Angel Falls
Page 28
When they finally lay down on the bed together, they were both naked, both vulnerable, and neither was afraid. With infinite care, he slowly, deliciously made her his.
His angel. Today. Tomorrow. Always.
A Note on Angel Falls
Dear Reader,
Welcome to Southern Brazil—an area of incredible beauty and heartbreaking contrast! My father was born and raised in Porto Alegre. Growing up, I watched my parents send clothes and supplies to orphanages there. When I visited Brazil with them several years ago, I finally understood why. Poverty abounds and walls topped with broken glass protect the wealthy from gangs of street children who steal and scavenge to survive.
What kind of person would you become if you grew up on the streets, abandoned and abused? What if someone rescued and loved you? How would that change your life? Those questions became Regina, the heroine of Angel Falls. A former street child, she uses her switchblade to protect the orphanage children—and keep men at a distance.
Regina needed a very special hero, so I looked to our military, people I hold in the highest esteem. But how would a confident, well-trained warrior respond to failure? That wondering became Brooks, the hero of Angel Falls.
Their journey takes them to Iguaçu Falls, which straddles the border between Brazil and Argentina. It’s one of the world’s largest waterfalls and makes Niagara Falls seem tame by comparison. As I slid along swaying, rickety catwalks, soaked to the skin, the thundering water disappearing right under my feet, I knew this had to be the site of Angel Falls’ climactic scene.
I titled the story Angel Falls since the children call Regina “Miss Angel” of House of Angels orphanage, and she realizes she’s fallen in love with Brooks at Iguaçu Falls. Because the street children of Porto Alegre are near and dear to my heart, some of the book’s royalties will go to charities working there. Thank you for being an “Angel” to them.
I hope you’ll visit me online at: www.BusyWomenBigDreams.com or e-mail me at: connie@conniemann.com. I’d love to hear about any of your adventures in relief work. Or just pop in to say hello.
Tchau!
Connie Mann
Discussion Questions
1. If you had grown up on the streets like Regina, how would you view your past? What kind of person would you be?
2. Regina can never have children because of someone else’s cruelty. What if someone stole your most cherished dream? How would you move beyond that?
3. Some are born rich; others poor. How do you reconcile that with a gracious, loving God?
4. Brooks can’t move on in life until he forgives his father. Are there people you have had a hard time forgiving? Does forgiveness mean giving them a “pass” on their actions?
5. The villain of Angel Falls believes in the Old Testament idea of, “an eye for an eye.” Do you believe revenge is justified?
6. People died during Brooks’s last mission, and he feels responsible. Is his guilt true? Or misplaced? Why or why not?
7. Carol Anderson, Noah’s wife, raised another woman’s son as her own—and loves him fiercely. Would you have made the choices she did?
8. The theme of forgiveness runs through Angel Falls. How have you applied forgiveness in your life?
9. Both Brooks and Regina act against their own best interests to keep Eduardo safe. Think about a time in your life when you have done something similar.
10. Brooks is afraid to fail again. Have you ever felt that way? How did you find the courage to try again?
11. Regina uses her switchblade to protect herself, physically and emotionally. What “weapons” do you carry to keep others at bay?
12. The Bible says Christ’s forgiveness washes our sins as white as wool. Do you believe that?
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