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Cerberus Tactical K9 Team Charlie #3
Shielding Instinct
The next book from the World of Iniquus!
How is he supposed to shield her from danger when she keeps running right toward it?
Dr. Petra Armstrong has made the most of her neurodivergent gifts. She’s at the top of her game as a leading FBI brain security researcher. But it isn’t work that brings a handsome ex-Green Beret into her life. That honor belongs to an ill-fated trip to St. Croix, some rogue rip currents, a few daring rescues, and a convicted felon on the run…
Hawkeye Kesse thought his time in the military—not to mention his work with the Cerberus Tactical K9 Team Charlie—made him impervious to surprise. And somehow, Petra still throws him for a loop. With one crisis after another, they depend on each other to find a way through. What Hawkeye really wants is time to get to know the most brilliant woman he’s ever met and see where things might go between them...
When all is said and done, surviving the sea’s wrath and keeping a criminal family from escaping justice will be easy. Getting to happily ever after? That’ll be the real challenge for Petra and Hawkeye…
How is he supposed to shield her from danger when she keeps running right toward it?
Dr. Petra Armstrong has made the most of her neurodivergent gifts. She’s at the top of her game as a leading FBI brain security researcher. But it isn’t work that brings a handsome ex-Green Beret into her life. That honor belongs to an ill-fated trip to St. Croix, some rogue rip currents, a few daring rescues, and a convicted felon on the run…
Hawkeye Kesse thought his time in the military—not to mention his work with the Cerberus Tactical K9 Team Charlie—made him impervious to surprise. And somehow, Petra still throws him for a loop. With one crisis after another, they depend on each other to find a way through. What Hawkeye really wants is time to get to know the most brilliant woman he’s ever met and see where things might go between them...
When all is said and done, surviving the sea’s wrath and keeping a criminal family from escaping justice will be easy. Getting to happily ever after? That’ll be the real challenge for Petra and Hawkeye…
- GenresContemporary Romance
372 pages, Paperback
First published April 21, 2025
255 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Quinn
80 books510 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
May 23, 2025
This third book in the Cerberus Tactical K9 Team Charlie series seems uneven. The pace is off: the amount of discussion vs. action is tilted towards discussion—lots and lots of discussion—that is disconcerting at times. Some of this confusion is deliberate, I think, because the heroine is neurodivergent and has a different way of thinking. Initially, this was fascinating, and the discussions were equally captivating. However, they got old after a time and didn’t change. Add to that some typos, and in some spots the book became downright confusing.
Petra Armstrong is an FBI brain scientist who is our neurodivergent heroine. Hawkeye is our neurotypical hero. Cooper is Hawkeye’s K9 partner. These three are the stars of the book, and there are myriad secondary characters that Ms. Quinn brings to brilliant life – she is a queen of making characters walk right off a page, secondary as well as primary characters.
Petra and Hawkeye meet on a plane. K9 Team Charlie is traveling on a commercial plane, dogs and all. That in itself is puzzling. Why not fly dogs and handlers to St. Croix for training on an Iniquus jet? No fuss, no bother, no worries about being captured on passengers’ cell phone cameras, something they all seem hyper-bothered about. In this case, the team was downgraded from first class and all sorts of havoc ensued. But…it brings our hero and heroine together, so flying commercial serves its purpose.
Petra doesn’t like crises, but she handles them brilliantly. She thrives when involved with saving people. It’s after the crisis that she becomes unsteady and her neurodivergent traits kick into high gear. She seems aware of her needs: she carries a backpack full of necessities, she monitors herself constantly. So, I had a hard time with Petra wearing flip-flops and a filmy sundress on a tour of St. Croix. She isn’t a field agent with the FBI, but she’s been in the military, and it’s hard picturing her so unprepared since we're told her neurodivergence causes her to despise surprises (and conflict). With her experience, I would have expected her to better prepare for contingencies.
I liked Petra and I liked Hawkeye…loved Cooper (5 tail-wags to the faithful canine!). However, I did not feel their chemistry. Petra and Hawkeye definitely connected, and their discussions were off-the-chart interesting, but their relationship had the flavor of a good friendship that incorporated a great deal of depth, understanding, and acceptance. They are both best friend material, but as lovers, they never combusted, let alone flickered even a little. I’m not talking sex here – I mean the feelings that a lover can bring – different from feelings engendered by a good friend. Even so, it’s a good story of a fine friendship.
There are some problem areas. For instance:
There is an odd spacing in chapter 5:
“…seatbelts in place.
We ask that you respect this situation…”
This is all one speech made by a flight attendant and should not have been broken into two paragraphs. It may have been a non-printing character at the end of “place” that caused the linefeed [just guessing].
