by Robyn Grady, author of Devil in a Dark Blue Suit (Harlequin Presents, December 2009)
You can usually tell when a film is based on a novel. The characterisation seems richer. The plot feels truer and deeper. The other night I watched My Sister’s Keeper, based on Jodi Picoult’s bestseller of the same name. I have seriously never sobbed so much in my life! I’m dying to see The Time Traveler’s Wife, adapted from Audrey Niffenegger’s 2003 novel. The last incredible page of that book lives with me still, and I can’t wait to see how it translates onto the big screen. Soon we’ll have the pleasure of viewing the screen adaptation of The Lovely Bones, starring Rachel Weisz and Mark Wahlberg. I wondered when that was going to happen.
Then there’s movies based on authors lives… remember Miss Potter, a touching story about famous children’s author, Beatrix Potter? The gripping story of Truman Capote, of Breakfast at Tiffany’s fame, in Capote is another one, and Beloved Infidel centred around the troubled later years of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Last Sunday night I enjoyed a different, closer to home, twist on a book/author making it to the screen.
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Consuming Passions is a movie that features three lots of characters, each of which shine a distinct and entertaining light on the phenomena that has become our very own Mills and Boon. The first story, set in the early 1900s, tells the tale of how Mills and Boon came to be a hundred year ago. The second story (set in the ‘70s and my fave for obvious reasons) focuses on the heartfelt passion M&B authors pour into their work. The third is an ultra contemporary love story with a fabulous modern day hero and an intelligent, self-sufficient 21st century woman. Different aspects and tones mingle beautifully to deliver a poignant overall message.
Women need romance!
Amen to that. From the time we learned to rouge our cheeks with crushed berries and understood the power of a lingering lidded look, the female of our species has longed to meet, fall for, and ultimately live happily ever after with their once-in-a-life-time true love. In my December release, Devil in a Dark Blue Suit, Eden Foley had found that person three years earlier. Devlin Stone is fun and sexy and irresistibly good looking. However, while Devlin is a man of means and lover beyond compare, he’d failed to satisfy Eden in the most fundamental way. The story opens with Eden bracing herself to meet with Devlin again – purely out of necessity, of course. Devlin re-enters her life with a bang and when all those familiar sizzling feelings bubble up, he convinces her to take a journey with him to the most romantic place on earth…a private island called le Paradis sur Terre. But Devlin still has some work to do to keep Eden where he wants her. I’ll let you read the story to see how he copes 
Every woman wants to be wooed. Whether it’s a thoughtful gift, a meaningful caress, holding hands in the cinema, or whisking us away to a mysterious dreamy destination, we not only need to know that we’re special, we deserve to know that we are. And if Mr Right is yet to show up, spending quality time with a romance – delivered in either print or technicolour – is absolutely the next best thing.
Which book would you like to see made into a film? Extra points for Presents titles!
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Hmmm…so many good books! Okay, not Presents, but Anything For You by Sarah Mayberry would be a great movie…The Rancher’s Rules by Lucy Monroe, and the could film it on location in Oregon. And I could supervise the filming…
Let’s just start out own production company and make them all into movies! The sets would be gorgeous, the costumes fabulous, the men…well, wow.
The real problem is, the man chosen to play the hero in a Presents turned movie would have to be so perfect. Handsome, alpha, the universal object of women’s fantasies…I nominate Hugh Jackman!!
As soon as I read the line “Try to stay calm, but mr Terrific-in-a-suit over there is undressing you with his eyes.” – I was no longer reading
‘Confessions of a Millionaire’s Mistress’ – I was ‘Watching it.
This would be one of my first choices on your list of Presents movies. (Great idea, by the way. Our very own movie channel, like true movies.)
I loved Celeste’s and Benton’s story.
Challenging their pole position would be Trish Wylie’s ‘One Night with the Rebel Billionaire.’ Who would’nt enjoy an opening scene of Adam Bryant naked on a beach in Martha’s Vinyard? Reminders on ‘East of Eden’ and ’10′ coming to mind here.
‘Bought for the Frenchman’s Pleasure’, Abby Green Sorcha’s and Romain’s scorcher of a story would be fantastic with all that dark, sexy, French allure.
Not least of all, I would love to see Gina Wilkins ‘Undercover Baby’. Dallas Sanders and Sam Perry cracking a baby smuggling ring while coping with an attraction that’s capable of blowing Mnt Etna wide open is a real good read and would make a great movie.
I loved Anne Mather’s ‘Leopard in the Snow’ and still have my original copy. Went to see the movie when it came out and loved it. Kenneth More and Billie Whitelaw were great. I think they could do a updated version on dvd. Now who could star in it this time round? HHMM. I’m off to have a think.
I remember seeing Anne Mather’s book, Leopard In The Snow in the 80’s after it was made into a movie and I still remember the intense emotion. Bridget Jones is another one that has stayed with me (I think Renee Z is exceptional in that role), as has all Jane Austen’s book movies!
Maya
Was absolutely gutted by the film version of My Sister’s Keeper. I may have been sobbing 5 minutes into the film but by the end you could have heard a pin drop in my local cinema – I don’t think any of the readers of the original book could believe how the film version completely desicrated the end and ruined the whole ethos of the story. Possibly the worst ever film version of a book I’ve seen.
As for books to turn into films howabout Treasure by Helen Brenna or one of Heidi Rice’s, particularly loved Pleasure, Pregnancy and a Proposition.
High five to Mena for conjuring male versions of 10! And yes, that would be a wonderful scene…
Books into movies is a tough one. We all see the word picture pained for us by the author through our own lens. And there’s nothing worse than seeing a loved book ruined for us by someone else’s vision, as Susan experienced.
I love light-hearted rom com so any of the Modern Heat stories would work for me!
My Captcha was “81 cussed”- make that 81 cusses and it sounds very much like my work day today.
Congratulations on your December release. I look forward to reading it!
Wow, tough question. So many of these books would make a wonderful movie. An older series entitled The Barons, by Sandra Marton, would make a fabulous miniseries for television. 
Maisey, what a fabulous idea! Harlequin Studios. I wonder if the powers-that-be have thought of it. Hugh Jackman would make a fabulous Presents hero. My choice…hmmm…it’s a hard one. No, it’s not, lol. Gerry Butler. And we could use him in historicals and comedies and tear-jerkers. Anyone want to be the leading lady?
Robbie
LOL!! Gerry and Hugh have to get on the payroll straight away!! Ryan Reynolds might make a good Mod Heat guy. Oh…and now I’m odd topic…crazy…somehow now all I can think of his nice looking men. Weird.
Hehe…captcha is Scowling Tho as in…I am happy thinking of handsome men, I’m scowling tho.
Mena, you have so made my week! I’m so glad you enjoyed Confessions. Benton was a special hero, with a very hard background. Celeste was just the girl to bring him around.
Trish Wylie’s read’s are always terrific! And she’s just been nominated for an RT Award, along with Kate Hardy, Jennie Lucas, and the fab Nicola Marsh. (Obviously there’s others, but that’s my limited knowledge to date and congrats to you all, btw!)
I read a great Abby Green the other night – so much emotion! Would you believe I haven’t read Leopard in the Snow. Must rectify that! And I’ll get back to you on a updated leading lady
Robbie
Maisey, Ryan Reynolds is so cute! And what about that six-pack! :Robbie fans herself: It’s as good as Gerry’s in 300 but without the muscle defining makeup. Ah. Gerry doesn’t need it anyway.
Robbie
Maya, why did I not think of Bridget Jones! Such a great book and movie. Colin Firth’s last line is brilliant. Yum-ity-yum. Perhaps he’d like to join our Studio Leading Man stable?
Robbie
Robbie,
you’re fab post has just reminded me I have loads of movie watching to catch up on once these revisions are done and I can unwind over Christmas.
I do the same every year. Get a book done just before Christmas, then raid my local DVD store. I love it!
Making books into movies…a toughie…I tend to ‘see’ every book as I read it…
(and thanks for RT congrats! I’m absolutely stoked and still grinning over my nomination
)
Susan, yes, yes, to Heidi’s Pleasure, Pregnancy and a Proposition! What a keeper
Susan, I haven’t read Her Sister’s Keeper. It lives on my dd’s bookshelf along with other JC stories. I watched the movie and must admit, I wasn’t the least disappointed. But I know that could easily have been different, now you tell me the book was different. You’d have sat down in that cinema with a certain expectation, and that expectation wasn’t fulfilled. That can be so disappointing.
I loaned HSK to a friend a couple of weeks ago. When I get it back I’ll read it pronto. Thanks for filling me in on that.
I wonder if anyone else has opinions on this one?
Robbie
Hi Robbie, I loved Confessions too! but I must say Devlin Stone is a hero to drool over. Who would you cast for him?
I think Mulberry hit the nail when she said movies from books can be disappointing, though one book I believe was adapted well to the screen was Anne Tyler’s story ‘The Accidental Tourist’
I loved that beautifully wrought story of a man on a journey of self-discovery, and I enjoyed the movie. Gena Davis is so wonderful!
Now for some heroes–Hmmm. How about Jon Hamm, that gorgeous man from Mad Men. Or Jonny Pavslovsky, with his fab mix of Russian/Spanish heritage and eyes that could melt a woman’s bones?
Loved your Devil.
anna x
Mulberry, you’re absolutely right. We all have our own internal lens through which we see characters and setting and feel those very intense emotions that only books can bring out.
I really enjoyed your New Direction or Distrations blog piece. Have you read any of Kelly Hunter’s Presents? I think you’d really click with her stories.
Best of luck!
Robbie
I think most Presents would make great movies– but I do worry that there aren’t actors alpha enough/smoking hot enough to play the heroes. I get such specific pictures of the heroes in my imagination…
Truthfully, I pretty much see Gerard Butler in 300. But he can’t play EVERY hero… can he?
Hey Gail! Thanks for your post :*) That package is still sitting in the back of my car! :Robbie smacks herself:
Sandra Marton is one of my favorite Presents authors too! I loved her The Disobedient Virgin. I think any of her books would make great films.
Thanks for dropping by!
Robbie x
Caitlin said: But [Gerry Butler] can’t play EVERY hero… can he?
Guess it depends on whose fantasy it is! lol Coz I think you’re so right. I appreciate lots of actors but there’s less than a handful that spark that special feeling inside of me. Who can say exactly what component is? A younger Andy Garcia I find incredibly sexy. Richard Gere even now is so my type of hero. It’s the walk, and the way his eyes smile, that does it for me.
For yesteryear actor/heroes, I love Charlton Heston. He’s always so strong, with a great nose (don’t laugh!) and fabulous chest!
Robbie
Hey Nic! I’m exactly like you! I get a book away then catch up on all the movies I missed seeing at the cinema. There’s a few this season. Aside from being big on romance, I like a good end of days film, so I’m looking forward to seeing 2012. Don’t talk to me about my TBR! I’m a compulsive book buyer (I see everyone nodding). I have piles everywhere. And love it!
Congrats on the RT nom again, Nic!
Robbie
Anna! Thank you so much for your kind words re Confessions and my Devil
When you asked who I would cast as Devlin Stone, I held off replying coz I didn’t want to say, er, you know who again.
But I have the perfect man in mind.
David Boreanaz! Of Angel and Bones fame. He’s naughty and sexy and looks great in a tux btw! Now if only he was available …
Robbie, who loved your At Her Boss’s Beck and Call!
Robyn,
I have your newest book in my TBR.
