“…Beautiful Evil Winter may work best as a feature film while Plenty has potential as a TV series… Both projects…”
— Creative Executive (SALT, The Bone Collector and Revenge – tv series)
See Biography for more information.
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What Readers Are Saying
“Always Yearning, Always Fraying, Yet Staying is a raw and heartfelt look at a marriage unraveling under the pressure of emotional disconnection. Paloma carries the weight of family, work, and loneliness while Jim remains consumed by travel and ambition. Their bond is tested by frustration, longing, and years of unresolved hurt, yet the spark between them never fully fades. Kelly crafts a layered romance about rebuilding trust, rediscovering intimacy, and fighting for a love worth saving.”
“…Reading Always Yearning, Always Fraying, Yet Staying, I
“Plenty is a book about a young lady, Camille, who is trying to pull herself up from bad parenting and to live a life her grandmother would be proud of. She has fallen in with the sheriff’s son which, in this case, proves to be road that she should not be going down. An accident on a four-lane road and a shooting in a rest area sets in motion the events that will eventually free her and the whole area from a politically corrupt system that has grown up in the community. Camille joins forces with Jennifer, a widow with a daughter, to stand up against the evil forces and finds that there are outside forces willing to help. The good guys win primarily by the bad guys taking themselves out by forces not controlled by anyone else but themselves. It is a thriller where good wins over evil in surprising ways. There are twists and turns and and surprises along the whole story, but it all comes together in the end.
A very good and interesting read. A look at how power in a small community can lead to corruption as much as it does in large metropolitan areas. Power corrupts and leads to one wanting absolute power which in the end leads to self destruction.”
Quentin R. Stewart Jr. 5 * Amazon Review
“The title of this book is pretty accurate, because there is PLENTY, plenty action, emotions, sex, violence, corruption and plenty twists and turns…the story kept me on edge all through until the end. I don’t want to give up too much information, because it’s really hard to put in words the emotions that I felt reading this story.”
4* Kindle Customer Review
“…The story is fast paced and will keep readers glued till the last page. The mix of love, excitement, suspense and a healthy dose of politics make it a compelling story. it opens your eyes more towards adoptive parents, adoption outside your country, and the violence in Russia. All characters, including Ethan and Sophia, have been portrayed well to make the story great reading…”
Mamta Madhavan 5* Review for Readers’ Favorite of Beautiful Evil Winter
“a great thriller…a wonderful read which makes you think how to deal with personal issues”
5* Kindle Customer of Plenty
5* Kindle Customer Review of Beautiful Evil Winter
“…Overall, Always Yearning, Always Fraying, Yet Staying by Kelly K. Lavender offers a relatable portrayal of a woman striving to find her footing in a demanding life. The novel has a unique narrative style that is cleverly used as a literary device, emphasizing the creative side of the main character. Because one is constantly exposed to her train of thought, the reader gets to know her and her motivations. Paloma’s craving for creativity becomes a character in its own right, driving the story. The characters are normal people trying to make a living and be happy. The plot is interesting and unconventional…There is more than one theme that could stand out; it depends on the reader. For me, what stood out was the lengths Paloma would go to protect her family, as well as her unwavering faith in Jim. Friendship and loyalty are also important themes that flow through the story. This is not your typical romance. The writing style and narrative point of view bring a different edge to the story. This book is worth reading; you will be pleasantly surprised.”
“…Author Kelly K. Lavender created an intense, emotional, and very realistic story about love, disappointment, and the struggle to stay when everything feels broken. I really liked how Paloma was written because she felt honest and deeply human… I loved the narrative style and how it painted Paloma in a realistic light while leaving some room for creative liberties. Always Yearning, Always Fraying, Yet Staying is a beautifully written romance/suspense novel that will keep readers entertained.”
“Plenty is a novel about love and corruption, friendships and salvation, the descent into hell and the effort to survive: as such, it’s not for those seeking either a romance story or an easy leisure read.Indeed, readers who expect a novel filled with positives… will find it abundant, instead, with conflict, sexual and psychological angst, and the efforts of two women to change the course of their lives…At times readers feel they are in an emotional meat grinder; at other times, protagonist strengths come to rescue…Female readers seeking an antithesis to...with more dynamic, powerful female characters will find Plenty more than fits the bill.”
5* Review by D. Donovan – Midwest Book Review Senior Reviewer
“…Although a work of fiction, Beautiful Evil Winter author Kelly K. Lavender has given such a realistic feel to her novel that the story holds firmly to an engaging credibility from beginning to end. An especially well crafted and deftly woven story holds the reader fully entertained attention from first page to last. Very highly recommended for personal reading lists and community library…”
Midwest Book Review
“I spent a couple of days after I finished the the book thinking about how I was going to write this review. Despite its marketing, this was nothing like… It was a lot better… This is a hardcore story and not for the faint of heart. I had to read it in two sittings since I was crying so much I couldn’t see the screen…”
Long and Short Reviews 4* Review of Plenty
“Plenty wasn’t enough! I voluntarily read the book Plenty & couldn’t put it down until I finished it! This book grabs ahold of the reader & doesn’t let go until the end! A real story of womens’ empowerment & inner strength! Please read this book!”
5* Kindle Customer Review of Plenty
Eric Hoffer Book Award 5* Review of Beautiful Evil Winter
“…Kelly K. Lavender creates relatable characters that feel like people I see every day, with their struggles. The family dynamics are finely drawn…The emotional conflict is cleverly written, and the author allows the friction between the characters and Paloma’s internal struggles to shape the direction of the story. I was invested in the characters. I was delighted by the exquisite prose, and the author’s deft exploration of family dysfunction made the story more than entertaining: it became food for thought. Always Yearning, Always Fraying, Yet Staying cleverly examines the question: How much can a woman take before she finally breaks?”
“…Kelly K. Lavender’s novel is character-driven, and the author excels at examining emotions and gestures that translate the desperation, the hunger, and the longing of the characters, especially Paloma…What makes the story even more engaging is the fact that she doesn’t give up. I always want stories with clear motivation written into the characters, and Always Yearning, Always Fraying, Yet Staying delivers that beyond measure. The themes of genuine connection, family, and the erosion of love with the passage of time are well-developed in this novel. Apart from the intriguing characters, the author shows readers what happens to love when it is not consciously nourished and when acts of support diminish.”
“…The characters are of opposing values, fiery Sophia, hesitant Ethan, cruel mafia ponytail and his misfits, scheming Victoria and cruel possessive Natasha. 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.”
Amazon Top 500 Reviewer R. Hansen’s 5* Review of Beautiful Evil Winter
“…Plenty was a fantastic mix of mystery and modern day heroes…The pacing of Camille’s story is a big part of what had me frantically turning pages to find out what happens next…”
5* Review by S. Terril (Librarian)
5* Review by L. Carl of Beautiful Evil Winter
“…This book is well written, fast paced with amazingly complex and multi layered people…even those without a moral center…The abuse, violence, drug addiction, danger, corruption, love, loss, grief. friendship and the roller coaster of emotions these events and situations arouse make this suspenseful thriller a must read. Heartbreaking… Loved that karma…”
BookDragon Nin 4* Review of Plenty
“Happy I made the Purchase! Well written and very suspenseful.”
5* Review by Erik Hernandez of Plenty
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