Category Archives: Hallmark Movie Reviews

The Magic of Lemon Drops

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#CECELIADOWDY #THEMAGICOFLEMONDROPS #THEMAGICOFLEMONDROPPIE #RACHELLINDEN #HALLMARK #HALLMARKMOVIE #ROMANCE #ROMANCENOVEL #LOVESTORY #CHILDHOODSWEETHEARTS

This blog post was sponsored by Divine Desserts Publishing LLC. If you like movies such as The Magic of Lemon Drops then you must read Raspberry Kisses by Cecelia Dowdy! Dπ’Šπ’—π’† π’Šπ’π’•π’ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 π’•π’–π’Žπ’–π’π’•π’–π’π’–π’” π’†π’Žπ’π’•π’Šπ’π’π’‚π’ π’π’Šπ’—π’†π’” 𝒐𝒇 Martin and Rhea 𝒂𝒔 π’•π’‰π’†π’š π’ˆπ’ π’•π’‰π’“π’π’–π’ˆπ’‰ 𝒂 𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 π’“π’Šπ’…π’† 𝒐𝒇 𝒖𝒑𝒔, π’…π’π’˜π’π’”, π’‰π’Šπ’ˆπ’‰π’”, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 π’π’π’˜π’”.πŸ˜’π‘°π’•’𝒔 π’ˆπ’π’π’π’‚ π’ˆπ’†π’• 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒖𝒑 π’Šπ’ π’‰π’†π’“π’†β€”π’šπ’π’– 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 π’˜π’‚π’π’• 𝒕𝒐 π’Žπ’Šπ’”π’” π’Šπ’•! Grab your copy of Raspberry Kisses today! Tell all of your friends by sharing this link!

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Have you ever regretted your past decisions? If so, what decisions do you regret?

The Magic of Lemon Drops is based on the novel The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie. I thought the movie was cute and sweet. However, I thought the book was SO MUCH BETTER than the movie. Lolly and Rory are childhood sweethearts. Rory is now divorced and he returns to town and reconnects with Lolly. Lolly is trying to help her dad run their family diner. She has a younger sister (Daphne) – and Lolly is more like a mom to Daphne, since their mom was deceased.

Unsatisfied with her life, Lolly accepts four magical lemon drops from her eccentric aunt. When she sucks on a drop before bed – she chooses an alternative life – a life she could have had if she’d made a different choice. I’m referring to the lemon drop dreams as alternate reality during the rest of this blog post.

She regrets not marrying Rory – she’d not accepted his proposal. What would her life had been like if she’d married him? She regrets not opening her restaurant, Toast. What would have happened if she’d followed her dreams and had opened her own establishment? She wonders what her life would be like if her mom had not died? Well, she wishes to speak to her deceased mom – so she’s able to do so by using one of her magical lemon drops.

The book was better because you actually got to see the emotional depth between Lolly and Rory. They met as kids and developed a deep bond. You don’t see the backstory in the movie. I realize it’s hard to write a script that firmly aligns with the book. In the book, you see the viewpoints of all of the characters, as well as their internal thoughts. It’s hard for that to come across in the movie.

Also, in the book, Lolly is dissatisfied with her life, just like the movie. In the book, Lolly’s regrets not accepting Rory’s marriage proposal – but there’s nothing she can do about it because he’s married with a family. She doesn’t find out until about three quarters of the way into the story that Rory is divorced. In the movie, you find out right away that Rory is divorced.

There were scenes that didn’t make a lot of sense to me. One of those scenes was when Lolly was in the alternate reality with her mother. She spots Rory at a park. He doesn’t initially remember who she is! She’s almost like a stranger to him. Lolly has to remind him about her name! That was totally weird. Usually, if someone shared a deep connection in the past, would they not remember that person? Such weirdness didn’t happen in the novel.

I was also a bit taken aback when Lolly was in the alternate reality running Toast – the restaurant she’d always regretted not pursuing. Rory arrives at the restaurant with his hot date and he simply uses Lolly as a way to get a good table at her popular restaurant. Having such service is impressive to his date.

I guess the movie would’ve been better if they’d better portrayed the emotional angst between the couple. In the movie, I believe Lolly may have mentioned that she regretted turning down Rory’s marriage proposal. However, in the alternate universes, it appeared that Rory was not in love with Lolly at all – which was a bit off-putting.

