the Christmastime series – Linda Mahkovec

Christmas Lights

Published on November 29, 2025November 29, 2025 by Linda Mahkovec - AuthorLeave a comment

Woven into the Christmastime series is the celebration of the season, where the brightness of the holiday contrasts with the darkness of war – opposing elements that help to shape the storylines.

Much of the bright cheerfulness of Christmas comes from deep-rooted traditions: enjoying family and friends over delicious meals,

the sharing of festive treats,

the old-fashioned joys of finding your Christmas tree and decorating it,

the child’s delight in Santa Claus and flying reindeer,

the thrill of a white Christmas.

Layered into the spiritual element that defines the season is the pervasive beauty that fills this time of year:

the deep resonance of traditional music and the joyful togetherness of caroling,

the fragrant woodsy beauty of pine trees, garlands, mistletoe and holly,

decorations that delight the eye and lift the spirit.

And perhaps the oldest and purest source of comfort and beauty comes from light in the darkness: the original form of fire found in bonfires, fireplaces, candles,

the old-fashioned multi-colored bulbs of my youth,

and the more recent fairy lights that bring a sense of twinkling magic.

All add nighttime magic, and comfort in the longer, colder nights.

I try to capture this contrast of light and dark in the covers of the Christmastime series. Lampposts glowing in the twilight and a city lit at night, symbolizing hope and the end of war,

Fewer, or a lonelier, single lit lamppost to reflect the darkest years of the war,

and the beauty of lamplight on snow, tinged with wistful yearning, for the new 1946 cover.

Christmas lights. In the long, cold nights of winter, they offer hope, comfort, magic, and beauty.

Click here https://a.co/d/0AdKGsB to begin the series

Women and the Workforce – WWII

Published on September 10, 2025November 14, 2025 by Linda Mahkovec - Author8 Comments

My latest book in the Christmastime series, CHRISTMASTIME 1946: A LOVE STORY, focuses on women in the workforce and the mixed feelings they had when the war ended and it was time for them to give up their jobs.

In WWII, the U.S. experienced a severe labor shortage as millions of men left to fight. The solution was to use women, along with minorities, immigrants, people with disabilities, teenagers, older adults, and retirees.

Before WWII, women were already working in large numbers (roughly 13 million) but in predominantly low-paying jobs: domestic service, clerical jobs, teaching, nursing, and textile factories. Most working women were young, lower-income, and single.

To fill the labor gap created by the war, over 6 million additional women joined the workforce – building aircraft, assembling tanks, producing munitions, and working in shipyards. They became welders and riveters, machinists and crane operators.

Others kept the country running – working as nurses and firefighters, managing offices, driving trucks and buses, working on the railroads,

delivering mail, working on farms and in food production, and countless other jobs.

Though it’s easy to idealize this period of opportunity for women, for many, it was grueling, hard work.

The war enabled women to move into higher-paying, traditionally male-dominated roles. However, it was clear from the beginning that it would be only “for the duration.” After the war, women were expected to leave their jobs to make room for returning servicemen. Rosie the Riveter had to go home.

Working women were essential to the war effort and they proved just how capable they were. While many were only too happy to return to their prewar lives, others grappled with a deep sense of loss — of higher-paying jobs, of greater freedom and independence, and of the profound satisfaction that came from being part of something larger.

Winter reading

Published on December 29, 2024January 28, 2025 by Linda Mahkovec - Author4 Comments

Cold weather, long nights, snowy days – all help to create the perfect atmosphere for snuggling into a good story.

I like to imagine my readers settling in to read the Christmastime series with a hot drink close at hand,

whether at home

or in a cozy cafe,

in a favorite reading chair,

or a reading nook.

Outside,

or in front of a fireplace.

Whatever your reading habits,

I hope you include the Christmastime series as part of your winter reading –

which begins with the 1939 prequel and ends (to date) with the 1946 Valentine’s Day book.

https://a.co/d/3SQIV8w

Wishing you all a wonderful new year and the enjoyment of many good books!

The scents of Christmas

Published on December 4, 2024December 29, 2024 by Linda Mahkovec - Author5 Comments

There are many scents that evoke the Christmas season – pine and citrus,

peppermint and gingerbread,

the spices of mulled wine and cider,

cookies being baked.

In the Christmastime series, https://a.co/d/7VG17Qu , old-fashioned ways of celebrating Christmas are woven throughout,

and the scents of Christmas play a big part. Especially the use of citrus and pine.

Greenery decorating a doorframe, mantel, or table,

sprigs of pine and cedar scattered throughout the house.

The cloves and citrus of pomander balls,

the preparation of orange-slice ornaments scenting the kitchen.

Scents can be powerful triggers of holiday traditions and good memories. Evergreens and colorful citrus fruits have the added benefit of also being beautiful and wholesome –

old-fashioned, natural seasonal decorations with scents that are both invigorating and calming.

This holiday, add some beauty and scent to your holiday decor with a bit of woodland greenery and refreshing citrus.

The Christmastime series (to date, years 1939-1946) https://a.co/d/7VG17Qu

Apple season

Published on September 14, 2024October 26, 2024 by Linda Mahkovec - Author1 Comment

There is something inherently cozy and comforting about apples.

