No, really, he is! Or at least he might be soon. He was in my town recently looking at a waterfront property for sale. Okay, it’s not right next door to me but it’s walking distance. And he was spotted having coffee at my favorite café!
Swoon.
But there's a downside. What if I ran into Hugh while picking up a quart of milk at the store and I was wearing my baggy track pants? With my hair all frizzy?
I can't take the stress. I may have to move.
Seriously, the whole thing got me thinking about story ideas as I toil on a new set of proposals. (Yes, there is a connection. I'm not just name-dropping.) As I mentioned in a previous blog, the setting for Summerside Stories is a small Australian town eerily similar to the town where I live.
So I imagined going to my editor with this story idea. "Hugh Jackman is living next door to the heroine, see..." (I am, of course, conveniently ignoring the fact that Hugh has a much-loved wife and two kids).
"No, Joan," Victoria would undoubtedly say. "Wouldn't work. It's not realistic enough for SuperRomance."
"Why not?” I whine. “Hugh's a real person. He's Australian. He has to live somewhere. Why not in Summerside? Why not next door to my heroine?"
Okay, by now Jackman's wife and kids are getting in the way of my fantasy. I'm not a home wrecker. And of course we can’t write about real people. We might get sued.
More than that, our stories need to feel real. The characters should be accessible, like people you might actually get to know in real life. That realistic journey toward a mature and lasting love is why we love writing--and reading--SuperRomance.
TWO AGAINST THE ODDS, the third book in my Summerside trilogy, is about an older heroine and a younger hero. She desperately wants a baby because her biological clock is ticking. He has plans, things he wants to do with his life. By the time he would be ready to settle down, she would be too old to have a baby. Things don’t turn out as the couple expect--as often happens in real life. This hero and heroine had to work hard to get to their happy ending.
So what does all this have to do with Hugh Jackman? Hugh’s wife, lovely Aussie actress Deborra-Lee Furness, is 13 years older than Hugh. And by all accounts they are still madly in love. My heroine in TWO AGAINST THE ODDS is 12 years older than the hero. Howzat for a coincidence!!! J
I had a little fantasy yesterday while I was grocery shopping, of reaching for a melon and hearing the clash of steel as Wolverine's claws shoot out and a gravely voice says, "Would you like me to slice that for you?"
It could happen. If Hugh Jackman moves to my town.
Since that flurry of excitement a month ago I haven’t heard whether he bought the house on the cliff overlooking the bay (On the same road that Brett, the hero of IN HIS GOOD HANDS lived on!). But if I see Hugh at the supermarket in his baggy track pants I’ll keep you posted.
I’m giving away three copies of TWO AGAINST THE ODDS, the third book in the Summerside trilogy. These books stand alone with a subplot that runs through them. Comment for a chance to win.
Have you had a close encounter with a celebrity? Any thoughts on older woman/younger man relationships? Personally, I’m all for them, although I don’t like the term ‘cougar.’ As my heroine says, “It sounds so predatory.”
For more information on the Summerside Stories, go to www.joankilby.com
45 comments:
Wolverine in town? Cool! And what if you caught him in his baggy track pants? Okay, he'd still look good. Nevermind.
I like the older woman/younger guy scenerio. I don't think I've written a noticible one. I usually place them around the same age, give or take a year or two. Not sure why.
Celebrity siting - my youngest nearly took off Jimmy Fallon's head with a light saber in Best Buy once. Wouldn't have recognized him - his hair was blond for a movie he was filming in the area. Only realized he wasn't from Louisiana when he said, "Oh, no. My apologies." No one says that here. And really he needn't apologize. It was my kid who nearly took him out.
Good luck with Hugh. He seems like the perfect hero - you've got good inspiration.
Joan--I've got my fingers crossed for you! Just think, you could bake Hugh some cookies and deliver them in person--welcome to the neighborhood! Besides being gorgeous and talented, Hugh has sunshine in his smile! Who could not love Hugh?
