Good Intentions, Brian’s Secret by Donnie J Burgess is Part One of the story. Brian is a charismatic, successful executive who, along with business partner Charles, is looking to expand their company by marketing a new business-growth idea with other company owners. They are targeting Andrew Crandall. He owns a string of pharmacies and the technical addition could bring him added benefits. First, they need to convince him that he would make money.

Charles elects Brian to go to Portland, Oregon, to attend a meeting outlining the product. He is the most likely to get the agreement their own business is relying upon. Arriving at the airport, Brian heads to Avis to pick up his rental car. In the process he spots what looks like a teenage girl, sitting alone, visibly upset and sporting bruises on her face. His compassionate nature causes him to go over to her and inquire about her well being – or not. She tells him her name is Cassie. She has run away from a home where she has been forced to prostitute herself. He decides he cannot leave her – he has to help her. His trip has produced many stresses already; one more cannot possibly make too much difference.

How Brian assists her and how, in return, she helps him acquire the major contract his business wants leads to questionable behaviours on both parts. Their decisions will undoubtedly bring consequences and the question is how will Brian deal with her predicament and the repercussions? And is Cassie telling him the truth? This is a very good story with a well written, interesting plot. I found myself getting seriously agitated with both characters at times, but this is a sign that they became very real to me. It is a very good read. There are some explicit sexual passages. However, Good Intentions is worth your time and investment.

Brian, working for a small, start-up distribution company owned and started by Charles Jenkins, sets off on a business trip to Portland. On arriving at his destination, he encounters Cassie, a young girl outside the airport. She has been crying, has a black eye, and is very under-dressed for the weather. Brian takes pity on her and offers to buy her some warm clothing and food. When she tells him it's her birthday, he treats her to an outing. She confides in him that she lives with an abusive mother who prostitutes her. Brian feels very sorry for her and gives her his number to call if she ever needs help. His intentions are good, but he decides not to mention it to his wife, Ellie. Things take a twist when Cassie starts calling him regularly and so begins Good Intentions by Donnie J. Burgess.

Good Intentions combines a series of twists and turns in a subtle manner. A young man with good intentions helps out a young girl in a difficult situation. As the tale unfolds, you are taken on an interesting and perplexing journey from the suburbs to the slums. Love, lust, greed, betrayal, desperation, addiction and kindness are just some of the twists you will encounter. A sometimes sad, sometimes scary story plays out between the pages, leaving you breathless and captivated until the last moments of the tale. An engrossing read! Makes you wonder about the saying, "No good deed goes unpunished."