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The Oregon Coast series #2
The Dreamcatcher
Book two of the Oregon Coast series
Dreamcatchers trap bad dreams - but sometimes nightmares escape!
Ellen Williams, a Native American with a gift for foretelling the future, is at a loss to explain her terrifying nightmares and the portentous feeling of dread that seems to hang over her like a shroud.
When Travis Petersen – an old friend of her brother’s – appears in her bookshop The Reading Nook, Ellen can’t shake the idea there’s a strange connection between her nightmares and Travis’ arrival.
Suffering from guilt of the car accident which took the lives of his wife and son, Travis is struggling to salvage his life, and believes he has nothing to offer a woman. But Ellen’s nightmares come true when developers announce a fancy new build, which means pulling down The Reading Nook – and she needs Travis’ help.
Can Ellen and Travis uncover the link between them and save her bookshop? And will it lead to happiness?
A tale of dreams, romance, and of doing the right thing, set on the beautiful Oregon coast.
Dreamcatchers trap bad dreams - but sometimes nightmares escape!
Ellen Williams, a Native American with a gift for foretelling the future, is at a loss to explain her terrifying nightmares and the portentous feeling of dread that seems to hang over her like a shroud.
When Travis Petersen – an old friend of her brother’s – appears in her bookshop The Reading Nook, Ellen can’t shake the idea there’s a strange connection between her nightmares and Travis’ arrival.
Suffering from guilt of the car accident which took the lives of his wife and son, Travis is struggling to salvage his life, and believes he has nothing to offer a woman. But Ellen’s nightmares come true when developers announce a fancy new build, which means pulling down The Reading Nook – and she needs Travis’ help.
Can Ellen and Travis uncover the link between them and save her bookshop? And will it lead to happiness?
A tale of dreams, romance, and of doing the right thing, set on the beautiful Oregon coast.
- GenresFiction
305 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2015
About the author
Maggie Christensen
36 books125 followersAfter a career in education, Maggie Christensen began writing contemporary women’s fiction portraying mature women facing life-changing situations. Her travels inspire her writing, be it her frequent visits to family 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.
From her native Glasgow, Scotland, Maggie was lured by the call ‘Come and teach in the sun’ to Australia,where she worked as a primary school teacher, university lecturer and in educational management. Now living with her husband of 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!
She continues her love of books as a volunteer with her local library where she selects and delivers books to the housebound.
A member of Queensland Writer’s Centre, RWA, ALLi, and a local critique group, Maggie enjoys meeting her readers at book signings and library talks. In 2014 she self-published Band of Gold and The Sand Dollar, Book One in the Oregon Coast Series, in 2015, The Dreamcatcher, Book Two in the Oregon Coast Series and Broken Threads, and in 2016, Madeline House, book Three in the Oregon Coast Series
From her native Glasgow, Scotland, Maggie was lured by the call ‘Come and teach in the sun’ to Australia,where she worked as a primary school teacher, university lecturer and in educational management. Now living with her husband of 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!
She continues her love of books as a volunteer with her local library where she selects and delivers books to the housebound.
A member of Queensland Writer’s Centre, RWA, ALLi, and a local critique group, Maggie enjoys meeting her readers at book signings and library talks. In 2014 she self-published Band of Gold and The Sand Dollar, Book One in the Oregon Coast Series, in 2015, The Dreamcatcher, Book Two in the Oregon Coast Series and Broken Threads, and in 2016, Madeline House, book Three in the Oregon Coast Series
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 22, 2016
For Native American Ellen Williams, The Reading Nook was her baby – lovingly furnished and designed, it showed her love of books and reading and was a haven for Ellen and her customers. When Ellen and the other small shop owners in Old Town were notified of the impending destruction of the buildings they were located in, to build a big glass monstrosity (which definitely wouldn’t fit in with the area) Ellen was devastated. But she vowed to fight the developers with all she had…
Ellen also had a gift which meant occasionally she saw the future – but lately the nightmares made her wish she didn’t have such a gift. The feeling of impending doom wouldn’t leave her. The day the stranger appeared in her bookshop the uneasiness and feeling of a fateful connection hit Ellen quite suddenly. But Travis Petersen was an old army buddy of Ron, her brother. A different person since returning from Vietnam, Ron was reclusive – it seemed Travis was visiting her brother unexpectedly. But why did Ellen feel troubled and so against Travis?
