Emma's Review: The Girl from Donegal by Carmel Harrington

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

Can you ever forget your first love?

Donegal, Ireland, 1939

As the world teeters on the brink of WWII, Eliza Lavery is alone in the world after her fiancé, Davey, was lost following the Irish War of Independence. But a fateful meeting on the wild beauty of Ballymastocker Bay could change everything.

Hamilton, Bermuda, 2022

Eight decades later, troubled by her future, Saoirse O’Donnell walks on the pink sands of Bermuda’s Horseshoe Bay. When she uncovers a connection to Eliza, all those years before, she hears a story that promises to influence her own heart and her own choice – but that also reveals a long-buried secret.

Book Links: Kindle or Paperback

Emma's Books of the Year 2022

It’s hard to believe another year is over and despite it being a tough year for us all we have made it through. I managed to reach my Goodreads goal of reading 100 books with just a few extras read as well and now I’ve looked back on what has been another fabulous year for books. I’ve discovered a number of new authors and once again loved books from some of my all time favourites. It was hard to narrow my choice down to ten but I have managed it and below you will find my favourite books of 2022. I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Sharon for her continued friendship and for hosting my reviews on the blog. 

I’m looking forward to what 2023 brings in terms of books and I already have a number of blog tours lined up for the new year. I think I’ve even already read a book which will feature on my 2023 books of the year but as to what that is I’ll leave you to guess. Perhaps put your guesses in the comments section. So without further ado here are my top ten books of 2022.

Andrea Mara is a queen at the top of her game and just gets better and better with each book she publishes. I already have her 2023 book – No One Saw A Thing on my TBR pile and know it will be just as good as Hide and Seek. This was a sublime read full of tension, suspense and twists and turns right until the very last page. There was a whirlwind of characters to get to know with suspicion falling in every corner as to what happened to young Lily Murphy whilst playing a game of hide and seek so many years ago. There is a creepy and unsettling feeling throughout as Johanna moves into the estate years later and discovers her house is where Lily once lived. Johanna can’t let sleeping dogs lie and she becomes dogged in discovering the truth of what happened and as a reader you are with her every step of the way in what was an utterly brilliant book which was extremely well plotted leaving you guessing until the last possible moment. My full review can be read here. 

I’ve loved all the books Tracy Rees has written in the historical fiction genre and was delighted to see last year she turned her hand to women’s fiction writing for my favourite publisher Bookouture. The Little House by the Sea is the first in what I hope will be a long series set in the village of Pennystrand. This is a gorgeous, warm and inviting read following Kitty Roberts as she up sticks and moves from London to the small village of Pennystrand. She gets work in an estate agents and her life is transformed and what a journey of discovery she goes on. It was fabulous to read of what she goes through and how she transforms into someone more confident and capable and someone who starts to believe in herself and her abilities. An exciting story awaits you between the covers of this wonderful book and I was sad to finish it and that’s why I hope there will be more to come from these characters and the fabulous setting. It’s a rare author that can write in multiple genres but Tracy Rees nails it and I know will continue to do so. My full review can be read here.

Emma's Review: A Mother's Heart by Carmel Harrington

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand 
While Rachel Butler likes her life in a pretty Dublin coastal village, her heart lies in Hawke’s Bay, where she grew up. Visiting for the first time since tragedy tore her family apart, she and her stepchildren fall for its beauty and outdoor lifestyle.

Malahide, Ireland 
As Rachel picks up the threads of her life as a single parent, she can’t shake off the memories of her loving family in New Zealand – and her dream house, the villa on the bay. But it’s time to move forwards with their life in Ireland, close to the children’s grandparents, amid the familiar surroundings they all know well. 

Until the children’s grandmother, still grieving, starts to interfere, questioning Rachel's position as stepmother. 

Until Rachel’s attempts to strengthen the family she loves so dearly backfires, pitting everyone against each other. 

And until her late husband’s parents mend the rift that has existed as long as she’s been married – bringing with them an explosive secret . . .

