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Instinct #1
Primal Instinct
A killer stalks the city streets, and one FBI agent is determined to bring him down in this classic story from reader favorite Janie Crouch’s Primal Instinct.
On the crowded streets of San Francisco, a serial killer watches and waits. Known only as “Simon Says,” he lures his next victim while the FBI grasps for answers. Desperate, they turn to Adrienne Jeffries. Adrienne has an uncanny talent for getting inside the city’s most dangerous minds. But first she’ll have to get past FBI agent Conner Perigo. Skeptical of Adrienne’s abilities, Conner begrudgingly enlists her help…unprepared for the powerful attraction that could jeopardize their focus. With little time, and everything to lose, they must work to find Simon’s next victim—before he does.
Originally published in 2014
Look for more books in Janie Crouch’s Instinct
Critical Instinct
Survival Instinct
On the crowded streets of San Francisco, a serial killer watches and waits. Known only as “Simon Says,” he lures his next victim while the FBI grasps for answers. Desperate, they turn to Adrienne Jeffries. Adrienne has an uncanny talent for getting inside the city’s most dangerous minds. But first she’ll have to get past FBI agent Conner Perigo. Skeptical of Adrienne’s abilities, Conner begrudgingly enlists her help…unprepared for the powerful attraction that could jeopardize their focus. With little time, and everything to lose, they must work to find Simon’s next victim—before he does.
Originally published in 2014
Look for more books in Janie Crouch’s Instinct
Critical Instinct
Survival Instinct
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2014
599 people are currently reading
943 people want to read
About the author
Janie Crouch
241 books2,025 followersUSA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author Janie Crouch writes what she loves to read: passionate romantic suspense.
After a lifetime on the East Coast—and a six-year stint in Germany due to her husband's job as support for the U.S. Military—Janie has settled into her dream home in Front Range of the Colorado Rockies. She loves engaging in all sorts of adventures (triathlons! 200-mile relay races! mountain treks!), traveling, and surviving life with four kids.
Heroes exist. Let a Janie Crouch book prove it to you.
Check out Janie's updates and more on her website at http://www.janiecrouch.com
After a lifetime on the East Coast—and a six-year stint in Germany due to her husband's job as support for the U.S. Military—Janie has settled into her dream home in Front Range of the Colorado Rockies. She loves engaging in all sorts of adventures (triathlons! 200-mile relay races! mountain treks!), traveling, and surviving life with four kids.
Heroes exist. Let a Janie Crouch book prove it to you.
Check out Janie's updates and more on her website at http://www.janiecrouch.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
April 7, 2014
A good book with a nice story.
I have a small complaint... I know that this is a Harlequin, but I would have liked it better if the part of the psychopath were more developed.
Here we have descriptions like "terrible things" etc, without actually get to know what those are.
On the other hand, the part where her abilities are is good and interesting!
The dialogue between Adrienne and Conner is great! I liked those humorous interludes that balance really well with the rest of the story.
I also enjoyed Adrienne's personality. Her ability to remain a really nice person with all the bad staff going on in her head.
Conner too was a decent guy, even if Adrienne calls him Agent Jackass in the beginning. :D
I have a small complaint... I know that this is a Harlequin, but I would have liked it better if the part of the psychopath were more developed.
Here we have descriptions like "terrible things" etc, without actually get to know what those are.
On the other hand, the part where her abilities are is good and interesting!
The dialogue between Adrienne and Conner is great! I liked those humorous interludes that balance really well with the rest of the story.
I also enjoyed Adrienne's personality. Her ability to remain a really nice person with all the bad staff going on in her head.
Conner too was a decent guy, even if Adrienne calls him Agent Jackass in the beginning. :D
November 1, 2021
The Book:
My Notes:
Um ew, didn't she just barf 30 mins ago? I know damn well she didn't brush her teeth in the mean time.
So not terrible, but very formulaic. I liked the 'psychic' aspect of the story along with this FBI murder mystery thriller- but beyond the bare bones I wasn't really into a lot of the story.
We have Connor, our resident sceptic no-nonsense FBI agent who has been working with his partner Seth to solve a series of murders perpetrated by someone only known as Simon Says. After hitting a wall in their investigation, the Chief tells the two men to convince (by any means necessary) a woman who worked for the FBI 10 years ago- nicknamed the Bloodhound- to participate in the case.
This woman is 28 year old Adrienne, who has somewhat psychic abilities in which she can feel evil intent from individuals, hear their thoughts, and get images of their intentions. She was roped into helping the FBI when she was 18, and due to the extreme pain and psychological toll it took on her she had to quit.
However, the two agents on the case don't seem to know her history and pretty much blackmail her into taking the case only to end up relying on each other more and more as the murders continue.
x------------------------------x
So overview over.
I honestly just sped read the last half of the book the second the killer was present. It was painfully obvious who he was the very second his character introduced himself so kind of took the mystery of it all out of the read.
And beyond that I was annoyed at the 'romance' and the ML/ FL in general. Plus the fact that Adrienne read more as a late teen/ early 20's character instead of an almost 30 yr old woman didn't help- I mean for all that she's been through you would think she'd be a little more quick on the uptake.
But I feel like my notes were not very nice when I was reading this because everything was pretty cheesy. Like the H thinking she was a 'cute, tiny, spitfire and dynamite' but at the same time so fragile he must protect. Also, calling her baby & sweetheart and them making out after only knowing each other a day was a little cringe- mostly considering they were simultaneously at each others throats in between.
Eh could say more but don't want to drag this on.
"His lips were firm but gentle, and Adrienne was immediately swept up in the kiss."
My Notes:
Um ew, didn't she just barf 30 mins ago? I know damn well she didn't brush her teeth in the mean time.
So not terrible, but very formulaic. I liked the 'psychic' aspect of the story along with this FBI murder mystery thriller- but beyond the bare bones I wasn't really into a lot of the story.
We have Connor, our resident sceptic no-nonsense FBI agent who has been working with his partner Seth to solve a series of murders perpetrated by someone only known as Simon Says. After hitting a wall in their investigation, the Chief tells the two men to convince (by any means necessary) a woman who worked for the FBI 10 years ago- nicknamed the Bloodhound- to participate in the case.
This woman is 28 year old Adrienne, who has somewhat psychic abilities in which she can feel evil intent from individuals, hear their thoughts, and get images of their intentions. She was roped into helping the FBI when she was 18, and due to the extreme pain and psychological toll it took on her she had to quit.
However, the two agents on the case don't seem to know her history and pretty much blackmail her into taking the case only to end up relying on each other more and more as the murders continue.
x------------------------------x
So overview over.
I honestly just sped read the last half of the book the second the killer was present. It was painfully obvious who he was the very second his character introduced himself so kind of took the mystery of it all out of the read.
And beyond that I was annoyed at the 'romance' and the ML/ FL in general. Plus the fact that Adrienne read more as a late teen/ early 20's character instead of an almost 30 yr old woman didn't help- I mean for all that she's been through you would think she'd be a little more quick on the uptake.
But I feel like my notes were not very nice when I was reading this because everything was pretty cheesy. Like the H thinking she was a 'cute, tiny, spitfire and dynamite' but at the same time so fragile he must protect. Also, calling her baby & sweetheart and them making out after only knowing each other a day was a little cringe- mostly considering they were simultaneously at each others throats in between.
Eh could say more but don't want to drag this on.
August 31, 2014
Adrienne Jeffries has a secret 'gift', if you want to call it something, and the FBI is need of it. Again. Connor Perigo and Seth Harrington are recruited to bring her back in so she can help them find a serial killer. They have been working on the case for over ten months with no leads when their boss orders them to find Adrienne.
I am the first to admit that 'Romantic Suspense' is not easy to write. The reader needs to given enough information about the killer/criminal plot/mystery to pull him or her in without going overboard on graphic details. At the same time you need an interesting hero and heroine with believable backgrounds so the reader can identify with them. Great chemistry is a plus. Lastly, correct pacing is imperative. Clues are necessary but you don't want them to stand out.
I know this is Ms. Crouch's debut story and, for the most part, it is good. I think this author has some talent that should only get better the more she writes. A side note: she introduced the idea of two sisters which may or may not be developed into other stories.
