About the Book

Armed only with a homespun plan, a desperate American couple travels to corrupt crime-infested Russia to adopt a baby boy. What can wrong? Honestly, what won't go wrong?
"...It took the readers breath away due to the truth of the story, and humans being treated as fodder for violence and money. We are so used to freedom that the reader kept behind Sophia, pushing her to get up and fight for that freedom and Zack. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book, and gladly give it five stars and recommend it for reading by everyone. Opens the eyes." Top 500 Amazon Reviewer Robin Hansen
After the USSR collapses, a time reminiscent of the unforgiving gun-slinging days of the frontier west, mild-mannered Ethan and fiery Sophia board a plane bound for Russia. They hope to prevail with their homespun plan to secure their son's safe passage to America. What can go wrong? Maybe, an innocent ill-fated encounter with the Mafia or maybe, being marked as a target for mob revenge. Perhaps, having to rely on a first-time adoption coordinator to complete the process and shelter them from harm. Honestly, what won't go wrong?
Inspired by a true story, Beautiful Evil Winter resonates as epic Historic Fiction about the human capacity for hope, the traumas that shape our lives and the hardships we'll endure for love. Beautiful Evil Winter has earned a list of accolades including an Eric Hoffer Award for "...writing of significant merit" and a Readers' Favorite International Book Award. Beautiful Evil Winter holds special appeal for resilient, smart, resourceful women who rescue themselves and the proud, grateful, unburdened men who love them.

About the Author

Kelly K. Lavender profile image

My fascination with fiction began in middle school when I entered a book-reading contest and won. As an ardent fan of the resonating narrative and the cliffhanger, I decided to dedicate myself to becoming a skilled writer. When college professors spotlighted my writing in the classroom, it anchored my interest in becoming a novelist. I continued to pursue my education at UCLA, via the UCLA Writers' Extension Program, where my writing earned praise from a professor, also an Award-Winning Author. As a lifelong bibliophile, that event prompted me to dream bigger dreams.

Along my journey, negative feedback has become kerosene that fuels my creative fire to be more skillful, to prove the critics wrong, to be more stubborn essentially - to persist anyway.

Trusting my gut has led me to Best-Selling, Multi-Awarding-Winning, Debut Author status. My second novel also has earned Award-Winning status. Polishing my third novel now. My fourth book will write itself as my second book did. My fifth book - another one that'll write itself.

Of equal and enduring importance, in my life, is a passion for horses. As an avid, lifelong equestrian and horse owner, I live on a ranch with my family in Texas which we share with a menagerie of four-legged friends.

For more information, see my website: https://kellyklavenderauthor.com

MY THOUGHTS

Beautiful Evil Winter is written by Kelly K Lavender. This is a new to me author and I am glad that I got a chance to read this book. This was a fairly quick read at 245 pages, and I found myself drawn into the story as soon as I started reading. I had no idea it was based off a true story. I also know that reading this story cements not wanting to EVER visit Russia.

An American couple goes to Russia to adopt a little boy. They have wanted to become parents for so long. However, things do not go as they want them too. The amount of action and suspense that is packed into this story will keep you reading late until the night.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Goddess Fish Promotions for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

About the Book

Book: When the Avalanche Roared (A Day to Remember Book Five)

Author: Lauralee Bliss

Genre: Historical Christian Fiction

Release date: January, 2025

The Day Hope Seemed Swept Away

Enjoy a series of 6 exciting novels featuring historic disasters that transformed landscapes and multiple lives. Whether by nature or by man, these disasters changed history and were a day to be remembered.