Lolly does experience the alternate universe of being married to Rory. But in the book, it was portrayed so much better! You actually get to see her interacting with the kids she would’ve had with Rory. But, the alternate reality as Rory’s wife – is unsatisfying in the movie – since he’s given up his dream to be with her. In the novel, the alternate universe with Rory is satisfying, but, there is potential distress, with Rory giving up his dream. In the book, the only way for them to keep their engagement, would be for Rory to give up his dream of going to a certain university.

I thought the business idea, Lolly’s Pops, was lovely! However, when she started the business in the novel, it was more linked to her personal journey of finding herself. She doesn’t start her business until late in the book, but, in the movie, she was contemplating her business idea in the beginning.

Overall, the movie was a typical Hallmark movie. But, if you really want to experience the emotional drama between Rory and Lolly, then you must read The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden.

So, have you ever regretted your past decisions? If so, what decisions do you regret? If you were offered a lemon drop – to visit the alternate reality of your dreams – would you accept it?

This blog post was sponsored by Divine Desserts Publishing LLC. If you like movies such as The Magic of Lemon Drops then you must read Raspberry Kisses by Cecelia Dowdy! Dπ’Šπ’—π’† π’Šπ’π’•π’ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 π’•π’–π’Žπ’–π’π’•π’–π’π’–π’” π’†π’Žπ’π’•π’Šπ’π’π’‚π’ π’π’Šπ’—π’†π’” 𝒐𝒇 Martin and Rhea 𝒂𝒔 π’•π’‰π’†π’š π’ˆπ’ π’•π’‰π’“π’π’–π’ˆπ’‰ 𝒂 𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 π’“π’Šπ’…π’† 𝒐𝒇 𝒖𝒑𝒔, π’…π’π’˜π’π’”, π’‰π’Šπ’ˆπ’‰π’”, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 π’π’π’˜π’”.πŸ˜’π‘°π’•’𝒔 π’ˆπ’π’π’π’‚ π’ˆπ’†π’• 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒖𝒑 π’Šπ’ π’‰π’†π’“π’†β€”π’šπ’π’– 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 π’˜π’‚π’π’• 𝒕𝒐 π’Žπ’Šπ’”π’” π’Šπ’•! Grab your copy of Raspberry Kisses today! Tell all of your friends by sharing this link!

The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie

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Hallmarkies, on my other blog, I recently posted about a wonderful novel, The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden.

The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie will soon be made into a Hallmark Movie.

Once the movie is released, I will watch it and do a blog post, comparing the book to the movie. I highly recommend you purchase this novel and tell all of your friends by sharing this link!

I hope you are enjoying your summer!

Time for Them to Come Home for Christmas

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Time for Them to Come Home for Christmas

This blog post is sponsored by Divine Desserts Publishing. If you like movies such as Time for Them to Come Home for Christmas then you should read Sugar and Spice. Sugar and Spice is an endearing, rich, wholesome Christmas book that you’ll never forget.

Sugar and Spice is about a friendship, which grows into love, between Mason and Sheila. It’s a Christmas novella full of love, regrets, and forgiveness. There’s also a bakery and plenty of delicious desserts wrapped within this amazing story. Can Mason and Sheila find the courage to overcome their hang-ups and learn to love again? Sugar and Spice has been an Amazon bestselling novel with several 5-star reviews! Purchase today and tell your friends by sharing this blog post!

Sugar and Spice is an endearing, rich, wholesome Christmas book that you’ll never forget.

Click the link at the end of this blog post to purchase.

Now, let’s discuss Time for Them to Come Home for Christmas.

This was such a sweet and endearing movie.

Jane is on her way to an event via bus. She’s held up by a snowstorm, and is forced to find a place to stay. While crossing a bridge, on her way to a place of lodging, she’s struck by a car. When she wakes up in the hospital – she doesn’t remember anything about her life, or who she is. She suffers from amnesia. She doesn’t have a purse, or ID, so, the staff can’t find out her name.

Her nurse, Paul, is sympathetic to her desire to attend a Christmas tree lighting. She discovers that she was on her way to the Christmas tree lighting when she was held up by the snowstorm. She figures if she goes to the lighting, then, maybe she’ll remember who she really is. Maybe she will see someone or something that would spark her memory. The event is several miles away – so they must take a long road trip to get there. Paul drives since the event is en route to his relatives’ house – where he’s going to be spending Christmas.

I liked the chemistry between Paul and Jane. They can’t act on their emotions because Paul doesn’t know if Jane might be married, and it’s implied she might have a child. As clues are discovered – such as Jane’s lost luggage – and Jane’s brief flashbacks of past events – her memory slowly evolves.