My mom was a knock-out in her younger days. A cross between Kim Novack and Lucille Ball, with just a touch of Marilyn Monroe for good measure. She attracted people. Famous people. One of them was Steve McQueen. Early in his career, he was the grand marshall of an annual festival in one of the larger towns in our home area. He was an edgy, restless fellow, and I am sure he was very bored by it all. Then he spotted Mama. With her youthful blonde beauty, curves, and Southern gentility, she was like a magnet. She was window-shopping, and he walked up to her and started a conversation. Can you imagine being face to face with that compelling personality and those blue, blue eyes? Mama was star-struck. He asked her to lunch. She said....no! Mama said no! I asked her over and over, how could you have said no to Steve McQueen? Her answer was that my grandfather wouldn't approve! My grandfather was a wonderful man, and he was very protective of our family. Even though he loved westerns, and watched Steve McQueen on TV, my grandfather still wouldn't have thought Steve was good enough for Mama!
I don't think age difference is as important as the difference in maturity. What works for one couple may not be acceptable for another. I am 52, reasonably mature, but still very young in spirit. For me, being in a happy relationship is about companionship as well as romantic and sexual attraction. If I am going to spend time with someone, even become involved with them, then I have to be myself in the relationship. Life is too short to not be yourself. The numbers are not what matters. Hearts and souls don't need numbers.
OH man!!! Hugh Jackman??? I was reminded last night of how totally charaismatic and charming and handsome he is. I understand totally the stress - you might have to move, but only after I come visit...
Hi Joan,
WTG getting Hugh as a neighbor. I grew up in Santa Barbara, CA so I did run into many famous people. So many more but I do remeber: Bette Davis, Tab Hunter, John Travolta, Jonathan Winters,and Jimmie "JJ" Walker. I worked at Sears and I got to help Jane Russell one night. I wondered if she was wearing her "18 -hour bra"!!
Hi Joan--I sure hope he gets the house in your neighborhood--even if it does mean abandoning the sweatpants and fixing the hair...although I must admit that is a lot of pressure. Sandra Bullock used to vacation in a tiny town near where I live and rumor has it that Chuck Norris bought a ranch nearby, but I haven't seen either of them. I did see the Oak Ridge Boys tour bus drive through town one day--not quite the same as having Wolverine in the neighborhood.
Joan--You obviously need to upgrade your wardrobe and your camera! Good luck managing the stress. On the other hand, Hugh seems like a sensitive fellow...maybe he reads your books and he'll be star struck, asking for your autograph!
I knocked over Wilco one time. (The whole band. It was a chain reaction thing. And totally their fault. Honest.) ;-)
When I lived in Seattle during the grunge period, my boyfriend's apartment building was the one Bridget Fonda and Matt Dillon lived in for the movie Singles. His apartment balcony was Bridget Fonda's balcony in the movie. I saw Matt Dillon several times, but he has extremely unfortunate hair in that movie so it was a bit of a let down.
Good-luck to you, Joan!
P.S. Tammy--I'm dating myself, but I loved your list of celebrities. JJ Walker...dyn-o-mite!
Joan! Lucky you! Keep us posted. He is such a hottie.
I'm looking forward to reading this book. I don't think I've ever had a large age difference in one of my books. Not sure why. I dislike that term, too. Labels! We don't need no stinkin' labels. ;-)
As for celeb sightings, I got Jack Jones' (a crooner who was playing at the Top O' The Mark in SF) autograph when I was a kid. He was very sweet. Also petted stingrays in a pool at the Monterey Bay Aquarium shoulder-to-shoulder with Cindy Williams (of LaVerne and Shirley fame) and her children once when my kids were little.
Great blog, Joan.
Deb
Joan, just the thought of it has me swooning for you! LOL Yes, keep us posted. And I so want to write an older heroine younger hero book! Can't wait to read this one!
Hi Joan,
I haven't had any unusual celebrity sightings. I probably wouldn't know them if I was next to them.
I've now read the entire trilogy and I loved all the books. Did enjoy the common thread that ran though them and the resolution of the problem.
I thought your hero Rafe was a overly sensitive tax man but you had to love him. It's surprising but both your hero and heroine,even though she was quite a bit older, matured in the story. Three books ~ three sisters ~ three very different stories (each can be stand-alone reads) ~ one outstanding trilogy. Thank you.
