In Love With Freedom

In Love With Freedom, an epic story about a Romanian Princess' life and quest for a fragile and often elusive principle that seems so basic to Americans. Yet in her gripping story, one grows to understand what she means when Catherine states flatly, Eskimos have over two hundred words that mean snow, of course, they have much of it. In some countries, there is no word for freedom. Come on a fascinating story of one of the most dynamic people of the Twentieth Century. This engrossing story is a true account as told to the author by the Princess. There are royal and arranged marriages, kidnappings, orphans, great gatherings, and unspeakable suffering. Hunger and disease next to palatial opulence, defiling and maiming, and passionate love. It is a captivating tale of a woman's courage and heroism, unrequited and unequivocal love, generosity and giving, great joy and accomplishment. Most of all it is a story of faith and hope. Imagine being born as one of the wealthiest heiress in Europe... only to be kidnapped before your 3rd birthday, by your father. Picture growing up in a series of orphanages and finding out you're a princess from a country you have never heard of and don't even know the language. What would it be like to go from orphan rags to a life where the only suitable clothes could be found in Paris? How would you like being courted by a Prince at a ball in your palace with 300 guests? Could you ever put everything on the line to save the lives of foreigners who were relentlessly bombing not only your country but also the very sources of your great wealth! Is it even possible to think of escaping from your country at the bottom of an oil barge with the added challenge of being given a cyanide pill to swallow to avoid unspeakable alternatives if captured?

What people are saying about In Love With Freedom …How could the Princess' story never have been told before? From her royal birth and kidnapping to her fleeing the Communist takeover, I was hooked. This has got to be made into a movie! (retired teacher) … Princess Catherine's story is both universal and uniquely compelling and should be told/read in every freedom-loving town in America. (Librarian) … I will never have the opportunity to meet Princess Catherine. However, after reading her amazing story, I wish I had. (Librarian) … In Love With Freedom reads like a movie! (book clubber) … I thought her story was very touching yet she showed how she was tough and brave! (6th grader) … You must read this book. In Love With Freedom cost me a full night's sleep because I could not put it down. (critic) … Being a veteran and an employee of an aviation company that produces military aircraft and an amateur history buff, I have found a personal connection to In Love With Freedom. (Veteran) … I had to remind myself that although the book read like a work of fiction, this did actually happen. (Librarian) … I will remember that story about the Princess forever! (5th grader) … All Americans can learn something from Princess Catherine's story. (Veteran) … Had it been possible for her to meet our Founding Fathers, I believe she would have held her own and at the least engaged them in some very spirited discussion and debate. I came away very impressed with this woman's perseverance and commitment to the basic principles of independence. (Librarian) … I can't tell you if it's a history book that reads like a Hollywood thriller or a historical novel that puts me in the lap of one of the most fascinating women of the Twentieth Century. (book clubber) …The subtitle identifies it as the "true story of a remarkable woman." That is an understatement. It is, rather, the astonishing and riveting true story of an amazing woman. (newspaper columnist) … Should be mandatory reading for all who take freedom for granted – and that's a majority of us! (Veteran) … I absolutely loved it. I cried at the end. (reader's letter) … Everyone certainly appreciated the inspirational story that you related about Princess Catherine of Romania and how her heroism touched the lives of so many. (Librarian) In Love With Freedom will appeal to anybody with an interest in history, in World War II, or to anyone who just simply wants to spend an enjoyable read of a wonderful story. (Librarian) … Made me hate to put it down and anxious to return to it! (Veteran) … My wife and I read your book and found it to be a fascinating, really beautifully written story of freedom. The princess' quest to go back to each pilot to thank them for saving her country is an incredible testament to the human spirit and capacity for true gratitude… (reader) … Steve keeps her dream alive of spreading the message of freedom across the world by telling her inspiring story. (Librarian) … Having been, in my first life a history teacher, I have always loved reading good historical non-fiction. This is way more than that. Once I started, I could not put it down. (Retired administrator and teacher) …Thank you so much for a lovely evening spent sharing the life of Princess Catherine. Her life is one of hope, courage, and inspiration; thank you for telling her timely and timeless story. (Librarian) …The subject of his book and presentation, Princess Catherine of Romania, was a truly fascinating and remarkable person. I was enthralled.

Steven E. Aavang was born in the American heartland, Woodstock Illinois. He has an undergrad degree in Political Science from Western Illinois and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Northern Illinois University. Steve started his work life as a teacher, and shifted to executive director of a municipal association, and had since evolved into real estate development for a national company. In between and through it all he has written several books. In Love With Freedom came about in large part from the coincidence of the author's love of history and the president of the municipal association who had a painting in his office that the author noticed. It was a bomber dropping its load in an obvious mission in WWII. The next question, "Were you in the war?", lead to a fascinating journey that began with the veteran's display of memorability in his office, to a trip to the Wright Patterson Air Force base and Museum in Dayton, Ohio for a date with a princess. Princess Catherine Cantacuzene Caradja of Romania lived a very full 100 years that included "cooperating " with Nazi invaders, escaping from the death shroud of Russian Army "liberators" who became occupiers, and a 50-year love affair with 1400 American aviators. This princess had a story to tell and was happy to share it with the author with the hope that others like you will read and learn from her story.