River of Angels

by Abbe Rolnick

When a prostitute is beaten on a Caribbean Island, no one realizes that this seemingly minor event will light a fuse to blow apart the old, corrupt social order. Pursuing healing for the wounded young woman and for other poor workers, members of the community become targets of ruthless entrepreneurs planning to reap big profits while despoiling the island’s rich environment. Monica, a prostitute by choice, controls every aspect of her life and her bordello, until her world crumbles. Rosie, an American professor and healer, must forsake her roles of teacher and wife as she faces her husband’s involvement in the schemes. Pide, a homeless beggar, brings unexpected wisdom, humor and friendship to those he touches. Abuelita and Don Tuto, leaders of the island outcasts who live in the darkness of its vast cave system and underground river, guide the way toward a new relationship with the land.

298 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Abbe Rolnick grew up in the suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland. Her first major cultural jolt occurred at age 15 when her family moved to Miami Beach, Florida. In order to find perspective, she climbed the only non-palm tree at her condo-complex, and wrote what she observed. Here history came alive with her exposure to the Cuban culture. This introduction to the Latino Culture proved fortuitous. At Boston University she met her first husband, a native of Puerto Rico. Her first novel, RIVER OF ANGELS, stems from her experiences during her stay in Puerto Rico.
Stateside, she capitalized on the knowledge she gained as an independent bookstore owner and worked for one of the finest bookstores, Village Books, in Bellingham, WA. More recently she opened a healthy foods cafe.
COLOR OF LIES, her second novel, brings the reader to the Pacific Northwest where she presently resides. Here she blends stories from island life with characters in Skagit Valley.
Her short stories and travel pieces have appeared in magazines. Swinging Doors won honorary mention by Writer’s Digest. Her next novel, FOUNDING STONES, will be the third in the series, continuing the stories of characters from the two previous novels, introducing new themes that connect Skagit Valley to the larger world.
Her recent experiences with her husband’s cancer inspired, COCOON OF CANCER: AN INVITATION TO LOVE DEEPLY. Presently she resides with her husband on twenty acres in Skagit Valley, Washington.

connect with me:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abberolnick/?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AbbeRolnick
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/1/117543798...

Reviews

[Calzean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one grew on me. Puerto Rico is shown as a place of corruption with greed destroying livelihoods and the environment. There is something fishy going on with lots of secrets but the cast of characters, who try to live in harmony with nature and each other, struggle to figure out what's going on. Rosie is a herbalist and believes she has a cure for certain brain diseases. It is the bad chemical companies she is trying to avoid. There is a lot of damaged women, men behaving badly, a safe haven in underground tunnels, baddies from New York and the power of self belief.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a light, fun read, but a deep and meaningful book.
You will delve into political intrigue & apathy, betrayal, self reflection, and finding inner strength, and what true friendship and trust can achieve.
A very well-developed plot, and characters, and complex relationships. Beautifully described locations and scenery.
I won a copy to read and review. And I am very impressed with the writing and the deep emotional connections I felt with the main characters.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Short chapters switching between characters stories. Each chapter left off with you wanting to read more. Sometimes the story got lost in the descriptive nature of the author. The end makes you want go back and read it again to see all you missed. I would give it a 3.5 but couldn’t so gave it 4 because of how quickly I was able to read it.

[Nance Roepke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad

This is a not bad read. The mysticism wasn't appealing to me and I thought some of the scenes in the cave were confusing and unbelievable . On the other hand, it was interesting . So it's just average.

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are proud to announce that RIVER OF ANGLES by Abbe Rolnick has been honored with the B.R.A.G.Medallion (Book Readers Appreciation Group). It now joins the very select award-winning, reader-recommended books at indieBRAG.

[Linda Heiberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong cultural insight, and strong women characters.

[Amileigh Gordon]

#GoodreadsGiveaway