YOU'RE INVITED to a "WHEN CALLS THE HEART" WEDDING! Plus, see HEARTS DOWN UNDER, DESIGNED WITH LOVE & More! #Hearties SEE HERE:

Images: Hallmark Crown Media 

This weekend - it's THE WEDDING all Hearties have been waiting for THIS SEASON, with the nuptials of Ned and Florence! Plus, see info on the new movies airing this weekend on the Hallmark Channel and UPtv - and the Wild West Chronicles continue on INSP!


Saturday, April 24, 2021:

Cindy Busby stars in an all new destination Hallmark movie in...

 

Hearts Down Under

Storyline: New York restaurateur Caroline (Busby) inherits a café in Lemon Myrtle Cove, Australia. While there, she begins to fall in love with the place and its people, particularly Simon (Ross), the café’s charming local chef.

 

Hearts Down Under premieres

Saturday, April 24, 2021

at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel

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Saturday, April 24, 2021:

One of a Kind Love

Storyline via BYUtv: Kyra's dreams of being a jeweler have been put on the backburner, as her demanding job at the Sawyer Country Club is her priority. When a vacant shop becomes available in town, Kyra sees an opportunity to put a plan into action, until she learns that there's another renter interested in the space. Enter Aiden Sawyer, prodigal son, big-city business magnate and Kyra's childhood nemesis, returning home to the country club his parents own. As they patch up their past, Kyra and Aiden learn that there may be something more between them than just playful flirting. But when Kyra enters a renowned jewelry contest to raise enough money to outbid the mystery renter, Aiden finds himself in a race against time to make everything right.

*Note #1: Since this movie is airing on BYUtv, I highly anticipate it will be family friendly.

*Note #2: The star of this movie is Jocelyn Hudon (When Hope Calls); her co-star is her real-life fiancé Jake Manley.

One of a Kind Love airs

Saturday, April 24, 2021

at 8pm/7c. on BYUtv

(encore airing at 12am/11c.)

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Saturday, April 24, 2021:

Catch three Mystery Marathons today on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries...

Martha's Vineyard Mystery - 10am-4pm

Crossword Mysteries - 4pm-8pm

MatchMaker Mysteries - 8pm-12am



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Saturday, April 24, 2021 and Sunday, April 25, 2021

The Hallmark Channel is having a special Rom-Com-a-thon...

Not all of the movies airing during the marathon are ones I can personally endorse, but there are still some cute ones playing, including: Love and Sunshine, Country at Heart, As Luck Would Have It, Second Chances, Right in Front of Me, A Country Wedding, and It Was Always You.



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Sunday, April 25, 2021:

It's a full day of Aurora Teagarden Mysteries starring Candace Cameron Bure...

Aurora Teagarden Mysteries - 10am-12am
on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries



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Sunday, April 25, 2021:

Return to the Wild West with another episode of...

Wild West Chronicles

*This is a 30 minute show that reenacts the old wild west. Caution: there will be violence.

Season 1 | Episode 3
Bass Reeves: Trailblazing Lawman

The story of legendary lawman Bass Reeves. After living with, and learning from the indigenous people of the Indian Territory, escaped slave Bass Reeves receives the news that changes the course of his life—that he is now a free man. Heading back home to Arkansas, his expert tracking skills and fluency in native languages lead to his appointment as the first-ever Black deputy U.S. marshal. Met with discrimination amongst his peers, Reeves doesn’t let it get in the way of doing his job, stepping up as the only man brave enough to take down a dangerous criminal. When his risky plan proves to be effective, Reeves earns the respect he deserves and goes on to have an extraordinary career protecting and serving the untamed West.

Wild West Chronicles airs

Sunday, April 25, 2021

at 5:30pm/4:30c. on INSP

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Sunday, April 25, 2021:

Will the new rom-com premiering Sunday night on UPtv have you in stitches?

 

Designed With Love

Story-line via UPtv: Clothes designer Skye goes mobile with a “fashion truck” – but she can’t drive the truck and run the business alone. Help comes in the unlikely form of handsome entrepreneur Jason. As they work together, Skye and Jason find they have more in common than they thought… could it be love?

 

*NOTE: I pre-screened this movie and it is family-friendly. You can see my full review for this movie - *HERE*! (Once you click on the link, be sure to scroll way down the page beneath the "Designed with Love" pics and you'll find my review!)

Designed With Love premieres

Sunday, April 25, 2021

at 7pm/6c. on UPtv
(encore airing at 11pm/10c.)

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Sunday, April 25, 2021:

It's Florence and Ned's wedding day in...

 

When Calls the Heart

Season 8 - Episode 10

Episode 10 - “Old Love, New Love, Is this True Love” :

Storyline: Florence and Ned’s wedding leads every couple in Hope Valley to evaluate their relationships. Rosemary discovers there is more happening in Hope Valley than everyone realizes, and she decides to get to the bottom of it.

See When Calls the Heart

Season 8 - Episode 10

at 9pm/8c. on the Hallmark Channel

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Sunday, April 25, 2021:

Merry *Mark the 25th* Day of the Month, Everyone!


It's time to Mark the 25th day of the month again, as we countdown to Christmas! As of April 25th - 8 months to go!

 
Did any of you have snow this past week? Yes, SNOW in April! We ended up receiving about 3 inches here on the farm in the Midwest. It was beautiful to watch the snowy scene from my warm spot inside. It definitely felt more like Christmastime, then Spring! I could hardly believe it as I looked out my window - there was snow on our lilacs and daffodils! It has all melted away now and we are expecting warmer temps this weekend, but it was rather fun to get that little taste of Christmas once more.

For all of you Christmas movie fans who wish to participate in marking the 25th, simply pick something Christmassy to watch Sunday, April 25th! (Or, Saturday will work, too!) It can be a Christmas movie, cartoon, family sitcom or anything you like. (There's only one stipulation - it must be family friendly.) Then, please share in comments below your Christmas choice for the day!

My pick to Mark the 25th is... "When Calls the Heart: Home for Christmas," in honor of the WCTH wedding airing this weekend.

Available at Amazon on DVD

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I hope you all have a cozy, sunny Spring weekend. I'm looking forward to the warmer weather and being outside more, and enjoying the movies + When Calls the Heart Sunday night! I think there's going to be a lot of couples dealing with emotion during Florence and Ned's wedding. Should be interesting! I'm so happy to see these two say I do, and I'm delighted Katie, Ned's daughter, has returned for this special day, even though she's not quite ready for her father to remarry. As the previews have hinted, the conversation Elizabeth has with her not only changes Katie's heart, but it may also make Elizabeth realize what's in her own.

Please Note: I have not pre-screened Hallmark's new movie, Hearts Down Under. If you happen to watch it and would like to share a review, please share below in comments.

Review: I did pre-screen the new UPtv movie Designed with Love, and it is cute and family-friendly. You can see more of my review - *HERE*!

Also, if you'd like to join in and Countdown to Christmas with us, please be sure to share your *Mark the 25th* Christmas pick in comments below!

Blessings on your weekend! Net

SHINING HIS LIGHT:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails..."

~1 Corinthians 13:4-8

"Hearts Down Under" Moves to April! @cindy_busby #Hallmarkies SEE HERE:

UPDATE: Previously Hallmark shared that Hearts Down Under, starring Cindy Busby and Tim Ross, would premiere in May, but now that has been changed... Hearts Down Under is moving to April!

See details - on time, date, storyline, etc... - click here!

Wonder if they moved this movie to make room for something else in May? Stay tuned!

Blessings on your day! Net

HALLMARK CHANNEL'S APRIL and MAY 2021 “New Movies In Bloom”

Lots of well known Hallmark stars will be on our screens in April and May - Jocelyn Hudon (When Hope Calls), Steve Lund (Unlocking Christmas), Lacey Chabert (Christmas Waltz), Tyler Hynes (It Was Always You), and Cindy Busby (Chasing Waterfalls).

*The May movies are under the new Hallmark Channel theme - “New Movies In Bloom!”
Stay tuned for any future updates and see all the current movie details below...


HALLMARK CHANNEL'S 2021 APRIL and MAY MOVIE PREMIERES:


Hearts Down Under

Starring: Cindy Busby and Tim Ross

Previously Titled: Romance on the Menu

Premieres: Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 9 p.m. PT/ET.

Storyline: New York restaurateur Caroline (Busby) inherits a café in Lemon Myrtle Cove, Australia. While there, she begins to fall in love with the place and its people, particularly Simon (Ross), the café’s charming local chef.

Reviews:

☀"I just saw hearts down under and thought it was very cute!" ~Anonymous

☀"Hearts Down Under is family-friendly. I don't have time to give a detailed review, but overall I enjoyed it with just a few eye-roll moments of silliness." :-) ~Alicia


