Tag: books

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

Gift idea! Hint: Mother’s Day is coming!

Cindy Hval

Okay. This lovely lady got a copy of “War Bonds” for her birthday, but still– don’t you think books make great gifts?
Also, notes and pictures like this just make my day. Keep ’em coming 🙂

Kerri's Mama Reads War Bonds“My mother, Alice Rankin, was thrilled with the autographed copy of War Bonds: Love Stories From the Greatest Generation that I gave her for her 84th birthday today. My late father, Ron, was a WWII and Korean War veteran and my parents had been married for 55 years when he died in 2004. Thanks Cindy!”

War Bonds

Together Again

Cindy Hval

At last night’s “War Bonds” event at Studio 107 in Coeur d’Alene, I learned Nick Gaynos had passed away on April 1.

I can’t be too sad, since he so wanted to be with his beloved Tex who died June 3, 2014.  And I’m beyond delighted that he was able to attend the reading at the Coeur d’Alene Public Libary on March 11 and receive his copy of “War Bonds.” 20150311_184658He brought the piece of shrapnel that almost nailed him at Pearl Harbor to the reading. When he turned to the chapter (Damn Yankee) about he and his bride, he lingered over her photos. “Isn’t she pretty?” he asked.

Yes, she is, Nick and I’m so happy you’re together again.Gaynos RB

 

War Bonds

Special Book Signing Event With WWll Couple

Cindy Hval

War Bonds Valley B&N

Cindy Hval with Rusty and Marie Clemons

I was delighted to spend a little bit of time with Rusty and Marie Clemons yesterday at a local Barnes & Noble store. We had an impromtu signing because their daughter was visiting from Montana and wanted to take a stack of War Bonds back with her.

Rusty and Marie have been married 68 years and are still just as sweet and fiesty as ever. Their story is told in Chapter Six “Dishpan Hands.”

War Bonds

Letter from Maryland (Hooray for Libraries!)

Cindy Hval

Just received this wonderful note from Mary in Maryland.

Mrs. Hval,

I saw your book “War Bonds” on a display table at my local library in Cockeysville, Maryland and checked it out. I had recently read “War Brides” by Helen Byran, a historical fiction, so I was most interested in reading another aspect of marriage/relationships during WWll– this one true. I very much enjoyed your book.

You are so right to remind us about the “greatest generation” and all that they did for us. Thank you again for writing your book so we could learn about these special couples. I look forward to reading your next book.

I now enjoy reading your column in the “Spokesman Review”– life on the west coast is not much different from life on the east coast. I can relate.

Beyond thrilled that War Bonds is being read across the U.S. and hooray for all the libraries that place it on their shelves!

War Bonds

For Victory Buy War Bonds!

Cindy Hval

War Bonds WWll Poster

This is a great slogan, but probably not for my book:-)
I’m often asked about the book’s title.
When I first started writing it, I posted a Facebook message and asked folks to help me come up with a title. I got so many great suggestions, I’m going to doing it again with my next book!

David Townsend, communications director for the Coeur d’Alene Public Library suggested “War Bonds.” I added the subtitle and “War Bonds: Love Stories From the Greatest Generation” was born.

War Bonds were sold to help finance WWll.  According to the National WWll Museum, “You could purchase a $25 War Bond for $18.75. The government would take that money to help pay for tanks, planes, ships, uniforms, weapons, medicine, food, and everything else the military needed to fight and win.”

For me “War Bonds” immediately brings to mind WWll, and I thought it a perfect metaphor for the bonds forged between couples during that time.

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

The story in her hands

Cindy Hval

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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

Cindy Hval

20150311_184658

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

Cindy Hval

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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.”