Saturday 31 December 2011

Happy New Year..!


I've made lots of lovely new friends this year through this Blog, Twitter and Facebook. Wishing you all - friends new and old - peace and prosperity and a very happy year ahead!


Love, Janice xx

Friday 23 December 2011

Grand Finale of the Blog Tour...!


Today I’m over at Talli Roland’s blog making you a very special Scottish Christmas cake!


I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy Hogmanay from here in Scotland. I’ll be back on January 6th and will be blogging every Friday. I have some fabulous authors and new books to showcase in the New Year and will be back to discussing everything of interest in the wonderful world of books.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hogmanay!

Love, Janice xx

Thursday 22 December 2011

Blog Tour - Day Eight - Love Reading Love Books!



Book Blogger and Reviewer Sue Fortin is an Associate Reader with Loveahappyending.com as well as being a Featured Author for her debut novel French Kissing in the UK. She is also part of the indie author group Famous Five Plus and a member of the Romantic Novelist Association New Writers Scheme.

Today on her blog - Love Reading Love Books - Sue reviews Reaching for the Stars, asks her bookshelf questions, and talks to me about the promotion and the launch of my new ebook Reaching for the Stars.





Just in case you missed any of the 'Reaching for the Stars' Blog Stops so far, I've listed and provided links to all fabulous blogs who have hosted me for news, reviews & interviews... have fun!

Lou Grahams Book Blog
Lou interviews the two main characters in Reaching for the Stars...!

Melanie Robertson King’s Celtic Connexions Blog
Celebrity Chefs – culinary pirates and adventurers of the chrome surfaces…!’

I’m talking to Sharon Goodwin about the extensive culinary research I did for Reaching for the Stars.

In the plotting shed I’m talking about my life as a writer living in rural Scotland and showing you my favourite places to write.

On High Heels & Book Deals Blog - I’m showing off my very favourite shoes!

Sarah Taylor’s Today I'm Reading Blog
For an author interview and a review.
A review of Reaching for the Stars...!
A review plus I'm talking about when I find the time to write.

On Kim The Bookworm there is a review and we talk about the settings for my novels.

Just one more exciting blog stop to go on the Reaching for the Stars tour - so please do pop back tomorrow to find out where I am next!

Love, Janice x

Wednesday 21 December 2011

Blog Tour - Day Seven - Kim the Bookworm...!


Kim claims she has always been a bookworm, so reviewing books is the perfect job for her. Today she reviews Reaching for the Stars and we talk about the settings for my novels.


Just in case you missed any of the 'Reaching for the Stars' Blog Stops so far, I've listed and provided links to all fabulous blogs who have hosted me for news, reviews & interviews...

Lou Grahams Book Blog
Lou interviews the two main characters in Reaching for the Stars...!

Melanie Robertson King’s Celtic Connexions Blog
Celebrity Chefs – culinary pirates and adventurers of the chrome surfaces…!’

I’m talking to Sharon Goodwin about the extensive culinary research I did for Reaching for the Stars.

In the plotting shed I’m talking about my life as a writer living in rural Scotland and showing you my favourite places to write.

On High Heels & Book Deals Blog - I’m showing off my very favourite shoes!

Sarah Taylor’s Today I'm Reading Blog
For an author interview and a review.

A review of Reaching for the Stars...!
A review plus I'm talking about when I find the time to write.

There are three more exciting blog stops to go on the Reaching for the Stars tour - so please do pop back tomorrow to find out where I am next!

Love, Janice x

Tuesday 20 December 2011

Blog Tour - Day Six - Turning the Pages...!


On Lindsay Gentle's blog today, Lindsay reviews Reaching for the Stars and I'm talking about how I manage to find the time to write!



Just in case you missed any of the 'Reaching for the Stars' Blog Stops so far I've listed and provided links to all fabulous blogs who have hosted me for news, reviews & interviews...

Lou Grahams Book Blog
Lou interviews the two main characters in Reaching for the Stars...!

Melanie Robertson King’s Celtic Connexions Blog
Celebrity Chefs – culinary pirates and adventurers of the chrome surfaces…!’

I’m talking to Sharon Goodwin about the extensive culinary research I did for Reaching for the Stars.

