Mercy Pennington spends her days stocking second-hand books at Pennington's Second Chance. Her business keeps her too busy for travel or a social life, but when she advertises a rare book she is plunged into a world of danger and desire.

Croft Falconer's career revolves around violence -- the beautifully controlled violence of the martial arts. He knows that Valley of Secret Jewels -- a book of 18th century erotica -- is linked to a dark secret. He has long believed that it was destroyed in a fire. How could it have fallen into the hands of a small town book dealer? Aware that Mercy is in more trouble than she can possibly know, he tracks her down.

Mercy is soon swept up in a passionate, reckless affair. Croft may be the most dangerous man she has ever known -- or the lover of her dreams. But the secrets he is hiding could get them both killed before she discovers the truth.