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Tag Archives: Accidental Spy Russia Adventure

Gold Train FREE 5/17 on Amazon! Beautifully Re-edited, New Scenes and Artwork

15 Wednesday May 2013

Posted by Lada Ray in BOOK: GOLD TRAIN

≈ 15 Comments

Tags

5 star book review, Accidental Spy Russia Adventure, Amazon, books by Lada Ray, free ebook, Gold Train, Kindle, romantic mystery thriller, romantic suspense, Russia, Russian Civil War, Russian Empire, spy thriller

GOLD GT COVER ebook

EXCITING NEWS!

Mark your calendar! GOLD TRAIN ebook will be FREE on Amazon Kindle on Friday 5/17 for one day only! Grab it here: Amazon US  UK  DE  CA  JP.  Also available on all other international Amazon sites.

Update 5/20: GOLD TRAIN will be on sale: $1.49 (reg. $3.99) for a limited time on #Kindle! Or you can try it FREE with #AmazonPrime trial membership! Download today!

From the publisher: GOLD TRAIN (Accidental Spy Russia Adventure) has been beautifully re-edited and redesigned, new scenes and artwork have been added to both paperback and ebook versions! The new length is 288 print pages. New passages and scenes make characters and events stand out better, adding a more reflective/spiritual tone to the book and highlighting the romantic element, while preserving this novel’s trademark rip-roaring pace. Published by RAY HOUSE.

New Synopsis

Begin your love affair with Russia! GOLD TRAIN is a gripping romantic thriller based on true historic events! Continue reading →

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Beautiful Russia: The Golden Ring of Russia 2

16 Friday Nov 2012

Posted by Lada Ray in CULTURE: Russia, CULTURE: World

≈ 21 Comments

Tags

Accidental Spy giveaway, Accidental Spy Russia Adventure, Author Lada Ray, Catharsis, Golden Ring of Russia, Gus Khrustalny, Ilya Muromets, Ivanovo, Kostroma, Legend of the Lemurians, Moscow, Murom, Plyos, River Volga, Russia, Russian holidays, Russian Orthodox Church, Soviet Union, The Daisy Day, Yuriev-Polsky

Today, we are continuing a journey in time and space to the Golden Ring of Russia. As promised, I have expanded the initial post with additional pics, info and links to beautiful performances. Hop into my time machine, fasten your seat belt and… enjoy!

My previous post The Golden Ring of Russia 1 covered the most famous and the original Golden Ring towns. However as the time went, more towns, lesser known but not any less deserving, were added to the Golden Ring and it was expanded to the River Volga. Today I will cover the unique art, music, dance, history, and of course architecture, of some of the other towns along the Golden Ring. Perhaps somewhat less dramatic and less famous than their brethren covered in part 1, they are in some ways even more charming and unique.

GUS KHRUSTALNY

The name of this old town – Gus Khrustalny – located on River Gus means “A Crystal Goose”, which is the most descriptive town name I’ve ever seen, as its fame stems from these exact two things: the fine glass & crystal factory, as well as a very special type of goose grown in this region!

The local factory is world-renowned for its artistic designs of colored glass and crystal. Below are some of the fine original works of the local glass and crystal artisans, both modern and traditional:

Above: Russian church made out of artistic glass.

The poster below reads: The Crystal Museum, Gus Chrustalny.

Glass-work at the local factory:

Famous local geese. They look pretty cool!

RYBINSK

Church of Ascention.

YURIEV-POLSKY

A lovely kremlin and quiet, pristine nature – very nice.

IVANOVO

This town is an anomaly of the Golden Ring. Its fate reminds me a bit of Detroit, a once famous capital of the US auto industry. A very dynamic textile capital of Russia in the past, Ivanovo is presently in decline after some of its famous cotton fabric factories closed down after the collapse of the USSR. Pity, I loved the quality of the Russian cotton!

As the industrial revolution swept across Russia, in the 19th century Ivanovo became one of the world’s major cotton fabric manufacturing regions. Before the 1917 Revolution, Russia was famous for its cottons. The tradition was carried on throughout the Soviet era. During the 1960s-1980s, Ivanovo was known as the “city of brides,” because the main workforce at the local factories were young women. The male/female ratio in Ivanovo was, shall we say, seriously lopsided. On the other hand, an enterprising young man looking for a bride, had a wealth of options, as all the girls here were young, pretty (they say) and hardworking. 😉

A view of Ivanovo, with its trams, Soviet era buildings and monuments (looking better than Detroit, I must say). 😉

ivanovo tram

Built up primarily in Soviet times, Ivanovo still possesses its share of beautiful architecture.

