Customer Reviews

Screen Play: A Novel

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

How did this author know just what to put on the page to capture the dreams of my youth? "Screen Play" by Chris Coppernoll is a story of a woman's dream to be an actress and in love. When I first began reading, I wondered how a male author would be able to get inside the head of this character. But as the story progressed, I realized that Chris Coppernoll is so in touch with Harper, the 30 year-old actress who hasn't had an acting job in a year and just landed the part of an understudy to the lead in a Broadway show, that I could close my eyes and see the theater. I could feel the crushed velvet upholstery in the seats and the texture of the thick curtains that hide the stage from view until the performance begins.

Coppernoll KNOWS theater and has captured the pursuit of a stage career with a healthy dose of realism. I'm a bit more skeptical about the idea of finding love through online dating services even though I know a couple of people who have done just that. But I am thoroughly enjoying reading this book! I am willing to take it on faith that the author is credible in his story about love online. And speaking of faith, the pursuit of God is prominent and important to this story. Harper wants to see God moving in her life and sets a very good example in this for the reader. If taken to heart, it will make you look for where God is working in your own circumstances.

Overall, this is a wonderfully entertaining and completely inspiring novel. Thank you, Chris Coppernoll, for putting this story to paper and pursuing its release to us readers. This book has touched me, taught me, and permitted me to reminisce in the loveliest ways. Because of your work, I will also be less skeptical about a man's ability to write romance. Although you and Nicholas Sparks have set the bar extremely high in that department.

Captivating. Engaging. Intriguing.

These are all words I'd use to describe the newest novel by one of my favorite authors, Chris Coppernoll. His story has renewed my love of reading, and sparked something in my heart that I've been praying for...

...hope.

"Screen Play" is special because it's written from the perspective of the female character, and yet written by a male author. Chris seamlessly dives into the persona of Harper Gray, plunging her into one of those nightmare days we all have.

Needing to be somewhere and it would appear that everything and the kitchen sink will keep us from arriving! The emotions I felt during the course of this story ran the full spectrum. I fell in love with Harper, from her name to her innocent and fresh faith to her desire to find one thing...

...love.

And to share love as well. A budding actress who is facing life alone, unemployed and without hope, and God reaches down and picks her up through...oh, can't give that away, now can I?

Let's just say that the events in Harper's life are so exquisite that you can see the hand of the Father all over them. And you just can't help but go along on the journey with her.

You'll feel what Harper feels, see what she sees, and want to live a life of faith like she does...although, not in the same setting! Oh, wouldn't THAT be something!! You'll have to read it to know what I'm talking about!

Chris is clever, witty, and charming in his writing. He even finds a way to get an acknowledgment to his lovely wife and author Christa Parrish (two of my favorite authors deeply in love, married to one another--how cool is that??)...rock on, Chris!

I am in love with this novel. Can't wait for you to read it for yourself. Enjoy the journey. Feel the faith. Learn to trust, even when things look their darkest. And hold it all loosely, realizing that it can all be taken away.

But, as long as we have God, it will be fine in the end. Just ask Harper Gray...

Have you ever questioned God's will for your life? Then you will be able to relate to the main character in Screen Play. Hurt by her past--with no where to look but up--she wonders what God has in store for her future. This story, written first person, takes you along her journey as well that of her best friend, Arvil.

This is neither negative nor positive, just an observation--although this story is listed under the romance genre, I personally feel it fits more along the lines of a general women's fiction. There is a small thread of romance, but it's not the main focus of this story. Rather, its about how Harper grows in her trust, friendships, and ultimately her faith.

Chris Coppernoll has a major hit with "Screen Play" that definitely is out of the park. The story of Harper Gray is one you will not be able to forget for a LONG while. Harper Gray's story is so full of her strong faith each step of the way from Chicago to New York to Hollywood, through good times and through bad times she learns God is the one to lean on and she grows stronger through each step she takes.
Chris Coppernoll makes you feel like you are right there and are part of the story being told.
I got hold of all three of Chris Coppernoll's books "Providence", "A Beautiful Fall', and "Screen Play" and read all three in a week. His books are soul searching, faith filled, a excellent source of Christian fiction, and stories you will not forget.
I am so ready for the next Chris Coppernoll book.
I highly recoomend any and ll of his books.

Based on other review of Screen Play through Amazon, I stuck through the beginning of this book to get to the "meat" of the story. Book characters and writing style very simplistic at first, but developed into a very strong story and powerful message. Fame isn't the answer to happiness. Harper is true to herself and faithful to friend, Avril. Four star rating because of weak beginning. OK to purchase for church library if room for a large collection of Christian fiction. I love Chris Coppernoll's book, Providence, which I have in my church library.

I loved how the author takes you behind the scenes of an actor and you really get to experience life behind the curtains of a play. Add to that a very realistic slice of what life is like today with online dating and other techie stuff. It really felt like they could be neighbors of mine. The struggles and experiences are very real as well. I received this book from B&B Media to review and I am grateful because this is definitely a book I will read again and am pleased to have on my bookshelf.

Chris Coppernoll's contemporary romance "Screen Play" was thoroughly entertaining. And like any good romance, it made my heart pitter-patter and soar on more than one occasion. Add a little suspense, and the captivating effect was perfect.