Book Links: Kindle or Paperback

Emma's Review: My Pear Shaped Life by Carmel Harrington

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

Meet Greta.
She’s funny.

She’s flawed.

She’s hiding so much behind her big smile she’s forgotten who she is.

But Greta is about to discover that the key to being happy is…being yourself.

Greta Gale has played the part of the funny fat one her entire life, hiding her insecurities behind a big smile. But size doesn’t matter when you can laugh at yourself, right?
Until Greta realises she’s the only one not laughing. And deep down, she’s not sure if she’ll ever laugh again.

But Greta is about to discover that sometimes the best moments in life come when it’s all gone a bit pear-shaped…

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Emma's Review: A Thousand Roads Home by Carmel Harrington

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

Meet Tom. Or Dr O’Grady, as he used to be called. When you pass him on the street, most people don’t even give him a second glance. You see, Tom isn’t living his best life. Burdened by grief, he’s only got his loyal dog, Bette Davis, for company and a rucksack containing his whole world.

Then there’s Ruth and her son, DJ, who no longer have a place to call home. But Ruth believes that you can change the world by helping one person at a time – and Tom needs her help.

There are a thousand ways to find your home – you just need to be brave enough to look for them.

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Review & Giveaway: Cold Feet: The Lost Years by Carmel Harrington

All the love. All the drama. All you missed.

HILARIOUS AND HEARTBREAKING OFFICIAL NOVEL FROM THE HIT TV SERIES.

Reeling from the sudden death of Rachel, his beloved wife, Adam has no time to grieve. He has to keep going, for the sake of their baby son.

Jenny moves back in with ex-husband Pete, eight and a half months pregnant with another man's child. Can their relationship overcome past jealousies?

Karen and David agree to an amicable divorce - but that's before he sleeps with the divorce lawyer...

THE LOST YEARS reveals what happened to your favourite characters between series five and six of the award-winning TV series written by Mike Bullen. It's an irresistible chance to catch up on all the laughter, the tears, the life lessons we missed while they were gone.

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Emma's Review: The Woman at 72 Derry Lane by Carmel Harrington

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

On a leafy suburban street in Dublin, beautiful, poised Stella Greene lives with her successful husband, Matt. The perfect couple in every way, Stella appears to have it all. Next door, at number 72 however, lives Rea Brady. Gruff, bad-tempered and rarely seen besides the twitching of her net curtains, rumour has it she’s lost it all…including her marbles if you believe the neighbourhood gossip.

But appearances can be deceiving and when Stella and Rea’s worlds collide they realise they have much in common. Both are trapped in a prison of their own making.

Has help been next door without them realising it?

Amazon Links: Kindle or Paperback (out November) 

Emma's Review: The Things I Should Have Told You by Carmel Harrington

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

Every family has a story…

But for the Guinness family a happy ending looks out of reach. Olly and Mae's marriage is crumbling, their teenage daughter Evie is on a mission to self-destruct and their beloved Pops is dying of cancer. Their once strong family unit is slowly falling apart.

But Pops has one final gift to offer his beloved family – a ray of hope to cling to. As his life's journey draws to a close, he sends his family on an adventure across Europe in a camper van, guided by his letters, his wisdom and his love.

Because Pops knows that all his family need is time to be together, to find their love for each other and to find their way back home…

Amazon Links: Kindle (Out now) or Paperback (Jan 2017)

Guest Post: Favourite Christmas Traditions by Carmel Harrington

As regulars of the blog will know I have been a huge supporter of Carmel Harrington since she first self-published her debut novel Beyond Grace's Rainbow so it's my absolute pleasure to host Carmel on today's stop for her latest book Every Time a Bell Rings.  

I think a lot of our traditions stem from happy childhood memories, don’t they? I was very lucky, I had a wonderful childhood crammed full of magical Christmas moments. Now, I include so many of those early loved traditions with my own children.