Travis had dark and tormenting secrets in his past; secrets he was unwilling to share with anyone except Ron. But as he began to feel more settled in the quiet peace of the small town, he and Ellen formed a tentative friendship. And with the pressure and intimidation from the developers, suddenly Ellen needed help. With Jenny, her cousin from Australia whom she hadn’t known until the previous year and her husband Mike, plus Travis, they struggled to find a way to save The Reading Nook. But could they fight the might of the developers?
Set on the beautiful Oregon Coast, The Dreamcatcher by Aussie author Maggie Christensen is the second in the Oregon Coast series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Catching up again with Jenny and Mike plus other characters from The Sand Dollar was lovely – getting involved with Ellen and new characters in The Dreamcatcher makes me keen to read the next instalment. Beautifully written, The Dreamcatcher is an emotional ride filled with love of family; of tentative new love and also of grief. It is also a book I have no hesitation in recommending highly.
Ellen also had a gift which meant occasionally she saw the future – but lately the nightmares made her wish she didn’t have such a gift. The feeling of impending doom wouldn’t leave her. The day the stranger appeared in her bookshop the uneasiness and feeling of a fateful connection hit Ellen quite suddenly. But Travis Petersen was an old army buddy of Ron, her brother. A different person since returning from Vietnam, Ron was reclusive – it seemed Travis was visiting her brother unexpectedly. But why did Ellen feel troubled and so against Travis?
Travis had dark and tormenting secrets in his past; secrets he was unwilling to share with anyone except Ron. But as he began to feel more settled in the quiet peace of the small town, he and Ellen formed a tentative friendship. And with the pressure and intimidation from the developers, suddenly Ellen needed help. With Jenny, her cousin from Australia whom she hadn’t known until the previous year and her husband Mike, plus Travis, they struggled to find a way to save The Reading Nook. But could they fight the might of the developers?
Set on the beautiful Oregon Coast, The Dreamcatcher by Aussie author Maggie Christensen is the second in the Oregon Coast series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Catching up again with Jenny and Mike plus other characters from The Sand Dollar was lovely – getting involved with Ellen and new characters in The Dreamcatcher makes me keen to read the next instalment. Beautifully written, The Dreamcatcher is an emotional ride filled with love of family; of tentative new love and also of grief. It is also a book I have no hesitation in recommending highly.
July 24, 2015
The Dream Catcher is set in Florence, Oregon and continues the stories of characters we first met in The Sand Dollar. Ellen Williams is a native American book shop owner, she can see signs and portent of events past and future.
The book quickly jumps in with her brother Ron's accident with a boat hook, he needs a trip to the hospital. Travis Petersen is staying with Ron, he's an ex-war veteran and Ellen labels him as a waster.
Ellen's parents are also going through some problems, her Dad Dick is getting forgetful and having vacant moments of memory loss, this leads to his own accident and once again Travis is there at the hospital.
Throw into this mix a threat from new developers who want to tear down Ellen's shop and Ellen is in need of support and advice from friends and family. Should she allow Travis to help her? How will she save her shop?
I enjoyed some of the settings in this book, the trip to Canada and Butchart gardens was interesting, and the Oregon setting sounds really lovely. This book is a light contemporary read full of family life.
The book quickly jumps in with her brother Ron's accident with a boat hook, he needs a trip to the hospital. Travis Petersen is staying with Ron, he's an ex-war veteran and Ellen labels him as a waster.
Ellen's parents are also going through some problems, her Dad Dick is getting forgetful and having vacant moments of memory loss, this leads to his own accident and once again Travis is there at the hospital.
Throw into this mix a threat from new developers who want to tear down Ellen's shop and Ellen is in need of support and advice from friends and family. Should she allow Travis to help her? How will she save her shop?
I enjoyed some of the settings in this book, the trip to Canada and Butchart gardens was interesting, and the Oregon setting sounds really lovely. This book is a light contemporary read full of family life.
May 21, 2015
Ellen has the gift of second sight; seeing people’s futures comes easy for her but seeing her own is a different matter entirely. Ellen is resigned to being the adult child who looks after her parents whilst her brother Ron, an ex-soldier, drifts through life and only wants to hang out with his dubious friends. When another of those friends, Travis, turns up at Ellen’s book shop she tries to dismiss him mentally for the layabout he probably is but something about him makes Ellen uneasy. She thinks about the bad dreams she has had lately and is convinced they have something to do with this man. The premonition of doom she has plays heavy on her mind and it is only when another event occurs, which really does make life difficult for her, does she let up on her bad feelings towards Travis.
Her cousin Jenny and her husband Mark are back in town. The first book in this series, The Sand Dollar, covers the relationship between the adopted Australian Jenny and the Native American Ellen and, although both stories can be read as ‘standalones’, this second book brings the complicated family relationships to the fore and draws out even more mystery and intrigue from the past which effect the lives of this generation.
Maggie Christensen writes as well as she always does, giving mature love a place in the romance genre for those who are tired of reading about those beautiful creatures in their twenties who want to have babies. Maggie gives us lovers who are more sure of themselves and who they are but who have different priorities and responsibilities to sort through in order to make love work for them. What I also like about Maggie’s writing is that she gives her character’s believable personalities and allows them to react in ways which are true to life and not either all sweetness and light or villainous. Ellen can be quite gnarly at times which made me smile as every menopausal woman out there will know exactly where she is coming from ;-)
Her cousin Jenny and her husband Mark are back in town. The first book in this series, The Sand Dollar, covers the relationship between the adopted Australian Jenny and the Native American Ellen and, although both stories can be read as ‘standalones’, this second book brings the complicated family relationships to the fore and draws out even more mystery and intrigue from the past which effect the lives of this generation.
Maggie Christensen writes as well as she always does, giving mature love a place in the romance genre for those who are tired of reading about those beautiful creatures in their twenties who want to have babies. Maggie gives us lovers who are more sure of themselves and who they are but who have different priorities and responsibilities to sort through in order to make love work for them. What I also like about Maggie’s writing is that she gives her character’s believable personalities and allows them to react in ways which are true to life and not either all sweetness and light or villainous. Ellen can be quite gnarly at times which made me smile as every menopausal woman out there will know exactly where she is coming from ;-)
June 28, 2016
This is book 2 in Maggie's Oregon Coast series. It continues the story that started in The Sand Dollar, in a small town on the Oregon Coast, and this time focuses on Ellen who is a Native American and owns the book store that her cousin Jenny, (who was in the first book) based her bookstore in Noosa on. Ellen is having nightmares about a car crash and people dying when Travis Peterson who served with her brother in the Vietnam war walks into her store. She has never had a serious relationship as she is busy with her business and looking after her aging parents. Also a big developer wants to knock down her store and the stores of her neighbours and build a fancy development, strange things and threats start happening to her as well.
The romance between Travis and Ellen takes quite a while to get going while all these issues are going on. Travis is still reeling from the loss of his wife and child and carries the self-imposed guilt of their deaths because he was driving the car that they were killed in, even though he was not responsible for the accident.
I love Maggie's books, they are so easy to read but always have a strong story as well as a bit of mature romance as well. It was nice to see how Jenny, Mike and Maddy were going too from her first book in the series. I look forward to reading the next book in this great series.
The romance between Travis and Ellen takes quite a while to get going while all these issues are going on. Travis is still reeling from the loss of his wife and child and carries the self-imposed guilt of their deaths because he was driving the car that they were killed in, even though he was not responsible for the accident.
I love Maggie's books, they are so easy to read but always have a strong story as well as a bit of mature romance as well. It was nice to see how Jenny, Mike and Maddy were going too from her first book in the series. I look forward to reading the next book in this great series.
