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Christmastime #3
Christmastime 1942
This is an alternate-cover edition for B00O2C46V6.
The third book in the Christmastime series.
The Axis forces are winning. America struggles to find its footing in the war: the men leave to fight; the women join the workforce. Yet love burns brighter than ever, bringing people together, and giving them hope for the future. The famous Stage Door Canteen in Times Square provides the background for one of these romances.
The third book in the Christmastime series.
The Axis forces are winning. America struggles to find its footing in the war: the men leave to fight; the women join the workforce. Yet love burns brighter than ever, bringing people together, and giving them hope for the future. The famous Stage Door Canteen in Times Square provides the background for one of these romances.
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 1914
55 people are currently reading
416 people want to read
About the author
Linda Mahkovec
17 books156 followersLinda Mahkovec is the author of The Christmastime Series, love stories set predominantly in New York City during the World War II years. She also has two collections of short stories, The Dreams of Youth and Seven Tales of Love, and a contemporary novel set in Seattle, The Garden House. Her latest novels are And So We Dream, a coming-of-age story set in 1970, and The Notebooks of Honora Gorman, the life of a writer living in New York City.
Used to write as Agnes Irene
Themes of love, family, home, and making the most out of life dominate her stories, and though they may be set against the backdrop of war, or deal with the disappointments in life, the overarching feel is uplifting and hopeful.
One thread that runs through much of her work is that of the female artist–whether she is a painter, a writer, an actor, or simply someone who lives creatively and seeks out a life of beauty and meaning.
Another thread in Mahkovec’s work is the celebration of the seasons: the thrill of the first flowers of spring, barefoot summer nights, the nostalgic beauty of fall, and delight in the first snowfall.
Mahkovec was born and raised in a small town in Illinois. She then spent several years in the San Francisco Bay area and Seattle, and for the past thirty years has lived in New York City. She has a PhD in English, specializing in Victorian literature.
To find out more, please visit her at lindamahkovec.com.
Used to write as Agnes Irene
Themes of love, family, home, and making the most out of life dominate her stories, and though they may be set against the backdrop of war, or deal with the disappointments in life, the overarching feel is uplifting and hopeful.
One thread that runs through much of her work is that of the female artist–whether she is a painter, a writer, an actor, or simply someone who lives creatively and seeks out a life of beauty and meaning.
Another thread in Mahkovec’s work is the celebration of the seasons: the thrill of the first flowers of spring, barefoot summer nights, the nostalgic beauty of fall, and delight in the first snowfall.
Mahkovec was born and raised in a small town in Illinois. She then spent several years in the San Francisco Bay area and Seattle, and for the past thirty years has lived in New York City. She has a PhD in English, specializing in Victorian literature.
To find out more, please visit her at lindamahkovec.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 4, 2018
As I read on in this 6-book series, the author presents us with deeper and richer stories. Again our central characters are the Drooms family – professional artist Lillian, accountant and now military man Charles, 8-year-old Gabriel, and 11-year-old Tommy. Cast members from previous books along with new characters join them. My favorite new characters are Gino, a young sailor who has been living with the Drooms for a year before his deployment, and Mr. Mason’s sister Edith, a survivor of polio.
The United States is well embroiled in the Second World War as Christmas approaches in New York City. It is a difficult time, but people are working hard to survive and continue to seek joy in their lives. Again we have fleeting, but touching relationships; romance; elation and devastation; people helping each other out the best they can; and moments of profound poignancy. There are numerous threads in this story, easy to follow, but oh so rich in meaning. The tale is at the same time heartbreaking yet uplifting.
I hesitate to go into even the outlines of the plots so as not to risk any spoilers. Just know this is a substantial little wartime Christmas book that provides all the feelings. It is by far best to start at the beginning with the prequel, Christmastime 1939, in order to follow the characters from beginning to end. Highly recommended.
Now on to Christmastime 1943 for me.
The United States is well embroiled in the Second World War as Christmas approaches in New York City. It is a difficult time, but people are working hard to survive and continue to seek joy in their lives. Again we have fleeting, but touching relationships; romance; elation and devastation; people helping each other out the best they can; and moments of profound poignancy. There are numerous threads in this story, easy to follow, but oh so rich in meaning. The tale is at the same time heartbreaking yet uplifting.
I hesitate to go into even the outlines of the plots so as not to risk any spoilers. Just know this is a substantial little wartime Christmas book that provides all the feelings. It is by far best to start at the beginning with the prequel, Christmastime 1939, in order to follow the characters from beginning to end. Highly recommended.
Now on to Christmastime 1943 for me.
December 6, 2018
As Linda Mahkovec’s Christmastime Series moves into its third book, the plot marches more deeply into the war years. In
Christmastime 1942
, Lillian Drooms (nee Hapsy) finds that her boss expects that her artwork reflect more graphic wartime themes, not “fluff”. Her sons Tommy and Gabe, now eleven and eight, are fully engage in doing their part for the war effort. They’ve joined a team in a contest to collect paper and scrap metal. Someone is missing from this family; their new father, Charles, joined the Navy and is off on assignment working on a radar project. He’s not overseas, so Lillian and the boys still see him, but not as often as they would like. Everyone, it seems, does whatever possible to help the men in uniform.
In this book, we meet several new characters. Gino, an engaging young military man rents a room from the Drooms. The boys are quite taken with him, and he becomes an older brother figure, especially for Tommy. Next we meet Edith, sister of Robert Mason, who is Charles’s partner. Her brother is overprotective of her because she was weakened by polio as a child. She proves to be a fascinating person. While some consider her to be a “spinster” at thirty-four, she now has a love interest, an actor named Brendan. This makes for a romantic subplot.
Much of the story, however, focuses on the Drooms family. I began this series with the prequel, so this is the fourth time I have followed Lillian and her boys. With each book, which represents another year gone by, the boys have grown older and have matured even more. Like many real-life brothers, Tommy and Gabe are quite different from one another. Tommy is impulsive and temperamental; Gabe is tenderhearted and reflective. He strikes me as an old soul. At times he seems to be more responsible than his older brother. Tommy is learning what it means to become a man, however. He is learning about love and loss. Fortunately, he has his brother and parents to support him, even when he is not at his best.
I love this little family. I love the neighborhood and the sense of community that the author shows us. Did people really pull together like this in the early days of the war? It’s not all sunshine and roses. This isn’t Pollyanna, even though the emphasis is on people loving and supporting one another. There is pain and heartache, and I think, yes, this probably is a fairly realistic slice of life, at least it could be for one family. I am all set to see what happens in 1943!
5 stars
In this book, we meet several new characters. Gino, an engaging young military man rents a room from the Drooms. The boys are quite taken with him, and he becomes an older brother figure, especially for Tommy. Next we meet Edith, sister of Robert Mason, who is Charles’s partner. Her brother is overprotective of her because she was weakened by polio as a child. She proves to be a fascinating person. While some consider her to be a “spinster” at thirty-four, she now has a love interest, an actor named Brendan. This makes for a romantic subplot.
Much of the story, however, focuses on the Drooms family. I began this series with the prequel, so this is the fourth time I have followed Lillian and her boys. With each book, which represents another year gone by, the boys have grown older and have matured even more. Like many real-life brothers, Tommy and Gabe are quite different from one another. Tommy is impulsive and temperamental; Gabe is tenderhearted and reflective. He strikes me as an old soul. At times he seems to be more responsible than his older brother. Tommy is learning what it means to become a man, however. He is learning about love and loss. Fortunately, he has his brother and parents to support him, even when he is not at his best.
I love this little family. I love the neighborhood and the sense of community that the author shows us. Did people really pull together like this in the early days of the war? It’s not all sunshine and roses. This isn’t Pollyanna, even though the emphasis is on people loving and supporting one another. There is pain and heartache, and I think, yes, this probably is a fairly realistic slice of life, at least it could be for one family. I am all set to see what happens in 1943!
5 stars
November 6, 2017
MY REVIEW OF “CHRISTMASTIME 1942”
“A Love Story” by Linda Mahkovec
There is more of an edgy feel to “Christmastime 1942” by Linda Mahkovec.