On Christmas Eve we start the day off by baking sausage rolls and mince pies. That smell, both savoury and sweet, is unmistakably Christmas, isn’t it?

Munching on the finished goods, burning your tongue as you sneak a bite, too impatient to wait for them to cool down, is another! I’ll never learn…

There will be a couple of visits in the afternoon to family and friends. And with each visit, the children will get more and more excited. And I won’t lie, I’m not far behind them. 

Emma's Guest Review: Carmel Harrington - Every Time a Bell Rings

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

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?

Amazon links: Kindle or Paperback

Extract from Every Time a Bell Rings by Carmel Harrington

Today I'm happy to be able to share with you an extract from the opening prologue of Carmel Harrington's new book Every Time A Bell Rings which is published in eBook this Thursday and paperback on 19th November.

Inspired by the timeless tale of beloved Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, Every Time a Bell Ring tells the story of Belle, a young woman and foster carer from Dublin who faces the hardest decision of her life this Christmas, on The Ha’Penny Bridge, Dublin.

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?

"Sounds like quite a nice tradition to keep." Jim says. "I’m glad I’m here to share it with you this year." 

"I’m glad you’re here too. You know, I’ve had years of strolling up and down this cobbled street with boyfriends, girlfriends, school friends and yes, I’ll even admit it - the shame. - on my own a few times." I look at him, feeling a little shy. "But this feels special, more than any other year. That’s because of you, Jim."

He grabs my hand and laughs, "I’m honoured. Come on then, Ms Bailey, show me what this great city of ours has to offer."

My eyes greedily take in the view ahead of us, down Grafton Street. Red, flickering lights coil around luscious green garlands, which drape from one side of the street to other. In the centre of each garland is a large red Victorian lantern and the light casts a warm glow over the busy cobbled street. Each shop window is alight with Christmas lights and resplendent baubles in rich jewel colours. 

There’s something about the energy here … well, it is breathtaking.

Books Read: Carmel Harrington - The Life You Left

It started out like any other day for Sarah Lawler; getting the kids ready for school, making the pack lunches and juggling baby Ella’s feeds. 

There was no way of knowing that her husband, Paul, would leave for work that morning and simply not come home. 

Now the questions are piling up quicker than the unpaid bills and, unable to answer her children’s questions about where their Daddy is, Sarah is getting desperate. 

But it turns out she isn’t quite as alone as she thought she was. When her beloved childhood friend, Edward, comes back into her life, Sarah thinks she’s finally been thrown a life line. 

There’s just one problem with Edward: Sarah is the only person who can see him.

Amazon links: Kindle or Paperback

Countdown to Christmas Day 19: Carmel Harrington

The latest participant in my Countdown to Christmas feature is author Carmel Harrington who's answering a few festive questions...

What’s your earliest or favourite Christmas memory?
Actually one of my earliest is when I was probably about 4 or 5 years old. I shared a room with my brother John who is a year younger than me. We had bunk beds. I can remember us both lying in our beds whispering that we had to go to sleep before Santa arrived, but too excited to close our eyes. We had been warned, if Santa sees you are awake, there will be no presents! Anyhow, Santa must have heard our excited whispers and to warn us that he was on his way, we heard sleigh bells ringing outside our door. I cannot express the excitement we both felt. Santa was on his way. John climbed down from his top bunk and jumped in with me and we both fell asleep quickly before the big man in red came into our room. Now, if I hear sleigh bells ring, it reminds me of that moment. 

What are you looking forward to most this Christmas?
It has to be the children’s faces when they see their Santa sacks. This is the first year that Amelia (almost 4!) really gets Santa and she is beyond excited. It’s going to be really special. Rog, my husband and I are like kids ourselves planning every detail. 

Debut Spotlight: Carmel Harrington

Earlier this year I interviewed Carmel Harrington after she'd self-published Beyond Grace's Rainbow but a lot has changed for Carmel since then as she's now signed a book deal with Harper Impulse. 

