Contact: Abigail Davidson, Publicist, WinePress Group, 360-802-9758, abigail@winepressgroup.com

ENUMCLAW, Wash., Jan. 5 /Christian Newswire/ -- "Russia sent 2,310 children to the United States in 2007," according to AdoptiveFamilies.com. This makes Russia the third largest sending country in the world. "Despite economic reforms that have taken place since the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union, many families in former Soviet nations struggle to survive. An estimated 600,000 children live 'without parental care' in Russia. About one-third live in institutions; the rest typically live with guardians, or under police jurisdiction. Poverty is a factor in most relinquishments. Two groups of children are typically available: babies relinquished in the hospital at birth to orphanages, and older children who were removed from their families because of neglect."

Strict guidelines mean that many families must expect two or three trips to Russia before they can bring their child home. The end result, however, is worth the wait. Author Els Van Hierden adopted her son Mark from Russia in 2006. "Unfortunately, things can go wrong during an adoption process, as was the case with us," Van Hierden says. "We travelled to Russia three times." And now? "We have had [Mark] in our family for almost two years. He is doing very well . . . He is very happy and a wonderful child." Her experiences, mixed with many years working in missions and her heart for suffering children, led her to write her first novel, "Ransomed." The story involves an American who pours his pain into a passion for the homeless in Russia, a haunted orphanage director, and a couple longing to adopt a child. "The book does not deal with adoption alone, but also with abortion, sexual abuse, and post-abortion syndrome, all of which are rampant in Russia. I wove those topics into a story of intrigue and suspense, with unexpected twists and turns." She is hoping that readers will take away a picture of the suffering that takes place, as well as a sense of hope that we can do our part to help. The book expresses Van Hierden's passion for redemption and healing in Christ.

To order a copy of "Ransomed," visit www.winepressbooks.com or call 877-421-7323. For a review copy or to schedule an interview please contact Abigail Davidson at 360-802-9758 or abigail@winepressgroup.com.