NOT YOUR STANDARD HEROINE
When a small company has a
default on a payment or loan, they call in the debt collectors. But who does an
International, multi-million dollar business call in when someone has defrauded
them of over US$50,000,000?
RELEASED: November 2012
It was a life-threatening health scare that prompted
Ian Hamilton to write his first in the series of captivating Ava Lee novels.
Just two days out of hospital and recovering from surgery, Ian sat down at his
computer. The name ‘Ava Lee’ came to him and the first chapter was quickly
written. A few short weeks later, the first Ava Lee novel was completed.
When a small company has a
default on a payment or loan, they call in the debt collectors. But who does an
International, multi-million dollar business call in when someone has defrauded
them of over US$50,000,000?
The answer is simple, or for
those in the know, at least. Ava Lee, a Canadian born Forensic Accountant who
has partnered with her “Uncle” Chow Tung, an elderly Hong Kong based Chinese
businessman who may, or may not, have close connections with the Triad gangs.
For Tommy Ordonez, the
richest, self-made millionaire in the Phillipines, they are the answer. As Ava
begins her investigations, starting with Tommy’s North American based brother,
Phillip Chow, she soon discovers a complex real estate fraud case that
ultimately links back to the shady world of on-line gambling. Travelling
through San Francisco, Las Vegas, Vancouver and London, Ava is forced to watch
her back as a contract has been put on her by a disgruntled adversary.
Not your standard heroine,
Ava is not prepared to let others do the dirty work and, in her line of
business, it can certainly get dirty. Cool and calm, she refuses to be
flustered when attacked by anonymous strangers, hit men or even confronted with
matchmaking close friends.
Ava is an unusual character
whose unique personality adds to the tale. An exotic combination of traditional
and respectful Chinese culture and modern Canadian values, Ava is not prepared
to back down from any confrontation, nor allow herself or her colleagues to be
manipulated into actions which are not of any benefit to themselves. Tough,
resourceful, chic and incredibly intelligent, it’s certainly a wild ride as we
follow Ava on her business trip like no other.
Ian Hamilton has lead an
exciting life working as a journalist, a senior executive with the federal
government, a diplomat, and a businessman with international links. His first
book, a non-fiction publication, was published almost 40 years before his first
Ava Lee novel. Fortunately, his experiences from travelling throughout the
world have given him an excellent background to draw upon for his current
series. Like Ava, Ian and his wife are based in Canada.
If you are a fan of strong
female characters who don’t back down in a crisis and who don’t take prisoners,
the Ava Lee series is certainly one you don’t want to miss. Be warned, there
are punches thrown and blood spilled so if, as a reader, you’d prefer to avoid
violence, this is not the book for you.
The review copy of 'The Disciple of Las Vegas' supplied by NetGalley.
For more information about this book, click through to Hachette website The Disciple of Las Vegas
RELEASED: November 2012
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
It was a life-threatening health scare that prompted
Ian Hamilton to write his first in the series of captivating Ava Lee novels.
Just two days out of hospital and recovering from surgery, Ian sat down at his
computer. The name ‘Ava Lee’ came to him and the first chapter was quickly
written. A few short weeks later, the first Ava Lee novel was completed.
Ian is not a stranger to the literary world. He began
his career as a journalist and wrote a non-fiction book in 1968, The
Children’s Crusade, which was a Canadian Book-of-the-Month selection. He
has written for several magazines and newspapers in Canada and the U.S.,
including Maclean’s, Boston Magazine, Saturday Night, the Regina
Leader-Post, the Calgary Albertan, and the Calgary Herald. He
has been a senior executive with the federal government, and as worked
internationally as a diplomat and businessman. Although there are 40 years
between books, Ian never lost his passion for writing.
The years he spent travelling the world on business,
spending countless hours on planes and hotels, became important influences on
his writing, providing personal insights into the world of business and into
the many people, places and cultures Ava Lee encounters.
His inspiration for the Ava Lee series did not end
when the first book was complete. About half way through writing the first
book, an idea for the second book came to Ian and he built it into the plot of
the first. He began writing the second book the day after the first book was
finished. The same is true for the third and fourth books. Within eight months,
all four books were complete. Ian secured a four-book deal from his publisher
before the last two books were even read by the publisher. International rights
have been sold into the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Holland, Germany and
worldwide Spanish and French rights.
Ian is currently working on the continuation of the
Ava Lee series and has already completed books 5 and 6.
Ian lives in Burlington, Ontario with his wife
Lorraine. He has four children and seven grandchildren.
Visit this author's website http://ianhamiltonbooks.com/
