Testimonials

If I admired you……….I now worship you!!! You have given us a major testimony of life! I loved the book!!! I love u aunt Kris; thank you for opening your heart to us!!! WE LOVE YOU, WE ARE WITH YOU A HUNDRED PERCENT!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

Your objective with the sharing of your experiences was, and is, to help those who need hope in their lives. Not only have you achieved your goals on that front, but you have instilled a sense of wonder and commitment to ‘stay in the moment’ to those who didn’t even realize they needed it.
For all of those things and many more, I commend your love and commitment.
This is a book which has a place in the life of every person on the planet earth and others who know what it means to love.

Avalanche is a remarkable, true story of one woman’s journey through love, loss, family, and faith and ultimately her discovery of self and infinite possibilities. The author’s account of the series of unimaginable events that follow the death of her husband during a ski vacation in British Columbia leaves the reader in constant reflection that this is not fiction, this is a true story.

Kris Ochoa-Keane an American married to a Mexican businessman lives a charmed life of privilege in Guadalajara society. Happily married to Alfonso, the love of her life and mother to their six children. Life was perfect and full of promise. Her life unwinds and takes a decidedly new path after her husband’s tragic death.

Avalanche does take the reader through the author’s darkest moments of sorrow but also invites us to share the new places of unexpected happiness as she creates a new life with her children.

Kris’s story will challenge readers to believe there is a perfect plan woven for each of us and we each have the power to embrace the life we want by letting go of fear and the expectation of what should happen. Her story will leave you uplifted and open to all possibilities.

I had an avalanche of emotions throughout my reading of Avalanche: Lessons of Love. The author had a unique ability of allowing me to capture each of the many emotions she was feeling throughout her journey. This remarkable woman taught me that even in the darkest of hours there is a ray of sunshine that will guide us to love again. The lessons she teaches are invaluable.

Avalanche, Lessons of Love is a captivating, true story of love, loss and spirituality that inspire us to appreciate each day, for any moment what we cherish most could vanish. Kris’s story is well written, emotional and entertaining as she brings us along her journey of self discovery as she overcomes devastating losses.

The sequences of events are astonishing and keep the reader mesmerized, turning the pages to see what could possibly happen next.

Avalanche, Lessons of Love is a great read for anyone, truly inspirational and delivers an appreciation for love, life and hope.

I just read a great interview with Catherine Stockett, author of ” The Help”. She was asked how she got the word out about her book. She said that it has taken her 10 years to get where she is today, but in the beginning it was word of mouth. She said she had 500 friends with REALLY BIG MOUTHS!!! They would tell everyone about the book, pass out copies to people in airports and everywhere they could think of so that the book would be read! And once people read it, they had to pass it on!!! SOOOOO, I am asking everyone who I know (and don’t know!) to be part of my 500 friends and help us spead the word about Avalanche! We are counting on all of you to help us get it out there!!!! Thank you so much for all of your past AND future help!!! Let’s do it!

Dear Kris,
I am so grateful to have met you at the exact place and time we met. I know that God, the universe ,or whoever will give us what we need when we need it…If we are open enough to recognize it.
My ears perked up when I heard you say you published your story. But when you spoke of your first husband I definitely wanted to know more.
I am an only child with no children. I lost both of my parents within ten months. This is my first Christmas without my Mom. In all of my 46 years,I have never missed spending Christmas with my parents. We lived on different coasts but we just made it work without question.
My husband is 27 years older than me. He is my best friend, my true love and my family.(I must admit I do have amazing girl friends)
In addition to grieving my parents this year, I catch myself jumping ahead and worrying about what would happen someday if I don’t have Mike.
Reading your book has been such a comfort on so many levels. It has reminded me that I will never be alone unless I choose to be.
I can draw strength in knowing that we can get through anything if we are honest enough to let people be there for us.
Also, just admitting our tendency to get into the future instead of living fully in the moment.
As I was reading your book I was sharing the entire story with Mike. I don’t want to give to much away by saying to much….but, the scene on the beach was so touching I had to have Mike read it. When he finished he put the book down and held me so tight. With tears in his eyes he said “its life”. “we can get through anything with help from God”
I thank you for that beautiful moment with my husband. It came about as a result of you being so vulnerable and honest about your life.
Words can not express my thanks.
Love,
Laura Martella

Dear Kris,

I am totally in awe of your strength and – like yourself – I’ve experienced a few open windows and doors when I was certain there was no way out. Every word in your book went straight to my heart, it felt real and not just like an interesting read. Thank you for sharing your innermost feelings. Thank you for being so honest.

This is not only a book about life, but most and foremost about how to face life and to never give up. Cheers to believing in oneself! You show us that there’s always a way…

Love, Sonja

Dear Kris,

Susan Smith gave me your book to read on a Monday night. By Wednesday night I was done reading. I am a slow reader, but just could not put this book down.

I have been a mountain guide and heliski guide since 1988. I started at Mike Wiegele Heliskiing, coming fresh from Austria back then. I have never worked for CMH, but know several guides. I am now working (part time only, because I’m old and everything hurts….) at Whistler Heliskiing (and have been in the last 15 years). I have also been working at other companies, and for one winter helped my Dad & brother with their new heliski company up North in Atlin, BC.

When Bay Street happened, it was a shock to all of us guides. However, only after Judge Koenigsberg’s judgment came out, did the case engrave itself in my brain forever! I have read every single line of this 80 + page document. I have inhaled it and later also used it as a teaching tool for my students when I was guide instructor. The document shows just what courts are looking at when accidents happen and I used it to tell my students to use all the care in the world, do due diligence with everything, never forgetting that they carry the lives of their clients in their hands. It is a reminder to keep clear records, follow safety procedures and never become complacent. Your husband, while dying so tragically, has contributed to making this industry SAFER. Your decision to go forward with the lawsuit – while it was incredibly taxiing to you and your family – was a good one and I think that many, many accidents were prevented because of it. As you put it in the book, you won, your objectives were achieved! Your husband did not die in vain!

When reading onwards, after all the hardships you had been through already, to then also loose your second husband, seemed to me enough reason to loose faith in anything good in this world. Where was the sense in it? But you plowed on, you worked through it. You are amazing!

I also know Ross and was very happy to read in the book about you two now sharing a life. I want to wish you nothing but good for the rest of your life, God knows, you deserve it!
I know, sooner or later our paths will cross.

Many greetings!

Helene Steiner
UIAGM Mountain Guide
Canadian Adventure Tours Inc.

OLP 1973 – Thank you for such a wonderful book. I received the alumnae newsletter and saw the announcement of your book. I decided to support a fellow alumnae and am so glad I did. I also could not put your book down! My sister, Kathy, and I have both suffered losses and can relate to your story. I learned so much from your spiritual reflections, your tenacity, your resolve to not let what life brought you ruin you. I am now going to mail your book to my sister!!

Blessings to you!

“Avalanche”, a spectacular read, about which I cannot say enough . . . other than I don’t think I have ever felt a book provide “hugs” (literally), and such spiritual encouragement. I started reading the book last night at 8 p.m. and finished it today at 10 a.m. I had to read every word-no speed reading on this one. You can appreciate my venues for the engrossing read-1st the balcony overlooking the canyon before the heat of the sun chased me to the back garden patio, and then the still-shaded jacuzzi garden off the office. My point? Each an intimate setting allowing me to take in all that Kris and Stephen intended in their sharing of a family who has lived so bravely, and has opened up to spiritual transformation. Yes, loss of dearly loved ones are game changers. As one of our pastors at Scottsdale Bible Church used to tell us, “if you fix the fix that God gives to fix you, he’ll provide another to fix you”. Kris is certainly a “fixed” human being. And now has a life of sharing with others her evolution as a fixed woman. However, I must say being less than 5 months from the day of our loss of Nate to the Telluride avalanche, I have not known before how one small 3 letter word could become so powerfully engaging, S A D. Not all the time, but Kris sharing in her book the times of uncontrolled sobbing, now has relevance in my (our) world. I will share this book with Nate’s two sisters and each with their own young families may understand how continuing with the responsibilities of their families who depend upon them daily, has to be blended with their journey of grief.

The San Diego Public Library would like to include you in our upcoming 47th Annual San Diego Local Authors Exhibit happening in February 2013. Please contact me soon to learn how you can participate – thanks!

Rachel Esguerra
Local Author Exhibit Assistant
San Diego Public Library
619.236.5817
resguerra@sandiego.gov

Dear Kris, I feel very much of pride to get to know you. This book tells so much of love and gives me the feeling thatGod will help when you are in trouble. Love Brigitte