“Hawkeye Slid his hand around her waist…” The verb, “slid,” should not be capitalized.
“I’m looking up, Hermione.” This looks as if the speaker is talking to Hermione because of the comma. However, the speaker (Hawkeye) is looking up the name, “Hermione.” The comma should be removed, and “Hermoine” could have single tick marks around it, perhaps, to make it more obvious: “I’m looking up ‘Hermoine.’” As written, it causes a reader to stop and think about what the writer is trying to say – it pulls the reader out of the story.
In chapter 2, there is a reference to “The Golden Hour,” meaning a time when humans naturally wake at 03:00 and in the book is considered a “time for sex and contemplation.” There is a well-known Golden Hour in photography; it’s the time just before sunrise or just after sunset when the atmosphere is serenely beautiful and conducive to excellent picture taking. Portraits are especially good at that time when skin glows with a vitality and gives an appearance of good health. It’s almost magical. [You can find Golden Hour calculators online.] The 03:00 wakeup time is called the “Hour of the Wolf” (generally waking between 03:00 and 05:00) – it’s the deepest part of the night and a time of intense emotions. In theory, it’s our circadian rhythms that cause this wakefulness. All sorts of hypotheses abound regarding its purpose – it’s a fascinating concept. The use of The Golden Hour pauses a reader to consider its meaning in the context of the book. It doesn’t jell.
A comma is needed here instead of a period: “Squinting against the sting of sea salt. Hawkeye shook his black hair…” This should read, “Squinting against the sting of the sea salt, Hawkeye shook his black hair…” The period at the end of a dependent clause stops a reader. The two sentences then have to be reread to determine their meaning.
Sometimes point of view (POV) slips within a chapter. For instance, chapter 27 is titled “Petra,” indicating it is Petra’s POV, but it starts “Hawkeye was in his head as they walked to the elevator.” How would Petra know this? She’s sensitive to other people, but not a mind reader.
There is an oddly worded sentence: “…their populace needed to inoculation through education.” I think this should be either “…their populace needed to inoculate through education” or “…their populace needed inoculation through education.” It’s another place that makes a reader pause to figure out what the writer is trying to say. Very interesting concept, though.
Another odd sentence halts a reader’s progress through the story: “Nothing was but so far on this tiny island.” I’ve taken this out of context, but it still doesn’t make a lot of sense until one sits and thinks about what the writer is trying to say. Then it (kind of) does. It’s Petra-speak, so it could be deliberate. If so, this neurodivergent attribute sometimes gets in the way of the story.
Another sentence-stopper: “Lots of boats missing, people.” At first reading, it seems that the person speaking (a villain) is addressing people around him, but he’s talking to one other villain, so that’s not right. It may be he’s saying that boats are missing people, but I’m not sure.
An ambiguous pronoun is unhelpful: “He leaned down and gave her a kiss.” Petra is standing with two men, one a good friend and the other her new love. Either one could have given her a kiss. We don’t know what kind of kiss. A peck on the cheek? A kiss on the top of her head? A lover’s kiss? We don’t know.
I rated this book three stars. It didn’t feel like a romance, although both main characters were likeable, intelligent, kind, and all-around good. The romance felt flat; the friendship felt real and dynamic. The writing is solid, just what Ms. Quinn is known for. But something is missing; I’m not sure what. The fire of love? The desire for another? They talked a good game, including discussions about dopamine (leading to addictive love) as opposed to the oxytocin-serotonin bonding that occurs in “true love.” Discussions: great! Follow-through: disappointing.
Petra Armstrong is an FBI brain scientist who is our neurodivergent heroine. Hawkeye is our neurotypical hero. Cooper is Hawkeye’s K9 partner. These three are the stars of the book, and there are myriad secondary characters that Ms. Quinn brings to brilliant life – she is a queen of making characters walk right off a page, secondary as well as primary characters.
Petra and Hawkeye meet on a plane. K9 Team Charlie is traveling on a commercial plane, dogs and all. That in itself is puzzling. Why not fly dogs and handlers to St. Croix for training on an Iniquus jet? No fuss, no bother, no worries about being captured on passengers’ cell phone cameras, something they all seem hyper-bothered about. In this case, the team was downgraded from first class and all sorts of havoc ensued. But…it brings our hero and heroine together, so flying commercial serves its purpose.
Petra doesn’t like crises, but she handles them brilliantly. She thrives when involved with saving people. It’s after the crisis that she becomes unsteady and her neurodivergent traits kick into high gear. She seems aware of her needs: she carries a backpack full of necessities, she monitors herself constantly. So, I had a hard time with Petra wearing flip-flops and a filmy sundress on a tour of St. Croix. She isn’t a field agent with the FBI, but she’s been in the military, and it’s hard picturing her so unprepared since we're told her neurodivergence causes her to despise surprises (and conflict). With her experience, I would have expected her to better prepare for contingencies.