Convent of the Holy Virgin.

PLYOS

Plyos is a small, but very picturesque town on River Volga. Russians love their trees. As many Russian towns, it literally drowns in vegetation.

Local village homes:

Contemporary home:

Plyos, traditional Russian home with a spinning wheel:

KOSTROMA

Kostroma (empahsis on last ‘a’) is located on the river Volga and is a city with 277,000 inhabitants. Known for its cheese and milk products, Kostroma is also home to some of the most magnificent Russian medieval architecture.

The stunning Kostroma.

Midieval Kremlin, Kostroma.

Russia is world-famous for its dance and ballet. Performance by the national dance troupe Kostroma, showcasing whimsical silver tops made out of the amazing hand-made Russian lace, Vologodskie kruzheva.

More Kostroma dancing:

Historic show: From ancient Russia to the Soviet Union

MUROM

The ancient town of Murom is the birthplace of the legendary 12th century Russian knight and hero, “Bogatyr” Ilya Muromets (Ilya of Murom), who is one of the beloved characters of the Russian epic folklore and a real historic figure.

Bogatyrs (Worriors), a famous 1898 painting by Viktor Vasnetsov (Ilya Muromets is the center figure, with Dobrynya Nikitich to his left, and Alyosha Popovich to his right). In this painting, the Bogatyrs are depicted as protectors of the motherland, keeping watch against any possible attackers, which in those days were many.

Murom was first mentioned in Russian chronicles (bylini) in the year 862.

The old town of Murom is also home to the new and very lovely holiday celebrated in July: The Day of Love, Family and Fidelity, also called The Daisy Day, which is marked in the whole of Russia with musical concerts, celebrity appearances and various festivals. The holiday may be new, but it has its roots in the ancient tradition perpetuated by the two saints of the Russian Orthodox Church, Piotr and Fevronia of Murom, who were known for their otherworldly love and devotion to each other.

Monument to Prince (or Duke) Piotr and Fevronia of Murom.

A spectacular main festival and outdoor concert takes place in Murom, the birthplace of the holiday. It attracts major celebrities, musicians, singers, statesmen, as well as scores of visitors. The emblem of the festival is a daisy considered the national Russian flower.

Below are the Youtube links to a few of The Daisy Day performances, which are very much worth checking out (I personally love this holiday!)

Song Piotr and Fevronia performed by children’s group Neposedi. Live concert in Murom.

Anthem to Family performed by group Yin Yang. Live concert in Murom.

Anthem to Family (version 2) performed by Alsou, Alexei Vorobyov & Mark Tishman. Live concert in Murom, July 8, 2010.

Daisy Fields performed by group Quatro.

Day of Love performed by Diana Gurtskaya.

Read Beautiful Russia: The Golden Ring of Russia 1

..

Please also visit my two giveaways: 

Accidental Spy Party & Giveaway – several rafflecopters with various great and unique prizes! Enter one or all!

and

CATHARSIS (Legend of the Lemurians) FREE at Smashwords + Catharsis Contest: Win Unique & Cool Prizes!

There is still time to enter! But hurry, drawing for both is December 2!

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Tsars, Oligarchs and Imperial Treasure: ST.PETERSBURG, RUSSIA

01 Wednesday Feb 2012

Posted by Lada Ray in BOOK: GOLD TRAIN, CULTURE: Russia, CULTURE: World

≈ 37 Comments

Tags

Accidental Spy Russia Adventure, Anichkov Bridge, Bronze Horseman, Catherine Palace, Fontanka River, Gold Train by author Lada Ray, Hermitage, Neva River, Peter the Great, Russia, Russian culture, Russian History, Saint Petersburg, St Petersburg, World Heritage Site

Above: Bankovsky Bridge

Below: The famous singing gold fountains of Peterhof

Year 1703. During the Northern War with Sweden, Peter the Great stands on the wind-swept bank of the Neva River, amid mosquito infested swamps and desolate landscape of the north, and declares that he’ll build a city of unrivaled splendor, to become Russia’s first sea port and maritime window to Europe.

