Band of Gold

by Maggie Christensen

Anna Hollis believes she has a happy marriage. A schoolteacher in Sydney, Anna juggles her busy life with a daughter in the throes of first love and increasingly demanding aging parents. When Anna’s husband of twenty-five years leaves her, on Christmas morning, without warning or explanation, her safe and secure world collapses. Marcus King returns to Australia from the USA, leaving behind a broken marriage and a young son. When he takes up the position of Headmaster at Anna’s school, they form a fragile friendship through their mutual hurt and loneliness. Can Anna leave the past behind and make a new life for herself, and does Marcus have a part to play in her future?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

280 pages, Paperback

First published April 2, 2014

About the author

After 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

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I can’t do it anymore” – those were the words that ended the life Anna had known for the past twenty five years. Sean, the husband she had loved for more than half her life had decided Christmas morning was the ideal time to shatter her world. In a matter of hours her whole family would descend on her home for their annual Christmas get together – the big lunch, gifts, fun, laughter and happiness. How could she possibly cope? What could she say to her family; her daughter Lissa, her Mum and Dad, her sister Jan and brother Bob?

Anna Hollis was head of the English department at a prestigious Sydney all-girls school – she loved her job, but was grateful it was school holidays which meant she had some time to sort out her turned upside down life. When she heard the current Headmistress and her much loved friend Heather was being forced to retire due to ill-health, she was surprised to discover her replacement, though temporary, was a male. Anna wondered fleetingly how that would work with a school consisting entirely of females…

As Anna fought with grief and a sense of unreality, her shock was heightened when she discovered secrets in her husband’s past. Did she even know the man she’d lived with for so long? What would become of Anna? Was she strong enough to overcome her demons?

Band of Gold is Aussie author Maggie Christensen’s debut novel, and one which I thoroughly enjoyed. Filled with the love and support of family, grief when a sense of security is lost and hope for the future, it is an emotional but satisfying read. Highly recommended.

[Sue Gerhardt Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating storyline however a few things, oops, I mean people infuriated me:

Anna.

Lissa.

Marcus.

Jude.

Gosh, I'm still fuming days later after reading Band of Gold .

Nevertheless, I can't wait to read the next instalment.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

While romance is not my usual fare, I enjoyed this warm hearted story about a woman struggling to move on in the year following the break-up of her marriage. Although the plot is somewhat predictable, I enjoyed the Sydney setting and the characters are well written, especially school teacher Maggie and her headmaster Marcus King. A nice light, cosy read recommended for lovers of gentle romances. 3.5★

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Anna Hollis’s husband of twenty-five years announces he can’t do it anymore and leaves her on Christmas morning her world is turned upside down. He could not have chosen a worse time with family arriving within hours for Christmas lunch, Anna was shattered and she had no idea what to do next.

This was such a good book and Anna’s character was so well written. Aussie author Maggie Christensen has a talent for writing strong female characters which I love and enjoy. Highly recommended.

[Nicki Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book from the very first page. I think the fact Maggie has chosen a mature-aged heroine and a believable setting is what made this book so special. The way she explored her daughter's relationship was brilliantly written. I can't say a bad word about this book and it will make its way to my "to be read AGAIN" pile!

[Sally906 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Anna's story of how she picked up the pieces of her life after her husband dumped her on Christmas Day and ran off with her best friend. A rich story of family and new starts I will certainly be reading more books by Maggie Christensen.

[Nene Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Anna's story and loved that it was set in Australia, where several of the locations were familiar to me. The breakdown of a long and seemingly happy marriage - on Christmas Day of all days - gives us an opening with punch. It's impossible not to read on and as the story unfolds, we learn that that is not the half of it. Anna has to dig deep to find her way, on personal, financial, practical and emotional levels. The characters in the story are believeable and it's interesting to follow Anna as she navigates along this unexpected and rocky path. Congratulations to Maggie Christensen for writing such an easy to read and captivating tale, that has us cheering for the protagonist all the way through.