Just barely missed seeing Laura Bush in our small town; they visit Ritz C. at the huge lake resort here - often! I would love to read your books!!!
That's it. I'm moving. Joan, I hope you have a spare room because I have always had a MAJOR Hugh crush.
Congrats on your new neighbor! Think of it as incentive to keep the sweats at home and the hair and makeup always perfect for photo opps! ;)
Kay
Joan,
If you start to see Hugh too many times, and it frightens you, let us know. We can come for a visit and protect you. That’s a great picture of him, BTW.
"Older" spouse? I say whatever is good for the goose...
Maybe my glasses need updating, but from where I'm sitting the hero on the cover of TWO AGAINST THE ODDS looks a bit like Hugh Jackman. How can that be?
(1) Close encounters? Said hi to Paul Brandt (country singer) and his wife in a department store 7 days before they gave birth to their first child. My daughter and I both happened to have cameras on us and we both agreed not to ask for photos - as this was not the time - and never regretted that decision. Hobnobbed with Canadian news anchors at a network anniversary party. Have seen a few celebs driving through our town too. (2) Am okay with older woman/younger man or older man/younger woman relationships. My husband is 10 years my senior and we are the only couple (other than family members) still married from all the weddings we attended from 1978 to 2005 (as it's too soon to call the shots on weddings since then). We can't help who we fall for. Some relationships last and some don't, no matter the age differences. (3) TWO AGAINST THE ODDS - Sounds compelling re what happens and how they handle "this journey", plus how their jobs turn out. Thanks for sharing. I'm looking forward to checking this book out!
I haven't seen any celebrities. I don't mind older woman/younger man storylines I don't like the term cougar either.
Hi Joan! I must say I am very jealous over the whole Hugh Jackman thing. He is so damn sexy! You know I bake cakes and I would totally make him a cake if he moved in next to me, lol! I love the older woman/ younger man idea. In fact the book I am finishing writing right now has an older woman with a younger man.
As for celebrity encounters, I have had a few. I once met Pauly Shore at LAX and I must say I was very disappointed by it. He was a jerk, and not just a little jerk, he was a big fat jerk. The other one I met who was a jerk was Jason Alexander from Seinfeld. I met him when I worked at a ski resort and he looked at us all like we were beneath him.
I have had a few good ones. I met Jennifer Love Hewitt and she was so sweet and totally down to earth. My mom and I met Jimmy Smits at a Cuban festival in LA one year. He is so tall! He was very nice and my mom totally checked out his butt, lol! The other one I can remember was Christopher McDonald. I met him at the ski resort too. I expected him to be a jerk because he always plays one in movies, but he was so nice! He's another one who is so damn tall in real life too!
Have a wonderful day!!!
okay if Hugh moves in... can I come visit.. please please...
Anyway as for young men and older women... I know a couple who is 8 years apart and are going through the whole baby thing now. It is wild how truth works in fictions isn't it? I can't wait to read your book, and maybe even let my friend borrow it then. So excited..
When I was 17, George Hamilton very literally ran into me in a lobby of a hotel in Las Vegas. When Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst were in town filming the movie "Elizabethtown", I stood outside the hotel where they were filming for 5 hours with my daughter so that she could get Orlando's autograph (and a hug). We also met the director, Cameron Crowe, and his then-wife, Nancy Wilson (of the rock group Heart) who gave us tickets to the movie premiere, at which Larry Birkhead (paramour of Anna Nicole Smith and father of her daughter) offered my daughter some of his popcorn, which was more than a little bit creepy. And in Seaside, a small town in the Florida panhandle, we ran into a guy with a flock of young girls lined up to get his autograph. We had no clue who he was, but my daughter got in line, too. It was Dunn of Brooks & Dunn, though that still didn't tell me much until I looked them up on the internet. If you're into reality TV, I have met Rodger Bingham (a.k.a. Kentucky Joe) from Survivor Australia (season 2) as well as Rupert (also from Survivor and Survivor All-Stars).
