I just got an interesting query. Rob Dunaway form HollyZona Productions, LLC, wrote to me and said: “I am trying to determine the best romance novel, most popular romance novel, never made into a movie or TV production. Our production company is looking for a book property to research in this genre. Unfortunately, none of us have romance genre expertise and we were hoping you could point us to a few all-time favorites that should have been made into a movie but never were.”
Of course my first thought was to turn it over to the experts of Romance Novel TV – and that would be you! So let’s hear it, which romance novels do you think should be made into a movie?
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heidenkind
on Aug 10th, 2008
@ 1:31 pm:
Are they hiring? Ha ha.
Okay, these technically aren’t romance novels, but I always thought it would be cool if LJ Smith’s THE VAMPIRE DIARIES were made into a movie or TV show. Or SUNSHINE AND SHADOW by Sharon & Tom Curtis–that would be a great movie, too. Very cinematic.
Julianne MacLean
on Aug 10th, 2008
@ 3:14 pm:
My first instinctive reply is THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER, by Kathleen Woodiwiss, because that started it all, as far sexy historical romances go.
Then of course, there’s OUTLANDER, by Diana Gabaldon. I am still baffled by the fact that this hasn’t hit the big screen yet. It’s such a hugely beloved bestseller. HUGE.
Marisa
on Aug 10th, 2008
@ 3:31 pm:
Julianne, I agree with you the Outlander, rocked my world, it would be great to see Jaimie and Claire brought to the big screen.
I would also love to see some of Suzanne Brockmann’s Seal Team on celluloid.
I just finished reading Angela Knight’s Warrior and I think it would make a good futuristic romance/action/adventure flick.
I’m going over to my keeper shelf to see what other romance novels need to be brought to life on the big screen.
AJArend
on Aug 10th, 2008
@ 4:06 pm:
I think if done right, Nora Roberts/JD Robb’s “In Death” series would make an excellent crime drama series. Emphasis on the “if done right.” There are many elements that could be tricky, one being the futuristic aspect of the series. But, that’s also one of the things that makes the series unique. In the right hands, it could be done very well.
AJ
Christine Wells
on Aug 10th, 2008
@ 4:12 pm:
Interesting question! As a historical writer, I’d vote for one of Georgette Heyer’s novels. Maybe Devil’s Cub or The Grand Sophy. Also think Welcome to Temptation by Jenny Crusie would make a great movie.
Do let us know if anything comes of this, won’t you, Maria? I’d love to see more romance novels made into movies.
Margay
on Aug 10th, 2008
@ 5:46 pm:
The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig.
AndreaW
on Aug 10th, 2008
@ 7:00 pm:
Well, I have a few choices. First, I think Colleen Gleason’s Gardella Vampire Chronicles would make a GREAT series of movies. Also, Yours Until Dawn by Teresa Medeiros and If His Kiss is Wicked by Jo Goodman. I’ll try and think of more…
Buffie
on Aug 10th, 2008
@ 7:19 pm:
Oohh, totally agree with Andrea on TM’s YOURS UNTIL DAWN.
I think LuAnn McLane’s A LITTLE LESS TALK AND A LOT MORE ACTION would be a wonderful tv movie. It’s contemporary, deals with a little bit of the country music limelight, has fantastic humor, and a energetic cast of secondary characters.
Buffie
on Aug 10th, 2008
@ 7:19 pm:
Oops, just thought . . . what about Sandy Blair’s A HIGHLANDER FOR CHRISTMAS. That would make a great movie!
Gannon
on Aug 10th, 2008
@ 7:48 pm:
I completely agree on OUTLANDER. That would make such a fantastic epic love story. And another vote for the Gardella Vampire Chronicles. Christina Dodd’s Darkness Chosen series would be a winner, too.
Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series would be a fabulous television mini series.
sherry
on Aug 10th, 2008
@ 8:32 pm:
Julia Quinn has several novels that I love, but the one that stands out in my ind is The diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever.
Melissa Blue
on Aug 10th, 2008
@ 8:33 pm:
Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series. I loved that first book and everything was so visual in that world she created.
Audrey
on Aug 10th, 2008
@ 10:28 pm:
Normally, I don’t really “see” a movie in front of me when I’m reading a book, but I did when I read this book, so it’s always the one I think of when someone’s asking what I’d like to see made into a movie: Body Electric by Susan Squires.
Mistree
on Aug 10th, 2008
@ 11:32 pm:
I have a few choices, either MaryJanice Davidson’s Undead series, Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series or Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series. I also agree with Sherry who suggested Julia Quinn. I recently started reading Lynsay Sands’ Argeneau series and they show potential. They all have somehing that we can sink our teeth into and build on. Nothing like having a sequel to look forward too.
Anna Campbell
on Aug 11th, 2008
@ 2:33 am:
You know, I hate to play Devil’s advocate here – well, perhaps I don’t hate it THAT much – but I have a theory that most romance novels aren’t filmable. Did anyone see those Harlequin movies from a few years ago? They had to pile in so much extra plot to turn them into movies. Most romances focus on internal change/emotion and film focuses on outward plot/action. They’re two completely different beasts. I think it’s interesting that the most successful adaptations have been young adults with a lot of external plot or romantic suspense which of necessity involves action.
