Gold Train (Accidental Spy Russia Adventure) [Kindle Edition]

Lada Ray (Author)

Book Description

Jason Bourne & Outlander fusion with a vodka twist...

Begin your secret love affair with Russia! GOLD TRAIN is a fast-paced romantic mystery/thriller based on true historical events! 

Experience Moscow and St. Petersburg like you've never imagined them before; travel through Russia's turbulent history and ever-changing present; immerse yourself in a world filled with oligarchs, hidden treasure, ultimate royal glamour, state secrets and FSB spies. It's the world guided by destiny's hand and spiced up with passionate love affair that could only happen where stakes are deadly and every day may be your last!

1918 Civil War: the entire Gold Reserve of the Russian Empire vanishes without a trace. But what if it's about to resurface?

Today: flaming hair, striking blue-green eyes, relentless optimism & burning desire to uncover the truth... Jade Snow, sexy international journalist turned stay-at-home mom, turned spy extraordinaire, thinks she has seen it all - until she gets a fateful call from Russia. Jade travels to Moscow to investigate tantalizing mystery of the Gold Train and reconnect with the land of her ancestors; instead, she lands in the middle of a high-stakes international conspiracy threatening to change the fate of one of the world's most powerful nations. Refusing to be a pawn in the game of forces beyond her control, Jade must choose between her worst friends and best enemies...and the future just might depend on her choice! 

288 print pages. Beautifully redesigned and re-edited! New scenes and artwork added! 

Includes bonus: Excerpt from next Accidental Spy Asia Adventure, DRAGON GATE. 

Books by Lada Ray 

Accidental Spy Series
Some conspiracies are hidden in small towns with perfect facades... STEPFORD USA (Accidental Spy Small Town Adventure)
GOLD TRAIN (Accidental Spy Russia Adventure) The future depends on Jade's choice... 
Book 3: DRAGON GATE (Asia Adventure) is next. See official author website, LadaRay.com, for progress and release details!
Also read Green Desert (Iraq prequel novelette) What would you do if all were lost?

For readers of all ages, early teen through adult:
New release! A mystical & powerful experience you don't want to miss!
THE EARTH SHIFTER - top-rated and epic! Prophetic YA fantasy/thriller
Catharsis, Legend of the Lemurians (Earth Keepers Chronicle 1), visionary/metaphysical fantasy - Will the catastrophe bring to light everyone's true beauty and ugliness? 

Coming:
Lemurian Crystal (Earth Keepers Chronicle 2) - release 2013
Atlantis (Earth Keepers Chronicle 3) - release 2013
EARTH KEEPERS CHRONICLES: ORIGINS - release 2013

Editorial Reviews

Review

Five Stars
"Brilliantly Written - A MUST Read. This book had it all, not only a great mystery and action, but a little romance and even some humour. The story is fantastic - layers that go deeper and deeper... Superb, fast paced and well written... one of those books that gets you thinking about things - even after you finish reading." -- The Kindle Book Review

Five Stars
"One of the coolest, most explosive and passionate novels I read in a very long time! Has you hanging on the edge of your seat! Read it and you'll see what I mean!" -- A Barnes & Noble reader

Five Stars
"Jade Snow is to journalism, what Jason Bourne is to action and espionage. Gold Train is an absolute must read." -- J.J. Collins, Author, Famine to Freedom, The Irish in the American Civil War (London, UK)

Five Stars
"A Race for Gold! Fast paced thrill ride filled with great characters you will love and villains you will hate. This is definitely one to read!" -- Kate's Reads

Five Stars
"An amazing timeless story!" -- Madeline Walsh (New York)

Five Stars
"On top of breakneck action, the ending blew my socks off. It was 100% an original book. It's even inspired me to learn Russian." -- Rachel's Book Reviews

Five Stars
"Solid Gold Thriller. If you enjoyed the charming young detective, Jade Snow, in Stepford, USA, you will absolutely love her next adventure in Gold Train. Read Gold Train and be transfixed as Jade stays one step ahead of her adversaries through quick thinking and bold actions. Lada Ray takes you inside the grand houses of Russia to witness an unfolding mystery you will not soon forget." -- Jason Sullivan, Author, The Dark Yergall

From the Author

A NOTE TO MY READERS
 

I hope you enjoy GOLD TRAIN, which is especially dear to my heart as it takes place in Russia, the country I love. I was inspired while creating the story of the lost Russian treasure, the characters of Jade and Alexei, as well as the book's magical setting.

Jade Snow is a jet-setting journalist and a totally new, original heroine, who finds herself in the most extreme circumstances of her life in GOLD TRAIN (which is saying a lot for someone who'd been to Afghanistan and Iraq, and who had a near death experience in Stepford USA). She deals with these circumstances in a way that is guaranteed to surprise even the most seasoned reader! Although the adventure/thriller is the book's dominant element, and Jade has been compared by reviewers to Jason Bourne, Sherlock Holmes, Nancy Drew and even Superman (wow!), it's hard to fit one's life, with all of its complications, twists and turns within one narrow genre, won't you agree? As one reviewer put it, "Lada, your books are so all-around!" - Rachel's Book Reviews 
In GOLD TRAIN, you'll find a rip-roaring adventure and tantalizing mystery, as well as a touch of history and geopolitics, sizzling-hot romance and forbidden love, amazing pets, and a bit of metaphysical/paranormal!
                   
If I had to make a comparison with another book, I'd say that Gold Train protagonists, Jade and Alexei, share traits and spirit with Claire and Jamie, protagonists of The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon. The spirit of the book will also appeal to the fans of The Da Vinci Code and Jason Bourne. Having said that, I want to stress again and again that this is a totally original book/series, complete with a new and original heroine. No clones here!

Note: 

While each book in the Accidental Spy Adventure Series stands on each own, it is advisable to read them sequentially to fully appreciate plot twists and character development

Lada Ray

Author

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 547 KB
• Print Length: 289 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1475089155
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Ray House; 2 edition (December 18, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B006NPVTH4
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #423,914 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Race for Gold! December 30, 2011

By KatesReads

Format:Kindle Edition

Gold Train by Lada Ray is a thriller based on actual events. During the Russian Revolution the entire gold reserve of the Russian Empire disappears while being transported by train. It is still missing.

Jade Snow is a veteran reporter who returns to work after maternity leave to help in an investigation of the Gold Train story and the possible whereabouts of the gold. The request for help comes from a Russian journalist who has extensively studied the history of it. She jumps at the opportunity to work again and also to explore her Russian heritage.

Once in Russia she connects with old acquaintances of her grandmother who are all members of a society for Russian nobility. Their main interest is in returning the Russian Empire to noble rule.

When the journalist that sent for her is found murdered the chase is on. Everyone is on a hunt to find the gold first. Everyone has their own reasons for acquiring the gold.

As the circle of conspirators tightens Jade must struggle to keep at the head of the chase. Along the way she encounters a man who just might be here soul mate and passions ignite.

Gold Train is a fast paced thrill ride filled with great characters you will love and villains you will hate. And maybe a few you won't know whether to love or hate. This is definitely one to read!
[...]

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Review for Rachel's Book Reviews February 18, 2012

By Todd L. Andrews

Format:Kindle Edition

Based on actual events, I found it an amazing book. I felt like it was true to Russia, like I was actually there, spying on uprising monarchists. If I were to make a comparison, I would say it reminded me of Nancy Drew, always in the right place at just the wrong time. Except this is an adult version. On top of breakneck action, the ending blew my socks off. I really wasn't expecting that to happen! It was 100% an original book. It's even inspired me to learn Russian (that'll be an adventure in itself!) Like Jade I think it'll give me new insight to people in my family I never knew. (although, here's to hoping it won't involve a murder!)

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid Gold Thriller February 18, 2012

By Jason Sullivan

Format:Kindle Edition

If you enjoyed the charming young detective, Jade Snow, in Stepford, USA, you will absolutely love her next adventure in Gold Train. Jade travels to Russia to do a piece for Time magazine and the second she steps off the plane the excitement, and magic, begins. This thriller has it all! It has the two romantic locations of Moscow and St. Petersburg for its backdrop. It has real princes and princesses, who may or may not be undercover agents and spies. It has the whisperings of revolution, deepening international intrigue, plus beautiful trains and huge piles of gold!

Jade, however, is the real treat. She does not have super powers, nor even any formal training in the spy business, but she is daring, and clever, and her heart is always in the right place. She must rely on her intution to make choices her life, and world peace, depend on. Read Gold Train and be transfixed as Jade stays one step ahead of her adversaries through quick thinking and bold actions. This book is so believable it reads like a true story. Lada Ray takes you inside the grand houses of Russia to witness an unfolding mystery you will not soon forget.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars suspense thriller with Russia as its backdrop March 8, 2012

By kimbacaffeinate

Format:Kindle Edition

Gold Train by Lada Ray is a non-stop adult-fiction thriller set in Russia. Protagonist, Jade Snow, a journalist and amateur detective who appeared in Ray's previous novel entitled Stepford U.S.A. is back in an new tale. Based on historical facts, Ray takes us to Russia, to discover what happen to the entire Gold reserve of the Russian Empire. It vanished without a trace during the Civil War in 1918. The tale offers, suspense, mystery, murder and a touch of paranormal.

We are introduced to Jade Snow, former journalist, wife and stay-at-home Mom to her thirteen month old daughter. They reside on the Upper East Side of New York. Her husband works for Time magazine and while they seem to have the good life, Jade admits she misses her career. Jade's family is from Russia and she longs to visit, when a phone call offers her a chance to collaborate on a book surrounding the Gold Train, Jade jumps at the opportunity. Jade is in Russia less then forty-eight hours when the Russian journalist she is working with is murdered. The tale that unfolds is suspenseful, full of twists and takes us to Moscow, St Petersburg, the Menshikov Mansion, the infamous KGB headquarters and the grand houses. We travel on high-speed trains, attend balls and walk through the gorgeous Russian Metro. Not everyone is who they appear to be, and Jade will have to use her wits to solve it. The conspiracies, political intrigue and cast of characters had me racing to the dramatic ending.
While the ending is intense, it wraps up nicely, without a lot of unanswered questions and even hints at where Jade's next adventure will be.

Jade is a bright likeable character. She is educated and good at connecting the dots.... While she has no training as a detective, her inquisitive mind and investigative reporting skills find her entwined in the mystery. I loved Jade the detective, but struggled to like Jade the person. While on this adventure she strays and breaks her marriage vows. Call me old fashioned, but this doesn't sit well with me; even though the romance was passionate and Jade felt he was her soul mate. I realize this won't affect everyone, so do not let this deter you from a great adventure. For more delicate readers, I must warn you that while most is implied, the romance does get pretty hot and heavy. The plot developed at a good pace, and the tale kept me captivated. Ray's description of Russia and the grand houses were delightful. I want to thank Lada Ray for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review. Read more ›

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "Jade Snow is to journalism, what Jason Bourne is to action and espionage." December 29, 2011

By J.J.Collins

Format:Kindle Edition

Author - Lada Ray introduces this excellent thriller against the back drop of 1918 Revolutionary Russia and a train carrying a special cargo in a remote part of Russia. This special train is carrying a cargo which much be protected at all costs and is being guarded by the "Red" (Bolshevik) forces. The naďve train driver spots two young children ahead on the tracks, who fail to remove themselves from the track, forcing him to use his human instincts and apply the brakes. The consequences of this action will be far-reaching and will stretch into the very heart of modern day Russian politics.
The attempts to get the train moving at a safe speed again prove fruitless, as the special train comes under attack from the "White" (anti-Bolshevik) forces, which are loyal to the Tsarist autocracy. The train and its precious cargo are stripped with all Red forces being wiped out, before the horse train and precious cargo disappear into the cold Russian night and thick forest.
The story then propels us forward into modern day New York City and into the seemingly simple life of housewife, mother and pet-lover - Jade Snow. A devoted wife, Jade has given up her journalistic career, for a simple but happy life, with her investigative journalist husband Paul.
Jade we learn, has a certain psychic talent and comes from a proud Russian lineage. Jade's Russian roots and interest, were heavily influenced by her beloved Grand Mother Anastacia who told her tales of golden domes and magical balls in Mother Russia. It is this interest and fascination that leads to a conversation with a fellow Russian Journalist, Svetlana, and changes Jade's life and career direction forever.
What evolves is a brilliantly crafted thriller with murder, mystery, espionage and captivating twists and turns throughout.... The author takes us on a tantalising, rip roaring, dangerous, action packed, yet passionate journey across modern day Russia.
What consequences will a sudden encounter with a stranger have on Jade's life, who is this attractive and mysterious man really? Can she trust him? Alone in a faraway unfamiliar land, Jade is caught in a web of lies, glamour, terror and intrigue that leaves you gripped to the plot at all times.
Jade's investigative journalistic instincts take her unintentionally into a dark world, where security services and terrorist activities left unchecked, could potentially have global consequences. Against this burdensome and dangerous backdrop, Jade has to persevere in her pursuit of truth under extreme scrutiny, knowing one mistake could change not only her own life, but the destiny of one of the world's most powerful nations.
Jade Snow is to journalism, what Jason Bourne is to action and espionage. The author has managed to develop a character with a fascinating thoughtful purpose. "Gold Train" is an absolute must read, the author goes beyond the obvious and whisks us along into the heart-stopping world of Jade Snow with breath-taking appeal for the next paragraph and page. The author's knowledge and comprehension of the Russian political scene brings a very credible and believable level of authenticity to the plot.
A mesmeric thriller, "Gold Train" is marvellous book which has something for every reader. It leaves you wanting and calling for the next instalment in the adventures of International Journalist extraordinaire - Jade Snow. Read more ›

More About the Author

"I've loved all the varied and exotic things I've done in life, but writing is by far my biggest love affair and most exciting adventure. Can't wait to share it... See you on pages of my books!"

Lada Ray is a writer, internationally certified feng shui master, world traveler, linguist, financial consultant, nature/animal lover and metaphysics researcher.

Born in Russia, Lada always wanted to write cool stories, which she'd been imagining in her head ever since she can remember. Instead, she listened to her well-meaning parents and started her life in a more traditional way (for her, that is.)

Lada holds a Master's Degree in comparative linguistics (graduated summa cum laude,) is fluent in several languages and has traveled to over twenty six countries worldwide. She had worked in Havana, Cuba as an interpreter for the Russian educational exchange delegations, including a couple of interviews with the man himself - Fidel Castro.

In the USA, she published articles in the Hartford Courant & taught Russian on cable TV. Then, something inexplicable possessed her to work as a financial consultant for AIG and Smith Barney/Citigroup.

But later, she came back to her senses and quit the corporate world to pursue her dreams. She traveled to Asia to study with the revered Hong Kong Masters of Feng Shui and obtained her International Master's Certification (graduated first in class) with Lillian Too, world-renowned feng shui author and teacher. For years, Lada operated an extensive feng shui website and blog - a hit with both local and worldwide fans - and authored over thirty articles on feng shui and spirituality for her own website, as well as for the World of Feng Shui and other international publications. At the same time, she taught her proprietary feng shui courses and did public speaking.

Lada imagines her stories in bustling New York City and beautifully serene Upstate New York, where she lives with her family and gorgeous calico cat Lily.

Lada Ray is the author of:

~GOLD TRAIN, gripping mystery/thriller set in Russia and based on true historic events (Accidental Spy Russia Adventure, Book 2)

~STEPFORD USA, psychological mystery/thriller (Accidental Spy US Adventure, Book 1)

~Green Desert, riveting story set in Iraq (Accidental Spy Prequel)

Upcoming books include:

~THE EARTH SHIFTER, YA fantasy/thriller set in Russia (Moscow & Siberia,) US, China and other mythical locales of this surreal Blue Planet

~DRAGON GATE, Accidental Spy Asia Adventure, Book 3