Shortly after the end of war with Mexico, Kathleen Adams disgraces her family when she travels west to the New Mexico territory to teach school. In the midst of her travels, the notorious desperado Black Bart holds up her stage and unexpectedly steals something very personal from her-a kiss. With that kiss, their bond is forever sealed.
As they become inseparable and their lives inextricably intertwined, they realize they are meant to be together. They attend a Mexican fiesta in the nearby settlement of San Pedro and visit an infamous gambling hole called El Diablo. Meanwhile, she has aroused the suspicion of Hiram Brown, the town banker, who was also on the stage when it was intercepted by Black Bart. Kathleen has also befriended Brigitte, the Swedish lady who runs the boarding house where she gets her meals and in whom she feels she can confide.
Suspecting that the banker has a plan in place to take Bart down, Kathleen tries to warn the desperado before it happens. Now that she has left behind a quiet existence for the excitement of the Wild West and found the love of her life, will she get to him in time-or lose him forever?

John Marriott is the chair of the World Religions department at the Institute of Religious Studies at Missional University, and an adjunct professor in the Philosophy and Intercultural Studies departments at Biola University. He is also the director for Cultural Engagement at the Renaissance Forum and an editorial consultant for the Center for Christian Thought.