Diamond Legacy. Monica McCabe

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      Cover Copy

      Africa–where diamonds are the currency of the weapons trade, and trust is the only option between two strangers...

      Miranda Parrish is a world-renowned veterinarian specialist with expertise in endangered species. She’s fearless and will go anywhere an animal is in need. But when she journeys to Katanga, an animal sanctuary in the heart of Botswana, she lands in the middle of a blood diamond smuggling operation. And there’s only one man who can help her….

      Special agent, Matt Bennett’s parents were murdered by a ruthless arms dealer when he was fourteen. He’s devoted his life to avenging their deaths and ending the cycle of violence threatening southern Africa. Undercover at Katanga, he clashes with Miranda. He’s never met a woman so stubborn, who’ll let nothing stand in the way of what she believes in. And he’ll let no one come between him and his vengeance.

      Matt and Miranda will have to work together if they want to save Katanga, and both of their lives, before it’s too late.

      Visit us at www.kensingtonbooks.com

      Books by Monica McCabe

      Diamond Legacy

      Emerald Fire

      Phantom Pearl

      Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation

      Diamond Legacy

      Monica McCabe

      LYRICAL PRESS

      Kensington Publishing Corp.

      www.kensingtonbooks.com

      Copyright

      Lyrical Press books are published by

      Kensington Publishing Corp. 119 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018

      Copyright © 2015 by Monica McCabe

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

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      Special book excerpts or customized printings can also be created to fit specific needs. For details, write or phone the office of the Kensington Special Sales Manager:

      Kensington Publishing Corp.

      119 West 40th Street

      New York, NY 10018

      Attn. Special Sales Department. Phone: 1-800-221-2647.

      Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

      Lyrical Press and the L logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.

      First Electronic Edition: July 2015

      eISBN-13: 978-1-61650-707-7

      eISBN-10: 1-61650-707-1

      First Print Edition: July 2015

      ISBN-13: 978-1-61650-708-4

      ISBN-10: 1-61650-708-X

      Printed in the United States of America

      Dedication

      For Bill McCabe, my partner in travel and adventure. I'm truly blessed to share life's journey with you.

      Acknowledgements

      There's a long list of people I owe a debt of gratitude to for their help, friendship, and support in my writing journey. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. It's been a pleasure having you in my life and I appreciate all that you've shared! Special thanks go out to Corinne DeMaagd - for believing in Diamond Legacy and enhancing my story with a sharp eye and excellent skill as an editor.

      Author’s Foreword

      Katanga Animal Education Center is not real, but places like it do exist. Animal conservation is growing in Africa as more countries discover the monetary benefits of tourism that result from protecting animals and their natural habitats. International Peace Parks and Game Preserves cross borders and are expanding. They link ecosystems, support sustainable economic development, and jointly manage natural resources across political boundaries. Peace parks and animal conservation centers work hard to protect and preserve Africa's incredible heritage. It's an exemplary movement that continues to face uphill battles, but the results are rewarding on a global scale.

      Chapter 1

      “You shameless little hussy. How many times have you sweet-talked Jason out of a treat this month?” Miranda Parrish tucked a water hose between her knees and grabbed the biggest dental brush in her kit. “Give me a grin, sweet Daisy.” She lightly tapped the elephant’s trunk. “Time to scrub away the evidence.”

      The smallest, and by far sweetest, African elephant in residence at the San Diego Zoo lifted her trunk and dropped her lower jaw obediently. Miranda set to work, meticulously scrubbing every square inch of enamel.

      “You know,” said a familiar voice behind her, “if you applied the same level of concentration to members of the opposite sex, you might have something more exciting to do on a Saturday than flossing pachyderm pearlies.”

      “Stow it, Jason.” Miranda grabbed the hose and rinsed the excess cleansing agent from Daisy’s gums. “Have you nothing better to do than annoy me?”

      “Ain’t nothing better than hitting on the sexiest dental zoologist west of the Pecos.”

      A drop-dead glare was her only reply.

      “Aw, come on. Hank don’t deserve someone as hot as you. That uptight boyfriend of yours hasn’t a clue what to do with those luscious lips of yours.”

      “And you do? You’re barely twenty and too arrogant by half.”

      “Age has nothing to do with experience.” He gave her a flirty wink. “This Alabama boy can do things to you that would curl your toes.”

      Miranda curbed the urge to laugh. For all his bluster, Jason Harvick was the best college intern employed at the San Diego Zoo and showed the most veterinary promise. Unlike others, he never balked at menial labor and thrived on the many hours spent tending animals. With a fresh blond appeal and a willingness to work, he was a staff favorite. He was also full of mischief, and she did her level best to discourage it.

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