Aside from those close encounters, there are a number of celebrities who hail from my home state and even my hometown, but I've never met them personally: Johnny Depp, Diane Sawyer, Mary Travers, and 3 of the teams currently competing in the amazing race. One team is two sisters who both went to the University of Louisville (my alma mater and where I work), one is the two goths Kent and Vyxen, and one is Miss Kentucky and her father.
Hey Liz, this is my first older woman/younger guy. It just seemed right for these characters. Too funny about your son 'attacking' Jimmy Fallon with a light saber. He sounds like a nice guy.
Virginia, wow, your mom sounds gorgeous! But to turn down an invitation from Steve McQueen.... How old was she?
The story reminds me of Elvis and Priscilla who was fourteen when she took his fancy. I agree, it's so important to be able to be yourself with your partner.
Molly, he's a lovely, lovely man. Come on down, we'll go stalking together. ☺
Here are some links to newspaper articles about his visit. When I see Hugh's getup I don't think I need to worry about my clothes!
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/hugh-jackman-on-victorian-house-hunt/story-fn6bfm6w-1225978956163
http://omg.yahoo.com/blogs/goddess/hugh-jackmans-aussie-holiday/568
Tammy, I love Santa Barbara. It's so pretty. No wonder so many actors live there. You definitely get first prize for celebrity spotting. Re Jane Russell, what a bombshell.
Hi Jeannie, I adore Sandra Bullock. It must be hard for famous people to vacation like ordinary folk. She probably couldn't even walk down the street and window shop.
Hey, Ellen, lol! I would have loved to see you knock over Wilco. Talk about close encounters re your boyfriend's balcony. I take it this was after the movie was filmed.
I never read movie magazines except at the hairdressers. Now I'm wondering why I'm so fascinated by all these stories. Yet I am!
Hi, Joan! My mom was in her early twenties when she had her unexpected meeting with Steve McQueen. I come from an old-fashioned conservative Southern family...a family full of truly unforgettable, very unique ladies...and one man, my grandfather, who had to deal with all of us!!!
I went to see a nagican when I was a teen and he was signing autographs. He never looked up while he was signing autograph. He listed music on a boom box. He never said a word-thanks for coming or anuthing. I was not impressed. He is very famous and I've never watched a tv special again.
Joan, you are too funny! Thanks for giving me a morning giggle (much needed after a night of painting skirting and window frames - blurg!!!) I love the sound of this book and am gagging for the third installment in the Summerside trilogy. And since you and I are neighbours, that means that I might also soon be neighbours with Mr. Jackman. You are so right about the baggy tracky pants and fuzzy hair thing. One of my favorite things about living in "Summerside" is that the only people who know me here are you and my neighbor. So when I dash down to the shop looking like Bride of Frankenstein, it's no big deal. But if Mr Jackman was in the 'hood.... Dear me. I might have to hire my own personal stylist...The pressure, the pressure...
Hi Deb, it must be especially nice to meet famous people doing ordinary things. I used to love Laverne and Shirley and I preferred Shirley to Laverne.
Hi Helen, part of the reason Hugh and Deborra-Lee are looking to buy in my town is that Deborra-Lee's mother already lives here. They've probably been here many times already and I didn't even know it.
Hi Kaelee! Thanks for your kind words about the trilogy. I'm so glad you enjoyed them. Yes, Rafe is a sensitive guy. But my brother is a tax auditor for the PST and now the HST. I talked to him a lot while I was writing that book and found he was very empathetic toward the people he's audits. You are spot on when you say both the hero and heroine matured during the story.
Jackie S, thanks for stopping by. Just Laura Bush or was George there, too?
Hi Kay, I'm going to build a tent city in my back yard for all the Hugh Jackman fans. Come on down ☺
Hey, Mary, you can set up next to Kay and Molly. It is a gorgeous photo. Love his hair in it.
Laney4, I hadn't noticed but you're right, the hero on the cover does look like Hugh. In the book though, the hero has darker hair. I agree, we can't help who we fall for. My hero and heroine didn't want to fall for each other. But they did.
