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Karen Kingsbury’s Third Hallmark Film Premiers Sunday, May 15th

For More Information, Contact:

Rick Christian, President

Alive Literary Agency

rchristian@aliveliterary.com

719-331-7073

STUDIO CITY, CA – April 12, 2016 -- “Karen Kingsbury’s A Time To Dance,” an original TV drama based on the #1 New York Times bestseller’s novel, will premiere on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Sunday, May 15 at 9pm ET/PT, announced her longtime agent, Rick Christian, President of Alive Literary Agency.

“This is Karen’s third Hallmark movie to air this year, and stars Jennie Garth (“Beverly Hills 90210”), Dan Payne (“All Yours”) and Corbin Bernsen (“LA Law,” “Psych”),” he said, noting that Hallmark typically rebroadcasts her movies on the Hallmark Channel shortly after the initial premier to boost audiences for both sister channels. “This one-two strategy has generated record-breaking numbers for Hallmark,” he added, “and each of her films has bested Nielsen ratings for its time slot among all households.”

This newest film tells the story of Abby (Garth) and John (Payne) Reynolds, a married couple who have been together since their days as high school sweethearts — when John was a football hero and Abby dreamed of becoming a writer. Now in their forties, Abby is a restaurant critic for a local newspaper and John is a football coach at their son’s high school.  Though their seemingly perfect marriage is the envy of their peers, the truth is that they have fallen out of love, and plan to announce their impending divorce during their daughter Nicole’s upcoming college break. But John and Abby’s plan takes a turn when an elated Nicole surprises them with an announcement that she has gotten engaged. Not wanting to put a damper on Nicole’s cherished event, John and Abby agree to wait until after her wedding to tell her about their divorce. With the clock ticking and John and Abby helping Nicole prepare for her wedding day, they may have one last chance to again find their love. Bernsen portrays Abby’s father, Pops Chapman, a retired football coach who senses that his daughter’s marriage is on the rocks, and is determined to help save their relationship.

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is in the midst of a record breaking year, up across all key demos with double-digit year-over-year increases. The Hallmark Movies & Mysteries premiere of “Karen Kingsbury’s The Bridge Part 2” on Sunday, March 20 became the highest-rated and most-watched program in network history, averaging a 1.8 HH rating and 1.4 million total viewers.

#1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist, Karen Kingsbury, is America's favorite inspirational storyteller. With more than 25 million copies of her award-winning books in print, Kingsbury’s stories have resonated with readers worldwide. In December, 2015, “Karen Kingsbury's The Bridge” debuted as a Hallmark Channel Original Movie and was one of the most highly anticipated Countdown to Christmas holiday movies with a record 4.5 million viewers.

Her last dozen titles have hit #1 on national lists, including her recent Redemption series featuring Kingsbury’s most unforgettable Baxter Family characters.  Kingsbury's novel A Time To Dance was her first novel in the celebrated Timeless Love Series (Thomas Nelson), exploring the resiliency of love and the power of commitment. It has sold nearly 500,000 copies since its 2001 release.

Kingsbury lives in Nashville with her husband, Don, and their five sons, three of whom were adopted from Haiti. Their only daughter, Kelsey, an actress, lives nearby and is married to Christian recording artist, Kyle Kupecky. Kingsbury is represented by Rick Christian, Founder/President of Alive Literary Agency in Colorado Springs.

David Rosemont and Dan Angel, producers of “Karen Kingsbury’s The Bridge,” “Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story” and “Door to Door,” the winner of the Emmy for Best Made-for-TV-Movie, are partnering with Mar Vista Entertainment to executive produce. Kingsbury and Christian also serve as executive producers on all her film and TV properties, including her upcoming “Baxter Family” TV series, recently optioned by Roma Downey and her husband Mark Burnett of Lightworkers Media.

ABOUT HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES

Along with sister network Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is the second 24-hour linear channel under the Crown Media Family Networks umbrella. Distributed in both (HD) and standard definition (SD) in 65.5 million homes across the United States and one of the fastest growing networks in cable, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is a leading destination for quality family friendly entertainment. Launched in 2008 as Hallmark Movie Channel, the network underwent a brand evolution in fall of 2014 when it transitioned to become Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. True to its name, the channel brings the lighter side of the suspense and mystery genres into focus with rich, dramatic, and thought-provoking storytelling. The network’s programming lineup features a unique mix of original movies, presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library, and such time-honored acquired series as Murder She Wrote, Matlock, Hart to Hart, and Diagnosis Murder. The channel is also home to annual 8-week holiday programming event, The Most Wonderful Movies of Christmas, which helps viewers celebrate the season with new original movies and all-time classics like A Christmas Carol; Holiday Affair; Babes in Toyland; and Christmas in Connecticut.

ABOUT ALIVE LITERARY AGENCY

Alive Literary Agency is located in Colorado Springs, CO, and best known for its mega-selling franchises and expanding work in film and television. Best-sellers include Todd Burpo’s Heaven is for Real (12 million copies), Karen Kingsbury’s novels (25 million copies); the Left Behind series (nearly 70 million copies); Eugene Peterson’s The Message (20 million copies); Lisa Beamer’s post 9-11 Let’s Roll! (1.5 million copies), and Steve Arterburn and Dave Stoop’s Life Recovery Bible (2.5 million copies). Books represented by Alive have sold more than 250 million copies since its founding by Rick Christian in 1989. Other authors and organizations Alive proudly serves include Marie Goff, Henri Nouwen Trust, Melanie Shankle, Brian Welch, She Reads Truth, Nick Hall, Brennan Manning, Michael Hyatt, (in)courage, Lynn Vincent, Elisa Morgan, Ray Johnston, Jamie Blaine, and Brandon Hatmaker.

In 2012, Alive launched a sister e-publishing company, Bondfire Books, attracting early acclaim by paying 50% royalties (double the industry standard), and negotiating short five-year renewable licenses instead of the usual grant for the life of copyright. It utilizes print partnerships with established publishers for retail distribution.

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