For anyone who knows me, one of my passions is great fiction. I love to read. My very first job was working in a Christian bookstore called The Parable. It was a "heavenly" job.... a dream job being surrounded by books.

Because my mission as a work-at-home mom is to help other moms find a way to stay home with their babies and make a fun and financially-free lifestyle for themselves, I meet people at "mom" forums all over the internet.

I had posted an article on cafemom about my struggle with depression and my search to get a life... the article was called "MOM! Get a Life."

Shortly after that, I received a really nice email and this is what it said:

Hi Kari,

I used to be a jr high school teacher but am now a work at home mom, too, but you and I do very different things. :)

However, I love what you posted on one of the mom's pages, about "Get A Life". You were so warm and elegant and succinct. It was fantastic. I also do a lot of speaking, and am in fact about to jump on a plane to Reno where I'm speaking at the Nevada Women's Expo, and I just wanted you to know that you're doing good in the world. Keep sharing that message. Continue inspiring women. I started crashing around 38/39, too, which led to my bestselling novel, "Flirting with Forty", which Sony is now developing into a movie for Lifetime. Somehow I found away to turn heartbreak into something positive but it still hurt. Nothing like putting metal to fire to make it strong.

Anyway, just wanted to say good job and well done. I applaud you.

Jane

www.janeporter.com

Well, at first I just didn't believe this Jane Porter chick and thought it was just some kind of joke... why would a best-selling author contact me. They are like movie stars to me... don't mess with me on this, I was thinking.

So I did some research and sure enough, she was legit!! So I immediately went online and put her book, Flirting with Forty, on hold at the library and picked it up asap.

I was floored!!! I found myself relating to the characters and LOVING the story. I was hooked!! Remember, good fiction is my passion and here was a new author that wrote really, really well.

So I wrote her back and shared my excitement with her. She was so sweet and wrote me back. She also said that she wanted to send me one of her other books, The Frog Prince.

How exciting to get an autographed copy of one of her books!!! It was also a great read and the friendship continued to grow as we emailed back and forth about the stories.

I then realized that I wanted to reciprocate and sent her a care package of candles which included the best selling scent, Sex on the Beach. She was in the middle of writing her latest Harlequin Presents novel and it was the perfect candle to inspire her! LOL!!

She loved the candles and was wonderful about promoting me on her site and when Odd Mom Out came out in September, I really promoted her on the forums that I participate in. It was a really cool cyber-friendship.

Then one day she said she wanted to come to Montana to meet me and my very cool friends who have all become her friends on myspace. So we set it up and it all seemed just so normal. She even asked if she could stay at my house. No biggie. She's one of my dearest friends now... on the internet.

Well, the day arrived, November 8th, and we were all ready with a clean house and plans in place. Then the nerves settled in and I realized that I was going to meet best selling author Jane Porter and she was going to sleep in my house!!!!! ahhhhhh!!!

To really get the best re-telling of our meeting at the airport, you have to read Jane's blog. She is a writer and tells the story to the tee!!! It happened exactly that way.

After our meeting at the airport, it was off for her to sign books at Bozeman's Barnes & Noble and Borders. They recognized her at Borders and that was really cool. In B&N, they laughed at us because we were being so silly when the reality of our meeting finally set in.

We went home to get Collin, my husband, and my kids. My son and daughter were waiting out in the street running towards us. They were so excited to finally meet the lady that they had to clean the house so perfectly for! She didn't disappoint. She was so kind and sweet to them.

The house was spotless! My husband had cleaned up so the place just looked great... garage and all! Thank you, Honey! You blessed me more than you know!

Then it was off to Happy Hour at my grandma's condo. For as long as I can remember, my grandparents have hosted what they call Happy Hour in their home from 4:30 to 5:30 each day. Whoever can make it will show up for an hour of visiting over a glass of wine, beer or root beer for the kids. Doritos are always served, too!

The condo was packed on this day with my dad, uncles, friends and Lori Dawkins even showed up to join us for a glass of wine. Jane was a wonderful guest and just rolled with it. My grandma was so thrilled to have an author in her home because she also is passionate about fiction. What a treat for a very special 86 year old woman!!

The doorbell rang and we were greeted by a very handsome man in a suit. He said he was our driver for the evening!! ha! It was former NFL player for the NY Jets, Dale Dawkins, who is also Lori Dawkins husband. LOL!!! He had their Cadillac Escalade all shined up and running in the drive-way to be our escort.

Dale Dawkins - our driver, Jane Porter, Lori Dawkins

He dropped us off at Plonk where we met friends that came all the way from Billings to have dinner with Jane Porter. That was so fun and Plonk Cosmos were the drink of choice there. What a fun and trendy place that is!

Jane, Cheryl Hill and me

So then it was off to dinner just a half a block away at Looie's Down Under in Downtown Bozeman. Jane brought goodie bags for all the diners and signed books for those that brought their copies with them.

It was almost 4 hours of eating, laughing and listening to Jane tell us the background scoops and inspirations for her novels. We were riveted by her wisdom and vulnerability. She is as genuine in person as the characters she creates in her books.

Dani Scott, Lisa Pierson, Mariah Allen, Cheryl Hill, Jane Porter, Buffy Stiles, Kari Andersen, Lori Dawkins

After dinner, our driver took us home and then he and Lori came inside and chatted with Collin, Jane and I until 1am. It was really neat to get the male perspective on the topics that Jane, Lori and I brought up. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day.

The next morning, I had to get Jane to the airport by 7am. She was up and ready in 15 minutes... she even looks perfect in the morning! Not a high maintenance girl at all!

I cried as I drove her to the airport. I would miss my new, not-just-a-cyber friend but a real in-the-flesh friend so much.

I reminded her as we were driving that she now was family and that anyone she just met here in Montana would do anything for her... that's just the way we are here in Montana.

She was extra special, though, and we all knew that. She is Jane Porter, best selling author, yes, but more than that... she is now a Montana Babe!!

Kari Andersen

www.kari-andersen.com

Shortly after I moved to Gresham, OR from Montana, Jane Porter's newest book, Mrs. Perfect was going to be launched with a big book signing at the Bellevue Barnes & Noble and an after party at Ooba Tooba's.

Because I lived so close now, I wanted to attend. Jane invited me to hang out with her and even stay at her house after the events so I didn't have to drive home so late.

I was so excited about being able to attend a big book launch and meet Jane's friends. I had no idea what to expect.

After I got the kids off to school, I loaded up my minivan and hit the road north to Seattle. It's only about a 3 hour drive and a beautiful one at that. I love a good road trip!!

I arrived at Jane's house right around 3pm and she was just packing up to head over to Ooba's to decorate for the party. I jumped in her SUV so that I could help with the set up. We had a really good time creating a Hollywood feel in honor of the upcoming movie based on Jane's bestseller, Flirting with 40 starring Heather Locklear.


Jane taping up the decorations

Then Jane took a few of us out to dinner before we needed to be at the book launch and signing.

Here were are at the California Pizza Kitchen



Me, Leena Hyat, Danielle Peck


Jane, Jenn Stewart, Susanna Carr

Then off to Bellevue Barnes & Noble for the launch and book signing.


Huge crowd... do you see me in the back?


Jane signing lots of books! She signed for over 2 hours!

Then off to the party at Ooba Toobas for Chocolate-tinis and fun finger foods.




Crowd at Oobas. There I am in the back again!

After the party I helped Jane clean up and then headed to her place to crash. I was so tired by that time but had a blast.