Christmas

Leave a comment Posted on Book Publishing, Holidays, Kindle Unlimited, Romance

A City Christmas: Opposites Attract Romance

Surprise! New Release!

My secret project is finally out in the world! Back in late September 2024 an idea took hold in my writer’s mind for a Christmas story and it wouldn’t let go. Initially, I intended this story as a Christmas novella to say thank you to all my loyal readers who have patiently waited for me to release a new book. However, as I started to write the story it grew legs and quickly became a full length novel!

Now, my first proper Christmas romance is published and I don’t think it will be my last. I loved writing Daisy and Xander’s story so much – the Christmas markets, ice skating, first snow, hot chocolates, Christmas lights – all the Christmassy things. I’ll definitely be writing more but I’ll try and get the next one out before Christmas!

A City Christmas takes place in New York and tells the story of Xander and Daisy.

Christmas is definitely not the most wonderful time of the year for New York billionaire Xander Cartwright. In fact, all he wants for Christmas is to hole up in his apartment and wait until the holly jolly nonsense is over. However, a leak, leading to some serious water damage, puts paid to that plan and a shortage of hotel rooms means he has to move in with his brother. Except, his brother isn’t there and some small town blow-in insists she’s rented the place till January. That’s simply not happening.

Small town girl Daisy Moran adores Christmas and this year she’s spending it surrounded by the bright lights of New York City. She’s heard about the magic of NYC at Christmas time for years and now a unique opportunity means she gets to experience it for herself. There’s only one problem, the guy whose apartment she rented didn’t mention he had a brother. A brother who insists he’s staying there too and comes with a frosty attitude and a list of silly rules. No way is she doing the holidays with this Christmas Grump.

However, as the Christmas lights glisten, the first snow falls and the city weaves its festive magic, icy relations between these two start to thaw. Soon their sizzling attraction can’t be denied and they go from ice cold enemies to red hot lovers. However, as the clock counts down in Times Square and a new year is rung in, do these opposites have what it takes to be more than just a seasonal attraction?

If you want some tingle in your jingle this winter then this scorching hot, enemies to lovers, opposites attract, grumpy sunshine, forced proximity Christmas romance is just the ticket!

Early readers are loving it!

Feel Good Romance – Amy

What a delightful story. It’s a beautiful romance set in a big city at Christmas time with holiday lights, Christmas markets and ice skating. It’s well worth the read anytime of the year!!

Great NYC Christmas Story! – Rose

So many laughs at the meeting between Xander and Daisy! They do such a great job driving each other crazy.

Another great story from Roisin Black – Jo

A twist on the usual boy-meets-girl story with all the hallmarks of a classic rom-com – with extra Christmas sparkle.

Christmas magic – Amazon Customer

This book left me with a warm Christmas holiday feeling 🥰Made me smile, giggle & tissues needed at one point! Brilliant addition to Roisin Blacks books. One to keep & reread on gloomy winters days.

A Great Christmas Read – Carolyn

Well written, great characters and dogs! What more can I say? A fantastic book

It’s currently on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited >> https://readerlinks.com/l/4499715

Book cover image of new york city in tones of purple, grey and white. The book is by author Roisin Black and is called A City Christmas

Leave a comment Posted on Childhood, Joy, Life

Happy Christmas

It’s been a while since I’ve been here and I’ve missed this space.  A lot has been happening in the past seven weeks.  I got to reconnect and spend time with dear friends.  I finished my first full-length novel.  I somehow managed to keep the balls of mother, wife and writer in the air.  I watched my darling Billie, my little four-legged soul sister, come down with cancer and I had to make the impossible decision and let her go.

black dog on beach

Miss Billie

All in all, it’s been something of an emotional roller-coaster since I last connected with this space and to be honest I’m feeling a little wrung out. As regular followers of this blog will know, one of the things I most like to turn to when I’m not feeling the best is poetry.  And as luck would have it, I came across the perfect poem to lift my mood this evening and I’d like to share it with you this Christmas Eve.

The Poem Of Snow

In the loud snowing space as I am waiting for my turn

I can see…

So much snow! Which way to go?

Skate on ice? I don’t know!

I can feel…

I am so cold even with my woolly hat

No-one can get this cold… but

I have my doubts

I can hear…

The last hot chocolate calling my name!

Outside I can hear kids laughing and giggling

I can smell…

The fresh new smell of the old barked trees

That smell is the best, when it comes with a breeze!

I can taste…

The sweet chocolatey taste of the hot chocolate as I drink

But as I come outside again I start to sink!

ALL THE SNOW HAS RISEN!

Oh, no! Oh, Yes!

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This poem was written for me by my daughter last year and she presented it to me as a present on Christmas morning.  It’s very much her and I love it!  I hope you enjoy it too.

Here’s wishing you a joyful and peaceful Christmas.

Love, Roisin.

 

Leave a comment Posted on Life

The Candle In The Window

Well here I am facing into my third Australian Christmas and I have to admit to not being altogether thrilled about it.  It’s one thing when you sign on for the big adventure, when you agree to up sticks and travel to the other side of the world and in the bigger scheme of things you are fine and enjoy all that your new place of abode has to throw at you.  However, hiding in the seams of the bigger scheme are those times when you just can’t get your head around where you are.  Christmas in Australia is one of those times for me.  The Aussies love their summer Christmas  – as they should but for me it’s just not Christmas.

Photo of snowman made from sand

The Snowmen Are A Little Different In Australia

Christmas for me is so many things.  It’s about home, open fires, over the top decorations, seeing family and spending time with friends, wrapping up against the cold, walks in frosty forests or on wind-swept beaches, sharing wonderful food, having a few drinks in the local pub, impromptu sing-songs, fun and laughter.  The west of Ireland is an incredibly special place to be at Christmas time.  Decimated by emigration over the years it is a time when people come home and it is this that creates an amazing buzz.  People are happy to be home and those who are at home are ecstatic to have their family members back even if it is for only a few short weeks.  Christmas Eve in any of the west of Ireland towns is a day for last minute presents, picking up “the bird” and joining the old friend you just ran in to for a drink or two.

Photo of bottle of jameson whiskey

A Few Hot Jimmies Will Put You Right

Later on in the evening most people make their way home and their journey is lit by candles twinkling in the windows of all the houses.  This is a tradition that dates back to ancient times and is rooted in the old Brehon laws of hospitality – whereby a stranger knocking on the door must never be refused.  In later times it was understood to symbolise the lighting of the way for Mary and Joseph as they searched for somewhere to stay before the birth of their child.  Nowadays it is seen as lighting the way for Mary and Joseph but also for those who are returning home.

Photo of Cabdle in Window

The Candle In The Window

One of my favourite things to do on Christmas Eve is to stand, in the darkness, at the window of my parents house, high up on the hill, and look out across the island as it twinkles in the night.  It’s a beautiful sight and one I’m looking forward to seeing again, just unfortunately not tonight.

Wherever you are this Christmas I hope you enjoy it – Roisin.