The Spirit of Hope

OCEANSIDE, Calif.,August 19, 2014/Christian Newswire/ -- Those meeting Charles Herchert will see a proud patriot boasting the perfect all-American family. However, Herchert's family history tells a powerful story of adversity, determination and eventual triumph over the grip of Nazi Germany.

Herchert knows it is a story that needs to be told, and he is now delighted to announce the release of 'The Spirit of Hope: A family's triumph over a storm of evil during WWII.' This autobiographical-style life story depicts his father's career as a German pilot during WWII, his shooting down over Africa and time in the United States as a Prisoner of War.

However, the most gripping part of the story is Herchert Senior's tireless determination to want only the best for his family; resulting in them leaving Germany at the end of the War and living their dream of a new life in the United States.

Synopsis:
In a fast-paced courageous account where truth is more powerful than fiction, Charles Herchert retraces the perilous journey of his family in Germany during World War II. This is the true story of a family whose lives were turned upside down with uncertainty as they struggled to survive each passing day during a dark, despairing time of utter chaos. It is the heroic account of hope and a father's determination to find his way back home from a treacherous abyss. The Spirit of Hope is a tribute to God's amazing grace.

"You'd think that someone would be totally opposed to upping sticks and starting a new life in a country where they were held as a Prisoner of War," explains Herchert. "But the truth is that my father experienced nothing but respect and dignity from the American guards, a testament to this great nation."

Continuing, "He was always a bold advocate for change and, when the war ended and society in Germany was somewhat stagnant, he decided we should build our lives from the ground up in a place where freedom and opportunity had a real definition. Almost seventy years later, look how far we have come. We literally wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my father's tenacity and the grace of God." 

This book makes a great individual read, recommend for media film distribution, resource for book clubs, libraries and educational institutions.

'The Spirit of Hope: A family's triumph over a storm of evil during WWII,' published by Xulon Press, is available now: amzn.to/1s4NiN0. 

About the Author:
Charles "Chuck" has two daughters, two sons, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Chuck and Mary live in Oceanside, California.

THE ROYS Ready To Bring Signature Sound To European Audiences

Select Dates In Denmark, Germany and U.K. May 1 - 5

Nashville, TN - Award-winning brother/sister duo THE ROYS will cover new territory May 1 - 5 as they make their European debut with select dates at two picturesque Danish Culture Houses, Germany's ever-popular 11th Annual Buehler Bluegrass Festival and the quintessential English theatre, Leicester Square. Hailed for their superb sibling harmonies, signature "Rootsy Bluegrass Country" sound and compelling original tunes, THE ROYS complement their vocal style with a vibrant and progressive instrumental attitude that has enchanted fans since the duo's first release.

TOUR DETAILS

May 1 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Karens Rninde Kulturhus
http://www.kmkulturhus.dk

May 2 - Aalborg, Denmark - Trekanten Culturehouse
http://www.visitdenmark.com/danmark/trekanten-bibliotek-og-kulturhus-gdk596162

May 4 - Buehl, Germany - International Buehler Bluegrass Festival
http://www.bluegrassfestivalbuehl.de

May 5 - London - Leicester Square Theatre
www.leicestersquaretheatre.com

For Lee and Elaine, these special dates represent a dream come true - and a good chance to dip their feet into the bigger global pond. "To say we are excited about going to Europe is an understatement," notes Elaine. "We are counting down the days!" The siblings believe that music is the universal language and hope that their music will resonate with the audiences overseas. "We want to show them that we love what we do and that we feel blessed to do it."

The two are studying some key phrases in Dutch and German, and Lee is looking forward to the challenge of driving on the "other" side of the road. "Elaine's scared to death of my driving here," Lee admits with a laugh. "I can't wait to see how fast she buckles up once I'm behind the wheel over there."

Lee and Elaine regularly perform over 150 dates a year across the U.S. and in Canada at venues ranging from festivals to more intimate music halls. They have become a favorite at Country Thunder and are honored to have performed at Bluegrass Nights At The Ryman, CMA Music Festival and the Tamworth Music Festival (Australia). THE ROYS have shared the stage with Bluegrass and Country legends and newcomers alike, including: George Jones, Ricky Skaggs, Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Doyle Lawson, Rhonda Vincent and many others.

Recently, the duo has been in the studio putting the finishing touches on their upcoming CD which is due in stores this summer. Their sophomore disc for Rural Rhythm Records, NEW DAY DAWNING (2012), debuted at Number 2 on the BILLBOARD Bluegrass Albums Chart in early September and two weeks later climbed to Number 1 on Amazon's Bluegrass Best Sellers list. The EP is currently on the BLUEGRASS UNLIMITED MAGAZINE Top 15 Chart and is one of SiriusXM BLUEGRASS JUNCTION's most played albums.

ABOUT THE ROYS
Born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts and raised across the border in New Brunswick, Canada, Lee and Elaine come from a unique musical family. Surrounded by song from their earliest memories, the siblings have become one of the hottest acts on the Bluegrass/Roots/Country scene. Last October, THE ROYS were named Inspirational Country Music's Bluegrass Artist of the Year (2012). They were previously honored with that award in 2011 and dubbed the organization's Duo of the Year in 2010 and 2009. The twosome have enjoyed success at radio and are the Bluegrass darlings of the media. They've appeared on CBS This Morning, Marie, Fox & Friends, Daytime, Daily Buzz, The Better Show and more. Additionally, they have appeared on the PBS programs Pa's Fiddle: Charles Ingalls, American Fiddler and Song of the Mountains, RFD-TV's Reno's Old Time Music Festival, CMC Australia/Sky TV-U.K. and Bluegrass Mountains TV Show.

www.theroysonline.com

New Book - 'In the Shelter of His Wings -- The True Story of a WWII Bomber Pilot Downed in Enemy Territory'

HAGERSTOWN, Md. During WWII, Lieutenant Leslie Monroe Sellers, now 92 years old, was copilot of a B-24 Bomber that was downed by enemy fire on September 11, 1944, over German occupied Holland. This is the true story of his plight while being hidden by the Underground.

"The plane's going down -- we have to bail out now!" This anguished cry demanded our immediate response. But what would happen if we bailed out? Would we be shot as we parachuted to the ground, or would we survive to live out our lives in prison camp? We were over German occupied territory. The date - September 11, 1944, and I was co-pilot of a B-24 Bomber that was on a mission to destroy a fuel plant in Magdeburg, Germany. Enemy fire had taken out our #3 engine, and the tail of our airplane had been ripped off by a collision with another plane. We had no choice but to jump!

These events happened to me, Leslie Monroe Sellers, during WWII. I was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Force. I am now 92 years old, and this book reveals my experience of being hidden by the underground in Holland for 214 days. Only my mother's prayers and the goodness and protection of God brought me through the many close scrapes I had with the Germans. Thanks to the Dutch Underground I was hidden in some very strange places, including under a manure pile!

My experiences in Holland taught me much, changing the way I look at life and death. I have included a 'Life Lesson' at the beginning of each chapter of the book.

Available from McDougal Publishers at publishing@mcdougal.org or from the author at shelterwings@gmail.com and coming soon at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble