Linda Mahkovec

Lillian, a widower with two sons, wants them to enjoy this Christmas. They live in Brooklyn. She works for an unappreciative boss. When the housewares manager discovers Lillian's art talent and provides an opportunity for her to use it, Lillian's dreams are rekindled. A friend helps her see she may be able to make those dreams come tree. I did not read the other books in the series, but this prequel can be enjoyed by others wanting a nice gentle read. I won this in a GoodReads giveaway. Although an honest review was appreciated, it was not required.… (altro)

Linda's Book Obsession Reviews "Christmastime 1945" "A Love Story" by Linda Mahkovec

WOW! Linda Mahkovec, Author of "Christmastime 1945" has written a memorable, mesmerizing, enthralling, riveting, and captivating novel that is so heartfelt and thought-provoking. The Genres for this novel are Historical Fiction, Fiction, and Romance. There is suspense and some mystery. This is the finale and last book in "The Christmastime Series" and the author goes the extra mile to make all the pieces of the story fit like a completed puzzle. Most of the questions that you want to be answered are, and the surviving characters and some new additions have their stories wrapped just like a Christmas present. The colorful and dramatic cast of characters each has their own sets of problems, hopes, and dreams.

The timeline for this novel is 1945 and goes to the past and a few years into the future when it pertains to the characters or events. The stories take place in New York where Lillian Drooms lives with her family and waits for her husband Charles to come home, and on Kate's farm, where she waits for her other two sons to come home. Other mentioned places are England, and where the war has taken place. The Prisoners of War from Germany are still coming to work on Kate's farm, which has one family member thrilled, and another angry.

I love the way Linda Mahkovec vividly describes the character's interactions, the seasonal landscape, the country and city differences. This is a novel of family, wartime, and Christmas. I appreciate that the author describes the importance of family, friends, neighbors, forgiveness, second chances, love and hope.

The author discusses the difficulty of getting soldiers home for Christmas after the war, and the worries that faced the families. The adjustments of the men and women when the war is over was extremely difficult. Some of the men left as boys and return injured and traumatized. Women who were working are losing their jobs to the men who are coming home. Yet, some people will not see their loved ones again. Others are getting married, and hopefully, there will be new families.

I would highly recommend "Christmastime 1945" to readers who enjoy a thought-provoking novel, and for those who have read the other stories. This can be read alone, but I enjoyed reading all of the books in the Christmastime series. I truly am sad to bid adieu to these wonderful characters, and I hope that Linda Mahkovec will consider writing more about them. Of course, there are some Kleenex moments!!… (altro)

“Christmastime 1939:Prequel to the Christmastime Series” by Linda Mahkovec

What a wonderful, delightful, entertaining treat to back-track and enter the “Christmastime” 1939 :Prequel to the Christmastime Series” by Linda Mahkovec . I enjoyed visiting Lillian Happy and her two young sons, who are now living in Brooklyn.The Genres for this book are Fiction, Historical Fiction, and Women’s Fiction. The timeline for this story is just before World War Two, when Hitler is in Europe. There is talk of whether there should be United States involvement.

This year Lillian is determined to somehow give her sons Tommy and Gabriel a wonderful Merry Christmas. This is the first Christmas that Lillian won’t be with her sister. Despite problems and obstacles, is it possible for the family to have a wonderful holiday? Can Lillian’s dreams come true? I was so disappointed when the story ended, since I wanted more. The author vividly describes the scenery and food. I had to remember for a minute that it wasn’t December. I would highly recommend this heart-warming, emotional story for those readers that enjoy family stories, have dreams and hopes.
Edit

PUBLISHED BY LINDASBOOKOBSESSION… (altro)

Linda Mahkovec, how did I get so addicted to The Christmastime Series? I really NEED to read the next book!!

In “Christmastime 1944”, Linda Mahkovec writes about the years during World War Two. The author’s descriptions of the scenes, the places , and the characters are just so vivid and amazing, there are times I feel like I am there in the actual story. When Linda writes about making fresh cookies, and the boys in the story come in with their friends , I can smell the cookies, taste the cookies, feel the boy’s excitement, see how delicious they are and want to take one. Linda has a way of telling and depicting details, it just feels so real.

The genres for this story are Fiction, Romance, Women’s Fiction and Historical Fiction. I can appreciate the hours of historical research that the author has worked on. The story takes place in 1944, around Christmastime, mostly in New York City and the surrounding areas, and in Illinois on Kate’s farm. This is during World War Two, so the there is mention of the areas where the American soldiers are fighting.

The characters in the story are complex, complicated, confused, and depressed due to the effects of the War. Most of the characters have been in the “Christmastime series”, and the author introduces us to a few more. Lillian Drooms and her two boys eagerly await for her husband, Charles to come home for Christmas. Lillian is getting more confident in her artistic talent and career, and still volunteering. The boys miss their father, and are preparing for a holiday play. Charles’ sister Kate has her hands full on the farm in Illinois. Prisoners of War have been helping Kate manage to keep the farm, and there are obvious tensions regarding them. Kate’s daughters are trying to deal with their problems in their own way.

I love the way Linda Mahkovec, describes how the people at home feel and at the same time she describes the feelings of out soldiers, and the prisoners of war. Everything seems so confusing. War is terrible, and has a terrible effect on everyone. How can Christmas be a happy time?

The author describes the importance of family, friends, neighbors, love, faith and hope. The author talks about both men and women working and fighting for freedom, and being brave and courageous. I highly recommend this book for readers who enjoy Historical Fiction, and Fiction. I was captivated and enjoyed every moment, and I couldn’t put the book down. BE WARNED: The Christmastime series is addicting! Happy Reading!… (altro)