Tag Archive | Maggie Christensen

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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Celebrations In Bellbird Bay

Nov15

A New Release

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.

Continue reading →

Second Chances At Bellbird Bay by Maggie Christensen

Aug1

Very Charming

Second Chances In Bellbird Bay by Maggie Christensen is a very charming contemporary novel and the seventh book in the Bellbird Bay series. It warmed my heart.

Bellbird Bay is the place where a huge warm welcome awaits. Strangers quickly become friends. There is an air of community that pervades the book. Lives are lived out in the open but be ware of listening to gossip and test the source before believing all you hear or misunderstandings may arise.

Bellbird Bay is the home of second chances and new beginnings. Missed opportunities in the teenage years have the chance for a do-over as characters reach their fifties. Growing old does not mean missing out. It’s never too late for a fresh start.

We hear of the devastating effects of an earthquake in the Philippines. We witness how a hotelier drops everything to go and be part of the aid team.

All the characters are well drawn, likable and realistic. Many put family first. Bellbird Bay is a place where “people are happy and content with their lives, not always striving for more.” True happiness is found in people and not possessions.

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