I'm fine with an older woman/younger man relationship, but I don't like the cougar label either. As far as celebrities, I've gotten a few autographs, my favorites being Donnie Wahlberg, and Paul Newman, he was older at the time, but still, had the most amazing eyes.
I enjoy older woman/younger man stories.
Have never met a celebrity.
Chey, since I wrote this book I've been hearing, reading about older woman/younger man relationships all over the place. They're more common than we think. They just stand out more because it's usually the other way around, with an older man/younger woman.
Alinaduffer, baking a cake is a great idea. Re your book, great minds think alike! Best of luck with it. It's disappointing when celebrities act like jerks. They were probably like that when they were nobody. Lol, on your mom checking out Jimmy Smits butt.
Donya, bring your tent! I love it when life imitates art. I wish your friend and her partner all the best. Decisions about when to start having kids can be tough but where there's love, there's a way.
JV, A hug from Orlando Bloom. I'm swooning again! And Johnny Depp, wow. You're right up there in the running with Tammy for most celeb encounters. What do they put in the water where you live?
Hi Joan,
Love that picture of Hugh. Last night on the Oscars he had very short hair, still a hottie, but I liked it longer.
Chuck Norris lives on a ranch about thirty miles from us. He writes a health and fitness column for the paper. I haven't met him though.
When we were in New Orleans a few years ago, we saw Denzel Washington getting ready to film some scenes in a movie. Don't remember what movie it was now.
My favorite was when I got to meet Dolly Pardon many years ago when she did a concert here. She didn't have big boobs back then. A few years later I saw her on TV and I was like whoa, where did those come from?
Keep us posted on Hugh. If he moves in, you'll have a lot of company. LOL
Linda
Wow, I only wish!! I mean I love my husband and all but its great to have a fantasy now and then lol. I don't think there's anything wrong with an older woman, I mean we still got it lol!!
Virginia, your grandfather must have been a strong man if your mom respected his wishes even into her twenties. Sounds like a great family.
Jcp, boo on that rude magician! I'll bet he's lost a lot of fans that way. I'm sorry he disappointed you.
Hey, Sarah! We'll have to start taking walks along the cliff. I know the house he was looking at. We'll take my dog as a cover. (Me, a crazy stalker lady? Nah!) Hugs on the never-ending renovations. Your place is looking fantastic, though, so it's worth it.
Summer, Paul Newman is another swoon-worthy man. Those eyes! The most gorgeous thing about him is how much he adored Joanne Woodward.
Hi Estella, I've never actually met a celebrity either. Unless you count the guy who plays Green Lantern from the TV show Smallville. I sat beside him on the plane from LA to Vancouver last August. He was really nice.
Hi Linda, you and Jeannie must live in the same neck of the woods if you're both near Chuck Norris. Time for a block party? Dolly Parton is a smart cookie. She obviously figured out she needed a 'hook.'
Jacquie, nothing wrong with a good fantasy--it's why we read romance novels! Sexy older women seem to be almost a trend these days. And why not? We're great.
So glad to see this theme! Cougar is horrible term, I agree! But Virginia C, I loved your Steve McQueen story! I agree he was one sexy man! I recently watched the original Thomas Crowne Affair again - do you know that movie, with Faye Dunnaway as his love interest?He was so cool and sexy. I find all those hunks from the old rom com movies, and the plots themselves, so inspiring for my writing. Cary Grant is another favourite! I'd take him or Steve McQueen moving into the neighbourhood any day!
I don't like the term cougar either. I'm all for a book with the heroine older than the hero.
Hugh is delish!! Many years ago I was in a Toys-R-Us with my boyfriend and we saw a famous basketball player. He was TALL!! Funny - I can't remember his name now!
A small encounter with a celeb:
I used to live in Spain in a smallish city. I'm walking by the train station and see an American I recognize- I'm not quite sure who he is but the US-expat community is friendly so I say hi he nods but signals he's in a hurry. Then about a year later I see him on film- it's Warren Beatty in a scene filmed right by the old train station.
Party at Joan's house! Be sure to invite all the neighbors, especially ones with the initials Hugh Jackman
Celebrity sightings: I once lived in the same neighborhood as Heuy Lewis and the Judds. But all I ever saw of them was the tinted windows of their respective limos.
