The Diamond Tiger

In this adventure story cum romance, American photographer Erin Shane Windsor receives an inheritance to kill for: a land claim in Australia with a diamond mine somewhere on it, a small handful of diamonds and a poem thought to be a treasure map to the mine. Consolidated Minerals, an international diamond cartel, wants control of the mine, and so does the Chen family, a ruthless Asian tong that aims to challenge ConMin's power. Though warned that her life could be in danger, Erin is determined to track down her inheritance and picks American geologist Cole Blackburn to help her; she offers him half of the output of any mine he finds on her claim. Cole, however, is linked to the Chens, who need Erin alive--but only until Cole finds the mine. While Maxwell (author of Reckless Love under the name Elizabeth Lowell) fatally undermines the story's tension by ensuring that Erin and Cole will win both love and riches, she does give her rugged Australian setting and melodramatic intrigues enough pizzazz to keep things humming. (June)