Jennifer Brewster is set on revenge on the man who destroyed her family and caused the death of her parents. As she sets out to transform herself from a minister's daughter to a woman out to catch her prey she is about to get some lessons in love, secrets, and forgiveness.

Nicholas Oglesby cannot believe his luck when he runs into Jennifer on board the ship heading for San Francisco; she is the perfect woman to paint. While on the trip he soon finds himself falling in love with her. But what is she hiding from him?

Once they reach San Francisco can Jennifer follow through with her plan now that she has found a man she could give her love and her body to? And will Nicholas still love her and want her after she completes her mission and he discovers the truth?

This is a re-issue of PORTRAIT OF DESIRE which was originally released in 1982 and then again in 1988. I have always been a fan of Cassie Edwards so when this book came up for review I jumped on it but for some reason I had a hard time getting through this one. The storyline of Jennifer's revenge was great but I had a problem with Nicholas; although sexy, he was lacking something for me. As far as the history lesson you tend to find in Ms. Edward's books that I have always enjoyed, she covers one of San Francisco's earthquakes and the travel from Seattle to San Francisco.