Christmas series – Linda Mahkovec

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.

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.

She loves to make treats for the boys and often sends them home with extras for Lillian.

I imagine her apartment filled with fragrant baking and platters of cookies always on her kitchen table — gifts of love, ready to bestow.

So for Valentine’s Day, I selected images that Mrs. Kuntzman might have baked for Tommy and Gabriel.

I hope they help to sweeten your day!

(All images from my Pinterest boards.)

Christmastime drinks

Published on November 21, 2020December 9, 2020 by Linda Mahkovec - AuthorLeave a comment

Several readers of the Christmastime series have told me that they have a special ritual for beginning the books. They get comfortable in their favorite reading chair, adjust the lighting just so — perhaps lighting a candle, or if they’re really lucky, curling up in front of a fireplace — and most importantly, they have a cup of something hot at their side to sip on while reading. Hot chocolate, a cup of tea, a fragrant cup of coffee.

So, along with a few comments from readers, I’ve gathered some images from my Pinterest boards that might inspire you to do the same. Enjoy!

“We would recommend it for anyone looking for a good book to curl up with by the fireplace.”

“This is a perfect holiday novella to read on an overcast cold and windy November or December day.”

“You will want to wrap yourself in a warm blanket with a cup of hot-buttered rum or hot chocolate as you journey your way through this story.”

“A quick, tender hearted, holiday read, Christmastime 1939 will warm your heart in all the right ways. Snuggle up next to the fire, make yourself some cocoa, and settle in.”

“This is one of those series that I will probably reread every Christmas and make it my new tradition.”

“This is a great book to kick back and read with a nice cup of tea!”

“A great…story to read as Christmas approaches! Get some hot cocoa and jump into these books!”

An Old-fashioned Christmas Table

Published on December 18, 2019September 24, 2020 by Linda Mahkovec - AuthorLeave a comment

In the Christmastime series, baking, preparing meals, setting the table, and having meals together play a prominent role. Cookies and sweets are made days or weeks in advance, and embroidered table runners, bunches of holly, and candles decorate the table.

Below are images of beautiful and festive Christmas tables (all from Pinterest). Whether traditional, elaborate, or simple, a table set with love and a creative touch forms part of the heart of the holiday season.

Small details at each plate and splashes of red and green enliven the table and add interest.

Colorful fruits such as apples, pomegranates, and oranges add freshness and color.

Along with fruit, a few sprigs of greenery and pine cones bring the outdoor world inside and connect the holiday to an older way of celebrating the season.

And, always, candlelight adds a soft inviting glow and contrasts the cold snowy world outside to the warmth and comforts of home.

Merry Christmas

and best wishes for a wonderful holiday season!

The Christmastime Series

Stories of love and family set on the U.S. home front during the WWII years. https://amzn.to/2PUzM1Y

Christmastime 1939: images

Published on September 27, 2019September 24, 2020 by Linda Mahkovec - Author6 Comments

For all my books, I’ve created corresponding Pinterest boards to provide readers with a glimpse into the worlds I write about. The boards for the Christmastime series capture the charm of an old-fashioned Christmas, and a few black and white photographs help to provide a historical context.

Below are images for the introductory book in the series, Christmastime 1939: Prequel to the Christmastime Series. I hope you enjoy them!

In the prequel, we are introduced to the series’ main character, the young widow Lillian Hapsey, and her two sons, Tommy (8 years old) and Gabriel (5 years old). Many of the scenes involve Lillian’s determination to give them a happy Christmas.