Protector

Gifted #3

by R.L. Merrill

From the author of Healer and Connection, a 2023 Daphne Du Maurier Award Finalist, comes a tale of supernatural suspense where two souls with opposing world views must work together to save victims of human trafficking from the clutches of those wielding darkness for their personal gain. Retired Navy SEAL James Morton is an expert in security and protection. When his cousin asks him to provide his services to the staff at Havenhart Academy—a boarding school for child victims of trauma—he doesn’t count on working alongside folks who don’t operate in his reality, like librarian Morgan Forrester. She’s gorgeous, funny…and a witch? James deals solely in facts, science, and rules of engagement. There is no room for woo-woo in his life, but she knows things about his missing daughters. When he receives a mysterious phone call about his eldest, he’ll have to look past his beliefs and accept that even a natural-born Protector needs to ask for and accept help, and that sometimes opening yourself to new possibilities can bring about great rewards...and love.

This book is part of the Gifted Series, and the action overlaps the storylines in both Healer and Connection. It can be read as a standalone, but for more details on this world of supernatural suspense, you may wish to read those books first. Protector was originally released as part of the Happily Ever After Collective.

164 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 13, 2023

About the author

Whether she’s writing contemporary romance featuring quirky, queer, and relatable characters or diving deep into the supernatural to give readers a shiver, R.L. Merrill loves creating compelling stories that will stay with readers long after closing the book. Ro writes inclusive romance for the Happily Ever After collective, contributes paranormal hilarity to Robyn Peterman’s Magic and Mayhem Universe, and pens horror-inspired tales and music reviews for HorrorAddicts.net. A mom, wife, daughter, and former educator, you can find her rocking out in her Bronco with Great Dane pup Velma, being terrorized by feline twins Dracula and Frankenstein, or headbanging at a rock show near her home in the San Francisco Bay Area! Stay Tuned for more…

Reviews

[Sheila Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always searching

The beauty of a family united, the horror of child trafficking, living sacrifices, and untrustworthy adults is just a small part of this enthralling story. Love, coming to the rescue and all things that leave you gasping in happiness makes this series a must read!

[Staci Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

The right kind of understanding is priceless.

Finding a safe place to use ones special skills is often difficult. It can take people to dangerous places where others try to take advantage. Being able to bring innocents to a haven where they can reach their potential is a dream come true. Not without it's own risks and cost though. Bits of happiness found along the way are to be treated as blessings.