Archive | September 2024

A New Dawn In Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen

Sep26

A Hug In A Book

A New Dawn In Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen is a most charming contemporary novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the third book in the Pelican Crossing series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading the previous books first for character development and progression.

Fans of Maggie Christensen will recognize the fictional town of Bellbird Bay and its’ residents who are just up the coast from Pelican Crossing. The interactions and crossovers between the two series, help the reader to feel at home.

Maggie Christensen writes in a very warm fashion as she draws the reader into her world. With each new tale we feel as if we are returning home to receive a hug in a book.

All the characters are well drawn and believable. The majority, including the lead characters, are over fifty. This makes them very relatable and easy to empathise with. Each new book has its’ focus on a different main character who will then interact with familiar faces.

The focus of this book is a pair of fifty something singles. One is single through the death of a partner. The other is single due to an unfaithful partner and is awaiting divorce to be finalized but there are financial stumbling blocks. Both are similar but different. Both have locked hearts away in order to preserve them.

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The Resistance Bakery by Siobhan Curan

Sep26

Smoke & Mirrors

The Resistance Bakery by Siobhan Curan is a powerful dual timeline historical novel that totally consumed me.

The action is set in Paris during the Nazi occupation from 1940 and also in America in 1984. Chapters alternate between the two time periods which are linked by a granddaughter hearing of her grandmother’s wartime exploits.

We see that not all Germans are Nazis who agree with Hitler. “I was … taken aback by how normal they [Nazis] looked.” Evil does not look so different from anyone else.

As young French and German people mixed in a hotel kitchen, hatred did not come easily. They were all united in their love of cooking. “The whole point of war is to get us to hate each other, but for what?” War seemed even more futile when the enemy was just like us.

A young French pastry chef is conflicted in her mind between the dreadful treatment of her Jewish friend and also the kindness of a German cook. Her emotions are tossed by the wind.

The non-Jewish pastry chef shows her loyalty to her Jewish friend by wearing the star of David on her clothes too. “I’m choosing not to see it as a target … I’m choosing to see it as a sign of how much I love you.” Resistance comes in many forms as seen when the two women dress up in their posh frocks, wear a smile and sing.

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Love Untold by Ruth Jones

Sep22

Full Circle

Love Untold by Ruth Jones is a beautiful love story set over the years and one that I just could not put down.

It is also a book that had me reaching for the tissues as the ending approached. If the book was heartfelt and beautiful (which it was), the ending was absolutely superb. The love which simmered underneath the whole book came full circle.

This is a book about four generations of women within the same family. It is about their love and relationships with each other and with those around them.

Mistakes are made over the years. Absences happen. There seems no way back – but love binds everything together.

We see the fierce, protective and loyal love of a mother. Mothers want the best for their children, even if they are wayward. A mother’s love never dies.

Grandma Grace is the matriarch of the family. Her love is deep and wide. Her love has no boundaries. Those who are hurting will always find that her arms are open wide.

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Lilac Cottage by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Sep20

Delightful

Lilac Cottage by Carrie Fancett Pagels is a delightful contemporary Christian novel which I loved. It is the second book in the Mackinac Cottages series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The reader is treated to the beautiful scenery of Mackinac through the author’s descriptions.  Found it easy to picture the scene as I know that the Grand Hotel in Mackinac was used in the 1980’s film Somewhere In Time. The pace of life is relaxing but not without incident.

We see the importance of heritage and knowing our roots. Ultimately what matters most is that we are all sons and daughters of the King. As much as our earthly family loves us, God loves us even more. “Did she have the right to ask God for anything more?… God wasn’t limited in His blessings.” God loves us and delights to bless us.

Grief brings conflicting emotions. “When Gram had died, she’d been furious at God.” God can handle our emotions, what He doesn’t want is our silence. He knows just what we need to heal. He longs to comfort us. “Poured out her grief to God.” God has loving arms that will comfort His children.

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