TEMPTATION – Brenda Jackson
The Texas Cattleman's Club: The Showdown, Book 5
Harlequin Desire #2120
ISBN: 978-0-373-73133-6
November 2011
Contemporary Series Romance

Royal, Texas – Present Day

A baby is abandoned at the Texas Cattleman's Club and is taken to a nearby hospital to get checked over. Millionaire security expert and local rancher Zeke Travers is in charge of the investigation as the baby may be related to threats made to one of the TCC members. At the hospital, Zeke's eye is caught by beautiful nurse Sheila Hopkins. She seems the only one who can make the baby girl stop crying, so when it's suggested she take temporary custody, Zeke jumps at the chance to get close to Shelia. He isn't looking for a relationship, but is intrigued by her.

Sheila recognizes trouble when she sees it, so Zeke's interest in her has her wary since men seem to be only after one thing: a chance to score a night in bed with her. She accepts his offer to help with the baby, but plans to keep him at arm's length. To get involved with the handsome Zeke could only lead to heartbreak. But her plans soon backfire, and Sheila finds herself falling for Zeke. Meanwhile, each day spent with the baby has her realizing it will be hard to give her up. Once the baby is gone, so will her connection with Zeke.

Blackmail, babies, and hot hunky men continue to heat up the Texas Cattleman's Club: The Showdown series. Brenda Jackson's contribution provides some answers and leads into the final book due out next month. In TEMPTATION, Zeke and Sheila are certainly dealing with some temptation. Zeke's macho maneuverings has Sheila wanting to fight him, and she is not afraid to stand up for herself. She's had enough of men who make promises and then break them. To give in can surely only lead to heartbreak. But with a cute baby girl providing them with a reason to be around each other, Zeke takes full advantage.

Despite Sheila's misgivings, she's soon pulled into an affair with Zeke. He's charming and generous. But with her past experiences giving her the message of don't be fooled by someone's promises, she tries to take things slow and gives him mixed messages. Zeke, not knowing her past, is confused, which causes for some miscommunication between them. Can they resolve the issues and look forward to a possible future together? And finally, what about the baby? Just exactly whom does she belong to and why are the club members being targeted. In TEMPTATION, you'll learn some answers.

With wealthy ranchers, independent women, and a baby mixed in, TEMPTATION is a read I highly recommend you pick up.

Patti Fischer