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When every second counts, trusting the wrong instinct could cost everything.

It was supposed to be a simple assignment. Hot spot journalist Auralia Rochambeau thought exposing a charity scam would be just another headline—until the con she exposed turned violent, and her world spiraled into chaos. Trapped by a sudden storm and a deadly bridge collapse in rural Virginia, Auralia must rely on her instincts and the man she loves to survive.

Honoré “Creed” Duchamp, retired Marine Raider and member of Iniquus’s famed Cerberus Tactical K9 Team Charlie, never backs down from danger. Alongside his scent-trained black lab, Rougarou, Creed races against escalating havoc to protect lives—especially Auralia’s. Over the past year, their relationship has quietly shifted from friendship to something deeper, a bond they rely on as the stakes grow higher.

As secrets surface and the storm rages, Auralia and Creed face life-or-death decisions, testing their trust, loyalty, and instincts. In this heart-pounding survival thriller, suspense, action adventure two unforgettable heroes work together in a fight for survival.

324 pages, Paperback

First published October 20, 2025

21 people want to read

About the author

Fiona Quinn

80 books510 followers

Fiona 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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5 stars
284 (70%)
4 stars
93 (23%)
3 stars
20 (4%)
2 stars
3 (<1%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Dog Mom Reads A Lot .
110 reviews5 followers
October 19, 2025
As someone who was born and raised on the bias of Louisiana with a large family of cousins aunts uncles and helping my daddy on the boat as a teenager I am so thrilled at how this book came out by Fiona she was able to capture the essence of living back the bayou working on the bio the good times the hard times and a lot of our superstitions Legends and beliefs all the old stories and traditions that were passed down from generation to generation as if she herself had grown up here after reading this book I went lunch with my daddy and we had a nice conversation and it brought up a lot of old memories for both he and I me for the stories he used to tell me as a little girl him for Life experiences he had on the bayou it gave us a great conversation and memories that I will never forget
As for the book I really wish I could give it more than five stars but it has my glowing recommendation I love Creed Auralia and little Rrougarou's story
First I have to say the way rougarou walks in her doggy boots and socks sounds absolutely adorable and had me smiling and giggling I could picture rougarou the way she was described clearly in my mind it was absolutely adorable and I loved it I actually went back to reread that part of the book a few times just for the giggles in the cute picture it created
I love that in this book they hold true to their bayou beliefs and the way that the bayou raised them and how they use what they learned growing up back about you to help them survive in life or death situations and how they trusted the beliefs the gifts they were born with the skills they learned as kids and adults to save others in dire situations it is a powerful story about trusting your instincts to survive and the love story between Auralia and Creed is like a bayou fairy tale come to life on the pages
I can not praise this book enough if you love a good love story filled with action suspense a little folklore and bayou legend a cute adorable doggie hero and a happily ever after this book is perfect for you
Profile Image for Melanie Marnell.
4,205 reviews34 followers
October 21, 2025
Trusted Instinct is, underneath it all, a love story it's far more than that. Yes, Auralia Rochambeau and Honoré "Creed" Duchamp are childhood friends whose relationship grew into a love so deep that they can feel each other thoughts even when they're miles away from one another. Their childhoods spent living in the Louisiana bayous give them a solid foundation for what life throws at them. They both are prescient enough that their foresight helps them out of tight spots and oftentimes averts danger for those around them. But at its heart, Trusted Instinct is a day long, tension filled, exiting, dangerous and nightmare scenario. Both Auralia and Creed, along with her brother Gator, Creed's K9 Rougarou and the Iniquus Strike Force must use every bit of their training, experience and wits to handle a monumental disaster that involves an assassination attempt, an enormous storm and a multi-car pile up of epic proportions. Men, women and children must be rescued and lives need saving. The crew is stretched beyond its limits but manages to accomplish what seems impossible. This was definitely an sitting at the edge of your seat and holding your breath until you gasped adventure. Absolutely outstanding!
Profile Image for Meghan.
3,324 reviews7 followers
October 25, 2025
Love is Known

Creed and Aurelia — we’re back in the Bayou (well, sort of). Creed is Gator’s best friend, and Aurelia is his sister, so the three grew up together. Now Creed and Aurelia are in love. Gator has always been one of my favorites in this world, and I loved how connected he was to this story.

I found the structure fascinating since most of the book takes place in the same location and over the same day. The beginning was well-developed, setting up the characters and the main issue, while the ending gave us a sweet and satisfying moment for the couple.

The heart of the story, though, is the vivid, detailed depiction of a major catastrophe — and how Aurelia, Creed, Rou, Gator, Striker, local citizens, and the Iniquus teams respond. The interludes showing non–series-specific rescues were especially poignant and helped deepen both Creed’s and Rou’s characters.

I loved the attention to detail — the tools (like the animal trap), the wounds, the sensory details of smells and sounds — all of it created a full-bodied, immersive experience. And Rou absolutely stole my heart. I really hope we get more K9-centered books soon!
649 reviews
November 8, 2025
Trusted Instinct

This is another amazing story where the events could be taken out of today's headlines. Action- packed, drama with a romance between long time family friends thrown into the mix. Creed and Auralia where raised in Bayou country with Gator, her brother, and his best friend. They each have the ability to "sense" things that others couldn't. Creed works at Iniquus as canine handler of Rougarou, his K9. Auralia is now a journalist covering stories the world over. Their jobs take the both to the same place. She's covering a news event and he's working security. Danger, suspense, lies, deceit, public panic, and heroism combine for a book you won't want to stop reading until the last page.
Profile Image for Patricia King.
759 reviews15 followers
November 16, 2025
Trusted Instinct
Cerberus Tactical K9, Team Charlie, Book 4
Fiona Quinn, author

Another rescue, another action-packed adventure that kept a great pace until the end. Quinn is like an ever-ready battery, she just keeps going with the storylines that hold my interest.

This storyline was especially touching, as Creed rescued little children from the wreckage of an automobile accident. Oh the patience and diligence he took while rescuing them was endearing. And Gater's little sister, wow, she too was amazing with her skills sets in the water...

Go Team Charlie operatives Creed and K9 Rou, as well as, Auralia Rochambeau the journalist ...

I was gifted an advanced reader copy from the author. I leave this review of my own volition. I recommend this novel.
Profile Image for Marie.
5,047 reviews52 followers
October 22, 2025
Can Auralia really believe?

Yay! I LOVE that Auralia is Gator's sister and that she, Gator and Creed grew up together and all share both the sight and an unbreakable connection.
This book careens from a nothing situation into a crazy life or death, all hands on deck, multiple injuries incident and whilst they are all there when it happens, they are not together...Auralia finds she has to save herself. I really love the bond they all have and little Rou stole my heart, I love all the Iniquus K9's but she is the most amazing and completely adorable! She is definitely my new favourite!
An amazing read on Kindle Unlimited.
6,004 reviews44 followers
October 27, 2025
If you connect with community, being there for each other in times of need, rural tangled hearts and families, determined individuals and k9s, or if you just like stories with a bit if action, steam, and strong bonds tested - there's something for you in this series, in this book world, and especially in this book.

I love the world of the Cerberus K9 units, and especially anything featuring the bayou connected Gator.

This book is another chance to fall in love with an amazing K9, an operator of two, and a bunch of other folks with determination, grit, humanity- as well as a few sneaky folks and drama with food for thought.

powerful and hot reading!
Profile Image for Jacqueline.
588 reviews16 followers
October 23, 2025
Fiona Quinn writes brilliant stories about the fictional (but ought to exist in reality) Iniqqus organisation that saves and safeguards people everywhere. In this book, about the sister and girlfriend of two of the Iniqqus operators and a lovely little search and rescue puppy, the story is one of devastating circumstances and a roller coaster ride of a rescue in terrible conditions. Add in a bit of Bayou magic and I could not put it down!
1,534 reviews2 followers
October 24, 2025
Wow, I love the K9 books in this series but this book felt kind of empty. Because it took place at one accident, there was very little interaction between the characters and no romance.
And the editing was really bad. At several places, I couldn’t tell what was happening. I had to reread and reread. The verbiage wasn’t clear. How did she get out of the car? How did she carry 2 bins with her in the water?
So confusing.
41 reviews
November 1, 2025
good book but too many side stories

I enjoyed the story and writing of this book. But there were so so many side stories. Stories about other news events, about historical interactions, or previous conversations. Yes. Readers need a back story to understand the characters. But this was excessive. There were back stories for minor activities and memories. I ended up skipping 1/3 of the book without feeling like I missed anything important.
Profile Image for Emily Dickson.
1,093 reviews7 followers
October 21, 2025
Another page turner!

Arielle and Creed were both great characters! Once again Fiona delivers more suspense and action that starts right from the beginning and just continues. You the lab also was great. Add in Strike force and just plan not to put the book down. Love all the books and can't wait til the next one!
Profile Image for Susan.
2,432 reviews14 followers
October 22, 2025
This book is a beautiful love story with lots of suspense, lots of action, some twists, and some of that bayou magic woven in with great characters and a wonderful K-9. Fiona really knows how to paint a picture with words. The rescue work was informative. It is a very entertaining, exciting story with a happy ending.
100 reviews
October 27, 2025
This author always comes up with unique and interesting stories.

The story's main characters are incredibly brave and fearless. In a horrible disaster, caused by a combination of natural disasters of flash flooding and rivers rising, an old bridge needing repair, and a greedy man trying to keep his ill gotten gains, the heroes help save lives.
Profile Image for Susan Clair Holt.
1,355 reviews1 follower
October 28, 2025
Trusted Instinct

Creed has joined Cerberus Tactical Team Charlie with his K9, Rougarou. Auralie grew up with Creed in the bayou and now that they are adults have fallen in love. Auralie's job as a hot spot reporter is just as dangerous as Creed's. They live through a bad day, saving people along the way and make it out alive. Great author with a great story.
14 reviews1 follower
October 21, 2025
Trusted Instinct

Trusted Instinct with Auralia and Creed was so good! Ms. Quinn always writes stories that are very unusual but draw you in. I can’t wait for her next book to be published!
174 reviews
October 25, 2025
This is a keeper -the title says it all

From Rou the black lab puppy to another fascinating episode of people connecting to each other in good and bad times, this is a fun and fascinating read.

I recommend it for anyone who enjoys search and rescue suspense.
248 reviews
October 26, 2025
Awesome!

Fiona Quinn is an amazing storyteller! I love this one! Full of heroes, heroines, everyday people who try to help others, magic, a little bayou and some humor, good friends, tight families and friends!
843 reviews7 followers
October 27, 2025
Aurelia and Creed

The book was non stop edge of my seat action.
I’ve enjoyed all the books about the crew from Louisiana and this book was a welcome addition.
The bits of voodoo or minds meeting really added to the story.
1 review
November 5, 2025
Awesome book!

I couldn't put it down. It was definitely a page turner. There was something going on from start to finish. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves a high adrenaline, action packed book. I loved the characters with the Creole added in.
1,020 reviews1 follower
October 21, 2025
A reporter loves a search and rescue guy

Aurelia, Creed and Rougalou are involved in a crash. Instead of getting out, they have to rescue others first. Finally they can go home.
312 reviews1 follower
November 2, 2025
great read !

I’ve always loved Ms.Fiona’s books- always full of humor and action ! Now we’ve added Rou-Rou to the mix,awesome dog !!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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