When Calls The Heart Season 2 - Two-Hour Season Premiere Saturday, April 25 at 8/7c

 About the series:

The series is inspired by Janette Oke's bestselling book series about the Canadian West. "When Calls the Heart" tells the captivating story of Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow), a young teacher accustomed to her
high society life, who receives her first classroom assignment in Coal Valley, a small coal mining town where life is simple, but often fraught with challenges.

Lori Loughlin plays Abigail Stanton, a wife and mother whose husband, the foreman of the mine, along with a dozen other miners, has just been killed in an explosion. The newly widowed women find their faith is tested when they must go to work in the mines to keep a roof over their heads. Elizabeth charms most everyone
in Coal Valley, except Constable Jack Thornton (Daniel Lissing) who believes Thatcher's wealthy father has doomed the lawman's career by insisting he be assigned in town to protect the shipping magnate's daughter.

Living in a turn of the century coal town, Elizabeth will have to learn the ways of the frontier if she wishes to thrive in the rural west on her own.

 Cafe Lily's Review:

Like so many other self-proclaimed "Hearties" out there..........I am SO EXCITED for the second season of this to start.  I was able to see a preview and was blown away at just how good this next season is.  Fans of this show will NOT be disappointed  - I was riveted to the first two episodes.

If you haven't had a chance to watch the first season, you have come to the right place!

I have a GIVEAWAY.......

Just leave me a comment telling me how you shared this post and the link. 

You'll get an entry (each) for every post on Twitter, Facebook, your blog, etc.   Make sure you also leave a valid email address so I can contact you, if you win.

A winner will be chosen on Tuesday, April 28th so HURRY!!!    **Valid for US and Canada only**




"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising"): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification."

The Love Letters by Beverly Lewis

When her sister falls gravely ill, twenty-year-old Marlena Wenger takes on the responsibility of caring for her infant niece, Angel Rose.

Worried that this turn of events portends a more complicated future than he is prepared for, her beau ends their relationship. Marlena is devastated, but is determined to give Angel Rose the best care possible.

Though from the Beachy Amish herself, Marlena meets Ellie Bitner, an Old Order Amish mother who offers quilting and needlepoint classes. They soon form a bond, and Marlena is drawn into the circle of Ellie's family. Ellie's handsome cousin seems rather taken with Marlena, but after her recent breakup, she is cautious where her feelings are concerned.

But things begin to change when Ellie's young son Jacob discovers an older homeless man camped out in the nearby abandoned mill. Suffering from some cognitive disorder, the man has few prospects and fewer possessions--among them a small clutch of letters apparently from his own courting days. Could these letters be the key to the old man's identity? And can they bring healing and hope to Marlena and Ellie as well?


Cafe Lily's Review:

I enjoyed this book, mainly because Marlena is such a spunky young woman.  She was an interesting character to follow and met up with quite a few challenges.

She is brave enough to venture out and try a variety of new things.......some of them, forced upon her.

While learning to care for her sister's baby, and attending a new church, she begins to question many of her personal beliefs.  This questioning causes some tension between her and her beau, and Marlena finds her plans for the future may not be as sure as she thought.

This story is a great example of man planning his way, and God coming along with a giant eraser!

The characters were sweet and overall, this was an enjoyable story.

Finding Me

From Goodreads: 

After her father and stepmother's accidental death, Kelli Huddleston sorts through their belongings and learns a shocking secret. 

Years before, her father faked his death during a boat wreck at sea--and faked Kelli's as well. He'd run from a wife, a son, and a daughter back in Tennessee, meaning Kelli has a family she's never known. 

She's already cashed the payout on her dad's life insurance check and looks at it as her ticket to a new life. The lure and puzzle of digging into this hidden past is too much to resist, and she soon finds herself in Tennessee. 

When the trip threatens to open doors to the past better left shut, and her plans for the future are threatened, Kelli must make an agonizing choice that will change her life forever. 


Review: 

This book was good, although after such a long buildup, the ending felt a bit rushed. It wrapped up too simply to be completely believable. That aside, I enjoyed this story. 

The plot was interesting, because it was so unique. I wanted to see how it all unfolded, and what would happen if and when Kelli met up with her family who believes she is dead. 

I liked the small town characters, and the pull that Kelli feels between California and Tennessee. Overall, this a good rainy day read.
 

LOVE INSPIRED SERIES Book Review - New Releases for May 2015

You believe hearts can heal.   

Love Inspired stories show that faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to lift spirits and change lives—always.

Six new Love Inspired titles are available each month!

Looking for just the newest releases available for sale?   Click here!

 From Cafe Lily:

If you enjoy Harlequin romance, but want a "clean" version which skips the foul language and racy sex scenes, check out the Love Inspired series.

A new set of 6 books is releasing soon - just in time for Mother's Day gifts.

These books are small, easy to tuck in a purse or tote bag and take on the go.  They are quick reads with an inspirational, faith-based message.  Perfect for Mom, Grandma, Aunt, Sister, Daughter or the special woman in your life, who loves to read.

The Legacy

I have had the pleasure of reading all four books in this series.  

The Legacy, is the fourth book and was good, although I didn't feel that it was quite as emotionally intense as the first three.  For some reason, I didn't feel quite as engaged or drawn in, as with the previous books.

This book focuses on Doug Anderson, who is away at college and spreading his wings.  He makes some bad choices and the ripple effect of those choices affect his entire family.

This series in many ways reminds me of the Baxter family, made famous by Karen Kingsbury.  The characters are down to earth, easy to relate to and face challenges that are familiar to most of us living life.

I didn't realize this was the final book, until I read it on Dan's website.  I really enjoyed getting to know this family, and would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys contemporary Christian fiction. 

I do wish the series would continue - I think there's a lot to build on, and would love to read more.