Familiar Obsession. Caroline Burnes

      “I thought I’d never see you again,” Liza whispered

      “Five years, Duke. Five years of wondering.”

      Something in her voice must have touched him, as his cool expression gave way to sudden pain. “Whatever I shared with you, it must have been spectacular,” he answered.

      Liza stepped closer, all thoughts of safety or caution evaporating, pushed aside by her feelings for the man who stood before her. She didn’t wait for him to kiss her. She stood on tiptoe and brushed her lips softly against his. “I’ve dreamed of this moment for five years,” she said, her arms going around his neck.

      For a moment, Duke merely accepted her kiss, but then his arms closed around her and Liza gave herself to the pleasure of his mouth on hers.

      The soft darkness of the night cloaked them, and Liza felt Duke’s hands grasp her waist. Her heart was pounding, and beneath his shirt she could feel his answering heartbeat.

      He eased her away from him and looked into her eyes. His own were glazed with desire.

      “Liza,” he said, his voice hoarse, “I remember.”

      Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

      Your summer reading list just wouldn’t be complete without the special brand of romantic suspense you can only get from Harlequin Intrigue.

      This month, Joanna Wayne launches her first-ever miniseries! You loved the Randolph family when you met them in her book Family Ties (#444). So now they’re back in RANDOLPH FAMILY TIES, beginning with Branson’s story in The Second Son (#569). Flesh and blood bind these brothers to each other—and to a mystery baby girl. All are her protectors…one is her father.

      Familiar, the crime-solving black cat, is back in his thirteenth FEAR FAMILIAR title by Caroline Burnes. This time he explores New Orleans in Familiar Obsession (#570).

      It had been Hope Fancy’s dream to marry Quinn McClure, but not under a blaze of bullets! Are Urgent Vows (#571) enough to save two small children…and a lifelong love? Find out with Harlequin Intrigue author Joyce Sullivan.

      With her signature style and Native American characters and culture, Aimée Thurlo revisits the Black Raven brothers from Christmas Witness (#544). In Black Raven’s Pride (#572), Nick Black Raven would die to protect Eden Maes, the one-time and always love of his life. And he’d be damned before anyone would touch a hair on the head of their child.

      So if you can handle the heat, pull the trigger on all four Harlequin Intrigue titles!

      Sincerely,

      Denise O’Sullivan

      Associate Senior Editor Harlequin Intrigue

      Familiar Obsession

      Caroline Burnes

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      ABOUT THE AUTHOR

      Caroline Burnes continues her life as doorman and can opener for her six cats and three dogs. E. A. Poe, the prototype cat for Familiar, rules as king of the ranch, followed by his lieutenants, Miss Vesta, Gumbo, Chester, Maggie the Cat and Ash. The dogs, though a more lowly life form, are tolerated as foot soldiers by the cats. They are Sweetie Pie, Maybelline and Corky.

      Books by Caroline Burnes

      HARLEQUIN INTRIGUE

      86—A DEADLY BREED

      100—MEASURE OF DECEIT

      115—PHANTOM FILLY

      134—FEAR FAMILIAR*

      154—THE JAGUAR’S EYE

      186—DEADLY CURRENTS

      204—FATAL INGREDIENTS

      215—TOO FAMILIAR*

      229—HOODWINKED

      241—FLESH AND BLOOD

      256—THRICE FAMILIAR*

      267—CUTTING EDGE

      277—SHADES OF FAMILIAR*

      293—FAMILIAR REMEDY*

      322—FAMILIAR TALE*

      343—BEWITCHING FAMILIAR*

      399—A CHRISTMAS KISS

      409—MIDNIGHT PREY

      426—FAMILIAR HEART*

      452—FAMILIAR FIRE*

      485—REMEMBER ME, COWBOY

      502—FAMILIAR VALENTINE*

      525—AFTER DARK

      “Familiar Stranger”*

      542—FAMILIAR CHRISTMAS*

      554—TEXAS MIDNIGHT

      570—FAMILIAR OBSESSION*

      CAST OF CHARACTERS

      Familiar—The feline detective is always ready to help a beautiful woman in distress.

      Liza Hawkins—She thought the world ended when her lover disappeared. Now she’s seeing his face everywhere and fears she’s going crazy.

      Mike Davis, aka Duke Masonne—He’s come back to reclaim his past and the woman who once loved him.

      Anita Blevins—Art critic and general pain, she seems to play both sides of the fence.

      Lisbeth Dendrich—Marcelle’s best friend drinks herself into oblivion. Is she guilty of something?

      Pascal Krantz—Liza’s agent made her a star. Does his need to control her hide something more sinister?

      Kyle LaRue—Duke’s former business partner made a tidy profit when Duke disappeared.

      Trent Maxwell—The detective pursues Duke relentlessly. Does he believe Duke is a murderer, or is he part of the setup?

      Marcelle Ricco—The socialite led a secret life, and died the day Duke disappeared.

      For Sharon Paul, who took in a stray kitty, Simon,

      and a stray author, me, and treated us as if we were her own.

      Contents

       Chapter One

       Chapter Two

       Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five