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Always Remembering
“Always Remembering” intricately weaves together the heartfelt love story of Mike and Helen, a real-life couple, amid the turmoil and battles of World War II. Their blossoming love, abruptly interrupted by the war, thrusts them into a world of separation, uncertainties, loneliness, and the relentless struggle to preserve their bond. Mike confronts the brutal realities of war, while Helen grapples with a domineering mother and a meddling family that strain their relationship. Intertwined within the narrative are unedited letters penned by Mike to Helen, signed with the touching “Always Remembering, Never Forgetting, Loving You Forever, Mike.” These letters and the nostalgic memories they evoke become their anchor amidst the chaos, empowering them to endure and cherish the person who captured their hearts.
From the tranquil streets of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the harrowing battlegrounds of the 42nd Rainbow Division, the pangs of heartache, and the destruction of war resonates deeply. In a story told through both of their perspectives, Mike, an outgoing, confident medic, and Helen, a diffident, humble grocer, bare their souls as they navigate situations beyond their control.
“Always Remembering”, seen through the lens of two ordinary souls is a testament to enduring love, unveiling the emotional toll and unseen collateral damage that war imposes on the human spirit. Echoing the essence of Capra’s stirring narratives, this captivating tale celebrates the resilience of love and the powerful strength found within treasured memories.
From the tranquil streets of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the harrowing battlegrounds of the 42nd Rainbow Division, the pangs of heartache, and the destruction of war resonates deeply. In a story told through both of their perspectives, Mike, an outgoing, confident medic, and Helen, a diffident, humble grocer, bare their souls as they navigate situations beyond their control.
“Always Remembering”, seen through the lens of two ordinary souls is a testament to enduring love, unveiling the emotional toll and unseen collateral damage that war imposes on the human spirit. Echoing the essence of Capra’s stirring narratives, this captivating tale celebrates the resilience of love and the powerful strength found within treasured memories.
430 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2022
3 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Kathy Kasunich
2 books3 followersKathy Kasunich, originally hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, now calls Williamsburg, Virginia, home. Her debut novel, Always Remembering, is a heartfelt historical fiction romance set against the backdrop of World War II. This captivating work, inspired by her father's service as a medic during the war, seeks to honor the everyday heroes of the Greatest Generation and has earned acclaim, including a bronze medal from the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA).
Kathy's short fiction is featured in the recently released anthology Christmas on the Bay. She was also honored as a finalist in the 2023 Golden Nib Awards for her poetry. Currently, she is crafting a new novel set in 18th-century Williamsburg, fueled by her love for historical contexts and the vibrant history of her surroundings.
As a dedicated member of the Chesapeake Bay Writers and the Writers Guild of Virginia, Kathy actively engages with the literary community to promote creativity and collaboration. In her spare time, she finds inspiration in photography, nature, and music, weaving these elements into her creative endeavors.
Kathy's short fiction is featured in the recently released anthology Christmas on the Bay. She was also honored as a finalist in the 2023 Golden Nib Awards for her poetry. Currently, she is crafting a new novel set in 18th-century Williamsburg, fueled by her love for historical contexts and the vibrant history of her surroundings.
As a dedicated member of the Chesapeake Bay Writers and the Writers Guild of Virginia, Kathy actively engages with the literary community to promote creativity and collaboration. In her spare time, she finds inspiration in photography, nature, and music, weaving these elements into her creative endeavors.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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July 2, 2024MWSA Review
Always Remembering is a WWII love story sharing the lives of characters before, during, and after the war. Set in various locations including Pittsburgh, US-based training camps, and Europe, the author paints vivid pictures of all. The story encapsulates not only the difficulties of those on the front lines, but also the struggles of those left behind with worry, rationing, and uncertain futures.
One of the things that separates this novel from other WWII love stories is that the author uses the specific words of the main characters—Helen and Mike— in Helen’s dialogue and Mike’s letters throughout much of the story. Mike was a prolific writer and a true romantic, even penning poetry and poetic prose while part of gruesome campaigns. His personality shines through in his letters with single letters ranging from serious discussions of soldiers home with mental problems to love to humor.
Although Helen and Mike were author Kathy Kasunich’s real-life parents, she doesn’t shy away from revealing emotions such as jealousy, impatience, and fear. Including these imperfections make her characters come to life, especially when they later regret having had those feelings. Those passages also remind the reader of how young and innocent many Americans were when the war broke out that would forever change their lives.
I’d highly recommend this book for anyone who wishes to take a look into the lives of two everyday citizens during WWII and see how their love, faith, and communication during challenging times helped them forge a stronger bond in the end.
