First published 1991
Diana Howard faces a nightmare when her iron-willed father forbids her marriage to her beloved distant cousin and instead demands she wed the cold, calculating William Ryder. Desperate to escape this trap, Diana strikes a deal with Cord Montgomery, an arrogantly attractive wagon master she detests. She agrees to a marriage in name only, despite the unwanted desire he ignites in her. As their wagon train crosses the great Southwest toward the Mexican border, Diana finds herself at Cord's mercy on the dangerous trail. In a secret place south of the border, she uncovers shocking truths about her family's vast wealth and the lethal lies surrounding her inheritance. The journey forces Diana to confront not only the hunger that only Cord can satisfy, but also a love that strips away all pretense to consume them both.
Genres: romance, historical-fiction, 20th-century, adventure, 19th-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, forced-proximity
Setting: Mexico, Southwest
Period: 19th-century
399 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Onyx