This is a Hallmark movie – so you know that things get rectified by the end! Of course, Jane is not married and is free to be with Paul.

Amnesia has been something that’s always interested me. The subject is strange, sad and fascinating at the same time. I wonder how this movie would have ended if Jane had NOT gotten her memory back? How do you move forward in life if you don’t know who you are? I’d imagine that in such a case, nowadays, it would be fairly easy to discover who somebody is by posting their picture on the news, letting people know that this person is seeking friends/relatives. But, even after finding their family and loved ones – what happens if your memory never returns? What if you have a husband and kids and you never remember who they are?

Could you rebuild your life after such an ordeal?

Do you, or anybody you know ever had amnesia? What was it like? Did it take long to regain memories?

This blog post is sponsored by Divine Desserts Publishing. If you like movies such as Time for Them to Come Home for Christmas then you should read Sugar and Spice. Sugar and Spice is an endearing, rich, wholesome Christmas book that you’ll never forget.

Sugar and Spice is about a friendship, which grows into love, between Mason and Sheila. It’s a Christmas novella full of love, regrets, and forgiveness. There’s also a bakery and plenty of delicious desserts wrapped within this amazing story. Can Mason and Sheila find the courage to overcome their hang-ups and learn to love again? Sugar and Spice has been an Amazon bestselling novel with several 5-star reviews! Purchase today and tell your friends by sharing this blog post!

Sugar and Spice is an endearing, rich, wholesome Christmas book that you’ll never forget.

Click the link at the end of this blog post to purchase.

Thanks for listening and have an awesome day!

SUGAR AND SPICE – PURCHASE LINK

Getting to Know You…

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keywords & hashtags: #teaparty, tea party, questions #questions

All of you have been on my mind recently. I realized that I don’t know a lot about folks who visit my blog.

I wanted to get to know all of you better.

Why? Well, I just thought it would be fun to get to know all of you better! I’ve always enjoyed meeting and interacting with new people, so, knowing more about you will help with interacting with you.

Do me a favor, would you?

Could you respond to these questions by leaving a comment?

What are your favorite movies & why?

If you had all the money to travel, where would you travel?

Favorite era in history?

What books are you reading right now?

Looking forward to seeing your responses.

A Fabled Holiday

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keywords & hashtags: Christmas in July, #ChristmasinJuly, Christmas, #Christmas, #Hallmark, Hallmark, #CountdowntoChristmas, Countdown to Christmas #Christmasmovies #Christmasmovie Christmas movie, Christmas movies

This blog post was sponsored by Divine Desserts Publishing LLC. If you like warm, emotional Christmas stories like A Fabled Holiday then you must read Loving Luke by Cecelia Dowdy. Loving Luke is about a reunion between Luke and Kim, two childhood sweethearts. It’s a Christmas novel full of love, regrets, and second chances. There’s also a bakery and plenty of delicious desserts wrapped within this amazing story. Can Luke and Kim find the courage to overcome their hang-ups and learn to love again? Loving Luke has been an Amazon bestselling novel with several 5-star reviews! Purchase today by clicking on the link at the end! Tell your friends by sharing this blog post!

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Did you have a favorite fairy tale as a child? If so, which story was your favorite?

This movie was highly unusual. Talia and Anderson were friends as children. After Talia’s dad dies, she moves away. Both of them keep in touch for a while – Talia sends Anderson fairy-tale-like stories and Anderson enjoys reading them. Years later, they reconnect when Talia moves back into town and is now a bookstore owner.

Due to unusual circumstances, both of them end up at a place called The Gingerbread Inn for Christmas. The Gingerbread Inn is a mythical-like town that doesn’t show up on the map. Both Anderson and Talia have hardships in which they are trying to overcome. Anderson doesn’t know if he’s strong enough to continue practicing medicine. If one of his patients dies, is he at fault? Was there something he could’ve done to save his patient? He beats himself up over this. I felt bad for him. I felt as if he was taking blame for circumstances that were beyond this control.

Meanwhile Talia wants to become an author, but, doesn’t know if she’s good enough to write fairy tales. Is she destined to continue to be a bookstore owner, selling the work of others, giving up on her own dream?

There were other guests at the inn who were working through problems. One man was grieving over his deceased wife. Two other guests happened to be a couple contemplating divorce.

All of the guests are struggling with something and they happen to come to The Gingerbread Inn via a mysterious link to a Christmas fairy tale that they read as children. The town is called Wunderland and during the movie, the characters participate in a lot of yuletide events, such as dressing as elves, and walking down a path, ringing a Christmas bell along the way.

It appears that Hallmark is changing the tone for some of this year’s Christmas movies. Instead of the movie focusing on one couple, it might focus on several couples. I believe that making some of the movies with multiple characters/couples is refreshing.

Did you have a favorite fairy tale as a child? If so, which story was your favorite?

This blog post was sponsored by Divine Desserts Publishing LLC. If you like warm, emotional Christmas stories like A Fabled Holiday then you must read Loving Luke by Cecelia Dowdy. Loving Luke is about a reunion between Luke and Kim, two childhood sweethearts. It’s a Christmas novel full of love, regrets, and second chances. There’s also a bakery and plenty of delicious desserts wrapped within this amazing story. Can Luke and Kim find the courage to overcome their hang-ups and learn to love again? Loving Luke has been an Amazon bestselling novel with several 5-star reviews! Purchase today by clicking on the link at the end! Tell your friends by sharing this blog post!

Subscribe to this blog by leaving a reply and selecting β€œNotify me of new posts by email.”

LOVING LUKE

Just in Time For Christmas

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This blog post is sponsored by Divine Desserts Publishing LLC. If you like sweet, emotional Christmas love stories such as Just in Time for Christmas then you must read Loving Luke by Cecelia Dowdy. Loving Luke is about a reunion between Luke and Kim, two childhood sweethearts. It’s a Christmas novel full of love, regrets, and second chances. There’s also a bakery and plenty of delicious desserts wrapped within this amazing story. Can Luke and Kim find the courage to overcome their hang-ups and learn to love again? Loving Luke is on Amazon – purchase today and tell your friends by sharing this blog post!

Just in Time for Christmas

Have you ever made a big, life-changing decision and then later regretted it? Did you wish that you’d made a different choice?

When Lindsay’s childhood friend, Jason, asks her to marry him, she’s initially ecstatic. However, a phone call from a university creates a roadmap to her changing plans. She’s been made an offer to publish her book, and to possibly teach at a high-ranking university. She’s excited about this news! However, when she shares her plans with Jason, she’s forced to choose: marry him, or accept the university’s offer. Her book publication deal would require her to move far away. Jason has a bakery – he loves his business and doesn’t want to be forced to relocate.

Lindsay is filled with a plethora of emotions after Jason’s proposal. Should she turn down the book deal, or, should she marry her childhood sweetheart? Her world changes when a stranger older man arrives at a deserted park and offers her a carriage ride. This carriage ride takes her into the future!

I loved how this movie shows how life would’ve been like if Lindsay accepts the university’s offer and turns down Jason’s proposal. After the carriage ride, Lindsay discovers in a few years’ time that she’s a famous author and Jason is engaged to someone else! What’s weird about this is that she doesn’t remember the chain of events that lead to her national stardom! After traveling into the future, the last memory she has is the night that she takes the carriage ride. It’s almost as if a few years of living have been erased from her mind, kind of like amnesia.

I think this movie shows that when we make big, life-changing decisions, that we need to stop and think about what we are doing. Lindsay obviously loved Jason, so, they should’ve talked about alternatives to making their relationship work. Of course, since this is a Hallmark movie, you know that they work out everything in the end, and live happily ever after.

On a personal note, I can relate to Lindsay’s desire to be a famous published author. I’m a romance writer, and when I see my books on the shelves of places like Barnes and Noble, Target, and Walmart, I get a buzz! It’s wonderful for an author to have her work to be admired by those all around the world. I just wish that I’d been able to make my writing business as financially lucrative as Lindsay’s! It’s always been my dream to make a full-time salary for my writing, but, alas, that’s not happened. I still daydream about that, though.

So, have you seen Just in Time for Christmas? Did you like it?

Have you ever made a big, life-changing decision and then later regretted it? Did you wish that you’d made a different choice?

This blog post was sponsored by Divine Desserts Publishing LLC. If you like sweet, emotional Christmas love stories such as Just in Time for Christmas then you must read Loving Luke by Cecelia Dowdy. Loving Luke is about a reunion between Luke and Kim, two childhood sweethearts. It’s a Christmas novel full of love, regrets, and second chances. There’s also a bakery and plenty of delicious desserts wrapped within this amazing story. Can Luke and Kim find the courage to overcome their hang-ups and learn to love again? Loving Luke is on Amazon – purchase today and tell your friends by sharing this blog post!

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LOVING LUKE