Yesterday was the day.
Launch day.
Release day.
Whatever you want to call it, by all reports, yesterday was the day that DIRTY LITTLE LIES showed up in stores.
I’m biting my nails.
I know I shouldn’t. It’s a nasty habit. Actually, it’s only a metaphorical biting of nails because I’m much too busy working on promotion and answering emails to be biting anything on my hands.
But I’m nervous.
I admit it.
You can tell by these short, one-sentence paragraphs.
I do that when I’m nervous.
Nervous? Why? Well, so far, the reader response to the book has been fabulous. I’ve heard from several booksellers who have read the book and have had nothing but wonderful things to say. Readers, too.
Have I posted excerpts from reviews?
That seems so vain. I won’t do that. But you can read them at my Marisela website. 
The website is entirely updated, so please take a few minutes to look around and see what’s new. Check out the new Max. And if you’ve never been there before…why not? It’s fun! It has sexy men. Girls with guns. That’s a good thing, right?
So, dear Plotmonkey devotees, if you are anywhere near a Borders, Barnes & Noble, Waldenbooks, please see if Dirty Little Lies is where it should be, in the romance section under L for Leto. Or better yet, on the new release mass market paperback table. That’s always a thrill. FACE OUT. I mean, you wouldn’t want your fellow readers to miss that great cover, right? 
I do not know if the book will make it into the discount retailers (Walmart, Kmart, Target) as those nuts are very hard for we new-to-single-title authors to crack. :wallbash:
I know Amazon & BN.com are shipping. The ebook version has been available from Simonsays.com for about a month.
I’m rambling. I know I’m rambling.
I should be blogging about something else, but honest to God, this is the only thing on my mind right now. I had to be so self-absorbed, but well, this book means a lot to me. I care if it succeeds. Is that selfish?
Anyway, okay…let me blog about something else. Oh, yes. Ernesto. As of this writing, he’s just a big bully of a Tropical Storm. The spaghetti tracks (when you live in Florida you learn lots of weather lingo like spaghetti tracks, cone of danger, storm surge, etc.) show it coming pretty close to here, but they aren’t closing the schools. I promised my daughter that if things turned ugly, I’d go pick her up. I’m praying for light rain. I’ve got work to do!
You know, when I’m this nervous about something I have only a few choices of what to do to stem this anxiety. One, call Carly. Check. Two, call Leslie (after she finds the number to her new place in Maryland.) Check. Three, call/email with Janelle because that whole three hour time difference is a bitch. Check. Four, call my critique partner, Susan Kearney. She’s out of town. Call her anyway. Check.
Fifth–blog about it.
Let’s have a party! Marisela and Frankie and Ian and Max are running loose and wreaking havoc. :idea: Oooh…what about another EXCLUSIVE Plot-monkeys ONLY excerpt! That’s an idea!
What do you think?
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Fifteen minutes later, the limousine pulled to a stop behind a large white building with stark brick architecture and institutional iron doors. 
A tall, blonde, tuxedoed man emerged from the backseat of the limo parked ahead of theirs and started toward her and Frankie. Ian Blake opened the door and leaned inside, looking cool and contained and, damn him, delicious.
“Don’t you look…spiffy,” she said, admiring Ian in his tuxedo, a classic Giorgio Armani with slim satin lapels that emphasized the broadness of his shoulders and the golden hue of his tan. His dark blond hair was close-cropped, but with fashionable spikes that defied conservative expectations–which made sense, since the man defied just about everything, including Marisela’s instinctual need to hate his guts.
Under the dim dome light, he gave her a quick once over. “You, on the other hand, have looked better.”
She gave him the finger. The first time they’d met, she’d been bruised and bloodied. They were starting to establish a pattern. “No thanks to you. Makes me wonder if you don’t get your rocks off when I’m in pain.”
He held out his hand gallantly. “Sadism really isn’t my preferred fetish, truth be told.”
His accent was a mix of continental British and pure American snark. She cast a glance at Frankie, who plunged out of the car, forcing Ian to move out of the way. The coast cleared, Marisela climbed out after him. She might be stiff and sore, but she didn’t need her boss’s help to get out of the car. Especially when that help involved touching him. Last time she’d done that, they’d almost ended up in bed together.
“In case you’re wondering,” she said, “I don’t ever want to know your preferred fetish.”
Ian’s pale blue eyes twinkled as his generous mouth struggled to contain a smile. “You say that now, but things change.”
Frankie grabbed Marisela’s elbow possessively. “Some things never change, Blake.”
“Like your predictable personality, perhaps?” Blake replied.
