Darcy St James is a former private investigator, now she is a reporter. Darcy gave up investigating after the last case just didn't end well. Darcy realized that she just couldn't continue in this line of work. Darcy's former partner Abby is still doing investigating, and places a call to Darcy. Abby is working on a cruise ship, and has come across some very starling issues. Abby wants Darcy to come and help her investigate this case.

Against Darcy's better judgment she agrees. When Darcy arrives on the ship she spots Abby. When she heads to the area that they agreed to meet at, Abby is no where to be found. Darcy asks around, but the only answer that she gets is that Abby quit her job and left the ship. Darcy finds this very hard to believe as she just saw her on the ship.

Gage Mckinna and his family own and run a business that lead people on adventurous excursions. Gage and Darcy had met on her last case. They felt that with the way that they both lead their lives, that there is no way that they can have any kind of relationship. Neither one knows that the other one is on this ship.

Darcy knows that something is not right about Abby up and leaving this case. When she runs into Gage she tries to explain the situation. Abby's disappearance just doesn't sit right with Gage. Gage agrees to help Darcy out not only to find Abby, but to keep Darcy safe.

As the cruise continues more and more things just are not adding up.

STRANDED is the first book that I read by Dane Pettrey. I think to better understand this story line, you really have to read the first two books in the Alaskan Courage Series. Dane touches on what happened prior to Gage and Darcy, but at least for me it was not explained enough to fully understand it.