The Best Reader [Search results for the onyx talisman] 

The lovely Brenda Pandos has just released the cover of her next book, The Onyx Talisman, the third and final book in the Talisman trilogy.
Check out my reviews of The Emerald Talisman and The Sapphire Talisman. This is an amazing series and I highly recommend it!
Publisher: Obsidian Mountain Publishing Tentative Release Date: 11/16/2011
**WARNING SPOILERS** All was perfect in Julia’s life until Nicholas had his vampire blood-lust activated by his mother Alora, her immortal enemy, turning him evil and bent on revenge. Heartbroken and out of choices, Phil and Julia ran away in the middle of the night, with Scarlett on foot, to Orange County to warn and plead Nicholas’ Godfather for help. Once arriving at Harry’s though, the local coven accosted them and they narrowly escaped. After they returned home, there was a huge showdown between Phil, Nicholas, Scarlett, Alora, Katie and Julia. Alora almost got what she wanted—Julia’s vampire warding talisman—but Preston, Nicholas’ father, and Harry came to the rescue. They escorted Nicholas and Alora back to Beverly Hills, pledging to return Nicholas free from his blood-lust. But all Julia’s received in the past four months is a letter stating Nicholas missed her along with some song lyrics and promise of a quick return. That was a month ago. Now Julia awaits Nicholas’ return with the Fab Five Coven: Phil and Katie—the sober vampires, Scarlett—the half-vamp/shape-shifter, and Tyler and Julia—the inducted humans. She’s stuck in Scotts Valley with Phil as her self-appointed chaperon and no way to return to Los Angeles to check on Nicholas. Only Scarlett and Julia know her fate ultimately involves the demise of all vampires, possibly including the ones she loves. When the time comes, will she even have a choice? Find out in the final installment of the bestselling Talisman Series November 16, 2011!

Find Brenda Pandos Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads
Purchase The Emerald Talisman Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository
Purchase The Sapphire Talisman Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

The Emerald Talisman is available for the KINDLE or NOOK for just $0.99.

The Onyx Talisman by Brenda Pandos
Publisher: Obsidian Mountain Publishing (December 16th, 2011)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: Author (Thank You!)
Series: The Emerald Talisman #3
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Unrest stirs deep in Scotts Valley. Filled with uncertainty, Julia anxiously awaits Nicholas’ return. Phil, hurt and unsure of his place as a sober vampire, holds the pieces of Julia’s fragile psyche together, secretly hoping Nicholas stays away forever. Scarlett bides her time, plotting for the perfect moment to prove herself and earn redemption. But somewhere in L.A., Alora conspires to reclaim her talisman and strip Julia of everything she holds dear.

Little do they know, a war is coming and more than one vampire would like to see the Prince of Vampires overthrown. As more and more vampires show up from nowhere, addicted to her scent, Julia must pick her allies carefully before it’s too late. Can Julia bargain with fate? When the time comes, will she even have a choice?

Review:

Brenda has always been a fantastic author so, needless to say, the writing in this book is amazing. She really knows how to throw in some intense action that will have your heart racing. I liked the way that each book flows so well together and it's easy to see the progression of each character.

I admit, I have a soft spot for Phil and I wish there was something more for him. I wanted him to have more happiness. I loved him from the beginning and he was so loyal and caring towards Julia. I felt that he was the person who really brought out some new emotions for Julia. Even more than Nicholas, sometimes Phil was just able to break down the walls Julia sometimes had around herself.

One thing I loved (without going into detail) is that we really get a satisfying ending — meaning that it isn't abrupt or not explained. I hate when the action ends with a book and within a paragraph, it's over. Brenda gives a little more to help readers truly understand what happened.

Brenda,
I feel like I've known you forever. You were one of the first people I worked with and I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to enter the world you created. You continue to amaze me with all you do and you are truly an inspiration. Even more than your talent, you are a fabulous person, friend, and mother. You do it all! And, you still remain positive even during the stressful times.
Thank you for all you do and for creating such a fascinating world full of characters that will always be in my heart.

--Jessica

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Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Next Tour Stops
March 24- Proud Book Nerd March 25- La Femme Readers March 26- Yara @ Once Upon A Twilight March 27-Katie’s Book Blog March 28- Kristie Cook Fill out the form for a chance to win a KINDLE, a signed copy of the book, or an ebook!

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Here are the books I've received over the past 6 weeks. Lots of great titles I can't wait to read! Thanks for the publishers and authors for these books and other goodies!

Review
The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Partials by Dan Wells
Balthazar by Claudia Gray
The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison
Bewitching by Alex Flinn
Two Truths and a Lie by Sara Shepard
A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford
Gil Marsh by A.C.E Bauer
Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale
The Nightmare Garden by Caitlin Kittredge
Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
My Awful Popularity Plan by Seth Rudetsky
The Whole Story of Half a Girl by Verra Hiranandani
Daughter of the Centaurs by Kate Klimo
Black Gold by Albert Marrin
The Savage Grace (ARC) by Bree Despain
A Want So Wicked (ARC) by Suzanne Young
Smart Girls Get What They Want (ARC) by Sarah Strohmeyer
For Darkness Shows the Stars (ARC) by Diana Peterfreund
Arise (ARC) by Tara Hudson
Dreamless (ARC) by Josephine Angelini
The Story of Us (ARC) by Deb Caletti
Those That Wake (ARC) by Jesse Karp
Split by Swati Avasthi
Destiny and Deception by Shannon Delany
Cloaked by Alex Flinn
Black Heart by Holly Black
The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth
Trafficked by Kim Purcell
Dead to You by Lisa McMann
Where it Began by Ann Redisch Stampler
Pure by Julianna Baggott (with scary flying butterfly that came out of the book! EEK)
Starters (ARC) by Lissa Price
Vampire's Kiss by Veronica Wolff
All Wounds by Dina James
The Onyx Talisman (signed) by Brenda Pandos (and bookmarks)
Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler
Fallen in Love by Lauren Kate
The Last Echo swag (for the Dark Days tour posts coming up!)
Poughkeepsie swag (temp. tattoos, train schedule, beautiful bracelet!)

NOT PICTURED
Wanderlust by Kirsten Hubbard
The Immortal Rules (ARC) by Julie Kagawa

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

*IMM is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren and it was inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.