Heartland

By Davis Bunn

Book Overview

A mysterious man who doesn't belong in Hollywood is thrust into fame and fortune when he lands the lead on TV's number 1 hit show Heartland. It turns out that Hollywood is in for a change of heart.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1595542035
• ISBN13: 9781595542038
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Length: 391 Pages
• Weight: 1.43 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Top Christian Authors

This book arrived in great shape. It had a confusing start, but as it began to build, I could not lay it down. It is a Christian thriller with plenty of action, and good moral content. grace2u

Interesting twist

At first I thought I had accidently picked up a Western novel. But then Jay Jay is involved in a wreck and wakes up nude in a Hollywood studio. The twist in this story intrigued me. Heartland isn't a classic literary novel, but is it meant to be? I don't think so. Rather it's a fun book with a cool twist that keeps you reading to the end.

Bunn's engaging style and the fact that the unexpected twists and turns keep coming

"Heartland" is a long-running television western whose lead character is a hero whom audiences love to cheer for. Often, in these kinds of programs, the public confuses the actor with the role he plays --- and that's exactly what happens with the character of JayJay Parsons. Through the years, viewership has been shrinking for "Heartland" because actor Neil Townsend is gaining weight, boozing and exhibiting erratic behavior; he no longer looks like the manly winner-take-all hero. The Centurion Studio hires a replacement actor, whose real name happens to be JayJay Parsons. JayJay can't explain where he came from; he just got off the bus and landed at the Studio. In an uncanny way he looks, walks and talks like the television character yet has never appeared on camera. The lead scriptwriter, Peter Caffrey, adds a romantic interest to the show, with Kelly Channing, a relatively inexperienced actor, assuming the role. Director Britt Turner has always worked in television and wants to direct feature films, but he never has had the chance. To every observer, "Heartland" is positioned for cancellation. Early in the novel, JayJay befriends some Vietnamese Christians who invite him to live with them. Their Asian grandmother loves "Heartland" and has hated the decline of the show. Film student Ahn Nguyen ends up becoming JayJay's agent and negotiates his contract. For almost 10 years, Davis Bunn has been on the inside of the motion picture and television industries. He uses this background to craft a well-told story with multiple threads. The dialogue is crisp, characterizations sharp, and plot vivid. One of the subplots revolves around Martin Allerby, Centurion's Studio Chief and Greenlight Man, and his director of sales, Milo Keplar, who are attempting to orchestrate a takeover of the studio. Allerby has no interest in "Heartland"; he is merely following orders from the majority owner of Centurion stock, Carter Dawes. The mysterious and elderly Dawes lives on a ranch, never comes to the studio and sends his attorney to board meetings to carry out his instructions. Allerby directs the "Heartland" crew to create the studio's first feature film. However, they face a number of key challenges, as there's no script and they're merely writing as they go along, while the actors and those working behind the scenes are inexperienced. Almost everyone, including the "Heartland" cast, thinks they may get cancelled at any point in the process and not complete the project. Then something new begins to stir, which Allerby has never seen before on a studio lot. The lead actor, JayJay Parsons, begins a prayer meeting and invites anyone in the cast and crew who would like to attend. These spiritual elements are woven into the fiber of this well-told story. Will the Christians be able to rise to these seemingly impossible challenges and succeed where others have failed? Audiences love "Heartland" because the stories are predictable and good wins over evil. It's

Hope In Hollywood

Could a faith-based TV show ever make it in Hollywood today? Davis Bunn tackles this question head on in this fascinating new novel. Heartland is a faith-based TV drama that follows the heroic lifestyle of fictional cowboy, JayJay Parsons. The future of Heartland is at stake when the lead actor who plays JayJay loses control of his lifestyle, and at just the right time the unthinkable happens. A stranger wanders on set claiming to be the real JayJay Parsons: a TV character come to life. JayJay takes the place of the struggling actor and begins playing himself on the ever-popular TV series. As JayJay attempts to save the show he finds himself on an incredible personal journey to discover God's will for his own life. Bunn takes us behind the scenes of modern day Hollywood and sheds light on the greed and corruption that are so prevalent. Through the character of JayJay, Bunn also reveals how God can be found in the places we sometimes least expect him. JayJay is a hero unlike any other whose only concern is doing God's will and helping others. The cast and crew of Heartland have no idea that they are about to embark upon a journey of faith and hope as JayJay begins to touch each of their lives. This story is encouraging and inspiring and it reminds us of the power to be found in trusting God. This book is highly recommended for anyone who ever doubts that the light of Christ can shine in our depraved culture. (From Christian Library Journal)

An Insider Writes a Well-crafted Novel about the Hollywood Community

For over ten years, Davis Bunn has been on the inside of the movie and television industry. He translate those personal experiences into this riveting experience about the television series Heartland. This long-running western series has a declining audience and is on its last leg. Neil Townsend, the actor who plays the character of JayJay Parsons, has grown fat and boozing--a very non-hero-like appearance. Out of almost nowhere, a man named JayJay Parsons steps off the bus from the ranch and lands at the gate of Centurion Studios. The studio folks try him out as a substitute and the program suddenly gains some new life. As a highly unusual step for this industry, JayJay suggests a group from the actors or cast gather every morning for prayer. A surprising number of people regularly attend these short sessions. Studio Chief Martin Allerby and his director of sales, Milo Keplar try to doom Heartland with different decisions and behind the scenes are scheming to take control of the ownership of Centurion Studios. Bunn plunges his characters into deeper and deeper trouble with each chapter. His crisp dialogue and characterizations in this well-drawn Hollywood setting make this drama a page-turner. I highly recommend HEARTLAND.