Dear Readers,

The Christmas holiday period was hectic and I spent ten days in Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia relaxing with family. The weather was sunny, and we visited the Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda National Park, and Daintree National Park. It’s a beautiful, scenic location, and a preferred destination of international tourists.
My partner John and I have returned to Tashkent, Uzbekistan for a further five months, and the winter is cold, with snow covering the streets and buildings. During my time here, I will continue to write a new novel about the women and children of Uzbekistan.
The people are a mixture of Russian and local Uzbek’s who lives are controlled by isolation, poverty, communism and the edicts of the current government. Moslem religion colors the lives of the Uzbek people, with traditions steeped in history over the past two thousand years. During my last visit - September-December 2000, I traveled to Bukhara, Sarmakand and Khiva. These experiences and the people I met will form the basis for a story about my experiences.

BOOK SALES UPDATE.

ANGELS OF SAIGON – Copies are available through www.Pdbookstore.com www.amazon.com and my own website www.bookworm.au.com

Reader: Fraser Bone (18th September 2001) – Well, I really enjoyed it, as it brought that era right into my living room. I felt that I was experiencing the events as they unfolded. It was easy to read and kept me captured – wanting to know more. Oh, what a sheltered life we live.
Reader: Jacqui Ingram (December 2001) - I loved this book- the story of Thi Kim Hung really captured me. I was intrigued by her story.
Author: Victoria Taylor Murray – Well thought out and executed – wonderfully written! Can’t wait to read the entire story.
Author of ‘Thief of Heart and Forbidden’ (Authorsden.com)
Endorsement: “I found Angels of Saigon truthfully portrayed the suffering of women and children in post-war Vietnam. During my time there I saw for myself the devasting effects of Agent Orange, which caused deformities and cancer in children. I recommend this novel. Congratulations”
Ineke Ravenna, wife of the late EU Ambassador Riccardo Ravenna to Vietnam. (1996-1999)
“Life is precious and children deserve a future, safe from war and hunger!” – Thi Kim, Heroine of Angels of Saigon.”

THE BABY MERCHANTS – Copies available from www.Pdbookstore.com www.amazon.com and my website www.bookworm.au.com

Author: Victoria Taylor Murray –Very powerful and compelling!
Author of ‘Thief of Hearts and Forbidden’ (Authorsden.com)
Endorsement: Graeme Nichols – The challenges faced by this group of European women working against a powerful Communist regime in their quest to help the people of Vietnam are inspiring. Highly recommended.’

Professional Review:

THE BABY MERCHANTS
By Leonie Campbell, http://www.bookworm.au.com
Published by American-Book Publishers, http://www.american-book.com
ISBN: 1-9300586-33-7
Price: $18.00, http://www.pdbookstore.com price: $15.95
Genre: Human Rights
Formats: Soft Cover, and soon in e-book format
Book Release Date: mid-November 2001
Stars out of 5: 5

Without sound naïve, but I never actually realized just how callous the social society is, and how shockingly barbaric the political branches are in Vietnam. The shady deeds such as the adoption racket selling babies to foreigners, and young adults being sold to individuals in other countries as well, is distressing to say the least.
THE BABY MERCHANTS is insightful and is definitely an eye-opener. I learned quite a bit from Ms. Campbell's compelling book. THE BABY MERCHANTS is based on the author's experiences while living in Hanoi, Vietnam during 1997 to 1998.
Every year, in most areas, thousands of Vietnamese girls are sold as slave workers by their own people in exchange for food or shelter. Babies and young children in orphanages are not taken care of properly, and many children are left unloved, and uncared for. Diseases spread, empty voiceless children crowd the ill-ridden rooms.
In the authors own words she describes the distressing truth using crystal-clear language, giving the reader specific details in the characters and their surroundings. This shocking novel, telling of the sickening reports of inequality, government and political incompetence and that of which speaks of individual and worldwide organizations seeking to improve the conditions in Vietnam, brought tears to my eyes.

I highly recommend Ms. Campbell's book, but want to warn sensitive readers and at the same time, as that you NOT let this deter you from reading this remarkable book!

--Reviewed by Jennifer LB Leese, ASTORYWEAVER'S Book Reviews, http://www.geocities.com/ladyjiraff/aswbr.html

Readers who wish to contact author, Leonie Campbell may email: cats_tales@hotmail.com or leonie@bookworm.au.com
Happy Reading – Leonie Campbell (Author)