Sanctuary Rising

About the Book

Eliana Merritt’s world implodes. A gifted trauma therapist, her life is shattered when a devastating car accident steals her fiancé and awakens a terrifying, uncontrolled empathy. Suddenly, the emotions of others are a visible, visceral assault, a cacophony of colorful auras that threaten to drown her in a sea of unfiltered feeling. Seeking refuge from the overwhelming psychic storm of civilization, she flees to her grandmother’s isolated, dilapidated property nestled deep in the misty mountains of the Pacific Northwest – Havenwood Retreat. Her only wish is for silence, for a chance to grieve and understand the strange new power consuming her.

But Havenwood is not destined for quiet solitude.

Her fragile peace is first broken by the arrival of Major Gabriel Torres, a formidable ex-special forces officer. Dishonorably discharged after his own combat trauma unlocked devastating telekinetic abilities, he’s a whirlwind of barely controlled power, guilt, and fierce, protective instincts. When his PTSD triggers a destructive episode, Eliana, terrified but resolute, uses her burgeoning empathy to soothe his psychic storms. In the aftermath, a raw, undeniable connection ignites between them, forcing her to confront desires she believed had died with her fiancé, awakening a primal heat she thought she’d never feel again.

The sanctuary’s population soon doubles with Dr. Nico Reyes, a brilliant, acerbic neuroscientist whose life was saved by an experimental cancer treatment—only for it to trigger agonizing, uncontrollable telepathy. He’s haunted by the constant mental “noise” of others’ thoughts, a curse driving him to the brink of madness. Drawn to Eliana’s unique “psychic signature” which miraculously offers him blessed silence, their bond forms over late-night intellectual debates, shared existential dread, and the surprising intimacy of their complementary powers creating unique, almost electric feedback.

Then, amidst a crisis where Gabriel’s powers flare dangerously, Theo Nakamura arrives. A gentle, compassionate soul of Japanese-American heritage, Theo is a healer whose extraordinary gift comes at a devastating personal cost: he must absorb physical injuries into himself. His selfless act of healing Gabriel, nearly destroying himself in the process, forges a new, tender bond with Eliana. As she cares for him in his recovery, an unexpected intimacy blossoms, rooted in shared sacrifice, gentle touch, and the restorative peace their combined healing and empathic energies create.

The final, chaotic piece of their unlikely puzzle crashes into their fragile haven: Julian Blackwood. A visionary artist, his piercing blue eyes reflect a mind ravaged by substance abuse – a desperate attempt to dull the terrifying precognitive visions that manifest through his electrifying, often disturbing, paintings. He arrives wild-eyed, ranting of their impending doom, his canvases depicting Havenwood, and each of its occupants, with chilling, impossible accuracy, months before their paths ever crossed. His passionate, volatile energy creates an electrifying, almost dangerous chemistry with Eliana, their artistic souls resonating, challenging her own creative and emotional boundaries in a whirlwind of intense connection.

With Julian’s harrowing prophecies painting a clear picture of imminent attack, Eliana and her four protectors must confront their deepest wounds, learn to master their volatile abilities, and navigate the complex, deepening, and often scorching intimate bonds forming between them. Can this empath, this soldier, this scientist, this healer, and this visionary forge more than just an alliance? Can they transform a forgotten retreat into a fortified sanctuary, a beacon of hope not just for themselves, but for others like them who are lost and hunted?

Content Warning: This novel contains explicit sexual content, including references to past trauma, and violence. Recommended for readers 18+.

Heat Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

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