Mcqueen's Heat

Mcqueen's Heat
Harper Allen

FIVE-ALARM BLAZEHaving been to hell and back, investigator Stone McQueen knew he had nothing to lose when he raced into a burning building to save a small child. But he was dead wrong. For the fire was set by the same arsonist who had destroyed his career seven years ago. And in a bizarre twist, he found himself reunited at the scene with the only woman who had ever mattered to him–Tamara King. A woman he now had to protect from the elusive fire starter.As Tamara and Stone joined forces, their passion ignited into an all-consuming blaze. And soon Stone couldn't figure out what was more dangerous–the arsonist whose crimes were turning increasingly personal or the secret he'd kept from Tamara that could destroy this second chance….

It was like running into a fire without any protection…

McQueen’s hands spread wide on either side of Tamara’s face, and in the instant before she closed her eyes she saw those dark lashes come down like inky spikes over his. His mouth more than covering hers, his tongue licked the wetness of her inner lips and then went deeper.

She wanted to see him in shadowy half-light, that big body over hers, those corded arms braced on either side of her, that wet hair falling into his eyes.

He’d said a woman had struck the match. He’d said that he’d been burning so long he’d grown to like it. But whoever that woman had been she’d walked away years ago, leaving him smoldering.

And that was dangerous. A damped-down flame needed only the slightest breath of air to bring it into a full-blown blaze.

Lightly she blew against his ear.

Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

Yeah, it’s cold outside, but we have just the remedy to heat you up—another fantastic lineup of breathtaking romantic suspense!

Getting things started with even more excitement than usual is Debra Webb with a super spin-off of her popular COLBY AGENCY series. THE SPECIALISTS is a trilogy of ultradaring operatives the likes of which are rarely—if ever—seen. And man, are they sexy! Look for Undercover Wife this month and two more thrillers to follow in February and March. Hang on to your seats.

A triple pack of TOP SECRET BABIES also kicks off the New Year. First out: The Secret She Keeps by Cassie Miles. Can you imagine how you’d feel if you learned the father of your child was back…as were all the old emotions? This one, by a veteran Harlequin Intrigue author, is surely a keeper. Promotional titles by Mallory Kane and Ann Voss Peterson respectively follow in the months to come.

And since Cupid is once again a blip on the radar screen, we thought we’d highlight some special Valentine picks for the holiday. Harper Allen singes the sheets so to speak with McQueen’s Heat and Adrianne Lee is Sentenced To Wed this month. Next month, Amanda Stevens fans the flames with Confessions of the Heart. WARNING: You may need sunblock to read these scorchers.

Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Denise O’Sullivan

Associate Senior Editor

Harlequin Intrigue

McQueen’s Heat

Harper Allen

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Harper Allen lives in the country in the middle of a hundred acres of maple trees with her husband, Wayne, six cats, four dogs—and a very nervous cockatiel at the bottom of the food chain. For excitement she and Wayne drive to the nearest village and buy jumbo bags of pet food. She believes in love at first sight because it happened to her.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Tamara King—As a firefighter, she thought she knew what danger was—until she walked into a burning building and met the smoke-gray gaze of Stone McQueen.

Stone McQueen—The ex-arson investigator is a man who’s reached rock bottom. And he doesn’t want Tamara King to save him.

Petra Anderson—The little girl adores McQueen, despite his hard-edged manner.

Robert Pascoe—He’s a man who never existed. But McQueen thinks he’s returned to finish what he started seven years ago.

Claudia Anderson—Once Tamara’s best friend, Claudia betrayed her by running off with her fiancé on her wedding day. Now it’s too late to make amends.

Jack Foley—The gruff ex-firefighter and his late wife adopted Tamara when her family was killed in a fire, and he’d do anything to keep his adored Tammy safe.

Bill Trainor—The arson investigator once had a thing for Claudia. Now he and his partner are looking into her death—and trying to pin it on McQueen.

To the real heroes

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