Animal Instincts [Paperback]

Gena Showalter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2006

Unleashing your inner tigress isn't easy when you're a doormat by nature! Still, after escaping a wretched marriage to a cheating SOB, Dallas party planner Naomi Delacroix isn't about to let another man sweet-talk her into sheathing her protective claws. Not even hunky millionaire Royce Powell, who's hired her to arrange his mother's surprise party. Even if he does make her purr like a kitten with one heated glance . . .

Royce claims he's been in love with her ever since she threw a party for one of his friends a year ago. But if that's true, why is this incredibly eligible CEO currently taking applications for a wife? Despite herself, Naomi is tempted to fill one out. But can her inner tigress believe a man might change his stripes?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

After her husband's betrayal, event planner Naomi Delacroix is getting in touch with her inner tigress and trying to go from doormat to Rambo. Wealthy businessman Royce Powell, the most eligible bachelor in Dallas, has loved Naomi ever since he saw her at a party she put together. Now Royce has hired her as the planner for his mother's extravagant birthday event. His demand that she work only for him during this period guarantees some quality time together. Royce is handsome, attentive, and romantic--in other words, the perfect man. However, Naomi's experiences with a fickle father and a philandering husband make her doubt Royce and his intentions. Secondary characters, including Naomi's twin cousins, the cleverly named Kera and Mel, add many humorous moments. Although the subtext, learn to trust, is a serious one, Showalter writes with a sparkling humor that keeps the story light without losing poignancy. Shelley Mosley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"Bold and witty, sexy and provocative, Gena Showalter's star is rising fast!" -- New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: HQN Books; First edition. edition (May 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373771525
• ISBN-13: 978-0373771523
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #768,605 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 30 books, ranging from white-hot paranormal romances set all over the world (and even in some places that do not technically exit), sexy contemporary novels and thrilling young adult novels.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More like 4 1/2 stars- absolutely hilarious!, June 3, 2006

By 

Deborah Wiley (Winter Haven, FL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Animal Instincts (Paperback)

Party planner Naomi Delacroix is determined to release her inner tigress. Her failed marriage to Richard the cheater has left her wary of men so when Royce Powell hires her to plan his mother's birthday party, Naomi wants nothing more than a professional relationship. Royce has other plans, however, and relentlessly pursues Naomi.

Naomi refuses to acknowledge the budding relationship with Royce and fights the attraction constantly. After all, he is a Triple C- corporate, controlling, and a commando. Her distrust of men is heightened when she and her mother suspect that Naomi's stepfather is cheating on her mother. Royce is a determined man, though, and used to getting what he wants- and what he wants is Naomi as his wife.

ANIMAL INSTINCTS is guaranteed to keep the reader laughing! The interactions between Naomi and Royce are hilarious as Gena Showalter has switched the stereotypes and Royce is the one trying to hold out for marriage while Naomi just wants to have a good time. Naomi's twin cousins, Kera and Mel, provide some entertaining moments as well, including the play off of their names.

This reviewer must admit that she approached this book with some trepidation. While being a huge fan of several of Gena Showalter's paranormal books, this reviewer hadn't quite made up her mind as to whether or not she liked several other books by the author. ANIMAL INSTINCTS has convinced this reviewer that Gena Showalter's books are a definite "must-buy" as this book is hilarious! The depth of the characters makes them seem real and Royce is truly one of the best male characters ever created. His patience with Naomi was extraordinary as there were several occasions this reviewer wanted to slap her for him and yet he remained calm and understanding of her insecurities.

Gena Showalter demonstrates her writing skills with this one. ANIMAL INSTINCTS is a book sure to perk up anyone's bad day!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Depressed me....., September 3, 2006

By 

I. Daco "RomanceReader" (Elmont, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Animal Instincts (Paperback)

...that I don't have a man just like the hero, Royce!

This story was unbelievably loving. Not in the serious-sobering kind of way--although the hero did love her QUITE SERIOUSLY--this story was filled with witty barbs and banter. I busted out laughing numerous times.

The characters were absolutely great! The heroine, Naomi, was absolutely inspired and so were her cousins! Royce was simply to die for. Imagine being in-love like that--that everything he did was because of her.

It was hilarious how the roles between men and women were switched between the two! This simply is a MUST READ!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars so disappointed, March 19, 2007

By 

shay (australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Animal Instincts (Paperback)

I normally enjoy Gena Showalter's books, they are sweet and great escapism. I found this book so 'try hard'. The heroine was so immature, and such a cow to the hero, her relationships with her cousins were at a 13 yr old schoolgirl level, and the situation with her spying on her stepfather was just ludicrous. The heroine wanted to be a strong woman...she failed, she came over as a selfish, self-centred, whining manipulative, controlling brat. The hero's patience with her patterned an abuse victim relating to his abuser. Thank goodness, for her other books e.g. The Nymph King, The Pleasure Slave etc. If I had read this book first, I would have never read any of her great books.