But Emelina Stratton would bargain with the devil himself for those she loves. Julian Colter is the devil who discovers her plan and offers to help her, for a price. Together with Julian's Doberman, Xerxes, these two set out to find the evidence to turn the tables on a blackmailer, uncover a smuggling ring, and discover that love can survive even a bad cup of coffee. Julian Colter, who the village suspects is a mobster, provides the expertise in carrying out Emmy's mad, if ingenious,idea and it is Julian who is surprised when her plan works out. What surprises Emmy is the trust and affection that draw her closer and closer to this mysterious man, aligning her with him against the town's gossip and against her own sense of self-preservation.
Little action occurs and there is no true sense of menace to the main characters.
Tension is maintained by the protagonists each learning to trust the other. The book's tone is evident in the final denouement where Julian attempts to collect on their bargain and Emelina is completely bombed. Demanding special attention from fans of Ms Krentz's futuristic novels will be Emmy's attempts to write a new genre combining science fiction and romance.