By Jennie Lucas
As many of you know, Presents author Jane Porter had one of her women’s fiction books made into a movie two weeks ago, and I still can’t get over how cool that is!
The movie adaptation of her 2006 novel Flirting With Forty was a huge hit on Lifetime with over four million viewers, making it one of the top-rated cable movies of the year. Yay Jane! (BTW, if you missed the movie, you can see it for free online on the Lifetime website.)
Both Jane (in real life) and her heroine Jackie (in her novel), travel to Hawaii after a heartbreaking divorce and manage to find love where they never expected it.
In the movie, the Jane role is played by Heather Locklear, pictured to the left.
Yes, she’s definitely gorgeous! But does she look like Jane?
Jane Porter is even more beautiful than Heather Locklear IMO. To the right is a shot of her that was done for an article in More magazine.
But other than both women being impossibly beautiful and glamorous (and I don’t know Heather personally, but Jane is very, very nice–the kindest girl you’ll ever meet, with the biggest heart), they really don’t look much alike, do they? It’s that whole blonde vs. brunette thing. But it got me thinking…who would I choose to play me in a movie, if I had the opportunity?
Before I tell you my choice, let me point out that this is a fantasy. And since I can choose someone younger, thinner and more glamorous than me, you’d better bet I’m gonna do it! So no snickering!
I first thought of Kate Winslet in her red-headed, well-rounded Titanic days, but since alas, she’s since gone to the blonder side, I chose another actress who’s pretty and fun–Enchanted actress Amy Adams.
To the left is Amy Adams in a scene from the movie, with the yummy Patrick Dempsey (who could possibly play my husband if George Clooney is unavailable!).
But what about you?
If a fabulously glamorous, romantic movie were made of your life, who would you want to play the most important role: YOU??
Raising a glass of champagne in hopes that you have a lovely New Year full of bubbly romance and delectable dreams that come true,
Jennie
P.S. My newest book is out this week—In Italian Prince, Wedlocked Wife, a struggling single mother is working late one snowy New Year’s Eve when a dark Italian prince sweeps into her life. He punches out her horrible boss, kisses Lucy senseless, blackmails her into a forced marriage then whisks her and the baby away into a life of luxury in Italy. Read more at my website.
Well if we’re going for fantasy, I’ll go with the blonder Kate Winslet — sorry Jennie, but that’s my hair colour! Plus Kate Winslet is my favourite actress — she’s talented, intelligent…and scandal-free
I loved Enchanted! It’s such a fun, cute movie, and a great play on the Disney princess cartoons.
Jennie, the opening scenes of Italian Prince, Wedlocked Wife in the snowy store in Chicago reminded me so vividly of Toronto. As much fun as the glamorous & international settings of Presents are, it’s great to have a bit of a locale that I can relate to every now and then — and yes, I have taken shelter in convenience stores, doughnut shops, and whatever place was open on snowy nights! Sadly, minus the Italian prince to rescue me
Happy New Year everybody!
~Amy
Hi Jennie,
Happy New Year to you! I agree, Jane Porter is even more stunning than Heather Locklear – beautiful!
I think I’d have to pick Rachel Weisz to play me – she’s a hell of a lot more sophisticated and gorgeous than I am but I’ve always felt the slightly bookish, hopelesly romantic character she plays in The Mummy is me down to a T!
Sabrina xx
Amy, thank you so much for your nice comments about Italian Prince, Wedlocked Wife–it really means a lot to me! The setting was inspired by my ill-fated employment in a gas station during a snowy cold time in my own life. No Italian princes for me either–actually, my non-prince, non-Italian boyfriend dumped me then–but it did turn out to e a brand-new start in my life, just like Lucy’s!
I’m totally a Kate Winslet fan too! In fact, her movie Hideous Kinky’s Morocco setting was an inspiration for my second book, The Spaniard’s Defiant Virgin. I just wish she’d stayed a redhead, like she was in Titanic. She seems like such a nice, regular person–the kind of girl who’d make a great neighbor or friend.
Hi Sabrina! Happy New Year!
Ooooh, Rachel Weisz. Another fabulous choice. I loved her in the first two Mummy movies–the third one was terrible, in part because she wasn’t in it. (Smart woman to plead her newborn as a reason not to go to China to film the movie! What a terrible script!) Rachel seems to light up every scene she’s in–manages to pull off being smart and sexy and earthy and glamorous all at once.
