"It's Lonely Here in Hell" Love Letters from Nam is NOW Available!!
Due to an expedited publishing and editing, my latest book is now available...no need to wait until November.
To purchase immediately visit my e-store click https://www.createspace.com/3627313
It will also be available on Amazon.com within 7-10 days and will be coming out on Kindle before Christmas.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Sample Query for "It's Lonely Here in Hell" Love Letters from Nam
“It’s Lonely Here in Hell” Love Letters from Nam, By, Charity Maness
April 9, 1967, in a letter from Jim Piper to his young bride Michelle, he wrote, "I thank God each night for my wife and my life and also enjoy each breath that I take and praise every morning I wake up too. It means another day gone, another day I'm alive and another day closer to being home with my wife forever."
PFC James Dennis Piper was in killed in action two days later on April 11, 1967 in the jungles of Vietnam.
Each handwritten letter from Jim to Michelle has been carefully transcribed and historical documentation has been added. Cross referencing and correlating data from sources such as declassified CIA documents, Pentagon Papers and unrestricted use of Weider History Group archives has created a historically correct and profound journey through eight months of the Vietnam War. Chronologically juxtaposing Jim's personal and tender letters written to his young bride with public facts and documents of the war on each of those same dates allows the reader an intimate and compelling snapshot of that time in history.
The book is complete at 245 pages in a 5 x 8 binding, containing all letters written to Michelle from August 30, 1966 to April 9, 1967, snapshots of Piper, his awards, the Vietnam wall, copies of documents, and interviews with his brothers and his widow.
Charity is the proud mother of a United States Marine and active in Veteran programs throughout her community and beyond. This work is just the beginning of her journey into the hearts, the minds and the souls of Veterans who have seemingly been forgotten.
April 9, 1967, in a letter from Jim Piper to his young bride Michelle, he wrote, "I thank God each night for my wife and my life and also enjoy each breath that I take and praise every morning I wake up too. It means another day gone, another day I'm alive and another day closer to being home with my wife forever."
PFC James Dennis Piper was in killed in action two days later on April 11, 1967 in the jungles of Vietnam.
Each handwritten letter from Jim to Michelle has been carefully transcribed and historical documentation has been added. Cross referencing and correlating data from sources such as declassified CIA documents, Pentagon Papers and unrestricted use of Weider History Group archives has created a historically correct and profound journey through eight months of the Vietnam War. Chronologically juxtaposing Jim's personal and tender letters written to his young bride with public facts and documents of the war on each of those same dates allows the reader an intimate and compelling snapshot of that time in history.
The book is complete at 245 pages in a 5 x 8 binding, containing all letters written to Michelle from August 30, 1966 to April 9, 1967, snapshots of Piper, his awards, the Vietnam wall, copies of documents, and interviews with his brothers and his widow.
Charity is the proud mother of a United States Marine and active in Veteran programs throughout her community and beyond. This work is just the beginning of her journey into the hearts, the minds and the souls of Veterans who have seemingly been forgotten.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Copyright!!!!
Received my copyright today...the book is MINE ... ALL MINE!!!
Whew!
Now just to get it printed up and out there:)
Thank you all for your support. I guarantee that this creation is well worth the wait.
Whew!
Now just to get it printed up and out there:)
Thank you all for your support. I guarantee that this creation is well worth the wait.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Perusing my site
Well, I just finished perusing my site and found it to be an adventure.
For those of you that have traveled about within the pages of this blog you will no doubt notice the variety of genres my writing encompasses. While some are wonderful romances of second chances at love, others are simply the musings of a city girl involuntarily turned country girl. But none has stretched my emotional fabric and mental strength as much as "It's Lonely Here in Hell" Love Letters form Nam.
As I unfolded each musty letter, some stained from jungle mud, Jim Piper quickly became my friend and my brother, and hauntingly the voice of my own son as he lived through the same experiences 44 years later in a different country, a different war, with parallels undeniable.
Jim's voice is the voice of so many young men that have gone before him and will fall long after his story is told, boys that became men serving our country, in the face of grave danger and unforgiving lands, boys that need to be remembered for not only their service, but for their irreplaceable existence in someones life.
I hope as this story is read and shared, people will begin to see each Veteran that proudly wears the Vietnam Veteran hat, pin, patch, or scars- seen and unseen- as someone's son, friend, brother, father, someone that fought when their country called upon them, someone that deserves our respect and honor.
For those of you that have traveled about within the pages of this blog you will no doubt notice the variety of genres my writing encompasses. While some are wonderful romances of second chances at love, others are simply the musings of a city girl involuntarily turned country girl. But none has stretched my emotional fabric and mental strength as much as "It's Lonely Here in Hell" Love Letters form Nam.
As I unfolded each musty letter, some stained from jungle mud, Jim Piper quickly became my friend and my brother, and hauntingly the voice of my own son as he lived through the same experiences 44 years later in a different country, a different war, with parallels undeniable.