In 1942,the Axis forces seem to be winning, and in New York City, more women are in the workforce as men are going to fight. The genres for this novel are Romance,Women’s Fiction, Fiction with a touch of Historical Fiction.
The author has described the characters as complex and complicated possibly due to the circumstances of the events. There are a few new characters that have been added to the original cast.
Is it possible for love to be around this Christmas? Despite rations,abd shortages of materials, some of the families do their best to provide holiday cheer, cooking and decorating. There is the famous Stage Door Canteen, where there is the possibility of one romance.
Lillian and Charles are married, and try to keep things positive for the boys. Charles had been in the service, and has been called back. He does get to come home, but may be away for longer periods.
. This is the first time that the boys are aware of young men that have been killed, and soldiers that have been hurt.
Linda Makovec has a wonderful way of describing the importance of family, friends and neighbors working together, and trying to stay positive. The author also mentions the importance of communication, love, hope and faith.
I would highly recommend this heartwarming and emotional story of readers of Women’s Fiction. I received a copy of this book for my honest review.
“A Love Story” by Linda Mahkovec
There is more of an edgy feel to “Christmastime 1942” by Linda Mahkovec.
In 1942,the Axis forces seem to be winning, and in New York City, more women are in the workforce as men are going to fight. The genres for this novel are Romance,Women’s Fiction, Fiction with a touch of Historical Fiction.
The author has described the characters as complex and complicated possibly due to the circumstances of the events. There are a few new characters that have been added to the original cast.
Is it possible for love to be around this Christmas? Despite rations,abd shortages of materials, some of the families do their best to provide holiday cheer, cooking and decorating. There is the famous Stage Door Canteen, where there is the possibility of one romance.
Lillian and Charles are married, and try to keep things positive for the boys. Charles had been in the service, and has been called back. He does get to come home, but may be away for longer periods.
. This is the first time that the boys are aware of young men that have been killed, and soldiers that have been hurt.
Linda Makovec has a wonderful way of describing the importance of family, friends and neighbors working together, and trying to stay positive. The author also mentions the importance of communication, love, hope and faith.
I would highly recommend this heartwarming and emotional story of readers of Women’s Fiction. I received a copy of this book for my honest review.
November 24, 2017
My heart was still deep within the characters of Christmastime 1940, 1941, so as I read 1942 it was like just picking up where Lillian and Charles, Tommy and his brother Gabriel left off. This book like the others is heart warming and heart wrenching during the days of war and America is struggling to support the efforts of the men who have to leave to go fight and the women are finding new ways to do their part. Still amidst the fear, the rationing of supplies, watching for enemy planes and finding bomb shelters, lives go on, romances bloom, marriages happen quickly and some broken hearts may be mended. As in her previous books Linda Mahkovec has a way of pulling you into these times, feeling the joys and sorrows of her characters who are so real, so familiar, and you want to sit at their tables with the wonderful aromas and tastes of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, experience the joy of the decorations, the lights and smell the pine of the Christmas tree. I laughed and admired the way Mrs. Sullivan chastised Mr. Mason for not believing in his sister Edith's choice; she was in love with Desmond an actor who he thought was not good enough for her. Tommy and Gabriel play a big part in this novel as they lend a support to Lilllian, their mom and learn to trust and love when that is the hardest thing for all to do as Charles is away more than he is home. I love this series, and look forward to the next book 1943.
December 13, 2021
Another good story in the line of good books. Enjoyed it. Looking forward to 1943. Just ordered 43 and 44. Already have 45.
January 13, 2019
This is a great series so far! Christmastime in NYC during WWII and the characters keep growing and expanding. It shows the struggles of men, women and children in time of war. On to 1943!
January 1, 2022
Family Emotions
Christmas 1942 tells many stories about families. Whether they be traditional or people who come together in any way possible. The loss of Geno was sad. The love of Edith and Malcolm refreshing
Christmas 1942 tells many stories about families. Whether they be traditional or people who come together in any way possible. The loss of Geno was sad. The love of Edith and Malcolm refreshing
January 7, 2020
Before reading this book I was planning on saving the last three (1943, 1944, 1945) for my Christmas reading in December 2020. But I realized I couldn't wait a whole year and will be finishing the series in January, even though the Christmas season has ended.