In the plotting shed I’m talking about my life as a writer living in rural Scotland and showing you my favourite places to write.

On High Heels & Book Deals Blog - I’m showing off my very favourite shoes!

Sarah Taylor’s Today I'm Reading Blog
for an author interview and a review.

A Review of Reaching for the Stars...!

There are three more exciting blog stops to go on the Reaching for the Stars tour - so please do pop back tomorrow to find out where I am next!

Love, Janice x

Monday 19 December 2011

Blog Tour - Day Five - A Reabookreview...!


Book Blogger Rea Sinfield, respected for her honest opinion on top women's fiction, has a review of 'Reaching for the Stars' up on her book review blog today!


If you were busy Christmas shopping over the weekend and missed any of the 'Reaching for the Stars' Blog Stops - do pop over to these fabulous blogs for my news, reviews & interviews...

Lou interviews the two main characters in Reaching for the Stars...!

Melanie Robertson King’s Celtic Connexions Blog
Celebrity Chefs – culinary pirates and adventurers of the chrome surfaces…!’

I’m talking to Sharon Goodwin about the extensive culinary research I did for Reaching for the Stars.

In the plotting shed I’m talking about my life as a writer living in rural Scotland and showing you my favourite places to write.

On High Heels & Book Deals Blog - I’m showing off my very favourite shoes!

Sarah Taylor’s Today I'm Reading Blog
for an author interview and a review.

And please do pop back tomorrow to find out where I am next!

Love, Janice x

Sunday 18 December 2011

Blog Tour Day Four - An Author Interview



Today I'm being interviewed by the lovely Sarah Taylor over at Today I'm Reading Blog about what inspires my writing. Do join us!


AND

Sarah has just posted her review !
How many stars has she awarded to Reaching for the Stars...?




Saturday 17 December 2011

Blog Tour Day Three - and three fabulous blogs!


It’s Day Three of the Reaching for the Stars blog tour and today I’m going to be in three exciting places all at once. Please join me at these fabulous blogs!

At Jera’s Jamboree Book Blog I’m talking to Sharon Goodwin about the extensive culinary research I did for Reaching for the Stars - we are taking about hot chefs and steamy kitchens here - as eating out in a nice restaurant now and again doesn’t really count!


In Debs Carr’s plotting shed I’m talking about my life as a writer living in rural Scotland and showing you my favourite places to write.


And on High Heels & Book Deals Blog - I’m showing off my very favourite shoes!


So, perhaps while you are having a wee nibble of a mince pie and a swig of pre-festive egg-nog today, you might consider joining me at these fabulous blogs?

And do please pop back on Sunday to see where I am next!

Love, Janice xx




Friday 16 December 2011

The Winners...!

I’m delighted to announce the Reaching for the Stars Launch Day prize winners!



Winner of the Star Celebrity Chef Apron is:
Sharon Goodwin who blogs at Shazjera.blogspot.com and Tweets @shazjera

Winners of the Chef’s Hats are:
Sheryl Browne  - @sherylbrowne
Sue Fortin - @suefortin1
Anne Mackle - @cassam101

Congratulations ladies!

Today is Day Two of the Reaching for the Stars Blog Tour and I’m talking about what inspired me to write Reaching for the Stars so if you have a moment in your coffee break today please do pop over to Melanie’s blog - just click on the link:



And as you can see from the poll we also have a draw in the Favourite Celebrity Chef fun blog vote!


Congratulations Gino and Jamie!

Do pop back tomorrow to find out where I’ll be and what I’ll be chatting about on Day Three of the exciting and fabulous Reaching for the Stars Blog Tour!


Now - if you still haven’t got your own copy of Reaching for the Stars at the very special launch price of 95p / $1.48 - why not grab yourself a bargain copy now?

Buy from Amazon UK
Buy from Amazon US

Wednesday 14 December 2011

The Very Next Day....


Well, there are empty champagne bottles strewn around and the place is a total mess, but what can I say, I’ve got to hand it to you all bloggers and tweeps alike - you absolutely know how to party and ‘Reaching for the Stars’ really did get a fantastic send off yesterday!