Years later, his vision became a reality – and then some! Above: Medniy Vsadnik (Bronze Horseman). Monument to Peter, the city’s founder. The inscription reads: To Peter – the First, from Catherine – the Second.

Presenting St. Petersburg, Russia‘s second capital, unique cultural phenomenon, UNESCO World Heritage site and the most beautiful city on planet Earth!

The entire center of “Peter,” as it’s affectionately called by the Russians, or St. Pete, as it’s called by the expats, is the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The unbelievable beauty of its many exquisite buildings, bridges, palaces and statues can awe even the most seasoned world traveler. Despite its harsh northern climate, it can be incredibly romantic and it always is unforgettable.

Some of the most important episodes in GOLD TRAIN take place in St. Petersburg. The GOLD TRAIN heroine, international journalist Jade Snow, stays at the Duchess Vera’s house in the very heart of the historic center, not far from Nevsky Prospekt and the Hermitage.

Above: Romantic couple by the Anichkov Bridge. One of Nevsky Prospekt‘s most popular sights, Anichkov Bridge across the Fontanka River is particularly famous for the four equestrian statues, “The Horse Tamers,” which stand at each corner of the bridge. 

Try visiting St. Petersburg in the summer, during The White Nights, a unique phenomenon occurring when the Northern Lights illuminate the sky, making a night almost as bright as day.

The mood during the White Nights in indescribable! No one in this city of 5 million sleeps and scores of people wander the streets, marveling at its monuments and watching the drawing of its amazing system of draw bridges.

Above: St. Pete’s bridges being drawn during the White Nights. Notice, how bright the skies are even after midnight!

Above: Dvortsovy Bridge (Palace Bridge) next to the Winter Palace – The Hermitage

All St. Pete’s bridges are incredibly beautiful and unique. Above: Probably the most famous of its pedestrian bridges, Bankovsky Bridge – Bank Bridge, which is just a few meters down the Griboedov Canal from Kazan Cathedral, owes its reputation to its four beautiful golden-winged griffons.

The Lion Bridge, another gorgeous bridge along the system of St Pete‘s canals

Above: Trinity Bridge

Below: Winter Palace, former residence of the Russian Tsars, the most magnificent palace in the world. Now, the Hermitage Museum.

Inside The Hermitage Museum:

The Throne Room

The Grand Stairs

Tsar’s Gold Coach

Above and below, The Hermitage Galleries

Below: The Winter Palace Ballroom. When I wrote the Menshikov Mansion ballroom scene in GOLD TRAIN, I imagined something like this! Well, minus tourists in jeans.

Some of the most dramatic scenes in GOLD TRAIN take place at the Menshikov Mansion. Prince Menshikov (Duke Menshikov in GOLD TRAIN) was a real historic figure. As Peter the Great’s first lieutenant, originally a commoner, the Prince rose to prominence during Peter’s reign. Peter relied on him for reform ideas, staunch support and execution of his grand plans to re-shape Russia for the modern age.

In GOLD TRAIN, I thought it was especially fitting – and ironic – that the Menshikov Mansion would be owned by the infamous Russian oligarch, a nouveau riche and prince-wannabe, Yury Gurevich, who would be instrumental in plunging the country into darkness as a result of the conspiracy… But… I don’t want to spoil your reading experience, so let’s not reveal the plot. 😉

Of course, the real Menshikov Palace is now a museum and is owned by the state.

Below: The Menshikov Palace, now Menshikov Museum

More beautiful views of St. Pete:

Below: Peterhof, Peter’s Summer residence and its magnificent gardens, complete with the system of gold singing fountains. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and my personal favorite.

The Grand Cascade

Above: Famous gold mythological fountains in Peterhof’s gardens

In GOLD TRAIN, Jade is supposed to visit the town of Pushkin near St. Petersburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its connection to the Russian writer Pushkin as well as for the magnificent Catherine the Great’s Palace.

Above: Monument to Pushkin, who lived in St. Petersburg and went to school in Pushkin, originally called Tsarskoye Selo (Tsar’s Village)

Below: Catherine Palace and gardens

The Amber Room (Yantarnaya Komnata) at Catherine Palace – considered by some the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” The Amber Room had been carved from top to bottom out of precious Baltic amber and presented to Peter the Great by the Prussian king Friedrich, who went bankrupt to make it happen. The room was later expanded and perfected by the Russian craftsmen.

