The Trade

Small candles nestled in a silver candelabrum are ceremoniously lit to announce the start of a medieval auction. Sadly, however, we are not in the middle ages but in the first decade of this century. On the block are naked teenage girls . . .

Although the story is fiction, these future sex slaves - casualties of the global flesh market - are not. "Natasha girls" number in the millions. Krist na Sondheim was among the early victims of THE TRADE. Years after being sold and put to work, she manages to break free of her captor and begin a new life in the States. That life turns ugly when she is sentenced to 25 years for murders she did not commit. Krist na's breathtaking escape from a women's prison near Sing Sing triggers a race between the FBI and kingpins of the trade to apprehend her, a race that takes us into the heart of Eastern Europe's most unsavory business.EDITORIAL REVIEWS (The Critics on Kirkwood's Writing)

"Solid tension, sudden danger, fierce action . . . catches fire." - Kirkus Reviews"A moving love story as well as a novel filled with action and suspense ... strong sympathetic characters ... Thomas Kirkwood is a writer to get excited about." - Rocky Mountain News"Nail-biting . . . Perfect " - Norfolk Virginian Pilot"Powerful ... Truly riveting " - Chattanooga News-Free Press"A bubbling thriller . . . The tension builds." - Cleveland Plain Dealer"Suspense and intrigue ... A classic adventure." - Mobile Press Register"Wryly drawn characters...absorbing."- Kirkus Reviews "Tense drama...spectacular."- St. Louis Post Dispatch "Riveting and fascinating."- Lerner Newspapers "An absorbing tale...the stuff of which movies are made."- Rocky Mountain News "Crackles ... a rousing good job." - Akron Beacon-JournalWHAT READERS ARE SAYING (About Kirkwood's Writing)

"Finally an author who knows how to write with passion ""A terrific thriller that I couldn't put down, I'll have to read more by this author. The research was amazing.""This is an excellent page turner with good characterizations and more than ample detail. A good suspense story with tension right up to the end.""Well written, moving story. I wasn't able to put it down.""Riveting is a great word for this 5 star book ""The author did a great job at building up the characters of the book, as well as keeping me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. I personally loved this story and will look forward to reading more by this author.""I really enjoyed reading this and would recommend it to those who want edge of their seat excitement. This story makes me wonder what life would be like to live it as two different people. Definitely five out of five stars