Archive | August 2026

Finding Forever In Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen

Dipping A Toe In New Waters

Finding Forever In Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen is the charming tenth book in the wonderful Pelican Crossing series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Once more the reader is delighted to return to the tranquil Pelican Crossing where the welcome is warm as the locals offer hospitality and friendship to all.

Catching up with familiar faces and locations, and meeting new ones is always a pure delight.

The reason for a character rushing to Pelican Crossing is an accident has befallen her beloved Mimi. Fifty-year-old Paige finds herself at a crossroads in life. Pelican Crossing offers peace and care whilst her heart heals from grief. We ‘feel’ the pain of sudden loss – for me, it was all too raw, as my ninety-five-year-old Dad died suddenly and unexpectedly recently, very similar to the character in the book. I could easily empathise, grief is not linear, it comes in waves.

Pelican Crossing is a community that offers care where it can. Lives are supported – and everyone knows your business which is far preferable to the anonymity of a big city.

Grown up children are quick to consign their mother to the pipe and slippers brigade. This was reminiscent of the grown-up children in the movie with Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson, All That Heaven Allows buying their mother a television for company. Life is for living whatever your age. Grown up children show that they can be very selfish – taking and taking from a mother, without any thought to her needs.

Continue reading

The Secret Dressmaker by Jenny O’Brien

Entertaining

The Secret Dressmaker by Jenny O’Brien is a historical novel that entertains from the start. It is the second book in Threads Of Resistance series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The reader is treated to the landscape of occupied France, mainly Paris, as we join characters trying to disrupt the Nazi war effort and learn their secrets.

There are personal secrets to be unravelled too. A young woman has returned to France as part of the resistance, and also to search for her twin daughters who were taken from her eighteen years earlier – and what she discovers, is shocking.

We witness ugly events as a character is consumed by jealousy. There are no lengths to which she will not stoop.

Within families, members are on opposite sides of the war.

The walls of a house that nuns have provided in the past, continues to be a safe haven.

Continue reading

House Of Thieves by Rachel Walkley

Echoes Down The Centuries

House Of Thieves by Rachel Walkley is an enthralling dual timeline that entertained me from the start.

The action is set in 1812 and present day in a large old house with artefacts looked after by a trust.

As we read, the story unfolds in both periods by the same, single voice – alive in 1812 but walking the corridors, unable to rest, in present day, waiting for her story to be told.

In present day, a character searches for a diary, longing to hear the tale of her family long gone.

A gruesome discovery in the gardens throws up even more questions.

We see that the family’s old money was built up on the abomination that is slavery. They owned a plantation in Barbados.

Continue reading

Five & The Forest Of Secrets by Chris Smith

A Sense Of Fun & Adventure

Five & The Forest Of Secrets by Chris Smith is a wonderful children’s tale of adventure. It is the third book in The New Famous Five series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The new famous five includes an original member, George, who is now a famous scientist, just like her father. The three children and their dog are delivered to George by their Grandpa Dick, another original member.

In true famous five style the children, George and twelve-year-old Cici (whose parents are away for the summer) and Gilbert the dog, set off on a camping holiday – that is destined to become an adventure. As we know: “all the best adventures start… with a cup of tea” – and adventures end with a come-uppance for the villains.

Once more, the new famous five set out to save the day.

Continue reading