Journalist Smokey Powers has detected a pattern in accident fatalities in the small coastal town of Storm Bay, which may in fact be murders. They could also be connected to the recent disappearance of a land developer. Smokey hopes to find enough evidence to write a news feature for her Oregon newspaper.

On her first day in the city Stormy visits an art gallery and is fascinated by the realism in the photograph of a hawk in flight. She inquires about the artist and learns that he is a local wildlife photographer, Mato Hawk.

Smokey's visit coincides with a controversy over building a resort that will bring jobs into the town at the expense of destroying natural resources, and local tension is at its highest. During a town meeting to discuss the issue she meets Mato, who emerges at the most outspoken against the development. The two immediately sense their mutual attraction and begin to develop a relationship. Because of the local disdain for reporters, and her fear of what may happen to their budding relationship, Smokey decides not to reveal the real reason for her visit. She also hopes that people will openly share information with her. But she soon suspects that Mato may be behind the latest disappearance. And when Mato discovers the true motive for Smokey's visit, she too disappears.

Harper is a talented writer. The plot idea is good, the dialogue is smooth, and the story flows well. However, a story with themes like murder investigation, kidnapping, spirit possession, bondage, and forced sex promise the reader a great story filled with suspense. Unfortunately, the themes are quickly abandoned and the story falls flat. Smokey never quite gets around to doing the investigation since most of the story takes place at Mato's home.

A better summary for this book is: Investigative journalist visits small town to uncover a series of murders but instead has lots of sex with the local hunk. This story does not fit into the traditional romance category, but dedicated Vonna Harper fans and readers who prefer lots of sex with very little plot development will enjoy this book.