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.

Interview with Lauralee

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Oh, my journey began in my teens when I loved creating stories from my imagination. Back then they were adventurous tales which extend to this day. But I credit schoolteachers in my youth for encouraging the gift when they allowed me to write stories for assignments rather than participate in other class projects. Their willingness to motivate my desire to write now spans years later with over thirty books published!

How long does it take you to write a book?

It depends on whether the book is contemporary or historical and the word count. For my newest title, When the Avalanche Roared, the book required several weeks of extensive research through online resources (of which a good writer friend said a writer must always confirm historical details with at least three or more resources) and printed works (of which I give credit in my book). Then comes the story structure, of which I write out character details, the order of events and their descriptions (In this case the pre avalanche, the main event, and post effects) along with calculating the chapters needed. Pacing is also important.  Once the writing is completed, then comes the editing and critiquing (I try to have at least three authors or friends to critique).

All toll, this particular work from start to finish took five months.

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?

Staying with the project. The ill-fated writers block can do a job on waylaying a project, and one must battle at times to keep the passion for the story alive. It’s good though to take mental breaks and pursue other areas of life. I find creativity is then rejuvenated. Once that happens though, stay the course by creating goals and sticking with it. Don’t allow yourself to get distracted.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I have what most people might think an insane love of hiking. In fact I’ve hiked nearly 15,000 miles on various trails, from completing the famous Appalachian Trail over two times, to hiking in Florida among the palms and alligators, to the magnificent Rocky Mountains of Colorado and even the Arizona Trail with its fascinating Saguaro cactus. In fact I’ve memorialized several of these hiking adventures in two books – Mountains, Madness, and Miracles – 4000 miles along the Appalachian Trail and Gators, Guts and Glory – Adventures on the Florida Trail which you can find on Amazon and read more about at Lauraleebliss.com

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

You can find all the latest on my works at Lauraleebliss.com as well as signing up for my monthly newsletter where I share the journey from both the heart of a writer and a hiker! I hope you will follow me on a journey of adventure and especially the humbling adventure of a postmistress and railroad laborer caught in the wicked snows and tragedy of When the Avalanche Roared.

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