I liked Petra and I liked Hawkeye…loved Cooper (5 tail-wags to the faithful canine!). However, I did not feel their chemistry. Petra and Hawkeye definitely connected, and their discussions were off-the-chart interesting, but their relationship had the flavor of a good friendship that incorporated a great deal of depth, understanding, and acceptance. They are both best friend material, but as lovers, they never combusted, let alone flickered even a little. I’m not talking sex here – I mean the feelings that a lover can bring – different from feelings engendered by a good friend. Even so, it’s a good story of a fine friendship.
There are some problem areas. For instance:
There is an odd spacing in chapter 5:
“…seatbelts in place.
We ask that you respect this situation…”
This is all one speech made by a flight attendant and should not have been broken into two paragraphs. It may have been a non-printing character at the end of “place” that caused the linefeed [just guessing].
“Hawkeye Slid his hand around her waist…” The verb, “slid,” should not be capitalized.
“I’m looking up, Hermione.” This looks as if the speaker is talking to Hermione because of the comma. However, the speaker (Hawkeye) is looking up the name, “Hermione.” The comma should be removed, and “Hermoine” could have single tick marks around it, perhaps, to make it more obvious: “I’m looking up ‘Hermoine.’” As written, it causes a reader to stop and think about what the writer is trying to say – it pulls the reader out of the story.
In chapter 2, there is a reference to “The Golden Hour,” meaning a time when humans naturally wake at 03:00 and in the book is considered a “time for sex and contemplation.” There is a well-known Golden Hour in photography; it’s the time just before sunrise or just after sunset when the atmosphere is serenely beautiful and conducive to excellent picture taking. Portraits are especially good at that time when skin glows with a vitality and gives an appearance of good health. It’s almost magical. [You can find Golden Hour calculators online.] The 03:00 wakeup time is called the “Hour of the Wolf” (generally waking between 03:00 and 05:00) – it’s the deepest part of the night and a time of intense emotions. In theory, it’s our circadian rhythms that cause this wakefulness. All sorts of hypotheses abound regarding its purpose – it’s a fascinating concept. The use of The Golden Hour pauses a reader to consider its meaning in the context of the book. It doesn’t jell.
A comma is needed here instead of a period: “Squinting against the sting of sea salt. Hawkeye shook his black hair…” This should read, “Squinting against the sting of the sea salt, Hawkeye shook his black hair…” The period at the end of a dependent clause stops a reader. The two sentences then have to be reread to determine their meaning.
Sometimes point of view (POV) slips within a chapter. For instance, chapter 27 is titled “Petra,” indicating it is Petra’s POV, but it starts “Hawkeye was in his head as they walked to the elevator.” How would Petra know this? She’s sensitive to other people, but not a mind reader.
There is an oddly worded sentence: “…their populace needed to inoculation through education.” I think this should be either “…their populace needed to inoculate through education” or “…their populace needed inoculation through education.” It’s another place that makes a reader pause to figure out what the writer is trying to say. Very interesting concept, though.
Another odd sentence halts a reader’s progress through the story: “Nothing was but so far on this tiny island.” I’ve taken this out of context, but it still doesn’t make a lot of sense until one sits and thinks about what the writer is trying to say. Then it (kind of) does. It’s Petra-speak, so it could be deliberate. If so, this neurodivergent attribute sometimes gets in the way of the story.
Another sentence-stopper: “Lots of boats missing, people.” At first reading, it seems that the person speaking (a villain) is addressing people around him, but he’s talking to one other villain, so that’s not right. It may be he’s saying that boats are missing people, but I’m not sure.
An ambiguous pronoun is unhelpful: “He leaned down and gave her a kiss.” Petra is standing with two men, one a good friend and the other her new love. Either one could have given her a kiss. We don’t know what kind of kiss. A peck on the cheek? A kiss on the top of her head? A lover’s kiss? We don’t know.
I rated this book three stars. It didn’t feel like a romance, although both main characters were likeable, intelligent, kind, and all-around good. The romance felt flat; the friendship felt real and dynamic. The writing is solid, just what Ms. Quinn is known for. But something is missing; I’m not sure what. The fire of love? The desire for another? They talked a good game, including discussions about dopamine (leading to addictive love) as opposed to the oxytocin-serotonin bonding that occurs in “true love.” Discussions: great! Follow-through: disappointing.