I am the first to admit that 'Romantic Suspense' is not easy to write. The reader needs to given enough information about the killer/criminal plot/mystery to pull him or her in without going overboard on graphic details. At the same time you need an interesting hero and heroine with believable backgrounds so the reader can identify with them. Great chemistry is a plus. Lastly, correct pacing is imperative. Clues are necessary but you don't want them to stand out.
I know this is Ms. Crouch's debut story and, for the most part, it is good. I think this author has some talent that should only get better the more she writes. A side note: she introduced the idea of two sisters which may or may not be developed into other stories.
February 17, 2014
For being a freshmen book form Crouch I must say it was very good and I am looking forward to more. Maybe even Adrienne's sisters stories?
I really enjoyed Conner and Adrienne's story. The suspense was there and I was toying with who I thought the killer was I loved the plot twist that just added a little bit more to the story that a lot of new author's don't put in their books so that was a nice addition. I am looking forward to more from this new author who made an impression with her first book.
I really enjoyed Conner and Adrienne's story. The suspense was there and I was toying with who I thought the killer was I loved the plot twist that just added a little bit more to the story that a lot of new author's don't put in their books so that was a nice addition. I am looking forward to more from this new author who made an impression with her first book.
February 16, 2020
I really enjoyed this romantic suspense with lots of fast paced exciting action and an interesting plot. The relationship and bad guys character were both creative. It's hard to tell more without spoilers so I'll just say this was an overall good book. FBI agent Conner is ordered to bring Adrienne into a serial killer case he is working because she has special abilities to get into the minds of evil criminals.
June 18, 2017
I'd never heard of this author before now, and having received a newsletter offering a copy of the second book in the series, I thought I'd go back and read this story before that one to see if I would like the author's style. While this was a good enough story, there were some holes in things that made it difficult for me to truly enjoy it.
Adrienne Jeffries was a bit of a unique heroine, but also a bit of an unlikable one. Descriptions of her abilities weren't accurate, nor was her ability actually given a name, and thus was not believable for me. She held herself aloof for much of the book, so her romantic feelings weren't as believable either.
Connor Perigo was a complete jerk, so it was hard for me to believe his transition to love interest. In addition to that his ability to dampen Adrienne's ability was never explained, which left more questions than answers.
The suspense plot didn't feel fully developed, and I would have liked to seen more in the killer's mind. I do have to give the author credit here, because what was there of the suspense was actually very entertaining, full of twists and turns.
Seeing as how this was a first effort by this author, I am definitely willing to give her a second chance and see if she hones her craft any more than this.
Adrienne Jeffries was a bit of a unique heroine, but also a bit of an unlikable one. Descriptions of her abilities weren't accurate, nor was her ability actually given a name, and thus was not believable for me. She held herself aloof for much of the book, so her romantic feelings weren't as believable either.
Connor Perigo was a complete jerk, so it was hard for me to believe his transition to love interest. In addition to that his ability to dampen Adrienne's ability was never explained, which left more questions than answers.
The suspense plot didn't feel fully developed, and I would have liked to seen more in the killer's mind. I do have to give the author credit here, because what was there of the suspense was actually very entertaining, full of twists and turns.
Seeing as how this was a first effort by this author, I am definitely willing to give her a second chance and see if she hones her craft any more than this.
May 22, 2019
wish there was more "heat" between the H and h... there wasn't even a sex scene on page... safety: no ow/om drama at all, kinda insta love but with trust issues at the beginning, no epilogue meeehhh :/
November 28, 2020
Between a psychic/empath lady who's always falling unconscious into the big beefy arms of a lovestruck FBI agent and the villain with Dissociative Identity Disorder (which the author incorrectly and anachronistically calls "Multiple Personality Disorder"), it was a bit much. The book is super short—obviously, it's a category romance—and I thought there was too much time spent doing set-up and not enough actually investigating. The actual love story was also shortchanged as well. Somehow, this book was mostly filler. Not enough romance or suspense.
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📌 . Blog | Review Database | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads
September 10, 2019
Rating: PG13 for violence
Sex: all behind doors, nudity but not described
Language: 11 Lord's name in vain
Violence: kidnappings, arson, attempted murders, referenced murders
HEA or Cliffhanger: HEA
Do I need to read books before this one: no
Would I read more of the series: yes
The plot and pacing are amazing! I finished this in one sitting. The characters were developed enough for us to care about them without getting too much extraneous information. The setting wasn't pertinent to the story, and so wasn't described very much. I pegged the killer right away, then was unsure. This is a well-written romantic suspense, and I recommend it!
----SPOILERS----
FBI agents Conner Perigo and Seth Harrington are frustrated with this case. 5 dead women in 10 months in San Francisco. Each murder is preceded by a package of nesting boxes, with the smallest containing a lock of hair and a note from Simon Says. A few days later, the owner of the hair is found dead. Conner and Seth work in the FBI’s ViCAP division—Violent Criminal Apprehension Program—a subdivision of the Bureau’s Behavioral Analysis Unit.
Chief Kelly announces he's bringing in an independent contractor--Adrienne Jeffries. 10 years ago, she worked with the FBI for 2 years, credited with providing direct leads to 37 arrests. He nickname was Bloodhound. The chief wants them to go to her horse ranch and, if she won't cooperate, arrest her ranch manager for missing his last parole hearing in the '70s.
They drive out the next morning, and are surprised that Adrienne is in her late 20s, meaning she was a teen when employed by the FBI. Conner is affected by her (angry and turned on). She explains her skill: “The closer I am to a person with malicious intent, the more clearly I can sense what the person is thinking. And I don’t have to be near the actual person. I can be around something he or she has touched or been near and be able to ‘read’ the evil.” She can't sense anything other than evil. If she's really close, she can see and hear everything in their head.
Adrienne is affected by Conner, too. She's also surprised that she hadn't detected them in the barn, because everybody puts off a little buzz, and more people equals louder buzz. She tells them using her gift comes at a price, physically. They threaten Rick, so she agrees to work with them.
Driving in, she sings to music to drown out the buzz of a million people. She stops the car, and only a slight buzz. She looks at pictures of crime scenes, and nothing. All day long, nothing. The FBI puts her up in a hotel, and Conner drives her there and clears her room. They kiss.
The next morning, the buzz is back, and Adrienne is glad. She goes to a coffee shop, then hears someone mentally screaming murder. She's in such pain, she squishes her coffee cup and burns herself while trying to stay conscious. She calls Conner, Seth's closer, and now she's got to warn the couple. Her nose is bleeding. She asks the lady to get her a wet paper towel. The murderer enters. The lady comes back. He pulls out his gun. Luckily, Seth is there. The murderer is arrested, but he's still putting out evil thoughts. She's on her way to the bathroom to throw up when all of a sudden, it's silent. Conner has arrived. He catches her as she passes out.
She recovers quickly. Conner walks her to the hotel so she can change her clothes from the coffee she spilled on it. They bought her some medicine for the burns she got when she crushed her coffee cup. Seth calls Conner and tells him there was CC footage of that morning, and they both have cause to believe she has skills now.
Back at the office, she's having no luck again. Then Seth and Conner get called away to another murder. Everything about this killer comes crashing into her, she vomits into the trash can, and she stays conscious as long as she can. 3 hours later, she ties up the trash and takes it out to a bigger trash can. Conner and Seth come back. Because of all the details she has, and because he saw her outside of the interrogation room without an escort, he accuses her of finding computer files or talking to an agent. The room has audio and video recording. She leaves, upset.
She goes to a park while they review footage. The buzzing is back, giving her a headache, but it's manageable. Conner finds her, apologizes, and kisses her. Then she realizes she no longer has a headache and there's no buzz. When she had worked with the FBI before, the pain has been constant, whether she was working or not. She sends him home for a shower to test her theory that he blocks the buzzing. She meets Seth at the FBI building, they go into the interrogation room, and Seth brings her the locks of hair the killer has been sending them. It sends her into agony and darkness. After torture, she has to get to the elevator through a fun house of mirrors and tilting, and when she gets out of the elevator feeling better, she falls into Conner's arms.
