HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES TO PREMIERE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR SANDRA BROWN'S "WHITE HOT" STARRING SHENAE GRIMES-BEECH, SEAN FARIS AND JOHN SCHNEIDER

Suspenseful Drama to Premiere Sunday, April 17 on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

STUDIO CITY, CA - February 25, 2016 - From the pages of Sandra Brown, the author of sixty seven New York Times best sellers, comes the crackling suspense and fiery emotional drama "White Hot," starring Shenae Grimes-Beech ("90210," "Scream 4," "Degrassi: The Next Generation"), Sean Faris ("The Lost Valentine," "Forever Strong," "Never Back Down") and John Schneider ("The Dukes of Hazzard," "The Haves and Have Nots," "Loving"). The original movie for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries premieres Sunday, April 17 at 9 pm ET/PT.

"As Hallmark Movies and Mysteries continues to develop quality original dramatic content, we knew right away that Sandra Brown's intriguing and suspenseful 'White Hot' would be a perfect programming addition for the network," said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming, Crown Media Family Networks.

"'White Hot' is a perfect fit for Hallmark Movies and Mysteries," said acclaimed bestselling author Sandra Brown. "Its intricate plot centers around a murder and a woman at odds with her troubled past as well as her own heart."

"White Hot" relates the story of Sayre Hoyle (Grimes-Beech), a single and strikingly beautiful interior designer, enjoying success in San Francisco after running away from her Louisiana hometown, where her family still resides, a decade ago. When she learns of her brother's unexpected death, Sayre returns to her small town to attend his funeral, and revisits the strained relationship she's always had with her father, Huff Hoyle, (Schneider) a corrupt factory owner who lords over his employees - and most of the town - using fear and intimidation. There, Sayre meets Beck Merchant (Faris), Huff's handsome attorney, who immediately takes an interest in her. Though it's widely believed her brother died from an accidental gunshot wound, Sayre soon begins to suspect foul play, and turns the town upside down when she launches her own investigation, attempting to discover the truth behind his tragic passing. Uncovering a web of dark secrets, lies, cover ups and revenge plots, Sayre struggles with family dynamics, terrifying threats and local law-enforcement officials. Despite becoming more and more attracted to Beck - and maybe even falling in love - Sayre remains determined to prove her brother was murdered and bring his killer to justice.

"White Hot" is a Muse Entertainment Production in association with HF Productions. Jim Head, Joel S. Rice, Sandra Brown, Michael Prupas and Shawn Williamson are the Executive Producers. Jamie Goehring is the producer. Mark Jean directs from a teleplay by Shelley Evans.

Sandra Brown is the author of sixty seven New York Times bestsellers, including "Friction," "Mean Streak," "Deadline," "Low Pressure," "Lethal," "Rainwater," "Tough Customer," "Smash Cut," "Smoke Screen," and "Play Dirty."

Writing professionally since 1981, Brown has published over seventy novels and has upwards of eighty million copies of her books in print worldwide. Her work has been translated into thirty-four languages. Her episode on truTV's "Murder by the Book" premiered the series in 2008. She appeared in 2010 on Investigation Discovery's series, "Hardcover Mysteries." Television movies have been made of her novels "French Silk," "Smoke Screen," and "Ricochet." Brown holds an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Christian University, where she and her husband Michael Brown, have instituted the ELF, a scholarship awarded annually. She has served as president of Mystery Writers of America, and in 2008 she was named Thriller Master, the top award given by the International Thriller Writer's Association. Other honors include the Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature and the Romance Writers of America's Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2011 she went on a USO tour to Afghanistan.

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 64 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. Crown Media Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRWN) owns and operates Crown Media Family Networks.