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91st out of 143 books
—
164 voters
Reaching for the Stars
by
Janice Horton (Goodreads Author)
Scottish celebrity chef Finn McDuff 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.
With the enfant terrible of the kitch...more
With the enfant terrible of the kitch...more
Kindle Edition, 232 pages
Published
(first published December 4th 2011)
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Right from the first page, this book had me hooked. Celebrity chef McDuff seemingly has it all, but faster than a soufflé can sink he loses it. His third wife has just walked out on him. That's a wife he's lost for each Golden Star. He is at the pinnacle of his career but willing to give up his coveted 3 stars to save his marriage.
Rival journalists, Raine and Ross, pursue poor Finn, each trying to out-scoop the other. Raine struggles to maintain her integrity, but Ross will do whatever it takes...more
Rival journalists, Raine and Ross, pursue poor Finn, each trying to out-scoop the other. Raine struggles to maintain her integrity, but Ross will do whatever it takes...more
Celebrity chef Finn McDuff is on the verge of meltdown. He has just been dumped by his third wife. He has lost a wife for each of the 3 Golden stars he has achieved as a top chef.
It all becomes to much for him when 2 rival journalists, Raine and Ross, begin delving into his private life and his past.
Finn, heads for the peace and quiet of rural Scotland in the hope that no-one can find him and he can take stock of his life, but a celeb chef cannot just disappear without being noticed. So begins a...more
It all becomes to much for him when 2 rival journalists, Raine and Ross, begin delving into his private life and his past.
Finn, heads for the peace and quiet of rural Scotland in the hope that no-one can find him and he can take stock of his life, but a celeb chef cannot just disappear without being noticed. So begins a...more
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This was the first novel I had read by Janice Horton and having seen rave reviews of her previous novel 'Bagpipes & Bullshot' I was very much looking forward to reading 'Reaching for the Stars'.
I was drawn into the story from the first paragraph, no pussy footing around, Finn McDuff was brought to life immediately. I loved the fact that he wasn't perfect, that he had a bit of a bad boy reputation but at the same time underneath it all there was a different person to the one the press and pub...more
I was drawn into the story from the first paragraph, no pussy footing around, Finn McDuff was brought to life immediately. I loved the fact that he wasn't perfect, that he had a bit of a bad boy reputation but at the same time underneath it all there was a different person to the one the press and pub...more
Reaching for the Stars in the latest novel written by Author Janice Horton.
Finn McDuff had worked his whole life to be awarded his three Golden Stars, as a celebrity Chef, he was at the top of his game. Nothing was more important to him than the food he presented at the Passe. Sadly his three ex Wives could vouch for that! Ambition over love, Pride over marriage and ego over emotions – Three sins over three stars!
A sudden realisation brought Finn to his senses about what actual was important in...more
Finn McDuff had worked his whole life to be awarded his three Golden Stars, as a celebrity Chef, he was at the top of his game. Nothing was more important to him than the food he presented at the Passe. Sadly his three ex Wives could vouch for that! Ambition over love, Pride over marriage and ego over emotions – Three sins over three stars!
A sudden realisation brought Finn to his senses about what actual was important in...more
Celebrity chef Finn McDuff finds himself being awarded three Golden Stars but loses his third wife in the process. Once he establishes that his restaurant alone can't make him happy, he takes drastic measures by closing it down and going into hiding. Raine and Ross, two reporters working for rivaling newspapers, are desperately trying to find him to get the best story published. Will either succeed?
This is the first time, I've read a book by this author and it will certainly not be the last. Wha...more
This is the first time, I've read a book by this author and it will certainly not be the last. Wha...more
After reading Janice Horton’s book Bagpipes and Bullshot earlier in the year, which I thoroughly enjoyed with its descriptive writing and traditional feel to it I couldn’t wait to see what this talented author had up her sleeve for her next novel Reaching for the Stars.
Plot
Scottish celebrity chef Finn McDuff 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 sur...more
Plot
Scottish celebrity chef Finn McDuff 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 sur...more
Absolutely loved it! Janice's characters are lifelike and believable. She makes you care for them - even the ones you 'love to hate'.
The plot had plenty of twists and it left you guessing how it was going to turn out until the end.
A real page-turner!
The plot had plenty of twists and it left you guessing how it was going to turn out until the end.
A real page-turner!