They go back upstairs into the interrogation room, and she's able to tell them what she got from the hair. Then she sleeps on the conference room couch for two hours while Seth and Conner add the info she gave them to that woman's file. Usually she can't sleep in busy places. While she was sleeping, Conner reviewed the video tape of what she had gone through, and Seth avers he was scared to death. Conner takes her to the hotel.
On the way, she explains that she was in that much pain when she work for the FBI before, and it wasn't until she had a breakdown and was in the hospital for 6 weeks that she quit, worried that working for the FBI was going to kill her. They kiss in the car in the garage, and say goodbye when Vince (ranch manager) calls.
The next morning, another package arrives. Conner, Seth, and Adrienne go to an interrogation room, and Conner says he's going to go get coffee. Adrienne tells him he has to leave the building. He's frustrated. He's only gone 10 minutes when Seth texts him to get back now. She's unconscious on the floor. She wakes up and describes her experience, and then the call comes in that the body's been found. This is the first crime scenes she gets to watch, because Conner is blocking her abilities. A photographer comes out to the car and tells her Conner wants her in there. Conner hadn't called for her but she didn't put two and two together. So Adrienne can evaluate the scene, Conner's going to drive away with his phone on speaker and when he's far enough away, she'll tell Seth to tell him to stop. She touches the body and gets information, then wanders around the room and picks him up in the corner. And she loses him outside when he drops his keys. He's worried he's going to miss the show.
Much later, Conner drives her back to her hotel. They make out in the elevator. Her room has been trashed. The killer left a note on her pillow. She offers to try to sense the room if Conner will leave, but he refuses. He takes her to his home in Daly City. They share their histories, and then make love.
The next morning, Seth is over for breakfast, and they agree the killer is in law enforcement. She wants to go back to the ranch, but Conner persuades her to stay for 3 days. During this time, they realize they're in love with the other, but don't say it aloud.
Afterward, she and Seth go to Lodi so she can focus on pictures without Conner blocking her and without the buzz of the city. She sees the killer has vertigo and there's a white church by where he takes them to kill them. She wonders if he has a partner, but then dismisses it. She wakes up in the middle of the night, knowing something's wrong, something's evil. Seth is nowhere to be found. She calls Conner, and then sees the barn is on fire. Getting the horses out, they find Seth unconscious. While getting horses out, she sees Simon sitting on the front porch, gleeful. He's not there when the horses are safe. Conner shows up an hour and a half after she called him, 30 to 45 minutes before he should have been there had he been obeying traffic laws.
A few days later after she gets the horses and the barn taken care of, they return to San Francisco, and there's a package from Simon Says at the office. The note tells her that he's in a specific theater and that the women he chooses are based on their voice, they remind him of a woman in his past who accused him of being a whiny girl because of his voice, that he'd never be a man. She touches the hair, and the girl is still alive. They know it's a trap so Conner won't let her come. Sure enough, there are bombs under the stage, but they find the girl. Attached to her is a note that says, Never mind, I found someone better.
Back at the station, Adrienne looks up vertigo, and realizes he doesn't have vertigo, he was thinking about Hitchcock's Vertigo while he was standing in a very ritzy place in San Francisco. She prints out a map of the area and marks a couple of churches. Then the photographer shows up again, telling her the woman is dead and she's needed at the crime scene. In his car, Adrienne gets a headache and the photographer's voice gets whiny.
Conner is excited to get back and talk to Adrienne after spending hours at the crime scene. She's not answering her phone. When they get to the office, they can't find her, and the photographer tells them a package has arrived. The note says, It's not so easy without your little cheater, is it? Conner recognizes her hair. Video confirms she left with the photographer 2 hours ago. Conner finds the map.
Adrienne is tied up in the room. When the photographer talks now, he speaks in a high sing-song voice. He talks about the photographer as his name, Victor Faraday, but as himself as Simon. He knew that Conner and Adrienne would fall in love because of the meaning of their names. Simon means to be heard. Conner means lover of hounds, as in Bloodhound. Victor means champion, but Simon says that couldn't be farther from the truth. Adrienne asks to talk to Victor, but Simon won't let her because Victor can't get anything done. She asks, Like protect you from her? The woman was his aunt. He's saving the world from women like her, so no one gets ignored, laughed at, and hurt. He's about to stab her, and her mind clears. Conner is near. Just as she's about to get stabbed, she picks up a piece of wood and hits the Simon's face. Conner then gets into the room and she faints into his arms yet again. Later that night, they confess their feelings for each other and Conner proposes.
Sex: all behind doors, nudity but not described
Language: 11 Lord's name in vain
Violence: kidnappings, arson, attempted murders, referenced murders
HEA or Cliffhanger: HEA
Do I need to read books before this one: no
Would I read more of the series: yes
The plot and pacing are amazing! I finished this in one sitting. The characters were developed enough for us to care about them without getting too much extraneous information. The setting wasn't pertinent to the story, and so wasn't described very much. I pegged the killer right away, then was unsure. This is a well-written romantic suspense, and I recommend it!
----SPOILERS----
FBI agents Conner Perigo and Seth Harrington are frustrated with this case. 5 dead women in 10 months in San Francisco. Each murder is preceded by a package of nesting boxes, with the smallest containing a lock of hair and a note from Simon Says. A few days later, the owner of the hair is found dead. Conner and Seth work in the FBI’s ViCAP division—Violent Criminal Apprehension Program—a subdivision of the Bureau’s Behavioral Analysis Unit.
Chief Kelly announces he's bringing in an independent contractor--Adrienne Jeffries. 10 years ago, she worked with the FBI for 2 years, credited with providing direct leads to 37 arrests. He nickname was Bloodhound. The chief wants them to go to her horse ranch and, if she won't cooperate, arrest her ranch manager for missing his last parole hearing in the '70s.
They drive out the next morning, and are surprised that Adrienne is in her late 20s, meaning she was a teen when employed by the FBI. Conner is affected by her (angry and turned on). She explains her skill: “The closer I am to a person with malicious intent, the more clearly I can sense what the person is thinking. And I don’t have to be near the actual person. I can be around something he or she has touched or been near and be able to ‘read’ the evil.” She can't sense anything other than evil. If she's really close, she can see and hear everything in their head.
Adrienne is affected by Conner, too. She's also surprised that she hadn't detected them in the barn, because everybody puts off a little buzz, and more people equals louder buzz. She tells them using her gift comes at a price, physically. They threaten Rick, so she agrees to work with them.
Driving in, she sings to music to drown out the buzz of a million people. She stops the car, and only a slight buzz. She looks at pictures of crime scenes, and nothing. All day long, nothing. The FBI puts her up in a hotel, and Conner drives her there and clears her room. They kiss.
The next morning, the buzz is back, and Adrienne is glad. She goes to a coffee shop, then hears someone mentally screaming murder. She's in such pain, she squishes her coffee cup and burns herself while trying to stay conscious. She calls Conner, Seth's closer, and now she's got to warn the couple. Her nose is bleeding. She asks the lady to get her a wet paper towel. The murderer enters. The lady comes back. He pulls out his gun. Luckily, Seth is there. The murderer is arrested, but he's still putting out evil thoughts. She's on her way to the bathroom to throw up when all of a sudden, it's silent. Conner has arrived. He catches her as she passes out.
She recovers quickly. Conner walks her to the hotel so she can change her clothes from the coffee she spilled on it. They bought her some medicine for the burns she got when she crushed her coffee cup. Seth calls Conner and tells him there was CC footage of that morning, and they both have cause to believe she has skills now.
Back at the office, she's having no luck again. Then Seth and Conner get called away to another murder. Everything about this killer comes crashing into her, she vomits into the trash can, and she stays conscious as long as she can. 3 hours later, she ties up the trash and takes it out to a bigger trash can. Conner and Seth come back. Because of all the details she has, and because he saw her outside of the interrogation room without an escort, he accuses her of finding computer files or talking to an agent. The room has audio and video recording. She leaves, upset.
She goes to a park while they review footage. The buzzing is back, giving her a headache, but it's manageable. Conner finds her, apologizes, and kisses her. Then she realizes she no longer has a headache and there's no buzz. When she had worked with the FBI before, the pain has been constant, whether she was working or not. She sends him home for a shower to test her theory that he blocks the buzzing. She meets Seth at the FBI building, they go into the interrogation room, and Seth brings her the locks of hair the killer has been sending them. It sends her into agony and darkness. After torture, she has to get to the elevator through a fun house of mirrors and tilting, and when she gets out of the elevator feeling better, she falls into Conner's arms.
