Love Stories, World War II 

America’s World War II is most often told through the stories of its great battles, when an entire generation of our young men was suddenly thrust across the oceans to represent the New World in deadly combat against the great powers of the Old. On sea, in the air, and on land our boys fought against totalitarian powers that threatened to overturn the American ideal of liberty for every individual, even civilization itself.But while often forgotten, America’s women participated too. On the home front they were more than willing to share in the hardships of wartime, and in countless cases they fairly lived and breathed with support for our troops overseas. Whether working in factories or taking care of families, rationing or volunteering, their unflagging support contributed more to our victories than has ever been told.Young people have been falling in love since time began, but romance during a global conflagration brought a unique set of challenges. The uncertainty of the time led to an abundance of couples marrying quickly, after brief courtships. Others grew closer through intermittent correspondence, where the soldier was invariably censored by officers, yet true longing from either side invariably came through. It was the worst time at all to try to have a relationship; yet amazingly, thousands of couples created lifelong bonds.From blind dates to whirlwind romances to long separations, War Bonds highlights stories of couples who met or married during WWII. Each of the 30 stories begins with a World War II-era song title and concludes with a look at wartime couples in their twilight, as well as when they were so hopeful and young and determined to save the world. Illustrated with photographs from the 1940's as well as current ones of each couple, War Bonds offers readers a glimpse of bygone days, as well as a poignant glimpse of our own.During history’s greatest war it was no time to start a relationship. But many among our young men and women did so regardless, and in this book we see how amazingly the “war bonds” of that World War II generation so frequently endured.REVIEWS War Bonds is truly a heartwarming read, one that will renew your faith in commitment and marriage itself.Best of World War II Blogspot War Bonds eloquently tells the stories of the love for the 'girl back home' which sustained and gave courage to so many young men during times of great peril. A must read for any romantic. Tony Lamanna, director of Inland Northwest Honor Flight Mrs. Hval is a first-rate professional writer. War Bonds should be a bestseller, and not only a bestseller but a long-term seller. Patrick F. McManus, New York Times best-selling author of the Bo Tully mysteries.War Bonds is more than an introduction to World War II history. Every story in this collection fairly resonates with that mysterious kind of love we all hope to find―the kind that conquers and heals and lasts forever. Carol Edgemon Hipperson, author Radioman: An Eyewitness Account of Pearl Harbor & World War II in the Pacific and The Belly Gunner: An Eyewitness Account of Stalag 17 & World War II in EuropeWar Bonds is a refreshing change from most of the anthologies of today. The love stories of the couples featured in this book have stood the test of time , under the most difficult situations, leaving the reader spellbound. These stories brought to the fore by Cindy Hval, are true stories of how some extremely brave and loving couples, who were married at the onset of World War II, will help us to remember the lives of our parents or grandparents during that time when you never knew whether this would be the last time you ever saw some of your loved ones.Feathered Quill“Cindy Hval has a gift for telling a story and finding the nuggets that make them come alive – as I read, a flash of familiarity would wash over me – as if I just had the chance to really get to know the couple whose story I read. Put in the context of war, and that war, made history come to life – no longer history, but actual life....Love, love the love lessons – and the photos in between. I spent the majority of the time with tears in my eyes, imagining this or that. It takes a true storyteller to create that kind of connection. Cindy Hval is that kind of storyteller.” Beth Mary Bollinger, author, “Until the End of the Ninth”In 2008, when journalist Hval was sent by her editor at the Spokesman-Review of Spokane, Wash., to collect WWII-era love stories, she did not expect her initial skepticism to give way to admiration, or readers to also fall for the stories. Out of Hval’s reportage come 35 moving stories of couples who married or first met during WWII. Each selection takes its title from a song of the era, such as “Have a Little Faith” and “Little Things Add Up to Love.” In one of the most affecting tales, “The Luck of the Draw,” we meet an Englishwoman, Violet, who, despite telling her sister not to “get mixed up with an American” as they were “a little too friendly,” herself fell for one, Fenton. As with many of the couples depicted here, he shipped out to war not long after their 1944 meeting, but not before successfully proposing marriage; they married the next year, both wearing their uniforms. Each chapter includes photographs of the bride and groom either at the beginning of their unions or just before, as well as more recently; dates are given for anyone who has since passed away. Hval’s journalistic style restrains the potential sentimentality, which won’t prevent these glimpses of love in the face of war from winning over romantics everywhere. Publisher's Weekly - from Amzon