April 22, 2025
This Book grabbed my attention from Page 1 and was hard to put down when I needed to!
I really loved this book! The Characters drew me in from Page 1 and I didn't want to put it down! I love all of Fiona Quinn's books because they draw me in so quickly and hold my attention! I normally read paranormal romance like Fairies (however you want to spell it), werewolves and vampires and I when I know a Fiona Quinn book is coming out I make sure that I get it and read it right away and then can't wait for the next book!! This book has it all....an emergency... action... romance... drama and mystery! LOL it begins with a a moment between Petra and Cooper (a K-9 I would absolutely love to have a dog like him). Then she meets Cooper's handler Hawkeye and the attraction starts from the moment they meet! The hoops and dangers these characters end going through in the book just had me and hopefully you wanting to see how it continues and ends!
I really can't wait to see more of this series and I know I'll be stalking Amazon to get it LOL! If you haven't read any Fiona Quinn books then I do suggest you read The Lynx series first (it's not needed but with all the series they are sort of inter-connected and will make it easier to know who they are talking about with mentions)! Series that are connected are The Lynx, Strike Force, Uncommon Enemies, Delta Force Echo, FBI Joint Task Force, Cerberus Tactical K9 Team Bravo and CIA Color Code (If I missed a series attached then I apologize)!
I really loved this book! The Characters drew me in from Page 1 and I didn't want to put it down! I love all of Fiona Quinn's books because they draw me in so quickly and hold my attention! I normally read paranormal romance like Fairies (however you want to spell it), werewolves and vampires and I when I know a Fiona Quinn book is coming out I make sure that I get it and read it right away and then can't wait for the next book!! This book has it all....an emergency... action... romance... drama and mystery! LOL it begins with a a moment between Petra and Cooper (a K-9 I would absolutely love to have a dog like him). Then she meets Cooper's handler Hawkeye and the attraction starts from the moment they meet! The hoops and dangers these characters end going through in the book just had me and hopefully you wanting to see how it continues and ends!
I really can't wait to see more of this series and I know I'll be stalking Amazon to get it LOL! If you haven't read any Fiona Quinn books then I do suggest you read The Lynx series first (it's not needed but with all the series they are sort of inter-connected and will make it easier to know who they are talking about with mentions)! Series that are connected are The Lynx, Strike Force, Uncommon Enemies, Delta Force Echo, FBI Joint Task Force, Cerberus Tactical K9 Team Bravo and CIA Color Code (If I missed a series attached then I apologize)!
April 21, 2025
This is the latest book in the author’s K-9 Inquiis series; I’ve read a ton of these adventure thrillers (with a bit of romance), but this book can easily stand alone. I love how a lot of the author’s books have an overlapping of characters and agencies, between governmental alphabet agencies, non-governmental non-profits and for-profit security companies that work with the government and private sector. This book’s main characters are Petra, an FBI supervisor and brain researcher; Hawkeye, a former military medic and now a canine handler for Inquiis, which responds to emergencies and security issues around the world; and Cooper, the very special German Shepherd who Hawkeye rescued and in whom he recognized inherent traits that make him a very valuable tool to Inquuis. Petra meets Hawkeye and his team on a plane to the Dominican Republic, where she is vacationing and he is training with his team and their canines. They run into lots of suspense and some danger and this book is definitely hard to put down. There’s definitely a spark between the two main characters, and Cooper even helps that relationship along. I can’t recommend this book, the series and all of this author’s books enough. I’ve never read anything by her that wasn’t fascinating and I always learn a lot. I was provided an ARC, which I appreciate, but these opinions are my own.
April 22, 2025
Whilst Lynx is a puzzler, Petra is a puzzle
I LOVE IT! I am not sure who I love most...Petra who knows she struggles to "fit in", but has her own coping methods and knows her limits and how to reset. Hawkeye who is very aware of Petra's social "issues", due his sister, and who automatically does everything he can to make her experiences less stressful - fully accepting every one of her quirks. Or Cooper, who is so amazing there are no words, obviously all the Cerberus K9's are unbelievably smart but even from being a tiny pup he has been amazing (I really love the story of how they met) and just gets better and better the older he gets. The way he "claims" Petra within seconds is so beautiful and definitely stole my heart.
I love all the books in the Iniquus World but this one is my new favourite, I read it in one sitting, going into the early hours as the outside world disappeared and I was fully absorbed in Petra, Hawkeye and Cooper and the crazy rescues and resulting chaos they found themselves in.
A fantastic read on Kindle Unlimited, it could possibly be read as a stand alone, but it is far more enjoyable if you have read the other books within the Iniquus World. If not then the way Iniquus works, the history referred to and some of the K9 actions may not have the same relevance or be easy to understand. The whole series is available on Kindle Unlimited.