According to the historic accounts, Catherine could sit in the Amber Room for hours, meditating. Those who’d been in the original Amber Room described the feeling as being entranced and transported to another dimension. Catherine would forget about everything, including pressing state affairs, when she was in that state.

Unfortunately, the original Amber Room was stolen by the Nazi Germany during WWII. It was dismantled and taken to Prussia, where it had vanished without a trace. Its whereabouts are not known to this day.

Starting in 1979, the new Amber Room had been painstakingly re-created from the origianl photos and drawings. It took many years to complete the project and several years ago, the Amber Room reopened for the public.

Below: Re-creating The Amber Room

Below: The magnificent Amber Room

Below: Another room at Catherine Palace, with Empress’ images

And now, back to the city center.

The grand St. Pete Metro stations, much like Moscow’s, resemble underground palaces.

Below: One of such palacial stations

One of the most dramatic scenes in GOLD TRAIN takes place at the Sportivnaya Metro Station. Below: The incredibly deep metro escalator, much like the one, Jade took in GOLD TRAIN.

Below: Sportivnaya Metro Station with its Ancient Greek Olympics theme

For more about stately St. Petersburg Metro and Sportivnaya Station, check out my post  GOLD TRAIN: Amazing Russian Metro

Above: The famous Church of Savior on Spilled Blood, featured on the GOLD TRAIN cover. The name of this church is highly symbolic, as those who read the book would recognize.

Buy GOLD TRAIN (Accidental Spy Russia Adventure) ebook & paperback!

GOLD GT COVER ebook

Amazon    Barnes & Noble    Smashwords

More about Books by Lada Ray

 

Read companion posts:

GOLD TRAIN Magical Setting: Moscow, Russia

 

GOLD TRAIN: the World of Russian Trains and My Childhood Memories

 

GOLD TRAIN: Meet Jade Snow, heroine of the Accidental Spy Series

 

GOLD TRAIN: Who is this mysterious Alexei?

 

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GOLD TRAIN: Meet Jade Snow, heroine of the Accidental Spy Series

13 Friday Jan 2012

Posted by Lada Ray in BOOK: GOLD TRAIN, CULTURE: Russia

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

5 star thriller, Accidental Spy Asia Adventure, Accidental Spy Russia Adventure, Accidental Spy Series, Author Lada Ray, Gold Reserve of the Russian Empire, Gold Train, Green Desert, Iraq, Jade Snow, Moscow, mystery thriller, Russian culture, Russian Empire, Stepford USA

The JADE SNOW INTERNATIONAL ADVENTURE SERIES idea was born several years ago, when I was flying through Dubai to Asia. In Dubai I met American journalists, returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, who told me stories of their adventures. As I was leaving Dubai, the picture of Jade Snow, a young, beautiful and spirited international journalist, who’d worked in Iraq and Afghanistan, appeared before my eyes. It occured to me that she would make a great heroine for an international mystery/thriller series.

A beautiful and witty red-head with unusual blue-green eyes, budding psychic powers and rare talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Jade Snow is the protagonist of the Jade Snow International Adventure Series and of GOLD TRAIN, the gripping mystery/thriller, set in Russia and based on true historic events. When she gets married, this international journalist gives up her promising career to raise her little daughter, Lara.

But as the unexpected and exotic assignment drops in her lap, she jumps at the chance to restart her career and reconnect with her Russian roots. She gets much more than she’d ever bargained for!

When Jade travels to Russia, amid the magical settings of St. Petersburg and Moscow, she must uncover a dangerous conspiracy, find the world’s largest treasure and experience forbidden passion, defying time and space.

As she finds herself a pawn in a struggle between forces beyond her control, she also meets the man, who’ll change her life forever.

Click to watch GOLD TRAIN Book Trailer!

Companion posts:

GOLD TRAIN Magical Setting: Moscow, Russia

GOLD TRAIN: Amazing Russian Metro

GOLD TRAIN: the World of Russian Trains and My Childhood Memories

GOLD TRAIN: Who is This Mysterious Alexei?

Check out GOLD TRAIN ebook on:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble Nook

Smashwords

GOLD TRAIN paperback is coming on April 25, 2012. More: https://ladaray.wordpress.com/blog-tours/

For descriptions/excerpts/trailers from GOLD TRAIN and other Lada Ray’s books: LadaRay.com

If you liked my posts, please comment, RT, share and follow Lada Ray Blog!

Till next time,

Cheers!

Lada Ray

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