A MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY…
Esteban Santandar, heir to a vast cattle empire in Sonora, had been educated in Europe and spent much of his life in gold rush California. Part Spanish aristocrat, part Yankee businessman, he straddled both worlds uneasily, not fitting in either one.

A WOMAN WITHOUT A PAST…
Amanda Whittaker seemed to be a pampered heiress, a magnificent golden lady, living as the darling niece of a wealthy San Francisco merchant. But she had buried her tragic early life, which included escape from a bordello…and worse.

A HOUSE OF CARDS…
When Esteban and Amanda fell in love, they sought salvation in each others arms. Expecting to be forced into marriage with a vapid, shallow girl, he chose instead a wife who possessed not only beauty but lively intelligence and a Yankee free spirit. For her he turned his back on the traditional ways of his family. Warned not to deceive the man she loved, Amanda could not bear to reopen old wounds and kept silent. Their life in Sonora was a sensual idyll…until her past was uncovered on one shattering night.

A LOVE THAT COULD NEVER BE DENIED
Amanda struggled to rebuild her life alone. Esteban drowned his pain in brandy. As both tried to kill a love that would not die, they found almost too late that they had a deadly enemy who they had to face together.