The Bahamas; Miami, Florida - Present Day

The Saga of the Garrison Family:

John Garrison died unexpectedly leaving behind a will sure to raise a furor. Given half ruling interest in Garrison, Inc., Cassie Sinclair-Garrison is his illegitimate daughter, the daughter of his beloved mistress who died only months before he did. Cassie is in charge of the Garrison Grand-Bahamas resort, and doing a damn fine job. But Parker, oldest son of John, wants to buy her out and run the company himself. Along with his brothers, Stephen and Adam, and his sisters, Brooke and Brittany, the secret life of their father was never revealed until the reading of the will.

Let us join Brandon Washington, Garrison, Inc.'s attorney, as he goes to the Bahamas to find what secrets he can about Cassie to...well, shall we delicately say, "blackmail" her into giving up her interests.

Cassie notices Brandon immediately; it's hard not to notice a man so tall, athletic, good looking, a great dresser, and that air about him that every woman in the hotel notices. Ah, but she's still getting over the death of her father, and all her time is spent running her hotel. Cassie knows about her siblings and her father’s second life, but the love her parents had for her made her feel secure. After college, she was given control of the Garrison Grand-Bahamas, and after her father's death, full ownership went to her. Her brother Parker keeps calling and trying to buy her out, but she is adamant in her refusal.

Brandon is surprised when the beautiful woman he makes sure to meet on the beach is Cassie Sinclair-Garrison. How convenient that the woman to whom he is attracted, and he thinks is attracted to him, is his prey. A few days getting to know her and he will surely have all the evidence he needs to "encourage" her to give up her share of the company. But, will hormones enter into the picture, and will Cassie find out? What fun would it be for us if Cassie doesn't find out, and what will she do, if or when she does?

Brenda Jackson has written a light-hearted story, delicately handling the love child of John Garrison and his double life in the Bahamas as well as his other life with five children in Miami. Cassie is devoted to her hotel, and romance is far from her mind. Brandon had a bad experience in romance a year before, and despite his attraction to Cassie, he is a little gun shy about letting anything develop between them.

The whole Garrison family makes its appearance here, and tentative steps are taken to get to know each other. But a central part of the story is about John and his beloved Ava and the love that created Cassie, and her remembrances of what true love can be between two people.

STRANDED WITH THE TEMPTING STRANGER continues The Garrison series and is a worthy addition to this family and its story of greed, money, infidelity, and coming out on top. Each story stands alone, but secret wills and unknown, hidden children are always interesting to read about. Guaranteed, you will love this edition of the saga -- to be continued next month.

Carolyn Crisher