November 23, 2022
I love this time period and this series nails it with the descriptions. Lillian, Tommy, Gabriel, and Charles have become special to me—I just adore this little family. This particular book was really good.
December 16, 2015
It's the second Christmas of WW2 and the outlook isn't bright. Nevertheless, Lillian is excited to be spending the first Christmas as a real family with her husband, Charles, and their sons, ages 11, and 8. She tries to make the holidays as special as possible with the rationing and long periods of separation from Charles who is stationed in Virginia. The boys meanwhile are working on scrap drives and Tommy has a crush on a girl who is new to town. The family has also developed a strong bond with Gino, a merchant marine, who has been spending time recovering in New York after his ship was sunk earlier in the year.
Meanwhile, Edith, who works in Charles' civilian business has found a love of her own. Because Desmond is an actor, Edith's brother assumes he isn't trustworthy and that Edith has been taken in by his good looks like a schoolgirl. He refuses to even meet the man, constantly belittles him to Edith, and creates a good deal of tension within the family.
This book is filled with love and heart ache and has a real sense of place and time. The author really captures Christmastime in NYC during the war. It's really a very gentle book about a terribly brutal time. There are no battles, no spies, no violence in the pages - except the violence that is happening at a distance. Mostly it is about good people trying their best to find and hold on to love and family at a frightening time in history. There are sad parts, but overall the feeling up-lifting. If you want a lot of action and intrigue, then this is probably not the book for you. If you enjoy historical fiction and want a story that will fill you with Christmas warmth, then this book might work for you.
This is the third in this series, but I think it can stand alone easily enough. I certainly hope it isn't the last book in the series! I want to continue to follow the characters.
Meanwhile, Edith, who works in Charles' civilian business has found a love of her own. Because Desmond is an actor, Edith's brother assumes he isn't trustworthy and that Edith has been taken in by his good looks like a schoolgirl. He refuses to even meet the man, constantly belittles him to Edith, and creates a good deal of tension within the family.
This book is filled with love and heart ache and has a real sense of place and time. The author really captures Christmastime in NYC during the war. It's really a very gentle book about a terribly brutal time. There are no battles, no spies, no violence in the pages - except the violence that is happening at a distance. Mostly it is about good people trying their best to find and hold on to love and family at a frightening time in history. There are sad parts, but overall the feeling up-lifting. If you want a lot of action and intrigue, then this is probably not the book for you. If you enjoy historical fiction and want a story that will fill you with Christmas warmth, then this book might work for you.
This is the third in this series, but I think it can stand alone easily enough. I certainly hope it isn't the last book in the series! I want to continue to follow the characters.
October 13, 2017
I just can't get enough of books by Linda Mahkovec. Great author. This is about Christmas during the war and all of the hardships. But the love of the family will get them through the worst of times. I can't wait for the next one.
September 27, 2017
Wartime and Christmastime in New York City. 1942: soldiers trooping through Grand Central Station, ships in the harbor loading up then heading out; ration books; spotters on rooftops looking for enemy planes. And there, in the midst of it all, and affected by it all, is the newly formed Drooms family – Lillian, and her husband of just about a year, and her two young sons, Tommy and Gabriel. The boys have so needed and wanted a father, and now they finally have one. Their father has joined the war effort as a part-time advisor and is gone during the week. But it’s when their upstairs neighbor, Gino, the cool young guy, who adores the boys and who the boys adore, has to ship out, not part-time like their father, but full time for who knows how long, that the little ones begin to understand what war is. And then their brand new father, who they have just begun to bond with, announces that he, too, must ship out, really ship out, full time that these young boys get scared. And I was scared for them.
Linda Mahkovec is an artist who can describe so much - war worries (a child’s not understanding why he can’t sleep); the comforts of home (the delicious smelling dinners, the lavender baths, the love between a husband and a wife; a genuine friendship for neighbors and co-workers); and the special joy of the Christmas season (the extra treats for children) – with such skill that I feel I’m in the midst of a Norman Rockwell painting. These Christmastime people, this Lillian, this Charles, these two young boys, and all of their neighbors and co-workers and sidekicks that you meet, are such good company, even when they have troubles - and they do have troubles – that I was happy to just be with them and read their story, especially nowadays. The war may have come to the Drooms family but its divisive face won’t kill their spirit.