September 8, 2015
I loved this book. The story, the setting and the characters all hit the sweet spot for me. Finding love, fighting off evil developers, dealing with ageing and dementing parents are a good mix for a great tale. The characters are so believable that they seem like your friends or family. The Oregon coast setting is a place i love and know well as I have cousins there and have visited on several occasions. Dreamcatchers always hung above my two girls beds when they were young. We all have good and bad dreams. This book is a good dream. Please dream up another one. Well done Maggie Christensen 9/10
September 18, 2015
I have read this book TWICE. Maggie has real characters that you can identify with, she has a plot line that carries you away with it, I can recommend this book - it covers the angst from the Vietnam War, the agony of the hero losing his wife and child, and facing a lawsuit from his in-laws, the meeting with Ellen of Native American heritage who has the "gift of sight", the threat (and fire) of her bookshop, her parents who are battling with her Dad's dementia. The finding of love in middle age with all these challenges. A very good read.
December 1, 2018
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book in the series "The Oregon Coast." I have not read the first book in the series. This is a stand alone story and while there are some references to events which occurred in the first book, I had no trouble following the story or understanding. The second book can be read as a stand alone story -- it has a satisfactory ending, which also allows for continuation of the series.
The book is about Ellen, a bookshop owner, who has some visions which disturb her. Ellen is a woman in her 50's -- which I liked -- and someone who cares for more her family than for herself. Soon, all sorts of medical issues arise in her family -- her brother then gets injured; her father's mental and physical condition declines and her mother has problems taking care of him. It's more than one person can shoulder. However, Ellen does just that. On top of that, she has a business to run and problems occur when an investor tries to get rid of the strip of shops, including Ellen's bookstore.
Overall, it was a well written and good story but the author indicates several times that Ellen is Native American, but does nothing to expand or explain her heritage other than stating she is Native American and sells books related to Native Americans. Nothing about her customs or how her background affects her daily life. Perhaps this was something which was explored more in the first book? Also, it takes place in Oregon and the characters are all American [with the exception of her cousin, who comes to visit from Australia] but author has some of the American characters use language which is clearly not American -- terms such as bloke, mate, etc. which struck me as having an incongruous effect. The characters, in particular Ellen, are likeable, do develop and grow within the story. Their reactions to events were real and allowed the reader to empathize with the characters and situations.
As I listened to this book -- the narrator, Gail Hedrick, read the story fine but did nothing to enhance it. She, on occasion, did change her voice for characters but not consistently. At times, it was a bit confusing as to who was talking during conversations when her tone did not change.
This is the second book in the series "The Oregon Coast." I have not read the first book in the series. This is a stand alone story and while there are some references to events which occurred in the first book, I had no trouble following the story or understanding. The second book can be read as a stand alone story -- it has a satisfactory ending, which also allows for continuation of the series.
The book is about Ellen, a bookshop owner, who has some visions which disturb her. Ellen is a woman in her 50's -- which I liked -- and someone who cares for more her family than for herself. Soon, all sorts of medical issues arise in her family -- her brother then gets injured; her father's mental and physical condition declines and her mother has problems taking care of him. It's more than one person can shoulder. However, Ellen does just that. On top of that, she has a business to run and problems occur when an investor tries to get rid of the strip of shops, including Ellen's bookstore.
Overall, it was a well written and good story but the author indicates several times that Ellen is Native American, but does nothing to expand or explain her heritage other than stating she is Native American and sells books related to Native Americans. Nothing about her customs or how her background affects her daily life. Perhaps this was something which was explored more in the first book? Also, it takes place in Oregon and the characters are all American [with the exception of her cousin, who comes to visit from Australia] but author has some of the American characters use language which is clearly not American -- terms such as bloke, mate, etc. which struck me as having an incongruous effect. The characters, in particular Ellen, are likeable, do develop and grow within the story. Their reactions to events were real and allowed the reader to empathize with the characters and situations.
