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?
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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 REVIEW
I love how the author builds the story slowly as she introduces the characters. It allows readers to get to know each character and follow their transformation. This story centers around a tragic event that affected many lives.
Lillian comes to the small town of Wellington, Washington to help her cousin and also assist the postmaster. She seems to really like her job and gets to know people as they come by for a package or letter. The year is 1910 when railroads became a much needed way to travel. Lillian is also excited to see her fiancé soon as she anticipates setting a wedding date.
Griffin who happens to be my character is a man who is not able to read.p which at times makes it difficult for him at things others take for granted. He is so kind and easy to like. When he befriends Lillian a great friendship is developed. Griffin is grounded in his faith and helps Lillian as she struggles to find her worth.
The story is definitely emotional as a disaster happens. What I like is seeing how people came together during the tragedy. As Lillian and Griffin grow their relationship they begin to see where God wants to use them. I loved the faith element in the story and historical facts that bring readers to understand how a tragedy can bring beauty from ashes.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Blog Stops
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 30
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 30
Stories By Gina, January 31 (Author Interview)
Pens Pages & Pulses, January 31
Texas Book-aholic, February 1
Blossoms and Blessings, February 2
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 2
Simple Harvest Reads, February 3 (Guest Review from Marilyn)
Life on Chickadee Lane, February 4
Connie’s history classroom, February 4
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 5
Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 6
Betti Mace, February 7
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 8
Cover Lover Book Review, February 9
Holly’s Book Corner, February 9
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 10
For Him and My Family, February 11
Pause for Tales, February 12
Leslie’s Library Escape, February 12
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Lauralee is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon eGift Card and a print copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54145
When fifteen-year-old Marlee Stanley joins her two sisters and the sons of their family
A determined orphan caretaker and a wealthy mine owner—brought together by circumstance, tested by tragedy, and transformed by love.
Best-selling, award-winning author of The Debutante’s Code, first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series, Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum.
It’s been a year since Marlee, her sisters, and the Miles boys survived an avalanche. Sure, it was a little embarrassing for them when all the neighbors saw them on the news, but they love being outdoors, and what are the odds that another tragedy would strike this adventurous group? Has anyone calculated the statistics of being hit with two natural disasters? It has to be low, so of course the two families planned to backpack again this summer.
Liz is the author of the Off the Itinerary series, the wife of a professional tree climber and the homeschooling mom of three energetic and laundry-producing children. She received her Associate’s of Arts at the University of Sioux Falls, where she received the LAR Writing Award for her essay entitled, “My Real Life Mufasa.” Liz once spent a summer in Colorado teaching rock climbing, which she believes was a fantastic way to make money and memories. She resides with her family in Wisconsin, where they enjoy hiking and rock climbing. Liz and her husband have also backpacked in Colorado and the Grand Canyon, which have provided inspiration for her writing. She likes making adventurous stories to encourage others to find adventures and expand their comfort zones (though admittedly, she still needs lots of practice expanding her own comfort zone).