Linda Mahkovec is an artist who can describe so much - war worries (a child’s not understanding why he can’t sleep); the comforts of home (the delicious smelling dinners, the lavender baths, the love between a husband and a wife; a genuine friendship for neighbors and co-workers); and the special joy of the Christmas season (the extra treats for children) – with such skill that I feel I’m in the midst of a Norman Rockwell painting. These Christmastime people, this Lillian, this Charles, these two young boys, and all of their neighbors and co-workers and sidekicks that you meet, are such good company, even when they have troubles - and they do have troubles – that I was happy to just be with them and read their story, especially nowadays. The war may have come to the Drooms family but its divisive face won’t kill their spirit.
December 21, 2017
Lovely Read
This is such a thoughtful book, the third in the series. It can be read as a standalone seeing as a new couple's relationship is explored while keeping Lillian and Charles' relationship in the background. I adored how the story came together- I liked that there was familiarity but it remained refreshing. In Christmastime 1942, Mahkovec brings Edith's story to the foreground. She's the mysterious dreamer, often mistaken for being dull. This Christmas she may just find love...
Mahkovec never fails to neglect the history in her storytelling: the humans living the horrors of war, the observers and the communities coming together to fulfil their part in the war effort. This is the perfect Christmas story: dark, at times, but real and always human. This series, no doubt, has captured many hearts. Christmastime is just that kind of story.
You'll definitely want to make time for this heartfelt read this Christmas. Quite possibly, you wouldn't want to stop at just one story.
I received this book from the author for review consideration.
This is such a thoughtful book, the third in the series. It can be read as a standalone seeing as a new couple's relationship is explored while keeping Lillian and Charles' relationship in the background. I adored how the story came together- I liked that there was familiarity but it remained refreshing. In Christmastime 1942, Mahkovec brings Edith's story to the foreground. She's the mysterious dreamer, often mistaken for being dull. This Christmas she may just find love...
Mahkovec never fails to neglect the history in her storytelling: the humans living the horrors of war, the observers and the communities coming together to fulfil their part in the war effort. This is the perfect Christmas story: dark, at times, but real and always human. This series, no doubt, has captured many hearts. Christmastime is just that kind of story.
You'll definitely want to make time for this heartfelt read this Christmas. Quite possibly, you wouldn't want to stop at just one story.
I received this book from the author for review consideration.
December 20, 2017
This book was wonderful, but a little sadder than the others. War has come to the neighborhood, in many ways. People are rationing, collecting and salvaging, volunteering, joining up, working extra hours and sacrificing, for the greater good.
Lillian and her boys and Charles, are facing their own troubles. Charles has rejoined the navy and is away from home a lot and a young soldier that they've gotten to know, has been sent back to the front line. Life is an adjustment for everyone, especially the children. Tommy and his brother Gabriel, do their part in the war effort by collecting salvaged goods, for their school. When tragedy comes to their door, Tommy has a tough time handling it but Charles helps him through and they become closer.
We also meet a couple of new characters, Edith and Desmond. They meet and fall in love, when Edith volunteers at a dance club. Her overprotective brother almost ruins everything but love overcomes in the end.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, 1943.
Lillian and her boys and Charles, are facing their own troubles. Charles has rejoined the navy and is away from home a lot and a young soldier that they've gotten to know, has been sent back to the front line. Life is an adjustment for everyone, especially the children. Tommy and his brother Gabriel, do their part in the war effort by collecting salvaged goods, for their school. When tragedy comes to their door, Tommy has a tough time handling it but Charles helps him through and they become closer.
We also meet a couple of new characters, Edith and Desmond. They meet and fall in love, when Edith volunteers at a dance club. Her overprotective brother almost ruins everything but love overcomes in the end.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, 1943.
