Tag Archive | Bellbird Bay

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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Happy Ever After In Bellbird Bay by Maggie Christensen

Feb15

The End Of An Era

Happy Ever After In Bellbird Bay by Maggie Christensen is another wonderful offering that will wrap around you as you read. It is the ninth and final book in the Bellbird Bay series which has been a total delight. Each visit has felt like a hug in a book and I am sorry that the series has ended.

Bellbird Bay is a place we all want to visit – if only for a few hours as we sink into the books. Bellbird Bay is a place of community, care and compassion. It is where people look out for each other as lives are entwined.

It is a pure delight to meet up with familiar faces as we focus in on a different main character in each book. All are absolutely charming, likable and realistic. I love the fact that many of the characters are over fifty and show that life is for living and having fun whatever your age.

We see the new set of problems that elderly parents bring – dementia that robs us of our loved one’s piece by piece while they are still alive. Also, there is the problem of diminishing independence after an accident, meaning that assisted lived is needed. This is met with stubbornness and fear – fear of selling the family home and losing memories. “I remember Mum there … but you’d take your memories with you.” Memories are always portable.

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Happy Ever After In Bellbird Bay by Maggie Christensen

Feb13

A Fabulous Series Finale

Happy Ever After In Bellbird Bay by Maggie Christensen is another wonderful offering that will wrap around you as you read. It is the ninth and final book in the Bellbird Bay series which has been a total delight. Each visit has felt like a hug in a book and I am sorry that the series has ended.

Bellbird Bay is a place we all want to visit – if only for a few hours as we sink into the books. Bellbird Bay is a place of community, care and compassion. It is where people look out for each other as lives are entwined.

It is a pure delight to meet up with familiar faces as we focus in on a different main character in each book. All are absolutely charming, likable and realistic. I love the fact that many of the characters are over fifty and show that life is for living and having fun whatever your age.

We see the new set of problems that elderly parents bring – dementia that robs us of our loved one’s piece by piece while they are still alive. Also, there is the problem of diminishing independence after an accident, meaning that assisted lived is needed. This is met with stubbornness and fear – fear of selling the family home and losing memories. “I remember Mum there … but you’d take your memories with you.” Memories are always portable.

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Celebrations In Bellbird Bay by Maggie Christensen

Nov19

Sea, Sun, Surf – And Cake!

Celebrations In Bellbird Bay by Maggie Christensen is a most delightful contemporary novel. It is the eighth book in the charming Bellbird Bay series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading the previous books first in order to get to know the residents of Bellbird Bay.

I thoroughly enjoyed my return visit. I loved catching up with familiar faces and meeting new ones. Bellbird Bay is very much community minded. “We care about each other here.”

Bellbird Bay is the place where people look out for each other. There is an eclectic mix of characters and always those who are happy to match-make! People pull together, helping each other and supporting local businesses where they can.

Relocating from Sydney after a disaster, a character re-connects with her old roots. With a fifteen year old daughter in tow, she returns to the Bellbird Bay of her youth. As she re-connects life becomes much fuller, compared with the anonymity of suburban Sydney.

There are community activities for all ages. As well as events to raise money for local charities such as victims of domestic abuse.

Characters bond over sea, sun, surf – and cake! All the characters are wonderfully drawn. Most are not in their first flush of youth. The lead characters are in their forties and also an octogenarian.

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