LITMIR.BIZ

      No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

      Text Copyright © 2018 William Speir

      All rights reserved.

      Published 2018 by Progressive Rising Phoenix Press, LLC, www.progressiverisingphoenix.com

      ISBN: 978-1-946329-76-9

      Printed in the U.S.A.

      1^st Printing

      The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

      Cover Photo: “Female assassin with a gun, digital artwork” ID: 613623596 by Jamie Carroll. Image used under license from Shutterstock.com.

      Illustration “The Arms of the Order of the Saltire” by William Speir

      Cover design by William Speir

      Visit: http://www.williamspeir.com

      Book interior design by Polgarus Studio

      Visit: http://www.polgarusstudio.com

      Introduction

      I first began writing The Knights of the Saltire Series in 2010. Over the next several years, I wrote, published, edited, revised, and republished the first seven books in the series. Then I put aside the characters that I’d created in the series so I could work on other projects. After a while, I truly thought that I’d never write another book in the series.

      Since writing Legacy of the Grand Master, which is about the daughter of the series’ main characters taking her place in the “family business,” I’ve written six more novels: one Science Fiction, one Fantasy, and four Historical Fiction. I am immensely proud of these novels, but like a first love, I have a special place in my heart for the series.

      Recently, I’ve felt an irresistible pull to explore new material for these characters that I’ve come to think of as part of my family. In the earlier books, I dealt with thieves, murderers, stalkers, rapists, drug dealers, smugglers, corrupt politicians trying to take over the government, arms dealers, mercenaries, foreign and domestic terrorists, crooked cops, and counterfeiters. But there is one crime that I’ve never written about, and it’s such a scourge on humanity that I believe it’s the perfect material to include in the series: human trafficking.

      So armed with stacks of research on the ins and outs of human trafficking, I began writing The Legacy Enslaved - Book 8 of the Knights of the Saltire Series. I hope you enjoy it.

      I’d like to thank my wife, Lee Anne, for her tireless support of my writing career. She encourages me to write without placing demands or conditions on my craft. Without her love and support, I could never have accomplished so much – having my fifteenth book published in nine years. I also want to acknowledge my children: Sonya and her husband Tom, and Brad and his wife Susie and son Colten. They are my inspiration.

      I’d like to thank my sister Linda Speir for her valuable edits, critiques, and suggestions. I am grateful for the time and effort that she has put into helping me with my writing. I’d also like to thank Ray Flynt and Jim Newman for their critiques and their friendship.

      A final thanks goes to Amanda Thrasher and Jan Powelson at Progressive Rising Phoenix Press for believing in me, and to my fans who show their appreciation daily by buying my books and encouraging others to do the same. This is for you.

      William Speir

      February 2018