I LOVE IT! I am not sure who I love most...Petra who knows she struggles to "fit in", but has her own coping methods and knows her limits and how to reset. Hawkeye who is very aware of Petra's social "issues", due his sister, and who automatically does everything he can to make her experiences less stressful - fully accepting every one of her quirks. Or Cooper, who is so amazing there are no words, obviously all the Cerberus K9's are unbelievably smart but even from being a tiny pup he has been amazing (I really love the story of how they met) and just gets better and better the older he gets. The way he "claims" Petra within seconds is so beautiful and definitely stole my heart.
I love all the books in the Iniquus World but this one is my new favourite, I read it in one sitting, going into the early hours as the outside world disappeared and I was fully absorbed in Petra, Hawkeye and Cooper and the crazy rescues and resulting chaos they found themselves in.
A fantastic read on Kindle Unlimited, it could possibly be read as a stand alone, but it is far more enjoyable if you have read the other books within the Iniquus World. If not then the way Iniquus works, the history referred to and some of the K9 actions may not have the same relevance or be easy to understand. The whole series is available on Kindle Unlimited.
September 21, 2025
Any book in Fiona Quinn's Iniquus series is a good read, and I have read 34 to date. All her novels are extremely well-researched and authentic as to place, scenery, culture, and interactions. Always great dialogue. And of course, the working K9s from any of the Ceberus Tactical subseries, each with their own personality, just make the stories that more special. Quinn's novels are well-paced with interesting characters. Some are more intense page turners with continual engaging action. Shielding Instinct is a bit slower paced than other novels in the large Iniquus universe, but in this case, for those who don't know much about neurodivergence, it was a font of information and helped readers understand the complexities of Petra's character, thought processes and actions. Hawkeye and his K9 partner Cooper were perfect for Petra, though I would have liked to see more at the end of the novel on how their early relationship further developed once they both returned to DC after the harrowing couple of days on St Croix and before the epilogue jumps to one year later back on the island.
April 23, 2025
Fascinating Heroine
Petra needs more books. She needs a series of her own with Hawkeye, preferably with Lynx and Striker. The two men trying to deal with their brilliant women.
Creating a neurodivergent leading character is tricky because the world is only slowly learning to understand it. The Genevieve Lenard books of Estelle Ryan are equally fascinating. Petra (Hermione) is brave, brilliantly clever, emotionally secure and as far from the Hollywood Bimbo as you can get. This book, this character, would make a fantastic film. A Mayim Bialik figure with intellectual power able to operate individually and as part of a team. Striker, Hawkeye, Petra and Lynx - the next A team. Iniquuis on screen.
Petra needs more books. She needs a series of her own with Hawkeye, preferably with Lynx and Striker. The two men trying to deal with their brilliant women.
Creating a neurodivergent leading character is tricky because the world is only slowly learning to understand it. The Genevieve Lenard books of Estelle Ryan are equally fascinating. Petra (Hermione) is brave, brilliantly clever, emotionally secure and as far from the Hollywood Bimbo as you can get. This book, this character, would make a fantastic film. A Mayim Bialik figure with intellectual power able to operate individually and as part of a team. Striker, Hawkeye, Petra and Lynx - the next A team. Iniquuis on screen.
September 30, 2025
Not only does Fiona Quinn provide romance, wonderful characters, action, adventure, steamy chemistry, and adorable dogs in her Cerberus Tactical books, but she also provides her readers with great information on a variety of topics. Her in-depth information on neurodivergence helped me understand her FMC, Petra, in this book, but I had also finished a book by Greta Rose West, Forever Finds Us, and her character also suffered from this. Thanks to Fiona, I now understand neurodiversity, which helped me understand the female characters in both of these books. Fiona's books are page turners that have the reader on the edge of the seat, wondering what will happen next. This was definitely the case with Petra and Hawkey and his K9, Cooper.
April 26, 2025
I found Shielding Instinct both enlightening and educational on several fronts. The amount of research that Fiona Quinn must have done for this book is mind boggling. I was both enlighted and educated in all the best ways. Petra Armstrong and Hawkeye Keese have got to be one of the most unique couples I've ever run across. Their connection, conversations and cohesiveness were truly inspiring. The action in this book is nonstop. What was supposed to be a weekend to unwind for her and a training weekend for Hawkeye and Charlie turns out to be anything but. I have to say I loved how this relationship evilved and I am very sure I will read and re-read this book many times over. Brava, Ms. Quinn, you have a fabulous winner on your hands.
April 27, 2025
I love Fiona Quinn's World of Iniqqus series. Whilst I am not normally a reader of romances and the stories are heavier on the romance than they were in the beginning, there's enough action, adventure and perilous situations to make the books good to read every time. This world of Iniqqus keeps growing to accommodate new characters in new teams - and new, wonderful dogs in each Cerebus tactical dog unit. I will continue to read Fiona Quinn's books every time a new one is published - even if I have to refer to my companion to the series to remind myself who and which stories the previous characters that are mention were part of!
If only such an organisation existed in the real world!
If only such an organisation existed in the real world!
June 3, 2025
Intense and insightful
This is an action packed story. Hawkeye and Petra meet on a plane trip. Her calm demeanor during all the chaos before the plane even takes off as well as his K9 Cooper's acceptance of her has him curious about her. Upon landing he realizes she is having a medical emergency and that starts the beginning of the many problems they encounter on the island. The author adds a lot of information on how Neuro divergent minds work which explains how she comes up with creative solutions. It is fast paced and hard to put down. I look forward to the next in the series.
This is an action packed story. Hawkeye and Petra meet on a plane trip. Her calm demeanor during all the chaos before the plane even takes off as well as his K9 Cooper's acceptance of her has him curious about her. Upon landing he realizes she is having a medical emergency and that starts the beginning of the many problems they encounter on the island. The author adds a lot of information on how Neuro divergent minds work which explains how she comes up with creative solutions. It is fast paced and hard to put down. I look forward to the next in the series.
July 6, 2025
Shielding Instinct K9 Cooper
Cooper & Hawkeye met with Petra when 4 teams headed to St Croix.
Cooper decided to sit with his head in Petra's lap for most of the flight, totally surprising Hawkeye as he'd never reacted that fast to anyone else.
The humans got along great & had some interesting conversations along the way. But of course they all had some unexpected emergency situations that made for lots of dangerous detours. However when some of the FBI with Rowan had to help cover a few glitches well they were looking for a decent rest at the end of their journeys.
Highly Recommend another Fiona Quinn book for a stunning plot and truly enjoyable story.
Cooper & Hawkeye met with Petra when 4 teams headed to St Croix.
Cooper decided to sit with his head in Petra's lap for most of the flight, totally surprising Hawkeye as he'd never reacted that fast to anyone else.
The humans got along great & had some interesting conversations along the way. But of course they all had some unexpected emergency situations that made for lots of dangerous detours. However when some of the FBI with Rowan had to help cover a few glitches well they were looking for a decent rest at the end of their journeys.
Highly Recommend another Fiona Quinn book for a stunning plot and truly enjoyable story.
July 17, 2025
Shielding Instinct is an action packed rollercoaster ride and educational read as well. This storyline was intense and divergent and kept me on the end of my seat. I could not put this book down I was so invested in the characters. I am a reader that enjoys character driven storys and this book is so full of some of the best characters I have read in awhile. The couple aspect, the team dynamic, the dogs ( so well defined, and even the storyline all graphically detailed and in depth. This author always makes each book she writes so much more that the last one. Her writing is a joy to behold. Well done!
April 26, 2025
Petra and Hawkeye, Shielding Instinct
Loved this story especially that Petra was neuro divergent like my family members. Watching their story unfold, the wonderful relationship Hawkeye has with his highly intelligent working dog Cooper was so intriguing. How the author walked the reader through Petra’s wonderful logic, Hawkeye’s love and respect for Petra as she is, his love and respect for her as she used her brain to rescue a man trapped in a watery blow hole after being hit by rogue waves, the whole story was so compelling I just couldn’t put it down!
Loved this story especially that Petra was neuro divergent like my family members. Watching their story unfold, the wonderful relationship Hawkeye has with his highly intelligent working dog Cooper was so intriguing. How the author walked the reader through Petra’s wonderful logic, Hawkeye’s love and respect for Petra as she is, his love and respect for her as she used her brain to rescue a man trapped in a watery blow hole after being hit by rogue waves, the whole story was so compelling I just couldn’t put it down!
May 1, 2025
non stop
Hawkeye and Petra. An unexpected meeting and many unfortunate actions throw these two together where chemistry and emotions take a road. The story is fascinating either way the brain discussions and neurodivergent approaches. The danger came from nature and man in different situations for this story and we got to see the K9s and team working really well together. Cooper is wonderful and played a huge role in protection and rescue. The ending was precious and I loved seeing how the discussions between the two went.
Hawkeye and Petra. An unexpected meeting and many unfortunate actions throw these two together where chemistry and emotions take a road. The story is fascinating either way the brain discussions and neurodivergent approaches. The danger came from nature and man in different situations for this story and we got to see the K9s and team working really well together. Cooper is wonderful and played a huge role in protection and rescue. The ending was precious and I loved seeing how the discussions between the two went.
