What’s On Jane Porter’s Bucket List?

by Lisa

When we got our mitts on an advanced reader copy of She’s Gone Country (debuts today- buy a copy here!) it was love at first read. *Sigh* There’s just something about the way Jane writes that makes us feel like we’re sitting right there in the scene. (And that’s saying a lot because it’s hard to keep our focus for long- especially Liz who can often have the attention span of a gnat!)

We’ve been a huge fan of Jane Porter since Flirting With Forty and were excited to crack open her latest. She’s Gone Country is the story of former Sports Illustrated model, Shey Darcy, who moves back home to Texas with her three teenage sons after her husband tells her he’s in love with someone else. Enter Shey’s ex-crush, sexy Dane Kelly (don’t you just love these names?) a national bull riding champ (Lisa pictures a Tim McGraw type–ooh, ahh!) and the drama begins to unfold. It’s a beautifully written, compelling story about a mother trying to do her best raising her sons after divorce while also trying to figure out what she deserves in life.

She’s Gone Country makes you want to buy some cowboy boots and head down to Texas… or at the very least, a country western bar for some two steppin’!  In fact, Jane’s running an amazing contest for those who want to experience their inner cowgirl- yee haw! Click here for the fun deets!

And for some lucky commenters, we also have 5 copies of She’s Gone Country to give away! Y’all (y’all seems appropriate considering the book) know the drill. We’ll randomly select the winners this Wednesday! Now, here’s Jane!

5 Things on Jane Porter’s Bucket List….

I’m a travel junkie. It’s my poison. I literally work so I can plan my next
trip and so everything on my bucket list is related to a new travel
adventure. So the top 5 on that bucket list would be–

1) Go to Morocco!

Spend a month exploring Morocco from the coast to the cities to the Atlas
Mountains. I’ve written 5 romances set in Morocco so actually going there
would be heaven.

2) Visit Dubai.

Another place I’ve used as a setting that I’d love to visit in real life.
How does reality compare to my sheikh inspired fantasies? Could I even
afford to the hotels? And where are those great shopping deals?

3) Do a luxury African safari

I spent a year living in South Africa at 17 and studied African lit while
attending UCLA so Africa is definitely in my blood. I’d love to go to
Botswana, Zambia or South Africa for one of those decadent Out of Africa type
safaris where they set up tents and you eat by candlelight with real china
and crystal. I’d wear wonderful khaki clothing that would make me look like
Katherine Hepburn and then at night slip into a lovely chiffon like dress
that would catch on the thorn bushes. I know, I know not very eco travel
friendly but I love the idea of finally being interesting and glamorous.

4) Take one of those round-the-world cruises that last 180 days with my man.

In all honesty I don’t think my surfer guy would enjoy being cooped up with
me on a cruise ship in a small cabin (or even a large cabin) for 18 days much
less 180, but I love being on a ship at sea and picture myself sitting on the
deck wrapped in something or other (soggy beach towel?) reading great fiction
and fascinating biographies while taking in the fresh salt air.

5) Greece – all of it

I want it all. A month in an Athens apartment. A couple weeks sailing from
island to island, and then a couple weeks on different islands to really
understand the country and the culture. And because I have a wonderful guy,
I’m not looking for another, but what is a bucket list without one lustful
thought? If I’m actually going to embrace all of Greece, I’d really like to
have a gorgeous Greek male in his prime, that’s blessed with broad shoulders,
thick dark hair (on his head, not his back) who gives me the slow, smoldering
once over. Ah, heaven.

And that’s my bucket list. Rather sad because there’s no mountain climbing
involved, no heli-skiing, or sweating in a hot yoga hut. I’m not trying to
learn a foreign language or come up with a cure or make the world a better
place. I’m just spoiling me. Not at all altruistic but it is my list and
heck, it all sounds really really fun.

It sounds fun to us too, Jane. (And if it makes you feel any better, our bucket lists would be all about spoiling ourselves too!)

To find out more about the fabulous Jane Porter, visit her website, and follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

xoxo,

Liz & Lisa

Jessica August 23, 2010 at 8:19 am

sounds great!! thanks for the opportunity to win the novel… sounds like a must purchase!

ella August 23, 2010 at 8:24 am

wow I already have her book flirting with forty and loved her bucket list wish I could go travel with her. I would also love to go to Dubai and Greece too. Count me in!!

