One of my increasing joys of being an Indie Author is connecting with other Indies around the world. This year I’ve met the charming and ebullient Sibel Hodge, who generally writes chick-lit romances and mysteries. Sibel has a dual British/Turkish Cypriot nationality, which makes her very interesting, indeed. She departed from her usual fare to raise awareness of the terrible sex-slave industry. She sent me a copy Trafficked: The Diary of a Sex-Slave and this is my official review:

Sibel Hodge paints a vivid picture of a woman caught up in a global travesty of our time: Sex-Slave Trafficking. Using the Diary format to tell Elena’s story of betrayal, helplessness, and degradation, Hodge sheds light on an industry that preys on thousands of young women every day. Using a novelist’s skill, we come to care for Elena quickly. Women readers can easily relate to Elena and how she feels caught in the trap of prostitution. The piece is gritty, but not gruesome. I read it in one sitting. It left me feeling like I wanted to DO SOMETHING, which I imagine was the reason Sibel diverted from her usual chick-lit fare to tackle a serious subject. Hopefully, the pen truly is mightier than the sword, and “Diary” will help raise awareness and action against one of the most shameful cruelties of modern times. Change begins with resolve. I admire Sibel Hodge for devoting her time and talent to keep this issue in the spotlight.

Change begins with awareness and then the decision that enough is enough. Hopefully, communities and countries will begin to decide that treating their girls as sexual commodities is not acceptable.