Review by Valerie Ormond (June 2024)
Always Remembering is a WWII love story sharing the lives of characters before, during, and after the war. Set in various locations including Pittsburgh, US-based training camps, and Europe, the author paints vivid pictures of all. The story encapsulates not only the difficulties of those on the front lines, but also the struggles of those left behind with worry, rationing, and uncertain futures.
One of the things that separates this novel from other WWII love stories is that the author uses the specific words of the main characters—Helen and Mike— in Helen’s dialogue and Mike’s letters throughout much of the story. Mike was a prolific writer and a true romantic, even penning poetry and poetic prose while part of gruesome campaigns. His personality shines through in his letters with single letters ranging from serious discussions of soldiers home with mental problems to love to humor.
Although Helen and Mike were author Kathy Kasunich’s real-life parents, she doesn’t shy away from revealing emotions such as jealousy, impatience, and fear. Including these imperfections make her characters come to life, especially when they later regret having had those feelings. Those passages also remind the reader of how young and innocent many Americans were when the war broke out that would forever change their lives.
I’d highly recommend this book for anyone who wishes to take a look into the lives of two everyday citizens during WWII and see how their love, faith, and communication during challenging times helped them forge a stronger bond in the end.
Review by Valerie Ormond (June 2024)
June 8, 2022
The novel intricately weaves the war’s toll on the hearts of lovers and the fortitude of soldiers with an historical account of the 42nd Rainbow Division’s march through Europe and liberation of Dachau. The author expertly exposes the introspective, critical thinking of Mike, a medic as he battles war’s threat to his life
and the monumental responsibility of caring for wounded bodies and souls. The beauty of this soldier’s wartime narrative is the expose of his pure and consuming love for Helen, the sweetheart war ripped from his life. The story is told in his letters to Helen which reveal the uncertainty that war injects to the heart and mind of lovers. Will Mike remain true to Helen, and has Helen’s passion for Mike been compromised by distance, length of the war, wartime gossip or a hometown special interest? I thoroughly enjoyed the journey of one member of the greatest generation. Mike’s spirit and sincerity will touch your heart and his simple life well lived will resonate with all.
Jerome W
and the monumental responsibility of caring for wounded bodies and souls. The beauty of this soldier’s wartime narrative is the expose of his pure and consuming love for Helen, the sweetheart war ripped from his life. The story is told in his letters to Helen which reveal the uncertainty that war injects to the heart and mind of lovers. Will Mike remain true to Helen, and has Helen’s passion for Mike been compromised by distance, length of the war, wartime gossip or a hometown special interest? I thoroughly enjoyed the journey of one member of the greatest generation. Mike’s spirit and sincerity will touch your heart and his simple life well lived will resonate with all.
Jerome W
April 22, 2022
"Always Remembering" is a heartfelt tribute to the author's parents and their "everyday-person" love story. Being from the same generation as the author, many of the themes/interactions resonated with me and evoked feelings of nostalgia.
The book is simply written and is an easy read, but the story is compelling. The author's use of her father's letters provide the structure and direction of the book. The letters gave me insight into Mike’s character and his deep feelings of love for Helen. I found myself eagerly anticipating Mike’s next letter and can only imagine the excruciating anticipation Helen felt as she waited for news of Mike’s safety and if he still loved her.
Please read. You will not be disappointed.
The book is simply written and is an easy read, but the story is compelling. The author's use of her father's letters provide the structure and direction of the book. The letters gave me insight into Mike’s character and his deep feelings of love for Helen. I found myself eagerly anticipating Mike’s next letter and can only imagine the excruciating anticipation Helen felt as she waited for news of Mike’s safety and if he still loved her.
Please read. You will not be disappointed.
August 25, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. What made it stand above a typical WW2 love story is that this is the real story of the author's parents and how they met and how their love survived separation and war. It is enhanced by the actual letters written by Mike to his Helen during the years they were apart. My parents also met during the war and married and so I felt like I was reading a story so similar to what they went thorough. I even goggled maps to see the campaign path that Mike's division followed and compared it with my father's. They were both involved in liberating concentration camps and both ended up in Salzburg, Austria. Wouldn't it be funny to find out they shared a beer there one night. Recommended.
June 4, 2022
I truly loved Always Remembering because the characters were so relatable and authentic. This novel brings history to life with Mike's first hand accounts of life as a medic and Helen's heartfelt emotions. It is a compelling read emphasizing the power of memories, family and love which is cleverly all tied together at a tear-jerking ending. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves true romance and WWII enthusiasts.
October 15, 2022
A real page turner. Good book! For a first book it is a great book. It is a real treasure. The love oozes from it. I believe the letters from Mike are actual letters found in mother’s hidden stash of memories. The war part gives a true and natural flavor of what the young men experienced. It is a good example of ‘books are better than movies’. It is not a romance dime novel. It is quality historical fiction.
August 18, 2022
Love love loved it
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews