What do you think?
Rate this book
Cerberus Tactical K9: Team Alpha #2
Protective Instinct
She’s running for her life…
…His mission: protect her.
Ex-Delta Force Operator Ridge Hansen has a thing for artist Harper Katz.
So does his tactical K9, Zeus…
…But Harper is on the run.
Someone is aiming to kill her.
Ridge wants two things…
Convince Harper to move their relationship from friends to lovers,
And find out who she really is.
As a member of Iniquus Security’s elite tactical K9 team, Ridge willingly brings his skill, his heart, and his brawn to face any enemy.
But if Harper doesn’t learn to trust him, he can’t keep her alive.
Though Protective Instinct is the second book in the Cerberus Tactical K9 series, it can be read as a stand-alone, as part of the series, or part of the Iniquus World.
…His mission: protect her.
Ex-Delta Force Operator Ridge Hansen has a thing for artist Harper Katz.
So does his tactical K9, Zeus…
…But Harper is on the run.
Someone is aiming to kill her.
Ridge wants two things…
Convince Harper to move their relationship from friends to lovers,
And find out who she really is.
As a member of Iniquus Security’s elite tactical K9 team, Ridge willingly brings his skill, his heart, and his brawn to face any enemy.
But if Harper doesn’t learn to trust him, he can’t keep her alive.
Though Protective Instinct is the second book in the Cerberus Tactical K9 series, it can be read as a stand-alone, as part of the series, or part of the Iniquus World.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2020
1295 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Quinn
80 books511 followersFiona Quinn is a USA Today bestselling author, a Kindle Scout winner, and an Amazon All-Star.
Quinn writes action-adventure romance in her Iniquus World of books including Lynx, Strike Force, Uncommon Enemies, Kate Hamilton Mysteries, FBI Joint Task Force, Cerberus Tactical K9 Team Alpha, and Delta Force Echo series.
She writes urban fantasy as Fiona Angelica Quinn for her Elemental Witches Series.
And, just for fun, she writes the Badge Bunny Booze Mystery Collection with her dear friend Tina Glasneck under the pen name Quinn Glasneck.
Canadian born, Fiona Quinn is now rooted in the Old Dominion where she lives with her husband. There, she pops chocolates, devours books, and taps continuously on her laptop.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
October 28, 2020
With this book having a rating of 4.57 Stars on Goodreads, I was expecting a fantastic story. I was very disappointed. The book starts out intense, then it drags on chapter after chapter with no action or intensity.
Harper, Ridge and Zeus are all characters from book one in this series. They have a friendship, with both secretly wanting more. You know Harper is keeping her mysterious past hidden. She is a very intelligent woman with numerous psychological based stories she loves to share. Some were quite interesting, especially the ones associated with colors. Others were just words to fill blank pages. I could hardly stand a scene that included Berlin. She was such a narcissistic individual. I also didn’t care for the Lynx’s “psychic readings” from Zeus.
If I didn’t like Ridge and Harper so much as a couple, I would have given this only 2 Stars instead of 3.
Harper, Ridge and Zeus are all characters from book one in this series. They have a friendship, with both secretly wanting more. You know Harper is keeping her mysterious past hidden. She is a very intelligent woman with numerous psychological based stories she loves to share. Some were quite interesting, especially the ones associated with colors. Others were just words to fill blank pages. I could hardly stand a scene that included Berlin. She was such a narcissistic individual. I also didn’t care for the Lynx’s “psychic readings” from Zeus.
If I didn’t like Ridge and Harper so much as a couple, I would have given this only 2 Stars instead of 3.
October 4, 2020
Interesting, suspenseful, a bit slow moving
Harper, the female lead, is a brilliant artist on the run. A lot of the dialogue is interesting g but is overwritten. Wish the writer had gotten to why she was on the run about 5 chapters earlier and let us go through how Harper deals with being revealed.
Harper, the female lead, is a brilliant artist on the run. A lot of the dialogue is interesting g but is overwritten. Wish the writer had gotten to why she was on the run about 5 chapters earlier and let us go through how Harper deals with being revealed.
December 19, 2020
Rather a slow read
I liked the beginning starting out with lots of action. The characters were well written and fleshed out. I even enjoyed the narcissistic Berlin, she added a stop gap to the incessant "teaching" dialog that was numerous and often tedious. Most of the book was filled with these complicated "stories". Some left me confused. More action, which is why I read these K9 books, came at the end. Definitely not a page turner. It was gratifying that the heroine was not a slim model type. All types of women can be sexy.
I liked the beginning starting out with lots of action. The characters were well written and fleshed out. I even enjoyed the narcissistic Berlin, she added a stop gap to the incessant "teaching" dialog that was numerous and often tedious. Most of the book was filled with these complicated "stories". Some left me confused. More action, which is why I read these K9 books, came at the end. Definitely not a page turner. It was gratifying that the heroine was not a slim model type. All types of women can be sexy.
September 26, 2022
Should have looked this up as I had tagged earlier as a no buy.
Berlin character was good spoof of current popular media culture.
Color theory interesting.
The mystery of Harper’s hiding was dragged out too
long .. ONE of my dislikes.
The paranormal aspect of Zeus (dog) and Lynx (human) was another on a list of MANY dislikes .. a list that I will not further enumerate here.
Berlin character was good spoof of current popular media culture.
Color theory interesting.
The mystery of Harper’s hiding was dragged out too
long .. ONE of my dislikes.
The paranormal aspect of Zeus (dog) and Lynx (human) was another on a list of MANY dislikes .. a list that I will not further enumerate here.
September 26, 2020
So, once again I have been defeated by that evil little imp that gave me a book so good I had no choice but to read it as fast as I possibly could. Now, I not only have to deal with the story hangover, but I have to come to terms with the fact that the book is over. Already. And I have to wait for the author to produce the next one. I’m not a patient person when it comes to books. I need to know more. NOW! I love that not only does this story carry forward the Cerberus team narrative and tie back into the first book of that series, it also ties us back into the rest of the greater Iniquus world in ways I never would have expected. Harper is stronger than even she realizes and for reasons that no one should ever have to be. Ridge is perfect book boyfriend material. He strong, protective, and capable. But he’s also sweet, charming, romantic, and vulnerable. Proving how layered and multi-faceted his character is. And, I was pretty sure Zeus was a special animal from reading about him in the first book, yet I wasn’t expecting just how remarkable this dog would prove to be. I have no idea where the author is going to take us next, I just know that I need to go there with her.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.
January 20, 2021
Great!
Fiona Quinn's books are always enjoyable, because not only do they have wonderful characters and a great story, they always have something to learn and insight into human behavior. I love this series with the K9s. She gives them such depth. I love this book. And for me the happy endings are a must.
Fiona Quinn's books are always enjoyable, because not only do they have wonderful characters and a great story, they always have something to learn and insight into human behavior. I love this series with the K9s. She gives them such depth. I love this book. And for me the happy endings are a must.
November 9, 2020
???
This book was too technical for me and the heroine actions were too naive for someone her age and her boss or bosses were beyond spoiled for their ages! The dog Zeus get the stars. Plus poor fat girl and the public treatment as such didn't go over well with me either!
This book was too technical for me and the heroine actions were too naive for someone her age and her boss or bosses were beyond spoiled for their ages! The dog Zeus get the stars. Plus poor fat girl and the public treatment as such didn't go over well with me either!
December 4, 2024
Such an interesting heroine. Plenty of action. A solid action-adventure romance with a wonderful K9!
October 5, 2021
Protective Instinct
Cerberus Tactical K9, Book 2
Fiona Quinn, author
Although, I love the entire Inniquis family and I'm thrilled they're all present in this story, I felt this storyline did not have the usual Quinn flare, I've come to know and love over the years.
I loved Ridge Hansen and Harper Katz's character lines, as well as Zeus's character, but could not stand the character Berlin. She was annoying and even repulsive at times. I really wanted her to just go away.
The storyline did not pick up until it was about two-thirds finished and then, the ending seemed rushed.
I loved the fact that Ridge and Harper got their HEA, though...
I was gifted an advanced reader copy from the author and this review is solely my own thoughts and paraphrasing. Likewise, I borrowed a copy of the audio from my library. The narrator's voice was ok, but not my favorite.
Cerberus Tactical K9, Book 2
Fiona Quinn, author
Although, I love the entire Inniquis family and I'm thrilled they're all present in this story, I felt this storyline did not have the usual Quinn flare, I've come to know and love over the years.
I loved Ridge Hansen and Harper Katz's character lines, as well as Zeus's character, but could not stand the character Berlin. She was annoying and even repulsive at times. I really wanted her to just go away.
The storyline did not pick up until it was about two-thirds finished and then, the ending seemed rushed.
I loved the fact that Ridge and Harper got their HEA, though...
I was gifted an advanced reader copy from the author and this review is solely my own thoughts and paraphrasing. Likewise, I borrowed a copy of the audio from my library. The narrator's voice was ok, but not my favorite.
June 6, 2024
Love 💕 this book. I was captivated by Harper’s character from the beginning. I love how she had all this seemingly random yet powerful information. Her character is by far one of my favorites is a very long time. I was dying to know what she was running from. The relationship buildup between Harper and Ridge was beautiful. It was easy to see how they could fall for each other. Zeus is my dream dog. I was surprised that Fiona Quinn was able to add HIS perspective to the story in such a smooth way. Berlin is the stereotypical “influencer” that thinks the world revolves around them but cannot seem to grasp that they are the annoying fly buzzing around at the family BBQ.
September 23, 2020
Loved it!!
Another great story that informs and entertains. Ridge and his K9 ,Zeus both want more Harper. Both want to protect her. Harper was a complex character that was smart and caring and also had panic attacks. Lots of action and some of my favorite characters including Lynx had a part. And Zeus of course who some may remember from a previous book with the name Alpha. Plenty of romance and a HE A made this another book that I'll be rereading!
Another great story that informs and entertains. Ridge and his K9 ,Zeus both want more Harper. Both want to protect her. Harper was a complex character that was smart and caring and also had panic attacks. Lots of action and some of my favorite characters including Lynx had a part. And Zeus of course who some may remember from a previous book with the name Alpha. Plenty of romance and a HE A made this another book that I'll be rereading!
September 3, 2023
This was a fun K-9 story. I enjoyed the romance. I had not figured out what had happened to Harper until the author revealed it. I found out that "green" color can assist you with dealing with anxious and stress. I enjoyed this author again.
August 15, 2022
4.5 stars
First, Berlin is annoying. Did NOT like that character. Another good story, just didn’t resonate with me like the first book. I hope the next is as good as the first. Will recommend.
First, Berlin is annoying. Did NOT like that character. Another good story, just didn’t resonate with me like the first book. I hope the next is as good as the first. Will recommend.
August 18, 2021
Run, run, run...
Ridge and Harper met in the first book, and they kept in contact since calls, text, video calls... Harper is a lovely but insecure woman who can”t understand why Ridge wants to be her friend... Ridge can not stop thinking about Harper and her gorgeous curves, and he is determined when he sees her again to move himself out of the friend zone and into more, much more...
Ridge has a feeling Harper is keeping something big from him, but in the end, he will uncover all of her secrets and do whatever has to to protect her, and so will his k9 Zeus.
I love how Harper thinks and processes and her art. Wow, now that is amazing. Fiona Quinn truly brought Harper to life for me with her descriptive writing as she does with all of her characters, but Harper was extra special for me. I really love her... It was great to catch up with Lynx as well I could totally see Lynx and Harper working together in the future they goth compliment each other well with there gifts.
I'm the end has Ridge done enough to get Harper to truly trust him so he can keep her safe and by that he means keep her with him always and forever...lol
Ridge and Harper met in the first book, and they kept in contact since calls, text, video calls... Harper is a lovely but insecure woman who can”t understand why Ridge wants to be her friend... Ridge can not stop thinking about Harper and her gorgeous curves, and he is determined when he sees her again to move himself out of the friend zone and into more, much more...
Ridge has a feeling Harper is keeping something big from him, but in the end, he will uncover all of her secrets and do whatever has to to protect her, and so will his k9 Zeus.
I love how Harper thinks and processes and her art. Wow, now that is amazing. Fiona Quinn truly brought Harper to life for me with her descriptive writing as she does with all of her characters, but Harper was extra special for me. I really love her... It was great to catch up with Lynx as well I could totally see Lynx and Harper working together in the future they goth compliment each other well with there gifts.
I'm the end has Ridge done enough to get Harper to truly trust him so he can keep her safe and by that he means keep her with him always and forever...lol
July 29, 2022
This was an extremely drawn out story. For the first 31 chapters its nonsense. The whole Berlin thing was ridiculous because it was dropped by the end of chapter 36 once Harper's past was revealed. If you cared you didn't even find out what happened to her and her hanger ons.
The main female lead, Harper, is awkward and possibly on the spectrum or has a degree of Asperger. The way she reacts is not normal. It's more than just having an adrenaline rush. She is running and goes onto someone else's property to track a bird without any regard to the fact she's on someone's property. She takes a car and can't calm down enough to speak and tell someone what's going on. There's just a disconnect with her, she's incredibly smart but doesn't know how to relay information quickly using words.
I didn't hate this book but it was just ok and I had to skip a whole lot of it to get to the actual meat of the story.
The main female lead, Harper, is awkward and possibly on the spectrum or has a degree of Asperger. The way she reacts is not normal. It's more than just having an adrenaline rush. She is running and goes onto someone else's property to track a bird without any regard to the fact she's on someone's property. She takes a car and can't calm down enough to speak and tell someone what's going on. There's just a disconnect with her, she's incredibly smart but doesn't know how to relay information quickly using words.
I didn't hate this book but it was just ok and I had to skip a whole lot of it to get to the actual meat of the story.
July 4, 2022
Interesting but confusing
I read the first book in this series and really liked it despite it being a little too wordy and detailed. I hoped this one would be clearer but instead it was more spastic. The underlying story was good and the K9 part was cool but it just seemed too all over the place and lacked the adventure of the first book.
I read the first book in this series and really liked it despite it being a little too wordy and detailed. I hoped this one would be clearer but instead it was more spastic. The underlying story was good and the K9 part was cool but it just seemed too all over the place and lacked the adventure of the first book.
February 11, 2022
Weird.
I enjoyed the first book, but this one had too much filler. Between the “color therapy” and the “forest bathing”, it was hard to muddle through it. The beginning and end were well executed though.
I enjoyed the first book, but this one had too much filler. Between the “color therapy” and the “forest bathing”, it was hard to muddle through it. The beginning and end were well executed though.
November 16, 2021
2.75 stars
Good grief I did not enjoy this one.
Basically the female protagonist was so self-effacing it just wasn’t pleasant.
Like the dog but we needed more.
Good grief I did not enjoy this one.
Basically the female protagonist was so self-effacing it just wasn’t pleasant.
Like the dog but we needed more.