Jeff August 23, 2010 at 8:29 am

Thx for the chance to win.

Ann August 23, 2010 at 8:30 am

Would love to read this book. Thanks!!

Melissa A August 23, 2010 at 8:34 am

Glad to find some more Jane Porter fans. :) Sounds like she’s quite the traveler.

Sarah August 23, 2010 at 8:34 am

I have heard such great things about this book~ I would love to win it. Thank you ladies for all the great giveaways:)

Megan August 23, 2010 at 8:37 am

Thanks ladies!

Debbie August 23, 2010 at 8:38 am

Sounds like a great read!! Thank you for the chance to read it.

Vera August 23, 2010 at 8:41 am

I loved this book! I gave away my copy to a friend and would love to have one for my library :)

Nina August 23, 2010 at 8:50 am

I LOVED Flirting with Forty and I know I would love this book, I am anxious to read this one, it sounds awesome, would love to go with her on her bucket list trips, too !!!! Would love to win this book………..!!

CLP August 23, 2010 at 8:51 am

this was a great book – I loved it!

Jenn B August 23, 2010 at 8:58 am

I have heard great things about Jane Porter and this book. Haven’t read anything by her yet, but am definatly going to check her out! Would love to win!!!!
Thanks again Liz and Lisa!!

Rene August 23, 2010 at 9:01 am

Sounds like a great read :) I love chick lit and learning about new authors…thanks Lisa and Liz!

Susan August 23, 2010 at 9:01 am

I am lovin’ Jane’s Bucket List! Sounds wonderful! I LOVED Flirting With Forty … this sounds like a great book too! :)

Emily F August 23, 2010 at 9:04 am

Thank you for the chance to win. I have never read anything by her, but this book sounds like something i would love!

Kieran August 23, 2010 at 9:07 am

Jane’s bucket list sounds awesome!!! I love how she describes how on her African safari she’d wear a chiffon-like dress that catches on thorn bushes. It’s specific, fun details like that which make us feel like we’re in her books–and why we love her!

jen August 23, 2010 at 9:11 am

Nothing wrong with spoiling yourself!

Lisa August 23, 2010 at 9:36 am

Jessica- it is! As are her others!

Lisa August 23, 2010 at 9:37 am

Ella- you’re counted in! :)

Kat Stover August 23, 2010 at 9:40 am

Sounds great!! Hope I win!

Lisa August 23, 2010 at 9:43 am

Ann- thanks for commenting!

Lisa August 23, 2010 at 9:43 am

Jeff- good luck!

Lisa August 23, 2010 at 9:44 am

Melissa- Love Jane!

Lisa August 23, 2010 at 9:44 am

Sarah- you’re so welcome!

Lisa August 23, 2010 at 9:44 am

Debbie- you’re welcome!

Lisa August 23, 2010 at 9:45 am

Vera- wasn’t it great? We only have one copy between us and now have to decide who gets to keep it on her shelf!

Sandy Renninger August 23, 2010 at 9:46 am

Hi, Jane – haven’t checked in for quite awhile. Been EXTREMELY busy. I met a woman who lives near me that lost her son a year and a half ago to an Oxycontin overdose. She runs the local chapter of Raising Drug Free Teenagers and is also involved in One Life One Chance. Her son was only 17. Unfortunately prescription drug abuse is becoming quite a problem nationwide and we are losing young people – mostly boys – as a result. I attended a Motorcycle Poker Run on Saturday and will be walking in September to help raise awareness for One Life One Chance. My brother was a heroin addict who committed suicide at the age of 35, so this is very close to my heart. Please keep a close watch on your children readers. Thank you for listening.

Lisa August 23, 2010 at 9:46 am

Nina- isn’t her bucket list great?

Colleen (Books in the City) August 23, 2010 at 10:06 am

Thanks for hosting this – would love to win!

Her bucket list is fabulous and I love that is all travel – I can relate! Other than the safari in Africa (which I have done) those places are all on my must visit list!

Lisa August 23, 2010 at 10:08 am

Colleen- safari in Africa! Wow.

sarah green August 23, 2010 at 10:11 am

Hi ladies! I was in the navy for 7 years and I’ve been to dubai several times. That awesome hotel in the shape of a sail boat charges money just to go in and take pictures! It is an awesome place to have had the opportunity to visit… the shopping was incredible but the sand storms were not ;)

Jennifer A. August 23, 2010 at 10:20 am

I am pretty sure that she has stolen my personal bucket list! My cousin and her family did the whole our of Africa safari a couple years ago before their oldest daughter went to college! Their pictures were amazing…The guides would wake them in the middle of the night to see elephants or herds of zebra move through…all while staying in a 4star tent! I never knew such a thing existed! I have been saving my pennines to go since the moment they got back!

