As war looms in Spanish California, Sorina Braithwaite, rebellious granddaughter of a prominent ranchero, has her own battle to fight. Desperate to escape an arranged marriage to a man she despises, she threatens to expose an American spy unless he helps her flee. Lt. Lance Grainger, intrigued by her audacity as much as her beauty, knows if Sorina disappears, her arrogant fiancé will follow, thus distracting him from the insurgency he’s plotting. But there’s a risk. As the son of a man branded a coward, Lance has spent his entire career rebuilding his family’s honor. If he’s thought to be a deserter, his honor will be in shreds. As the declaration of war nears, Lance and Sorina set out on a journey of danger and intrigue, but both soon discover their hearts may be in the greatest peril of all.

Gabriel de la Vega, disgraced son of a Mexican ranchero, returns to his Alta California home when Americans take power, to help his countrymen with the bewildering transition and to make amends to the woman he once wronged. Fiercely independent, Isabella Fuentes swore she’d never forgive Gabriel for abandoning her on the night they were to elope. Now he's back, playing a dangerous game, pretending to be meek and repentant when she knows the handsome former outlaw is anything but contrite. When a series of accidents threaten Isabella’s safety, Gabriel offers an outrageous the protection of a brief civil marriage. Isabella is tempted. But can she rely on a man who once betrayed her and can she trust her foolish heart to let him go when the danger has passed?