My husband has rubbed elbows with Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin and Vanna White aboard the USS Enterprise.
I kissed Joe Thiesman in my early 20s, then again he kissed all the women in his restaurant.
Michael Biehn fell on my brother in the movie Asteroid. My brother was an extra and they needed some big guys to cushion his fall. Don't know if the scene made it into the movie--lol.
Michael Biehn was in the movie Navy SEALs. While autographing my first Super, SEAL IT WITH A KISS (Navy SEAL hero/heroine) a woman came up to me and said she didn't much care for my book, but wanted it signed exactly as she dictated. Then she had me write a passage about Michael Biehn being the best actor ever and the movie Navy SEALs. I wish I could remember exactly 'cause it's kind of funny to look back on that moment now.
Well, Joan, all I can say is you might want to replace the sweats with some cute yoga clothes.
MagsK, I'm with you on Cary Grant. Handsome, sophisticated, charming and funny, too. What more does a woman want?
Marcie, glad to see lots of people like the older woman theme. Thanks for stopping by.
Laura, what a great story. It would be even better if you'd inadvertently been filmed in the scene. What a surprise you'd have gotten when you saw the movie.
Rogenna, I've got yoga clothes. Alas I'm not in my twenties anymore so I don't know about cute. You've had a lot of sightings too. Bizarre about that woman and Michael Biehn. You'd think she could have written her own darn message to him.
I'm taking off early tomorrow morning for 3 1/2 weeks in Malaysia and Cambodia. I'm really excited but it means I won't have time to mail the copies of my book to the winners before I go. I promise I'll do it as soon as I get back so please be patient.
Take care all. I've had a great time chatting with you. I'm off to pack but I'll check back in later in case there are more comments.
I remembered a couple more. I was an extra in a movie with Whoopi Goldberg. And, I had my picture taken with Bruce Boxleitner (The Scarecrow and Mrs. King) This was the late 1980's and he was so handsome. I almost swooned when he put his arm around me (and I still have that picture!)
Awww, I haven't rubbed shoulders with anyone famous. Joan, you do realize you could run a sideline as a paparazzi specializing in Hugh shots? Just a thought.
Karina
When I was a child The Queen of England, Prince Phillip & Prince Charles did a royal walk down the street in a nearby town - meet & greet the common folk. Prince Phillip & Prince Charles shook my hand. I was about 7 & I was more excited about the ice-cream treat after the event.
marypres@gmail.com
Joan, don't put me in the draw for your book - I've just added it to my TBR pile :)
I don't think I've had any star moments. The most I can claim is 2 degrees of separation from Hugh - my cousin studied acting with him at WAPA.
Just booked into your emotional roller-coaster session at RWAus conference, look forward to meeting you then.
One of my co-workers lived downstairs from a few of the actors in Lost. I'm not sure I want any celebrities in my neighborhood though. We're in a more rural area and everytime those movie stars or singers come into the neighborhood the property values go up as they turn the farming area into minature estates. It's so sad to lose the good farmland! Of course it's not just well-known celebrities, but just people with lots of money!!
I've never met a celebrity, but I could probably walk by and not even notice! It would be pretty exciting to see Hugh Jackman.
I'm looking forward to reading your new book. The age difference sounds intriguing. I'm four years older than my husband and my grandmother was five years older than my grandfather. I like that you made the age difference really significant.
The story sounds fabulous, Joan. Older woman/ younger man romances have so much potential for delicious conflict, the bigger the age gap the bigger the p[otential issues. I'm three years older than my husband, but that's not enough of a difference to be significant, especially as in so many ways he's older than me!
We used to play a game when we were first dating and went out in central London- spot the celebrity. Whoever lost had to buy a drink for the other. He almost always won, usually because his sightings were B list UK celebrities, who as an Australian I had no hope of recognising. He'd say "I just saw xxx," and I'd say "Who?"
Since then I've seen some quite big stars close up, but nothing I'd really call a proper meeting. My biggest fangirly moments have been at book signings.
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