September 7, 2021
Protective Instinct: Cerberus Tactical K9 Book 2 is written by Fiona Quinn. This book is about the dogs who work for INIQUUS. INIQUUS is an organization that provides security, protection, search and rescue, and other services are needed with or without K9’s. This book is set in Washington DC at the headquarters for INIQUUS.
Harper Katz was working as a personal assistant to Berlin, a movie star wannabe, who was filming a series of Youtubes to show movie producers she would look good in a particular situation on their movie. Everything was about Berlin and no one upstaged her. She got what she wanted. It was up to Harper to make sure things were done Berlin’s way or talk her out of it. Harper was not on duty until noon so was taking advantage of her free time to run. She was getting in shape to run another marathon although her shape didn’t suggest that. She was slightly overweight and had a curvy figure so didn’t look like a runner. As she was running, she saw some young girls waiting on a school bus and saw a car make a U-turn to come up beside the girls. She saw the man pull a gun on the girls and started running harder to stop him. As she got close enough, she was yelling and knew she couldn’t take him out so instead, she stole his car. At the time, she was on the phone to Ridge who was coming to the hotel to meet up with her with his dog Zeus. With him was fellow INIQUUS member, Tripwire with his dog Valor. As soon as she started yelling, they headed for her. When they got to the girls, they set Zeus on the trail of the man who had taken one of the girls. Meanwhile they got Harper stopped and told her to wait for a lawyer to show up then they would be there. Seeing how Zeus tracks down the man with the girl is very interesting and suspenseful. It is amazing how Zeus figures things out.
When they finally get to Harper, she had told her story to the lawyer; but not in words. She couldn’t remember what happened; but her mind was trained to grab details for her artwork. She took a pad from the car and drew what happened. Her artist hand could draw what her conscious mind could not remember. However, when the police asked for her name, she only gave her first name and no contact number except for the lawyer. She was anxious to get away from the police and did not want any publicity about her to be printed. What was she hiding? Who was Harper?
Harper Katz was working as a personal assistant to Berlin, a movie star wannabe, who was filming a series of Youtubes to show movie producers she would look good in a particular situation on their movie. Everything was about Berlin and no one upstaged her. She got what she wanted. It was up to Harper to make sure things were done Berlin’s way or talk her out of it. Harper was not on duty until noon so was taking advantage of her free time to run. She was getting in shape to run another marathon although her shape didn’t suggest that. She was slightly overweight and had a curvy figure so didn’t look like a runner. As she was running, she saw some young girls waiting on a school bus and saw a car make a U-turn to come up beside the girls. She saw the man pull a gun on the girls and started running harder to stop him. As she got close enough, she was yelling and knew she couldn’t take him out so instead, she stole his car. At the time, she was on the phone to Ridge who was coming to the hotel to meet up with her with his dog Zeus. With him was fellow INIQUUS member, Tripwire with his dog Valor. As soon as she started yelling, they headed for her. When they got to the girls, they set Zeus on the trail of the man who had taken one of the girls. Meanwhile they got Harper stopped and told her to wait for a lawyer to show up then they would be there. Seeing how Zeus tracks down the man with the girl is very interesting and suspenseful. It is amazing how Zeus figures things out.
When they finally get to Harper, she had told her story to the lawyer; but not in words. She couldn’t remember what happened; but her mind was trained to grab details for her artwork. She took a pad from the car and drew what happened. Her artist hand could draw what her conscious mind could not remember. However, when the police asked for her name, she only gave her first name and no contact number except for the lawyer. She was anxious to get away from the police and did not want any publicity about her to be printed. What was she hiding? Who was Harper?
September 24, 2021
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
As the Cerberus Tactical K9 series continues, we have most of the same characters we knew from the first book. In fact, the couple met in Survival Instinct. Ridge is a leader at Cerebus with his dog, Zeus. Harper is the administrative assistant to the wanna-be starlet, Berlin. They became friends and have kept in touch. Now Harper has hired the team again because Berlin wants to project a dangerous image and hot guys in hopes of a film role.
I love the strategy and tactical aspects of the team in protection, search and rescue and all their different operations. It's great to see the personalities and abilities of the service dogs. I always want more than I get of this, but it's pretty good in this series.
In Protective Instinct, Ridge wants a relationship with Harper but doesn't know if she wants one. They've been keeping in close contact, even when long distance. Harper wants one but she has secrets, big secrets. Everything comes to light, as it turns out Harper is the one who needs protecting, not Berlin. She has been hiding because if she is found, they will try to kill her. And they do try.
Luckily, Ridge and Zeus are there to support her and hunt down the bad guys. It's suspenseful but the team is skilled. I really appreciated how Harper was such a talented artist and tried to protect others. Ridge has his own past complications but it was wonderful to see them build trust and eventually start to build that relationship.
