by Malena Lott

I first heard about Jane Porter in a line to meet her in person at an RWA book signing years ago. She was signing copies of FLIRTING WITH FORTY, her novel (which became a TV movie starring Heather Locklear two years later). Out of all the authors we could meet in the room, I picked her because a) her line was fairly long so I figured her books must be good and b) I thought it was a cute title. (Like, hey, I’m not forty yet! Let’s see how much more fun we can have. Whee!)

Jane is petite, beautiful, friendly. Her smile lights up a space. I read the book in one single car trip and I’ve happily followed her career since – watching the movie, and buying every Grand Central five spot “modern lit” book that came after FWF. Jane’s books feature a different character among a group friends as the protagonist. My favorite of hers is MRS. PERFECT about a suburban wife’s world crashing around her. I had fun loving to “hate” the main character and then ultimately liking her. (Don’t you love when authors do that to you?) I also really identified with ODD MOM OUT, the working mom with one child trying to make life better in Seattle.

In her latest release, SHE’S GONE COUNTRY, we get to know the former model, Shey, better. Mom to three boys, married to a gorgeous photographer, she’s dumped by her husband when he tells her he’s gay. The book begins with her already at the ranch in Texas, where we see her pick up the pieces and try to figure out life with her three sons and wounded heart. Her old boyfriend/bullrider Dane provides some nice cowboy candy to the tale.

Porter simply works for me. Her stories are believable, she’s a fast read, and you know you’re going to get a happy ending. The conflicts with her boys in SGC are ones mothers can certainly relate to and we’ve all had a broken heart at one time or another. For me, recommending her books is as easy as recommending a coffee at Starbucks. Yes, with mocha and extra whip. -ML

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Come back this Saturday for a Q&A with Jane herself!