Great choice Sabrina!
Hi, Jennie! Can’t wait to get my hands on IPWW! I was at BAM two days ago, and it wasn’t there yet. Will have to give it another check because I’m just so eager!!
Jane IS more gorgeous than Heather, no doubt about it.
Who would play me? Hmm. I think Jennifer Aniston would be great. I love her hair! I *want* her hair, darn it. Since I’m a blonde too (with hair no where near as fabulous — okay, not fabulous at all), I’ll pick her. January Jones would be great too.
Alas, I am a bit out of date when it comes to who the latest, greatest Hollywood starlets are, so I guess I’ll give up now.
Happy New Year Jennie. As you well know I adored your Italian Prince, Wedlocked wife…..a real Cinderella story!
I think I would choose Julia Roberts to play me because like you, I’m a readhead and she comes across with a real sense of humor.
As for Jane’s Flirting with Forty movie, it was a “huge” success from the articles in The Seattle Times, to it’s review on Hollywood Today, Variety, the New York Times and I’m thrilled for her and what a wonderful way to bring in the New Year!
Cheers everyone!
Hi Jennie! Love your photo–it’s awesome!
Oh yeah, Jane’s movie was such a great success! I adore Jane and am so thrilled for her.
As far as who would play me, I’ll have to think on that–but your choice of Amy Adams for you is great! Both of you beautiful!
Can’t wait to read Italian Prince-Wedlocked Wife!!!
Wishing everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR and lots of good things to come in 2009!
Hugs,
Marian Pearson Stevens
Hi Marilyn! Happy New Year to you, too!
Thanks for your lovely review of Italian Prince, Wedlocked Wife for the Pink Heart Society. I’m so glad you liked the book!
Julia Roberts is a great choice. I was just watching Notting Hill again a few days ago and thinking how beautiful she is. Not just beautiful either, but also charismatic and charming. And that big-hearted gutsy laugh!
I am hungering for a new Presents of Jane’s to read, but it’s going to be a little while. In the meantime, one of my all-time favorite Presents novels of hers, Taken by the Highest Bidder, is out next month in the UK in an anthology. And I’m looking forward to her next women’s fiction novel, Easy on the Eyes!
Hi Marian! Sheesh, you’re making me blush, thanks! I hope you have a fabulous 2009 as well!!
And I really want to know who would play you in a movie…let me know when you decide.
I posted a comment, but it seems to be caught in moderation. Hmm, wonder what will happen to this one…..
Okay, since that one made it through, I’m pasting my original comment here:
Hi, Jennie! Can’t wait to get my hands on IPWW! I was at BAM two days ago, and it wasn’t there yet. Will have to give it another check because I’m just so eager!!
Jane IS more gorgeous than Heather, no doubt about it.
Who would play me? Hmm. I think Jennifer Aniston would be great. I love her hair! I *want* her hair, darn it. Since I’m a blonde too (with hair no where near as fabulous — okay, not fabulous at all), I’ll pick her. January Jones would be great too.
Alas, I am a bit out of date when it comes to who the latest, greatest Hollywood starlets are, so I guess I’ll give up now.
Posted on Dec 30th. Wonder what happened?
Tried to re-post original comment by cutting and pasting and it’s once again caught in moderation. Wonder what word, or words, I used that caused this?
Hi, Jennie! (I dare not say more for fear I’ll be caught again.)
Hi Lynn,
Got your posts out of moderation — very weird that they went to mod while your others went through…
~Amy
Thanks, Amy! And, LOL, now I look like I have premature posting disorder. Or something.
Oh Lynn, you get extra points for trying so hard to overcome all the tech glitches! I really appreciated your comments. Thank you for persevering!
And thanks for your kind words about Italian Prince, Wedlocked Wife! (What is BAM, though? I was scratching my head, unless it’s the Alabama branch of B&N, Barnes & Mobile? *grin*)
I am waiting in breathless anticipation for your debut book to come out in August!! Will you be signing Spanish Magnate, Red-Hot Revenge at the RWA conference in DC in July? I hope?!?
Jennifer Aniston and January Jones are both good solid choices, but you actually remind me of a specific movie starlet and I can’t quite put my finger on who it is. Possibly Jenna Fischer from The Office? (You can see a pic of her at http://www.fresnobeehive.com/archives/upload/2007/09/136206004-L.jpg.)
