When Calls the Heart: Heart and Soul

Looking for a great family friendly television series, that still models the wholesome family values from shows like Little House on the Prairie and The Waltons? Then look no further than When Calls the Heart, based on the novel from Janette Oke and from producer Michael Landon Jr. for the Hallmark Channel. If you haven't watched it, trust me, go back to the very beginning and get acquainted with Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow), who ventured west in the dreams of becoming a teacher despite her wealthy upbringing. She brings a love of learning to the children of Coal Valley, a mining town who recently suffered a massive mine explosion that claimed the lives of the men of the town, living the survivors to pick up the pieces.

In the DVD, Heart and Soul from the series, we find the long awaited trial into the suspected tampering of the mine by owner Henry Gowen, underway. Most of the women hope that the evidence against Mr. Gowen will be brought to light and absolve the mystery behind what caused the explosion that cost these men their lives. While Abigail Stanton (Lori Loughlin) works with Bill Avery (Jack Wagner), the investigator on the case to prove her husbands innocence to the town, Elizabeth Thatcher is still in Hamilton caring for her ailing mother. Even though Jack Thornton (Daniel Lissing), went with her, he must now return to his duties and leave Elizabeth behind, trusting that their love will survive despite the distance. Her father, however has other plans in mind when he continues to invite her childhood friend, Charles Kensington to fill in her available time in hopes she might forget all about Jack.

Back in Hope Valley, Rosemary always looking for that next big break in her budding career as an actress finds herself with a prospect of returning to San Francisco to star in an upcoming play. The two producers arrive with just the right lure for her to give up any hopes of remaining in Coal Valley, now Hope Valley. Only as usual some things are simply too goo to be true, and she finds herself being kidnapped with only our reputable hero, Jack Thornton to her rescue. When the weather turns on both of them, it forces them to take shelter in an abandoned mine overnight, which leads to ongoing rumors of what really happened among those in town. Is this the end of Elizabeth and Jack?

I received When Calls the Heart: Heart and Soul compliments of Word Films, and Edify Media Inc for my honest review. Aside from the complimentary copy of the DVD, I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. Just like in any of our favorite romances, there always has to be conflict tossed in for good measure and in this case, with distance now separating Elizabeth and Jack, we find Rosemary and Charles are the antagonists without truly intending to do so. It will be something that either strengthens their relationship or will be a wedge that will drive them apart but I'll let that one remain a mystery until you pick this one up to enjoy. This is a Dove Family Approved DVD and one I know, you will treasure as much as my family and I do. We can't wait for more in this series and well worth all 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about When Calls the Heart: Heart and Soul, Word Films, or where you can pick up a copy of this DVD today, please click on the links below:

When Calls the Heart: Heart and Soul

You can find When Calls the Heart on Facebook to stay up to date on what's happening with your favorite characters.

You can purchase a copy of When Calls the Heart: Heart and Soul on DVD through Amazon.

When Calls the Heart: Rules of Engagement

Webster's dictionary defines the meaning of the word engage: as a verb, to mean occupying the attention or interests of a person or persons; to secure for aid, employment, use, hire, etc.; to attract and hold fast; to bind as by pledge, contract, oath or promise; to betroth; and to bring (troops) into conflict; enter into conflict with.

In the DVD When Calls the Heart: Rules of Engagement from the Hallmark Channel and Word Films, all of these definitions apply to the characters we find in Coal Valley as Season 1 comes to a close with the final two episodes of the show. Does true happiness exist for anyone in Coal Valley? That is the question, Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow) pens in her journal of this DVD. As the town's school teacher of Coal Valley, we find her wondering what the outcome will be for the relationship between her and constable Jack Thornton (Daniel Lissing). Jack is crowned the town's hero for the apprehension of the Toliver gang. Just as Jack returns from Cape Fulton, an unexpected surprises awaits him from the stage. A woman claiming to be Jack's fiancè, Rose Mary LeVeaux, a theater actress from New York. After 2 years of being away from Jack, she realizes she can't live without him and comes looking for him. But love is persistent in her eyes and no matter what Jack tells her, she believes until he conveys his feelings for Elizabeth, hope still awaits in the wings for her.

Inspector Bill Avery (Jack Wagner) arrives from Capital City to investigate the Pacific Northwest Mining accident that claimed the lives of 46 miners six months ago. He is hoping to build a case against the mining company for neglect thanks to the details Abigail Stanton (Lori Loughlin) has provide to Jack. But Mr. Gowen, owner of the mine reminds Abigail that unless she drops the investigation and claims against the mine she might not like what his lawyers will be forced to reveal, one that just might point the fingers at her instead of at the mining company. But Abigail and Mr. Avery will not take to threats from Mr. Gowen or his employees.

