If you read the acknowledgements at the end of a book (a true sign for me, that I loved a book and don’t want the experience to end) you’ll often see authors expound on the sentiment that writing is a lonely and solitary endeavor. As writers we spend hours alone, creating a world and characters, hoping with every sentence we write, that someone will love them as much as we do.

Even though I am (likely) a more social creature than most writers, I share these authorial hopes and dreams as I craft my stories. And while some writers shy away from the spotlight, from the shouting-out-the-news about their story, I do not. I love stories and I love people. In fact, I maybe love stories, because I love people? And the way stories bring people together? Yes, that’s definitely part of it.

We’ve reached the part in the milestone of my newest book’s life, when I finally get to share it with you and celebrate. So let me not continue to wax on poetic about the sentiments of writers and get to the point of this blog post… that being… an invitation. To a launch party. To the Champion Chocolatier: Destiny by Design Launch Party.

And oh, what a party it will be!

If you’ve ever been to one of my story shindigs, you know they are something special… mostly because all my favorite people are there, but also because my parties are really my stories, brought to life. They are more of an experience than an event. If you haven’t been to one of my book launch parties before, you’ll have to come so I can truly show you. But for now, you’ll have to take my word. Or lots of words.

Here is what I have planned this time around.

Destiny by Design is all about an interior design competition. Emmy and Eddie have plans to transform a waterfront warehouse into a boutique hotel. Along they way, their project finds it’s way into the HGTV Collegiate Design Challenge. (What’s that you say? Emmy and Eddie aren’t in college? You’re right… but you won’t have to wait long for my first delicious plot twist to discover they ways in which they become eligible.) Maybe it’s because we only got ten channels on our TV through all of COVID and I watched a LOT of home reno shows, but the idea of using my creative storytelling skills to also design room after room and building after building, was just too fun to dismiss. Subsequently, this newest book and the entire launch party will have an interior design theme.

Here’s what you can expect.

Mood Board Competition

Party attendees will get to try their own hand at design by selecting a few design elements to create a mood board. We’ll have paint swatches and wallpaper samples, hardware and fabric, countertop pieces and pictures of furniture, along with a few other little odds and ends. To play, you’ll pick out a handful of items you think would make a gorgeous/delightful/whimsical/spunky/cozy/??hotel room. Whatever mood you’re going for, pick the elements to match it. Once you have your selections set aside, we’ll take a picture and then place the entries up for voting. The mood board that earns the most votes, will win… wait for it… seriously, it’s an amazing prize… a $100 gift card to the CHARMANT HOTEL and RESTAURANT! Even if you don’t buy a book (which I hope you do), even if you don’t sample to delicious appetizers we’ve ordered or help yourself to a drink from the cash bar, this prize alone is worth trekking downtown to join us.

Ask a Designer

Okay, I keep saying “us”, and it’s not because I’ve got a personality disorder. It’s because this party, like all great things in entrepreneurship, is a collaboration! Local designer, Tina Weisensel, of Weis Design, is partnering with me to make this event super stylish and so much fun. In addition to co-hosting the party, Tina will be running an “ask the designer station”. If you are anything like me, you have TONS of project ideas for your house, but a lack of knowledge or an overwhelming amount of options hold you back. Tina to the rescue! Bring your phone full of pictures (your kitchen cabinets, that tired looking fireplace mantle, or spare bedroom that needs a facelift) and Tina will help you make a plan to make your design dreams a reality!

Become a Designer!

If you are wanting to take your designer dreams to the next level, then you absolutely have to come to this party! Western Technical College (where I teach writing courses!) has recently reinstated their interior design program and an instructor will be on hand to tell you all about it! After writing this book (and as I said before, watching my fair share of HGTV shows) I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t more than a little interested in taking a few of these courses myself!

Book Sales and Reading

And it wouldn’t be a book launch party with out books! I will have all of my books for sale at the party, so if you need to catch up on earlier books in the series, or do a little holiday shopping, or you just want to get your hands on a copy of Destiny by Design, I’ve got you covered! For those of you who can’t wait until the 13th to read this newest installment of the Champion Chocolatier series, you can order it on Amazon and then bring your copy to the party to be autographed! Also, if you’d like to pre-order your book to be picked up at the party (by yourself or someone else if you can’t attend) you can do that here.

Food and Drink

And finally, last but not least, come to enjoy some of 4 Sisters delicious food and beverages. The menu items are still being selected, but we’ll have plenty! Wine, beer and a full bar of cocktails (as well as nonalcoholic choices) will also be available for your sipping pleasure!

What do you think? Want to party with me?!?!?!

I hope I’ll see you there!

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy…

Close Quarters Launch Party Recap From Real Life to Reality Bites Destiny by Design Chapter 1

This post was made beautiful by Canva.

If you liked what you read on my blog today (or are in search of weekly word nerd goodness) and would like to have it delivered to your inbox every Wednesday morning, you can sign up HERE. If you are interested in any of my email lists (with free goodies/downloads!) click the audience that best describes you: Writer. Teacher. Reader. As always, feel free to share this post with others you think might be interested via email, Facebook or Pinterest.

Finally, affiliate marketing is promoting a product or service in return for a commission. When you purchase a product or service through one of my links, I earn a small part of the sale. There is NEVER any extra cost to you. If you looked up the same product on the same site through another source besides my website, the price will still be exactly the same. 100% of the time.

I also NEVER link to products or services that I don't 100% believe in. I will never tout a company or their goods if they are disreputable or if I don't believe them to be worthy of your hard-earned money. In no way are my affiliate links a scam. (Language borrowed with permission from Kristen Kieffer on Well-Storied.com)