[Lily Malone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a different kind of read for me. I do read a lot of Australian contemporary romance, and rural romance and I have also recently finished another book where the characters were in their forties. It's been interesting looking into story worlds that involve issues that come along later in life: adult children, divorce, ageing parents etc, and Band Of Gold has all these, and more.
I also like that it is written in first-person, present-tense, which is a writing style I enjoy - but that you don't often see in the romance genre. Hats off to the author for that decision!
My favourite thread in this story related to the financial decisions and matters that occur for the heroine after her husband walks out on Christmas morning, particularly when it's discovered he's cheating with the heroine's best friend... (hard to say more here without spoilers). But possibly more than the romantic story-line, it was the relationship between these two 'former' female friends that kept me reading to see how everything panned out.
While not quite to my personal taste in language, or style - I do like my writing a touch 'dirtier' - if you enjoy polished, sweet reads and if you are ready to open your mind to a romance involving characters in their late forties, then I think you might enjoy 'Band Of Gold'.

**Thank you to the author for a copy of this book, which I won via a blog competition.

[Angela Lyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Band of Gold by Maggie Christensen. I liked the heroine Anna and how she coped with her tough situation in a gutsy way. The plot was totally believable. There was plenty of conflict on several levels all the way through, but nicely paced as the story unfolded.
Sean was a guy who was easy to dislike whilst was Marcus was quirky - not your average guy.

I thought the way the story encompassed Anna's friends, family, and her workmates was so believable and realistic. The various characters were interesting, true to life and likeable.
I felt could identify with them and the plot took some twists and turns which kept me reading.

I thought the story was well written and the plot had me interested all the way through.

Altogether it was a great story and I can thoroughly recommend it.

[Dina Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book!

It's a romance that takes place in Sydney, Australia.

Anna, a teacher, loses her husband to her best friend. She's not happy, but then a new man comes into the picture.

My only problem with the story is Anna is a bit clueless sometimes...reminds me of Katniss Everdeen. The headmaster shows all this interest in her, but it takes so long for her to realize and accept he has a romantic interest in her.

In one part...The headmaster goes to America for a conference. When he returns, he tells Anna he met a teacher who wants to come to Australia. Automatically. Anna assumes "met" means they're romantically involved. She fails to consider other possibilities.

Still...I thought it was a great book. It shows a woman trying to come to terms with the end of a relationship and her place in the world. And then there's the romance which was nice.

[Carmel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance after a failed marriage, such a tricky topic but this author takes us on a whirlwind ride through the ups and downs of finding the way to acceptance and contentment after disappointment. Maggie Christensen gives us a great cast of characters and in the process addresses many of the complex relationships that make up modern families. Her descriptive language provides the reader with vivid scenes of Sydney Harbour and the magnificent vistas its shores provide. One can almost feel the sand between the toes as Anna, her protagonist, escapes to the beach to ponder her future. All is not lost but to say more could spoil what was a most enjoyable read

[Margery Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting!
This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and I must admit that I was duly impressed! The characters and the story are “real” and will tug at your emotions. Anna is devastated by her husband’s declaration on Christmas morning that he is leaving her, and leave he does immediately. This is the story of how she copes. The characters are real, the story is great, and Ms. Christensen’s writing brings it all to life!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Kathleen J Kunkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can find love again.

The writing is fluid and draws you in to the story right away. This is an ageless tale of love and betrayal and coming to terms with all of the emotion. Excellent read!!! The characters are down to earth and the author continues the family story in her next book. Definitely an author I will read again!!!

[Kirsty Wenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed Band of Gold by Maggie Christensen. It follows the journey of Anna, head English teacher at an all girls school in Sydney, Australia, after her husband suddenly leaves her on Christmas morning. There are some surprises and a few twists and turns as Anna tries to get her life back together, and even a new love interest. Warning: spoilers ahead. I particularly enjoyed the second half of the book and loved the ending. I have only deducted one star because I felt that it took some time to warm to Anna. I could understand her reaction to her husband leaving, but I had a bit of trouble understanding how she developed such a close friendship with Marcus when all of their conversations seemed quite abrupt to me. I think that this part of the book could have been spent showing that Anna and Marcus were developing a very special bond, a bond that Anna had been lacking with her departed husband. Instead, I felt that this time was a bit wasted with Anna assuming that Marcus was interested in Bonnie. I felt frustrated quite a bit at all of the incorrect assumptions Anna was making. But then, when Anna and Marcus come together, you really do get a sense of their special connection. Overall, I enjoyed the story, the extra characters and particularly Anna's fresh start. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys well written women's fiction.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading one of Maggie's books is like having a conversation with a friend! I just love the way she writes and I find it hard to believe that this was her first book, the writing and story are engaging and well written.