May 4, 2025
Shielding Instinct is definitely a learners permit for Neuro divergent information.
Even set in a fictional arena with the exquisite Fiona Quinn as its master conductor, this symphony of storytelling is outstanding! I only wish that the story would have continued on an on. Having read all of this authors books, and with this one as well, I am sorry to flip the last page. Beautiful man, beautiful dog, beautiful story. Thank you Fiona for all that you put into bringing this reader along on your journies.
Even set in a fictional arena with the exquisite Fiona Quinn as its master conductor, this symphony of storytelling is outstanding! I only wish that the story would have continued on an on. Having read all of this authors books, and with this one as well, I am sorry to flip the last page. Beautiful man, beautiful dog, beautiful story. Thank you Fiona for all that you put into bringing this reader along on your journies.
June 2, 2025
Petra knew this vacation was not going as planned from the start. things kept going wrong and the only good thing was
Petra knew her vacation was going wrong from the phone call saying her friend was sick and couldn’t go to the plane change that sat her with the four Cerberus dogs and their handlers. She never felt safe as she did with those men and their dogs, specially Hawkeye and his dog Cooper who was instantly at ease with her. This is the start off a great fast paced action story that has them on their toes and going strong from the start.
Petra knew her vacation was going wrong from the phone call saying her friend was sick and couldn’t go to the plane change that sat her with the four Cerberus dogs and their handlers. She never felt safe as she did with those men and their dogs, specially Hawkeye and his dog Cooper who was instantly at ease with her. This is the start off a great fast paced action story that has them on their toes and going strong from the start.
October 28, 2025
pleasantly flabbergasted
I leave maybe 1-2 reviews a year. Yes I know authors deserve more but that’s just me. I can’t remember the last time I read a well written excitement filled story but had to pause and reread sections because of the info contained, the thought process of neurodivergent, and extrapolations into real world scenarios. When added as a total, this book should be read by anyone who is, around or knows someone as a neurodivergent. I commend the author in bridging this topic in a way that we, me, understand. Bravo!!!
I leave maybe 1-2 reviews a year. Yes I know authors deserve more but that’s just me. I can’t remember the last time I read a well written excitement filled story but had to pause and reread sections because of the info contained, the thought process of neurodivergent, and extrapolations into real world scenarios. When added as a total, this book should be read by anyone who is, around or knows someone as a neurodivergent. I commend the author in bridging this topic in a way that we, me, understand. Bravo!!!
June 1, 2025
Petra and Hawkeye
I have given all of the Cerberus Charlie series 5 stars but I especially liked this book. Petra is neurodivergent and Hawkeye understands her more than most because he has a sister who is also neurodivergent.
They met on a plane to St Croix when he, his team and their dogs are flying to practice rough water rescues.
The scene when the dogs board the plane is a laugh out loud moment.
Every one of these books has seemed especially relevant to me in 2025.
I have given all of the Cerberus Charlie series 5 stars but I especially liked this book. Petra is neurodivergent and Hawkeye understands her more than most because he has a sister who is also neurodivergent.
They met on a plane to St Croix when he, his team and their dogs are flying to practice rough water rescues.
The scene when the dogs board the plane is a laugh out loud moment.
Every one of these books has seemed especially relevant to me in 2025.
April 22, 2025
Scared s**tless
Fiona Quinn you really got me thinking of how this could all play out. The mind games that are played out in our society and how ai is all around us and anyone can listen in. Im somglad the good guys are out there. I dont know how you think up these stories but you outdid yourself on Hawkeye and Petras story.
Fiona Quinn you really got me thinking of how this could all play out. The mind games that are played out in our society and how ai is all around us and anyone can listen in. Im somglad the good guys are out there. I dont know how you think up these stories but you outdid yourself on Hawkeye and Petras story.
April 22, 2025
I love this book SO much. The action, adventure, suspense, and bit of romance are so well written that the story just flows with the life in it. I love the characters, both human and K-9, and the information about the way neurodivergent people think and feel. This is really a terrific, enjoyable book that I know I will re-read through the years.
April 22, 2025
Thank you, Fiona Quinn!
Ms Quinn shows that it is possible for the neurodivergent to deal positively living in a world set up for the neurotypical. I'm 68 years old never truly tested and have experienced the pain of being different. Thank you, Ms Quinn, for giving me a new perspective. I have the dates saved on my calendar for all your new releases. Highly recommended.