They go back upstairs into the interrogation room, and she's able to tell them what she got from the hair. Then she sleeps on the conference room couch for two hours while Seth and Conner add the info she gave them to that woman's file. Usually she can't sleep in busy places. While she was sleeping, Conner reviewed the video tape of what she had gone through, and Seth avers he was scared to death. Conner takes her to the hotel.
On the way, she explains that she was in that much pain when she work for the FBI before, and it wasn't until she had a breakdown and was in the hospital for 6 weeks that she quit, worried that working for the FBI was going to kill her. They kiss in the car in the garage, and say goodbye when Vince (ranch manager) calls.
The next morning, another package arrives. Conner, Seth, and Adrienne go to an interrogation room, and Conner says he's going to go get coffee. Adrienne tells him he has to leave the building. He's frustrated. He's only gone 10 minutes when Seth texts him to get back now. She's unconscious on the floor. She wakes up and describes her experience, and then the call comes in that the body's been found. This is the first crime scenes she gets to watch, because Conner is blocking her abilities. A photographer comes out to the car and tells her Conner wants her in there. Conner hadn't called for her but she didn't put two and two together. So Adrienne can evaluate the scene, Conner's going to drive away with his phone on speaker and when he's far enough away, she'll tell Seth to tell him to stop. She touches the body and gets information, then wanders around the room and picks him up in the corner. And she loses him outside when he drops his keys. He's worried he's going to miss the show.
Much later, Conner drives her back to her hotel. They make out in the elevator. Her room has been trashed. The killer left a note on her pillow. She offers to try to sense the room if Conner will leave, but he refuses. He takes her to his home in Daly City. They share their histories, and then make love.
The next morning, Seth is over for breakfast, and they agree the killer is in law enforcement. She wants to go back to the ranch, but Conner persuades her to stay for 3 days. During this time, they realize they're in love with the other, but don't say it aloud.
Afterward, she and Seth go to Lodi so she can focus on pictures without Conner blocking her and without the buzz of the city. She sees the killer has vertigo and there's a white church by where he takes them to kill them. She wonders if he has a partner, but then dismisses it. She wakes up in the middle of the night, knowing something's wrong, something's evil. Seth is nowhere to be found. She calls Conner, and then sees the barn is on fire. Getting the horses out, they find Seth unconscious. While getting horses out, she sees Simon sitting on the front porch, gleeful. He's not there when the horses are safe. Conner shows up an hour and a half after she called him, 30 to 45 minutes before he should have been there had he been obeying traffic laws.
A few days later after she gets the horses and the barn taken care of, they return to San Francisco, and there's a package from Simon Says at the office. The note tells her that he's in a specific theater and that the women he chooses are based on their voice, they remind him of a woman in his past who accused him of being a whiny girl because of his voice, that he'd never be a man. She touches the hair, and the girl is still alive. They know it's a trap so Conner won't let her come. Sure enough, there are bombs under the stage, but they find the girl. Attached to her is a note that says, Never mind, I found someone better.
Back at the station, Adrienne looks up vertigo, and realizes he doesn't have vertigo, he was thinking about Hitchcock's Vertigo while he was standing in a very ritzy place in San Francisco. She prints out a map of the area and marks a couple of churches. Then the photographer shows up again, telling her the woman is dead and she's needed at the crime scene. In his car, Adrienne gets a headache and the photographer's voice gets whiny.
Conner is excited to get back and talk to Adrienne after spending hours at the crime scene. She's not answering her phone. When they get to the office, they can't find her, and the photographer tells them a package has arrived. The note says, It's not so easy without your little cheater, is it? Conner recognizes her hair. Video confirms she left with the photographer 2 hours ago. Conner finds the map.
Adrienne is tied up in the room. When the photographer talks now, he speaks in a high sing-song voice. He talks about the photographer as his name, Victor Faraday, but as himself as Simon. He knew that Conner and Adrienne would fall in love because of the meaning of their names. Simon means to be heard. Conner means lover of hounds, as in Bloodhound. Victor means champion, but Simon says that couldn't be farther from the truth. Adrienne asks to talk to Victor, but Simon won't let her because Victor can't get anything done. She asks, Like protect you from her? The woman was his aunt. He's saving the world from women like her, so no one gets ignored, laughed at, and hurt. He's about to stab her, and her mind clears. Conner is near. Just as she's about to get stabbed, she picks up a piece of wood and hits the Simon's face. Conner then gets into the room and she faints into his arms yet again. Later that night, they confess their feelings for each other and Conner proposes.
May 23, 2021
This was a quick read, but it was fast paced and it was a complete story that didn't make me feel like anything was missing.
I'd not read anything by Janie Crouch before but this definitely won't be my last! I intend to go straight into the next book in the series.
I'm not usually crazy about books with a paranormal element but it worked for this story. The heroine, Adrienne, basically has visions and can hear people's thoughts when they are evil or deadly. This is a different twist to most romantic suspense novels and it worked in this instance.
I liked the character of Adrienne and found her to be relatable, despite her paranormal gift. She wants to help people without to cost to herself. She wants to be loved and accepted for who she is and feel safe. Just like the rest of us.
Connor, the hero, was a good man and a good FBI agent. Sometimes I don't buy unto two characters instant attraction or insta love, but the author gave them a reason to be connected and it made sense to to story. When he was found to be in the wrong, he was the first to own up to it. He didn't ever seem to question his feelings for Adrienne.
The killer was somewhat obvious. I guessed who it was from the moment that character was introduced, but it didn't detract from the story. I still thoroughly enjoyed discovering if I was correct!
There's one fade out sex scene that's pretty brief. Aside from him removing her bra, it doesn't go much beyond that. It wasn't necessary to the story to have a full scene, as it was still very easy to understand the characters feelings without it. There's no foul language either.
Highly recommended!
I'd not read anything by Janie Crouch before but this definitely won't be my last! I intend to go straight into the next book in the series.
I'm not usually crazy about books with a paranormal element but it worked for this story. The heroine, Adrienne, basically has visions and can hear people's thoughts when they are evil or deadly. This is a different twist to most romantic suspense novels and it worked in this instance.
I liked the character of Adrienne and found her to be relatable, despite her paranormal gift. She wants to help people without to cost to herself. She wants to be loved and accepted for who she is and feel safe. Just like the rest of us.
Connor, the hero, was a good man and a good FBI agent. Sometimes I don't buy unto two characters instant attraction or insta love, but the author gave them a reason to be connected and it made sense to to story. When he was found to be in the wrong, he was the first to own up to it. He didn't ever seem to question his feelings for Adrienne.
The killer was somewhat obvious. I guessed who it was from the moment that character was introduced, but it didn't detract from the story. I still thoroughly enjoyed discovering if I was correct!
There's one fade out sex scene that's pretty brief. Aside from him removing her bra, it doesn't go much beyond that. It wasn't necessary to the story to have a full scene, as it was still very easy to understand the characters feelings without it. There's no foul language either.
Highly recommended!
June 7, 2017
Plot: 4/5
Characterisation: 3/5
Prose: 4/5
How much I enjoyed it: 3/5
Characterisation: 3/5
Prose: 4/5
How much I enjoyed it: 3/5
August 31, 2018
Excellent book that had me hooked from the beginning. Conner and his partner are FBI agents working a serial killer case. It's been ten months, with five women killed, and there has been no progress in finding the killer. Conner's boss decided it was time to bring in an outside consultant, one that worked for the FBI years earlier, with an impressive record of solving cases. Unfortunately, she wants nothing to do with working for the FBI ever again. Adrienne has a unique ability to get inside the mind of a killer. However, it takes an enormous toll on her, mentally and physically, and at the age of eighteen, it didn't take long for her to burn out.
