Familiar Double. Caroline Burnes

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      A few thoughts from Familiar…

      It looks as if Nicole is out for the night. I don’t know why I never considered that she might have a boyfriend. That’s the most likely explanation for the fact that here’s her car and there’s no sign of her in her trailer. I doubt she walked anywhere. This movie set is on the backside of nowhere. So she obviously caught a ride with someone.

      Should I be worried? It just seems hard to really worry about Nicole. She’s so physically competent.

      And if I’m any judge at all, I think Jax McClure is equally impressed. I get the feeling that Jax is a man who doesn’t believe he’s vulnerable to a woman’s charms. He’s one of those tough guys who believes he’s had his last romantic bronc ride. Well, I do believe he’s getting ready to learn differently.

      All I can say is, “Cowboy up!”

      Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

      Beginning this October, Harlequin Intrigue has expanded its lineup to six books! Publishing two more titles each month enables us to bring you an extraordinary selection of breathtaking stories of romantic suspense filled with exciting editorial variety—and we encourage you to try all that we have to offer.

      Stock up on catnip! Caroline Burnes brings back your favorite feline sleuth to beckon you into a new mystery in the popular series FEAR FAMILIAR. This four-legged detective sticks his whiskers into the mix to help clear a stunning stuntwoman’s name in Familiar Double. Up next is Dani Sinclair’s new HEARTSKEEP trilogy starting with The Firstborn—a darkly sensual gothic romance that revolves around a sinister suspense plot. To lighten things up, bestselling Harlequin American Romance author Judy Christenberry crosses her beloved BRIDES FOR BROTHERS series into Harlequin Intrigue with Randall Renegade—a riveting reunion romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

      Keeping Baby Safe by Debra Webb could either passionately reunite a duty-bound COLBY AGENCY operative and his onetime lover—or tear them apart forever. Don’t miss the continuation of this action-packed series. Then Amy J. Fetzer launches our BACHELORS AT LARGE promotion featuring fearless men in blue with Under His Protection. Finally, watch for Dr. Bodyguard by debut author Jessica Andersen. Will a hunky doctor help penetrate the emotional walls around a lady genius before a madman closes in?

      Pick up all six for a complete reading experience you won’t forget!

      Enjoy,

      Denise O’Sullivan

      Senior Editor

      Harlequin Intrigue

      Familiar Double

      Caroline Burnes

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

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      ABOUT THE AUTHOR

      Caroline Burnes has written seventeen books in her FEAR FAMILIAR series. She has her own black cat, Familiar’s prototype, E.A. Poe, as well as Miss Vesta, Gumbo, Maggie and Chester. All are strays and all have brought love and joy into her life. An advocate for animal rights, Caroline urges all her readers to spay and neuter their pets. Unchecked reproduction causes pain and suffering for hundreds of thousands of innocent animals.

      CAST OF CHARACTERS

      Familiar—Putting aside his detective skills, Familiar signs on as a stunt double for a movie. On the set, though, he finds that mystery and intrigue aren’t far way.

      Nicole Paul—For twenty years Nicole has believed her father was convicted of a crime he didn’t commit. When Nicole is also charged with stealing jewels, her job as a stuntwoman is threatened…and so is her heart.

      Jax McClure—A stunt coordinator for the movie, Jax is drawn to the beautiful, reserved Nicole. And when she’s set up for a fall, Jax steps in to protect her. Together they work to untangle a web of secrets that leads back to the theft of the cursed diamond, The Dream of Isis.

      Vincent Paul—Twenty years ago, renowned jeweler Vincent was about to make his mark. Instead, he wound up in prison as a jewel thief. Now that he’s out, it’s his daughter who is in trouble.

      Carlos Sanchez—A powerful lawyer, Carlos defended Nicole’s father twenty years ago. Now, no matter where Nicole turns, Carlos pops up. Is it coincidence or something worse?

      Monica Kane—Rich, beautiful and destined to be a success, Monica never achieved her goals of stardom. Once The Dream of Isis was stolen her career began to slide. Is it the curse at work?

      John Hudson—A famed movie director, Hudson has a dark secret in his past. Does he possess a hidden motive for bringing Nicole and Monica together on the set of his new movie?

      Allan Lancaster—He insured The Dream of Isis—and lost everything he valued when it was stolen. Is he out for revenge?

      For Renee Paul, best friend and cat lover.

       She has a tender heart for feline and human alike.

      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 Nineteen

      Chapter One

      Being on a movie set is pretty cool. I mean there are babes everywhere. They bring in the food, they work on the cameras, they star in the film—and the biggest babe of them all isn’t even the star. She’s the stunt double. Miss Nicole Paul is one of the hottest bods I’ve seen in years—and she’s just the stuntwoman and body double for Angela Myers.

      I’m sure Peter and Eleanor, my humanoids, would send me back to the hotel room if they knew I was developing a fantasy about Nicole. But she’s so dang gorgeous, with her long legs and silky blond hair. I mean she’s fine. And nice, too, unlike Angela. They look enough alike to be sisters, but appearances are as far as it goes. Angela’s a witch. She actually tried to swat me with a rolled-up script because I sniffed her grilled shrimp.

      She