I adored this story because I got lost in it's pages and lived in an entertaining alternate reality while I was reading. The character development was impeccable and the faith element was perfectly done. I said this before, but the romance literally took my breath away. Seriously. I can see why this novel got such a high rating from Romantic Times. It was a perfect novel in many respects. Several times I'd even forgotten it was written by a man because the author clearly understands a woman's heart. That, in and of itself, is impressive.

I also loved the setting. The various details in each portion of the book were so well developed and researched that I felt like I was in the story. I was Harper and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. She was one of the most believable and lovable modern era heroines I've found in a book in a long time. I also loved the secondary characters. Their drama gripped my heart and I loved how everything played out with it's highs and lows. Harper was such a good friend, but it went both ways. Avril was also there for Harper when she needed support. Did I mention that I was enthralled with this story?

The plot, the characters, everything about this story reeks of a novel that should be nominated for an award of some kind. If I had a chance to vote on a nomination, "Screen Play" would get mine...hands down.

Screen Play by Chris Coppernoll took me by surprise. The author notes in the back of the book that he wondered if writing from a woman's perspective (as a man) would be distracting. I have to honestly say that yes, it was, but only for the first 60 pages or so. After that I got caught up in the story and found myself relating to Harper and hoping that her [...] hookup would be a winner.

Harper is thirty, living in New York as an actress (actually an understudy) in a Broadway play. She's recovering from a bad breakup and is hoping that life will give her more than it already has. Her roommate signs up for an online dating service and finds a match so Harper (while bored and lonely one night) takes the plunge. She meets a few interesting people. Who happen to be very far away.

Harper's new life in NYC quickly fills up with schedules, friends, work and the little church around the corner.

Chris Coppernoll does an excellent job of sharing his story. I loved the twists and turns that resulted in a beautiful surprise ending. One thing I took away from this story was the truth that Harper realized about our society. She'd made a new friend and had many heart-to-hearts with her but discovered a blog that her friend was writing and Harper noted that most of the private things that she learned about her were learned online...publicly.

I had heard lots of raves about Chris Coppernoll and his latest novel, `Screen Play.' So I was excited about the opportunity to read it.

This book tells the story of Harper Gray, an actress who was selected to be an understudy on Broadway to a very famous actress by the play's director, who was a former college mate at Northwestern University in Chicago. In the previous year, she struggled mightily, both personally and professionally, and was introduced to Jesus Christ by a lovely lady named Bella. I was fascinated by the fact that Chris, a man, wrote this novel in the first person point of view. As a female myself, I did not detect any incongruities in Chris's style. Harper is a lady, through and through!
It was truly miraculous to see how Harper's life changed when she placed her faith in Jesus. She continued to lean on Him (and His Holy Spirit) for guidance and direction, and her life became more and more full of His blessings.

A neat element of the story is how the characters, although they lived in New York City, the most populous city in the United States (and highly ranked in the world), they relied on the internet (i.e., online dating services, texting, etc...) to make connections with other people. The title is a clever play on words for the interplay online and the occupation of the title character.

The storyline in this book was fast-paced and exciting. I have never visited NYC, but was able to catch the pulse of the city. And I was thrilled to see how a new believer, as Harper was, so readily and easily shared her faith, particularly in an industry like show business, which often berates and ridicules Christ-followers.
There are many twists and turns in this book. It is textured and rich, and very realistic, yet at the same times provides a heartwarming story of God's redemption and care for all of us. I highly recommend this strong - and sweet - book.

Chris is the author of several books, including `Providence: Once Upon A Second Chance' and `A Beautiful Fall: A Novel.' I was so charmed by the clever writing and heartfelt message of `Screen Play,' I am eager to catch up on Chris's previous novels.

In addition to being an author, he is also the founder of Soul2Soul, a syndicated radio program airing on 800 outlets in 20 countries. Chris holds a Masters degree from Rockbridge Seminary and is deeply in love with his wife, novelist Christa Parrish (as described on his website.

This book was published by David C. Cook and provided to me by the B & B Media Group, Inc. for review purposes.

Reviewed by Andrea Schultz - Ponderings by Andrea - [...]

Loved it. I've seen Chris Coppernoll's name and books around, and have them on my Goodreads to-read list. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to discover him. I thoroughly enjoyed Screen Play.

I'm not normally a big fan of first person narrative, but I loved Harper's voice. She's just someone with whom you can connect and relate. I liked her. Her faith and desire to serve God and follow His path for her is strong, but she's not perfect. Her regret at her inability to apologize after confronting Tabby early in the book is real.

Online dating as it's known now, didn't exist when I got married. I don't know that I would be even able to enter the world of online dating if I were single, but it's so prevalent and an accepted part of mainstream life, and it's an integral part of Harper's story. I think Harper's initial reluctance to sign up rang true, yet I cheered as she let her guard down and fell in love with Luke.

Technology has brought such a new and dynamic element to our interpersonal relations. I blog, I have a Facebook account and a cell phone. I don't Twitter and the only people I regularly text are my husband and youngest sister. I don't even watch television on a regular basis, and I prefer holding books in my hand and have no desire for a Kindle or similar device. I guess I'm part Luddite!

I enjoyed Avril and Luke and the rest of the cast of characters. I've seen Broadway plays performed in San Francisco, but never New York and I've never been a theater insider, so the insights into the world of New York theater were fascinating.

With some ups and downs, friendship and love, drama and adventure, this is a charming book and one I wish didn't end.

And, Chris? I think a sequel needs to be written about Avril and James...