Narration:
I have listened to Aiden Snow before, but it has been awhile. He has a deep voice which is very smooth and comforting as Ridge. His voice for Harper is husky but still sounds female. It's really very well done. I enjoyed the performance. I listened at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
As the Cerberus Tactical K9 series continues, we have most of the same characters we knew from the first book. In fact, the couple met in Survival Instinct. Ridge is a leader at Cerebus with his dog, Zeus. Harper is the administrative assistant to the wanna-be starlet, Berlin. They became friends and have kept in touch. Now Harper has hired the team again because Berlin wants to project a dangerous image and hot guys in hopes of a film role.
I love the strategy and tactical aspects of the team in protection, search and rescue and all their different operations. It's great to see the personalities and abilities of the service dogs. I always want more than I get of this, but it's pretty good in this series.
In Protective Instinct, Ridge wants a relationship with Harper but doesn't know if she wants one. They've been keeping in close contact, even when long distance. Harper wants one but she has secrets, big secrets. Everything comes to light, as it turns out Harper is the one who needs protecting, not Berlin. She has been hiding because if she is found, they will try to kill her. And they do try.
Luckily, Ridge and Zeus are there to support her and hunt down the bad guys. It's suspenseful but the team is skilled. I really appreciated how Harper was such a talented artist and tried to protect others. Ridge has his own past complications but it was wonderful to see them build trust and eventually start to build that relationship.
Narration:
I have listened to Aiden Snow before, but it has been awhile. He has a deep voice which is very smooth and comforting as Ridge. His voice for Harper is husky but still sounds female. It's really very well done. I enjoyed the performance. I listened at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
September 3, 2024
Book 2 of K9 series, Kindle Unlimited. I really liked the first in the series. This one didn't live up to expectations. Great start, but quickly devolved into endless talking and talking and naval gazing, all of which while mildly entertaining if you are in a meandering mood, or if the topics are your cup of tea.. can also be quite boring. If I want to read oodles about color theory, forest bathing and reiki I can find it outside of a romantic suspense.
So we know early on that Harper has some deep secret. Okay, I can see why it took her so long to tell Ridge and the team, but why keep it from the reader until nearly the end if the book? At the half way point I was tempted to give up on this, then I read a review that said we don't find out what's going on until chapter 36, so I skipped ahead. The story behind Harper's fears; so weird. Unreal coincidences.
Spoiler, but I'll mark the review as containing spoilers, so consider yourself warned. In the final scenes, Harper is going to court to testify against the bad guy from her origin story. All of a sudden she is attacked, grabbed, slammed to the pavement, knee to the back, cuffs slapped on, and pushed into the building. WTF??? She thinks she's going to die. Understandable. But no, this is just a "clever" ploy of the team to prop up her disguise. She is already padded up, in a wig and glasses. Now, seriously. Their great idea, to fool bad guys into not recognizing her, a few feet from the door to the court, is to do a violent take down. Not to mention, they give her zero clue that this is the plan. She is traumatized, scared to death, afraid of her own shadow, always afraid someone is going to get her, and the plan is to tackle her to the ground. Okay. This makes so much sense. Not!!! Why would the author think this is a good idea? What intelligent security team would dream up this kind of foolishness?
Very underwhelming follow up to a decent first in series. The 2 rating is generous.
So we know early on that Harper has some deep secret. Okay, I can see why it took her so long to tell Ridge and the team, but why keep it from the reader until nearly the end if the book? At the half way point I was tempted to give up on this, then I read a review that said we don't find out what's going on until chapter 36, so I skipped ahead. The story behind Harper's fears; so weird. Unreal coincidences.
Spoiler, but I'll mark the review as containing spoilers, so consider yourself warned. In the final scenes, Harper is going to court to testify against the bad guy from her origin story. All of a sudden she is attacked, grabbed, slammed to the pavement, knee to the back, cuffs slapped on, and pushed into the building. WTF??? She thinks she's going to die. Understandable. But no, this is just a "clever" ploy of the team to prop up her disguise. She is already padded up, in a wig and glasses. Now, seriously. Their great idea, to fool bad guys into not recognizing her, a few feet from the door to the court, is to do a violent take down. Not to mention, they give her zero clue that this is the plan. She is traumatized, scared to death, afraid of her own shadow, always afraid someone is going to get her, and the plan is to tackle her to the ground. Okay. This makes so much sense. Not!!! Why would the author think this is a good idea? What intelligent security team would dream up this kind of foolishness?
Very underwhelming follow up to a decent first in series. The 2 rating is generous.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2023
the writing of Ms Quinn is truly unique. i was surprised at book 1 with all the details, but this, although a different plotline. the depth of the heroines intellectual was written in an amazing way.
the H matched her smarts, as did the characters around her.
the art and design meshed in with studies and thesis analysis. it all sounds heavy, and I was thinking I was going to get bogged down in it.
however, I found the story to be encompassed by a subtlety of this intelligence. it was written like a romance dancing about the edges of a bigger crime that unfolds with each chapter
the whole living life in the moment and getting on with your bucket list was ever prominent and very poignant.
it seemed to move the story to a deeper, almost more personal realm
the ditziness of Berlin was the yin to Harpers yang moments, and at times, I wanted to reach in to slap her airhead, self-absorbed persona.