December 28, 2017
I am so in love with this series of books!! In Christmastime 1942, the story of Charles and Lillian continues, as the country is in the middle of the war and everything in their lives has changed because of it. We are also introduced to a new couple, Edith and Desmond, who face many obstacles in their newly-found love, including Edith's brother Mason and Edith's own insecurities. One thing I love about these books is the optimism, the resilience and the strength shown by all of the characters in these books. Even the two young boys get involved with their own contributions to the war effort. The was is always in the background of these stories, but the main characters outshine the horrors of that time, as they do all they can to fight the war on the home front. These books are so compelling, that as soon as I turn the last page on one book, I immediately begin the next!! Do yourself a favor and read this series from the beginning, and enjoy this wonderful series!
January 21, 2021
Stars!
Well for sure, Ms Mahkovec knows how to describe people meeting and getting to know each other and falling in love! Another thoroughly captivating and enjoyable chapter in the lives of Lillian and her family and friends and neighbors. Adding Edith and Gino gave co!or and depth. I still am not sure how I feel about Lillian's lack of self confidence when time after time things continue to work out so well for her, but maybe that is again more of a sign of the times which is so wonderfully described in these books. More praise from this fan!
Well for sure, Ms Mahkovec knows how to describe people meeting and getting to know each other and falling in love! Another thoroughly captivating and enjoyable chapter in the lives of Lillian and her family and friends and neighbors. Adding Edith and Gino gave co!or and depth. I still am not sure how I feel about Lillian's lack of self confidence when time after time things continue to work out so well for her, but maybe that is again more of a sign of the times which is so wonderfully described in these books. More praise from this fan!
November 14, 2017
This is a lovely and endearing series of Christmas book.
This 3rd book has definitely snared me into the story and I am intrigued by the widening cast of characters that I'm being introduced to. I also loved the details and glimpses of New York at Christmas even if everything is painted with a brush of wartime.
A great little love story to read as Christmas approaches! I recommend snuggling in beside your Christmas tree as you read.
This 3rd book has definitely snared me into the story and I am intrigued by the widening cast of characters that I'm being introduced to. I also loved the details and glimpses of New York at Christmas even if everything is painted with a brush of wartime.
A great little love story to read as Christmas approaches! I recommend snuggling in beside your Christmas tree as you read.
July 2, 2018
I love Linda Mahkovec’s Christmastime Series. Every book in this series gets better and better. You can sit down and enjoy the book so much that you lose track of how much time you have been reading. Linda just pulls you right in and you don’t want to stop reading. The descriptions are just so vivid. I would definitely recommend this series. It is a very interesting and emotional series.
October 15, 2020
Book 3 in this beautiful series only made me love this author even more! 1942 gets deeper into the war with men joining and the women who are finding ways to take care of their children and help others during a time when it is hard to find the light at the end of the tunnel. New and old characters I was happy to read about again. Beautiful story of love, hope and inspiration. Loved this book!
January 18, 2018
The third book in the series and I'm getting very attached to the characters. Each book brings back many memories that I'd forgotten of the homefront during WWII here in the US. Linda does a magnificent job of describing the effect on adults, children, family, friends and new relationships.
January 14, 2022
This series has quickly become the "can't put it down, take it with me everywhere, make sure the next book is ready" series. Love it love it love it. The characters are believable, their story lines interesting, and no idealized versions of reality as it was. Fan flippin tastic.
August 28, 2017
A wonderful Christmas love story set back in 1942 while the world is at war life continues in New York City. Beautiful characters and simply a wonderful story
March 23, 2018
I don’t generally read series books, but after reading 1940 , I couldn’t stop myself from reading 1941 and on and on I went. I’m up to 1942 and anticipating 1943!
January 21, 2022
Best series
This series stays to the same family and how Lillian and her boys have been surviving. How she found love again and having a good life even though a war is going on
This series stays to the same family and how Lillian and her boys have been surviving. How she found love again and having a good life even though a war is going on
December 16, 2023
sweet
A read in one sitting holiday story that leaves you warm and fuzzy even though it is set during wartime
A read in one sitting holiday story that leaves you warm and fuzzy even though it is set during wartime
January 11, 2025
This is my third book that I have been reading,in this series, and I am loving it! I love stories from the 1940's and World War II. I highly recommend this book and the whole series!
