I like paranormal stories so discovering Patricia Rosemoor’s “Animal Instincts” was truly great. It began as a story of fraternal twins Skye and Shade with the addition of Luc, who was Skye’s love interest was a different kind of triangle because of their different abilities.

And the shifters are different, too. This is the first and only book I have encountered when the weres are demons or part demons. It’s a novel concept. Unfortunately, it was hard for me to get into it. So, though the romantic story of Skye and Luc is fascinating, the demons just drove me away.

Animal Instincts is Rated M for Mature due to violence.

I’m so glad to have discovered this new author! Loved the story line between the main characters and look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.

The first book in the Kindred Souls series Animal Instincts by Patricia Rosemoor. This book is not my usual type of book to read but I liked the romance and storyline of the book. If you enjoy reading fantasy books with shape shifters and humans this book is for you.

Title: Animal Instincts Series: N/A Author: Patricia Rosemoor Genre: Romance Blurb: Luc Lazare doesn’t need more complications in his life. And Skye Cross, the intriguing woman able to communicate with animals, is the last thing he wants. Too bad his body disagrees. But he’s trying to save his shapeshifting family from being forced into the battle arena, and that means protecting the shifters responsible for stealing Skye's brother’s soul. Even as she demands his help, he’ll have to resist the pull of temptation. Skye’s most recent animal rescue assignment involves saving canines involved in primal battles. Her investigation leads her to Luc, a man whose powers unsettle but intrigue her. Luc lures her into a dark encounter, and realizes that the animals engaging in these battles aren’t dogs at all, they’re wild predators. Skye finds herself caught in a dangerous world she never knew existed while relying on a man she couldn’t possibly trust. In a world where everything--and nothing--is as it seems, can Luc and Skye find a way to overcome the odds that are destined to keep them apart?
Thoughts: This title never really seemed to find its footing with me. There never seemed to be quite enough romance, never quite enough suspense, just never quite enough to anything - there seemed to be a whole lot going on, yet it was all over the map, which made it really hard to decide where the author was trying to go with it. I felt disconnected from not only the story, but the characters as well. In one set of characters, we have more of a background and insight into their relationship, but a distinct lack of emotion - in another, we have all the emotion, but a lack of background and insight. Same thing goes for the flow of the story - interesting and intriguing one moment, repetitive the next.
Basically, this one is very inconsistent. While the idea behind it was a good one, and I was eager to read it, I could never quite decide where it was going and what angle the author was trying to take. My feelings fall in line with my premise that it is inconsistent - parts of it I loved, and parts of it just didn't hit their mark. The good was good and the bad was bad, so my decision is going to put it right in middle ground territory at a solid C. Rate: C

Animal Instincts by Patricia Rosemoor was a novel that I tried to get into...repeatedly, but never made it past the first few chapters. I wish I could give it a fair review but the story was confusing, didn't grab me and honestly, although the premise was fascinating and I thought I would love it, I just couldn't read it. I'm glad there are those who love it, I just was not one.

Skye could communicate with animals and usually saw images of their thoughts her twin brother Shade could hear people’s thoughts and was a cop. Shade was the other half to Skye’s souls. Skye worked with animal rescue as she also had a psychic connection with animals as well as her twin.But now a man Skye and she could hear his thoughts . skye had been looking for a wounded coyote and seen a lion, a wolf , and a hyena and he told them to leave and they did. Then Shade appeared and and asked what Skye was doing with this man before her. Skye could feel the mutual dislike between the two men. Shade knew more than he was letting on. Then shade was blocking what he was letting Skye see. Luc qwas then man by Skye and she heard him when he thought “ what are you”. Luc’s father had won the permit to build the first casino boat in Chicago though the permit for The Ark as it was called had not included the several lower decks clocked by his father’s magic where only the invited got to play. The year before when the first complex on the lower decks had opened Luc had taken the job of head of security to make his dad happy. Luc had recognized Ske as Shade’s sister from the physical similarities she shared with Shade. Yet he couldn’t control her. Luc wanted to know Skye better and he didn’t like being thwarted. Luc was used to having control especially over humans but for some reason not Skye. Luc couldn’t get her off his mind. Shade then died in the line of duty with a bullet through his skull.and had saved Luc’s mother Elizabeth. Even his partner didn’t know he was looking into murders that may be linked to the casino. Then Luke’s ghost appeared to Skye in his apartment which apparently his ghost couldn’t leave. Shade figures he has unfinished business here and that is was the case he was working on he won’t be able to move on until that is solved. Skye finds her mother’s old Book Of Powers and it explains what is going on and all the odd things Skye can do. Skye reads the book to Shade’s ghost and Luc was by an outside window and heard what Skye actually is and what have to ask her what she was anymore. Luc is a shifter who was half human he had not embraced either side of himself. His human mother raised him. Luc pushed Skye away thinking it would keep her safe.
I did definitely enjoy this book., it's definitely a different twist on shifters. Some of the word choices were off like using coppers for a cop. There was some replication in the dialogue like Luc asking “ what are you” it got boring. This made me choke up at times. Luc and Skye had some hot chemistry between them. The supernaturals didn’t seem to really care if their secrets got out and people became aware of what they were. I liked the tension between Luc and Skye. My interest was caught in the beginning and stayed through to the end. I also liked the plot and the fast pace. I liked the drama bit loved the character and the ins and outs of this book and I recommend.