Lillian Hartwick has been in the small railroad town of Wellington, Washington, caring for her cousin and assisting the postmaster when February snows bring all train traffic to a halt. Slow-witted but kind Griffin Jones, who works odd jobs for the railway while enduring taunts from other workers, has tried his best to gain Lillian’s interest, but she is engaged and waiting her fiancé’s arrival from California. Predawn thunderstorms on Tuesday, March 1, 1910, trigger a devasting avalanche, sweeping two trains down Stevens Pass. Lillian and Griffin work together to help survivors, including Griffin’s tormentors. In the midst of the catastrophe their feelings for each other grow. But is it enough when Lillian’s fiancé finally arrives in the spring, ready to claim her as his own?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Lauralee Bliss has always liked to dream big dreams. Part of that dream was writing, and after several years of hard work, her dream of publishing was realized in 1997 with the publication of her first romance novel, Mountaintop, through Barbour Publishing. Since then, she’s had twenty books published, both historical and contemporary. Lauralee is also an avid hiker, completing the entire length of the Appalachian Trail both north and south. Lauralee makes her home in Virginia in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with her family.

More from Lauralee

Pure Joy

Lauralee Bliss, Author of “When the Avalanche Roared”

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds… James 1:2 NIV

How does one equate a scripture like this with the death and destruction inherent in natural disasters? It seems an oxymoron to expect joy when faced with twisted metal and broken lives, such as in the deadliest avalanche in American history depicted in When the Avalanche Roared. Even now I think of the natural disaster of the hurricane that just recently destroyed mountain communities in western North Carolina, with homes and lives swept away in an avalanche of water and mud. So it was back in March, 1910 when a mile wide bank of snow detached from Windy Top in the northern Cascades of Washington State, slamming into three parked trains near Wellington, sending cars and sleeping passengers tumbling into the ravine. Over ninety lives were lost.

This could be considered a trial of supreme magnitude. Yet scripture commands we consider joy in the midst of it. The word joy evokes smiles and laughter, peace and satisfaction. It brings to mind Jesus resting in the boat in the midst of a raging storm, tossed about on high waves while the disciples huddle together in abject fear. After He calms the seas He asks them, “Where is your faith?” It demands the human mind look away from apparent destruction to something higher. To look beyond what one sees to the unseen. To trust God even when nothing appears trustworthy.

When the Avalanche Roared delves into the flames that spark, not from smoldering locomotives in a ravine, but within a small rail town that banded together in the wee hours of a frigid morning to rescue others. The destruction is evident. But the grit and determination of those who dug out people from heavy snow solidified by rain and cared for the suffering while their town remained isolated from the world speaks of a picture far greater than the picture of destruction. So it is today with communities swallowed by mud and trees and splintered fragments of homes as reminders of a destructive hurricane. Beyond the visual are the outpouring of help and compassion and holding the hands of those weakened by disaster in gestures of hope and resolve. And in this, a new birth of joy is realized.

God created us to find joy in struggle, to develop perseverance to achieve a goal despite what is thrown our way, to realize that when we do, we truly lack nothing. And therein we find lasting peace even in the midst of catastrophe.

Strangers unite to help the hurting.

A friend flew from Florida to North Carolina and arranged with this store owner for a free truckload of water for communities devastated by the hurricane.

My Thoughts

When the Avalanche Roared is the fifth book in the A Day to Remember series. The series is based off historical events. This story is written by Lauralee Bliss. I have really enjoyed this series. Some of the events I have read about, but some, like this one is new to me. I always love when I can learn.

Lillian Hartwick is engaged. She is waiting for her fiancé to come from California. She has been in the small railroad town of Wellington, Washington, caring for her cousin and assisting the postmaster. However they experience a lot of snow and everything comes grinding to a halt. Griffin Jones, who works odd jobs for the railway has been trying to catch Lillian's eye. Griffin is made fun of because he is not the brightest crayon in the box.

On March 1, 1910, a devasting avalanche happens. Griffin and Lillian rush to help those affected. What I love is despite how bad Griffin has been made fun of, he jumps right in to assist even those who hurt him. I love how the author not only wrote about a literal avalanche, but life that was changing for those in the story. They have real struggles. I thought the author captured the time period beautifully.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit or allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.