Tag: Barnes & Noble

War Bonds

The thrill ain’t gone

Cindy Hval

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Even a year after publication, it’s still a thrill to be asked to sign a stack of books! So grateful readers and booksellers are valuing War Bonds and the stories shared within.

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A recent reading at a local Barnes & Noble prompted a slew of interest and phone calls, so I was delighted to stop in and sign more copies.

As we head into Memorial Day weekend I’m even more conscious of the privilege I’ve had in being allowed to share these stories before they were lost.

I feel like “thankful” should be part of my signature.

War Bonds

Reading in the Hundred Acre Wood

Cindy Hval

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Spent a delightful evening at Barnes & Noble last night. I was joined by fabulous poet Zan Agzigian and amazing blues/jazz songstress Heather Villa for an evening of poetry, prose and song.

The reading was held in the children’s area of the store because that’s where they have the stage, so it was fun to read from Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood!

In addition to reading from War Bonds, I shared a portion of my work-in-progress, and the reception was warm and enthusiastic. A much-needed boost in the slow-going labor of writing my next book.

Even more fun was having my youngest son, 16-year-old Sam, in the audience.
“I love to hear you read,” he said. And he snapped the above photo.

At the signing afterward, a woman approached and asked me to sign a copy of War Bonds .

“It’s not my copy,” she explained. “It’s my 17-year-old daughter’s. She’s already read it several times and she often reads the stories aloud to me. She wants she and her fiance to be like the couples in your book, growing old together.”

How cool is that? A teenager who values the stories of the Greatest Generation! Nothing, makes me happier or more hopeful then know these stories are appreciated by the next generation.

 

Columns, War Bonds

Celebrate Love & Reading!

Cindy Hval

So excited for this special Valentine’s Day event!
Join me, Asa Maria Bradley, Kris Dinnison, Sharma Shields and many more authors at Barnes & Noble in Spokane Valley on February 14.

Event starts at 11 AM. I have to scoot out by 1 PM, but the author others will be there until 2.
Pick up a personalized copy of a book or TEN and give the gift of reading to someone you love.
Even better if that someone you love is YOU:-)
See you there!

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War Bonds

War Bonds = Resident Evil?

Cindy Hval

Oh, my! Some emails from readers just make my day. This one for example:

HI Cindy:

I have a funny story to tell you, I think you will smile–>

I enjoy reading your columns in the Spokesman Review, esp when you tell stories about your family. ( I am also a Mom, 3 kids). I enjoy your writing so much that I asked for your book for Christmas. My husband went to the Valley Barnes and Noble to purchase it for me though the store was out of stock. They put in a on-line order for him and the boxed book arrived in time for Christmas. When he opened the shipped book to wrap it, it was a “Resident Evil” book instead of yours!! ( we do not read “Resident Evil”).

I have attached a picture of the book that I returned to the store. ( She kinda looks like you, don’t you think?)

Barnes and Noble was STILL out of your book, but they offered to ship it to me!! I declined and said I would check out Auntie’s.

Keep up the good work,

Book cover

 

Looks like the author photo for my next book was leaked 🙂 Since the pending title is “Don’t Make Me Write a Column About This” the girl with a big gun thing kind of works, doesn’t it?

War Bonds

Santa and War Bonds

Cindy Hval

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This weekend I had my first book signing event on a military base. The folks at Fairchild AFB were great to work with and as you can see I had a great location at the Base Exchange entrance.

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Santa was also there just a few feet away.

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This was the real deal. Turns out authors top his nice list! And Santa tops mine. Another author was doing a signing nearby. He told us that teenage his granddaughter had recently died in a horrible car accident. A scholarship fund had been established in her name. They wanted to have Santa attend the fundraiser, but were told he’d charge $100 per hour.

This Santa took the author’s card and said, “Let me know the day and time of next year’s event and I’ll be there. No charge.”

Now that’s the Christmas spirit.

Speaking of,  books make great presents! Wrap up a copy of War Bonds today:-) Available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Independent booksellers nationwide.

 

 

War Bonds

Catching up with a sailor who became a preacher

Cindy Hval

War Bonds Loers

I had a wonderful time catching up with James and Helen Loer, today.

Their story is featured in Chapter 7, “From Sailor to Preacher.” I hadn’t seen the Loers since I interviewed them for the book, four years ago. I’m happy to report they are still married, though James assured me during the interview, “I can tell you right now this isn’t going to be romantic!”

 The Loers celebrated 67th anniversary in January.

War Bonds

The best part of being an author is spending time in bookstores!

Cindy Hval

Bookstores are the best places on earth and since War Bonds was released in February, I’ve spent a lot of time in bookstores.

On Friday, I had a reading at the Well-Read Moose in Coeur d’ Alene. This charming store features the perfect trifecta: books, wine and coffee! And my friend, Phil, aka Idaho Dad came to visit!War Bonds at the Moose

On Saturday, I signed copies of my books at Barnes & Noble in Spokane Valley. War Bonds BN ValleyA rainy day meant lots of people browsing the shelves. The staff was welcoming and wonderful and kept me supplied with coffee. Even better, War Bonds bride, Bonnie Shaw came to visit! War Bonds Valley BN

I love it when my War Bonds family attends a signing. The Shaw’s story is featured in  a chapter titled, “Little Things Add Up To Love.”

An even bigger surprise was a visit from Eric Loer and his family! He said, “I’m Eric and my picture is in your book!” War Bonds Chpt 7 James and Helen Loer with son, early 1949

Yep. That’s baby Eric above featured in his parent’s chapter “From Sailor to Preacher.”

And that’s Eric below with his wife, son and granddaughters.

War Bonds Valley BN Loers

At every signing or reading event, I feel like my War Bonds family grows.

What a wonderful thing!

If you weren’t able to attend these events, I signed lots of extra copies, so autographed books are available at both of these locations.

War Bonds

What a month!

Cindy Hval

10995923_10153087961739556_3470153634427158925_n[1]Cindy Hval at War Bonds book launch, February 22, 2015.

One month ago today marked the publication date for War Bonds: Love Stories From the Greatest Generation.   

What a month it’s been! Two weeks ago Casemate Publishers informed me the first print run of War Bonds had already sold out and new print run ordered! There are still copies in stores aross the nation, but the major book distributors are out and are waiting for the next run due on or before April 19.

To me this response means these stories resonate– not just with members of the Greatest Generation but their children and grandchildren, too.

Since the book launch at Auntie’s Bookstore, I’ve done several author reading/signing events. (See scheduled events here.) At each event people come up and share stories involving family members who served during WWll. Their stories move and inspire me.

I am so grateful to those who’ve purchased War Bonds and have written blog posts or posted reviews on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Goodreads. I’m thankful for the book stores, libraries and other groups who’ve invited me to do reading/signing events and most of all for the people who show up!

I’ve always felt these stories deserved to be shared and these people deserve to be honored for their committment and sacrafice on the battlefield and on the homefront.

How wonderful to find that so many agree.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Here’s to a third print run!

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War Bonds book launch at Auntie’s Bookstore, February 22, 2015.

 

War Bonds

Special guests make book signings better

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.11009995_860846953953933_7279905678144352977_n[1]