'I write towards the light' new Laois author launching Christmas romance novel

Mountmellick's Christmas tree and the community spirit behind it are the inspiration for the first published novel by a new Laois author.

Linda McEvoy who grew up in the town and moved back after retirement as a librarian, began writing her book The Christmas Market in her own town's library back in late 2022.

On Tuesday, October 15 she will return to launch it at the very same spot.

Her book has been snapped up by London publisher Bedford Square, and it releases on general sale in bookshops on Thursday, September 26.

The paperback is a joyous ode to Christmas and to romance, ideal to brighten up dark winter evenings.

She has just finished writing her second romance novel a week ago, but Linda never thought she was a romantic until she started writing, she told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

“I always thought of myself as very practical but I always find the positives, so that is coming out in my writing. I understand that people want to write about dark things, but I write towards the light,” she said.

“The story and characters are completely fictional, but the mood and setting are inspired by positive Christmas memories growing up in my home town and by the beautiful walled garden at Emo Court.

“A writing prompt from an online writing course ‘the walls were covered with ivy’ coincided with my walks in Emo Court and the seeds of The Christmas Market were sown.

“My lead character Jas has a mind of her own and practically wrote herself, while I laughed along or tore my hair out depending on what she chose to do next.”

She met for an interview with the Leinster Express in Mountmellick's park in Irishtown, where the town's previous library once stood.

“I have great memories of the library, Ms Broomfield never charged me late fines, she was very nice. The library in Mountmellick now is amazing though and the staff are fantastic, they are so supportive to all the groups who meet there,” she said.

Linda went to school in St Joseph's girls school and St Mary's College, going on to gain a degree in psychology and sociology from Trinity College.

“I went to England and then came back and got a job in a library and they sent me to do a librarian course. I worked in Dublin first then moved to Cork, where I managed Clonakility and Skibbereen libraries and lived in Baltimore.

“While the book is more inspired by Mountmellick Christmas tree and the community spirit of the town, it was inspired by parts of Clonakility as well, there's parts of it everywhere.

Mountmellick Christmas Tree, since dismantled. 

“I brought my family home every year to see the Christmas tree,” she said.

While the tree is part of history now, after the central iron girder was deemed so rusty that it had to be demolished a year ago, Linda sees the bright side.

“I understand that if something isn't safe, you take the good and move on and build something new. The community spirit is still there and that's what it's all about anyway. I'm inspired by my positive memories of Christmas in the town.

“I actually love the new tree and the multicoloured lights along the town,” she said.

She only started writing fully when she took her laptop into Mountmellick library in November 2022.

“I was writing two books at the same time. I had taken a short writers course and joined a group online. I had started the bones of my first one in 2014 but I put it in a box and forgot about it. That's the first one, and I still don't think it's at a level to publish. I might go back to it.

“I was a third through writing The Christmas Market when I brought it to a conference of the Romantic Novelists Association that my writer friend took me to. I gave a short pitch to the five editors there and they all wanted it.

“That was fantastic, I was so shocked. I had only gone to ask if I should keep writing.

“I got an agent after that conference and finished the book last October. She sent it to a range of publishers and the first back was Bedford Square,” she said.

The editor there described the book as 'lively, evocative and atmospheric” saying it make her want to pack up and move to the small town Linda described.

The Christmas Market's central character is Jas, who sees the light when her ex dumps her treasured vintage fabric all over the street.

She is back in her home town with a plan to launch her hat-making business at the Christmas market in the beautiful Georgian square.

But the Ballyclane she returns to is not the one she left nine years ago. Her mother has a new man and Jas’s old room is a walk-in wardrobe now. Her beloved gran has died and the house Jas hoped to work from is a bonanza for property developers instead. And no one is organising the Christmas market.

There’s just enough time to manage that and keep her business plan on track. She certainly doesn’t have time for Niall, the smoky-eyed, posh boy builder, hell-bent on breaking her heart.

With a best friend hiding a secret, a childhood nemesis determined to take her down, and a beautiful French angel enchanting everybody, Jas struggles to get a grip on what’s real. Still, she might find everything she needs at the market this Christmas if she can let herself truly believe.

The book has been described by fellow romance authors as ‘magical, quirky and romantic,’ ‘full of warmth and Irish humour,’ ‘with a sparky main character in a charming town full of community, heart, and hope.’

And from Catherine Tinley, multi award-winning author and Chair of The Romantic Novelists’ Association, ‘A wonderful new voice.’

Linda has dedicated it to her daughter Kate. She also acknowledges the support of her sisters Anne, Sharon and Michelle and their families, her friends Fiona and Mark Turner, Mountmellick library staff and all who helped make it a reality.

The Christmas Market will be on sale in bookshops and online from Thursday, September 26, priced €13.

The official launch will be on Tuesday, October 15 in Mountmellick Library, Eircode: R32PX61. The author will chat and give a short reading at 7pm. She will also sign her books from 6.30pm and after the launch.  Copies will be on sale on the night with the BookMark bookshop in Portlaoise.