Tensions mount as the circuit judge Jedidiah Black (James Brolin) arrives to oversee the case that could spell disaster either way you look at it for the town of Coal Valley. If the mine is responsible, it would mean the mine would close and the men would be out of work and unable to support their families. If Abigail is found responsible, it might mean the end to her cafe in Coal Valley and in the eyes of her friends whose husbands deaths would be on her hands. Will Jack Thornton find a way to reveal his feelings to Elizabeth just as she receives a lucrative offer as the first woman teacher in Briarcliff Teaching Academy back on the East Coast, a true dream job for her? Viewers will just have to wait until Season 2 begins, but until then we can relive all the greatest moments in this DVD series!

I received When Calls the Heart: Rules of Engagement compliments of Word Films, Hallmark Channel and Edify Media Inc for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free DVD for my honest review and the opinions expressed here are my own. This DVD is the 6th and final one in Season 1 and includes the TV Series episodes number 11: Rules of Engagement and number twelve: Final Adieu on this one. This is such an exceptional series that families of all ages will come to love as much as The Little House on The Prairie. Micheal Landon Jr. brought author Janette Oke's novels to life and this one for me easily gets a full 5 out of 5 star rating!!!

For more information on When Calls the Heart: Rules of Engagement, Word Films, or The Hallmark Channel Series, or where you can pick up a copy of this DVD today, please click on the links below:

When Calls The Heart: Rules of Engagement

You can find Word Films on Facebook to stay up to date with all their family entertainment.

You can find When Calls the Heart on Facebook to stay up to date with all the latest information on the series.

To learn more about the series on the Hallmark Channel, please click here. 

Where Courage Calls

For as long as I can remember, I've always loved the Old West and when Hallmark launched the television series, When Calls The Heart by best selling author Janette Oke I was completely addicted. Even my youngest daughter at thirteen, truly loved the movie. So when the opportunity became available to review Where Courage Calls, a special companion story to the When Calls the Heart TV series, I knew I had to read this one. If you've already read When Calls the Heart, you may remember Elizabeth Thatcher has left her wealthy lifestyle to head west as a teacher for Coal Valley, a small coal mining town who is in desperate need of a school teacher for the children of the town. Along the way she was escorted by Edward Montclair, who was sent to keep an eye on her by her father to ensure her safe arrival in Coal Valley.

However like all great stories, this one has a twist. Upon arriving in Lethbridge, a larger town on the outskirts of Coal Valley, Edward makes the mistake of letting a porter take their bags only to realize later than they have been robbed. The porter was really a thief in disguise and now Elizabeth has only the clothes on her back and no school supplies. Edward feels personally responsible since Elizabeth's luggage contained a valuable violin that her father gave her as well as a compass that he used to own. But Elizabeth is determined to fulfill her year contract with Coal Valley and the school board even though the school takes place in a saloon during the day.

The women of Coal Valley have taken it upon themselves to fund Miss Thatcher's employment believing that an education is necessary if they want a better life for their children than becoming coal miners which claimed most of the men and older boys in a mining explosion. In Where Courage Calls, Elizabeth's adventures are detailed in what could be future episodes on the Hallmark TV series in each chapter, from dealing with financial difficulties of the mining families when the begin to run out of food during a blizzard, what happens when Elizabeth comes down with the flu, when new miners appear in town to work in the mine but don't speak English and most of all how Elizabeth can keep the love of learning alive during her first year in Coal Valley while finding more than one man who in interested in her beside Edward, which introduces us to Jack Thornton, a Canadian Mountie who shares a common interest with Elizabeth in being the local police in Coal Valley. So more than just sparks will fly between them!

I received Where Courage Calls by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan compliments of Litfuse Publicity and Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed are strictly my own. This novel concludes at the end of Elizabeth's first year of teaching in Coal Valley and the reader is left hoping that more will come in the very near future. I absolutely LOVE this series both the books and the TV series! I love the strong determination that Elizabeth digs deep to find especially when all the odds are against her. She refuses to accept failure at any turn and her love of not only teaching but the children and women she meets is apparent in the many times she goes out of her way to help people in need. Even though she comes from a wealthy upbringing, she becomes one of the women and gains so much more insight into her own strength and character, especially when her sister comes for a visit and gets more than she bargained for. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars!

For more information about Where Courage Calls, Janette Oke, Laurel Oke Logan or where you can pick up this novel today, please click on the links below:

Where Courage Calls by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan

You can find Where Calls the Heart on Facebook to stay up to date with all details from the series.

To read more reviews on Where Courage Calls, please visit Litfuse Publicity Book Tour Page. 



Janette Oke's newest book, Where Courage Calls (co-written with her daughter, Laurel Oke Logan), is receiving rave reviews. It is the companion story to Hallmark Channel's TV series When Calls the Heart, set in the Canadian west.

Janette and Laurel are celebrating with an iPad Mini giveaway and a Facebook author chat party on March 4th.

One winner will receive:

• iPad Mini
• Where Courage Calls by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan
• When Calls the Heart DVD

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 4th. Winner will be announced at the Where Courage Calls Facebook Party on March 4th. Connect with Janette and Laurel for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more!

So grab your copy of Where Courage Calls and join Janette and Laurel on the evening of March 4th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN on the event page. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 4th!