HLN host Nancy Grace appeared at a network reception for the release of her new book "The Eleventh Victim: A Novel" last night in midtown Manhattan, and TVNewser stopped by to scope out the attendees and chat with the author.

It was a big night for Grace who, in between kissing everyone, told us, "I was so proud when this book came out. I've been working on this book for ten years. 'Objection!' was about other cases. This has a piece of me in it." We also asked her what it was like entering Bill O'Reilly's "No Spin Zone" Monday night. "I loved it," she said. "But I would have been so so disappointed if we didn't have at least a little fight."

The night was not just about the new book, it was also a small celebration of Grace's recent ratings success. Ken Jautz, EVP of CNN Worldwide told TVNewser, "We launched 'Nancy Grace' four years ago and it was a big risk at the time. It was a different kind of show. But it paid off and we're rewarded with the ratings every year. Simply: the big risk paid off." Bill Hemmer, anchor of FNC's "America's Newsroom" stopped by to offer his congratulations to Grace telling us, "She started a program few had done before and the success she's had is evident in the following she has. Viewers are drawn to her."

TVNewser also spotted on-air talent Jeanne Moos, Jane Velez-Mitchell, Susan Candiotti, and Kimberly Guilfoyle. We also bumped into Dean Sicoli, Grace's Senior EP, and Senior Executive Producer of CNN Entertainment David Levine.

Pictures and Grace's thoughts on "Law & Order" after the jump...

Just because we could, we also used the opportunity to ask Grace about one of TVNewser's favorite not-news show: "Law & Order." Specifically, we wanted to know what she thinks of Faith Yancy, the "Criminal Intent" parody-version of her. "I am totally flattered that they would think enough of me to make fun of me like that. I really want Eminem to make fun of me too, but I think it wouldn't be very nice." Slim Shady was not in attendance, but here are some pictures:

Ken Jautz, EVP CNN Worldwide, addresses attendees.


Jautz congratulating Grace.


TVNewser grabbing a brief interview between getting a free dinner reporting.


Crowd mingling.