I haven't listened to any other series, although I have checked out the dust covers, so I knew the names of other series characters when they appeared.
the tone was kept pretty low key, I didn't feel suspense or angst grab me even when Fiona wrote a scene.
for me, it was like I was more interested in staying abreast of the intellect than the discovery of why she needed help
unlike most books, the action was very low with little crescendo.
Like book 1, it moves pretty quickly at the back end, so we get the solved case, with the H and the h, romance ensues, but without much steam, and I get my HEA
Aiden Snow is always my favourite, so I enjoyed his narration except for the Australian accent. I'm an Australian, and nope, it just didn't work.
the H matched her smarts, as did the characters around her.
the art and design meshed in with studies and thesis analysis. it all sounds heavy, and I was thinking I was going to get bogged down in it.
however, I found the story to be encompassed by a subtlety of this intelligence. it was written like a romance dancing about the edges of a bigger crime that unfolds with each chapter
the whole living life in the moment and getting on with your bucket list was ever prominent and very poignant.
it seemed to move the story to a deeper, almost more personal realm
the ditziness of Berlin was the yin to Harpers yang moments, and at times, I wanted to reach in to slap her airhead, self-absorbed persona.
I haven't listened to any other series, although I have checked out the dust covers, so I knew the names of other series characters when they appeared.
the tone was kept pretty low key, I didn't feel suspense or angst grab me even when Fiona wrote a scene.
for me, it was like I was more interested in staying abreast of the intellect than the discovery of why she needed help
unlike most books, the action was very low with little crescendo.
Like book 1, it moves pretty quickly at the back end, so we get the solved case, with the H and the h, romance ensues, but without much steam, and I get my HEA
Aiden Snow is always my favourite, so I enjoyed his narration except for the Australian accent. I'm an Australian, and nope, it just didn't work.
October 30, 2020
Military, survival, mystery, k9, thriller, romance
Katz saves a girl from a predator and, in turn, someone videos her via cell phone and posts it. A killer is let loose in pursuit of Katz as she's the only witness. She's lived a nomadic life for 2 years trying to stay out of his lens. She feels very safe around Zeus, a Cerebus Search and Rescue dog, and his handler Ridge whom she's bonded with over time and met over the last adventure her boss wanted in the mountains, a photo shoot to win an acting roll. Unfortunately, that weekend an icy snowstorm and hurricane system rolled in while her boss was trying to get "realistic" photo shots in shorts and tees and while her boss and group made it out thanks to the Cerebus Search and Rescue team she hired, there were others that were hurt. She keeps in contact via Zoom with ridge long distance until her boss makes a trip to tbs Washington DC area and insists on hiring Cerebus Search & Rescue to keep Berlin "safe" after she posts on Instagram that her hunky bodyguard saved the little girl from being kidnapped. Berlin doesn't care to know the truth as she's a publicity hound.
Katz saves a girl from a predator and, in turn, someone videos her via cell phone and posts it. A killer is let loose in pursuit of Katz as she's the only witness. She's lived a nomadic life for 2 years trying to stay out of his lens. She feels very safe around Zeus, a Cerebus Search and Rescue dog, and his handler Ridge whom she's bonded with over time and met over the last adventure her boss wanted in the mountains, a photo shoot to win an acting roll. Unfortunately, that weekend an icy snowstorm and hurricane system rolled in while her boss was trying to get "realistic" photo shots in shorts and tees and while her boss and group made it out thanks to the Cerebus Search and Rescue team she hired, there were others that were hurt. She keeps in contact via Zoom with ridge long distance until her boss makes a trip to tbs Washington DC area and insists on hiring Cerebus Search & Rescue to keep Berlin "safe" after she posts on Instagram that her hunky bodyguard saved the little girl from being kidnapped. Berlin doesn't care to know the truth as she's a publicity hound.
August 27, 2023
4.5 stars for Ridge and Harper
This series sent me on a hunt. For the next story. Ridge, Zeus and Harper were important side characters without interfering with the storyline from the first book. Love that. Also Harper's Story flashed me. I just go and get the next couple.... 👀🤔 Or go back and start with the original series?
About this book: there is a private security institution, divided I different special operation units. Here we are with the K9 unit cerberus. Ex army specialists and trained K9 dogs with different abilities all around search and rescue. My heart leaped at that. Also the story revolves around the search and rescue mission and the feelings debeloping.
Ridge and Harper started as friends after the mission in the first book but now Harper's boss wants to contract security for her social media status. By chance Ridge finds out about the event that set Harper on the road, she is now on. Very influencial people want Harper to be gone and She needs security and rescue more than anyone else right now.
I need to go back to the beginning of the story and learn more about that security company and the different special teams I think. Restarting weakest Lynx next.
This series sent me on a hunt. For the next story. Ridge, Zeus and Harper were important side characters without interfering with the storyline from the first book. Love that. Also Harper's Story flashed me. I just go and get the next couple.... 👀🤔 Or go back and start with the original series?
About this book: there is a private security institution, divided I different special operation units. Here we are with the K9 unit cerberus. Ex army specialists and trained K9 dogs with different abilities all around search and rescue. My heart leaped at that. Also the story revolves around the search and rescue mission and the feelings debeloping.
