The Shunning ~ DVD review and GIVEAWAY!

     As a five-year-old, traveling briefly through Amish country with my parents, I began to be fascinated with the Amish.

     At first, I was merely curious about the way they lived without electricity, and the type of transportation they choose to use (horse and buggy). 

     As an adult, though, I've become more fascinated by their staunch devotion to their religious beliefs and how they raise their children.  I've also learned that some Amish groups use electricity - that some groups are more strict than other groups.

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     While I don't know any Amish people personally, I do know some families who live in some ways similarly to the Amish:  headcoverings for the women, dark or muted colored clothing, young women who stay home until they are married, very close family bonds.

    The Shunning is a Hallmark film that has now been released onto DVD, and I was honored to be able to receive a copy to watch with my family. 

     I'm probably supposed to give you the basic story line, but I feel like that would ruin the movie for you.  What I will  tell you, though, is that there are secrets in the Amish world, just like in our world.  And a long-kept secret begins to be unraveled in a way that is very hurtful and confusing to one Amish family.

    The Shunning is based on the celebrated first novel of the best-selling "The Heritage of Lancaster County" book series from author Beverly Lewis, which has already sold over one million copies.

     In real life, author Beverly Lewis's grandmother was shunned, and Beverly heard bits and pieces of the story as she grew and matured into adulthood.  Some of the story may be a part of this amazing film!

     We enjoyed watching The Shunning so much that we took it on vacation with us and viewed it a second time with my parents.  They enjoyed it as well!  The acting is impeccable, and the story line drew us in like a fish on a hook.  Wow!

     This is a wonderful movie to use with your children in explaining how wrong choices and secrets will always be discovered - and have negative consequences.

    

The Shunning stars Danielle Panabaker, Bill Oberst Jr., Sherry Stringfield and Burgess Jenkins, and it was directed by Michael Landon Jr., who has also directed the "Love Comes Softly" series of movies.

     You can learn more about The Shunning at the Hallmark Channel, and on their Facebook page.  You can also watch an additional movie trailer HERE. 

I've been provided with an additional copy of
"The Shunning" to give away to one of my readers!

     To enter this giveaway, you will need to be 18 years old or older.  You don't have to reside in the U.S. to enter this giveaway.  Isn't that nice?  !!!  

     I'll be using www.Random.org to select a winner on Friday, September 30, 2011 at midnight (Pacific time zone).

1.  MANDATORY:  Leave me a comment, below, sharing with us something you'd be interested in learning about the Amish people.  (This earns you one entry.) 


OPTIONAL ENTRIES:

2.  Make certain you left me a comment about something you'd like to learn about the Amish (see above, #1).  Then, if you'd like extra entries to this giveaway, you may subscribe to my blog via email/Feedburner subscriptions (2 extra entries if you do this!  See the upper right hand side of this blog page.)  Please leave two comments stating that you are a new Feedburner/email subscriber or that you are already a Feedburner/email subscriber.

3.  Follow me using Google Friend Connect for an extra entry.  See the right hand column of this blog page to join GFC.  Please remember to leave me a comment that you've joined with GFC.

4.  Earn an extra entry by "liking" my page on Facebook!  (Remember to leave me a separate comment letting me know that you've done this.)

5.  And last, but not least, follow me on Twitter for an additional entry to my giveaway.  (Remember to leave me a comment with your Twitter name so I can find you later if you are the winner.)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services 
mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I 
only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255:  "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

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