☀"We had held off from watching Hearts Down Under as there were a good number of poor reviews of it. In retrospect most of these seem to have come from Australians for why I don't know. Really loved this movie. For me the most important aspect is the interaction between the leads and they were a great couple here, they fit together so well. This was one of Cindy Busby's best roles and Tim Ross whom I have never heard of before was superb. (Loved the dog!) I really enjoyed the Australian setting and scenery and the fact that the secondary actors were all mostly Australian (it was filmed there) made the movie authentic. Although it wasn't initially filmed as a Hallmark movie it flowed seemlessly as their best ones do. There were some different and interesting situations too - a few oddball ones which however were mostly amusing. Right at the end they kept teasing us - a couple of times you thought the denouement was about to happen but something intervened. SPOILER ALERT When Caroline kept the cafe operating and flew home to the US to her own business promising to return the next month I had it all sussed out - she would arrive back having kissed goodbye to her old life and decided to make a new one in Australia with Simon but no..... This is where the movie went off the rails - we've gone back over the ending several times and it's defiitely unambiguous. Simon follows her to New York and this what he says to Caroline in their last scene: "I know it's insane - I don't know how it can work with you over here and me over there but.... If you're interested I'd like to try" How on earth could a relationship like that work? What is with these endings? - a major disappointment after what was for me a delightful movie." ~Anonymous


☀We watched Hearts Down Under again this weekend - it has turned out to be my favourite movie to date this year. It's one of the best roles Cindy Busby has played. Given that Tim Ross is Australian and Hallmark bought the movie in it's unlikely we're going to see him again which is unfortunate since I think he is my new leading man! Just wish Hallmark could give him a chance maybe as an Australian over in the States on business - selling breeding racehorses maybe? What about it, Hallmark?!! - Florence

☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀

“New Movies In Bloom”


Baby, It's Cold Inside

Starring: Jocelyn Hudon and Steve Lund

Premieres: Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 9 p.m. PT/ET.

Storyline: When a travel agent up for a promotion is directed to forgo her tropical vacation to instead visit the world-famous Ice Hotel, she discovers her sacrifices are more than compensated.

Reviews:

❆"Just wanted to stop by and let everyone know that Baby, It's Cold Inside is family-friendly! I like both leads, and seeing more ice hotel wonders was delightful, and the story was nice, yet it didn't deeply draw me in like I like. I thought maybe I'm just becoming grumpy and picky, but, then I watched several of the new movies you told us about on BYUtv, Net. One of a Kind Love, Seasoned with Love, and You May Kiss the Bridesmaid all completely charmed me! Somehow, for me, they were more real and natural and engrossing. Glad to know I'm not just broken and unable to enjoy our wonderful, pleasant, cheesy movies anymore!" ;-) ~Alicia

❆"I love both stars in this movie (particularly Steve Lund) but they did not warm up to each other. It isn't surprising to me the ratings were low. First Steve Lund movie that did not hold my interest." ~kitkat

❆ "BABY ITS COLD INSIDE This fell flat for me honestly. The way the story ended was just awkward for me (trying not to spoil, but how Brigitte acted as antagonistic and then switched to changing her mind was just super odd). I didn’t feel the chemistry between the leads. The whole thing just felt “forced”. Steve Lund was the only highlight of this movie for me. Overall, it was very forgettable and uninteresting, although it was family friendly (nothing questionable that I noticed)." ~CH Mom

❆
"Baby It's Cold Inside I'm a big Steve Lund fan and think he is underused by Hallmark. I thought he was looking really well in this movie but I'm afraid the only word to describe it is dull. It was almost as if it was a travelogue - yes the scenery was nice but nothing much happened although the scenes about glass-making were interesting. Jocelyn Hudon is very pretty but she just seemed to go about with a big smile on her face the whole movie and I didn't feel any sparks between her and Steve. There needed to be a bit of oomph - perhaps the receptionist could have been a lot more "evil"? - her role really didn't amount to much. I'd regretfully have to say this was my least favourite Steve Lund movie to date." - Florence

☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀

Sweet Carolina

Starring: Lacey Chabert and Tyler Hynes

Premieres: Saturday, May 15, 2021 at 9 p.m. PT/ET.

Storyline: Josie (Chabert) is a successful New York marketing executive who returns to her small hometown. While there, she becomes the unexpected guardian of her niece and nephew and reconnects with Cooper (Hynes), her high school boyfriend.


Reviews:

🌹 "I want to caution that "Sweet Carolina" is a story about tragedy and loss. Due to this storyline, it's not a movie I would recommend for young children. I have a feeling this emotional story will pull at our heartstrings and hopefully, be a help to those who are going through a time of grieving." ~Net

🌹 "I watched and enjoyed Sweet Carolina and Cooking Up Love." ~Denise

🌹 "Sweet Carolina was a great blessing to me, even though in the beginning, the tears flowed. I felt the emotions in that family. What a beautiful story! Lacey was outstanding! All the actors were at their best! When actors are so good you feel you are living the story, they have done their jobs well. Would love to see more Hallmark movies with substance. I won't say anymore about Sweet Carolina because so many have not watched. The kids in this are exceptional in their roles. Once again, we see the little girl from The Angel Tree. I agree Net. Would not recommend for young children. That is a must have DVD! This movie is old Hallmark type. Thank you Hallmark!" ~kitkat


🌹  "kitkat, I agree with you all the way with Sweet Carolina. Very emotional at the beginning, and the whole movie is much more dramatic than most Hallmark movies. I thought Lacey and Cassidy Nugent (the little girl) were simply outstanding - very touching performances! And yes, I would love to see more movies like this!" ~Mark 25


🌹  "Sweet Carolina I'd have to say that I prefer the light-hearted RomComs that Hallmark can turn out so seamlessly.

I wouldn't say that I didn't quite enjoy this but Lacey in particular has made some outstanding movies recently and this doesn't just hit the same mark.

Yes there was chemistry between Lacey and Tyler but certainly not to the same extent as in Winter In Vail.

The romance between them was lacking in definition and a bit low-key - I suppose because of the extra attention on the family drama, it needed more depth.

It was nice to see several secondary Hallmark actors here.

If you asked anyone who Peter Benson was they'd probably look at you blankly but you instantly recognise his face - I wonder if in total he might have appeared in more Hallmark Movies than any other actor?

I didn't really like Gregory Harrison as the father - I thought he was unnecessarily cruel to Josie for most of the movie. I didn't buy into the whole "I love you, I always have" speech towards the end. Im afraid I just thought he was selfish and always wanted his own way.

Some of the situations were a bit cringe-worthy - the one for example where Josie took her nephew's new girlfrind to task at the dance when she just happened to be talking to another guy. I can see that they were trying to convey her inexperience at parenting - no wonder the girl looked at her as if she'd gone mad, it was just so embarrassing and suspended belief.

I notice that Peter Benson was the director. I wonder if this was his first experience? - it was a reasonable effort but I felt it was a bit loose in places and could have been tightened up.

It wasn't a bad movie at all just not exactly my cup of tea. As others have pointed out you wouldn't want younger children to watch this." ~ Florence


🌹 "Thank you, Florence (comment above), for sharing your review for "Sweet Carolina." I've been feeling rather mixed on this one. Your review really spoke to a lot of my own concerns with the movie: Josie talking to the girl about liking her nephew, Ben (totally strange & awkward), Josie's father constantly giving her the cold shoulder (even after the death of his other daughter), and generally the way the entire family seemed to rush into returning to everyday life after unexpectedly loosing two very special young people in their close-knit family.

It seemed strange to me how the children immediately went back to school, the girl playing basketball and the boy, playing in his band for the school dance. I know normalcy is good, but it seemed rather quick for them to be out having fun after just loosing both parents, especially so suddenly.

According to IMDB, this is Peter Benson's 6th directing credit. I knew he had done one of the "Aurora Teagarden" movies (Heist and Seek), but I wasn't sure about how many others. His other Hallmark directing credit is "Crossword Mysteries: Terminal Descent."

I also felt the relationship between Josie and Coach Cooper was not fully developed. Even the end final scene between the two seems a bit uncomfortable. After the kiss, just before the credits roll, if you look close, Lacey seems to pull away, but Tyler is still holding on and she seems almost forced to stay in the embrace. It's not cringe-worthy, but it looks uneasy and a bit strained. You kinda just want someone to yell "Cut!"

I've also heard plenty of comments about Tyler's hair, mostly people not liking the slicked back look. I would have to agree there, as I prefer the cleaned cut look best - like how his hair was in "Falling for You."

While I like Lacey and thought her acting was excellent, especially her reaction after receiving the awful call, I must say, I also prefer her in lighthearted type Hallmark movies. Instead of feeling sad, I just like a movie that leaves me feeling good inside." ~Net


🌹  "SWEET CAROLINA I liked this one. I didn’t love love it but it was a good movie. It was definitely different than regular Hallmark offering, in a good way. It was a tearjerker in the beginning for sure. I felt for Josie (Lacey’s character) and how she was trying her best to help but kept failing. This was more of a family movie than romance though. The storyline was definitely focused more on the family’s relationship dealing with grief and loss, as opposed to Josie and Cooper’s love story. Tyler Hynes was amazing as always but I wished that the love story was more developed." ~CH Mom

☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀

Hope you're looking forward to the new movies premiering in April and May!

If you want to share a review - please do so in comments below.

Update: I have seen "Hearts Down Under" - it is very sweet and family friendly! I especially loved the adorable dog, Spats (short for Spatula)! Also, see reviews for "Baby, It's Cold Inside" and "Sweet Carolina" above.

Blessings, Net

*images via: Hallmark Crown Media & Romance on the Menu Facebook Page