Cover for NICE GIRLS DON'T BITE THEIR NEIGHBORS

Isn't this the cutest cover? Please note the bat-shaped engagement ring on Jane's finger. To pre-order, click here.

By special request: The Dream Cast for the Jane Jameson books

I like to casting my books in my head before I start writing. It makes it easier to visualize scenes and hones my characters' voices.

After posting my pie in the sky dream cast for the movie version of HOW TO FLIRT WITH A NAKED WEREWOLF, some of you requested a similar post for the heretofore unplanned movie version of the Jane Jameson books. In some cases, the ideal actor/actress has changed during the writing process, but for the most part, this is who I pictured in my head while I was writing.


Jane Jameson

I didn't picture Jane as being movie star gorgeous. She's the girl next door, the quiet librarian, but still very pretty. I love Jenna Fischer's sense of comic timing and her intelligence. And I admire the fact that she manages to create a compelling character in Pam on The Office, even when she's forced to downplay her looks. I think she would make the perfect Jane.


Gabriel Nightengale

There is something deliciously naughty, but very smart and strong about Gerard Butler. In terms of comedy, he makes a great "straight man," and I can picture him giving deadpan responses to Jane's weird humor. Also, thanks to Dracula 2000, we know he can play a vampire pretty well.


Aunt Jettie

I actually met Molly McClure when I was still working as a newspaper reporter. She was the sweetest lady and a Paducah native. She passed away in 2008, but it's my dream cast, and when I see it in my head, Molly McClure is Jettie.

But, since she's living, Kathy Bates would work really well.


Mr. Wainwright

John Hurt is an adorable gentleman. It is his voice I hear in my head when I write Mr. Wainwright's dialogue.


Zeb Lavelle

Steve Zahn is the only guy I can think of who is funny enough to pull of Zeb's sweet awkward weirdness, but strong enough that he could put up with Jolene's family. (I like this picture because Steve Zahn is being terrorized by a preschooler, and Zeb is a kindergarten teacher.)


Jolene McClain

I have described Jolene as looking like Angelina Jolie, but I think Kiele Sanchez would do a wonderful job. She's gorgeous, fierce-looking and has a beautiful southern drawl when she needs it.


Andrea Byrne

January Jones is absolutely stunning. She's the only one I think could pull off Andrea's classic looks and quick wit. Plus, on Mad Men, Betty Draper puts up with quite a bit of shenanigans on Don's part. I think Dick's shenanigans would seem charming and cheeky by comparison.


Dick Cheney

Josh Holloway is Dick Cheney. I would accept no substitutions.

So, does this fit what you pictured? I'd like to hear your thoughts... but not in that intrusive Jane way.

For the record, I found all of these pictures on Google Images. I do not own the photos. No copyright infringement is intended.

Casting "HOW TO FLIRT WITH A NAKED WEREWOLF"

I love casting the characters for my books in my head before I start writing. It really helps me visualize the scenes and helps me narrow down the characters' voices. Last night, I stumbled across this extremely funny post on Fantasy Casting about the fantasy line-up if HOW TO FLIRT WITH A NAKED WEREWOLF was ever made into a movie.

For the full post, click here. This is a really funny blog and I can't believe I haven't found it before now.

The webmistress, Gina, wants to know how close she was with her guesses, and so I give you MY fantasy cast. Keep in mind that the actors may not match the exact physical appearance described in the book. I was going for overall build and facial structure and "vibe."


CHARACTER: Cooper
GINA'S GUESS: Collin Ferrell
MY CHOICE: Steven Strait.

The Collin Ferrell guess was close for reasons you'll see later. I thought Steven Strait (The Covenant, 10,000 BC) had that manly, but not scary, feel. He has a gorgeous smile, good comic timing, plus he can pull angst off pretty well.

But Collin Ferrell would have worked. Or the alternative of Hugh Jackman, but I'd already used him for Monroe in AND ONE LAST THING. I didn't want to double dip!


CHARACTER: Mo
GINA'S GUESS: Liv Tyler
MY CHOICE: Anne Hathaway


I love Anne Hathway. She's sturdy. She can pull off the Southern drawl and sarcasm, but she still has that ethereal, other-worldly quality I had in mind for Mo.

But Liv Tyler definitely would have worked, looks wise. I don't know if I can hear her sweet soft voice saying Mo's dirtier lines.

By the way, all of my dirtiness is ENTIRELY necessary, Gina!


CHARACTER: Evie
GINA'S GUESS: Connie Ray
MY CHOICE: Catherine Keener

I like Connie Ray just fine, but Gina was way off with this one.


CHARACTER: Buzz
GINA'S GUESS: Brian Dennehy
MY CHOICE: Brian Haley

Haley's head is perfectly squared off, exactly what I had in mind for Buzz.
I can see Dennehy playing Buzz thirty years in the future, though.


CHARACTER: Maggie, Cooper's sister
GINA'S GUESS: Cobie Smulders
MY CHOICE: Mila Kunis


I like Cobie Smulders from How I Met Your Mother. But she's not quite tough enough for Maggie. Mila Kunis is small and fierce and I can see her attacking Cooper quite effectively.

For the record, her love interest, Nick, from THE ART OF SEDUCING A NAKED WEREWOLF, would be played by Charlie Hunnam.


CHARACTER: Samson
GINA'S GUESS: Alan Ritchson
MY CHOICE: Ryan Hurst

I'd never heard of Alan Ritchson, but good LORD, those are some nice abs!


I pictured Samson as more of a big burly, non-threatening lovable goof. Ryan Hurst played those until he joined the Sons of Anarchy cast and was suddenly a big badass.


CHARACTER: Leonard Tremblay
GINA'S GUESS: Steve Buscemi
MY CHOICE: David Arquette, a really scuzzy version of David Arquette

I think in this case, Gina's choice is better than mine! Especially when you considering this picture:


CHARACTER:Eli
GINA'S GUESS: Jake Gyllenhaal
MY CHOICE: COLLIN FERRELL!


I know! She was so close! But I pictured Eli as someone who could be a "good upright citizen" but had a feeling of barely restrained power about him. Jake Gyllenhaal is great, but will always be a cute teenager in my eyes.

Thanks to Gina, for considering my book so carefully. I had a lot of fun with this.

SO, discussion, do the rest of you do fantasy casting for your favorite books? If so, I'd like to hear some ideas.

For the record, I found all of these pictures on Google Images. I do not own the photos. No copyright infringement is intended.