The investigative pieces published by these two entities shined a light on the issue (and prompted the United States government to enact legislation to close a legal loophole earlier this year.) Even as I worked on other projects, I kept thinking about the sea slaves I’d read about. And I knew I had to write this book.
But I also knew I couldn’t just write this book. I had to, in the words of the late, great Roberto Clemente, also do something. So this is what I’m doing:
I’m making educated choices about the brands and products that I buy (including my own Java’s cat food as well as the products that feed my coffee and dark chocolate habits) and supporting rescue and advocacy efforts. The following websites provide a good starting point to learn about the larger issue of slave labor and how to take action: End Slavery Now and Free the Slaves; and
I’m also supporting Human Rights at Sea, a registered charitable organization in the United Kingdom that works “to explicitly raise awareness, implementation and accountability of human rights provisions throughout the maritime environment, especially where they are currently absent, ignored or being abused” and The International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN).
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Melissa F. Miller was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Although life and love led her to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and, ultimately, South Central Pennsylvania, she secretly still considers Pittsburgh home.
In college, she majored in English literature with concentrations in creative writing poetry and medieval literature and was STUNNED, upon graduation, to learn that there's not exactly a job market for such a degree. After working as an editor for several years, she returned to school to earn a law degree. She was that annoying girl who loved class and always raised her hand. She practiced law for fifteen years, including a stint as a clerk for a federal judge, nearly a decade as an attorney at major international law firms, and several years running a two-person law firm with her lawyer husband.
Now, powered by coffee, she writes legal thrillers and homeschools her three children. When she's not writing, and sometimes when she is, Melissa travels around the country in an RV with her husband, her kids, and her cat.
Thank You!
Sasha and Leo will back in their next adventure soon; stay tuned for details! In the meantime, please feel free to check out my other books.
If you enjoy this series, I’d love if you would help others enjoy it, too.
Share it. This book is lending-enabled; so please lend your copy to a friend who might like it.
Review it. Please consider posting a short review to help other readers decide whether they might enjoy it.
Connect with me. Stop by my Facebook page for book updates, cover reveals, quotes about coffee, and general time-wasting at https://www.facebook.com/authormelissafmiller.
International Incident Page 21