Meg August 23, 2010 at 10:55 am

I’m a total travel junkie, too. I have a feeling that most of my future paychecks will be going toward funding my next excursion! How fun!

Saw a review of this one over at S. Krishna’s Books today, too, and it sounds like such a fun story!

Erin August 23, 2010 at 11:31 am

oooh imaging a Tim McGraw type. yum. wow the rest of this post is a blur after you mentioned his name :-}

Himeko August 23, 2010 at 11:38 am

I loved all of her other books and I have been anxiously awaiting She’s Gone Country. I can’t wait.

Liz August 23, 2010 at 12:07 pm

Sarah, wow. They charge to take pics? That is amazing!

Liz August 23, 2010 at 12:07 pm

Jennifer A, omg, that African trip sounds amazing! No wonder you are saving to go! Good luck!

Liz August 23, 2010 at 12:08 pm

Meg, it really is a great book. Def. my fave of all of her books!

Liz August 23, 2010 at 12:08 pm

Erin, I know, right? Yum!

Liz August 23, 2010 at 12:09 pm

Himeko, you will love it!!!

Colleen Turner August 23, 2010 at 12:10 pm

I love that her bucket list is all about traveling! I would love to go to all the places she mentioned….sigh…one day maybe!

Liz August 23, 2010 at 1:40 pm

Colleen, me too! xo

Heidi Milton August 23, 2010 at 2:35 pm

I love it! First of all the book sounds divine, and second, her bucket list looks suspiciously like mine, except Greece would have to be first on the list. Fun post, ladies… you’re the best!

Theresa Hughes August 23, 2010 at 3:27 pm

Ooh, great list! I love a good passport stamp junkie! Book sounds really interesting…

Nina Tarner August 23, 2010 at 4:30 pm

I love this bucket list. I too would love to travel. I’ve so far not done so well on that though. Well, actually in the U.S. I’ve traveled extensively, but notsomuch out of the U.S. :( Love the Greece and Africa travels.

Susan C August 23, 2010 at 6:47 pm

Jane , I love your bucket list. No sooner were we home from vacation and my husband and I are thinking about our next one! I love to travel and of course see how many books I can read while I am away!

Kristi August 24, 2010 at 5:20 am

I’d love to win a copy!! Pick me!! :)

Christine August 24, 2010 at 6:26 am

I NEED to read this book. It seems that it would be close to my heart. I’m a Jersey girl who married a cowboy from Texas. Nothing sexier than a man in a hat, boots and Wrangler jeans. Yeeee hahhhhh!!! Save a horse, ride a cowboy!!

Jennifer Jabaley August 24, 2010 at 7:09 am

This book sounds great!! And good inspiration to start thinking about what’s on my bucket list….

Lisa August 24, 2010 at 7:45 am

Heidi- Thanks so much. So are you!

Gina August 24, 2010 at 9:07 am

Loved Flirting with Forty! Thanks for the chance to win!

Lisa August 24, 2010 at 1:42 pm

Theresa- it is!

Lisa August 24, 2010 at 1:42 pm

Nina- Europe is also amazing!

Lisa August 25, 2010 at 6:06 pm

Congratulations to the winners of SHE’S GONE COUNTRY!!! thughesa@sfu.ca, poundhound2@gmail.com, vvperesk@gmail.com,purpleosiris@hotmail.com AND jabaleyjennifer@yahoo.com!THANK YOU ALL!!! xoxo, L&L

Theresa Hughes August 25, 2010 at 8:52 pm

Great giveaway! Thanks for picking me, can’t wait to read She’s Gone Country!

TR Hughes August 31, 2010 at 5:29 pm

I am always excited to find a new author to read. I am running to get both of these books! I am totally on board that Chick Lit is not dead.

Liz August 31, 2010 at 6:07 pm

TR, you’ll love her!

Kham September 2, 2010 at 8:40 pm

Here is a great place to create, manage and share your bucket list. You can also get some interesting ideas to put on your bucket list from others.

Check it out.

http://www.sharebuckets.com

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