A Christmas Detour (2015)/Marry Me At Christmas (2017)/Charming Christmas(2015)/Operation Christmas(2016)

Not in any particular order.  These are the stories that livened up my July:

1) A CHRISTMAS DETOUR;

2)OPERATION CHRISTMAS(I could relate to this most, but this is not necessarily my favourite among the four);

3) CHARMING CHRISTMAS;

AND 4) MARRY ME AT CHRISTMAS

Two New York City-bound travelers find themselves inextricably linked when a snowstorm reroutes them to an airport hotel in Buffalo. Ever the eternal optimist and hopeless romantic, Paige desperately needs to find a way back home to meet her fiancé’s parents before her forthcoming wedding. And it’s somehow up to fellow passenger Dylan MacKenzie, who is permanently soured on romance following a recent heartbreak. Yet Dylan somehow rises to the occasion to become Paige’s chivalrous helpmate. The pair are joined on this misadventure by an older couple named Frank and Maxine trying to get to Connecticut. As their madcap journey ensues, our foursome will find plenty of surprises in store. -The Hallmark Channel

The attraction was instant for Dylan(PAUL GREENE).  Paige(CANDACE CAMERON BURE) made quite an impression just by being there, and to think she was quite annoying when she was doing the nervous chatter incessantly.

The onscreen chemistry was also in an instant, at least, here in this movie.  The audience saw the magic the two of these actors brought to the screen, even though Candace Cameron Bure is happily married to Russian-American Hockey Player, Valeri Bure, and Paul Greene was married to gorgeous Maggie Lawson for sixteen years.  They have one son.   

Vision Boards

Paige has a vision board along with her.  There is nothing wrong with vision boards.  We made vision boards so we could have goals, but since the future is not set in stone, of course, those goals would change from time to time, but it's great to have a vision board.  It's sort of like a guide, but it's the be all and end all for your future.

Detours

Detours are like angels on the road directing you to a better path.  In this case, the slightly older couple's detour(SARAH STRANGE and DAVID LEWIS) made them rekindle their romance.  In Dylan's case, it taught him how to forgive and to love again.  In Paige's case, it made her realize that she is with the wrong man.

The road trip is a big part of the story, but there is more to it than that, so I hope you get to see it too, if you haven't yet.

Based on THE SECRET LIFE OF MRS. CLAUS by Carly Alexander A couple of weeks ago I encountered David Sutcliffe for the very first time.  At least, that's what I think.  He was opposite Jennifer Esposito in THE WISH LIST.  He does indeed have a certain charm even if the leading lady, Sarah Fischer, wrote him off because he did not have the qualities she wanted in a man.  Here, he is more charming than ever.  He is not what I consider handsome, but he does have great appeal.  While watching the movie you would ask yourself if he is Santa Claus or not.  
It's not a Christ based Christmas, but I enjoyed watching this one.  That's all I have to say.

Source

As her new romance blossoms, a single mother is dismayed when her boyfriend, a military sergeant, is deployed on Christmas Day. Determined to not let it ruin the holidays for her and her children they decide to give back to the struggling military families on his base and, as their efforts go viral, they are rewarded in ways they never imagined. Starring Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactiva, Suits) and Marc Blucas (Necesary Roughness, Knight and Day). Closed-captioned.- Source

Director: David Weaver Being a military brat has its ups and downs.  Some of the ups were traveling to different places learning about that place's culture, language, cuisine, et cetera.  Some of the times the parents couldn't bring us and being the eldest forced me to be an adult earlier than expected.  Maybe that's why I almost eloped with my soon to be thirty-year-old boyfriend at seventeen, but since I was left responsible for my three brothers, then I didn't push through with it.  Seeing him years later, I'm sure glad I made the right decision.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS is the story I could relate to the most in this set of four.  The fear of the unknown is relevant to all of us, no matter what our creed is, no matter who we are and what we do.
There's something Olivia(TRICIA HELFER) said to Scott(MARC BLUCAS) about not knowing if she could handle military life.  For people in the crossroads who do not know if they should tread that road less traveled...the narrower path...not knowing what is at the end of the road,  I'm going ask you, "Would you stop thinking about their safety when you are not together?"  No.  You wouldn't.  If a person is important to you, even if you break up with them, you would worry about them, so why not stay, so you could give them a reason for living?  
Dad wasn't in the brawn department.  He was in the brains department.  Let me just make it clear that not because most military people are in the brawn department, it doesn't mean they don't have brains---I'm just saying, my dad is NOT in the brawn department.  Still, there were times we were afraid for dear life too.  He couldn't go to his hometown for the longest time because of this and that. The farthest we went was Lucena if we passed a certain way, and still Lucena, if we passed another way(via roads that pass through the lakes and rivers of Laguna).
The story may not be the best to depict military life, especially during the Yuletide Season, but it is one of the best.  It also shows how faith is important to service men, and how family and other loved ones are very important too.

Source

Rachel Skarsten Trevor Donovan Crystal Lowe Emily Tennant Blair Penner Camille Mitchell Nicole LaPlaca Michele Scarabelli Keith MacKechnie Bronwen Smith Brenden Sunderland Judith Maxie Darla Fay Dolores Drake Carey Feehan Kelly Metzger Selina Loum Danyella Angel A.J. Abell

Directed by Terry Ingram

Written for Television by Julie Sherman Wolfe

Susan Mallery, the Tolkien of romance, shines in Fool's Gold world building. Fool's Gold, California, was officially established in 1849. There's a town festival every April called the Easter Egg Drop. May 1, 2015

Among the four Christmas movies featured in this blog entry, this is my favourite.  TREVOR DONOVAN looks like a younger version of Brad Pitt with a little bit of Matt Damon in him, making him a believable matinee idol.  RACHEL SKARSTEN is one of the most beautiful people on earth, and she looked good with Trevor Donovan.  Both Mađdie and Johnny hit it off in an instant, but both have trust issues, but both of them love their respective families. 

EMILY TENNANT plays Ginger, Johnny's baby sister who is getting married, and Maddie is her wedding planner.  Ginger and Maddie become like sisters in such a short while that Ginger dreams that Maddie would be her sister-in-law.

The sibling relationship between Johnny and Ginger is so beautiful that I wish that for me and my baby brother, Karl.  I hope dad and mom woild be able to see us totally getting along one day, while they are still alive, I mean.

Before I go, I must say that Fool's Gold, California is a very beautiful place. It is easy to fall in love with the location.  

Anyways, I think I need to wrap this up already.

Thanks for your time.