"when calls the heart: the complete season one" dvd review

Are you a "Heartie"? I don't think I'd quite qualify as one—I'm not obsessed with When Calls the Heart, I haven't seen every episode, and I don't interact with other fans online—but I do enjoy catching it on the Hallmark Channel.

When FishFlix.com, home of family friendly and Christian movies, offered to send me When Calls the Heart DVDs for review, I couldn't pass up the opportunity!

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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 coalmining 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 19th 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.

The series is inspired by Janette Oke’s bestselling book series about the Canadian West, and reunites Oke with Executive Producer and Director, Michael Landon, Jr.

Includes:
-When Calls The Heart (Hallmark Channel Original Movie)
-Lost And Found (Movie Version of Episodes 1 & 2)
-A Telling Silence (Movie Version of Episodes 3 & 4)
-The Dance (Movie Version of Episodes 5 & 6)
-Second Chances (Movie Version of Episodes 7 & 8)
-Change Of Heart (Movie Version of Episodes 9 & 10)
-Rules Of Engagement (Movie Version of Episodes 11 & 12)
-Getting to know Michael Landon Jr. and Jeanette Oke
-Episodes 1-12 as seen on the Hallmark Channel

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First of all, let's clear up some confusion: When Calls the Heart, the novel by Janette Oke, is not the same as When Calls the Heart the Hallmark Channel show. However, When Calls the Heart the movie (which is included in this collection) is loosely based on the novel. And now Oke and her daughter Laurel Oke Logan are writing a new series that is being called a companion to the show: so far, there are three books, which I assume go along with the three seasons. I read the first book, When Courage Calls, and it bears a resemblance to the series, though it's clearly not a novelization of the first season.

Why does this matter? It might not, but if you're reading this blog, it's probably because you're interested in Christian fiction. If you've been reading Christian fiction for a while, chances are good you've read Oke's Canadian West series, and you would naturally assume that a series called When Calls the Heart would follow Elizabeth and Wynn, the couple at the heart of the series. Instead, When Calls the Heart follows Elizabeth's great-niece, also named Elizabeth Thatcher. (Further muddying the waters? In the companion series, Elizabeth is known as Beth, and her love interest Jack is known as Jarrick.)

Now, to the series itself: When Calls the Heart is one of the cleanest, most family-friendly shows geared toward adults currently on television. Elizabeth (Erin Krakow) is immediately endearing as she attempts to adjust from her pampered city life to living in Coal Valley. Her relationship with Mountie Jack Thornton (Daniel Lissing) builds slowly—too slowly, some may say—and sweetly. Lori Loughlin, who never seems to age a day, shines as Abigail Stanton, the leader of a group of women who recently lost their husbands in a mine explosion. Abigail becomes a mentor and friend to Elizabeth, and their relationship is one of my favorites in the series. This season is wholly enjoyable, and I highly recommend it! 5 stars.

The Complete Season One review: At first glance, this set seems a bit redundant. Unless you're a When Calls the Heart super fan, you probably don't need both the movie version and the Hallmark Channel version of each episode! However, two things make this edition a good choice if you'd like to own the season: 1. This set includes the When Calls the Heart movie, starring Maggie Grace (LOST) and Stephen Amell (Arrow) as Elizabeth Thatcher and Wynn Delaney. In addition to telling the beginning of Elizabeth and Wynn's love story, the film also marks the beginning of the younger Elizabeth's story and introduces Coal Valley; however, the only major cast member from the film who returns for the series is Lori Loughlin. I don't know why so many roles were recast, but I do think it was a good move. (One thing that drives me absolutely crazy about the film is that Elizabeth and Wynn's story is never finished. And they don't factor into the series at all.) 2. It's actually cheaper to purchase the complete season one than it is to purchase each movie (which is two episodes) individually. So if you think you'll want to own the whole season, this is a really good deal.

Buy the DVD set.

Read my review of Where Courage Calls (3 stars), the first When Calls the Heart companion novel.
Get a $5 coupon to FishFlix.com by joining the email list here or by texting 5-GIFT to 44222.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this DVD free for review from FishFlix.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"Where Courage Calls" by Janette Oke & Laurel Oke Logan

About the book (from Litfuse): Her courage and her heart will be tested in ways she never expected . . .

Beth Thatcher has spent her entire life in the safe, comfortable world of her family, her friends, and the social outings her father's wealth provides. But Beth is about to leave it all behind to accept a teaching position in the rugged foothills of western Canada. Inspired by her aunt Elizabeth, who went west to teach school several years ago, and gently encouraged by her father, Beth resolves to put her trust in God and bravely face any challenge that comes her way.

But the conditions in Coal Valley are even worse than she'd feared. A recent mining accident has left the town grieving and at the mercy of the mining company. The children have had very little prior education, and many of the locals don't even speak English. There isn't even a proper schoolhouse. In addition, Beth's heart is torn between two young men—both Mounties, one a lifelong friend and the other a kind, quiet man who comes to her aid more than once.

Despite the many challenges, Beth is determined to make a difference in the rustic frontier town. But when her sister visits from the East, reminding her of all the luxuries she's had to give up, will Beth decide to return to her privileged life as soon as the school year is over?

My take: Janette Oke's Love Comes Softly is the first "grown up" book I read. Throughout junior high and early high school, I read every Janette Oke book I could get my hands on. Eventually, I moved away from the prairie romances, and it's probably been at least 10 years since I last read an Oke novel.

So why pick up a Janette Oke book now? Because this book is being called a "companion story" to Hallmark Channel's When Calls the Heart series, a series I'm really enjoying watching. So I began reading Where Courage Calls with some preconceived notions about what would happen ... and now I wish I'd gone in blind.

First of all, let me clear something up: When Calls the Heart the TV series is only very loosely related to Oke's Canadian West book series (of which When Calls the Heart is the first book), while Where Courage Calls features some of the characters from the TV series. (Why Hallmark Channel decided to call the series When Calls the Heart is beyond me!) However, while some of the names are the same, the events in the series and the events in the book are completely different. So don't go into the book thinking you'll be reading a retread of the series or even a continuation of the series. You won't. Once I realized that I needed to treat this book as if it wasn't connected to the series, I enjoyed it much more!

Where Courage Calls is classic Janette Oke, featuring a Western Canadian setting, a faith-filled heroine, and endearing children. It's also a bit slow moving, and I did struggle to keep reading at times. Everything—the relationships, the action, and the romance—picks up in the last third of the book, and I flew through those pages. Really, I was quite hooked by the end, and I will probably read any subsequent books in the series. (I assume there will be a sequel, as Beth's future is left up in the air, but I haven't found anything confirming that.)

My rating: 3 stars

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read an excerpt.

About the authors: Celebrated for her significant contribution to the Christian book industry, Janette Oke is the recipient of numerous awards. Her novels have sold more than 30 million copies and are beloved by readers around the world. Janette lives with her husband, Edward, in Alberta, Canada.

Laurel Oke Logan is the daughter of Edward and Janette Oke, is the author of Janette Oke: A Heart for the Prairie, as well as the novel Dana's Valley, which she co-wrote with her mom. Laurel and her husband have six children and two sons-in-law and live near Indianapolis, Indiana.

About the giveaway: 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!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."