When God Calls the Heart at Christmas: Heartfelt Devotions from Hope Valley (Hardcover) – A Heartfelt Devotional on Celebrating God During Christmas, Perfect Christmas Gift

by Brian Bird, Michelle Cox, Beverly Lewis (Foreword)

Celebrate Christmas in Hope Valley. Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year. Whether it’s in the fictional town of Hope Valley in the early 1900s or in our lives today, nothing is more profound than celebrating God’s most important gift to the world. When God Calls the Heart at Christmas is a celebration of faith, family, friends, and the most meaningful Yuletide traditions. Inspired by best-selling author Janette Oke and the Hallmark Channel original TV series When Calls the Heart , these twenty-five devotions not only explore “God-moments” from the series, but they also commemorate favorite holiday recipes, stories, and traditions—many of them contributed by the Hearties, the beloved fans of the show. Journey with us to Hope Valley as we focus on all the reasons for this most blessed season. As shepherds and angels learned on that holy night so long ago, when God calls the heart at Christmas, you can expect a celebration. BOOK
• Perfect gift for friends, family and loved ones during the Christmas and Holiday season
• Hardcover
• 176
• BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC

Genres: Nonfiction, Christmas, Christian

164 pages, Hardcover

Published September 4, 2018

Reviews

[•Melanie Elizabeth• {To tea, or not to tea? ☕️} · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Christmas Day was so special when I was growing up. My mom had seven brothers and sisters, and the families all went from home to home on Christmas Day, ending at our house ... each family sharing their specialty food and Christmas cookies.”

When God Calls the Heart at Christmas: Heartfelt Devotions from Faith Valley, is the epitome of a beautiful, heartfelt Christmas devotional full of stories that move, inspire, warm the heart, and bring holiday joy.

Brian Bird does an excellent job capturing the Christmas spirit and the characters and warmth of Hope Valley and the characters.

Filled with plenty of stories, memories and Christmas recipes, the devotional is sure to delight and fill even the coldest heart with the Christmas spirit.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok fine. I’ll admit it. I’m already listening to Christmas music. 🙈 Im ready to decorate, and bake, and feel the warm glow of Christmas lights.🎄 🎅🏼 ❄️ ⛄️ The Frank Sinatra Christmas station on Spotify is getting daily play at my house {much to the chagrin of my husband}. I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I also love When Calls the Heart so when I saw this devotional, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy. Oh my goodness, it’s so wonderful! With daily devotions and heartwarming stories from the show, this is such a fantastic feel-good way to start the day. As an added bonus, it includes many recipes for the holidays. It’s early but I wanted to get this out to my fellow Hearties so you can get your copy and start this for the holiday season. When Calls the Heart at Christmas gets all the stars from me...⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars!Thank you @broadstreet_publishing for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a darling Christmas devotional!

When God Calls the Heart at Christmas is a beautiful book, filled to the brim with Christmas merriment. The devotional is divided into twenty-five days, or chapters, each one containing a lesson that somehow connects to the When Calls the Heart TV show, a Bible verse, a prayer, a list of related questions, a recipe, and a few Christmas traditions.

The Christmas stories and traditions were my favorite parts! Those, along with the recipes, were submitted by the Hearties, the fans of the TV show. I love Christmas and Christmas traditions, so hearing others' Christmas stories was special and sweet. <3

Between the photos, the stories, and the beautiful formatting, this book isn't one to be missed!


**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Sirens Media and BroadStreet Publishing.**

[Joy Crain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

EVERY HEARTIE SHOULD OWN THIS.

I'm serious. This little devotion warmed my heart with not only our beloved tales from Hope Valley during Christmas but the experiences of other Hearties as well. Jammed packed full of light and inspiring stories and lessons that we can glean from our daily lives, this is just the perfect thing to read at Christmas time (Or any time really). I loved the recipes and plan on making at least some of them around the holiday times.

I recommend this for everyone but especially to HEARTIES.

[Tarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This title would be an amazing read for any fan of the TV show (if you're a fan of only the books, sorry!)...

Overall, it's truly a beautiful collection of homespun stories of Christmas memories from around the world, mixed with lessons we learn from the characters from When Calls The Heart, with inspirational devotional thoughts, and even several recipes too! It's actually quite a lot mixed into this treasure trove. I enjoyed it, and I'm sure you (and your friends will too!)... May the combination of everything in this book bring you a lot of love, joy, and laughter this season.

[W. Whalin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Treasured Book to Read Every Christmas

Subtitle, Heartfelt Devotions from Hope Valley, twenty-five Christmas devotions are inspired by the beloved Janette Oke book, WHEN GOD CALLS THE HEART and the Hallmark Channel Series, WHEN CALLS THE HEART.

