Not To Blame - Maggie Hartley ebook short

Not To Blame - Maggie Hartley ebook short

Author: Maggie Hartley

Publisher: Seven Dials

Published: 2020-03-05

Total Pages: 156

ISBN-13: 1841884138

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A new short story from the nation's favourite foster carer. Sixteen-year-old Rebecca has been in care all her life, bouncing from foster carers and children's homes without ever having a permanent home to call her own. Social Services are at a loss as to what to do with the troubled teenager. Prone to violent outbursts and sudden, uncontrollable tantrums, Rebecca has never spent more than a few months in any one placement. When she comes to live with foster carer Maggie Hartley, it seems like there is little hope of Rebecca ever finding a long-term home. Her strange behaviour and sudden flashes of anger present challenges unlike any Maggie has ever seen before. But when a secret from Rebecca's past finally comes to light, it seems that Maggie has finally found the root of this vulnerable girl's out-of-control behaviour. Can Maggie help Rebecca come to terms with her past and realise she's not to blame?


The Girl No One Wanted

The Girl No One Wanted

Author: Maggie Hartley

Publisher: Trapeze

Published: 2017-12-21

Total Pages: 93

ISBN-13: 1409177041

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Eleven-year-old Leanne is out of control. Since being taken into care at the age of three, she has had over forty placements, each carer less able to cope with her anger and destruction than the last. Late one night, foster carer Maggie Hartley receives a terrified call from Leanne's current placement, who has barricaded herself in her bathroom to protect herself from Leanne's rage. With the police on standby, Maggie manages to diffuse the situation but Leanne is left without a home once more. Maggie is Leanne's only hope. But this is her last chance. If this placement fails, she will have to be put in a secure unit. Then Leanne threatens Maggie with a knife and makes accusations against her that have to be investigated by Maggie's superiors. Where most others would simply walk away, Maggie refuses to give up on the little girl who's never known love. Can Maggie get through to Leanne and begin to help her heal? Will the girl no one wanted find her forever home? A true story of hope from Sunday Times bestselling author Maggie Hartley, a foster carer for over 20 years. 'Pulled at my heart strings' 5* Amazon reader review


The Lost Boy

The Lost Boy

Author: Maggie Hartley

Publisher: Seven Dials

Published: 2021-03-11

Total Pages: 67

ISBN-13: 1841884820

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He looked lost and sad, I felt so sorry for him. 'What's going to happen to me?' he asked quietly. 'My dad doesn't like me. I'm never going home again. Teenager Carl arrives on foster carer Maggie Hartley's doorstep following a terrible row with his father. Quiet, withdrawn and unhappy, Carl refuses to talk about his home life, and Maggie finds herself at a loss as to how to help this vulnerable, lost boy. It's clear that there's a very heavy burden resting on Carl's young shoulders, but with the boy refusing to confide in anyone, and with concerns about his mental health growing by the day, Maggie begins to feel desperate. A chance discovery in Carl's room finally reveals the truth behind the boy's anguish, and despite all her years of experience as a foster carer, Carl's secret is unlike anything Maggie has ever had to deal with before. Can Maggie help this confused and unhappy boy share the truth behind his misery? And can Carl ever find a way to move beyond his pain to live a happy, normal life? A true story of hope from Sunday Times bestselling author Maggie Hartley, a foster carer for over 20 years. 'An amazing inspiration' 5* Amazon reader review


The Little Ghost Girl

The Little Ghost Girl

Author: Maggie Hartley

Publisher: Trapeze

Published: 2016-09-08

Total Pages: 211

ISBN-13: 140916540X

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Ruth was a ghost of a girl when she arrived into foster mother Maggie Hartley's care. Pale, frail and withdrawn, it was clear to Maggie that Ruth had seen and experienced things that no 11-year-old should have to, that she's been conditioned to 'see no evil, speak no evil'. Ruth is in desperate need of help, but can Maggie get through to her and unlock the harrowing secret she carries? Through love, reassurance and patience, Maggie starts to unravel Ruth's painful past - a past defined by cruelty and abuse by the very people who should have protected her. Raised by a cruel stepmother and her father after her own mum abandoned her, Ruth was abused, underfed and ignored, while her half-siblings lived a life of luxury. It's up to Maggie to help Ruth find her voice; to be a ghost no more, and bring those who've harmed her to justice. A true story of hope from Sunday Times bestselling author Maggie Hartley, a foster carer for over 20 years. *The Little Ghost Girl was originally published in 2016* 'Captivated from beginning to end' 5* Amazon reader review


Is It My Fault Mummy?

Is It My Fault Mummy?

Author: Maggie Hartley

Publisher: Seven Dials

Published: 2022-07-19

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13: 9781409195801

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Foster carer Maggie Hartley is used to receiving placements at short notice, but the arrival of seven-year-old Paris sees her handling one of her most heart-breaking cases yet. Paris arrives at Maggie's house with the police, after the traumatised little girl is found wandering the streets alone, sobbing that she can't wake up her baby brother. When the police eventually discover where Paris lives, they make a shocking discovery: her mum and stepdad are in a heroin-induced coma, and it's too late to save five-month-old baby Joel. Paris is convinced it's all her fault but slowly, through love and care, she begins to open up to Maggie and reveals the horrendous neglect and abuse she and her brother endured. Maggie is stunned to discover that Paris knows exactly how to make a bottle and change a nappy, and it soon becomes clear that this little girl was forced to shoulder the responsibility of looking after her baby brother singlehandedly. With both parents on remand in prison and charged with neglect, Maggie must slowly try to break down the wall of guilt surrounding this damaged little girl and help her heal from the trauma of her brother's death.