I'm a sucker for a shape-shifter story especially if you through in a little romance. At the beginning, I felt like I was reading the second book in a series as if there was a backstory I didn't know. That feeling got better but I still didn't feel hooked right away. As I continued I found the characters drew me in a bit more and I wanted to get some closure. I found the ending to be bittersweet but it did feel like the loose ends were tied up pretty well, which is nice. It did feel like there was room for a sequel, which I'd check out. I think my favorite part was that her characters had some dimension, I'll be interested to see how the writing evolves in subsequent books.
I would certainly give this author another try.

Unfortunately, I just didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would. It started to lose my interest pretty early on, but I stuck with it to see if that would change. It didn't.
It might be just me, but the story seemed kind of crammed. As if the author wanted to put as much information as possible in so many chapters. It was just a bit much at times.

Animal Instincts is book one in the Kindred Soul series. Skye's ability to talk to animals leads her on an investigation straight to Luc. When a tragedy strikes Skye's family, she teams up with Luc to figure out what happened. They go back and forth regarding getting along, but will they find more than what they are looking for in the end? A good book.

I use to read this author quite often but it had been a couple of years. When I seen this one especially with it being the beginning of a series had to check it out. Skye and Luc are the ones this centers around even though both with have characters in their corner that will build this one into a story in a world that will keep you stuck to it. I enjoyed also the interlacing of humor in this too especially when others questioned Skye. This was a bit different then the running fair that can be found in paranormal where it will have you intrigued because of some different curves that are written in it. Many elements but it will be fused by heat chased by danger. It goes at a fast pace with before you know it you are at the answers with it wrapping up for now.

Intriguing!

Unique and fascinating story line. I couldn't put it down.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

I read a few books in The McKenna Legacy series when I was younger and fell in love, not just with the characters and family, but with the way Patricia Rosemoor writes. So when I was offered the chance to read an early copy of Animal Instincts, the first book in Patricia's new Kindred series, I jumped at the chance without even bothering to read the blurb.
Let me tell you: this book, it'll rip your heart out, shatter it completely and slowly repair the cracks throughout the story.
There's drama, mystery, thrills, chills and romance.
Animal Instincts features Skye Cross - a woman who can communicate with animals and Luc Lazare - a man who can turn into one, a panther, to be more precise.
The chemistry between Skye and Luc sizzles and snaps from their very first meeting and their romance is sweet to watch but it's the mystery and uncovering secrets and truths that will keep you turning page after page, just as I did.
This is definitely a book that I would highly recommend to paranormal romance readers and it's definitely a book that I will be re-reading again and again.
I'm already looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received an early copy of this book from Tule Publishing via Netgalley

Animal Instincts by Patricia Rosemoor is the first book I have read by this author. This is unusual since I have seen her name for several years, also finding that I even had purchased one that was part of a series not long ago. As for this book I found it to be an okay paranormal read. It has shifters, animal psychics and a ghost as all part of the cast.

The premise of animal rescue, stopping illegal fights, etc. made for a solid story-line. My biggest problem was I never could identify with the main characters. Luc has some stalker tendencies with the way he followed Skye around. As for Skye, I enjoy reading of a stronger independent heroine. It was more that events swept her along in the story.

Being the first of the series it may be that the author is simply using this couple to set the stage for future books in the series. In that case, I will try the next book.

3.5 Stars

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

This is a different take on shifters which takes a little bit to understand. The part about the choice each shifter (kindred) had to make to give up their souls was a bit unusual and shows how depraved the group is once they lose their soul. What was really strange and didn't quite make sense to me was that they could "buy" a soul for a bit and I really didn't see why if they were depraved would even want a soul.

Some days, I just want to read a romance and don't need a huge build up so while others may not like that in this book, I enjoyed the book for the romance and the intrigue as Luc and Skye tried to figure out who was behind the fight ring and bring Shade's murder to justice. I enjoyed trying to figure out if Nik was behind the animal fights and felt for Luc as he suspected his brother.

Since this is book 1, I wonder who will be featured in the following books - Nuala? will she and Ethan raise the baby? Will Nik get a chance to redeem himself? Lots of possibilities for future books!

Animal Instincts was originally published in November 2013, so it’s possible that you’ve read this title. I hesitated on requesting this title from NetGalley. Tule is a publishing house that I usually adore and trust, but I should have listened to those rumblings in my head that said, no, this one probably isn’t for you. Let me mention that Shifter Romance is my favorite genre, and any title in this sub-genre of Paranormal Romance has a lot to live up to for me.