As for HPs into movies, one would be “Response” by Penny Jordan (don’t know who should play the h and H). Another would be “Mansion for My Love” by Robyn Donald and “The Price of a Bride” by Michelle Reid.
Caitlin,
I so agree. The majority of ‘leading men’ just aren’t…perfect enough. And how sad is that?? But the Presents hero is just…ideal. My husband could play one.
Maisey
Robbie, I always love reading whatever you write and I especially loved reading your “Devil in a Dark Blue Suit”. I can honestly say it would make a great movie. It has a handsome hero, a beautiful heroine, wonderful settings, intense love story, and a really funny moment during a love scene that still makes me smile whenever I think of it.
Gail, I agree about Sandra Marton’s “Baron” series being made into a movie, or a tv mini-series. “Slade Baron’s Bride” is one of my all-time favourite books, though I do love all Sandra’s books.
And Robbie, I haven’t watched “Consuming Passions” yet. I taped it when it was on tv last Sunday night. I look forward to watching it.
Lidia, great to see you here! A big tick to all those authors, and I’m keeping notes on the ones I haven’t read. There’s nothing like a great recommendation
Hope you enjoy my Devil!
Robbie
Hey Maxine! Thanks for dropping in
I had a lot of fun writing that scene, lol. I can just picture the look on everyone’s face and the hush that fell over the room.
Consuming Passions was terrific! Watch out for that doctor. I’m so glad that woman found happiness, but not in the way I expected.
And another vote for the mighty Sandra Marton!!
Robbie
Maisey, your husband must be pretty special. Mine too. When I’m really not certain how my hero in a story should act, or what he should say, I ask my dh. More often than not, I go with his suggestion. His six-pack isn’t what it used to be, but then neither is mine!
Robbie
It takes a very special man to run his own business and then come home and change diapers, and even cook sometimes, while his wife writes like a man fiend. And he’s darn sexy to boot! So yes, I’d say my husband is very special.
Wonderful you feel the same about yours!
Robbie – I’m like Nic in that I ‘see’ books as I read them. (And if I go to see a film, I try to read the book afterwards rather than before, because then I can enjoy the film and not go into the whole “enjoyed it but it wasn’t as good as the book” thing.)
Leading men for the Presents Studio – well, hey, I have to say Antonio Banderas would work as any of the Spaniards or Argentinians. (I’ve mentally cast him as my Italians as well…) And I think Rufus Sewell and Richard Armitage would work pretty well, too. (Not sure if you got the latest BBC Robin Hood or not – if you didn’t, prod me and I’ll send you links to things on YouTube that will inspire yoU!)
Hey Kate! You know I think you’re onto something there. See the flick *then* read the book. That could probably work for me!
Antonio B…lol! You’re as bad as me with GB. But, huh, no one can accuse us of not being loyal!
Rufus Sewell…oh yes. Dark, smouldering good looks. Didn’t he play Heathcliffe at one time? And Richard Armitage is just devine! North and South. Total yum!
Congrats on your RT nom, Kate! Thanks for dropping by.
Robbie
Robyn,
I swear I’m not just sucking up, but totally Devil in a Dark Blue suit. Devlin, Devlin…Devlin! It PAINED me…deeply…to put that book down, lol. Definitely a fave.
Mira
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Mira, you can suck up any time you like
So glad you enjoyed the book!! And I’m so looking forward to your debut in May, isn’t it? Have to say, I just love your website too! (Check it out down the right hand side folks 
)
Robbie, who picked up Lucy King’s book today and is off for a lovely read
Robbie,
I’m a really visual person when I read, but I never think about a certain hero or heroine being someone I know, they’ve got the own unique identity – but you know, Hugh Jackman could fill in most hero roles admirably LOL!!
So many many books I’d love to see as a movie, one that is an oldie but a goodie, Susan Napier’s Wilder Shores of Love. But now I’ll have to read Devil in a Dark Blue suit!! Loved Naughty Nights btw =)