By early evening we had stormed though not one but three Top 100 charts on Amazon (okay, I haven’t logged on yet to see where we are this morning) but we cracked the Top 50 at number 49 of the Women Writers Fiction! Yay!!


Click on the image to enlarge the screen shot taken from Amazon yesterday showing Reaching for the Stars in the bestseller chart rankings...!

First off, this morning, I have many many people to thank and the list is rather long.

This is a bit like an Oscar Speech or something - because I’m well aware that I might have written the book on my own - but after that I had an extensive team on board.

I’d like to thank my husband Trav, for his strength, patience and love, and our three wonderful sons. Next, the Writers Scotland Group -  my writerly soul mates of a higher order. Loveahappyending, headed up by the wonderful Linn B Halton and supported by the fabulous Associate Authors, Editors and Readers. Then there is the amazing Team Horton (to whom my book is dedicated) and, in amongst those amazing people on my team is my lovely and clever Editor, Kit Domino.

Special mentions go to Sara Bain, my wonderful friend and ace photographer who absolutely knows how to use lighting, JT Lindroos, my fabulous book cover designer who is so wise and competent.

So as you can see, this is not a lonely effort but one which relies entirely on those who cheer me on, those who offer me advice when it’s needed and yet are always there to party when it’s necessary. Thank you so very much each and every one of you - I love you all!

Before I list all the fabulous party peeps - I’d like to ask you to take a minute to pop over to the lovely Lou Graham’s Blog today. Lou is a very respected book blogger and she was gracious enough to offer to do the very first review of ‘Reaching for the Stars’ (she gave it five stars!) as well as kicking off my ten stop blog tour as my host - where she is interviewing two of the main characters in 'Reaching for the Stars':






@jolambertwriter
@suefortin1
@Lougrahamii
@bookreviewbyrea
@StephanieKeyes
@Chanteuse1019
@annormond
@eema2emma
@midnitemurmurer
@KIRKWOODGWEN
@LinnBHalton
@GillStewart2
@lackyjadbury
@smbslt
@stephaniekeyes
@henrigyland
@harperjenny
@jontybabe
@RobertsoKing
@JessStrassner
@ChrisLongmuir
@TodayimReading
@linshealy
@RebeccaEmin
@GillyFraser
@MandyBaggot
@Shazjera
@Gimmeahugyou
@PatriciaSands
@SheryBrowne
@ClareWartnaby
@Neetswriter
@Briggy44
@KitDomino
@DizzyCLBB
@Rebeleith
@lotsacats100
@PaulineBarclay
@GinaDWriter
@Loveahappyend
@Cassam101
@Scuppered
@BookstoRemember
@Writebrainedny
@angebarton
@MarianKobras
@TTPBookreview
@NatalieHartford
@TalliRoland
@LizzieLamb
@famousfiveplus
@katylittlelady
@LeahStJames
@WellsNicky
@KimtheBookworm
@SarahCallejo
@Bordercollies
@AnneHerries
@LizCrump
@MamaJHearts

Now, if perchance you haven’t got your own copy of Reaching for the Stars at the very special launch price of 95p / $1.48 yet then do grab yourself a bargain copy now. Go on you know you want to... doncha?!

Come back tomorrow to find out:

Who won the fabulous blog / twitter party draw prizes...?
Who's winning the celebrity chef fun blog poll...?
Where I'm appearing next in the Reaching for the Stars fabulous Blog Tour...!

Love, Janice xxx

Tuesday 13 December 2011

Launch Day ‘Wish I Was Here...’ Blog & Twitter Party!


My perfect escape would be to this small hotel situated on a white sand peninsula on the island of Mauritius. It’s where my husband and I celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary a couple of years ago and it was our dream destination. We had a fabulous penthouse room with a balcony overlooking the ocean. In the photo ‘our’ beach house was the second one in from the right. Sigh....

Welcome to the launch day celebrations for my new e-book ‘Reaching for the Stars’ and thank you so much for being here! It’s such a busy time of year for everyone and I really appreciate all your support. As you can see from the list of party participants below - there has been a fantastic response to the ‘Wish I Was Here...’ party theme and I’m really looking forward to seeing where you would all like to escape to during mid-December!

But you don’t have to have signed up to take part today. I’d love you to leave a comment on this blog post, visit all or some of the blogs taking part today, and to generally spread the word about ‘Reaching for the Stars’ on your own social networks.

If you are tweeting about ‘Reaching for the Stars’ or the ‘Wish I Was Here...’ event on Twitter please show the hashtag #starchef

ALL participants today will be entered into a fabulous prize draw to win the ‘star’ prize of a celebrity chef apron or the chance of winning one of three chef’s hats (c’mon you know you want to win one of those doncha!)

The prize draw today will include all those who blog, comment, or tweet!

What’s it all about...?
In my new novel - ‘Reaching for the Stars’ - the main character Chef Finn McDuff feels he’s had enough of all the food campaigns, the TV cookery shows, the constant frenzy surrounding his private life and disappears into a self-imposed exile for a while. Hence the theme of this launch day extravaganza is ‘Wish I Was Here...’

Reaching for the Stars is now available on Amazon.UK or Amazon.Com for Kindle at the special launch price of just 95p or $1.40


No Kindle? No problem - you can download to the free Kindle app from Amazon and read Reaching for the Stars on your Mac, your PC, IPad Tablet or Android Device.

Okay - as well as being here on my blog today you will also find me over at Loveahappyending.com where there is also an exclusive excerpt from Chapter Six of 'Reaching for the Stars'!

Over at book blogger Lou Graham’s Blog as well as taking part in the 'Wish I Was Here...' event she is also featuring an early review and I’m excited and delighted to tell you that she has given ‘Reaching for the Stars’ FIVE STARS!

The Favourite Celebrity Chef Blog Poll running on my sidebar this week has attracted a fun debate on Twitter and a total of 63 votes so far - so why not vote for the chef who gets you salivating on the sofa right now? Jamie and Nigella are currently in the lead (come on Marco!)



The Wish I Was Here Party!
Below you will see a list of party participants - the stars of the show today - who have pledged to display a picture or photo of the place they wish they could escape to for just a wee while - or forever! I’m pretty excited to go and visit all of these fabulous blogs (click on the links below to follow) and to leave a comment but I’ll keep popping back throughout the day so please do leave a comment here as it will be appreciated. If you’d like to catch up with me on Twitter I’m @JaniceHorton and I’ll be using the hashtag #starchef all day today with my tweets.


@jolambertwriter
@suefortin1
@Lougrahamii
@bookreviewbyrea
@StephanieKeyes
@Chanteuse1019
@annormond
@eema2emma
@midnitemurmurer
@KIRKWOODGWEN
@LinnBHalton
@GillStewart2
@lackyjadbury
@smbslt
@stephaniekeyes
@henrigyland
@harperjenny
@jontybabe
@RobertsoKing
@JessStrassner
@ChrisLongmuir
@TodayimReading
@linshealy
@RebeccaEmin
@GillyFraser
@MandyBaggot
@Shazjera
@Gimmeahugyou
@PatriciaSands
@SheryBrowne
@ClareWartnaby
@Neetswriter
@Briggy44
@KitDomino
@DizzyCLBB
@Rebeleith
@lotsacats100
@PaulineBarclay
@GinaDWriter
@Loveahappyend
@Cassam101
@Scuppered
@BookstoRemember
@Writebrainedny
@angebarton
@MarianKobras
@TTPBookreview
@NatalieHartford
@TalliRoland
@LizzieLamb
@famousfiveplus
@katylittlelady
@LeahStJames
@WellsNicky
@KimtheBookworm
@SarahCallejo
@Bordercollies
@AnneHerries
@LizCrump
@MamaJHearts

And the fun doesn’t stop!
From tomorrow the 15th December right through to the 23rd December, I’m on a virtual book tour with 'Reaching for the Stars' and will be appearing at all the fabulous blogging venues listed. I’ll be talking about 'Reaching for the Stars', about my writing - where and when I do it. There will be an interview with the main characters in the novel. I’ll also be discussing shoes and sharing my special Scottish Christmas cake recipe with you. I’d love it if you could find time to pop along and leave a comment during the tour. I can’t tell you what your support means to me and how much I really appreciate all you do.