Book signing at Once Upon a Time TODAY!!!

Once Upon a Time will be hosting a booksigning event with author Charity Maness, featuring her latest non-fiction release, "It's Lonely Here in Hell" Love Letters from Nam. A true story based on letters written home to Michelle Piper from PFC James Dennis Piper.

  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.

Book signing at Once Upon a Time 11-26-11

Once Upon a Time Mercantile will be hosting a booksigning event with author Charity Maness, featuring her latest non-fiction release, "It's Lonely Here in Hell" Love Letters from Nam. A true story based on letters written home to Michelle Piper from PFC James Dennis Piper.

  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.

Snaps Veteran's Day book signing a heartwarming event

On November 11, 2011 at precisely 11 am, Snaps Coffee House and Wine Bar in Copperopolis Town Square hosted a book signing highlighting local author Charity Maness and her latest non-fiction release "It's Lonely Here in Hell" Love Letters from Nam.

"It's Lonely Here in Hell" is a collection of love letters written by James Dennis Piper, a soldier that was killed in action in Vietnam Aprill 11, 1967, to his young bride Michelle Piper. 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.

Both Jim's younger brother Dennis and his widow Michelle (Micki) were at the event talking with people and listening to other's stories of loss and hope during that difficult time in our nations history.

The event was well attended and Sue and Randy Bresee, owners of Snaps and history buffs, clearly enjoyed hosting the event. They mingled, served, discussed and promoted, all while running a business.

Charity with son Nick

Cindy and Dennis Piper, Charity, Micki (Michelle) and Lary Phillips

Photos courtesy MD Portraits

Michelle Reiman

209-610-1273

"It's lonely Here in Hell" Love Letters from Nam booksigning...heartwarming

Book sales reaching over 60 was not the highlight of the evening, it was the outpouring of love and support from family and friends.
Two of Jim's brothers, Tom and Dennis, with their wives and families attended along with cousins and lifelong friends.
A heartmelting event occurred early in the evening when Swanee and Abel, high school friends of Jim's and Vietnam veterans arrived surprising Micki and bringing her to joyful tears. Quietly speaking to Micki, Abel slowly pulled a torn dollar bill from his billfold and explained that when he and Jim had deployed to Vietnam, Jim in the Army, Abel in the Air Force, Jim had torn a dollar in half and said "when we get home we'll have a beer." 44 years later Abel still carried the torn bill....on October 23, 2011 he gifted the torn bill to Micki.
Micki said she will frame it and place on the wall at her business, Micki & Larry's Sports Pub, beneath Jim's rubbing from the Vietnam Wall in D.C.  a gift from Marine Vietnam Veteran Ric Ryan.

Swanee, Micki , Abel

Nicole (Jim's neice) Micki, Larry

Nicole and author Charity Maness

Author Charity Maness meets Abel and Swanee (Jim's high school friends and Vietnam Veterans)

Upcoming booksignings (books will be available for purchase at events)

November 11, 2011 at 11am Snaps Coffee House and Wine Bar, Copperopolis Town Square 785-1616

November 11, 2011 3-4 pm Starbucks Angels Camp

November 26, 2011 12-2 Once Upon a Time Book store Copperopolis Town Square 785-6828