Hallmark Heartbeats

This week, I got to chat with star Benjamin Ayres, star of Hallmark's newest movie Color My World with Love. This was the first Hallmark movie to feature actors with Down Syndrome. Ben plays Nick, Brad's friend and real estate developer. We talk about working with his costars Erica Durance, Lily Moore and David DeSanctis. We talk about the lessons he's learned from his costars and some behind the scenes secrets. This was a fun interview. It was very personal for me. I am disabled and have always advocated for movies that tell stories of the disabled community. I am planning on taking an indefinite break from podcasting. Thanks for your support.

This week I get to interview Natalie Hall, star of the newest Hallmark film "A Road Trip Romance." I am a huge fan of Natalie. I have been watching her since her All My Children days as Colby Chandler. But during this interview we concentrated on her Hallmark career. We talked about Winter Princess, her co-star Chris McNally, the ball gowns and tiaras, of course the wave. We also talked about my personal favorite Hallmark movie "You're Bacon Me Crazy". What it was like working with Michael Rady, cooking skills and more. And last but certainly not least we talked about A Road Trip Romance. Some behind the scenes adventures, what it was like working as a new mom and her costar Corey Sevier and more. May is AAPI month. On Instagram I have made collages highlighting actors of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. Check it out on Hallmarkheartbeats. I will also be posting videos on Tiktok that goes more in depth of each actor's heritage and their hallmark roles. Again the screenname there is hallmarkheartbeats. Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken. https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433 Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats

This week, I review Hallmark Channel's newest movie Warming up to You starring Cindy Busby, Christopher Russell, Devon Alexander, Caitlyn Stryker and LaTonya Williams. Directed by Christie Will Wolf. I had very low expectations with this movie. Between the fat shaming in the promos and the fat suit on Chris, I had a feeling I wasn't going to like it. But I gave it a try anyway. Movie was ok. It was not the worst Hallmark movie of 2022. Still belongs to another Chris Russell movie "Where Your Heart Belongs". I liked the chemistry between Chris and Cindy. This is their third movie together, so it has to be there. Lol. The scenery was beautiful. and I can't believe they inserted a Bridgerton reference on a Hallmark movie. Like WHat?!?! But I didn't like the ableism, fat shaming, "exercise cures everything even depression" which it doesn't. So much eek. There were some awkwardness too in plenty of scenes. Like the play fighting and stuff. I would like to see Cindy and Chris in other movies with costars they've never worked with before. I feel like between the scenery and the same cast, this felt like Chasing Waterfalls 2. I would like to see Cindy work with Nathan Witte next. And Chris with Nikki DeLoach. I think giving both actors a different scene partner would be nice. Gave it 2/5 stars. May is AAPI month. On Instagram I have made collages highlighting actors of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. Check it out on Hallmarkheartbeats. I will also be posting videos on Tiktok that goes more in depth of each actor's heritage and their hallmark roles. Again the screenname there is hallmarkheartbeats. Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken. https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433 Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats

This week I review Hallmark Channel movie, Love Classified starring Melora Hardin, Katherine McNamara, Arienne Mendi and Max Lloyd Jones. I believe this is the first Hallmark film to ever have the lead love storyline be a same sex couple and I love it. It is unique in that it showed sexuality is fluid. There is no need for labels. Love is also complicated. It is flawed. It's not always romantic or perfect or just for you. Is it like a typical Hallmark movie? No. But does it make it bad? No. It makes it different. I gave it 3.5 out of five stars. May is AAPI month. On Instagram I have made collages highlighting actors of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. Check it out on Hallmarkheartbeats. I will also be posting videos on Tiktok that goes more in depth of each actor's heritage and their hallmark roles. Again the screenname there is hallmarkheartbeats. Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken. https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433 Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats

This week I get to chat with actress Stephanie Moore who played the sneaky businesswoman Rachel in "A Tail of Love'. We get to talk about her character's conniving traits, working with Brittany Bristow and Chris McNally and an almost car accident that happened on set. Lol This was a fun interview. I honestly felt Rachel stole the movie. She was a fun villain for sure. lol. Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken. https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433 Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats

This week, I reviewed the newest Hallmark Channel film titled "A Tail of Love" starring Brittany Bristow and Chris McNally. I loved this movie. It was a simple plot with simple storylines with a great villain. And sometimes that's all you need (dogs help also lol.) Brittany and Chris had great chemistry, the dogs were cute, grandma had her own romance brewing, but the person who stole the show for me was Rachel, the villain. I loved her. She's my favorite character in the movie. And seems to be the topic of many conversations after the airing of the movie. (The interview with Stephanie Moore will be out on Thursday) That's the end of Spring Into Love Movies, tell me which one was your favorite and why. Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken. https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433 Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats

This week I had the privilege to chat with Brittany Bristow, star of the newest Hallmark film, A Tail of Love. We talk about her previous roles in Hallmark movies like Love, Romance and Chocolate and Love on the Safari. We talk about her co-stars Chris McNally, Humberly Gonzalez, Moxie and more. We also talk about dogs, dogs, dogs. Lol. She also shared some behind the scenes secrets with all the co-stars Brittany is newly engaged and also shared her wedding planning experience Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken. https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433 Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats

Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault, Rape At the 18 minute mark is when we discuss Station 19, so you don't have to listen after that if you're just listening for Hallmark. This week I had the privilege of interviewing Daniel DiTomasso, star of Hallmark's movie Welcome to Mama's and recent guest star of ABC hit Station 19. We talked about his Italian heritage, his family history and how that influenced his taking the role of Frank in Welcome to Mama's. We also talk about what it was like working with Oscar and Emmy nominated actress Lorraine Bracco and Melanie Scrofano. Daniel also guest starred on Station 19 as Jeremy. His character attempted to assault Andy, one of the firefighters. Daniel opened up about his struggle with understanding Jeremy's reasons for the actions, working with Jaina Lee Ortiz and what he would like viewers to take from this episode arc. Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken. https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433 Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats

This week, I had the privilege of interviewing the writer of Hallmark Channel's newest movie Love, Classified, Lynn Sternberger. This is her first feature film she ever wrote, a project that was conceptualized in 2020, right before the pandemic hit. Lol. We talk about her thought process behind the film, how involved she was in the casting, and her response to the hate so far this movie has garnered due to its queer representation from Hallmark fans. We also talk about our hopes for more representation and how it will affect future generations. Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken. https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433 Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats

This week I reviewed the newest Hallmark Channel movie titled "A Royal Runaway Romance" starring Brant Daugherty and Philippa Northeast. This is a royal Hallmark movie, a tried and true trope that has been done hundreds of times by Hallmark. But this is the best one because it brought something fresh and brand new. Most Hallmark royal movies have a prince or princess in hiding, trying to blend in America, falls in love with a commoner who has no clue of their true identity while planning some big event, a party or dinner of some sort. Most royal Hallmark royal movies are stagnant, no one is really moving, no real adventure. But with A Royal Runaway Romance, Hallmark has turned the tried and true trope on its head. Changed everything we expect from a royal film and turned on its head. I LOVED IT. Need more of this. Hallmark has been hitting homeruns the last two weeks with their movies. I can't wait to see more Spring into Love movies 4/14 Interview with Lynn Sternberger, writer of Love Classified 4/18 Love, Classified Review 4/25 A Tail of Love Review Every Thursday I will also be releasing When Calls the Heart episode reviews. Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken. https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433 Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats

This week I am joined by Hallmark Publisher author Stacey Agdern as we review Hallmark Channel's newest movie "Just One Kiss" starring Broadway stars Santino Fontana and Krysta Rodriguez. I don't think I have ever said this before, but this movie was mere perfection. Every part of this movie told a story. From the clothes to the makeup, the dialogue, the city. Everything was a perfect meld to tell the story of two people who have been unlucky in love. The singing, the black and white effect, the ghostly moms and the horrible exes all worked perfectly together to get the misfits Tony and Mia falling in love. From classic songs to classic literature, we watched the progression of their love story. There were laughter, tears and silent thoughtfulness. Chemistry was to the roof and Diversity was on point. Gave this movie 5/5 stars. Spring into Love movies 4/11 A Royal Romance Review 4/18 Love, Classified Review 4/25 A Tail of Love Review Every Thursday I will also be releasing When Calls the Heart episode reviews. Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken. https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433 Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats

This week I get to review the newest release on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries titled Always Amore starring my dream cast Tyler Hynes and Autumn Reeser. I LOVE Tyler and Autumn. I have wanted those two to work together for so long. It was always my dream. And because of this, I was terrified that Always Amore won't match my expectations. But this movie did. The chemistry between Tyler and Autumn made a very popular Hallmark trope feel unique and magical. It was great thing to watch. Only thing I found negative about the movie was that this is the third movie Hallmark has done in two months that involve Italian restaurants. Like can we get away from that for a bit. Choose another cuisine. I suggest Chinese. Lol. Gave it 4/5 stars Spring into Love movies 4/11 A Royal Romance Review 4/18 Love, Classified Review 4/25 A Tail of Love Review Every Thursday I will also be releasing When Calls the Heart episode reviews. Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken. https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433 Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats

This week I get to interview two juggernauts of Hallmark movies, Andrew Walker and Nikki DeLoach as we chat about their newest Hallmark mystery series, Curious Caterer: Death for Chocolate. We talk all about the secret to their chemistry, behind the scenes shenanigans, their co-stars and who they would like to work with next. This was a fun interview. Lots of laughs and joy. It was my first time chatting with Andrew and my third time talking with Nikki. I hope to talk to them again in the future.

This week I review the newest Hallmark film called A Second Chance at Love starring Eriq Lasalle, Gloria Reuben, Alvina August and Jarod Joseph. I have to say it was great to see Eriq and Gloria on my screen together again. It had been almost 30 years since their ER days. And they look good. Let's start a petition for them to be on more Hallmark movies. Lol. This movie was in my opinion about cutting the umbilical cord. Children, when you're married and have your own family, I think it's time to start letting your parents make their own decisions and live their own lives while you concentrate on yours. Lol. It is also about well as the title claims it to be a second chance at love. I liked this movie. It had me laughing. The chemistry between Eriq and Gloria was smoking. And I honestly think, as irritating Alicia was at certain points in the movie, Alvina carried this movie well. She held her own with such TV legends. Lol. I give it 3/5 stars Spring into Love movies 4/4 Just One Kiss Review 4/11 A Royal Romance Review 4/18 Love, Classified Review 4/25 A Tail of Love Review Every Thursday I will also be releasing When Calls the Heart episode reviews. Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken. https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433 Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats

This week, I review last week's Hallmark movies and Mysteries release The Presence of Love starring Eloise Mumford and Julian Morris. This movie was filmed in England. I praise it for tackling the subjects of Dyslexia and Anxiety but I found the movie boring. I didn't find much chemistry between Julian and Eloise, grandma was just the typical woman stuck in her ways. The scenery was beautiful but the rest of the movie was lacking I gave the movie 1.5 out of 5 stars Next week starts the Spring into Love series on Hallmark Channel. Here's the lineup for the movie reviews. Subject to change. Spring into Love movies 3/28 A Second Chance At Love Review 4/4 Just One Kiss Review 4/11 A Royal Romance Review 4/18 Love, Classified Review 4/25 A Tail of Love Review Every Thursday I will also be releasing When Calls the Heart episode reviews. Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken. https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433 Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats

This week I reviewed Season 9 Episode 2 episode of When Calls the Heart titled "Out Like a Lamb". The mayoral race results are in. Who was surprised to learn the winner is Mike Hickam? We see the progress in Luke and Nathan's friendship, talk about Lucabeth's love language, Mei Sou's background and the topic of religion. Coop's questioning his faith. And Henry's character development. Subscribe to the channel to hear more of my thoughts on When Calls the Heart this season. Future Podcasts: 3/21/22 Presence of Love Review 3/24/22 When Calls the Heart Season 9 Episode 3 Review

This is my 100th podcast episode so thank you all for being on this journey with me. Wow. It's been crazy. This week I reviewed newest Hallmark movie titled "Feeling Butterflies" starring When Calls the Heart costars and real life couple Kevin McGarry and Kayla Wallace. Not going to lie, I found this movie a little slow. Kevin and Kayla had the chemistry you would expect from a real life couple being onscreen together. The outfits were amazing, brought alot of humor. But the movie dragged in many parts. I did wish Emily and Mandy duked it out more. Lol. I was disappointed to not see more scenes of them out butterflying each other. Randy Thomas was a great dad. Lol. But yes. Movie was SLLLLLOOOOOOOOWWWWWW. Lol Gave it 2.5 out of five stars. Future Podcasts: 3/17/22 When Calls the Heart Season 9 Episode 2 Review 3/21/22 Presence of Love Review

For the next 12 weeks I will be reviewing the new episodes of Hallmark Channel's original series "When Calls the Heart". This week, Hallmark didn't release any new movies. It concentrated on the Season 9 Premiere of WCTH. We are back in Hope Valley, welcoming new characters, revisiting old story arcs and riding an air balloon to sunset. I talk about Lucabeth love story, how the couple has progressed since their declaration of love, Nathan navigating being the mountie and having to learn how to drive. New character Mei Sou rides into town giving viewers and Hope Valley residents a new mystery of who is she? what's her back story? And catch up to the other residents of Hope Valley. See y'all next week for review of Feeling Butterflies, The Presence of Love and Episode 2 of WCTH

This week I had the privilege to interview actors Viv Leacock and Natasha Burnett, stars of Hallmark's original series When Calls the Heart. They play Joseph and Minnie Canfield. It was such an honor to talk to Viv and Natasha. We got to chat about Filipino culture, disability advocacy, representation and their similarities/differences from their characters. We also chatted about racism, Hearties' original reaction to their casting, what to expect in season 9 and so much more. February 2022 Podcasts (Planned) Loveuary Continues 2/28/22 Welcome to Mama's Review Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken. https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433 Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats

This week I get to review the last movie in The Wedding Veil Trilogy titled The Wedding Veil Legacy starring Alison Sweeney and Victor Webster. This movie was a fan favorite but I have to say this wasn't my favorite at all. I think this was my least. The main storyline had nothing to do with the veil, which was disappointing. It is a good movie as a standalone, but because the veil became an afterthought in this movie, it didn't feel like part of the trilogy. I loved the chemistry between Alison and Victor. I found Tracy hilarious with her redecorating the apartment and collecting 20 rugs. I did like the teamwork Tracy and Nick did in finding a donor to buy the first draft of Emma Lazarus' poem, but again this is supposed to be about the veil, not about a poem. So that was disappointing. Also I didn't like the microaggression in the script with the whole Italian-Asian fusion restaurant. More on that in the podcast. I gave the movie 2.5 out of 5 stars. February 2022 Podcasts (Planned) Loveuary Continues 2/24/22 Interview with Viv Leacock and Natasha Burnett 2/28/22 Welcome to Mama's Review Join our newly minted Facebook group whose purpose is to highlight diversity and inclusion Hallmark Channel has taken. https://www.facebook.com/groups/421837762791433 Support the podcast and buy me a coffee. For $1 a month, you get early access to interviews and podcasts. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmarkheartbeats