War Bonds

No extra charge for tear-stained copy

June 15, 2015 Cindy Hval

It was pretty quiet at the South Hill Hastings store at Friday’s signing event. But then a woman my age stopped to get a book signed. She called her mom over and her mom said she and her husband celebrated their 47th anniversary yesterday .
“He had a stroke seven years ago,” she said. ” I cared for him at home as long as I could, but he finally had to go to a nursing home. So, last night I broiled a steak and made a shrimp salad and took it to his room. We had the most wonderful celebration!”
And then her eyes filled with tears.
And so did mine.
PS: They don’t charge extra for copies dampened with the author’s tears

War Bonds

A city that appreciates military service

May 14, 2015 Cindy Hval

. The Spokane Lilac Festival has established a long-held tradition of celebrating local military personnel as well as law enforcement, firefighters and teachers at their annual All City Civic Military Luncheon.

It was such an privilege to be invited to be their guest speaker and to share about War Bonds at the event.

Like the members of the Greatest Generation, the men and women recognized today, understand courage, committment and sacrifice. What better way to honor Greatest Generation than to continue to build on the foundation they laid for us?

So proud that Spokane continues to be a city where military service is recognized and applauded.

War Bonds

A visit with a reader in Colorado

April 29, 2015 Cindy Hval

Yesterday, I got this note from Casemate Publishers.
“We had a reader call, and she would like to thank you for War Bonds. She was a WWII bride, who recently lost her husband.”
So, I called Gloria in Colorado and we had a lovely visit. She said, “I just finished War Bonds: Love Stories From the Greatest Generation and I wish it was TWICE as long. It just took me back.”

Like so many War Bonds couples, she and her husband met on a blind date. “When he got back to the barracks that night, he told his buddies, ‘I just met the girl I’m going to marry!'” Gloria recalled.

They married only to spend the first year of their life apart as her husband served overseas. “I loved being an Army wife,” she said.”My husband and I lived through all those things you wrote about.He passed away last month at 95. We had 69 happy years together.”

She thanked me for calling. “I just wanted to tell you how much I loved War Bonds. I can’t wait for your next book.”

I hung up the phone, humbled that she’d enjoyed the book enough to call my publisher and tell them. Conversations like this, from people who lived through WWll are a privlege I don’t take lightly.

Thank you, Gloria.

War Bonds

Cindy Hval interview on Spokane Talks Online

April 14, 2015 Cindy Hval

Had a lovely conversation about War Bonds with Kent Adams of Business Talks.

You can dowload the podcast or just click the link and listen online. The program is Business Talks: War Bonds— the 5th one down from the top.

Enjoy!

Thanks SpokaneTalks Online!

War Bonds

For Victory Buy War Bonds!

March 27, 2015 Cindy Hval

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!

March 19, 2015 Cindy Hval

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!

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

War Bonds

Special guests make book signings better

March 16, 2015 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.

War Bonds

The story in her hands

March 13, 2015 Cindy Hval

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

March 12, 2015 Cindy Hval

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

March 6, 2015March 6, 2015 Cindy Hval

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.”