War Bonds

What a month!

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

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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

These are some beautiful chicks

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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.”

War Bonds

Dad

Tom Burnett at Harmond Field

 

 

 

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

Idaho, Illinois, Oregon, Connecticut, oh my!

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

11001726_10203518846031682_9073187678075970162_n[1]Jeri in Illinois.

10989956_10205255922333008_5526708086970131987_n[1]Cis in Idaho

IMG_20150222_151959~2Dean 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

Amazing turnout for War Bonds book launch

1798867_10203559455453968_7245892183934310853_n[1]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

Sneak Peek at War Bonds

 

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.

A Seat Next to You

A sophisticated Long Island gal met a boy from Detroit, in Indiana of all places, and launched a relationship that spanned seven decades — all thanks to a small slip of paper, drawn from a basket

 

 

War Bonds

The books are here!

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]

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.