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Christmas in Marlow Center
Christmas in Marlow Center
Jordan Elizabeth Mierek | 2018 | Mystery, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Christmas in Marlow Center is a short Christmas-themed romance and mystery story by Jordan Elizabeth. Set in present-day December, Natassia is on her Winter Break and has arrived on her family farm to spend the period with her grandmother. Unfortunately, the family are unable to maintain the farm and are going to have to sell in the new year, therefore, this is Natassia's final opportunity to visit the place she loves. Yet, family secrets threaten to put an end to the Christmas festivities.

Meanwhile, Jesse, the tenant who lives in one of the farm buildings, is being plagued by horrifying family memories that occurred at Christmas-time. Unable to leave the past in the past, Jesse is dreading the coming holiday. Yet, when he meets Natassia, he feels a sense of hope. Perhaps he can move on, develop a new friendship, a relationship and learn to trust that other people will not judge him for the actions of a past family member.

While things are looking up for Jesse and Natassia in terms of relationship, problems with the farm cause enormous worry and strain. Just as things are beginning to fall into place, the remains of a body are found on the premises, unearthing family secrets dating back to 1964; secrets that affect both Natassia and Jesse.

Christmas stories are available in abundance and it is difficult to write something new and fresh without falling into traps, such as overly gushing romance or fake happiness. Jordan Elizabeth has kept the romance to a minimum, concentrating on family relationships, secrets and mystery.

Christmas in Marlow Center is a quick book to read, suitable for young adults and older. It is not too Christmassy, therefore, can be read any time of year. Unfortunately, the manuscript (at least the version I read) has numerous grammar and typographical errors, which slightly ruins the reading experience, however, it does not detract from the well thought out story.
  
The most popular gardening writers (those who are on TV) are now under the same pressure to produce a new book for Christmas every year as the best-selling cookery writers — whether or not they have anything fresh to say.

Last year Monty Don charmed all with Nigel: My Family and other Dogs. His latest offering, Down to Earth: Gardening Wisdom is this year’s best-selling gardening book.

From Monty Don’s best-selling guide to gardening principles to peeking into the plots of the rich and famous, there’s much to enjoy:


The Secret Gardeners: Britain's Creatives Reveal Their Private Sanctuaries

The Secret Gardeners: Britain's Creatives Reveal Their Private Sanctuaries

Victoria Summerley and Hugo Rittson-Thomas

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The Secret Gardeners is a captivating photographic portrait of the private gardening passions of 25...

The Thoughtful Gardener: An Intelligent Approach to Garden Design

The Thoughtful Gardener: An Intelligent Approach to Garden Design

Jinny Blom

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'Jinny's genius is to marry a beautiful vision to an extraordinary empathy with the landscape into...

Winter Gardens: Reinventing the Season

Winter Gardens: Reinventing the Season

Cedric Pollet

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Cedric Pollet is the author / photographer of the acclaimed book Bark: An Intimate Look at the...

Head Gardeners

Head Gardeners

Ambra Edwards and Charlie Hopkinson

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What is Britain's greatest contribution to world culture? Ambra Edwards suggests it is the garden....

Beth Chatto's Shade Garden: Shade-Loving Plants for Year-Round Interest

Beth Chatto's Shade Garden: Shade-Loving Plants for Year-Round Interest

Beth Chatto and Steven Wooster

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First published as Beth Chatto's Woodland Garden by Cassell in 2002, this Pimpernel Classic edition...

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Expend4bles (2023)
Expend4bles (2023)
2023 | Action
5
5.7 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
I remember going to see the first 'Expendables' film in the nougthies.

They seem to have been getting progressively worse ever since.

In this, the latest (at the time of writing), the spotlight is largely taken away from Stallone and concentrates instead on Jason Statham's Christmas but, I'm sorry, I just couldn't roll with Megan Fox as being the (temporary) new leader: she can't act for the life of her!
  
Ok, I'm sorry, but I got REALLY tired of Cross's family constantly whining at him about how he had to work a hostage situation, and then a bomb situation, on Christmas. I mean, come ON already! Even his grandmother...how many years has he been doing this and they're all being so incredibly whiny and giving him guilt when he should be concentrating on the case(s). Obviously, this truly annoyed me. Aside from that, however, it was a good story, but I thought the ending felt a bit abrupt.
  
Gavin and Stacey: Christmas special 2019
Gavin and Stacey: Christmas special 2019
2019 | Comedy
Contains spoilers, click to show
I absolutely love Gavin and Stacey and was so excited for this Christmas special! I love that they used the same actor for Neill the baby as 10 years ago! I thought the episode was absolutely brilliant and I'm more angry at Smithy's new girlfriend for not allowing Bryn to tell us at what happened at the fishing trip, as I truly thought we were going to be told, than I am about her utter disdain for the family. I really hope that this is a lead on to another series!