A Thousand Roads Home

 

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…

I have loved each and every one of Carmel Harrington's novels and now adding A Thousand Roads Home to that list it is clear to see that this is a remarkable author who can be relied upon to provide a novel to pull at the heart strings and to shine light on very real and raw topics.

A Thousand Roads Home follows the story of Ruth and Tom with each chapter switching between each character’s points of view as we move back and forth in time building a vivid picture of their lives and struggles that they have faced. Ruth is mum to DJ but they have now found themselves homeless and she is desperate to provide for her son despite her daily struggles. Tom knows what it is like to be homeless as he has been sleeping on a park bench for ten years. As the pair unite, they find comfort in each others company and shows that solidarity and support is what they both need.

I have read a few books now who have a main character who has autism however none have taken the direction that Carmel Harrington has with Ruth being a parent and showing the effects it has on a mother and son relationship. She really does have a heart of gold even if she may unintentionally say or do the wrong thing from time to time and I was really hoping for a positive outcome for her and DJ. DJ is a pure delight too, he is very honest at times with certain things he struggles with in relation to his mum and their situation and this comes across well, he did seem a lot older than ten years old but I believe this is a consequence from the responsibilities he has in helping his mum.

Our little hidden gem that is our dear Tom, well what can I say I just wanted to reach in and pull him out of the book and give him the biggest hug and help him back on his feet. His story is a heartbreaking one that is delivered with such tenderness and care.

I was so immersed by this storyline, it is emotive and insightful with characters who are so well developed. There was such depth to this story with so many challenging issues tackled along the way the author raises awareness whilst creating a beautiful storyline that I didn’t want to end.

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The Woman at 72 Derry Lane by Carmel Harrington

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?

I get very little time to read now and so I am very careful when picking a book to read, I need something that is going to pull me in from the first page and make me switch off from the hustle and bustle of every day life. When one of my favourite authors sent me a copy of her latest release The Woman at 72 Derry Lane along with a pack of tissues because this Queen of emotional writing always leaves me sitting like a blubbering wreck, I knew that I could trust in this authors writing to pick me up and lose me whole heartedly through each of the pages.

We are introduced to two women Stella and Rea who are neighbours who strike up an unlikely friendship when they gradually realise they are more alike than they would like to admit. Both women are trapped, Stella in a brutal and unforgiving marriage to a fowl excuse for a human being Matt and Rea in her own personal prison who has lost everything and everyone and can not step out of her comfort zone to her freedom. When Stella reaches breaking point she reaches out to Rea for help and the pair form a strong bond and both want to see each other live the happy lives they both deserve.

I always come to expect a devastating topic weaved through the pages of a Carmel Harrington novel and she addresses both domestic abuse and agoraphobia in this one which in itself was enough to get emotions and my temper running high. I drew hope from seeing both Rea and Stella drawing strength and support from each other and I was very much enjoying their storyline and then there was a new storyline weaved in a little way through the book that threw me off. At first I was a little put out that this other storyline was interrupting my time with Stella and Rea and I really couldn't see any connection this had to the ladies but the more snippets we were given of this other storyline the more my interest was piqued and I found myself coming full circle and wanting to know more about this than Rea and Stella’s story! 

This part of the book was breath-taking, the utter horror and desperation grew with each chapter and it was so compelling and what added to the tragic storyline is it was loosely based on a real life event that shook the nation. I really don’t want to say anymore on this part of the book as for me it was this that made the book such an exceptional, emotional and thought provoking read that will stay in your head and heart for a long time to come.

Strangely enough this book didn't have me flooding with tears, it actually had me feeling bereft and numb and continually thinking about all those that were involved with the devastation and wondering how those who survived are coping in life today.

Once again Carmel Harrington has delivered a remarkable, thought provoking and emotional storyline that will capture the heart of every reader and shatter it in two

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Cover Reveal

Today I am so excited to be able to share an EXCLUSIVE Irish cover reveal with you for one of my most anticipated books of 2017 by one of my favourite authors who I call the

Queen of Emotional writing.....

