Carmel Harrington’s new novel, Every Time A Bell Rings is a captivating story told in Harrington’s trademark charming and emotive voice. Heartwarming, magical and full of the warmth of Christmas.
Every Time A Bell Rings !… an angel gets its wings…!
Belle has taken all the Christmas decorations down. This year they won’t be celebrating. As foster parents, Belle and Jim have given many children the chance of a happier start in life. They’ve loved them as if they were their own. They shouldn’t have favourites but little Lauren has touched their hearts. And now her mother is well enough to take her back and Belle can’t bear the loss. Hence, Christmas is cancelled.!
So when Jim crashes his car one icy December night, after an argument about Lauren, Belle can only blame herself. Everything she loves is lost. And Belle finds herself standing on The Ha’Penny Bridge wishing she had never been born.!
But what happens to a Christmas wish when an angel is listening…!
Will Belle realise, before it’s too late, that her life is the most wonderful life of all?!
Inspired by the timeless tale of beloved Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, Carmel Harrington’s next book is full of Irish charm, magic, and the warmth of the festive season this is an emotional, heartwarming story that will stay with you long after you’ve reached ‘The End’. !
Author: Carmel Harrington
Title: Every Time a Bell Rings
Publishers: Harper Collins
Publication Date: Ebook; 15th Oct, Paperback; 19th Nov 2015
Link: Uk: Amazon
My Review
If you are a fan of 'It's a Wonderful Life' then you will certainly love 'Every Time a Bell Rings.'
This charming story really took me by surprise as it wasn't what I expected at all. I have to say that the voice in my head when I was reading this had a lovely soothing Irish lilt to it and the story unfolded beautifully.
Belle Bailey has been in foster homes ever since she was little when she was rescued from a dangerous situation that her mother had left her in, she was scared when she came to Tess's house aged eight, so much so that she wouldn't speak, luckily for her Tess was such a kind and patient person and provided her with a loving home where she could flourish. She was soon joined by a red haired boy called Jim and they become best friends, but Jim is only being fostered temporarily and soon leaves her to go back to his mum.
When Belle grows up she arrives at Tess's house and is shocked to find a handsome man visiting, he has come looking for her but she needs to get over her shyness at seeing him again.
The relationship between Jim and Belle was amazing and the fact that they wanted to give something back to society by looking after children to make them happy was a lovely touch and I could really understand why they wanted to do that.
Tess had a wonderful relationship with Belle and they loved each other as mother and daughter, I loved their relationship and the way they just 'got' each other with jokes and companionably watching their favourite telly programmes together, Jim also slotted very nicely into this relationship.
Although Belle hadn't seen her mother since she was taken away from her she discovered that she still had the capacity to hurt her very deeply and she was broken hearted by this and another awful incident in her life that she couldn't get over.
After feeling completely useless in life Belle decides enough is enough and is ready to give up but a special someone comes along to show her what life would have been like without her and Belle manages to understand that she wasn't responsible for things she always felt she was to blame for and that the people she loved still needed her around.
An endearing, heart warming, christmassy tale of love and family, learning to walk away from those who try to bring us down and realising the difference it makes to a child's life when someone shows they believe in them.
Thanks to Carmel for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.
If you would like to read our Q&A with Carmel then please click here.
Sincerely
Book Angels x
About the Author
Carmel Harrington lives with her husband Roger and children Amelia and Nate in a small coastal village in Wexford. She credits the idyllic setting as a constant source of inspiration to her. !
Her first book, ‘Beyond Grace’s Rainbow’ was originally self-published in August 2012. Grace’s
story quickly became a bestseller - fast forward 12 months and Carmel joined the prestigious
HarperCollins publishing house, represented by Trace Literary Agency. Beyond Grace’s Rainbow was voted Romantic eBook of 2013 and Kindle Book of Year 2013. Her second novel ‘The Life You Left’, was published in June 2013, was also an eBook bestseller and earned Carmel the nickname, ‘Queen of Emotional Writing’. !
Carmel writes emotional family dramas and they share one common theme - strong characters who
find themselves in extraordinary situations. She loves to dig deep and see how they cope, as they grapple with life-changing moments. !
She is a regular on Irish TV as one of the panelists on TV3’s Midday Show, as well as being interviewed on RTE1’s Today Show, TV3’s IrelandAM and TV3’s The Morning Show. She has also been interviewed on US TV - Indiana’s WNDU. A a regular guest on radio stations and a
popular freelance writer. Carmel is also a popular motivational keynote speaker, at events in Ireland, UK and US. !
Twitter @HappyMrsH !
Facebook/happymrsh !
www.carmelharrington.com !
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