She’s Gone Country
“SHE’S GONE COUNTRY is a celebration of a woman’s indomitable spirit. Suddenly single, juggling motherhood and a journey home, Shey embodies every woman’s hopes and dreams. Once again, Jane Porter has written her way into this reader’s heart.”
—Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer Hideaway
Praise for the Novels of Jane Porter
EASY ON THE EYES
“Porter just keeps getting better and better. Timely issues and realistic characters propel the story.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Touching and unpredictable, Easy on the Eyes is a real winner.”
—Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star (VA)
“Entertaining, gratifying chick lit distinguished by a realistic look at aging in a business that values youth and beauty above all else.”
—Booklist
“A great summer read… Porter doesn’t disappoint in this novel.”
—ANovelMenagerie.com
“[Jane] Porter ensures that Easy on the Eyes is fortified with a stimulating intellect and emotional message, strong conscience, and pure heart.”
—Honolulu Advertiser
“Jane Porter is a master of the buoyant, blissful read, often incorporating issues that almost all women face in a highly readable way… this is a breezy read about the entertainment industry and its never-ending fascination with youth and beauty.”
—BookReporter.com
“An entertaining tale.”
—Bellevue Reporter (WA)
“Delightful women’s fiction with strong romantic themes.”
—AmySueNathan.com
“Jane Porter writes endlessly entertaining and yet deeply thoughtful novels. Easy on the Eyes is a perceptive, tender page-turner—a joy to read.”
—Laura Caldwell, author of Red Hot Lies
“A page-turning novel about love, loss, friendship, aging, and beauty (not necessarily in that order). I couldn’t put it down.”
—Karen Quinn, author of Holly Would Dream and The Ivy Chronicles
“Jane Porter knows a woman’s heart as well as her mind. Easy on the Eyes is a smart, sophisticated, fun read with characters you’ll fall in love with. Another winning novel by Jane Porter.”
—Mia King, national bestselling author of Good Things and Sweet Life
“Witty and observant—Tiana’s search for love and meaning amidst shallow celebrity will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.”
—Berta Platas, author of Lucky Chica
“A fun, poignant story about searching for life and love on the other side of forty.”
—Beth Kendrick, author of The Pre-Nup
MRS. PERFECT
“Great warmth and wisdom… Jane Porter creates a richly emotional story.”
—Chicago Tribune
“Porter’s authentic character studies and meditations on what really matters make Mrs. Perfect a perfect… novel.”
—USA Today
“Porter scores another home run.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Fans will appreciate Ms. Porter’s strong look at what happens to relationships when the walls come tumbling down.”
—Midwest Book Review
“More poignant than the standard mommy lit fare.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Compulsively readable… a delicious treat.”
—BookReporter.com
“Real life hits trophy wife right in the Botox, in Porter’s empowering page-turner!”
—Leslie Carroll, author of Choosing Sophie and Play Dates
ODD MOM OUT
“Jane Porter nails it poignantly and perfectly. This mommy-lit is far from fluff. Sensitive characters and a protagonist who doesn’t cave in to the in-crowd give this novel its heft.”
—USA Today
“With a superb sense of characterization, a subtle sense of wit, and a great deal of wisdom, Jane Porter writes about family and friendship, love and work.”
—Chicago Tribune
“Funny and poignant… delightful.”
—Stella Cameron
“Odd Mom Out is an engaging tale that examines important issues of today’s world. Behind the entertaining, witty prose are insightful observations about real life.”
—Woodbury Magazine
“Marta is an intriguing heroine.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Keenly emotional and truly uplifting.”
—Booklist
FLIRTING WITH FORTY
“A terrific read! A wonderful, life and love-affirming story for women of all ages.”
—Jayne Ann Krentz, New York Times bestselling author
“Calorie-free accompaniment for a poolside daiquiri.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Strongly recommended. Porter’s thoughtful prose and strong characters make for an entertaining and thought-provoking summer read.”
—Library Journal
Also by Jane Porter
Easy on the Eyes
Mrs. Perfect
Odd Mom Out
Flirting with Forty
The Frog Prince
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2010 by Jane Porter
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
5 Spot
Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
www.5-spot.com
5 Spot is an imprint of Grand Central Publishing.
The 5 Spot name and logo are trademarks of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
First Edition: August 2010
eISBN: 978-0-446-56912-5
For my boys
Jake, Ty, and Mac
You own my heart
Contents
Copyright Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Epilogue
Reading Group Guide
About the Author
5 Ways to Go Country
Acknowledgments
I couldn’t have done this one without the girls—the girls in this case being my friends, my family, and my fans.
This past year was a challenging one as I juggled my passion for my career with my desire to add a baby to the family.
Grateful thanks to my editor, Karen Kosztolnyik, and my agent, Karen Solem, for being so patient and supportive during the process. Big thanks to Emily Cotler and the Wax team for always making me look good even when I didn’t know which end was up. Massive thanks and love go to Jamette Windham, Lee Hyat, Alaia Davies, Emily Lanfear, and Kari Andersen for the hours of help, encouragement, and TLC.
To my Bellevue friends Lisa Johnson, Lorrie Hambling, Janie Lee, and Kristiina Hiukka for feeding me and checking on me and making sure I knew I was loved. To Sinclair Sawhney for believing there was one more baby, and giving me all those shots to make the miracle happen.
To my sister, Kathy, and all the incredibly smart, successful women in my family. You make me proud to be a member of the Porter/Lyles family.
And finally to my writer friends who are always there for me and help me remember what’s important in fiction and in life: Megan Crane, Liza Palmer, Lilian Darcy, CJ Carmichael, and Barbara Dunlop.
To all my readers—you really are the best.
And one last shout-out to my four boys—Surfer Ty, Jake, Ty, and Mac. I love you all so much.
Shey Lynne, you’ve been here three months now and not once have you taken those boys to church.”
I look up from the bacon frying on the 1950s-era Sears stove to see my mother standing in the kitchen doorway with her blue wool coat over her arm and her ancient black vinyl purse on her wrist. It’s hot out and humid, yet Mama’s got her coat—and it’s an old coat, not one of the gorgeous ones I’ve given her. My mother has a closetful of designer pieces she’s never worn. I don’t know why she won’t wear them, but I swear, it’s as if she takes pride in rejecting everything nice I give her.
“No, I haven’t, and I’m not,” I answer, grease sizzling and splattering the back of my hand. Mama’s been here eight days, and it’s been a power struggle from the moment she arrived. But she’s going home later today, and I can keep my cool for another few hours.
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