Here’s today’s dispatch from the crossroads of faith, media and culture.<\/p>\n
On a Mission of Love.<\/strong> Mission Pictures International<\/a> President Chevonne O’Shaughnessy tells me that MPI has inked a deal with Guideposts to develop and produce a set of seven TV\u00a0 movies based on the popular Love Finds You<\/em> book series.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em>The Love Finds You<\/em> books, published by Guideposts imprint Summerside, and launched in 2008 with the goal of creating romantic and inspiring historic or contemporary sagas that take place in specific American locales. The plot details of each story remain as faithful as possible to the town\u2019s history, geography, and atmosphere. The ambition from the start has been to set at least one novel in each of the fifty states.<\/p>\n O’Shaughnessy says she and her partners were first introduced to the Love Finds You<\/em> books when a member of an association of Christian book sellers said that his daughter was a big fan of the series and noted that the books are very popular in Christian book stores. As a result of that conversation, she decided to read a few of them herself. She found the stories to be not only empowering for women — but also, importantly, containing universal themes that are marketable internationally.<\/p>\n She says that while the books do involve romantic girl-meets-boy they are not just about that.\u00a0 The heroine of a Love Finds You<\/em> story, she explains, will first learn to love herself for who she is. The stories also deal her love of family and community.<\/p>\n The films, still being cast, will feature very recognizable TV stars, are being shopped to U.S. and European TV networks. Mission Pictures owners Cindy Bond and Chevonne O\u2019Shaugnessy serve as the films\u2019 executive producers.<\/p>\n The first seven titles to be produced include:<\/p>\n Love Finds You in Sun Valley, Idaho<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Actress Emily Van Arsdale has returned to her Idaho hometown – with an entire film crew in tow! With its stunning scenery and reputation for hosting celebrities, Sun Valley is the perfect setting for Emily\u2019s newest romantic comedy. Tracen Lake is happy to work as a stunt consultant for the movie but not as thrilled to deal with a bunch of high-maintenance Hollywood types. But Tracen is surprised to discover in Emily a down-to-earth Idaho girl who does all her own stunts and loves the outdoors. As filming wraps up and Emily heads off to her next gig, will she be able to leave Sun Valley – and Tracen – behind?<\/em><\/p>\n Love Finds You in Sisters, Oregon<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Hope Bartolli has avoided Sisters for years\u2014both her hometown of Sisters, Oregon and her two sisters who live there. But when the 32-year-old corporate lawyer returns home to attend her beloved grandmother\u2019s funeral, she\u2019s surprised to learn that she has inherited Nana\u2019s old house, her little dog Andy and an unexpected friendship with Nana\u2019s attorney, Lewis. If she had any hopes of burying the hatchet with her sisters, these \u201cgifts\u201d from Nana aren\u2019t going to help. But the more Hope is reacquainted with old friends and the charming town she once loved, the harder she realizes it will be to return to her fast-paced city routine. She wants more out of life\u2014but is she willing to take the risks to get it? And can she trust her family to stand by her side?<\/em><\/p>\n Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n This book actually contains two separate stories, one historical, one contemporary.<\/p>\n The historical one, subtitled An Appalachian Christmas is about a promise Julia Mayfield makes to her dying sister — compelling her to take her young nephew to Mistletoe, Kentucky, a tiny town tucked away in the Appalachian Mountains. Sparks fly when she meets David Armstrong, a World War II veteran like herself. Even as shadows from the past weave a dangerous web around Julia and David, will their love flourish like the mistletoe that blankets the nearby hills?<\/em><\/p>\n The contemporary story is subtitled Once Upon a Christmas Eve. In this one, Hollie Goodnight’s store has just been voted best Christmas shop in America. All the new publicity draws flamboyant novelist Van Keaton to the cozy town of Noel, Missouri, demanding to write Hollie’s story – a dramatic tale of misfortune and triumph. She is swept up in his world of beautiful words and fanciful interludes. . .until Owen Quigly, her lifelong best friend, launches a plan to win her back. <\/em><\/p>\n Love Finds You in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Annie Gray has an epiphany: she is not living the life she\u2019s always dreamed of. She decides to start fresh, drawing inspiration from her favorite classic Hollywood films. First, Annie moves into the picturesque Carmel bungalow belonging to her grandmother – a retired film star. Next up: landing an exciting job as a private investigator\u2019s assistant. But Annie\u2019s new boss is no Humphrey Bogart, and the work isn\u2019t quite what she pictured. Just when everything in Annie\u2019s screen-worthy plan teeters on the brink of disaster, she has another epiphany. Will this one land her in the arms of her own leading man?<\/em><\/p>\n Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Emma Miller appears to be the most blessed girl in Indiana. She teaches school, enjoys the attention of a wonderful man and has a loving family. But this Amish girl has more on her mind than buggies and bonnets; she longs for adventure and wants to see the world. So when her sister Abby convinces her to spend the summer with relatives in Charm, Ohio, Emma jumps at the chance. In Charm, she meets an Englisher who has come to town to escape her chaotic life and despite their differences, the two become fast friends. Emma finds herself pulled between two worlds and her ultimate decision will impact not only herself but everyone she knows.<\/em><\/p>\n