Book Review: Safe Harbour in Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen

I’m pleased to be welcoming Maggie Christensen back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Safe Harbour in Pelican Crossing.

Safe Harbour in Pelican Crossing: An emotional and uplifting story of friends, family and second chances

After the death of her abusive husband, Erica Masters returns to Perth, eager for a fresh start and the birth of her granddaughter. But when she learns her husband has changed his Will in favour of their son, leaving her with nothing, she flees to seek refuge in Pelican Crossing, the place she once called home.

Having sold his fishing boat after a bitter divorce which left him to bring up his two teenage sons, Jamie Whittaker has found success with his fishing charter business. Thrilled by the arrival of his first grandchild, he is stunned when his teenage flame, Erica, reappears in town.

As the pair reconnect, old feelings resurface, but Erica remains guarded after her painful past. Jamie, determined to win Erica’s heart once again, manages to break through her defences until a family tragedy turns their lives upside down.

With everything unravelling around them, can these two troubled souls build a future together?

If you enjoy emotional reads, you’ll love this gripping tale of love and second chances.

*****

Erica’s life has not been the happiest. After the death of her abusive husband, she is looking for a new start, back where she grew up. Pelican Crossing promises the solace Erica is looking for. Will she still be happy to be back when she runs into old flame, Jamie?

Having previously enjoyed Finding Refuge in Bellbird Bay, part of another series by this author, I was looking forward to delving into the latest novel in the Pelican Crossing series. Even though this is book five, you can read this as a standalone. However, I wish I had discovered this series earlier.

Erica is a wonderful character with a lot to relate to regardless of whether you’re young or older. She has her insecurities but as the novel progressed, I loved seeing how she adapted to her new life. At the beginning, she lacks self-worth and confidence due to her husband’s behaviour and I found that heartbreaking. I don’t want to give too much away.

The supporting cast were wonderful – Joe, Gill and of course, Jamie. Maggie Christensen is talented at creating people you’d want to go and have a drink with – a real community. I want to go and visit Pelican Bay.

The plot moves well. Despite there being a fair share of drama, there is a gentleness to the writing style that makes it very easy to fall into. Themes such as abuse, and coercive control are approached and done with much empathy.

Safe Harbour in Pelican Crossing is an emotional, captivating read that’s a perfect escape. I loved it.

About Maggie Christensen –

After a career in education, Maggie Christensen began writing contemporary women’s fiction portraying mature women facing life-changing situations, and historical fiction set in her native Scotland. Her travels inspire her writing, be it her trips to visit family in Scotland, in Oregon, USA or her home on Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast. Maggie writes of mature heroines coming to terms with changes in their lives and the heroes worthy of them. Maggie has been called the queen of mature age fiction and her writing has been described by one reviewer as like a nice warm cup of tea. It is warm, nourishing, comforting and embracing.

From the small town in Scotland where she grew up, Maggie was lured to Australia by the call to ‘Come and teach in the sun’. Once there, she worked as a primary school teacher, university lecturer and in educational management. Now living with her husband of over thirty years on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, she loves walking on the deserted beach in the early mornings and having coffee by the river on weekends. Her days are spent surrounded by books, either reading or writing them – her idea of heaven!

Say hello to Maggie via her website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Instagram, Bookbub and BlueSky.

Safe Harbour in Pelican Crossing was released in April 2025. Click to buy on Amazon and Waterstones. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.