Healer by Cassandra Gold
The Institute, Book 1
Amber Quill – Allure
Paranormal M/M
ISBN: 978-1-61124-198-3
Reviewed by Lisa

Constantly looking over his shoulders is nothing new for Dr. Tristan Matheson. Since early childhood Tristan and his adoptive parents had learned to drop everything and quietly start over somewhere else. All the secrecy was necessary to protect Tristan and his unique gift of healing. The little family realized early on that Tristan was special and there were people who would use and exploit his gift with or without his consent.

No matter how dangerous it is to Tristan he covertly heals while working in hospitals. That second sense is telling him that he’s stayed too long at his present position in an ER. That feeling is acknowledged when a stranger tells him to run and run quickly. Tristan is highly suspicious of the man until the man morphs into Tristan and swears that he’s only there to help the doctor escape. Agreeing to leave with the man called Cam, Tristan is taken to the Delphi Institute where people with special gifts are safe to be themselves with an option to go into the world and help others.

The attraction Tristan feels for Cam isn’t one sided and for the first time the doctor knows he’s in a safe place to explore a relationship. Unfortunately the closer Tristan gets to Cam the more the other man pulls away. Cam’s inner scars make it nearly impossible for the man to commit to someone else. For every step forward by Tristan it feels like Cam takes two steps back. Being all that he is won’t be enough for Tristan if Cam isn’t by his side, but how to heal the emotional scars of a lifetime may be more than Tristan is capable of healing.

Healer offers readers the perfect balance of character development, drama, and an action packed storyline. The well drawn characters in particular grab readers’ attention with their realistic intensity. Also, the sexual encounters between Tristan and Cam run the gamut from steamy hot to gentle tenderness which adds to their developing romance. Their alternate reality seems so authentic it’s hard to believe the Delphi Institute doesn’t exist. Tristan is everything a healer should be, the right man for Cam’s weary soul. There’s no question Healer will be a hit with readers. I’m looking forward to the next book!