Ridge and Harper started as friends after the mission in the first book but now Harper's boss wants to contract security for her social media status. By chance Ridge finds out about the event that set Harper on the road, she is now on. Very influencial people want Harper to be gone and She needs security and rescue more than anyone else right now.
I need to go back to the beginning of the story and learn more about that security company and the different special teams I think. Restarting weakest Lynx next.
October 24, 2020
Protective Instinct has everything I look for!
Why am I just now discovering this author? Fiona Quinn’s Protective Instinct has everything I look for, realistic, well developed characters, romance, twists and turns, and edge of my seat suspense.
I was immediately drawn into the storyline and held captive through to the end. And I loved how this author brings the K9, Zeus, to life in chapter one.
If you love fast paced suspense, a budding romance, and an intriguing original plot, I highly recommend this book. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Favorite line: It was like learning a dance. The people who do it well don’t have to count the beats in the music; they can feel it in their bones. They don’t have to remember the steps; their bodies are already there.
Side note: Though Protective Instinct is book two in Quinn’s Cerberus Tactical K9 Series, I had no trouble diving into the story and will definitely pick up a copy of book one to see how these characters evolved.
Why am I just now discovering this author? Fiona Quinn’s Protective Instinct has everything I look for, realistic, well developed characters, romance, twists and turns, and edge of my seat suspense.
I was immediately drawn into the storyline and held captive through to the end. And I loved how this author brings the K9, Zeus, to life in chapter one.
If you love fast paced suspense, a budding romance, and an intriguing original plot, I highly recommend this book. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Favorite line: It was like learning a dance. The people who do it well don’t have to count the beats in the music; they can feel it in their bones. They don’t have to remember the steps; their bodies are already there.
Side note: Though Protective Instinct is book two in Quinn’s Cerberus Tactical K9 Series, I had no trouble diving into the story and will definitely pick up a copy of book one to see how these characters evolved.
August 14, 2021
PA for a self-involved celebrity, Harper Katz became friends with tactical K9 team Ridge Hansen, an ex-SEAL and his canine partner Zeus when she arranged for Iniquus to search for her boss during a storm. In the year since, Harper and Ridge have been telephone friends, each wants more but isn’t sure how the other feels and is afraid to be the one to suggest a change in their relationship.
While in DC for a few days, Harper’s on a run, preparing to help Ridge and Zeus on a practice but she foils a kidnapping instead
that causes her to have a severe anxiety attack. Ridge and Zeus are available to comfort her but Ridge is puzzled sine he’d had no idea Harper suffered from anxiety. It’s been Harper’s dirty little secret that something has her terrified and she isn’t willing to share. Yet.
Unfortunately, to my taste, while the plot was interesting, the overall read suffered from a simmering storyline with no real secondary thread making the read feel as if it was half filler.
Rating: 3.5stars
While in DC for a few days, Harper’s on a run, preparing to help Ridge and Zeus on a practice but she foils a kidnapping instead
that causes her to have a severe anxiety attack. Ridge and Zeus are available to comfort her but Ridge is puzzled sine he’d had no idea Harper suffered from anxiety. It’s been Harper’s dirty little secret that something has her terrified and she isn’t willing to share. Yet.
Unfortunately, to my taste, while the plot was interesting, the overall read suffered from a simmering storyline with no real secondary thread making the read feel as if it was half filler.
Rating: 3.5stars
February 17, 2022
Page turner
I never read the end of a book, no matter how much my curiosity is killing me. With this story, I almost gave into temptation!
There is less action in this story, and we get to know the hero and heroine in more depth, but I had a hard time trying to figure out what was going on in her head much of the time.
She was falling for Ryder, but deliberately keeping him in the friend zone.
Why?
She consistently put her body down, but would then think to herself how she felt her curves made her attractive to men, and made her feel sensuous, and sexy.
There was some contradiction in her thinking that made me wonder about her mental health.
In spite of that, I liked her character, and wanted her to get her HEA with Ryder.
The farther I read, the more anxious I got to find out what was going on with her.
I'm glad I resisted temptation, and let the story play out.
It was worth the wait, (and the suspense.)
I highly recommend this series, but you should read the first book, then this one.
Enjoy!
I never read the end of a book, no matter how much my curiosity is killing me. With this story, I almost gave into temptation!
There is less action in this story, and we get to know the hero and heroine in more depth, but I had a hard time trying to figure out what was going on in her head much of the time.
She was falling for Ryder, but deliberately keeping him in the friend zone.
Why?
She consistently put her body down, but would then think to herself how she felt her curves made her attractive to men, and made her feel sensuous, and sexy.
There was some contradiction in her thinking that made me wonder about her mental health.
In spite of that, I liked her character, and wanted her to get her HEA with Ryder.
The farther I read, the more anxious I got to find out what was going on with her.
I'm glad I resisted temptation, and let the story play out.
It was worth the wait, (and the suspense.)
I highly recommend this series, but you should read the first book, then this one.
Enjoy!