As I listened to this book -- the narrator, Gail Hedrick, read the story fine but did nothing to enhance it. She, on occasion, did change her voice for characters but not consistently. At times, it was a bit confusing as to who was talking during conversations when her tone did not change.
September 6, 2018
This is not a bad little book, or a bad series. What ruins it for me is the dialogue. The author is from Scotland and lives in Australia. I get that, and I'm probably not nearly as smart as Ms. Christensen, but I do know that Native Americans living in Oregon do NOT call each other "bloke" and "mate" and say "goodo" and that "We rub along fine together. She's a good sort." That was a huge distraction for me. It made the characters seem silly and not real and dashed any hope of me connecting to the characters and their story.
If I read any more of this author's books, I will try to find one set in Australia, assuming she has written one about Australia.
If I read any more of this author's books, I will try to find one set in Australia, assuming she has written one about Australia.
November 23, 2018
The Dreamcatcher
(The Oregon Coast series #2)
: Maggie Christensen
This is book two in this series. Unfortunately I haven't read the first book, but this seems to stand on it's own. There are a few references to the past, but not enough to cause confusion.
An interesting story line about life changes. The characters are supposed to be young middle age, but act more on young side. The only problem I have is with the dialog. Yes, the author was born in Scotland and lives in Australia. She set the story in Oregon, but uses phrases that are clearly non- American. I have read and listened to a lot of UK set novels and understood what was being said.
The listener will find love, loss, aging parents, nasty developers, and new relationships.
The narration was well done except the dialog was more UK, and the narrator was American. I would of hoped that they would match.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
(The Oregon Coast series #2)
: Maggie Christensen
This is book two in this series. Unfortunately I haven't read the first book, but this seems to stand on it's own. There are a few references to the past, but not enough to cause confusion.
An interesting story line about life changes. The characters are supposed to be young middle age, but act more on young side. The only problem I have is with the dialog. Yes, the author was born in Scotland and lives in Australia. She set the story in Oregon, but uses phrases that are clearly non- American. I have read and listened to a lot of UK set novels and understood what was being said.
The listener will find love, loss, aging parents, nasty developers, and new relationships.
The narration was well done except the dialog was more UK, and the narrator was American. I would of hoped that they would match.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
February 18, 2023
Full of intrigue and romance.
Ellen, the owner of the local bookshop in Old Town, Florence is facing a few dilemmas. The future of her precious shop is at risk, and old friend of her brother is proving to be an enigma.
A brilliantly written story with great characters, a hint of suspense, a few twists and turns and, of course, a romantic touch.
Highly recommended. I am looking forward to the next in this fabulous series set in Florence Oregon.
Ellen, the owner of the local bookshop in Old Town, Florence is facing a few dilemmas. The future of her precious shop is at risk, and old friend of her brother is proving to be an enigma.
A brilliantly written story with great characters, a hint of suspense, a few twists and turns and, of course, a romantic touch.
Highly recommended. I am looking forward to the next in this fabulous series set in Florence Oregon.
January 14, 2018
This was a great read. It starts off a little slow but then it jumps right into the plot. It also has a little supernatural theme to it. It is well worth the time to read. You won't be disappointed.
October 6, 2022
This was one of my favorites of this series. I loved the whole set though.
June 4, 2015
This heartwarming book is about Ellen Williams, a native American with a gift for foretelling the future.She owns a special book store with local and native American books. The city wants to tear down her whole block and build something new. Her brothers friend Travis ( a famous author there incognito) comes into her shop and she feels a strange connection to him. So she asks Travis help to keep her bookstore not torn down. They became friends and then fell in love. She goes before the city council and she wins her plea, the block will not be torn down. He then leaves for California where she goes to visit him and they have a happy ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2016
I had trouble relating to the characters as I felt their behaviours were a lot younger than their mature ages.
April 20, 2017
The Dreamcatcher follows on from The Sand Dollar, with Mike and Jenny returning to Oregon. This time the story centres around Ellen, Jenny's cousin and the new man in her life. Maggie Christensen has a writing style which is easy to read and draws you in to her characters. One for the romantics!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews