Published: Nov. 15, 2011
Words: 106,946 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781466149076

Short description

When Ailis O'Brien's family is murdered in the Highlands, she vows to find the murderer and repay the blood debt. Though not of his clan, Laird Gavin MacPherson vows to aid her. Will their growing love fill the emptiness in their hearts or will a talisman shatter it forcing them to choose between love and vengeance?

Extended description

Gavin gazed into Ailis' deep blue eyes. They reminded him of a clear summer sky. Would she still be with him come summer? He couldn't help wishing that he could keep her beside him for a time.
'Twas near the end of autumn now. Soon winter's harsh weather would prevent further trips as this one. He meant to enjoy it while he could. Linking her arm in his, he led her to a mossy spot and helped her sit beneath a large tree. A lock of her raven hair had fallen over her shoulder and he gently brushed it back, rubbing a few strands between his fingers. 'Twas dark as night and as fine as gossamer faery wings.
Och, what was coming over him? He'd never been prone to such fanciful thoughts before. Next, he would be seeing wood sprites dancing among the trees. He drew his hand back quickly and rubbed his forehead. The lass held more power over him than he cared to admit.
He met her gaze and suddenly he could think of naught to say. 'Twas worse than when he'd been a raw youth lusting after his.. (Read more) Gavin gazed into Ailis' deep blue eyes. They reminded him of a clear summer sky. Would she still be with him come summer? He couldn't help wishing that he could keep her beside him for a time.
'Twas near the end of autumn now. Soon winter's harsh weather would prevent further trips as this one. He meant to enjoy it while he could. Linking her arm in his, he led her to a mossy spot and helped her sit beneath a large tree. A lock of her raven hair had fallen over her shoulder and he gently brushed it back, rubbing a few strands between his fingers. 'Twas dark as night and as fine as gossamer faery wings.
Och, what was coming over him? He'd never been prone to such fanciful thoughts before. Next, he would be seeing wood sprites dancing among the trees. He drew his hand back quickly and rubbed his forehead. The lass held more power over him than he cared to admit.
He met her gaze and suddenly he could think of naught to say. 'Twas worse than when he'd been a raw youth lusting after his first maid. His gaze traveled over her long slim neck. He itched to place a kiss at her nape. Just one. Aye, and then another.
Slowly, he leaned forward until his face was nigh unto touching hers, their breaths mingling as one. For a moment she returned his gaze silently, then her dark eyelashes drifted down and she closed her eyes as he lowered his face to hers. Leisurely, he kissed the raven hair at the edge of her brow, then the creamy skin of her forehead and her temples. Forcing himself to go slow, he kissed her little by little, first her closed eyelids and then her cheekbones.
Traveling languidly across her face, he caressed and kissed each beautiful feature. When he reached her full lips, reddened by her worrying, he blew a slow, cool breath against them before he covered them with his own. God. They were soft as doeskin and sweet as honeyed mead.
As carefully as he knew how, he wrapped his arms about her waist and lifted her to his lap. The feel of her rounded bottom nestled against his thighs stirred his desire to new heights. Never had he been so excited by a first kiss.
'Twas naught he could do but deepen it. Slowly, he suckled her bottom lip, feeling her open to him. With a tenderness he didn't know he possessed, he pressed his tongue past the edge of her mouth, savoring the taste and feel of her. Time stopped as he tasted the inner recesses of her mouth and held her in his arms. He could go on this way forever. In truth, he ached to touch all of her. To feel her beneath him–
Her whimpered breath mingling with his own brought him sharply to his senses. He leaned back against the tree, and holding her at arm's length, looked into her wide eyes. What he saw surprised him.
'Twas not a look of reproach or one of lusty experience that he saw mirrored in her dusky gaze. Nay, 'twas an expression of such trust and innocence that he felt humbled. Never before had a maid touched his heart as mightily as his passion.
By the saints, he'd best stop before he found himself before a priest and married for the rest of his days. For that he vowed never to do.
(Less)

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Tags

fiction, romance, love, scotland, historical romance, laird, clan, king, highlander, bride, castle, talisman, jimmy thomas, deborah gafford

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Videos

The Talisman Trailer
Watch this video trailer for the historical romance, The Talisman, for a taste of the intense drama of the Scottish Highlands of the 1500's where love, passion, betrayal and murder are a part of everyday life.

Reviews

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Review by: Lora Madec on Feb. 11, 2013 :
I loved this book! I couldn't put the book down. If you loved Highlanders Bride this book is a must read.
The Highlanders series is a keeper in my collection.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Kathie Noblit on Dec. 02, 2012 :
I received this book from the author as a result of winning a contest.


A wonderful story. Ailis's family has been murdered and her only clue is a talisman and a questionable memory of a kilt. Taken in and cared for by a clan whose colors seem to resemble those in her memory, she is torn between her feelings of welcome and her vow to avenge her family.
I was drawn into the story quickly and shared Ailis's feelings throughout the book. From her friendship with Megan to her growing feelings for Gavin, her own insecurities about the possible guilt of someone in this clan being her families murderer and her own oath of revenge. This story has it all and kept me turning those pages slowly to savor each word.
Very well written with just enough Scottish brogue to keep you in the highlands without being hard to follow.I will recommend this book as well as the others in this series to anyone who enjoys highland romance novels.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: cherry coleman on Jan. 13, 2012 :
WHAT A GREAT READ.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: cherry coleman on Jan. 13, 2012 :
LOVE IT.. THIS IS A GREAT READ.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Joni Hahn aka Sophie Greyson on Dec. 23, 2011 :
Having truly enjoyed Deborah's first book, Highland Bride (it's on my keeper shelf!) I was happy to learn she had written another. And once again, Deborah doesn't disappoint.

In The Talisman, the book's hero, Calum, is to die for! If only we could all have a man that hunky, sexy, good-natured and strong. Sigh. And after the tragedies and hardships the heroine, Ailis, encounters, he is exactly what she needs. Calum is a vivid compliment to Ailis's strong will and fiesty nature.

Besides the strong sexual tension and romantic storyline of the main characters, Deborah does a great job intertwining a murder mystery and secondary character relationship into the book. Her setting and world-building skills are quite impressive. The detailed descriptions and authentic dialogue she uses make 16th century Scotland come alive.

I truly enjoyed the read, Deborah! I can't wait to read You're in Good Hands with Al Tate next!
(reviewed long after purchase)

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