Stacy Bird McCoy
on Aug 11th, 2008
@ 9:40 am:
It would be difficult to do it justice but I believe either The Dark Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon or The Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J. R. Ward. They both give romance with a little bad boy umph!!
peggy
on Aug 11th, 2008
@ 10:28 am:
Monica McCarty highlander series
Julie
on Aug 11th, 2008
@ 10:53 am:
Oh what a question. Will they hire me as a consultant??? hee hee. Okay, here are a few of my favorites. I think any of these would make a great movie. Anything from Lisa Kleypas (Sugar Daddy & Blue Eyed Devil) , Linda Lael Miller, Julie Garwood (movie already made based on her For the Roses novel), Susan Andersen (sexy & funny books), Diana Palmer, and Francine Rivers (christian author whose stories are amazing). If I can think of some more, I’ll write back. Over the years, there have been so many books that I thought would make great movies. I am an avid reader and I like many different authors.
Debbie
on Aug 11th, 2008
@ 1:04 pm:
One of my favorites, I read over and over again is Jude Deveraux’s “Sweet Liar”. It has great characters, interesting sub plots, family interaction that can be commical at times, and the story just makes my heart melt everytime I read it.
JoAnn Morris
on Aug 11th, 2008
@ 5:40 pm:
I would so love to see the whole Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J. R. Ward made into movies.
Susie
on Aug 11th, 2008
@ 6:45 pm:
Nearly anything by Edith Layton. Of course, I’m biased, I’m her daughter!
Detra Sheppard
on Aug 11th, 2008
@ 9:07 pm:
Anything from the black dagger brotherhood series…well…in order.
katiebabs
on Aug 12th, 2008
@ 11:03 am:
Every single on of Lisa Kleypas’s novels.
Lightning That Lingers by the Curtis’.
All of Sandra Brown’s category books.
I could go on and on!
Tami Miller
on Aug 12th, 2008
@ 1:11 pm:
The Outlander Series by Gabaldon, Jo Beverly’s Malloren series, Kresley Cole’s McCarrick brothers series, or her Immortals After Dark Series. I would also like to see Maria V. Snyder’s books, Poison Study, Magic Study, and Fire Study made into a movie. I should stop now before I get carried away:).
Norma Jean Myers
on Aug 12th, 2008
@ 5:44 pm:
Just finished reading Susan Mallery’s three book series of the Keyes sisters…”Sweet Talk”, “Sweet Spot”, and “Sweet Trouble”. I think this would make a really good movie. The three sisters each have their own stories to tell, but all three books are intertwined.
I also like Kristan Higgins books “Just One of the Guys”,”Fools Rush In”, and “Catch of the Day”. Light romantic, but enjoyable.
Chicki Brown
on Aug 13th, 2008
@ 5:56 am:
J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series would make fabulous movies. I just don’t know who casting would get to play these huge, beautiful men.
Sara Lindsey
on Aug 13th, 2008
@ 8:25 am:
Seconding: Outlander (though I’m not sure a movie could do it justice), Secret History of the Pink Carnation (I think this would adapt beautifully)
I would love to see more of the Mary Stewart gothic romances turned into really good movies.
Just about every Susan Elizabeth Phillips novel would be hilarious brought to the big screen.
Roxanne St. Claire’s Bullet Catchers.
Jill Barnett’s Bewitching.
Teresa Medeiros’ Touch of Magic/Breath of Enchantment.
Suzanne Enoch’s Rick & Sam books.
Ella van den Berg
on Aug 13th, 2008
@ 11:11 am:
It’s a tough choice but my picks would be Judith McNaught’s historicals (A Kingdom of Dreams, Whitney My Love, Once and Always, Something Wonderful, Until You) plus the contemporary ones, Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunters, and the BDB of Ward. Would be nice, the question would be who would play the characters? I think, that’s why it will never, ever happen.
MarilynS
on Aug 28th, 2008
@ 12:25 pm:
Roxanne St. Claire’s Bullet Catcher Series.
Susan Mallery’s Buchanan Series or Marcelli Sister’s series.
Maria
on Sep 26th, 2008
@ 11:37 pm:
I would like to recommend, if this is not too late, Judith McNiaught’s novels, Whitney, My Love and Something Wonderful. Truly beautful stories of love and strength of character. I didn’t see any recommendations for Ms. McNaught, but I love her books!
Jenn
on Oct 13th, 2008
@ 9:01 pm:
My vote is for the outlander series.. I love these books and the love story between Jamie and Claire is phenomenal…
Barbara
on Nov 1st, 2008
@ 12:54 am:
I think several of the Amanda Quick novels would make a great quirky, British TV series – they have humor, interesting plots, and strong characters. And Outlander, of course, especially – or only – if it had a great screenplay, actors and director.
Amanda
on Nov 7th, 2008
@ 5:19 am:
Yes the OUtlander series would be a great choice. But so would anything by Shannon Drake. Even Cassie Edwards “Savage” Series.
Jennifer
on Mar 28th, 2009
@ 10:32 am:
Definitely Kresley Cole’s novels, starting with A Hunger Like No Other.
KcMoore
on Apr 5th, 2009
@ 8:39 pm:
JRWard’s black dagger brotherhood SHOULD be made I to a HBO or cable series!!! True Blood has rocked and ward’s books are way better. I’d SO love to see them as an ongoing series.
Also poison study by m snyder would rock as a movie.
Nancy
on Apr 18th, 2009
@ 4:20 am:
Any of Judith McNaughts books….they are wonderful. I would bet that if more movies were made from these romance novels they would be box office hits, I mean look at all the people who buy these novels….I know I am one of them!!
Heather
on Jan 28th, 2010
@ 10:45 pm:
The Virgin River series would be an awesome tv/movie. Also Nora Roberts The MacKade Brothers.