When Grace is diagnosed with cancer her best chance of survival is to find a bone marrow transplant from a family member. Only Grace is adopted and her one previous attempt to connect with her birth mother resulted in bitter disappointment.

But with her young son, Jack, to think about, and the return of her ex Liam, Jack’s father, reminding her of feelings she’d thought she’d buried long ago, Grace refuses to give up hope just yet. With the help of her friends she bravely embarks on a journey of discovery.

This search will bring her from her home in vibrant Dublin to the unspoilt beauty of Wexford where she must unravel a web of lies and deceit that has spanned over thirty years.

With a wonderful cast of supporting characters and plenty of charm, this will have you laughing and crying at the turn of a page.

Guest Book Review: Carmel Harrington - Beyond Grace's Rainbow

Reviewed by Ceri Kehoe 

Beyond Grace’s Rainbow is a poignant story about a young mother’s battle with cancer.  Single mother Grace Devlin faces what will be the biggest fight of her life and the stakes are high.  She cannot contemplate leaving her adorable little boy Jack all alone in the world.  Unfortunately for Grace her best chance of survival is to receive a bone marrow transplant, so she embarks on a heart breaking search for her biological parents, as she was adopted when a small baby.  This search will unravel a web of lies and deceit that has spanned over thirty years.

And just when she thinks life can get no more complicated, Jack’s father Liam is back in town full of remorse and he’s made it clear that he’s not leaving until he’s won her back.   Liam was the love of Grace’s life but can she trust him ever again? Helping Grace muddle her way through her cancer treatment and complicated love life are her friends – Tara, Sean, Abby, Tom and Gerry.  Tara is Grace’s cousin and is happily married to Sean but they are desperate for a baby of their own; Abby, Grace and Tara’s friend from college is single and looking for her one true love  which is proving difficult, whilst Tom would be happy if  his boyfriend Gerry for once didn’t max out their credit card!    Beyond Grace’s Rainbow will bring the reader into Graces world where friendship, courage, loyalty, laughter and above all love are abundant.  

Author Interview: Carmel Harrington

It's been a busy week of interviews this week but my final interviewee is Irish author Carmel Harrington whose debut book, Beyond Grace's Rainbow, was published last year. 

Can you tell us a little bit about Beyond Grace’s Rainbow?
Beyond Graces Rainbow follows the story of Grace, a single mother to Jack, who finds out that she has cancer. She needs a bone marrow transplant and the best chance of a donor match is with a family member, but as she’s adopted, this means she must embark on a journey of discovery to find out who her biological family is. This quest uncovers a web of lies and deceit that has spanned decades.

Where did the inspiration come from to write about such a sad topic as cancer?
Well initially I decided to write a story about an adopted person, who would need to find her biological family for medical reasons. I wasn’t sure initially what the medical issue would be at first, but then my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer and I was with her throughout her illness. So as I unfortunately got to know a lot about cancer and its devastating effect it has on not just the person diagnosed, but the family and friends too, I decided that this would be the illness that Grace had to deal with.

The novel is sad in many parts, as you said cancer is a sad topic. But there are lots of parts that will make the reader smile too. I think that’s what life is like really isn’t it? Full of twists and turns, good and bad times.

Which came first, the characters or the plot?
Definitely the plot with this novel. I had an idea where I wanted the story to go and then the characters developed as the plot did.

Are you able to give us a hint as to what your next novel is about?
Of course! My next novel is about Sarah a mother of three children, whose husband has gone missing. She’s struggling both financially and emotionally to cope on her own. In the midst of this trauma, she starts seeing an angel called Edward who claims that she has psychic abilities and that she must use these abilities to help solve a murder. Sarah’s life gets very complicated very quickly as she starts having psychic dreams and with the help of her brother James she tries to unravel the dreams meaning so that she can help those that need her help.

Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?
Yes, from a very young age I wanted to write. I kept a journal as a young girl and still have quite a few of them! They make an entertaining read now! I’ve always written short stories, long before I decided to write a novel. I loved our local library and would happily read several books a week, dreaming that one day I would see my name on a book sitting on a library bookshelf.

