My Stylish French Girlfriends go live! – and a new video

by Sharon Santoni

scullery in french chateau de moissac

One of the things I thought about a lot while writing and putting together My Stylish French Girlfriends, is “which girlfriend will my readers most relate to?”

As you may already know, my book portrays twenty French women in their homes and daily lives… all ages, from all over France.  Some live in châteaux, some in Parisian apartments, some in small houses in the country …. their common ground is that they all live with passion and in style.

cheese biscuits and flowers on table

So as the book begins to be distributed and read,   I wonder if I shall receive emails from readers telling me that they could totally relate to Ysabel in her painting studio, or that they would love to have a garden like Nathalie, or that they could see themselves in a beautiful Paris apartment like Stephanie ….  I think there is something for everyone.

A big thank you to all of those readers who put in their pre-orders.  I have to say that the demand was high and we are already on a second reprint.   Book stores in the States have received their copies this weekend, Amazon is waiting on a new shipment of books, and suppliers in Europe will have their copies in September.

sitting room in french chateau

To say that I am excited is an understatement, I just know there are a lot of people to thank for helping me with this project.  Not least of whom is Madge Baird, my editor at Gibbs Smith, whose experience and steady eye were invaluable.

Here are a few more pictures from the book, along with a second video, revisiting moments during our photo shoots last year.  I hope you enjoy.

45 comments

Joanne C August 2, 2015 - 9:56 am

Allô Sharon. I shall receive my copy of the book 5 days form today !!! I am looking forward to discover those amazing women !

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Elvie August 2, 2015 - 10:42 am

Sharon I was wondering if you book will be in the bookstores in Perth west Australia.I am sure it would be very welcome.

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Sally August 2, 2015 - 10:50 am

Hello
I preordered for my friends birthday when does it get to Australia she leaves for Paris in 3 weeks ?

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Fiona August 2, 2015 - 11:06 am

Oh I so enjoyed watching you video clip, tapping my feet to the beat while the rain is pounding down outside.

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Esther George August 2, 2015 - 11:30 am

Hi Sharon, I will be ordering your book tonight and wanted to let you and your Aussie readers know it is available online from Booktopia here in Sydney, they are fantastic your order arrives within 2 max 3 days (if not sold out). Love the clip and the photographs. Thank you for sharing beauty. Till next time regards Esther from Sydney. PS hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

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Our French Oasis August 2, 2015 - 11:42 am

Looks so beautiful, really looking forward to it being published in Europe. Have a fabulous weekend 🙂

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Diane Callender August 2, 2015 - 11:45 am

I am awaiting my book from amazon. Please can you let me know where I can purchase the music used in the video . Nice chill out music
Good luck with the book sales
Diane

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Sharon Santoni August 2, 2015 - 11:53 am

Hi Diane

So glad you like the music, it is by a young French artist in the south of France, called Clem Beatz. You can listen to more of his work on his soundcloud here, https://soundcloud.com/clem-beatz

The piece that he allowed me to use for my videos is called Lazy

best

Sharon

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Kim Webb August 2, 2015 - 12:05 pm

I received notice from Amazon this weekend that my copy is on its way – so looking forward to reading it . Kim

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Heather August 2, 2015 - 12:15 pm

Awaiting my copy in the UK with excitement. I would be interested in stocking some copies in my interiors shop if possible

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Denise August 2, 2015 - 12:34 pm

Oh Sharon
Ordered mine yesterday should have it by Monday . Can’t wait.

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Kate Dickerson August 2, 2015 - 1:19 pm

Just got word from Amazon that my book is in the mail…so excited!

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Jane August 2, 2015 - 1:30 pm

My copy is due to arrive tomorrow via Amazon. I’m very excited to receive. Congratulations

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Lynne August 2, 2015 - 1:53 pm

Sharon, I cannot wait to receive my copy. It will be hand delivered to me at my desk tomorrow. I have always been enamored with your stylish French girlfriend features. It’s quite obvious that I am not the only one. Congratulations on the success of your book!
~Lynne
w/L

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Cindi August 2, 2015 - 2:32 pm

Hi Sharon,

I just ordered my copy and it is in stock at Amazon.ca (Canada). Looking forward to reading it, curled up on my couch with a cup of tea!

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Monique August 2, 2015 - 3:01 pm

Beautiful video!:)
Quelles belles vies…

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Carol J Preston August 2, 2015 - 3:17 pm

Hello Sharon. .love reading you every week and would love to have a copy of your book. Is it possible to get an autographed copy? I live in the United States. Thank you. Carol

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Marian from UK August 2, 2015 - 3:25 pm

So near and yet so far!! Have to wait till 16 September for my copy via Amazon!! such a shame!

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Heather in Arles August 2, 2015 - 3:37 pm

Oh. My. That video! Holy Canoli if that doesn’t make you want to buy this fabulous book than nothing will! I am SO excited and beyond proud of your smashing success even before the publish date…pretty unheard of, non? 🙂

PS. And if I am right and that really is the Chateau de Moissac that I glimpsed I am going to fall out of my chair…

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MacBrooks Antiques August 2, 2015 - 4:14 pm

Hi Sharon,
I am awaiting my order for the shop. It will be my “highlighted” book(s) as soon as they get here. I wish you all the best with it!
Rita

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Patti August 2, 2015 - 4:30 pm

Just ordered my copy. Congratulations!

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Katherine August 2, 2015 - 5:30 pm

The obvious thing that you are maybe too shy to include is – these twenty stylish girlfriends have a very stylish friend as well. That is you. Recognizing this style and bringing it to everyone is the core of it all.
I’m looking forward to getting the book and think this will be something I gift to many people.

The video is fabulous.

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Colleen Taylor August 2, 2015 - 6:09 pm

Another gorgeous video Sharon! My book arrives this week, so exciting, can’t wait. A huge Congratulations to you & I agree with Katherine above. You are among these stylish girlfriends! X

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Sherine August 2, 2015 - 6:33 pm

My copy arrives tomorrow ❤️
So excited! I want to bring it to you
to sign ……XO

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Teje August 2, 2015 - 8:06 pm

My copy is scheduled to arrive next week through Amazon. I am so excited! I plan to savor it page by page!

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Michelle August 2, 2015 - 11:14 pm

Sharon,
Just placed my order on Amazon, looking forward to my mail next week! Enjoy your work. I also liked your article in French Entrée mag. Best wishes.

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Ruth Gardner Lamere August 3, 2015 - 3:41 am

My book arrived this morning and I have spent the entire day INSIDE on a gorgeous New England summer day because I could not put it down ! It is SUCH a beautiful book and the women are so diverse, interesting, stylish and charming, and their lives are the same. I will be reading and re-reading this wonderful book for a long time, I am sure ! Congratulations on compiling such an interesting and inspiring book. I KNOW everyone is going to just LOVE it ! xoxoxo

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Nancy Brantley August 3, 2015 - 4:57 am

WOW….love the video!!! I will be ordering my book now. Thanks for giving the music link, just loved that music

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Lee Etta Bowers August 3, 2015 - 12:56 pm

Beautiful book. I am enjoying “my” trip to France!

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Nicolette August 3, 2015 - 2:17 pm

Sharon
I have been reading your blog for awhile and vicariously enjoying your sojourns around Paris, the markets and Normandy! Have read your posts on your girlfriends so pre-ordered your book. To my delight the book was delivered yesterday, on a Sunday, by Amazon. Can’t wait to find a quiet spot with a cup of tea and my CD of my favorite French singer to set the mood and meet your French girlfriends! You are indeed fortunate to have creating a circle of such amazing creative women as yourself. I look forward to further snippets of your glorious life and experiences. Thanks again for my daily taste of France…….

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Cherry August 3, 2015 - 3:02 pm

Loved the video! Beautiful

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Ruth August 3, 2015 - 4:19 pm

Hello Sharon,
I have been on your website for a couple of weeks now and am enjoying every minute!
Absolutely love all the pictures of France, and the decor… Amazing!! I ordered your book yesterday from our local Indigo/Chapters and should have it in 5-10 days. (Canada).
Can’t wait!
Ruth

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Eleni August 3, 2015 - 5:11 pm

Love the blog, love the background music. Amazon.ca just emailed and your book will be delivered at the end of August. Merci…

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Bev August 3, 2015 - 7:47 pm

Sharon – Congrats on the release of your book. Fabulous video, looks so beautiful over there. Can’t wait to see the book here in Toronto, Canada. Will be on my table.
Bev

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Roxane August 4, 2015 - 2:59 pm

Ohhh…I had a mail pickup notice in my mailbox yesterday, but the pickup window was closed!!! I knew it was your book! I had to wait until this morning and now have your gorgeous book in my hands while listening to “Lazy”…setting the mood, lol I’m trying to hold back my impatience and not page through the entire book looking at the photos. I want to take my time reading about these inspirational women. When I get back to Paris, I might just have to take a train ride to Normandie to get your autograph in my book! The photographer Franck is amazing! I am now following him on Instagram. Thank you so much Sharon and friends for sharing your homes and life in France with us.

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ellie August 4, 2015 - 5:07 pm

My Mema showed me this video. I am 7 years old and I love the dogs,the horses. It was funny when the dog was following the horse when the lady was riding him.

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Suzen August 5, 2015 - 2:08 am

I’m waiting for my copy from Amazon which should be here by this weekend! Looking forward to spending some lovely time reading and studying the photos. Excited!!

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Beth Williams August 6, 2015 - 7:53 pm

Now I have your gorgeous book to read/look at every day and your wonderful story to look forward to on Mondays. Thank you so my. Re the book, I really appreciate the black text on white pages. But I do have one disappointment. Beautiful books used to be protected by dust jackets. When did that stop and why? Your beautiful book isn’t the first to be without a dust jacket. Doesn’t mean I love it any less, but it deserves that extra touch.

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Tish Jett August 7, 2015 - 1:16 am

You are wonderful, my dear friend. xo

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Sharon Crigger-Stokan August 8, 2015 - 6:32 pm

I received my book this week and I hate when I have to.put it down…I love it! So beautiful! Merci beaucoup, Sharon!

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Judy August 9, 2015 - 2:59 pm

Great video highlights of this beautiful book. I’ve been enjoying my book all weekend…so happy to have it. Wonderful job, Sharon!

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Joyce December 10, 2016 - 5:07 am

Wonderful look at a beautiful lifestyle. Love the French ease. Of living beautifully.

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Tammy Smith January 23, 2019 - 4:10 am

Thank you so much for sharing your trip and the beautiful pictures! I would love to purchace your book. Can I get it from your website or can I find it in a bookstore?
Thanks again!

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