Author, Compulsively Readable Thrillers
Libby Fischer Hellmann 
Have you noticed that life doesn’t always accommodate your plans? Things happen over which we have no control, sometimes no explanation. Back in August, I finally decided to get organized. My assistant and I created an annual promotion calendar. We carefully chose two books and audiobooks to feature each month. We started in on the … Read more
Welcome to Audiobook Week. I mean, it is August, so the alliteration works, right? Actually, it happens that I do have some special things going on with my audiobooks this week, and I wanted you to know about them. Today (and every day if you haven’t joined Audible.com) you can get your first audiobook FREE… … Read more
Hi, all. I know it’s been forever since I’ve blogged– I guess I didn’t have much to say. But I’d like to fill you in on my current WIP (Work in Progress), otherwise known as the “blankety-blank manuscript.” When I started writing over twenty years ago, I challenged myself to actually finish a novel. I … Read more
Above is a shot of the Avalon Saigon, our ship. And as we cross the border of Vietnam and Cambodia, here are some of my favorite people and places shots from Vietnam.
I think I mentioned that everyone in Vietnam gets around on motor scooters, and in the cities, they look and sound like a hive of bees. You see both men and women, and many carry their children as well. Some women cover their work clothes with an old skirt and wear gloves and long sleeves … Read more
One of the highlights of the trip for me was a visit to the Cu Chi tunnels. During the Vietnam War, The Viet Cong (VC) dug tens of thousands of miles of tunnels, including an extensive network running underneath the Cu Chi district northwest of Saigon. They connect to the Ho Chi Minh trail, and we … Read more
Compared to Hanoi, Saigon aka Ho Chi Minh City (I was surprised how many people still call it Saigon) is Vegas, baby! The lights, the crowds, the motor scooters, the young people all trying to go for the gold ring, was energizing and, sometimes, quite amazing. For example, the 5 star hotel we stayed at, … Read more
Just a quick one here. While we drove back to Hanoi, I shot this photo: I liked it so much I played around with it and had it enlarged. It’s now hanging on the wall of my family room. I can’t decide which version I like more. What do you think?
HaLong Bay, about a three hour drive from Hanoi, feeds into the Gulf of Tonkin. Yes, THAT Gulf of Tonkin. But today, there is no memory of a war or skirmishes with armed ships in the area. Today HaLong Bay is under massive development as a tourist resort. Most of the development is funded by … Read more
