After a disastrous start, mostly due to the fans' obsession with Alan's Dash persona, Loretta is kidnapped by billionaire Abigail Fairfax, who realizes that Loretta based her books on actual historical research she did with her late archaeologist husband. Fairfax has discovered a lost city on a remote Atlantic island and is convinced that the Crown of Fire, a priceless treasure, is located there. When she declines to help decipher an ancient map to the treasure, Fairfax, fearing an active volcano will destroy the site, chloroforms Loretta and takes her to the island.

Alan, who is secretly enamored of Loretta, witnesses her being kidnapped. He recruits Jack Trainer, a former Navy SEAL turned CIA operative, and meets with him on the island to coordinate a rescue. With no assistance from Alan, Jack breaches Fairfax's compound and frees Loretta. As the trio attempt to flee, a gunfight ensues and Jack is apparently shot dead. Loretta and Alan escape into the jungle.

The two spend a day fighting off Fairfax's henchmen before reaching a nearby village. Upon hearing a local folk song, Loretta deduces that the crown is hidden in a cenote in the jungle. Before they can leave however, Fairfax again captures Loretta; Alan chases them on a motorcycle but he is also caught. Fairfax forces the two to reveal the treasure's location.

At the tomb's site, they discover it is not a treasure-filled monument of Taha and Kalaman's power, but a secret place for the queen to grieve her husband's death. Her Crown of Fire was made of red seashells the king gathered to show his love for her. The actual treasure of the legend was not a priceless jewel, but the inseparable love between the king and queen.

Enraged, Fairfax seals Loretta and Alan inside the tomb as the volcano erupts. Rafi, one of Fairfax's henchmen, having a change of heart due to Fairfax's cruelty to him, leaves a crowbar to help Loretta and Alan escape. He then abandons Fairfax on the island. Beth arrives with the local coast guard who rescue Loretta and Alan and arrest Fairfax. Loretta's next book, based on her adventure with Alan, is a success, and they share a kiss at the end of the book tour.