When Ellie Birdsong an ambitious young real estate developer is sent from Atlantic City to Puerto Rico to charm the panties off landowner Carla Valdez the last thing she expects is to be seduced by the lush island Carlas two troubled adopted young sons and Carla herselfBut in her quest to buy Carlas sprawling beachfront property on the Caribbean and turn it into a gambling resort Ellie learns to love the land its people As she tours bustling marketplaces rugged mountains and historic sites she experiences the culture clash between rich and poor and tradition and progressAs Ellies love and respect for Carla grows their relationship is threatened by a ruthless gangster who also wants Carlas land by jealousy and romantic rivalry and by the disappearance of Carlas younger son Torn between her professional ambition and her feelings for Carla Ellie may risk losing Carlas trust and becoming her beloved enemy