Ms Quinn shows that it is possible for the neurodivergent to deal positively living in a world set up for the neurotypical. I'm 68 years old never truly tested and have experienced the pain of being different. Thank you, Ms Quinn, for giving me a new perspective. I have the dates saved on my calendar for all your new releases. Highly recommended.
April 24, 2025
Shielding Instinct
Kudos to Fiona Quinn a for the most unusual Cerberus book I've read. You know the trouble will be taken care of and almost guaranteed a HEA, however you also learn things that should scare the comfort zone right out of you. It gets pretty deep at times but very informative. The overall story is very good and quite active.
Kudos to Fiona Quinn a for the most unusual Cerberus book I've read. You know the trouble will be taken care of and almost guaranteed a HEA, however you also learn things that should scare the comfort zone right out of you. It gets pretty deep at times but very informative. The overall story is very good and quite active.
April 25, 2025
another extraordinary story
Fiona Quinn writes amazing stories about “real characters” who choose to step up and work to make things better and safer. Some of her characters have four legs and tails. Some have amazing minds. Each story is current enough that no one would be unable to accept it if it was reported as news. Her talent shines through.
Fiona Quinn writes amazing stories about “real characters” who choose to step up and work to make things better and safer. Some of her characters have four legs and tails. Some have amazing minds. Each story is current enough that no one would be unable to accept it if it was reported as news. Her talent shines through.
April 28, 2025
shielding Instinct
Extremely interesting story, not only for the storyline but about the characters, especially Petra. I have experience with someone on the autism spectrum but had not heard the word neurodivergent to describe them. As with all the INQUIS books, I love the characters & their interaction with their dogs
Extremely interesting story, not only for the storyline but about the characters, especially Petra. I have experience with someone on the autism spectrum but had not heard the word neurodivergent to describe them. As with all the INQUIS books, I love the characters & their interaction with their dogs
May 1, 2025
Another 5+ stars!
If you love lots of twists and turns, K9s, a handsome, intelligent hero with high moral code, and a quirky, intelligent, heroine who is neurodivergent, this series is a must. I do not like cliffhangers and each book in this series is a stand alone.
Highly recommend.
If you love lots of twists and turns, K9s, a handsome, intelligent hero with high moral code, and a quirky, intelligent, heroine who is neurodivergent, this series is a must. I do not like cliffhangers and each book in this series is a stand alone.
Highly recommend.
May 9, 2025
Just ok.
I love Fiona Quinn books, but this one was just ok. I loved how she highlighted a neurodivergent mind in her main character, but it got very repetitive in their conversations. The story didn't flow like her others. I liked both characters, but didn't feel the romantic connection. Not my favorite book.
I love Fiona Quinn books, but this one was just ok. I loved how she highlighted a neurodivergent mind in her main character, but it got very repetitive in their conversations. The story didn't flow like her others. I liked both characters, but didn't feel the romantic connection. Not my favorite book.
June 14, 2025
Unexpected
This book gives all new meaning to "it's all in your head" or another perspective of thought processes. Petra is on vacation, Hawkeye and Cooper are there for training. Events spin out of control between our strong alpha male and an unexpectedly strong woman. Another page turner by Fiona Quinn. Bravo!
This book gives all new meaning to "it's all in your head" or another perspective of thought processes. Petra is on vacation, Hawkeye and Cooper are there for training. Events spin out of control between our strong alpha male and an unexpectedly strong woman. Another page turner by Fiona Quinn. Bravo!
July 4, 2025
Why not 4?
Th adventure parts were compelling and exciting. Of course, K-9 Cooper was a perfect hero. But. The book was too cerebral and to long and complex , boring. I learned some interesting facts, but they took up most of the book and cut into the romance and adventure I was reading it for.
Th adventure parts were compelling and exciting. Of course, K-9 Cooper was a perfect hero. But. The book was too cerebral and to long and complex , boring. I learned some interesting facts, but they took up most of the book and cut into the romance and adventure I was reading it for.
April 24, 2025
Enjoyed the characters Hawkeye and Petra. Loved Cooper! Quinn has that magic touch with mixing romance, excitement through adventure and the psychological nuances of the psyche. Then she adds in more insight into how the chemicals, in the brain, interrelate with personal relationships. All in all, another beautiful story with lots of chemistry amongst the main characters, as they meander through their rescue.
I was gifted an advanced reader copy from the author. I highly recommend this novel.
I was gifted an advanced reader copy from the author. I highly recommend this novel.
April 23, 2025
Engaging characters with Petra and Hawkeye and the K9 Cooper. Lots of action! Lots of good info along the way and a great stroy. Once again a fantastic story that kept me reading once I started and an interesting plot with multiple problems to be solved along the way. Loved it!!!!
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