You must remember this … the lyrics go. AND yes, I must. I just attended an over-the-top Book Launch of a book that I was the Book Shepherd with last week … a dear friend of the author and her family simply said, “We want to give a book party for you …” And what a party it was!
Meet To Tuscany with Love 
Author Gail Mencini’s debut novel (women’s fiction—highly recommended read)—To Tuscany with Love launched with all the fanfare deserving of a Dan Brown. The author thought it was a small party and a book signing hosted by her friend.
It was the party of all book parties AND, as the invited guests walked into the Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado; the hallway had vases of sunflowers throughout.
The doorway to the room the party would be in greeted us with a large poster of the book cover with balloons. We entered … and then, Oh My!
Two men playing mandolins were seated on the left throughout the evening, a delightful backdrop to the next three hours. Tables surrounded the ballroom, with vases bursting of sunflowers—the table clothes and chair covers to match the theme and book main covers.
Imagine this … a huge ice sculpture that was shaped like a book—front and back cover and pages … within was the front and back covers (think three feet tall) … surrounded by a sea of huge shrimp, oysters on the half shell, crab cocktail. 
A curving buffet table laden with Italian yummies, appetizers, olives that ended with a carving station of perfectly cooked beef with three sauces to add to freshly baked bread for the perfect sandwich. In the center, happy attendees quickly discovered ravioli that was mouth-watering perfect.
Do you like fish cakes—like shrimp, salmon or crab? Have you tried lobster cakes?—well my mouth did a happy dance in appreciation as these gems beckoned to me next to the ravioli that others were doing flip flops over.
An espresso and latte cart was waiting for all along with a dessert display that was simply delicious. And oh, yes, vino. Plenty of vino.
A display of To Tuscany with Love books was elegantly stacked to the right with author Gail and several helpers to process credit cards and placed elegantly wrapped books in bags. 
Over 250 plus copies walked out the door with enthusiastic buyers and readers to be. All sales were credited to a local book store so that they would show up via Bookscan … BN has now put in an order. On Sunday, the Denver Post revealed that To Tuscany with Love was #1 in Fiction in the Metro-Denver area.
People schmoozed, ate in line, and had a simply fantastic time. When the over-whelmed and joyful author finally stood up from the long lines in front of her to thank her DEAR friends and hosts, she had no idea what they had planned or were doing until she had walked in to set up her books—after all, it was just supposed to be a little book party); other friends; people who were there that she didn’t know but were now new friends; the team that worked on the book, she was gracious, fun and told all just a little about the book—short, succinct, engaging. 
This Book Shepherd was proud of her author! So were her editors, cover and interior book designer. Nick Zelinger did a terrific job in carrying the theme from the exterior through the interior in it’s design.
Do friends count? Indeed they can and do.
Does creating a book that is quality inside and out count? Yes it does.
Does connecting partnering with a key bookstore in the community count? Yes, it’s a smart, strategic move.
A perfect evening for a perfect author, a perfect book, a perfect book launch. Bravo!
Get the book, To Tuscany with Love, and continue the party.
Judith Briles is known as The Book Shepherd a book publishing expert and coach. She is the Founder of Author U, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 31 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms, Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences.
Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author’s Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for Author U – Your Guide to Book Publishing on the Toginet Network at http://tinyurl.com/AuthorURadio . Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.