Evan Sent

by J.P. Bowie

Fiction and reality become intertwined when a young movie actor playing the role of a detective finds himself in a real-life drama that threatens to bring a sudden end to his career.

Evan Ericson is young and beautiful, a former fashion model and a gifted actor. When he is offered the role of a detective in a new film noir indie movie, he jumps at the chance, certain that this is his opportunity to leave behind the notoriety of appearing in porn movies and his dependence on drugs.

Mark Henderson is an out-of-work actor searching for his big break. When, by sheer chance, he lands a part in a new indie movie, he can’t believe his luck. Nor can he believe it when he meets Evan Ericson. Sparks fly at their first encounter. When rehearsing their roles, Mark’s world is rocked by Evan’s kiss and a new Hollywood romance is born.

But things thought long buried in the past have a nasty habit of rearing their ugly heads, and being stalked and threatened by a manic drug dealer is not something either Evan or Mark envisaged in their future together. Will Hollywood magic be enough to keep them safe or will Evan’s bad-boy reputation tear them apart?

Pre-order Date: 18th April 2017
Available exclusively to Pride Publishing: 2nd May 2017
General Release Date: 30th May 2017

Genres: M M Romance

152 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 30, 2017

About the author

J.P. Bowie was born and raised in Aberdeen, Scotland. He wrote his first (unpublished) novel – a science fiction tale of brawny men and brawnier women that made him a little suspect in the eyes of his family for a while.

Leaving home at age eighteen for the bright lights of London, he found himself in the midst of a “diverse and creative crowd” that eventually led him to the performing arts. For the next twelve years he sang, danced and acted his way around the theatres of London and the provinces, appearing in shows with many famous British singers, actors and comedians.

After immigrating to the US and living for many years in Las Vegas where he worked for that incomparable duo, Siegfried and Roy, J.P. found himself entranced by the fair city of San Diego where he currently lives with his partner, Phil.

J.P. loves to hear from his readers and can be contacted at jpbowie@cox.net

Reviews

[Antisocial Recluse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actors and acting aren’t my usual choice of subject matter but with this offering, J.P. Bowie easily kept my attention and provided a fulfilling evening of reading. Mark is a young aspiring actor who accepts a role in an indie film as a gay character. After auditioning with Evan, the lead movie character, their on-stage chemistry carries them into a passionate romance. Mark is shown as sincere, inexperienced in the movie industry, as well as a bit naïve. Evan’s movie experience is less than orthodox, he’s savvy and streetwise, with a rough past but very open and honest with Mark. They are characterized well through the shifting POV’s, although they aren’t complex personalities.
The romantic connection, quite a few sizzling sex scenes, and a large group of secondary characters fill the pages. This includes the movie cast, a few of Evan’s acquaintances, and Mark’s roommates, Andrew and Perry, rounding out the list. The roommates make several appearances in the narrative but to be honest, I couldn’t see the purpose in giving them so much page time. Several rehearsal scenes and an altercation between the director and one of the actors, had little bearing on the plot either. It still made for interesting reading and perhaps it all pertains to plots and characters for future books. It’s not a long book but was paced a bit slowly, and some of the dialogue, while not exactly cheesy, definitely hung around the dairy aisle.
I simply found it quite satisfying. I liked the romance, that was fully shown, not just told, without silly breakups or contrived misunderstanding. All the conflicts were external and the added sub-plot suspense, while a bit brief in terms of page time, was dramatic but not overly dramatized. It had a very fulfilling epilogue and left me all fuzzy over these two guys. I will be reading more of Mr. Bowie and I’d recommend this for fans of classic-style romances.

* An ARC was provided to me by the publisher via Hearts On Fire Reviews in return for an honest opinion*

[The Novel Approach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Henderson left his hometown and an abusive relationship. Now, he’s down on his luck in Los Angeles. He’s been working as a waiter while trying to find work as an actor, but he’s lost that job, and it’s slim pickings as far as employment goes. Mark finally catches an acting break, though, and is offered the role of a gay man in an indie film—which isn’t really acting for him.

Evan Ericson went from modeling to starring in porn as Dean Masters, until he decided to walk away. He’s now working to get into mainstream movies, and hoping his past won’t cause a scandal that will deny him the chance.

Mark is somewhat enamored of Evan, and nervous when he finds that his role in the movie is that of the love interest to Evan’s character. After all, Evan is not only attractive but is confidant and experienced. Even though Mark and Evan get involved with each other quickly, Mark finds himself worried about his bad experiences, and he shares that with Evan. No matter what Mark’s past was like, though, Evan just has a special feeling that grows towards Mark as they try to spend quality time together.

Evan, being a stand-up guy, helps his friend Dareck, who’s involved with a loan shark and has left the country, and now, Evan’s not only being watched but he and Mark are being threatened and blackmailed. Evan calls in a favor from Dave Franklin, a cop and former friend, and they learn that Evan and Mark are up against a drug trafficker. When Dave comes up with the plans for a sting operation, Evan proves he’s willing to put his life on the line and do the best acting job ever to protect himself and Mark.

J.P. Bowie caught me by surprise with Evan Sent. He offers a great, in-depth look at Mark’s and Evan’s emotional pasts, and even though their connection happens quickly, these two characters are the perfect fit. The author takes us into the hectic world of producing movies, the long hours of hard work and the highs and lows for the actors, with a healthy cast of side characters. I like where Bowie took the plot, here, and twisted it into something suspenseful and dangerous for the two MCs. This is a thoroughly entertaining read!

Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as I can recall this is my first story around the making of a movie, that made it very interesting, it was neat to see how the process run. Then along with the drug deal, the porn star, and loan shark, the story of Mark and Evan was very interesting indeed. Mark and Evan were great, two extremely handsome men, both actors, drawn together at first sight, of course it led to sex, lots and lots of sex. This author once again gave us a wonderful tale with excitement thrown in for good measure, a throughly good read.

[Zeoanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read that I really liked. I enjoyed the relationship between the Evan and Mark, even though the falling in love felt quite fast. I also liked the bit of mystery that was given past half the story with the betrayal of someone whom Evan considered a good acquaintance and ex-coworker, and the man said person owed money to. Glad all turned out well in the end.

[Star L · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I think Mark and Evans relationship was very sweet the overall book was just okay. And the last few chapters just felt out of nowhere and should have probably been more fitted for the middle chapters.

At least the gays had a happy ending.