Horton mixes up a fun recipe
Finn McDuff, Edinburgh chef extraordinaire, is at once charming and exasperating. After three wives divorce him, Finn begins to wonder if the hours and energy devoted to winning accolades have been worth the sacrifice of a personal life. When he is awarded a coveted third star, two young journalists compete for stories about the handsome, charismatic chef as a way to boost their paper's circulation and their own reputations. Horton describes the ongoing race for the s...more
Finn McDuff, Edinburgh chef extraordinaire, is at once charming and exasperating. After three wives divorce him, Finn begins to wonder if the hours and energy devoted to winning accolades have been worth the sacrifice of a personal life. When he is awarded a coveted third star, two young journalists compete for stories about the handsome, charismatic chef as a way to boost their paper's circulation and their own reputations. Horton describes the ongoing race for the s...more
'Reaching for the Stars' tells the story of a celebrity chef, Finlay McDuff, who has achieved his dream restaurant rating of three 'Golden Stars', and has attained celebrity 'rock-god-chef' status in the eyes of the media and his many fans, but whose personal life has been anything but golden for a long time now. He has put his career before everything else: 'ambition had been his mistress.' Currently on his third failed marriage, and desperate not to lose this wife, Gina, without a fight, he de...more
Fun in the kitchen...
Chef Finn McDuff is an enigma. Whoever heard of a Chef handing BACK his hard-won 3 stars? Author Janice Horton has created another fun and entertaining read. It's one you will want to read in one go, because you'll be dying to find out how it ends! Reported Raine is on the case, it's BIG news - but is she ruled by her head, or her heart, when she's penning her 'honest'articles? How long can he hide away? Has all the hard-work been for nothing? Buy it and find out!
Chef Finn McDuff is an enigma. Whoever heard of a Chef handing BACK his hard-won 3 stars? Author Janice Horton has created another fun and entertaining read. It's one you will want to read in one go, because you'll be dying to find out how it ends! Reported Raine is on the case, it's BIG news - but is she ruled by her head, or her heart, when she's penning her 'honest'articles? How long can he hide away? Has all the hard-work been for nothing? Buy it and find out!
Janice Horton hasn't disappointed in her latest book. The story draws you in from the very first paragraph and keeps you there until the end. Along the way we enjoy three lovely characters mixed with Janice's humour and fun as well as as an element of suspense, and gives us an insight into the what goes on behind those swing doors in restaurants. I loved it and think it would make a great film. book for curling up with on the sofa or on the beach. Well done Janice for such a satisfying read.
This is the first book I read by this author, and I was frankly a bit disappointed in it. It seemed bogged down in details and dragged on seemingly forever. The culinary details seemed authentic, but they drowned out the romantic aspect of the book. It was an ok read, but I would not purchase the author's other works, nor would I recommend this to others.
Really good, this one surprised me! As it was a free kindle download, I expected it to be a little less polished than it was. I have paid cash for way worse books (not meaning to be awful, but Katie Fforde, anyone?).
There are really good and real characters here. I have to say I liked all of them. It is funny in places and has a good romance to it.
Check it out if you enjoy a good chick lit!
I liked the premise of the book, and the story started off great, but then it went all over the place. The book is not very structured, and while it's great at keeping you on your toes, it's difficult to understand what's going on as well.
What a great book! Not my usual sort of book but I cannot lie......I loved it! Finn McDuff is a sexy celebrity chef who has it all! Or does he.......??? After winnining a prestigious award the world thought he had it made. But for Finn it was only the beginning of his problems and he tries to escape his celebrity lifestyle! A great story!
Great read! I really enjoyed this book. Finn was a fantastic hero, good-looking, rough around the edges with a vulnerable side. The story flowed well and kept a good pace throughout. The only downside was there wasn't quite enough romance for me but the story was entertaining and I will definitely be reading the next Janice Horton novel!
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May 16, 2013
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I live in Scotland and write contemporary romance novels with humour and a hint of tartan. When I’m not writing novels I write lifestyle articles for magazines and newspapers and I have also been involved in BBC Scotland’s ‘Write Here Write Now’ project.
I'm an Indie author and this past year has been a really exciting one for me. I’ve seen both my ebooks for Kindle 'Bagpipes & Bullshot' and 'R...more
More about Janice Horton...
I'm an Indie author and this past year has been a really exciting one for me. I’ve seen both my ebooks for Kindle 'Bagpipes & Bullshot' and 'R...more
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