Janice Horton's Blog, page 37

Getting Connected…

Well, I have to say that we haven't had a particularly good start to 2012 here at Horton HQ. We have been coping with high winds, persistent power cuts and (shriek) a laptop that refused to see in the New Year with us.
It's shocking (or it would be if we had any power) how much we (I) now rely on the internet to work and connect with colleagues and friends on social networks, forums, Twitter, Facebook and Blogs. All of these things, together with the checking of ones Amazon rankings (okay, so it's probably better if I don't do that more than once a day!) means connecting on-line for at least a couple of hours each day.
I'm only able to be with you now, dear readers, because Mr JH has ingeniously managed to connect my new Touchpad (a present from Santa!) with his mobile phone 'hot spot' and made it possible for me to blog to you via satellite – how cool is that?!
So, what news do I bring you may ask…?
Well, my getting connected plans for 2012 of course…!
First off, I'm planning a writerly getaway to connect with writing a new novel!
I'll be popping in from time to time over the next couple of weeks of course, and have a fabulous guest blogger and most interesting author interview on standby, but otherwise I will be making a start on Book #4 or The WIP (work in progress) as it must be called because as yet this new venture does not have a title.
However, in true Horton style I have already done all the necessary and extensive research needed to identify with my lovely lady lawyer heroine, by actually working in a Solicitor's office to get a real feel for her world!
I was hoping that when I've written a brief synopsis of the story, you might come up with a suitable title for me – what do you think? Let's have some suggestions with something legal sounding in the title – but it's a romance remember!
Meanwhile, I plan to attend these amazing events being organised throughout the year to get better connected with my wonderful writerly friends in 2012!
The Loveahappyending Summer Audience is a one day reader/writer event being held on 16th June in Tetbury, Gloucester. As an editor and co-organiser of this event, I'll be posting more information as soon as the Lovehappyending.org information and ticket site is launched in early February.
The Romantic Novelist's Association Conference is being held over the weekend of 13th to 15th July at Penrith, Cumbria. Information can be found on the RNA Website.
The Festival of Romance is being held over the the weekend of 16th to 18th November 2012 in Bedford: more information from the Festival Website.
So that's my plans so far – what are yours – do tell? And please come back next Friday, when I'll be blogging from my secret writerly hideaway and probably via satellite! 

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

Grand Finale of the Blog Tour...!

Today I'm over at Talli Roland's blog making you a very special Scottish Christmas cake!
Click here to go to Talli's Blog
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

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 asks her 1, 2, 3 Q & A  and talks to me about promotion and the launch of my new ebook Reaching for the Stars.
Love Reading Love Books
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…!'
Jera's Jamboree Book Blog I'm talking to Sharon Goodwin about the extensive culinary research I did for Reaching for the Stars.
Debs Daydreams in the Plotting Shed Blog 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.
High Heels & Book Deals Blog 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.
Reabookreviews Blog A review of Reaching for the Stars...!
Turning the Pages A review plus I'm talking about when I find the time to write.  Kim the Bookworm Blog On Kim The Bookworm there is a review and we talk about the settings for my novels.
 There are just two 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

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.
Kim the Bookworm Blog
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…!'
Jera's Jamboree Book Blog I'm talking to Sharon Goodwin about the extensive culinary research I did for Reaching for the Stars.
Debs Daydreams in the Plotting Shed Blog 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.
High Heels & Book Deals BlogOn 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.

Reabookreviews Blog A review of Reaching for the Stars...!
Turning the Pages 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

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

On Lindsay Gentle's blog today I'm talking about how I manage to find the time to write!
Turning the Pages Book Blog
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…!'
Jera's Jamboree Book Blog I'm talking to Sharon Goodwin about the extensive culinary research I did for Reaching for the Stars.
Debs Daydreams in the Plotting Shed Blog 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.
High Heels & Book Deals BlogOn 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.
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    

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!
Click here to go straight over to: Reabookreviews
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 Graham's 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…!'
Jera's Jamboree Book Blog I'm talking to Sharon Goodwin about the extensive culinary research I did for Reaching for the Stars.
Debs Daydreams in the Plotting Shed Blog 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.
High Heels & Book Deals BlogOn 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

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!
Today I'm Reading Blog

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!
Click here to go to Jera's Jamboree Book Blog
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.
Click here to go to Debs Daydreams in the Plotting Shed Blog
And on High Heels & Book Deals Blog - I'm showing off my very favourite shoes!
Click here to go to High Heels & Book Deals Blog
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

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  - @sherylbrowneSue Fortin - @suefortin1Anne 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:
Melanie Robertson King's Celtic Connexions Blog

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 UKBuy from Amazon US