Romance1. Discuss what makes this romance novel different from say, a Harlequin Romance, a Jackie
Collins or Barbara Cartland novel, or something like it? Why do you think women, who have always been the number one marketing target for these books, are so interested in reading them? Do they present a warped concept
of love? Discuss.
2. One of the most frustrating elements in this story is Angel's refusal to accept Michael's love. Why do you think it is so hard for her to give in? Also, how could her refusal to accept Michael's
love be like a person's refusal to accept Christ's love?
3. In what way(s) is Michael too good to be true? Do you feel his "perfect" love hurt or helped the story? How is Michael's love for Angel like God's
love for us? Remember Romans 5:8 that reads, "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
4. Discuss the character of Michael's brother-in-law, Paul.
Why does he feel the way he does, and how might we sometimes be like him?
5. Discuss the role of the Altman family in Angel's life. Why is Angel so afraid of them at first? Is she afraid that they might use I
Corinthians 6:9-11 against her?
6. Discuss the character of the Doctor who intervenes in Angel's life. Would you have done what he did? Better yet, if a known prostitute would join your church, confess, and get
baptized, would you go down to her, shake her hand, and welcome her as a sister? Why or why not?
7. Discuss the character of the pimp, Duke. What kind of hold did he have on Angel? What might he represent in your life?
8. Do you feel that River's portrayal of such a painful issue was necessary or unnecessary to the message of the story? Explain.
9. Discuss how the meaning of God's Grace is played out in this novel.
10. How does the Christian message in this story differ from the message in The Scarlet Letter?
11. When Angel is finally able to reject her life of sin, she does not reject the other women who are still
involved in the life of prostitution. How might God be able to use your new life to reach out to people from your old life? Do we oftentimes have too much fear that a person might slip back into their old ways? What
made this last time "it" for Angel?
12. Discuss the meaningfulness of the scene when Angel returns to Michael the final time? How is that symbolic of how we will stand before Christ?
13. What is the strongest spiritual insight that you took away with you after reading this book?
