Sanctuary

You first met her in "Madame la Présidente." Now discover Kate Denvers's story after she leaves America.

Synopsis Kate Denvers, a passionate young biologist, embarks on a mission that takes her beyond the boundaries of academia: an expedition into the heart of Rwanda to study mountain gorillas. Under the guidance of Professor Regina Quinn, a seasoned primatologist, Kate quickly discovers that the jungle holds far more than natural wonders.

As their team fights the brutal poaching that threatens the very existence of these majestic creatures, an unexpected bond forms between student and mentor. Beneath the dense jungle canopy and through the trials they face, their relationship slowly deepens into a profound affection, challenging everything Kate thought she knew about love and loyalty.

But as danger mounts and a disturbing discovery puts their lives at risk, Kate and Regina must confront not only the challenges of conservation, but also the pull of their own hearts. Can they protect these magnificent animals while coming to terms with the depth of their feelings for each other?

A standalone novel, independent of any other series or saga in the Queenverse.

Tropes Slow Burn / Forbidden Love / Ice Queen / Age Gap / Professor/Student / Wilderness / Vigilante

Foreword and Author's Note Nestled in the heart of East Africa, Rwanda—known as the Land of a Thousand Hills—is a country of rich, multifaceted diversity. Majestic mountains rise beneath morning mists that brush their green summits. These hills shape the beautiful landscape where our story unfolds: a tribute to Dian Fossey, who fought fiercely for gorilla conservation.

Her fight was immortalized in the film Gorillas in the Mist.

The people of Rwanda bear the marks of a painful past and a remarkable history of resilience. They are living witnesses to the ability to overcome hardship and rebuild. Rwanda's mountains are a sanctuary for the remaining mountain gorillas, majestic animals whose survival is as miraculous as their history is tragic. Their existence has been threatened by centuries of hunting, deforestation, and human conflict. Yet thanks to the tireless efforts of conservationists, local guides, and scientists, these gorillas have become a symbol of hope and of what perseverance and compassion can achieve.

Our story unfolds in the shadow of the former Karisoke camp, founded by Dian Fossey, although the original site is no longer used as it was in her time. Today, the spirit of the camp lives on through the Karisoke Research Center, based near Musanze. This modern center continues to conduct research and conservation programs in Volcanoes National Park, carrying forward Dian Fossey's legacy by protecting these iconic gorillas and educating local communities and visitors from around the world.

This book, a work of lesbian fiction, revisits a piece of that forgotten history, inspired by the story of Dian Fossey, who was murdered in 1985.