January 15, 2025
Beautifully written. You feel as if you’re there.
February 2, 2025
I love this series. Short books, quick feel good reads.
Story of an overprotective brother and the sister who wants happiness. All this is happening during the time of war, love and loss.
Story of an overprotective brother and the sister who wants happiness. All this is happening during the time of war, love and loss.
January 9, 2025
These are such touching stories, taking place during some of the hardest times in history. I fell in love with this family, especially the Mother. I wish everyone could be raised by such a loving, thoughtful, and resilient woman. She displayed high moral character for her sons and guided them with grace and determination, amid struggling through many hardships herself. I am looking forward to finishing the series.
December 18, 2014
World War II was a romantic time in our history as well as a heart-wrenching one. Life was vivid and vibrant in an era of black and white photographs.
Agnes Irene brings the 1942 to life in the scarlets of lipstick, the grey of the smoke of war and the sunshine of hope in New York City. In a stunning display of humanity, she introduces the happy go lucky sailor in Gino. He's a breath of fresh air and smiles even though he's already had several "close calls" in his young Naval career. She brings warm-hearted artist, Lillian, to the scene as a working mom and newlywed with two young sons, Gabriel and Tommy. The unit is held together by the intelligent and patriotic, Charles, who chose this ready made family as his own. That's just one unit!
To add to the colorful cast, we are introduced to Edith. A stunning brunette beauty with a heart of gold and the determination of a soldier. Did I mention she's crippled? It's easy to forget that! Agnes Irene doesn't give that fact much of a chance to thrive because she's created another "Rosie the Riveter."
It's difficult to paraphrase the effect that Agnes Irene has created within these pages. She literally took the grey scale hues of most photos from 1942 and colorized them with life. The reader can see the ornaments on the Christmas tree. You can smell the gingerbread baking. You can feel the heartbreak as a soldier is taken too soon. Then, you can come back around and watch the two sons of Lillian and Charles mend the broken space and direct you to where life still goes on.
This book gave me, a thirty five year old police officer, a glimpse at how we were back then. I got to see how a society reacted to the War. I experienced a close knit family unit back when parents knew where their kids went and who their friends were. I witnessed patriotism and pride in one's self for a job well done. I lived through Christmastime 1942 with a group of New Yorkers who were more real than many characters I've encountered.
I highly recommend this book for readers of all ages. I'll be passing it along to my mother so she can get a glimpse into the life her parents lived.
I won this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.
Agnes Irene brings the 1942 to life in the scarlets of lipstick, the grey of the smoke of war and the sunshine of hope in New York City. In a stunning display of humanity, she introduces the happy go lucky sailor in Gino. He's a breath of fresh air and smiles even though he's already had several "close calls" in his young Naval career. She brings warm-hearted artist, Lillian, to the scene as a working mom and newlywed with two young sons, Gabriel and Tommy. The unit is held together by the intelligent and patriotic, Charles, who chose this ready made family as his own. That's just one unit!
To add to the colorful cast, we are introduced to Edith. A stunning brunette beauty with a heart of gold and the determination of a soldier. Did I mention she's crippled? It's easy to forget that! Agnes Irene doesn't give that fact much of a chance to thrive because she's created another "Rosie the Riveter."
It's difficult to paraphrase the effect that Agnes Irene has created within these pages. She literally took the grey scale hues of most photos from 1942 and colorized them with life. The reader can see the ornaments on the Christmas tree. You can smell the gingerbread baking. You can feel the heartbreak as a soldier is taken too soon. Then, you can come back around and watch the two sons of Lillian and Charles mend the broken space and direct you to where life still goes on.
This book gave me, a thirty five year old police officer, a glimpse at how we were back then. I got to see how a society reacted to the War. I experienced a close knit family unit back when parents knew where their kids went and who their friends were. I witnessed patriotism and pride in one's self for a job well done. I lived through Christmastime 1942 with a group of New Yorkers who were more real than many characters I've encountered.
I highly recommend this book for readers of all ages. I'll be passing it along to my mother so she can get a glimpse into the life her parents lived.
I won this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.
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