A Perfect Escape

Safe Harbour In Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen is a most charming contemporary novel that I really enjoyed. It is the fifth book in the Pelican Crossing series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Each book in the series has a different character focus but they all have inter-connecting lives. It is always good to catch up with familiar faces. The reader appreciates the wisdom of Old Agnes, and applauds when characters take note of her words.

Pelican Crossing is the place where many (including this reader) want to call home. “Here in Pelican Crossing, it was as if she had a new lease of life.” Pelican Crossing is a place of community, where hurting hearts come home to heal.

Pelican Crossing is also a place of new connection and re-connection. A place where secrets are not so secret and where big hearts spread love and care.

We witness that the lives of the two main characters have not always been easy. They ‘lost’ each other in their teens and have now ‘found’ each other – but is the ending destined to be happy?

Well meaning family members give ill thought-out advice at times, and there are misunderstandings along the way.

A previously abused character returns to Pelican Crossing. Her physical scars have faded but her mental scars remain as she forever wonders if the abuse, she suffered was her fault. “I was too afraid to leave. I thought it was my fault.” Abuse is never the fault of the victim.

There is the fear that the sins of the father will be replicated in the son.

I always love Maggie Christensen’s series that are set in Pelican Crossing and the inter-linking Bellbird Bay. Locations and characters cross over. We meet an eclectic mix of people and I love the fact that the lead characters are all over fifty and have all had a variety of life experiences.

Pelican Crossing is a charming location with wonderfully warm characters and is the perfect place to plan an escape to. We all need a little Pelican Crossing in our lives.

I received a free copy from the author. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

JULIA WILSON