Beverly Lewis' "The Shunning" Hallmark Movie Review and Giveaway

Growing up in Montana, and having only 2 TV stations, my family almost always made a point of watching the Hallmark Hall of Fame movies. Sometimes they were classics ( I remember them playing an old black and white movie, "The Black Swan" starring Tyrone Power...), and other times made-for-tv movies.  However, it has been a long time since we've been able to watch any Hallmark movies. That is one reason why I was excited to be asked to review The Hallmark Channel's The Shunning, based on the book by Beverly Lewis.

Here is some information about the movie from the publisher: 

Beverly Lewis' The Shunning - About the Movie 


Before she succumbs to cancer, the dying wish of Laura Mayfield-Bennett is to be reunited with the daughter she never knew. Unfortunately, that daughter, Katie Lapp, is a member of the Amish order. Katie is about to be married, but uneasy about the path ahead.  Now she discovers the secret her parents have kept from her: she's adopted. 


The film is based on the celebrated first novel of the best-selling "The Heritage of Lancaster County" book series from author Beverly Lewis. Stars Danielle Panabaker & Sherry Stringfield.


BEVERLY LEWIS - Author of "The Shunning" 


Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, is The New York Times bestselling author of more than eighty books.  Her stories have been published in eleven languages worldwide.  A keen interest in her mother's Plain heritage has inspired Lewis to write many Amish-related novels, beginning with "The Shunning," which has sold more than one million copies.  In 2007, Lewis' "The Brethren" was honored with a Christy Award. Lewis lives with her husband, David, in Colorado.

You can watch the Trailer here  and you can also check out The Shunning on Facebook if that is your speed. 

The Shunning is a beautifully filmed story. Michael Landon Jr. carries on his father's legacy quite well. The cast is well chosen and very emotively talented.  The subject of the Amish makes it feel like something set in another time and place. For someone who doesn't live in Lancaster County, PA, or another Amish community, it is amazing to realize that the story is set in the present time. I felt it was very authentic, however. The farmhouses made me recall with fondness our visit to a friend's home in Ohio in Amish Country a few years ago. 

As Katie Lapp struggles to discover her identity, wise words are given by Ella Mae Zook in one of my favorite scenes. She advises her that miracles are found in the life you HAVE, not the life you miss. Good advice, fancy or plain~ to look for God where you ARE, not where you wish to be.

This is a movie that I've found myself thinking about after watching it, which is always a good sign. :) I am glad to have added this to our family's library, and think it would make a great gift (think Christmas) for the movie-lover in your life. 


Now, here's the good news~ if you don't get the Hallmark Channel, you can purchase the DVD (Check out Family Christian, among other retailers), and you can also sign up for a giveaway here on my blog! :) 


Details:Giveaway is open till 12 noon, EST October 3, 2011  October 7, 2011due to technical difficulties @ Blogger.....

IMPORTANT~ you MUST leave me a way to contact you if are the winner~ so please, make sure that I can email you from your profile or leave your email in your comment. Thanks! :) and FYI~ this giveaway is open everywhere, not US only! :D Yay!

1. Mandatory entry~(2 step) Leave a comment telling me where you heard about this giveaway, AND what Beverly Lewis Title is your favorite, or which title you would most like to read :) 

Optional entries:

1. Follow me via GFC (Leave a comment)
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3. Like my page on Facebook (Please like me with your personal page, and leave a comment with your FB name)
4. Follow me on Twitter (Leave a comment with your Twitter ID) 
5. Post about this giveaway on Facebook(including a link to this post) and leave me a link to your post (up to 3 entries, one/day)
6. Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter leave me a link to the tweet (up to 5 entries, one/day)  Please include the following 5 items in your tweet~ @acornsofgold #giveaway #theshunning #BeverlyLewis , and a link to this post.
7. Post a "Thoughtful" comment on one of my previous blog posts~

OK, that's about it~ plenty of ways to enter~

Blessings~

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.