While the idea of Animal Instincts is an interesting premise, the story fell far short for me. There are a few reasons for that. First I could not connect or like either Skye or Luc. Individually or as a couple they simply did not work for me. I couldn’t see the spark between them, and they both are exceptionally annoying at times. The second reasons is being jarred out of the story so often when POVs were changed. Combining first person and third person will always take me out of the world the author is creating while I adjust. I wish I could have enjoyed this one as I have many other stories by this author. But, unfortunately, Animal Instincts was not for me. That’s not to say that you wouldn’t love it, we all have different reading tastes. It simply didn’t work for me.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I must retry reading this one. I found I lost interest about 1/4 of the way thought and I haven't picked it back up. But the blurb still sounds great, I must try again.

3.5 Stars
Animal Instincts by Patricia Rosemoor is the first book in the series " Kindred Souls". This is the story of Luc Lazare and Skye Cross. Luc is working to help save his family from a bad situation and doesn't have time for distractions. Skye too is looking to help the animals she is able to connect with which leads her to where she is now with Luc.
This was a pretty interesting read and I will look for more books by this author.

This book was an easy read that I finished in a few hours. The plot is straightforward, but I had to pretend a lot of things were different for that to be the case!

Overall the writing and dialog was a bit stilted and often repetitive. At one point the hero asks the heroine the same question 3-5 times in one convo and then a few more times the next time they meet. The word choices were often very odd as well. I.e. unless this book stars Bonnie and Clyde cops should not be referred to as coppers. Skye, the heroine, was a bit daft throughout the book, and Luc, the hero, was so indecisive.

Mostly though the magic in this world does not fully make sense to me. Magic is not known to the people of the world, but those with powers were pretty cavalier about letting their otherness show in front of normal humans, or letting those in the know tell others about their existence with no consequences. There are weres, but not your typical ones. Instead they are immortals who took over animal bodies and live off the souls of humans. There are witches as well, although that just turned out to be a convenient excuse for the heroines 1 ability, her ability to communicate with animals via emotions and images. Also, at one point she gets a nasty wound to her arm, which starts healing on its own! This doesn't seem to be something that has happened to her before but it is not explained, nor is the heroine freaked out at all about it!

The book has potential, but requires a bit of editing/rewriting. It also definitely ends with plot openings for other characters to have their own books, but I don't plan on continuing with this series.


<i>Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.</i>

I received an advanced copy of Patricia Rosemoor's Animal Instincts from the publisher, Tule Publishing, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a paranormal romance centred around a young woman, Skye Cross, who has a psychic connection with animals and routinely works in connection with the police force's Animal Crimes Unit and Animal Care and Control to work towards shutting down the rampant animal fighting ring in the city of Chicago. While at a raid, Skye runs into her twin brother, Shade Cross, a homicide detective with CPD, who gives her a good luck charm after admonishing her for her presence at the bust. Skye disregards her twin's commands and goes about doing what she does best, helping animals. Although, her disobedience soon lands her a nice hot pot of trouble from which a mysterious man, whom we later learn is Luc Laverre, rescues her just in the nick of time. Not long after our main characters are introduced, Shade is killed protecting a woman during his investigation who turns out to be Luc's mother and he turns into a ghost with short-term memory loss and a few weird rules regarding his ghostly activities.

Teaming up to solve Shade's murder and put an end to the animal fighting ring, Skye and Luc alternate between butting heads and heavy flirting. Both of which were usually on account of Luc's half-breed status of one of the Kindred and his self-imposed family duty to his mobster-esque father and his den of multitudinous iniquities, a casino boat called The Arc. As they search for the culprit(s), the duo face off against dirty members of law enforcement and Kindred that aren't fond of half-breeds. 

Y'all. I'm just going to say it. I struggled the whole way through Animal Instincts. I wanted to fall in love with it from the second I read the synopsis on NetGalley, what animal lover wouldn't? But I couldn't. I loved the premise of the story, a young woman trying to help animals and put an end to a animal fighting ring, but I just couldn't lose myself in the story. The writing seemed a bit stilted to me and the lead characters were all over the place. It took me taking short moments out of my day to read Animal Instincts, one lonely page at a time. I had to skip over the overly graphic descriptions of the animal fights because I can't even sit through one of those Humane Society commercials (you know the ones) on television. The characters varied from partially vivid to flat and lifeless. Skye and Luc were, of course, the most developed, but most of the other characters were a bit empty. The world-building that was put into this was underdeveloped and had definite holes that need plugging. To be quite honest, I'm still not entirely sure what the Kindred are except shifters who've given up their souls for more power. I was actually left in the dark on several things that happened in Animal Instincts and y'all have no idea how much it bothered me. I ranted for twenty whole minutes on New Year's Eve after finishing it.

All in all, I'm giving this a 3 out of 5 stars. The story has good bones hidden underneath the one-dimensional characters and substandard world-building and I'd love to see it flourish one day. But for right this moment, it fell short and that saddens me.

2.5/3 Stars Animal Instinct missed the mark for me. I couldn’t connect with the characters and the storyline seemed disconnected in parts. I will read more by this author but this one just wasn’t for me