I loved the first meeting between Conner and Adrienne. Conner is very skeptical of Adrienne's abilities and makes no secret of the fact. Adrienne has matured into a strong woman who has no trouble standing up for herself. The two of them strike sparks from each other from the moment they met. Conner is quite a jerk with his snarky comments, but underneath it all is an unwilling and unwanted attraction to her. I loved seeing Adrienne stand up to him, and her calling him Agent Jackass made me laugh. She is also attracted to him. I enjoyed the development of their relationship. Conner's blatant skepticism and distrust made Adrienne all the more determined to prove herself. As the case progressed, I loved seeing Conner's skepticism fade and his respect for her grow. He also became very protective. His care of her when she would have one of her visions was incredible. It was great to see the antagonism between them fade and the connection between them grow. The unexpected effect that Conner has on Adrienne's ability deepened the connection between them as she began to lean on him. Having Conner's support also boosted her strength of will as she went all out to find the killer. His fear when the killer caught her brought home to him how much he loved her. I had to laugh at the timing of his declaration, but it was beautifully said.
The suspense of the story was outstanding. From the first experience, Adrienne had with connecting "Simon" the sense of evil was evident. I felt Adrienne's frustration at the beginning when she couldn't get a read on the evidence. Once they figured out the issue, and she put her talent to use the things that she saw and felt were terrifying. I honestly don't know how Adrienne managed to retain the things she did through the agony she experienced. During the investigation of the latest murder, I got a feeling about the identity of Simon, but there were some things that made me question it. The intensity ramped up considerably when they had a chance to get to one before she was killed, but the probability it was a trap was strong. How that played out was nerve-wracking. The final confrontation had me on the edge of my seat with its intensity and twists, as Adrienne fought the debilitating effects of being so close to the killer. I loved her part in saving herself, and Conner's in making it possible.
I loved the first meeting between Conner and Adrienne. Conner is very skeptical of Adrienne's abilities and makes no secret of the fact. Adrienne has matured into a strong woman who has no trouble standing up for herself. The two of them strike sparks from each other from the moment they met. Conner is quite a jerk with his snarky comments, but underneath it all is an unwilling and unwanted attraction to her. I loved seeing Adrienne stand up to him, and her calling him Agent Jackass made me laugh. She is also attracted to him. I enjoyed the development of their relationship. Conner's blatant skepticism and distrust made Adrienne all the more determined to prove herself. As the case progressed, I loved seeing Conner's skepticism fade and his respect for her grow. He also became very protective. His care of her when she would have one of her visions was incredible. It was great to see the antagonism between them fade and the connection between them grow. The unexpected effect that Conner has on Adrienne's ability deepened the connection between them as she began to lean on him. Having Conner's support also boosted her strength of will as she went all out to find the killer. His fear when the killer caught her brought home to him how much he loved her. I had to laugh at the timing of his declaration, but it was beautifully said.
The suspense of the story was outstanding. From the first experience, Adrienne had with connecting "Simon" the sense of evil was evident. I felt Adrienne's frustration at the beginning when she couldn't get a read on the evidence. Once they figured out the issue, and she put her talent to use the things that she saw and felt were terrifying. I honestly don't know how Adrienne managed to retain the things she did through the agony she experienced. During the investigation of the latest murder, I got a feeling about the identity of Simon, but there were some things that made me question it. The intensity ramped up considerably when they had a chance to get to one before she was killed, but the probability it was a trap was strong. How that played out was nerve-wracking. The final confrontation had me on the edge of my seat with its intensity and twists, as Adrienne fought the debilitating effects of being so close to the killer. I loved her part in saving herself, and Conner's in making it possible.
April 12, 2014
In Primal Instinct by Janie Crouch, FBI Special Agents Connor Perigo and Seth Harrington are on the hunt for a serial killer, known only as Simon Says. With no leads, frustration mounts, and the decision is made to bring in a consultant, an outsider, to generate a profile. Chief Kelly has a specific profiler he wants them to recruit. He warns that she is will be reluctant to assist, but they are to use any means necessary to gain her cooperation – including blackmail.
Adrienne Jefferies, the Bloodhound, quit the FBI eight years ago but during the two years she was employed by the bureau she was accredited with assisting in the closure of unprecedented thirty-seven cases. However, she was naive about the personal cost of using her gift so hastily. The author put a lot of complexity into this character – I would love her to see her play an active role in future books.
Connor is skeptical of Adrienne’s, as she refers to them, freakishly awesome, crime-fighting superpowers. As a veteran FBI agent, he knows that solving cases takes hard work with a smudge of luck – not that woo-woo psychic shit. He balances the complexity of Adrienne’s character with his unpretentious wit and confident charm.
As a debut novel for author Janie Crouch, I was pleasantly surprised by how thoroughly everything was contained. While the plot is not 100% original, she twisted it just enough to make it unique. This romantic intrigue has incredible dialogue, vivid descriptions and the secondary characters were well supported.
This review also appears on Harlequin Junkie.
Disclosure: This book was provided to me free of charge for the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments, and ratings are my own.
Adrienne Jefferies, the Bloodhound, quit the FBI eight years ago but during the two years she was employed by the bureau she was accredited with assisting in the closure of unprecedented thirty-seven cases. However, she was naive about the personal cost of using her gift so hastily. The author put a lot of complexity into this character – I would love her to see her play an active role in future books.
Connor is skeptical of Adrienne’s, as she refers to them, freakishly awesome, crime-fighting superpowers. As a veteran FBI agent, he knows that solving cases takes hard work with a smudge of luck – not that woo-woo psychic shit. He balances the complexity of Adrienne’s character with his unpretentious wit and confident charm.
As a debut novel for author Janie Crouch, I was pleasantly surprised by how thoroughly everything was contained. While the plot is not 100% original, she twisted it just enough to make it unique. This romantic intrigue has incredible dialogue, vivid descriptions and the secondary characters were well supported.
This review also appears on Harlequin Junkie.
Disclosure: This book was provided to me free of charge for the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments, and ratings are my own.
April 3, 2014
Debut author Janie Crouch brings a fresh twist to the table in this thrilling suspense. The FBI has been chasing its tail trying to find any clues on the killer called Simon Says. It’s due to this that FBI agent Conner Perigo boss sends him and his partner to bring in an outside consultant that use to work with the FBI 10 years ago. She was named the Bloodhound for being able to close cases that no one else could. Conner doesn’t believe in psychics and feels going to ask her to help them is a waste of time.
Adrienne Jeffries was only 18 when she helped the FBI find killers. But it didn’t take long for her to have a breakdown and retreat to a quite farm raising horses. Adrienne doesn’t have the typical psychic abilities – she is only able to feel when a person has malicious intent and can then see through their eyes and feel and hear what they are thinking. I thought the scenes where she was connecting with a angry/evil person were so powerful you could almost feel through the pages what she was going through.
I was pleasantly surprised throughout this book not only with the suspense part of the book but also with the humor. Every time I read Special Agent Jackass I cracked up. I enjoyed this book and hope that someday the author will write about Adrienne’s sister’s who it seems also have some type of abilities but were only briefly mentioned. Looking forward to seeing what’s next from this author.
Adrienne Jeffries was only 18 when she helped the FBI find killers. But it didn’t take long for her to have a breakdown and retreat to a quite farm raising horses. Adrienne doesn’t have the typical psychic abilities – she is only able to feel when a person has malicious intent and can then see through their eyes and feel and hear what they are thinking. I thought the scenes where she was connecting with a angry/evil person were so powerful you could almost feel through the pages what she was going through.
I was pleasantly surprised throughout this book not only with the suspense part of the book but also with the humor. Every time I read Special Agent Jackass I cracked up. I enjoyed this book and hope that someday the author will write about Adrienne’s sister’s who it seems also have some type of abilities but were only briefly mentioned. Looking forward to seeing what’s next from this author.
May 6, 2015
I loved it!
Primal Instinct was more than your average romantic suspense, and was definately a page turner from start to finish.
Connor Perigo is an FBI agent working on a serial killer case, and he's sent to aquire the help of Adrienne Jeffries who is not quite what you'd expect.
Adrienne has an ability that allows her to get inside the head of the serial killer, but it doesn't come without it's drawbacks.
Connor, your very male law enforcement agent, and your next book boyfriend, is of course very skeptical. He doesn't believe in any hocus pocus, only in what he can see for himself.
It doesn't take long for Adrienne to prove herself to him, but can her ability help them before the killer finds his next victim?
The plot was well contrived, and very convincing.