Besides being beautiful and wholesome, they mark the beginning of the fall season — back to school, cooler temperatures, harvest time.

In the Christmastime series, apples abound. In New York City, Lillian packs them for sack lunches, and Mrs. Kuntzman uses them in her baking.

On Kate’s farm in the Midwest — and of course, at Annette’s upstate New York orchard —

apples are grown and turned into foods that can be enjoyed throughout the year, such as apple butter and applesauce.

There are apple pies and apple tarts.

Apple cider and apple cider donuts.

And there is apple picking, and walks through the orchard, where Lillian finds inspiration as an artist.

The fall and harvest time is upon us. Why not indulge in a caramel apple, bake an apple pie, or simply bite into a crisp, flavorful apple.

Valentine’s Day 1946: Sequel to the Christmastime Series

Published on February 1, 2023March 3, 2023 by Linda Mahkovec - Author8 Comments

I was so sure that Christmastime 1945 would be last book in the Christmastime series — just as I was sure that Christmastime 1940 would be the first book. Yet all it took was the suggestion that perhaps I could write a brief prequel, and then a maybe think about a short sequel, perhaps a Valentine’s Day book, and those little planted seeds grew into two more books.

Once again, I’m sure that the series is now complete. However, at this point, I’ve learned never to say never.

Here’s a link to a post related to the series: Valentine’s Day in Mrs. Kuntzman’s Kitchen: https://bit.ly/3J1tP0g

And for those of you who haven’t read one of my earliest books (short short stories), it will be FREE on Amazon Kindle from February 1st-5th, and available on Kindle Unlimited through March.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

(all images from my Pinterest boards)

Christmas Shopping

Published on November 29, 2022January 4, 2023 by Linda Mahkovec - Author4 Comments

Ah, the bustle of Christmas! Decorating your house for the holidays, cooking traditional family favorites,

shopping. Braving the crowds, the weather, the choices —

and returning home to relax with a mug of hot chocolate or a cup of tea.

In the Christmastime Series, Christmas shopping adds a sense of merriment and celebration to the season — whether it’s Lillian preparing for Christmas Night at the Brooklyn department store where she works (Christmastime 1939),

or Mrs. Murphy taking a store escalator up to the “North Pole” toy section to do some shopping for her nieces and nephews (Christmastime 1941),

or Izzy stopping to enjoy the window displays as she walks to work (Christmastime 1943),

or the sisters Ursula and Jessica browsing at the small-town stores in rural Illinois.

Christmas shopping. The sparkle of lights and tinsel, the scent of pine and cloves, the sounds of bells ringing and Christmas caroling heighten enjoyment of the season and deepen the pleasure of gift-giving.

Then —

And now.

Home Arts in the Christmastime Series – Part 2

Published on December 3, 2021January 10, 2022 by Linda Mahkovec - AuthorLeave a comment

In the Christmastime series, the home arts were always made of materials that Lillian, her sister Annette, and Kate and her daughters had close at hand. Sometimes this meant stepping outside to collect greenery, pine cones, and red berries.

A stroll around the orchard, farm, nearby woods — or for Lillian, Central Park — provided a way for them to bring nature indoors and decorate their homes for the holidays with winter bouquets, garlands, and wreaths.

A way to add a splash of color or a bit of charm throughout the house,

or to bring woodland beauty to the mantelpiece.

Orange slices were dried and combined with spices to decorate the Christmas tree and windows.

And of course, the holiday table was made more festive and colorful with holly, cranberries, and pine added to traditional desserts.

The home arts were a simple, old-fashioned way to make the home cozy and welcoming. Then and now, bringing the outside indoors is always a good idea.

All images from my Pinterest boards.

Home Arts in the Christmastime Series – Part 1

Published on November 11, 2021December 3, 2021 by Linda Mahkovec - AuthorLeave a comment

Throughout the Christmastime series, the home arts enrichen the lives and homes of Lillian in Manhattan, her sister Annette on her orchard in upstate New York, and Kate and her daughters Ursula and Jessica on their farm in the Midwest.

Knitting, sewing, crocheting, and embroidering were activities for early winter evenings while they listened to the radio, or sat near a fireplace with a hot drink at hand.

The home arts were practical and serviceable, yet at the same time, they were creative endeavors that added beauty and charm —

whether quilts that were lovingly made from salvaged scraps of fabric,

cozy afghans that kept away the winter chill,

or crocheted-edged pillowcases and handmade sachets that made sleep sweeter.

The Christmas holidays were made more festive with red and green embroidery,

and decorations using oranges, pine, and cranberries added color and scent,

and were used to trim the Christmas tree.

The home arts added a sense of comfort and love throughout the year but were especially welcome at Christmastime.

All images are from my Pinterest boards.

Valentine’s Day in Mrs. Kuntzman’s Kitchen

Published on February 6, 2021February 18, 2021 by Linda Mahkovec - Author3 Comments

Mrs. Kuntzman is the grandmotherly character in the Christmastime series who babysits Tommy and Gabriel. To the boys’ delight, she is an exceptional cook.