War Bonds

Special guests make book signings better

March 16, 2015 Cindy Hval

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Tom Tucker, Cindy Hval, Shirley Tucker

What a delight it was to have Tom and Shirley Tucker join me at Barnes and Noble on Saturday for a War Bonds reading/signing event.

The Tucker’s story, “Romance on Wheels,” is the final chapter in the book. The pair met at a roller rink when Shirley was a high school senior and Tom was stationed at Farragut Naval Training Station.

Tom endured the last enemy attack on a navy ship (USS LaGrange) two days before WWll ended. The things he experienced caused him to write to Shirley and tell her to cancel their wedding plans.

Thankfully, he changed his mind.

The Tuckers will celebrate their 70th anniversary in November.

War Bonds

The story in her hands

March 13, 2015 Cindy Hval

Donna Stafford one of the brides featured in War Bonds, holds her copy during a reading at the Coeur d’Alene Library Wedneday night. The photo was taken by Cindy Mitchell, daughter-in-law of one of the couple’s featured in the book.

I can’t tell you what it means to me to have people featured in War Bonds attend readings. To see the delight on their faces as they turn to their chapters, to see the tears in their eyes as they hear me share their memories… it’s such a privilege.

And during the signings I get to hear so many stories of parents or grandparents who served in WWll. It’s a wonderful thing! I’m so thankful for the ovewhelming positive response to War Bonds.

War Bonds

He brought the shrapnel with him

March 12, 2015 Cindy Hval

From Chapter 8 of War Bonds: Love Stories From the Greatest Generation;

As he ran down the beach back toward his duty station, a Japanese Zero strafed the sand around him. Nick hit the ground and covered his head. He said he felt a hot breeze and heard a whistling sound inches from his ears. He looked up and saw the face of the pilot as he flew alongside him. The pilot grinned.
When he got up he discovered a large piece of shrapnel next to him. “I grabbed it,” he said. “It was still hot from the explosion.”

Last night, Nick Gaynos attended a War Bonds reading at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library. He brought that piece of shrapnel with him.

Simply amazing.

War Bonds

These are some beautiful chicks

March 6, 2015March 6, 2015 Cindy Hval

Saw this gorgeous display at Barnes and Noble, yesterday. Such an incredible feeling to see stacks of my books in stores! But what’s really wonderful is the feedback from readers.

Yesterday, I spent an hour and a half at Auntie’s Bookstore signing pre-ordered copies of War Bonds. Since it was a public signing, I got to interact with folks who stopped by the signing table.

One fellow wearing a Vietnam veteran cap seemed especially enthralled with the photos. “These are some beautiful chicks,” he said.

I told him my mother is of the opinion that women were better looking in the ’40’s and ’50’s.

“Nah,” he said. “They just took better care of themselves.”

Then his eyes grew dim. “Even when my wife was dying of cancer, she’d try to fix herself up for me. She’d put on a little lipstick…. She just wanted to look nice.”

“She must have loved you very much,” I said.

He took off his glasses and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “Yes,” he said. “She did.”

War Bonds

Dad

March 5, 2015 Cindy Hval

Been thinking about my dad a lot lately.
March is his birth month and death month.
Here he is at Harmon Field in Newfoundland during the waning days of WWll.
He would have loved all the War Bonds hoopla and been at every signing and event. Because of my dad’s military career, I feel completely at ease interviewing veterans– especially WWll vets.
What kind of man was my dad?
He was so warm and kind that the man he shared a room with during his last hospitalization came to his funeral in a wheelchair having just been released from the hospital that day.
He knew my dad for three days and already loved him.

Wasn’t I blessed to have had a dad like that?

War Bonds

More War Bonds at Auntie’s

March 3, 2015 Cindy Hval

After selling out on Sunday, Auntie’s Bookstore recieved a new shipment of War Bonds, today!

I’ll be in the store Thursday, March 5 from 4 PM – 5 PM to sign copies. Come in and say “hi” and watch me get writer’s cramp 🙂 More importantly, get your signed copy of War Bonds while it’s hot!

Make sure to check my EVENTS page to find out where I’ll be next.

War Bonds

Idaho, Illinois, Oregon, Connecticut, oh my!

March 2, 2015 Cindy Hval

What fun to hear from readers across the United States as copies of War Bonds arrive!

Jeri in Illinois.

Cis in Idaho

Dean and Betty Ratzman, feaured in chapter 18 “Letters From Home.”

I love receiving photos of folks (or their pets!) with the book. You can email your pictures to dchval@juno.com, I’d love to hear from you!

In addition, please consider posting your reviews on Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Goodreads. In today’s competitive book market positive reviews on the sites above really helps to spread the news!

War Bonds

The photo that made me cry

February 24, 2015 Cindy Hval

Two little girls poring over War Bonds at the book launch on Sunday at Auntie’s Bookstore.

Jadyn’s (on the left) grandparents, Bill and Jay Warren are featured in the book. She and her best friend Elisa couldn’t wait to dive into the stories.

I can’t tell you how important it is to me that these people and their stories are not forgotten. Seeing children discovering their grandparents in a new light is unbelievably moving and makes the five-year-journey from idea to publication seem so worthwhile.

War Bonds

Amazing turnout for War Bonds book launch

February 23, 2015 Cindy Hval

So humbled and amazed by the incredible turnout at Auntie’s Bookstore yesterday! The whole event went by in such a blur– kind of like your wedding day, where you know you said some stuff and other people said some stuff and something important happened, but the details are a bit fuzzy!
My heartfelt thanks to all who attended. I wish I could thank each of you personally!
I would love it if readers would send me photos of themselves with War Bonds. You can email them to me at dchval@juno.com

Keep an eye on the Events page, so you’ll know when I’ll be in your area,
Thanks again for embracing this book and the stories of the Greatest Generation.

War Bonds

That moment when it all becomes real

February 20, 2015 Cindy Hval

Writing War Bonds has been a five-year journey with many highs and lows.
The thrill of getting signed with a great agency. The disappointment of realizing your agent’s a dud.

The tremendous excitement of receiving a contract with a great publisher. The sinking realization that you still have a whole lot of work to do on your manuscript and only a few months to get it done.

The joy of receiving the first round of advance review copies. The dread of finding that yep, there’s more words to be written and a just few weeks to write them.

The amazing experience of opening that first box of final copies and resisting the tempation to dump them on your bed and wallow in them. (Not good for the covers. Plus paper cuts.)

Then the dawning knowledge that you have to market the book, talk about the book, have your picture taken for the book, hound people to talk about the book. Daunting for an introvert for sure.

But then comes the moment when it suddenly all becomes real. A friend posts a photo of your books on display at a local bookstore and it hits you– people are going to buy your book and read it!

The stories you felt so worth telling are going to be read. The people you wrote about won’t be forgotten.

And you laugh and maybe cry, but mostly you stare the photo of the stacks of books and breathe a prayer of gratitude.