Have you ever had writer’s block?
Thankfully no. I never have a problem writing, but I do have a problem finding time to write! I have two small children, Amelia is 3 and Nate is 17 months old. That means that my time is not my own!
 
If you weren’t a writer, what career path would you have chosen to follow?
Oh great question. I’m quite creative and love to throw a good party. I think I’d love to be an events planner, but of the extravagant kind where budget wasn’t a factor!

Being a writer appears to be such a solitary lifestyle, especially when you’re in the midst of writing, so do you consider the influence of social Media, Face book and Twitter, a blessing or a hindrance?
For me social media has been a blessing. I’ve found it a great way to keep in touch with readers who have enjoyed Beyond Graces Rainbow and my blog posts. And it’s also a great way to find new readers too and to connect with other writers.
 
How long did it take you to get your first book published?
It was a relatively quick process once I decided to do it. I had written the first draft of Beyond Graces Rainbow years ago but it sat under my bed in a box. When I decided last year that it was time that I once and for all went for this, it was a pretty quick process to get the first draft rewritten and ready to be published.

Do you have a set daily writing routine?
I don’t get to write every day. My two children are in playschool 3 afternoons a week, so I write Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons religiously. However, when I’m on a roll, I have been known to write when they are in bed up until the wee hours of the morning.

Would you say that any of your characters are like you? If so, which one(s)?
I think that there are little bits of me in a lot of my characters. It is inevitable that I would draw on my own life experiences and that seeps into each of them a little. But they are all products of my imagination at the end of the day. However, there are similarities between Grace and myself. We’re both mothers and our children come first. End of.

If you could write another style of genre, what would it be and why?
I love thrillers, so I would say that.

If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring author, what would it be?
Write and then share what you have written. Get feedback and keep writing. Interact with similar minded people, use twitter and facebook to make connections. Use the resources that are available to you. I have found www.writing.ie invaluable. Just write, no excuses, set a deadline for yourself and do it.

If you could invite any three authors, alive or dead, to a dinner party who would you choose and why?
Jane Austen, because she is after all one of the Queens of Chick lit!

Dean Koontz., I’m intrigued to know what type of guy writes tales of horror like he does. His imagination is unparalleled and he is a great storyteller. I’ve never been disappointed with a Koontz novel.

Oscar Wilde. Delicious wit. Enough said.

Do you prefer to read physical copies of books or e-books?
I’ve been going through an e-book phase since I got my iPad. I love reading books on my iBooks reader and I love the fact that I can have hundreds of books on my bookshelf , so neat and tidy! But eBooks will never replace the physical joy of holding a printed book in your hand, in my opinion. Both have their place.

Are there any books you’ve read that you wish you’d written?
Too many to list. But I wouldn’t mind being JK Rowling! I loved the Harry Potter series. I also loved the Hunger Games actually, I think Suzanne Collins is a very clever writer.

When you’ve finished writing a book, do you treat yourself to a reward?
As it happens I do. I’ve had a glass of brandy each time I finished a novel. And it’s actually been quite late each time that I finished too but despite it being ridiculous o’clock in the morning, I still poured a glass of cognac and sipped it whilst looking at those beautiful words, The End.

Where would be your idyllic location for a writing retreat?
Somewhere warm with wifi! I love Florida, one of my favourite places to visit, so I’ll say there. And I wrote the majority of the first draft of Beyond Graces Rainbow in Florida actually. And that turned out ok!

If you were going to be stuck on a desert island and could only take 3 books with you, which ones would you choose?
Little Women, Lord of the Rings and To Kill a Mockingbird. Although if you ask me that question next week it might change slightly.

Can you describe Beyond Grace’s Rainbow in 20 words or less?
A poignant tale of a young mothers battle with cancer which will have you smiling and crying at the turn of a page.

You can follow my blog at http://carmelharrington.wordpress.com or find me on Twitter @happymrsh or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/happymrsh