The Woman at 72 Derry Lane by Carmel Harrington.

Set on a beautiful leafy street in Dublin, the novel explores the unlikely friendship between two neighbours. Beautiful, serene Stella, who appears to have it all, and gruff, bad-tempered Rea, who seems to have lost it all…including her marbles if you believe the neighbourhood gossip. But appearances can be deceiving and both women discover that behind closed doors everyone has a secret they are desperate to keep…

I love the sound of this novel and I love the look of the cover too, what are your thoughts on The Woman at 72 Derry Lane?

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The Woman at 72 Derry Lane is due for release 1st June for the Irish release followed by the Uk release in September.

The Things I Should Have Told You by Carmel Harrington

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…

The Queen of Emotional writing has struck again! Carmel Harrington always delivers a novel that will pull at the heart strings and bring a tear to your eye and her novel The Things I Should Have told You is no exception.

Pops is the heart of the Guinness family but he knows his time is coming to an end but he is determined to do one more thing before his time is up and that is to attempt to help them all get away from their struggles that they have all faced in this difficult year but will it be enough to repair Mae and Ollys marriage?

This was such an endearing read that had me hooked from the opening chapter. We lean early on in the book that the family have been through the mill this year not just with Pops but also the strain on Mae and Olly’s marriage as well as a tragic incident that had daughter Evie fighting for her life when her little brother Jamie found her unconscious. The Guinness family were so down to earth and like most families they have their flaws but being handed this wonderful opportunity at this time was just what they needed.

Carmel Harrington has such a wonderful way of bringing her characters to life that before long you forget they are fictional characters and you come to care about them and just wish for a happy ending for them. I loved each and every character in this book and because most of the book is told from both Mae and Olly’s points of view we really get to know these characters well but we also have a good insight into what is going on in Evie’s life too which I thought was handled in a very tender way. Of course we also have little Jaime to who brought a few laughs along the way which broke up the emotion of the book from time to time.

I was getting quite excited to see where the Guinness’s journey would take them next and although they covered many different places on their adventure the storyline never felt rushed and the author also described each area on great detail so it was easy to visualise. One thing I did love was the idea of making sure that each area they visited they would eat the local cuisine and I think I need to be braver and make this one of my goals next time I am away.

This is another corker from Carmel Harrington that will not disappoint, I never seem to find any constructive criticism to give after reading one of her books as they tick all of the boxes and yet she still manages to come back bigger and better each year. 

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Every Time a Bell Rings by Carmel Harrington

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?

I have just finished reading Every Time a Bell Rings by Carmel Harrington and I can put my hand on my heart and say that this author has put her heart and soul into this beautiful storyline. She has created such warm, loving and caring characters that you can’t help but admire and hope for a happy ever after for them.

The storyline is told over three parts covering the back ground of our main character Belle in her early years progressing through to the current day and along the journey we meet a wonderful group of characters who have a strong influence on her life from the trusting Tess who is bursting with love and of course not forgetting Jim who has his own troubles but has a strong bond with Belle from their first meeting and to see their relationship blossom was wonderful to watch. There were a number of foster children who we also meet along the way all who touched my heart and brought something special to the storyline as well as to Belle’s life.

This time of year I love all the Christmas books coming out and as I pick each one up I am secretly hoping for that warm, sparkly and uplifting feel to flow through the pages but with this book it is so much more, Christmas is a time for friends and family and this book reminds us of the importance of family and that there are so many unfortunate people who do not have the happy Christmas we all know and love. Don’t get me wrong this isn’t a doom and gloom book that will depress you before the run up to Christmas as there is a beautiful touch of festivity in the book and there are new beginnings and at times giving children love and hope.

