Romance naturally emanates from Venice, a city of passion and eroticism. This was the case for Mara, a Nebraskan writer who had emigrated from the United States fourteen years previously. One of her newly-published novels brings passion to her, when the son of an ex-lover comes looking for resolution. Having read the book, which Mara based on her and her lover's real-life interlude, James finds Mara and they are instantly enamored with each other. As the story unfolds, they encounter sensuality, love, and danger.