Anna is shocked when on Christmas Day her husband of many years tells her he is leaving her - right then - and goes to live with her best friend! She feels shattered and doesn't know how she is going to cope, but luckily she is still working teaching and she throws herself into her work. Marcus has just returned from USA and has taken a role as a temporary head of Anna's school, he is immediately attracted to Anna, but she is nervous and uncertain about another relationship after Sean left her.

Added to that, her adult daughter has just met the love of her life, Marcus reveals he has a son living in America, her parents health is declining and they want to move, plus a couple of other significant developments happen in this book which I will not reveal.

This book is a prequel to Maggie's next book - Broken Threads, and I highly recommend you read them in order to get to know the characters better. Highly recommended for lovers of womens fiction.

[Bodicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a modern romance to read this weekend you can’t go wrong with this one by Maggie Christensen.

Anna is left devastated after her husband Sean announces on Christmas Day he is leaving her. Subsequently she finds out whom he has left her for and this leaves her confused, angry and feeling doubly betrayed. In the meantime her mentor and close friend Heather, the headmistress of the school where she works as a teacher, is hospitalised and her replacement, the charming Dr Marcus King, arrives at school. He and Anna form a close bond.

I found myself getting really involved in this story! As I turned the pages I willed Anna to make good choices and hoped those around her, including her daughter Lissa, would show her the compassion she deserved.

As usual I’m not going to reveal any spoilers but this is a tale with very good twists and turns and some surprising outcomes and I can thoroughly recommend it. An excellent debut novel and an author to watch out for.

[Greg Barron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Band of Gold isn’t my usual genre but I enjoyed it a great deal nonetheless. Written in first person, present tense, the prose is crisp and precise. The description is minimalist, just enough to create vivid images in the mind of the reader.

Anna, the main character, was particularly well drawn. I liked the way she was often a little grumpy, and resentful of the actions of others, even the ones she liked. I thought that added realism. Marcus, the love interest, was not overly perfect, but came across as very loyal. The supporting cast were all well drawn and pulled their weight in the overall plot.

I particularly enjoyed the ending, and how it harked back to the opening, in a satisfying way without being overly emotional. Well done Maggie and I think Band of Gold deserves a wide readership.

[Faye Barron · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the main charms of this contempory, true-to-life book is that it is written in first person, present tense, and reads like a detailed, sporadic, 14 month diary of Anna, a very likeable lady in her midlife. Anna has all the usual responsibilities such as home, family and job, and on Christmas Day, is suddenly faced with life changing events, starting with the unexpected betrayal by her husband and best friend.
Set in areas such as Sydney and Brisbane - and revolving around family and academia - reading this book took me to many familiar areas. Maggie Christensen's accomplished writing style can quickly absorb the reader. A relaxing and absorbing read!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

👍A fab story: a women picks up the pieces of her broken life and finds herself the better for it!👍
January 3, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
👍👍💔💞
An engrossing, well-written story that I could not put down! I love author Maggie Christensen's romances because they focus on mature women who are caught up in the drama of their family as well as their own emotional journey. In this novel, the heroine is crushed from the first page and, after enduring numerous shattering setbacks and family drama, overcomes and reclaims her happiness. The secondary characters were great, sometimes annoying, other times supportive -- very realistic.

The story, set in 🐨 Australia, comes with lots of twists, some career-changing, others centered on Anna's slow steps back into a romantic life after her 25-year marriage to a Sydney accountant abruptly disintegrates. Her extended family and her new man also go through major crises and shifts, adding depth to the story. I really appreciate that the author sets Anna's romantic journey in the real life context of family and friends whose lives also move on, particularly her grown daughter Lissa and her parents who face a health scare that has them reassessing their lifestyle.

