Casemate Publishers – Page 4

I had a wonderful time at the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Fall Trade Show in Portland, Oregon this weekend. My publisher invited me to join their Northwest sales rep and sign copies of War Bonds.

I met many wonderful booksellers from across the area and got to see my friends from Auntie’s Bookstore in Spokane and from The Well Read Moose in Coeur d’ Alene.

The show was packed with vendors, representatives from all sizes of publishing houses, authors and most importantly– independent booksellers.

These are the folks that get our books into the readers’ hands, so it was a wonderful opportunity to be able to personally introduce them to War Bonds.

Seeing booksellers’ eyes light up when I explain the premise of the book and show them the fabulous photos within it was great fun, and Portland is a fabulous city to visit.

War Bonds

Sharing Hearts– and War Bonds!

October 1, 2015 Cindy Hval

I had a wonderful time in Davenport, Washington, where I was the guest speaker for The Lincoln Hospital Foundation’s annual Sharing Hearts Luncheon.

The organizer had adorned the stage with her father-in-law’s WWll uniform and her mother’s wedding dress.

They had this beautiful book table set up for me and I ended up selling every copy of War Bonds: Love Stories From the Greatest Genereration, I had!

The people of Lincoln County are gracious and generous. It was a delight to be a part of their yearly fundraising campaign.

War Bonds

What the flag meant to one WWll POW

July 4, 2015 Cindy Hval

I’ve shared this section from chapter one of War Bonds at just about every reading I’ve done. I don’t think I’ve ever read it without choking up.

Last week I shared it with a group and once again my voice caught and I had to pause and blink away tears. When you celebrate Independence Day today and see the flags waving from wherever you are, please remember freedom isn’t free. That’s more than a cliche– that’s the truth.

And remember my friend Jerry Gleesing, who knew that truth so well.

After three and a half months as a prisoner of war, Jerry’s camp at Mooseburg, Germany was liberated. “We saw the tanks come over the hill,” he recalled. “Everyone was whooping and hollering. Then the American flag was raised, and it was dead silent.” His voice broke. “It was like coming home.”

War Bonds: Love Stories From the Greatest Generation.

War Bonds

Thoughts From the Road

June 29, 2015June 29, 2015 Cindy Hval

Spent some time sharing War Bonds: Love Stories From the Greatest Generation with readers in Wenatchee, WA. and had a signing event at a wonderful indie bookstore in Leavenworth this weekend.

Safely home now, but the Sleepy Hollow wildfire is burning in the area I just left. Many homes have been evacuated and my thoughts and prayers are with the people in Wenatchee during this fire season– especially my family there.

The reading at the Wenatchee Public Library was especially cool, because my sister and her family live in Wenatchee and my niece works at the library!

The crowd was wonderfully responsive and asked some great questions during the Q&A time.

Then it was on to Leavenworth, WA and the delightful bookstore, “A Book For All Seasons.”

This store is a must visit when in Leavenworth. They have a great selection of books and a welcoming, knowlegeable staff.

Perhaps not all authors will agree, but for me the best thing about being an author is meeting wonderrful readers and interacting with bookstore staff. It’s good to be home, but I’ll never forget the people I’ve met during this adventure.

War Bonds

War Bonds and the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society

June 8, 2015June 8, 2015 Cindy Hval

Had a wonderful time sharing excerpts from War Bonds with the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society on Saturday afternoon. The group was celebrating its 80th anniversary.

The Q&A time was especially interesting as these folks had some thoughtful questions.

We talked about how our stories connect us. Whether it’s learning about our ancestors or celebrating the lives and marriages of members of the Greatest Generation, knowing our stories and sharing them creates a framework for our future.

War Bonds

Thanks for the memories

June 5, 2015June 5, 2015 Cindy Hval

Author Deanna Davis gave a copy of War Bonds to her stepmom and received this lovely thank you note which she shared with me.

Her stepmom writes, “The stories moved me to tears many times remembering your dad and the special relationship we shared.”

Notes like this lift my spirits during this busy and often exhausting season of readings, signings and speaking engagements. The greatest gift you can give an author is to let her know that you connected with the words on the page.

War Bonds

Every 3 minutes we lose a precious piece of history

June 4, 2015June 4, 2015 Cindy Hval

Approximately every three minutes a memory of World War II – its sights and sounds, its terrors and triumphs – disappears.

According to statistics released by the Veteran’s Administration, our World War II vets are dying at a rate of approximately 492 a day. This means there are approximately only 855,070 veterans remaining of the 16 million who served our nation in World War II.

In writing War Bonds: Love Stories From the Greatest Generation, I was able to preserve the stories of 36 couples– their memories of the war and their reflections on building a lasting love in its aftermath.

Thirty six stories.

A drop in the bucket.

It’s the untold stories that haunt me.

War Bonds

War Bonds on Northwest Profiles: Watch Now!

May 29, 2015May 29, 2015 Cindy Hval

I’m really happy with the work Bob Lawrence and Bill Fitzner did on this segment of Northwest Profiles featuring War Bonds couples Harold and Shirley Tucker and Myrt and Walt Powers.

It’s so wonderful to have video of these special people and to be able to have them share snippets of their stories in their own words.

Click here to see the segment. http://video.ksps.org/video/2365498944/

PS: The War Bonds book giveway sponsored by Spokane Talks Online, is still going on. Enter to win here!

War Bonds

Stay Tuned: War Bonds to be featured on Northwest Profiles

May 19, 2015 Cindy Hval

So thrilled that two of the couples featured in War Bonds: Love Stories From the Greatest Generation will appear in a segment of “Northwest Profiles” a program on KSPS TV.

Here are Harold and Shirley Tucker being interviewed by producer Bob Lawrence. The Tucker’s chapter is titled “Romance on Wheels.”

Have to admit I teared up when Harold said, “We love each other now more than ever.”

Bob Lawrence made sure to get their autographs!

Then it was out to Cheney where Myrt and Walt Powers were interviewed. They have a unique story “The Marine and the Sailor.” Myrt was the Marine. Or is the Marine. As she said, “There are no ‘former’ Marines.”

This six-minute segment will air at 7 PM on Thursday May 28th on KSPS TV. The stations coverage area includes Western Montana to Central Washington and from Oregon north to Central Alberta.

Hope you’ll all tune in to hear and see these amazing people. You’ll be glad you did!

War Bonds

Catching up with a sailor who became a preacher

May 13, 2015 Cindy Hval

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.