Lynn, you’re going to laugh–I was just hit by the same tech glitch too! My earlier reply to you was “sent to a moderator for review” which as far as I can tell is roughly equivalent to my post being sent to the principal’s office for a spanking.
Why? My only guess is that it’s because I attached a link to a picture of actress Jenna Fischer. And I can’t even beg Amy for help since it’s Friday night. Oh dear!
I’ll try again, this time with no link. (You can see Jenna’s photo, though, if you search google images under her name–it’s the one where’s she inundated with papers in the office but looking oh-so-chic in the beige silk top and gray pencil skirt.)
Anyway, here’s the earlier message…
Oh Lynn, you get extra points for trying so hard to overcome all the tech glitches! I really appreciated your comments. Thank you for persevering!
And thanks for your kind words about Italian Prince, Wedlocked Wife! (What is BAM, though? I was scratching my head, unless it’s the Alabama branch of B&N, Barnes & Mobile? *grin*)
I am waiting in breathless anticipation for your debut book to come out in August!! Will you be signing Spanish Magnate, Red-Hot Revenge at the RWA conference in DC in July? I hope?!?
Jennifer Aniston and January Jones are both good solid choices, but you actually remind me of a specific movie starlet and I can’t quite put my finger on who it is. Possibly Jenna Fischer from The Office?
Sorry the technical glitches got you too. It’s a disease, I say! That is a great picture of Jenna. I would not mind her playing me at all.
LOL, but BAM is Books A Million. It does sound rather Alabama, doesn’t it? I prefer B&N — and we have one — but BAM is closer. I’m making a trip today, so should get my copy then. Yay!!
I would love to be signing in July, but I don’t know if it’ll work out yet. Something about releasing the books early? One of my Blaze friends had that problem in SF.
I would love to hear who I remind you of! One of my chapter mates is under the impression I look like Anna Paquin. This is the picture she sent me (assuming the link makes it in): http://tinyurl.com/389z2j
I tried a post with a link too, and it’s in moderation. Don’t know what my problem was the first time, though!
Sorry the technical glitches got you too. It’s a disease, I say! That is a great picture of Jenna. I would not mind her playing me at all.
LOL, but BAM is Books A Million. It does sound rather Alabama, doesn’t it? I prefer B&N — and we have one — but BAM is closer. I’m making a trip today, so should get my copy then. Yay!!
I would love to be signing in July, but I don’t know if it’ll work out yet. Something about releasing the books early? One of my Blaze friends had that problem in SF.
I would love to hear who I remind you of! One of my chapter mates is under the impression I look like Anna Paquin. She sent me a specific picture, but I can’t share it yet. When Amy releases the comment, it’ll be there.
I made two comments, and they are both in moderation. *sigh* Here’s hoping this one gets through. Further comments when they appear.
BAM is Books a Million.
Jennie, after reading your post here I went to the UK Mills and Boon site and bought the e-book of Italian Prince, Wedlocked Wife, after reading the sample excerpt I couldn’t wait the time it would take to get a paper copy. It is a fabulous read, everything that is best about Presents, with a devastatingly Alpha hero, a feisty heroine, revenge, family secrets, interational settings, the lot. I loved it!
I’ll have Agnès Jaoui to play me, I think. Quriky, interesting, and a little bit different!
Oh Mulberry, you have made my day…my week… my month! Thank you so much for all your kind words about Italian Prince, Wedlocked Wife. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I’d never heard of Agnès Jaoui, so I googled her. What a great pick (particularly for a French-speaking movie?). My favorite photo of her on google images is the one of her in Paris with her young son. That’s actually what I’ve been fantasizing about today, renting an apartment and living in Paris with my family next summer while I study French! Ah well, a girl can dream…
Thanks again for your wonderfully kind words. I seriously might print them out and post them next to my laptop screen as I work on my next book!
That is a gorgeous fantasy- I love Paris. Hopefully that dream will come true for you!
LOL on you printing out my comments, Jennie! Meanwhile, every time I get stuck on the story I am writing (I’m unpublished and having fun working on that!) I will look at a page or two of IPWW to remind me why I love Presents and want to write them, by showing me a brilliant example of how well they work when written right!