Different writers, some of them called Hearties (fans of the TV show) have written pointed devotions around the celebration of Christmas. Following each devotion, a short story is included from WHEN CALLS THE HEART and each ends with a Bible verse, a short prayer and some pointed thought-provoking questions called THE GIFT OF YOUR HEART. Finally, this book includes 25 original Christmas recipes. This mixture from authors Brian Bird and Michelle Cox give readers a thoughtful well-written classic which readers can use year after year at Christmas. I loved reading WHEN GOD CALLS THE HEART AT CHRISTMAS and highly recommend it.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect Advent devotional - the messages were great, the recipes were cute, the stories were heartwarming, and the prayers were specific and thoughtful. I highly recommend it (especially for fans of the show).

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished When God Calls the Heart at Christmas (it’s mid-June) and experiencing Christmas in June is such a treat. This little book is chocked full of great stories, wisdom, holiday traditions, scriptures and FOOD! Now that combination makes for a great read.

I’m not familiar with When Calls the Heart by Janette Oke and being a cord cutter I have not seen the Hallmark Channel TV series. I have the book on digital hold from my library and look forward to reading it.

This is considered a devotional book and assumes the reader would read one a day. Each one starts with a story from Oke’s book, then scripture and a prayer and questions to meditate on. Then there is a recipe followed by one or more stories from Hearties, those folks devoted to the book or series. Their stories relate to the previous readings

The stories, prayers etc were excellent. The recipes all looked good and easy to make.

This book crosses generational lines and has something for everyone. If you know someone who would be considered a Heartie then it would definitely be a great gift for them.

I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley and Broadstreet Publishing Group LLC in exchange for my honest review. Thank you.

[Angela (Kentuckybooklover) Brocato-Skaggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas devotional centered around the Hallmark TV series, When Calls the Heart. Stories from old and new are incorporated with family traditions, recipes and prayers to make you think of the real reason of the season, the birth of Jesus.

I am not a true Heartie (yet) as I have not taken the time to sit down and watch the series from beginning to end. I have watched a few of the shows and understand the phenomenon around the show. I love how faith is one of the main focus' on the show. The same goes for this devotional. It is inspiring. I already have plans to start this devotional again on December 25 and read a devotion a day and focus my heart on the stories and prayers. I also cannot wait to make some of the yummy recipes that have been included.

For fans of the show new and old, this is a book to buy and treasure.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Broadstreet Publishing Group LLC through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

[Katherine Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore When Calls the Heart & the devotionals are such wonderful gifts!!! I knew when I first heard of this that I would love it and it did not disappoint. Such a wholesome, faith and HOPE filled show, and the book transported me back to Hope Valley and the community of women who can make it through anything.. with eachother. I love Christmas Christian Fiction and wrap it up with WCTH - y'all, I can't contain my excitement. Must read for any Heartie and I will be coming back to it again and again each Christmas season. The holidays can bring a variety of feelings but WCTH reminds us the power of hope and community and faith to bring us through. I love how the books can talk about God and go deeper than the show can, and really appreciate it for this devo. Familiar stories that touch the heart and bring a tear and a smile to my face - thank you, Brian Bird. We owe you so much for the gift of WCTH. *I received a copy of the book through Netgalley for review, all opinions expressed are my own!

[Christy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed in this little devotional! I love the period drama When Calls the Heart. If I had purchased this like I do all of my books I would be crushed instead of disappointed; but as it was I borrowed this.
The devotions presented are quite scant in length and don't offer quite the revisit to Hope Valley I had hoped for. I think Hope Valley might have come in second in this book. With each small devotion there is more attention paid to a recipe and the authors meetings with others and their Christmas memories are portrayed in way more detail than the When Calls the Heart Devotions. Add to that a very small picture from Hope Valley before each read. Had this read encompassed from beginning to end and maintained its theme as advertised in the title I believe it would have been a much better read.

[Susan Faloon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heart-touching book for the Christmas season and beyond. I know I want to make it a yearly tradition to read for myself. Yes, the book has recollections of the shows story but it also has a powerful message of what Christmas truly is throughout it's pages. "Hearties" share family memories and recipes too. This is a thoughtful series of devotions, scripture and prayers for the season that God has blessed surrounding His greatest gift to us, Love in the form of His human child and the enduring promise given to each one of us. This is a book that is excellent for a reader and for a giver to gift to someone they care about. I'm so glad I got to read it, thanks to the publisher and NetGalley. It in itself is a gift to treasure.

[Mary Hake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book contains tales based on the TV series and When Calls the Heart novels by Janette Oke, along with brief meditations, yummy recipes, and personal stories from fans of the show. You can read one entry each day or read straight through as I did in an afternoon. I have never watched the programs, but I did read the series years ago. You don’t have to be familiar with the characters to enjoy this treat. Enough background is given to make things clear, and the people come to life on the page. Some recipes are familiar with twists and some more unique. I plan to try some soon. I think many will enjoy this treasure any time of year. I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Amanda Lavelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kindly received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Well I won't tell a lie, what attracted me first to this book was the wonderful Christmas image on the front! A lovely traditional image that really sets the tone for the rest of the book.
It's a devotional that consists of reminiscences, bible quotes, questions to ask yourself regarding your faith, and recipes. I read it through quite quickly but I imagine it would be quite lovely to read just a little bit every day in the lead up to Christmas and just focus the mind away from all the hullabaloo that Christmas can often descend into.

[Lauren Bates · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of When Calls the Heart and this devotional based on the show was not a disappointment. The book included 25 devotions to be read at Christmas time. The devotions included a recap of a scene from the show, a prayer, thought-provoking questions, a recipe, and a personal vignette from viewers of the show. Short, easy to read, and inspirational, these devotions are a great way to start your morning. Highly recommend!

[Lauren (IntuitiveReading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have absolutely loved and enjoyed this devotional. Highly recommend it for the Christmas season. This includes Christmas stories and memories from fans of the show, questions to consider, and a lesson from the show that is tied to the Bible and can easily be applied to our own lives. There is also a Bible verse and prayer for each day. Recipes are also included as an added bonus. I love that The Christmas Story (of Jesus’ birth) is included at the end.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice devotional. I actually tried to do the daily recipes, but burned out after day 11. As in any recipe collection, there were hits and misses. I will make the rest of the recipes in time. The devotionals were actually quite thought-provoking.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet book. Full of inspiration and hope. This is one I will read every year.

[Allison Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a great book to read!!!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written book of devotions to encourage and enlighten your day or night with the love of God's word.
Great book for all looking for insight in God's word.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a short fun read. Loved the recipes. The first story really touched my heart. Not a lot of heavy content just something fun because I love the tv series.

[Wilani Wahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable reading for Christmas time. Reminder of the reason for Christmas as well as reminders of Christmas in the past. This is a book I will want to pull out every year.

[Kristy Grove · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick devotionals for Christmas, with recipes and family stories along the way. Fun for fans of the series.

[Danielle Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this devotional over the holiday season. I used it as part of my quiet time in the morning. Every day brought an uplifting scene from When Calls The Heart, a scripture and prayer, a story from a “Heartie” or WCTH fan, and a recipe. I hope there is another devotional like this for another season.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. I received this in exchange for my honest opinion and was not required to leave a positive review.

[Markie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Its a great book to read if you want a little Christmas spirit and need a little cheer! I love that the show was referenced a few times in the book, if you are fan of the show you will appreciate the tie in between the book and the tv show. I was given this book for my fair and honest review from netgalley.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired by the hit Hallmark Channel TV show ‘When Calls The Heart’ (which is based on author Janette Oke’s popular book series by the same name), this beautiful devotional book is full of spiritual application from the show. It’s also warmly brimming with pictures from the show, recipes, and stories of Christmases past. Adding to the delightful tone of this book is the fact that most of the recipes and Christmas memories are contributed by ‘Hearties’ (the nickname for the show’s devoted fans) or people otherwise connected with the show’s production. Bible verses, prayers, and thoughtful questions at the end of each day’s devotional contribute to the book’s deeper meaning as well. A great gift idea and must-read for any fan of the show or the original novels!

[CatReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Christmas devotional that goes through Dec 25th. It has a scripture verse, a story from When Calls The Heart, a Christmas recipe, and a story or two from the Hearties. Any Heartie would enjoy this devotional.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a heartwarming book. Short stories, Yuletide traditions and a general atmosphere of tenderness and hope.
A book to read when you feel down or on a dark day.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Broadstreet Publishing Group LLC and Netgalley for this ARC

[Sonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very nice devotional remembering the episodes of the show When Calls The Heart around Christmas time. It was heart warming and sweet and I enjoyed it very much.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of When Calls the Heart. I really enjoy the feel good atmosphere that it brings. When I saw this book I knew I had to read it. This book is a devotional which the reader can either read each day or read at their leisure. I found it to be full of hope and love at one of the best times of the year. The book is full of stories not only from Hope Valley but from the Hearties who love them. The recipes included seemed nice and easy to make. I always love when a book includes recipes. I highly recommend this book to not only Hearties but to those who feel down and need that pick me up. I received a copy from Netgalley. I positive review was not a requirement.