reader but as I looked up books on Amazon This book caught my eye and I am so glad it did. The Sapphire Talisman is book #2 in this series and I was very pleased to see how Brenda connected the two books together. I love the fact there is not cussing in this series and no sexual content!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Review from My Overstuffed Bookshelf July 26, 2011

By A. Jacobs VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I had been seeing this book all over the internet, but it took me forever to finally get it and read it. I don't know why I was so hesitant on reading it, but I think it might have been because of the mixed reviews. So I finally caved and picked up my copy of The Emerald Talisman and dove into the world the author created.

While I liked the basic story plot, I felt the story lacked things to make it great. At times the writing was choppy and stalled. I kept waiting for it to pick up pace only to have it do it but only for a few pages. I also felt that the instant attraction to Nicholas that Julia feels was overdone. She acted as though she is in love with this boy after just an hour or so of meeting him. At times, it felt like she was obsessed and almost on the verge of stalker with her feelings towards him. I wasn't a big fan of Nicholas in this book either. At one moment he is nice and sincere, then he disappears only to reappear rather rudely. It isn't until almost the last third of the book that he is even a prominent and engaging character.

I felt the author has a great base for a story and just needs to get some things reworked for the books that will follow. With a little tweaking of the writing and stabilization of the character personalities, this series could be even better.