Jaicy Elliot, of Grey's Anatomy fame, plays the copy editor want-to-be journalist Lea in this Hallmark Holiday Romance with a French twist. Written by the husband and wife team of Kimberly and Brant Daugherty, this romance had a sweet feeling that was just a tad different than the usual hallmark fare.
The story tells us of a painting revealed by an American museum of an unknown artist for their Christmas exhibit. The painting depicts a woman in the midst of a European Christmas market. Meanwhile, copy editor Lea purchases an antique wooden jewelry box for a Christmas gift. While home and examining the box, Lea discovers a hidden journal that speaks of the love of an artist...only the last of the pages are missing, leaving the love story unfinished. There is a sketch of the mystery artist which matches the museum's painting. Through some coercion she pitches the story to her managing editor...who then assigns it to an experienced reporter, Mark (Brant Daugherty). Viewing this as a fluff piece, Mark considers the piece beneath him and is even more bent out of shape to be saddled with his copy editor and rookie reporter Lea. The two are sent to a small town in France to track down the rest of the story and potentially find the artist. Their two opposing styles seem to be in conflict with one another but they end up both contributing and having something to teach each other. Add in the inn keeper's daughter Sophie, who has an on going conversation with Mark because he is teaching her about how to become a reporter and she is teaching him about the mischievous nature of the Christmas elves.
This was sweet and the backdrop was lovely. I love European Christmas markets and I liked seeing one incorporated into this Hallmark story. I liked the fanciful nature of investigating a mysterious painting that captivated the holiday museum goers...and then telling it's unique love story. As a romantic, this story really appealed to me, which makes it a recommendation to all my fellow romantics.
The story tells us of a painting revealed by an American museum of an unknown artist for their Christmas exhibit. The painting depicts a woman in the midst of a European Christmas market. Meanwhile, copy editor Lea purchases an antique wooden jewelry box for a Christmas gift. While home and examining the box, Lea discovers a hidden journal that speaks of the love of an artist...only the last of the pages are missing, leaving the love story unfinished. There is a sketch of the mystery artist which matches the museum's painting. Through some coercion she pitches the story to her managing editor...who then assigns it to an experienced reporter, Mark (Brant Daugherty). Viewing this as a fluff piece, Mark considers the piece beneath him and is even more bent out of shape to be saddled with his copy editor and rookie reporter Lea. The two are sent to a small town in France to track down the rest of the story and potentially find the artist. Their two opposing styles seem to be in conflict with one another but they end up both contributing and having something to teach each other. Add in the inn keeper's daughter Sophie, who has an on going conversation with Mark because he is teaching her about how to become a reporter and she is teaching him about the mischievous nature of the Christmas elves.
This was sweet and the backdrop was lovely. I love European Christmas markets and I liked seeing one incorporated into this Hallmark story. I liked the fanciful nature of investigating a mysterious painting that captivated the holiday museum goers...and then telling it's unique love story. As a romantic, this story really appealed to me, which makes it a recommendation to all my fellow romantics.