November 26, 2022
The description states this book can be read as a stand-alone. That is true, but I wish I had read book one first. That's my own fault for not reading the description carefully enough.
There were explanations in the book about Ridge, Harper, and Zeus' previous encounter. I still felt like I was missing something.
This book seemed to drag a little to me. It took almost the entire book to find out about Harper's secret. It took a large portion of the book to firmly establish a romantic relationship between Harper and Ridge. A definite slow burn romance.
I wasn't sure if Harper, Lynx, Ridge, and Zeus had some level of psychic connection or not. The different teams were kind of confusing as to who was on what team.
A large part of the enjoyment of this book was listening to Aiden Snow narrating. I would have enjoyed more of Ridge and Harper's HEA, or even something about what happened immediately after the court scene.
I found Harper's employer to be completely irritating, selfish, and irresponsible. I would not have minded less of her at all.
There were explanations in the book about Ridge, Harper, and Zeus' previous encounter. I still felt like I was missing something.
This book seemed to drag a little to me. It took almost the entire book to find out about Harper's secret. It took a large portion of the book to firmly establish a romantic relationship between Harper and Ridge. A definite slow burn romance.
I wasn't sure if Harper, Lynx, Ridge, and Zeus had some level of psychic connection or not. The different teams were kind of confusing as to who was on what team.
A large part of the enjoyment of this book was listening to Aiden Snow narrating. I would have enjoyed more of Ridge and Harper's HEA, or even something about what happened immediately after the court scene.
I found Harper's employer to be completely irritating, selfish, and irresponsible. I would not have minded less of her at all.
May 25, 2025
3.5 stars for this.
Did the audio and it was read by my man Aiden Snow, so already a point in its favor.
I would say this book was more suspense than romance. There definitely was a slow burn romance between friends, Ridge and Harper. Made even better by the duel POV where they were both pining for each other.
Also, Ridge’s dog Zeus was a freaking amazing addition to this story in a way I didn’t think that he would be.
But the attempted kidnapping in the beginning, Harper’s past, those are clearly the driving force of this story. Spice is low and door partially open? They get naked but past that we don’t really get any details.
Harper has a nervous habit of rambling about a bunch of color theory. Which… was ok to a point, interesting even, but I feel like it was half this book. And while some of it was relevant to the story, I didn’t need to be told that much to understand the relevance.
Harper’s boss, Berlin, was the absolute WORST. I could not stand her and literally no one ever took the woman down a peg. When she really, really, needed to be taken down a peg.
Over all it was a good read. If you’re looking for something romance heavy, this probably won’t interest you.
Did the audio and it was read by my man Aiden Snow, so already a point in its favor.
I would say this book was more suspense than romance. There definitely was a slow burn romance between friends, Ridge and Harper. Made even better by the duel POV where they were both pining for each other.
Also, Ridge’s dog Zeus was a freaking amazing addition to this story in a way I didn’t think that he would be.
But the attempted kidnapping in the beginning, Harper’s past, those are clearly the driving force of this story. Spice is low and door partially open? They get naked but past that we don’t really get any details.
Harper has a nervous habit of rambling about a bunch of color theory. Which… was ok to a point, interesting even, but I feel like it was half this book. And while some of it was relevant to the story, I didn’t need to be told that much to understand the relevance.
Harper’s boss, Berlin, was the absolute WORST. I could not stand her and literally no one ever took the woman down a peg. When she really, really, needed to be taken down a peg.
Over all it was a good read. If you’re looking for something romance heavy, this probably won’t interest you.
June 8, 2021
Okay way to pass the afternoon.
This had all the elements of a great book, but for me, it just missed the mark. Berlin and CiCi were horrible people - yet they seemed to take up a good chunk of the book. Vain, vacuous and prone doing whatever the hell they please because they have a “social media” celebrity presence. Harper was treated as a disposable underling, and I was sincerely hoping that she’d get a moment to tell Berlin where to shove her job. But sadly, in all the calamity, that scenario never arose.
In regards to Ridge and Harper’s relationship, it was pretty boring and cliche. Nothing wrong with cliche, but with everything else that was going on, it didn’t help matters. The mystery of Harper’s past was not the main plot line, and Lynx was just a smidge too far out there and kept pulling me out of the moment. I just don’t think this book was for me which was a shame because I really enjoyed Dani and Trip’s book.
This had all the elements of a great book, but for me, it just missed the mark. Berlin and CiCi were horrible people - yet they seemed to take up a good chunk of the book. Vain, vacuous and prone doing whatever the hell they please because they have a “social media” celebrity presence. Harper was treated as a disposable underling, and I was sincerely hoping that she’d get a moment to tell Berlin where to shove her job. But sadly, in all the calamity, that scenario never arose.
In regards to Ridge and Harper’s relationship, it was pretty boring and cliche. Nothing wrong with cliche, but with everything else that was going on, it didn’t help matters. The mystery of Harper’s past was not the main plot line, and Lynx was just a smidge too far out there and kept pulling me out of the moment. I just don’t think this book was for me which was a shame because I really enjoyed Dani and Trip’s book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews