Author
The old real estate adage, “location, location, location,” came to mind Saturday when my book signing table was placed next to the Bestsellers table.
It was my first signing at a Hastings store. I have several more scheduled and I hope the other stores place me this close to the Bestsellers. It’s fun to dream about War Bonds showing up on that table!
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!
On Saturday, I signed copies of my books at Barnes & Noble in Spokane Valley. 
A 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! 
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!” 
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.
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.
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.” 
He 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.
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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!
![10984491_10153087958214556_3333040675051039268_o[1]](https://cindyhval.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/10984491_10153087958214556_3333040675051039268_o1.jpg)
War Bonds book launch at Auntie’s Bookstore, February 22, 2015.
What fun to hear from readers across the United States as copies of War Bonds arrive!
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Jeri in Illinois.
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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!
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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.![10411286_10152695030512338_2758579272347860213_n[1]](https://cindyhval.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/10411286_10152695030512338_2758579272347860213_n1.jpg)
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.
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.
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Kindle readers are already devouring War Bonds (e-reader versions released 2/10!) And now, Open Road Media, the marketing company promoting the digital sales of War Bonds, has released a sneak peek of the book!
Click the title below to read the full chapter.
Yesterday was a brutally long and busy day. But when I finally dragged myself through my front door– look what was waiting for me! ![10994337_846085385430090_4486539032574964268_n[1]](https://cindyhval.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/10994337_846085385430090_4486539032574964268_n1.jpg)
The books look fanatastic! I’m so pleased with the design. The folks at Casemate Publishers have done a great job with War Bonds.
From a vague idea five years ago, to a printed, hardcover, fully illustrated book today– it’s been a wild ride.
Cindy Hval 