Interview with Janice Horton - Author of Reaching for the Stars

Janice, tell us a bit about yourself and what made you get into writing?

When I was growing up I was a bit of a bookworm and my favourite place was the local library. My love of reading inspired me to write creatively from an early age. I remember getting into terrible trouble with my teacher at school, when she discovered that all the letters I’d written to my American pen-pal were complete fiction! As a young adult with a career, my writing had to take a back seat. When I started writing again, married and with three small children, I wrote freelance lifestyle articles for magazines and reviews for the local paper. Eventually, I realised that if I wanted to write the novel I’d always promised myself I would write one day, I’d better make a start. Reaching for the Stars is my third full length novel.

Tell us a bit about Reaching for the Stars and your inspiration for the book?

Reaching for the Stars is a romantic story about a Scottish celebrity chef called Finn McDuff, who is media stalked and disillusioned after winning his third star and losing his third wife. He decides he’s had enough of all the food campaigns, the TV cookery shows, the constant frenzy surrounding his private life and, after giving up all his accolades and closing down his restaurant, he disappears. Two rival newspapers, having lost their media meal ticket, begin to compete against each other to whip up further public curiosity in the missing chef. Then, love him or hate him, everyone is out looking for Chef McDuff.

I was inspired to write this story by my fascination for celebrity chefs. Writing the novel has been a labour of love over the past couple of years. Interestingly, although this story has often been on the back burner, I never lost enthusiasm for it and the premise of celebrity harassment and media intrusion seems even more current than ever before!

What are your favourite books?

I love reading - so that can be an ebook on my Kindle, a paperback or a hardback. I love biographies, travel books, and in particular I love fiction. My favourite books are glitzy romance novels that also have a bit of adventure and humour alongside the love interest!

What do you like to do outside of writing?

I live in the Scottish countryside and everyday I like to get outdoors and walk my two dogs; it’s how I avoid writer’s bottom! I also like taking occasional trips into the fabulous city of Edinburgh, which is about an hour’s drive from where I live. I enjoy red wine and champagne and cooking for family and friends. I also love to travel to far flung places. My husband and I hope to do lots more travelling now that our three boys have grown up.

Reaching for the Stars is available for your Kindle now at the special launch price of just 95p /£1.40

Buy from Amazon UK

Buy from Amazon US

Links:

Janice Blogs at: www.janicehortonwriter.blogspot.com
Janice is a www.loveahappyending.com author
Follow her on Twitter @JaniceHorton
Facebook Author Page: http://on.fb.me/nbaWed