The whole story is told from Anna's perspective. This technique gave me full insight into her thoughts and feelings, but it left the hero a bit of a mystery. I would have liked regular glimpses into his inner thoughts and life apart from Anna. Still, a great plot, some passionate but not too explicit romancing and a happy though poignant ending.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Maria S-M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy. I am voluntarily leaving a review. Anna is a schoolteacher, head of the English Department , at a private all-girls parochial school. Her husband, Sean, leaves her on Christmas morning with no warning and no explanation. As she is trying to sort out her life, she meets Marcus, the divorced, new, Acting Headmaster of her school. As in real-life, her divorce is real messy, her family is not quite supportive and the Headmaster has his own baggage. The story was well-written and the characters were complex. Like in real life, not everything is wrapped up at the end. I enjoyed the book, rooted for the heroine and sometimes wanted to thrown my computer at the wall.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Band of Gold

On Christmas morning he tells his wife of twenty five years that he wants out of his marriage. Not only that but he has left her for her best friend. The aftermath of him walking out leaves his wife devastated. How is she to cope? How does she ever forgive them? And when the unbelievable happens...He died before the divorce is finale. How much can she take? But not all is lost. She has been given a second chance at love. In the form of another man. Will he stuck around? He has his own demons from his ex wife. A son he thought was his. Can they build a new better future together?

[Maryann Ns · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great first novel! A few moments ago I had a tear in my eye at a special point near the end of the story. The normal predictable romance novels I tend to read for a quick escape do not evoke a reaction such as that.
This story deals with difficult life changing issues, and covers people from under ten to in their senior years going through these. There are more than just the two main characters who are well developed and interesting people. I started this book two days ago and although very busy just had to squeeze out time to finish it. I look forward to more from Maggie Christensen.

[Patricia Baxes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be still my heart...”Band of Gold” by Maggie Christensen is an exercise in infidelity, loss, and finding yourself. Before you start reading this highly emotional read, I suggest you grab a box of tissues and something fortifying to drink because once you start reading...you’ll not be able to put it down. This book packs a real wallop—you definitely need to add this one to your TBR shelf today! (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and highly recommend it to you.) ❤️❤️

[Linda Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A teaser but a worthwhile read

You have different stories that all have been well written. The characters are so realistic you begin to think of them like real people friends and neighbors. The plot on each book were easy to figure out but it was fun reading how they turned out. You didn’t get to read all of what happens so it is a teaser that to read the full stories you need to buy the other books. However isn’t that what life‘s about the continuation of the story.

[Mrs R.A. Strange · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story which is quite different, in my opinion to other stories that Maggie has written, that said I loved the storyline and how the book evolved. It is definitely a book that I could not put down and I found Anna’s story really moving and also Marcus and his son’s journey to a happy ending. Perhaps the over long bedroom scene at the end was a little over the top, but it did not detract from my enjoyment of the book. I would recommend it

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story. I was cheering for Anna all the way. However punctuation and spelling errors let the quality of this book down. I’m not totally punctuation savvy but when a full stop is placed in the middle of a sentence then it seems a bit odd. I’m also thinking the automatic spell check may have something to answer to. I look forward to purchasing another Maggie Christensen book to read.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Band of Gold. It was a different read for me as I usually read historical novels and this one is set in modern times. I found the setting interesting and some of the Australian terms which are different than American. The book had joy, sorrow, and romance. What else would you want in a book!

[Amanda Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would not read again.

It was an okay read. I say that mainly because of how the OW was handled. Lissa kept insisting that her mother forgive the OW, and her brother even encouraged her to give the OW a payout as if she were the widow. That really irritated me. It’s probably more a reflection of my American perspective than the author’s view of how things should have unfold.

[Debbie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little holiday companion for the beach. Easy to read and enjoyable. Congratulations Maggie on a fine story.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie's books are a combination of heartbreak and second chances. Her characters are always relatable and the storylines that are believable.