The characters well fleshed out and real. The emotional rollercoaster between the two swinging from amusing animosity, on to caring protection, and finally to love.
At one point Adrienne says she has two sisters with similar abilities, and I have to say I hope the author gives them books of their own. I'd really like to see who they end up with.
Primal Instinct was more than your average romantic suspense, and was definately a page turner from start to finish.
Connor Perigo is an FBI agent working on a serial killer case, and he's sent to aquire the help of Adrienne Jeffries who is not quite what you'd expect.
Adrienne has an ability that allows her to get inside the head of the serial killer, but it doesn't come without it's drawbacks.
Connor, your very male law enforcement agent, and your next book boyfriend, is of course very skeptical. He doesn't believe in any hocus pocus, only in what he can see for himself.
It doesn't take long for Adrienne to prove herself to him, but can her ability help them before the killer finds his next victim?
The plot was well contrived, and very convincing.
The characters well fleshed out and real. The emotional rollercoaster between the two swinging from amusing animosity, on to caring protection, and finally to love.
At one point Adrienne says she has two sisters with similar abilities, and I have to say I hope the author gives them books of their own. I'd really like to see who they end up with.
December 28, 2016
Adrienne has a gift. She can see into the mind of a killer. But her visions come at a great price to her health. So when the FBI come a calling asking for her help, she finds that her talents don’t work when she needs them to.
I found the whole concept of this book intriguing and hope that they revisit these characters at a future time. I could see this type of thing becoming a series. I am definitely a fan of this one. This was book two in the Janie Crouch marathon I had in December. Definitely worth it. Check it out if you loved shows like Unforgettable or The Profiler.
I paid for this book with my own money.
I found the whole concept of this book intriguing and hope that they revisit these characters at a future time. I could see this type of thing becoming a series. I am definitely a fan of this one. This was book two in the Janie Crouch marathon I had in December. Definitely worth it. Check it out if you loved shows like Unforgettable or The Profiler.
I paid for this book with my own money.
July 23, 2016
The heart raising and nail biting suspense of the story keeps you guessing, with unexpected twists and turns.
The spooky paranormal abilities of the heroine to sense and hear evil thoughts, while questioned and distrusted by the hero, shows spine-chilling accuracy in the cafe scene.
The romance and attraction in the story is convincing and sweet. The characters are engaging and enjoyable, their chemistry obvious and charming.
The author has a pleasant flow in the story, spiced up with witty, humorous, and entertaining dialog.
Absolute pearl!
The spooky paranormal abilities of the heroine to sense and hear evil thoughts, while questioned and distrusted by the hero, shows spine-chilling accuracy in the cafe scene.
The romance and attraction in the story is convincing and sweet. The characters are engaging and enjoyable, their chemistry obvious and charming.
The author has a pleasant flow in the story, spiced up with witty, humorous, and entertaining dialog.
Absolute pearl!
February 18, 2019
Interesting and creeper killer. It gave me creepy “Split” vibes. (The movie)
I did not like Connor or Adrienne. I did not like how their relationship developed and didn’t like how much of a skeptical asshole Connor was throughout their relationship. If he was an asshole first and stopped being an asshole before they began kissing and whatever, that would have been fine. But that first kiss in the hotel? Wtf?
And what about the part where agent asshole calls Adrienne an attention whore and then they two make out shortly thereafter.
I did not like Connor or Adrienne. I did not like how their relationship developed and didn’t like how much of a skeptical asshole Connor was throughout their relationship. If he was an asshole first and stopped being an asshole before they began kissing and whatever, that would have been fine. But that first kiss in the hotel? Wtf?
And what about the part where agent asshole calls Adrienne an attention whore and then they two make out shortly thereafter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2014
A fantastic debut book! Rich characters and escalating suspense mixed with killer romantic attraction. The entire book is a roller-coaster ride. A definite must read!
April 7, 2014
BRILLIANT DEBUT!!! Loved everything about this story ESPECIALLY Conner aka Special Agent Jackass >.<
May 26, 2014
This book was amazing!!!! It was a thrill ride from beginning to end. I recommend this book for anyone who loves intrigue, and maybe even a little romance. This is one book you won't want to miss!!!!
April 30, 2018
FBI Special Agent Conner Perigo has heard of The Bloodhound, a woman who used to work for the FBI years ago as a civilian profiler. Her reputation precedes her; she helped solve an untold number of cases in a two year period. However, eight years ago, she suddenly stopped working with the FBI and has become somewhat of a legend whispered about at the water cooler.
San Francisco has a serial killer named Simon Says in its midst, and the FBI are desperate to find him. He’s been taunting them by sending boxes with locks of hair, and the women the hair belong to turns up dead shortly after. The body count now stands at five, and Conner and his partner, Seth Harrington, are willing to do anything to find him.
Adrienne Jeffries now owns a horse ranch a couple of hours outside San Fran, and her manager, Rick, has a warrant out for his arrest for failing to meet the conditions of his parole for minor crimes. So when Conner’s boss tells him and Seth to go to Adrienne and bring her in to help them with the Simon Says case or else they’ll arrest Rick, Conner is torn – he doesn’t like the idea of blackmailing this woman, but he has to follow orders.
He expects to find a middle-aged woman when he turns up at Adrienne’s ranch, but what he gets is something quite different: Adrienne is a softly spoken, petite twenty eight year old. He learns that she was only a teenager when she worked for the FBI and she has a gift – she’s able to sense malevolence and evil in people. She can hear their thoughts in her head. She has a constant buzz whenever she’s around people, which is why she chooses to live on a quiet ranch out of the city, and using her gift takes a very big toll on her in every way. The evil voices scream inside her head. She gets nosebleeds and migraines. She’s barely able to stand in their presence. But the FBI did not look after her in any way, just demanded she kept helping them solve cases, and eventually it became so hard for her that she had to walk away.
Which is why she is reluctant to go back to the FBI, but she does to help Rick. Something about her just gets under Conner’s skin and he’s rude the first time they meet, causing Adrienne to amusingly refer to him as Special Agent Jackass. But as he starts to become aware of her gift and how it works, he’s in awe of what an amazing woman she is, to live with what she does and not go totally insane. Adrienne realises that when Conner is around her, she can’t hear anything in her head – he seems to take away her ability to sense anything, leaving her in blissful silence.
When Simon kills another woman, Adrienne knows she can’t walk away, no matter the personal toll it takes on her. There is one scene where Adrienne is in a coffee shop one morning and can hear a man intent on murdering two of the people in the coffee shop with Adrienne that is just incredible. The closer he gets, the more Adrienne can hear him in her head and his rage is so overpowering that she’s close to collapse, but she manages to call for help in time and saves the couple, who turn out to be the man’s estranged wife and her new boyfriend.
I did guess the identity of Simon Says, but there was a twist I didn’t see coming that explained why Adrienne didn’t identify him straight away at first; it was very cleverly done. Even though they’ve known each other for a short time, Conner and Adrienne realise they’ve fallen for each other, so once Simon is caught, they plan a life together.
This is the first in the Instinct trilogy – Adrienne is a triplet, and her sisters Paige and Chloe also have a gift. The next two books are their stories. Be prepared to be sucked into this book – I read it one night for hours until my phone fell out of my hand because I was so tired!
San Francisco has a serial killer named Simon Says in its midst, and the FBI are desperate to find him. He’s been taunting them by sending boxes with locks of hair, and the women the hair belong to turns up dead shortly after. The body count now stands at five, and Conner and his partner, Seth Harrington, are willing to do anything to find him.
Adrienne Jeffries now owns a horse ranch a couple of hours outside San Fran, and her manager, Rick, has a warrant out for his arrest for failing to meet the conditions of his parole for minor crimes. So when Conner’s boss tells him and Seth to go to Adrienne and bring her in to help them with the Simon Says case or else they’ll arrest Rick, Conner is torn – he doesn’t like the idea of blackmailing this woman, but he has to follow orders.
He expects to find a middle-aged woman when he turns up at Adrienne’s ranch, but what he gets is something quite different: Adrienne is a softly spoken, petite twenty eight year old. He learns that she was only a teenager when she worked for the FBI and she has a gift – she’s able to sense malevolence and evil in people. She can hear their thoughts in her head. She has a constant buzz whenever she’s around people, which is why she chooses to live on a quiet ranch out of the city, and using her gift takes a very big toll on her in every way. The evil voices scream inside her head. She gets nosebleeds and migraines. She’s barely able to stand in their presence. But the FBI did not look after her in any way, just demanded she kept helping them solve cases, and eventually it became so hard for her that she had to walk away.
Which is why she is reluctant to go back to the FBI, but she does to help Rick. Something about her just gets under Conner’s skin and he’s rude the first time they meet, causing Adrienne to amusingly refer to him as Special Agent Jackass. But as he starts to become aware of her gift and how it works, he’s in awe of what an amazing woman she is, to live with what she does and not go totally insane. Adrienne realises that when Conner is around her, she can’t hear anything in her head – he seems to take away her ability to sense anything, leaving her in blissful silence.
When Simon kills another woman, Adrienne knows she can’t walk away, no matter the personal toll it takes on her. There is one scene where Adrienne is in a coffee shop one morning and can hear a man intent on murdering two of the people in the coffee shop with Adrienne that is just incredible. The closer he gets, the more Adrienne can hear him in her head and his rage is so overpowering that she’s close to collapse, but she manages to call for help in time and saves the couple, who turn out to be the man’s estranged wife and her new boyfriend.
I did guess the identity of Simon Says, but there was a twist I didn’t see coming that explained why Adrienne didn’t identify him straight away at first; it was very cleverly done. Even though they’ve known each other for a short time, Conner and Adrienne realise they’ve fallen for each other, so once Simon is caught, they plan a life together.
This is the first in the Instinct trilogy – Adrienne is a triplet, and her sisters Paige and Chloe also have a gift. The next two books are their stories. Be prepared to be sucked into this book – I read it one night for hours until my phone fell out of my hand because I was so tired!
January 2, 2022
So I did something I rarely do... After reading this book and coming here to write my review for it... I got curious as to what other people had to say about the book so I glanced at a few of the reviews... and all I can say is... WOW! Just wow... people leaving reviews on books they don't understand.. and it wasn't even a kind review. One of them was even pissy that the author didn't name the ability that Conner had.
Anybody who has spent any time reading psychic books understands perfectly that Conner's ability is the perfect counterpart to Adrienne's. Adrienne's gift latches onto all the evil malevolence in a persons soul. Giving her the ability to help catch this person and stop them. Conner's ability blocks that.. it dampens her ability. To give her the chance to heal and recuperate from the demands her ability takes on her body and soul. On the psychic level these two are perfect soul mates for each other.
I have to say that I loved how darn snarky Adrienne is. I absolutely loved her "Special Agent Jackass" comment to Conner when he was being a jackass... It cracked me up. I loved how she wasn't going to put up with any of his bullshit and she called him on it every time he tried to pull it. I especially loved it when he was being a jackass she turned it around on him and made him look like an even bigger one proving that he was wrong.
Conner at the beginning of the story... I have to say.. yeah he was stubborn as a mule. Was bound and determined that she was just pulling the shade over everybody's eyes or straight up lying about what she could do. I have to admit though.. he did own it and apologize for being a jackass when it was proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was wrong.
I have to say I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series and any other the author might release in the future. I really loved the twists in the story.. and the fact that they were not predictable. I hate a predictable story. I loved how getting to the end of the story and thinking back on it you see all the little instances where the game is almost over.. but something happens and everybody gets distracted and the chance to learn something just slips away. Or they see that tiny little thing when it happens... but they don't know what it means or how it can help solve the riddle. I just loved it and I can't wait to read more!
Anybody who has spent any time reading psychic books understands perfectly that Conner's ability is the perfect counterpart to Adrienne's. Adrienne's gift latches onto all the evil malevolence in a persons soul. Giving her the ability to help catch this person and stop them. Conner's ability blocks that.. it dampens her ability. To give her the chance to heal and recuperate from the demands her ability takes on her body and soul. On the psychic level these two are perfect soul mates for each other.
I have to say that I loved how darn snarky Adrienne is. I absolutely loved her "Special Agent Jackass" comment to Conner when he was being a jackass... It cracked me up. I loved how she wasn't going to put up with any of his bullshit and she called him on it every time he tried to pull it. I especially loved it when he was being a jackass she turned it around on him and made him look like an even bigger one proving that he was wrong.
Conner at the beginning of the story... I have to say.. yeah he was stubborn as a mule. Was bound and determined that she was just pulling the shade over everybody's eyes or straight up lying about what she could do. I have to admit though.. he did own it and apologize for being a jackass when it was proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was wrong.
I have to say I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series and any other the author might release in the future. I really loved the twists in the story.. and the fact that they were not predictable. I hate a predictable story. I loved how getting to the end of the story and thinking back on it you see all the little instances where the game is almost over.. but something happens and everybody gets distracted and the chance to learn something just slips away. Or they see that tiny little thing when it happens... but they don't know what it means or how it can help solve the riddle. I just loved it and I can't wait to read more!
May 26, 2021
This was a really good book! You’ve got mystery, suspense, romance, and some paranormal abilities too.
There isn’t insta-love in my opinion. More instant attraction, that then quickly begins escalating to more. The romance does move a bit fast, but I still found the pace believable given the plot of the book and the premise that brings the two characters together.
I can understand some reviews that claim they wanted more descriptions on what Simon did to his victims. We are mostly just told that he does terrible things, with not a lot of explanation as to what those things are. But 2 things. 1) This is a Harlequin romance, so I was prepared for descriptions of that sort to be vague or not as explicit. 2) I actually found it more interesting to see how Simon’s presence/actions/thoughts affected Adrienne. For me, seeing how badly it affected her was enough to stress to me that this guy is truly evil. So in that sense, this book still completely worked for me.
Would I have liked even more romance than we got? Yes! But again, it’s Harlequin. So expectations were managed and I absolutely love what was given to us here. Loved the main characters. Even when I was a little annoyed with them, I still loved them. I also love that I didn’t know who the bad guy was right away. ()I started to suspect after a while, but still wasn’t positive until he did finally reveal himself.
My only real qualm with this book, is that I feel it ends rather abruptly. Still good and happy and resolved (there are no cliffhangers here). But I would’ve liked an epilogue or something more to extend past the ending we get.
All in all, it’s a short and fast-paced mystery-romance. One that worked for me and made me smile and fall in love with Connor and Adrienne. Simon says, give it 4 stars. 😁
There isn’t insta-love in my opinion. More instant attraction, that then quickly begins escalating to more. The romance does move a bit fast, but I still found the pace believable given the plot of the book and the premise that brings the two characters together.
I can understand some reviews that claim they wanted more descriptions on what Simon did to his victims. We are mostly just told that he does terrible things, with not a lot of explanation as to what those things are. But 2 things. 1) This is a Harlequin romance, so I was prepared for descriptions of that sort to be vague or not as explicit. 2) I actually found it more interesting to see how Simon’s presence/actions/thoughts affected Adrienne. For me, seeing how badly it affected her was enough to stress to me that this guy is truly evil. So in that sense, this book still completely worked for me.
Would I have liked even more romance than we got? Yes! But again, it’s Harlequin. So expectations were managed and I absolutely love what was given to us here. Loved the main characters. Even when I was a little annoyed with them, I still loved them. I also love that I didn’t know who the bad guy was right away. ()I started to suspect after a while, but still wasn’t positive until he did finally reveal himself.
My only real qualm with this book, is that I feel it ends rather abruptly. Still good and happy and resolved (there are no cliffhangers here). But I would’ve liked an epilogue or something more to extend past the ending we get.
All in all, it’s a short and fast-paced mystery-romance. One that worked for me and made me smile and fall in love with Connor and Adrienne. Simon says, give it 4 stars. 😁
February 14, 2020
Primal Instinct
This is the beginning of a series that centers around triplet sisters that all possess special gifts with Adrienne being able to touch something and feel the evil in a murder's mind. She helped the FBI when she was only eighteen until she had a breakdown from the job. Now at twenty seven the FBI wanted to see if she could help them out with a serial killer case that they could not solve. The Captain wanted Seth and Connor to work with her because he believed she could help. Reluctantly she agreed and Connor was very skeptical about what she could do. Apparently Connor also unknowingly blocked her powers as they found out. She was grateful he did because the evil was had such an effect on her. As they worked together Connor and Adrienne ended up falling in love as they solved this difficult case but not before the killer Simon kidnapped Adrienne. As it turns out he was right in their midst the whole time and even fooled Adrienne with his unique craziness. Connor and Seth followed the clues that Adrienne left for them and being close to her, with Connor blocking the killers mind from hers she was able to hit the serial killer with a club just as he was about to kill her. Connor and Adrienne got their happily ever after in the end and she was going to continue working for the FBI as a consultant because of Connor's presence made it possible to rest her mind. They make an amazing crime solving team as well as a loving couple. The rest of this series should be fantastic as we discover what powers the rest of the triplets possess and who they fall in love with as well. I highly recommend this series of books which are suspenseful and romantic.
This is the beginning of a series that centers around triplet sisters that all possess special gifts with Adrienne being able to touch something and feel the evil in a murder's mind. She helped the FBI when she was only eighteen until she had a breakdown from the job. Now at twenty seven the FBI wanted to see if she could help them out with a serial killer case that they could not solve. The Captain wanted Seth and Connor to work with her because he believed she could help. Reluctantly she agreed and Connor was very skeptical about what she could do. Apparently Connor also unknowingly blocked her powers as they found out. She was grateful he did because the evil was had such an effect on her. As they worked together Connor and Adrienne ended up falling in love as they solved this difficult case but not before the killer Simon kidnapped Adrienne. As it turns out he was right in their midst the whole time and even fooled Adrienne with his unique craziness. Connor and Seth followed the clues that Adrienne left for them and being close to her, with Connor blocking the killers mind from hers she was able to hit the serial killer with a club just as he was about to kill her. Connor and Adrienne got their happily ever after in the end and she was going to continue working for the FBI as a consultant because of Connor's presence made it possible to rest her mind. They make an amazing crime solving team as well as a loving couple. The rest of this series should be fantastic as we discover what powers the rest of the triplets possess and who they fall in love with as well. I highly recommend this series of books which are suspenseful and romantic.
July 16, 2017
This is the first Harlequin Intrigue and the first book by this author that I have read and there will be more, wow what a story I loved it, the tension, the suspense and the spark that is so strong between the very vulnerable heroine Adrienne Jeffries who has a gift that is good and bad for her and the hero FBI agent Conner Perigo who starts of very sceptical when they first meet, loved seeing him change his opinion.
Adrienne has worked for the FBI before as a profiler but ended that job eight years before but now there is a serial killer loose on the streets of San Francisco and the FBI need her help again and when Conner and his partner Seth arrive at her horse farm she is given a proposition that she cannot refuse. But her skills are not working all the time and the reason will push Conner and her together head first into a very loving relationship.
Conner is drawn to Adrienne from their first meeting but it takes a bit to convince him that she will be any help in capturing the serial killer Simon Says and that pull between them grows stronger as he sees from a distant what her skills do to her and the strength she shows, and when the killer goes after Adrienne well Conner’s love comes to the surface in such a beautiful way.
This really is a story not to be missed and I am looking forward to the next book in the series MS Crouch has bought to life a murderer and the strong people that go after him their personalities are caring loving and I felt very close to them all. Thank you MS Crouch for a fabulous story I loved it.
Adrienne has worked for the FBI before as a profiler but ended that job eight years before but now there is a serial killer loose on the streets of San Francisco and the FBI need her help again and when Conner and his partner Seth arrive at her horse farm she is given a proposition that she cannot refuse. But her skills are not working all the time and the reason will push Conner and her together head first into a very loving relationship.
Conner is drawn to Adrienne from their first meeting but it takes a bit to convince him that she will be any help in capturing the serial killer Simon Says and that pull between them grows stronger as he sees from a distant what her skills do to her and the strength she shows, and when the killer goes after Adrienne well Conner’s love comes to the surface in such a beautiful way.
This really is a story not to be missed and I am looking forward to the next book in the series MS Crouch has bought to life a murderer and the strong people that go after him their personalities are caring loving and I felt very close to them all. Thank you MS Crouch for a fabulous story I loved it.
March 30, 2020
Great start to a new series! I really enjoyed this book – it pulled me in from the beginning and I was engrossed until the end. And the ending, wow, I did not see that twist coming. It was great! I had my thoughts on who Simon Says was but things kept happening that had me wavering on my decision until (almost) the big reveal. I love it when a story draws you in that way and keeps shifting in different directions to hold the suspense. The characters were engaging and storyline exciting and well-written.
My heart went out to Adrienne with all she had been through at such a young age and what she still had to deal with when engaging the outside world. I just could not even imagine the mental and emotional struggles someone with her abilities would have to endure. I really enjoyed her character, her strength and resolve. I did not, however, enjoy Connor’s attitude with her in the beginning but I know that was due to his skepticism in her abilities and distrust at not knowing more about her or her past before she was pulled in to work with them on the case. Once they got to know each other more and he was able to see her in action, I liked the swift change from antagonizing to protective and the growing bond between them.
This book was full of suspense, action, danger, mystery, and romance with twists and turns thrown in along the way to hold the excitement from start to finish.
My heart went out to Adrienne with all she had been through at such a young age and what she still had to deal with when engaging the outside world. I just could not even imagine the mental and emotional struggles someone with her abilities would have to endure. I really enjoyed her character, her strength and resolve. I did not, however, enjoy Connor’s attitude with her in the beginning but I know that was due to his skepticism in her abilities and distrust at not knowing more about her or her past before she was pulled in to work with them on the case. Once they got to know each other more and he was able to see her in action, I liked the swift change from antagonizing to protective and the growing bond between them.
This book was full of suspense, action, danger, mystery, and romance with twists and turns thrown in along the way to hold the excitement from start to finish.
May 18, 2020
I’m gonna go with a no on this one. It kept me busy for a couple hours, but it was just not enough on the suspense and waaaay too much on the romance. Not that it was descriptive or anything. Glossed right over the actual sex. It’s just too much too soon. I was thinking the kiss was really out of nowhere and too soon. Then, the PDA in a professional setting? Uh uh! They ended up having sex really quickly, but the I love you’s and the proposal at the end just really turned me off. They’re late 20’s not late teens. Who would jump into a marriage after about a week of a high intensity situation? Hope they have a prenup!
My other issue is this, especially if this is a series: the main character is always going to be weak and in distress. I get that Conner is her shield, and maybe they figure out a way for him to be close enough to save her but far enough to feel the evil, but that should have been done in this book. I don’t want to read about a weak main character where the romance aspect is already spent up.
It felt like a YA book. I think it’s probably best for a 14-15 year old maybe. No graphic sex scene. Nothing too scary. Not a lot of swearing. I didn’t hate it, but I wouldn’t pass it on either.
My other issue is this, especially if this is a series: the main character is always going to be weak and in distress. I get that Conner is her shield, and maybe they figure out a way for him to be close enough to save her but far enough to feel the evil, but that should have been done in this book. I don’t want to read about a weak main character where the romance aspect is already spent up.
It felt like a YA book. I think it’s probably best for a 14-15 year old maybe. No graphic sex scene. Nothing too scary. Not a lot of swearing. I didn’t hate it, but I wouldn’t pass it on either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2021
This is the first book in this series. They can be read as standalone books. I read the third book before I read this one and wasn’t confused at all. I love this series. Adrienne Jeffries has special abilities. Abilities that aren’t always great. She pays a price for using them. FBI agent Conner Perigo and his partner Seth are skeptical about what they are told she can do but don’t really have a choice about using her. She doesn’t really have a choice either. They need to find and stop a serial killer. She maybe the one to give them what they need to catch him. This book was so good. Adrienne and Conner don’t get along right off the bat. He doesn’t believe she can do what they say she can do. They just get under each other skin like no other. But once Conner sees what Adrienne can do and the toll it takes on her everything changes. There is a pull between them that they can only fight for so long. Conner also does something special for Adrienne that no one else can. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I like to read Janie’s books slowly and savor them. This one was no different. Janie is great at creating world with characters that draw you and make you wish you could be apart of them. Fantastic job Janie.
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