Carmel Harrington has such a delicate and stunning writing style that gets right to the heart of some very tender issues that I am aware of but she takes things deeper and usually ends up breaking my heart! Broken homes and Foster care is the main focus in this book and seeing how the events that happened in Belle’s past she carried with her all through her life and were actually holding her back in life and to see that she blamed herself just made my heart go out to her character.

This book sure is a captivating read that will bring a lump to your throat and will have you being more thankful for the life you live and sparing a thought for others. Well done Carmel on another thought provoking read that pulled at my heart strings.

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The Life You Left by Carmel Harrington

Beyond Grace's Rainbow has left a mark on me and so I couldn't wait to read another book by the same author and let me tell you Carmel Harrington really knows how to grab you hook line and sinker from the opening of this book! 

I don't want to give too much away with my description of this book as for once I didn't actually read the synopsis of this book as I was blown away by the authors previous book so I just wanted to dive in and I really enjoyed discovering things along the way especially with Edward! The storyline follows Sarah Lawlor and at the beginning of the book she receives an e-mail that changes her life her husband has decided he needs space and has left no details as to his whereabouts or his intentions. Finding herself alone to manage their three young children as well as the running of the house she could really do with some support. James who is Sarah's twin soon comes to the rescue and is there for her sister but unexpectedly another arrival from her childhood has returned but is Edward a welcome return? 

This is just a very small taste of what this book is actually about there is just so much going on in this book that there is something for everyone. The situation with Edward really intrigued me as it has always been a great interest to me so I couldn't wait for the chapters with him around. I loved that there was a crime/suspense feel in this book too it gives woman's fiction lovers a small taste of another genre without throwing you out of your comfort zone.

The raw emotion I felt whilst reading the authors debut novel was what really made me fall in love with that book because it was the first book that had actually moved me to tears but this is definitely where the authors strengths lay in emotional writing I don't think there will be a single person who will read this book without at least having a lump in their throat !

I loved the suspense that was created throughout this book, it helps to make this a real page turner. Sarah was a fantastic main character and all of the supporting characters all brought a little something different to the storyline and were developed really well.

Although Beyond Grace's Rainbow is still a firm favourite by this author The Life You Left is still an amazing second novel that I highly recommend and I can't wait for this authors next release!

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CHECK OUT THE NEW BOOK TRAILER FOR THIS AMAZING BOOK......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBhH_4lalsk

Beyond Grace's Rainbow by Carmel Harrington

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.

Now that I have finished sobbing I can give you my opinion on Beyond Grace’s Rainbow by Carmel Harrington.

Grace is our main character, she is a single mum to her adorable son Jack and she has a large group of close friends who are all about to become her support network as she has just received the devastating news that she has cancer. It is as she is preparing to undergo treatment that her ex Liam has returned and wants to be back in her life and to be a father to his son who he has never met.

This book was breath-taking, although I have read many books that have brought a lump to my throat, this book went one step further, the emotion was so raw and unexpected that I had tears streaming down my face ( not a good look on your break at work!) I believe that because I connected so well with all of the characters I felt like I was part of their group so everything that happened to Grace felt like it was happening to a friend so I think this was why I felt so emotional.

The writing style was perfect and flawless, there were no slow points or parts that felt the need to skim read, it flowed at a continual gentle pace that enveloped you in the storyline. At times I felt the storyline was predictable but then all of a sudden there was a shift in the way things looked and so I got a shock of my life.

The characters were a fabulous mix, I particularly loved the quirky, gay friend Gerry! Having a character like him in this book was really needed as he kept the fun and light-hearted side to an emotional and deep storyline. Grace was such a strong, caring and loveable character who I loved from the start.

The friendship between the group is a major part of the storyline and each of the friends have their own little story going on too. As well as the friendship and Grace’s illness there is also a lovely touch of romance but also some past history to uncover.

This book is easily a 5* read and I will be recommending this book for a long time yet. I wouldn’t hesitate to read more books by this author.

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