A Desperate Cry for Help

A Desperate Cry for Help

Author: Maggie Hartley

Publisher: Trapeze

Published: 2019-01-24

Total Pages: 79

ISBN-13: 1409188981

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Twelve-year-old Meg arrives at Maggie's after a fire destroys the children's home she's been living in. Terrified and having lost most of her possessions, Maggie must work hard to make the vulnerable young girl feel at home. But traumatised by the fire, and angry and vulnerable, having been put into care by her mother, Meg is lashing out at everyone around her. Can Maggie reach this damaged little girl before it's too late? And before Meg's destructive behaviour puts Maggie's life - and the lives of the other children in her care - at risk? A true story of hope from Sunday Times bestselling author Maggie Hartley, a foster carer for over 20 years. 'Tore at my heart strings' 5* Amazon reader review


Girl of the Limberlost

Girl of the Limberlost

Author: Gene Stratton-Porter

Publisher: Applewood Books

Published: 2006-07

Total Pages: 353

ISBN-13: 1557092923

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Reprint. Originally published: New York: Grosset & Dunlap, A1909.


Denied a Mummy

Denied a Mummy

Author: Maggie Hartley

Publisher: Trapeze

Published: 2018-11-01

Total Pages: 217

ISBN-13: 1409177106

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When Maggie's latest placement arrives on her doorstep, it is clear that Sean, Dougie and their big sister Mary have been through unspeakable traumas in their short lives. Violent and malnourished, the siblings have been left to fend for themselves by their drug-addicted parents. Maggie must use all of her skills and experience as a foster carer to help these damaged siblings to learn to be children again. With much love, care and patience, their behaviour gradually starts to improve and social services start looking for a forever family for them. But alarm bells start to ring when Maggie meets the couple who have been matched to adopt the siblings. It is clear that they're looking for the perfect, ready-made family, and they're not going to get it with these vulnerable brothers and sister. Despite raising her concerns with social services, Maggie is powerless to prevent the adoption from going ahead and she must put aside her own fears to help the siblings settle in with their new parents. But she can't shake the feeling of dread as she waves them goodbye. A few months later, Maggie's worst nightmares come true when she learns that the children have been handed back to the care of social services following the breakdown of the adoption. Maggie must fight to get the children returned to her, but is it too late to undo the damage that has been done? A true story of hope from Sunday Times bestselling author Maggie Hartley, a foster carer for over 20 years. *Denied A Mummy was originally published in 2018* 'This was a book I could not put down' 5* Amazon reader review


Is It My Fault, Mummy?

Is It My Fault, Mummy?

Author: Maggie Hartley

Publisher: Trapeze

Published: 2018-06-07

Total Pages: 84

ISBN-13: 1409177114

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Foster carer Maggie Hartley is used to receiving placements at short notice, but the arrival of seven-year-old Paris sees her handling one of her most heart-breaking cases yet. Paris arrives at Maggie's house with the police, after the traumatised little girl is found wandering the streets alone, sobbing that she can't wake up her baby brother. When the police eventually discover where Paris lives, they make a shocking discovery: her mum and stepdad are in a heroin-induced coma, and it's too late to save five-month-old baby Joel. Paris is convinced it's all her fault but slowly, through love and care, she begins to open up to Maggie and reveals the horrendous neglect and abuse she and her brother endured. Maggie is stunned to discover that Paris knows exactly how to make a bottle and change a nappy, and it soon becomes clear that this little girl was forced to shoulder the responsibility of looking after her baby brother singlehandedly. With both parents on remand in prison and charged with neglect, Maggie must slowly try to break down the wall of guilt surrounding this damaged little girl and help her heal from the trauma of her brother's death.


A Family For Christmas

A Family For Christmas

Author: Maggie Hartley

Publisher: Trapeze

Published: 2016-12-01

Total Pages: 73

ISBN-13: 1409170551

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When foster carer Maggie Hartley meets Sean and Sheila, they're facing every parent's worst nightmare. A split-second decision to leave toddler Edward alone for a few short minutes results in a tragic accident, and Edward is left fighting for his life. He survives, but is tragically left severely brain damaged. Wracked with guilt, destroyed by blame and struggling to accept that their perfect toddler has gone, Sean and Sheila go to pieces. Maggie steps in to foster Edward while his parents battle with the unspoken fear that he may have to be adopted permanently if they cannot cope with their son's needs. Will Maggie be able to help this family grieve for the son they've lost and learn to love the little boy he is now? And will Edward have a family to go home to at Christmas? A true story of hope from Sunday Times bestselling author Maggie Hartley, a foster carer for over 20 years. 'A lovely, heartwarming story' 5* Amazon reader review