Jim's voice is the voice of so many young men that have gone before him and will fall long after his story is told, boys that became men serving our country, in the face of grave danger and unforgiving lands, boys that need to be remembered for not only their service, but for their irreplaceable existence in someones life.
I hope as this story is read and shared, people will begin to see each Veteran that proudly wears the Vietnam Veteran hat, pin, patch, or scars- seen and unseen- as someone's son, friend, brother, father, someone that fought when their country called upon them, someone that deserves our respect and honor.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Book release coming soon
An e-store has been set up for "It's Lonely Here in Hell" Love Letters from Nam.
As soon as the title is released, (anticipated release date 11-11-11) this e-store will have copies on hand, amazon.com may be a few days behind, as will Barnes and Noble.com.
Here is the link to get your copy as soon as it is released.
https://www.createspace.com/3627313
If you live in Copperopolis, Once Upon a Time on the Square will be carrying copies as soon as they become available.
If you think your local bookstore would like to carry my title please have them contact me at charitymaness@live.com.
Again I thank you all for your support.
As soon as the title is released, (anticipated release date 11-11-11) this e-store will have copies on hand, amazon.com may be a few days behind, as will Barnes and Noble.com.
Here is the link to get your copy as soon as it is released.
https://www.createspace.com/3627313
If you live in Copperopolis, Once Upon a Time on the Square will be carrying copies as soon as they become available.
If you think your local bookstore would like to carry my title please have them contact me at charitymaness@live.com.
Again I thank you all for your support.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Comment from Editor
In “It’s Lonely Here in Hell” Love Letters from Nam, Charity Maness has masterfully met the challenge of presenting PFC James Piper's letters from Vietnam and his all-too-early death into a book resonant with his character and truthful to all time.
Chronologically juxtaposing the personal and tender letters nineteen-year-old Jim wrote to his young bride, Micki, with the public facts of the war on each of those same dates, Maness artfully lets the materials speak for themselves. And they do--powerfully. You won't be able to put it down.
Michelle Piper's courageous move to entrust these letters to Charity Maness' care is abundantly rewarded. The author has created a heartfelt and insightful tribute to Jim Piper, the hopeful and loving young husband, and the resolute soldier he must become. What an achievement!
Judy Hewett, MFA, Professor of English
Chronologically juxtaposing the personal and tender letters nineteen-year-old Jim wrote to his young bride, Micki, with the public facts of the war on each of those same dates, Maness artfully lets the materials speak for themselves. And they do--powerfully. You won't be able to put it down.
Michelle Piper's courageous move to entrust these letters to Charity Maness' care is abundantly rewarded. The author has created a heartfelt and insightful tribute to Jim Piper, the hopeful and loving young husband, and the resolute soldier he must become. What an achievement!
Judy Hewett, MFA, Professor of English
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Received my first edited proof back!
Recently I send out five proofs to editors and critiquers. I have been on pins and needles since. SO nervous.
I received my first edited copy back the other day and suprisingly very few corrections!! Yipee!!!
But the best news? The proof received rave reveiws and kudos. This from a person I respect and admire greatly, oh, and an English Professor:)
As soon as the rest of the edited versions come back I will be able to pin down a pre-release book signing date.
Thank you all for your support and encouragement!!!
I received my first edited copy back the other day and suprisingly very few corrections!! Yipee!!!
But the best news? The proof received rave reveiws and kudos. This from a person I respect and admire greatly, oh, and an English Professor:)
As soon as the rest of the edited versions come back I will be able to pin down a pre-release book signing date.
Thank you all for your support and encouragement!!!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Proof four off to editors
My fourth proof, yes I make that many changes, of "It's Lonely Here in Hell" Love Letters from Nam, is off in the mail to the selected editors and critiquers:)
I am so nervous, I can't wait for their feedback.
I am so nervous, I can't wait for their feedback.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Back cover of "It's Lonely Here in Hell" Love Letters from Nam
April 9 , 1967, in a letter from Jim Piper to his young bride Michelle, he writes, "I thank God each night for my wife and my life and also enjoy every breath that I take and praise every morning I wake up too. It means another day gone, another day I'm alive, and another day closer to being home with my wife forever."
PFC James Dennis Piper was killed in action two days later, on April 11, 1967 in the jungles of Vietnam.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
"It's Lonely Here In Hell" ...progress report
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Jim Piper's family the other weekend and hear their memories and stories. They brought amazing memorabilia such as ; Jim's flag, his medals, letters of condolences from his commanding officer and others as well as the original "we regret to inform you" telegram.
An amazing day with some incredibly strong and resilient people.
The book is in its final stages now, hitting , hopefully, my last proof before it goes off to be critiqued by a few special individuals.
After that..it will go to final printing!!!
WOOHOO!!
An amazing day with some incredibly strong and resilient people.
The book is in its final stages now, hitting , hopefully, my last proof before it goes off to be critiqued by a few special individuals.
After that..it will go to final printing!!!
WOOHOO!!
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