Being a parent is hard enough when you are raising your own children, but Jim and Belle Looney have been parents to many over the years in their role as foster parents. Letting go of one child, yet being ready to receive another takes its toll on Belle. Her heart breaks when young Lauren is returned to her mother a few days before Christmas. The loss of Lauren and the emptiness of their home sees Jim and Belle arguing and follows with Jim crashing the car one icy night. The possible loss of Jim as well becomes too much to bear. With the magic of Christmas, an angel hears Belle’s wish... is it too late for Belle to recognise her heart is one which gives others hope? Yet again, Carmel Harrington has created a magnificent story full of heartbreak, love and hope. Readers will warm to the characters and may just find a piece of themselves in the storyline. With the Christmas spirit wrapping every page, Every Time a Bell Rings is simply perfect! Inspired by the film It’s a Wonderful Life, this is an emotional story which will definitely be well received by readers everywhere. (MP)
Inspired by the movie It's a Wonderful World, Carmel Harrington's latest novel, Every Time a Bell Rings, by Carmel Harrington, tells the story of a foster carer. The summary says: "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?" Every Time a Bell Rings is out in October 2015.