Familiar Oasis. Caroline Burnes

      “I gave my word that I would protect you. I’m honor bound to do that.”

      “Your honor doesn’t require that you die for me.” Amelia reined in her horse. When Harad moved up beside her, she reached out, urging him to stop. “I don’t expect you to spend the rest of your life protecting me.”

      She was so sincere and brave that Harad couldn’t resist. “What if that’s the way I choose to spend my time?” he asked.

      Amelia looked directly into his eyes. “I’d say you were a man who enjoyed thankless tasks,” she answered.

      Harad’s laughter was long and loud. “A glutton for punishment is the phrase I’ve heard.” He leaned over and brushed his lips to hers. “Call me a fool, but nothing will prevent me from protecting you. Not even your own hardheadedness.”

      Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

      Summer lovin’ holds not only passion, but also danger! Splash into a whirlpool of suspense with these four new titles!

      Return to the desert sands of Egypt with your favorite black cat in Familiar Oasis, the companion title in Caroline Burnes’s FEAR FAMILIAR: DESERT MYSTERIES miniseries. This time Familiar must help high-powered executive Amelia Corbet, who stumbles on an evil plot when trying to save her sister. But who will save Amelia from the dark and brooding desert dweller who is intent on capturing her for his own?

      Ann Voss Peterson brings you the second installment in our powerhouse CHICAGO CONFIDENTIAL continuity. Law Davies is not only an attorney, but an undercover agent determined to rescue his one and only love from a dangerous cult—and he is Laying Down the Law.

      Travel with bestselling author Joanna Wayne to the American South as she continues her ongoing series HIDDEN PASSIONS. In Mystic Isle, Kathryn Morland must trust a sexy and seemingly dangerous stranger—who is actually an undercover ex-cop!—to help her escape from the Louisiana bayou alive!

      And we are so pleased to present you with a story from newcomer Kasi Blake that is as big as Texas itself! Two years widowed, Julia Keller is confronted on her Texas ranch by a lone lawman with the face of her dead beloved husband. Is he really her long-lost mate and father of her child—or an impostor? That is the question for this Would-Be Wife.

      Enjoy all four!

      Denise O’Sullivan

      Associate Senior Editor

      Harlequin Intrigue

      Familiar Oasis

      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.

      CAST OF CHARACTERS

      Familiar—After adventuring with Beth Bradshaw in the desert sands of Egypt, Familiar is ready for food, sleep and a return ticket to the U.S.A. until he finds himself swept up in an attack on Amelia Corbet, Beth’s “adopted” sister.

      Amelia Corbet—High-powered executive Amelia lands in Alexandria to rush to the aid of Beth Bradshaw. But Amelia becomes the intended victim of a foul plan only moments after she arrives.

      Harad Dukhan—Harad gave up his desert heritage to pursue a career in the modern world, but his heart is still with the desert people of his mother. Amelia Corbet’s arrival pulls Harad into an intrigue where not only his heart, but his life, is at stake.

      Mauve Killigan—Perky and always on the spot when trouble threatens, Mauve might be part of the solution or part of the problem.

      Dr. Kaffar Mosheen—Handsome and talented in the use of poisons, Kaffar is either a lifesaver or an “attempted” murderer.

      Abdul—Leader of a maurading nomadic band that is best described as pirates of the sand, Abdul is a self-proclaimed thief. But is he a trader in flesh?

      Marie Johnson—Harad’s secretary knows all of his secrets, as well as his whereabouts at all times. Is she spilling the beans to his enemies?

      Nazar Bettina—He escaped capture and has vanished from Egypt. Is he really gone?

      Keya—Harad offered her banishment instead of prison. Was it a wise choice or a deadly mistake?

      To my brother and sister-in-law, David and Gail. They’ve rescued, spayed and neutered, and loved and buried dozens of felines. When others turned their backs on unwanted animals, they opened their home.

      Contents

      Chapter One

      Chapter Two

      Chapter Three

      Chapter Four

      Chapter Five

      Chapter Six

      Chapter Seven

      Chapter Eight

      Chapter Nine

      Chapter Ten

      Chapter Eleven

      Chapter Twelve

      Chapter Thirteen

      Chapter Fourteen

      Chapter Fifteen

      Chapter Sixteen

      Chapter Seventeen

      Chapter Eighteen

      Chapter One

      The heat of Alexandria is intense, but after my little sojourn in the desert, I vowed not to complain about minor things anymore. All I can say is that if I never have to ride on a horse again for the rest of my life, it’ll be too soon.

      Peter and Eleanor, my humanoids, have finished the veterinarian symposium for which they came to this sunburnt metropolis, and they’ve given me fair warning that they’re leaving in four days. For the moment, they want to sightsee and vacation a little. They’ve made it clear they want me back at our hotel each night by midnight. Can you believe they’re actually trying to set a curfew for me, Familiar, black cat detective? Right. That only goes to show how deluded humanoids can be. Cats do not believe in curfews. Nor are we willingly ordered about for any reason.

      But I forgive my humans. They’ve been worried about me, and as I know from experience, it’s tough to relax and have fun when you’re worried about someone you love.

      The truth is, a midnight curfew sounds sort of good. I’m worn out. All I really have left to do is to make sure Amelia Corbet arrives in Alexandria safely, and that Mauve meets her and tells her that Beth is safe and happily on her way to wedded bliss in the desert.

      Beth wanted to wait for Amelia to arrive. She wanted her “sister” to be with her for the wedding. But the Moon of Con was only six days off, and she had to hustle to get to the lost city for the ceremony during the full moon. It was important to Omar, a tradition of his people for many centuries. So now it’s up to Mauve to convince Amelia that all is well with Beth and that her “sister” had chosen wisely in marrying a desert sheik.

      I would have adored seeing this mystical marriage ceremony, but someone had to come back to the city and tie up the loose ends. Besides,