13. Brannon had instances where she lacked self-confidence in her job as well as in her status with her best friend. Why do you think she felt that way? What in our own lives can cause us to lack confidence?
14. When Brannon hurt her ankle and had to use crutches for a short time, she felt helpless. What do you do when you feel helpless? How can we overcome such feelings?
Dear Reader:
Some time ago I watched a television special on child trafficking with my husband. As a mother of three daughters, I couldn’t stop the ache in my heart long after the show was over. I couldn’t get the image of these poor girls’ faces out of my mind. The horrors these children endure in their own poverty-stricken country is horrible enough, but to be brought to America and be further exploited and abused is appalling. When my outrage settled inside me, I knew I had to write a story about this most serious issue.
Researching this story line drained my emotions as well as educated me. I couldn’t believe how often this atrocity occurs—and I had no clue! While I took certain fictional liberties and invented the congressional coalition, FACE is a very real and very proactive organization in addressing these children’s plight. You can visit their Web site at: http://www.un.or.th/ TraffickingProject/FACE/face_home.html. I commend their efforts and presence in Thailand.
I must commend the often unsung heroes of the National Park Service rangers. Until I began writing this book, I didn’t realize the enormous job they hold and the intense training they’ve undergone to be rangers. My hat goes off to these amazing men and women who save lives, educate, and serve the public.
I hope you enjoy the journey into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as much as I did when writing this story. These characters came alive for me, and I hope this story touches and blesses you.
I love hearing from readers. You can find me on the Web at: www.robincaroll.com.
Many blessings,
Robin Caroll
ONLINE & PRINT SOURCES
http://www.thai-language.com
Child-Trafficking Facts
http://www.lirs.org/what/children/tcibackground.htm
http://www.childtrafficking.org
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4038249
http://gooddeedsinternational.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=41
Medical/Drugs
http://www.appraisercentral.com/research/Bio%20Chemestry.htm
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7947884
http://articles.latimes.com/2007/apr/07/science/sci-briefs7.3
http://www.thedcasite.com
http://puredca.com
http://www.berner.org/pages/medical_treatments/ cancer_therapy.php
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24578841 -662,00.html
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_50/ b3963151.htm
http://www.essaysample.com/essay/001839.html
http://www.zimmer.com/z/ctl/op/global/action/1/id/8138/ template/PC/navid/88
Helicopters & Flight
http://sunnyfortuna.com/festivals/disaster/dolphin.htm
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/hh-65.htm
http://www.csgnetwork.com/slflightdistcalc.html
http://www.pilotfriend.com
http://www.bellhelicopter.com/en/aircraft/commercial/pdf/B3_2006_jan_web.pdf
http://science.howstuffworks.com/helicopter1.htm
http://www.copters.com/pilot