Closing The Gap

A Family Christmas In Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen is a most charming Contemporary Christmas novel that will warm your heart and leave you smiling. It is part of the Pelican Crossing series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Once more Maggie Christensen has created a wonderful treasure chest full of characters as we catch up with familiar faces and get to know new ones. Pelican Crossing is a place of community where strangers become friends; and friends become family.

The leading characters are in their sixties and prove that life is for living whatever your age. At each new stage of life, there are new opportunities for fresh beginnings.

A character has spent a lifetime feeling hurt and angry. “It’s been a long time… I think I may be ready to… forgive her.” Forgiveness frees us from a prison of bitterness, enabling us to live light and free.

Another character finds himself single after losing the love of his life. There is life after loss. It will be different but one day you will smile again. “He missed her every day, but life had to go on.”

Books are powerful. Characters connect over books and cake in a newly-formed book club. Books have been a lifeline for some, and lifelong dreams of owning a bookshop really did come true. It is good to be able to pass the baton on to someone younger.

Characters bond over food and festivities. A cyclone warning threatens to de-rail Christmas plans. Characters support each other as the festive season approaches.

Once more Maggie Christensen has created a very charming novel about love, and families, and lost opportunities. Although the novel is set at Christmas, it will delight the reader all year round. So, grab a coffee and a copy today, and sit back and enjoy a visit to Pelican Crossing.

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

JULIA WILSON