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.
Linda Mahkovec - Author 
I can’t wait until this comes out. I am so glad that you are adding to this series. If you need any advanced readers I am available.
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Karina, thank you so much! So nice hearing from you!!
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Looking forward to this book! This is such a good series and I’m glad you decided to write another book!
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Hi Linda,
So nice to see that you’re still following me – you were one of my first fans! Thank you so much for all your support – and I hope you enjoy the new book!
Linda
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Hi Linda,
This is such welcome and exciting news!! Just when I was thinking about re-reading the entire Christmastime series (for the fifth time!) this holiday season, you have now given me a special addition to look forward to! I am sure your meticulous research and superb storytelling will do justice to this subject. Can’t wait to meet up again with characters who we have grown so fond of over the years.
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Hi Linda –
Five times! That makes me feel so great – that the world of Christmastime is one you want to return to again and again for the holidays.
This book is a little different in that it doesn’t have a love story plot like most of the others – perhaps more like the prequel in that sense. And yet, love is woven throughout. Also like the prequel, this story takes place entirely in NYC, with the farm plots only touched upon.
I’ve decided to continue the series in large part because so many readers have pleaded with me to continue it. And the truth is, I’m reluctant to end it myself.
I hope you enjoy this ninth book in the series. And thank you so much for all your support over the years.
Linda
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I must admit the first time I read each book I whipped through to the end because the storylines were so engrossing. So in subsequent readings I was able to focus on and truly appreciate the language, imagery and various settings, and marvel at your consistent portrayal of each character from one book to the next. (Last December I was walking on the west side in the 70’s off CPW, and honestly felt I was transported to Lillian’s block remembering your descriptions and seeing how similarly those brownstones were decorated for Christmas in the present.)
I am sure your next book will be equally terrific and I will be faced with my usual dilemma of whether to start reading it the day it comes in the mail, or wait and look forward to it knowing it will be a while for the next one in the series. (Have you already started writing it??)
Thank you for all the time and effort you put in to give your readers so many hours of reading pleasure!
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Thank you, Linda. I did a lot of strolling around the Upper West Side and walked through Central Park countless times while I wrote the series. I’m so glad it all rings true to a New Yorker! I’m actually still correcting a few typos on the interior formatting for this book. But my mind is casting ahead to the next one, and I’ve made a few cursory notes. The 1946 book might be available in October, if I can make all the corrections in time. Thank you again for all your kind words and encouragement!!
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