Thap Cham: A tale of intrigue, love and betrayal as four Chicago friends search for the treasure of an ancient queen.

Thap Cham (pronounced "Top Chom") "An impressive debut novel, this difficult-to-pronounce but equally hard-to-put-down adventure tale delivers a strong cast of unusual characters whose lives intersect in Chicago and take them across the Pacific to Viet Nam and Cambodia. Weaving together ancient Southeast Asian legend, American military involvement in Viet Nam, and Chicago entrepreneurship in the late eighties, the scope is ambitious and result rewarding. Intelligent female and male leads must trust each other as they pursue a lost treasure and a medieval culture to which their newest friend is the royal heir. Sexy and suspenseful, I can’t wait for the sequel!" D. Mercer INTRIGUE, MYSTERY, ROMANCE An ancient Queen from Southeast Asia, fleeing a falling empire leaves behind the remaining wealth and heritage of that kingdom hidden in a cave near Thap Cham, Vietnam. A Vietnam photographer and three of his friends in Chicago become entangled in a story of intrigue, love and betrayal as they find a surprising connection to the ancient queen and her treasure. Their quest leads them straight into the arms of two evil brothers who seek to control and rule this ancient land and they discover that appearances are often deceiving. The love and loyalty of these four friends binds them together and cements their relationships as the story unfolds.