Marisela yanked her elbow free, rolled her eyes at both of them and marched into the building. Nothing propelled her out of a situation faster than excess testosterone. Only after she’d walked a good ten paces down the hallway did she realize she was in a hospital. She spun around to retreat when Blake blocked her path, Frankie close behind.
“I don’t need a hospital,” she said, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. “I hate hospitals.”
Images flashed in her brain. She’d wanted out of the gang so bad, she’d opted to beat-out. A roll of the dice had determined the number of homegirls she’d had to take on. She had to fight them and live in order to be allowed to leave las Reinas. She couldn’t remember now how many she’d rolled. Five? Six? Seven? All she knew was that she’d won.
She’d suffered cracked ribs, a punctured lung, a torn scalp, destroyed spleen and permanent scars. But as the saying went, “you should have seen the other guy.”
Ian slid his hands coolly into his pockets. “Few people like hospitals, but our client is here, so you’ll have to make do. I won’t make you see a doctor. However, if you pass out, you’re on your own.”
She narrowed her gaze, ignoring his cracks about the state of her health. She was sore and cut up, but hadn’t experienced anywhere near the damage it would take to force her to seek medical help. “We just left our client back at the museum.”
Ian shook his head. “The party at Houghton House is over and so is that assignment. We have a new objective now. You and Frankie are now charged with finding out who tried to kill Congressman Craig Bennett.”
“You mean they didn’t succeed?” Marisela asked. She’d seen the man lying on the ballroom floor, though admittedly, she’d been high above him at the time and hadn’t stuck around long enough to see if he was moving.
“No, thankfully, your intervention drew the bullet astray,” Ian confirmed, glancing back and forth between Marisela and Frankie, “but that’s not exactly common knowledge and it could be in our best interests to keep it that way for as long as possible.”
“You think she’ll try again?” Marisela asked.
Ian stared at her intently. “You spoke with the assassin. What do you think?”
Marisela turned and proceeded down the hall. This wasn’t over. Not for the congressman. And obviously, not for her.
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold nearly thirty books to three publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her husband, daughter, spoiled dachshund, enormous guinea pig and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
3 Seductions and a Wedding
Hot Number
Play With Me
Wild For Him
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Good morning, Julie. You are too funny. I’ll be at B&N today, spending the gift certificate I got for my birthday, so I’ll make sure it’s there and pick it up for myself. Along with all the other Plotmonkey’s new releases that I haven’t been able to get yet. My fingers are shaking, I’m nervous and excited for you.
As for Ernesto, I wondered if you were in the path…I’m in the NC path. After all the ones we were hit with during the mid-late 90’s I sympathize with everyone in Florida and wish for you guys to get a break as much as I’m sure you do. Maybe he’ll just huff and puff and then do nothing but rain here also!
Have a great day
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Yay, it’s out, it’s out! Been waiting on this one for what seems like forever. I’ll be making my trip to the bs this week, if not today.
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Woo Hoo! I’m going to buy COPIES to share with friends! :)
Pfft to Ernesto.
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Julie, I TOTALLY share your pain! My new vampire series came out yesterday, as well. I’ve been a nervous wreck (all the while trying to finish a book due TODAY). Anyhow, crazy. But I’m sure it will do well. Having it in mass market is a huge coup. I’ll be in the bookstores down this way this week and will definitely make sure it’s where it should be. In the meantime, heads up and stay faithful!
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Hey Julie,
Today is grocery day for me….and well….if a book is out that I want I take a side trip to Barnes & Noble. So I have myself and my 2 year old to get ready and off we go out of town today. And don’t worry, when I get there to buy Dirty Little Lies, I make sure it is displayed properly. I recall you doing the same when Diana’s Secret Society Girl came out. :wink:
And like I have said before, word of mouth is a great thing. I will be telling everyone about it. Even my elderly friend who enjoys her book club. I know it’s hard but try and step back, take a deep breath and relax. Your fans are sure to help spread the word about this awesome book.
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Kim, what’s the title of your book? I’ll be doing stock signings this week and I’ll add it to my list of books I must pick up.
THE MAN SHE THOUGHT SHE KNEW by Shari Shattuck
PLAYING WITH FIRE by Gena Showalter
MORRIGAN’S CROSS by Nora Roberts
THE COMPLETE IDIOT’S GUIDE TO WRITING EROTIC ROMANCE by Alison Kent (hey, we can all use a brush-up!)
SLAVE TO SENSATION by Nalini Singh
Ooooh, what else? This is a great month for releases!
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Kelly, I’m going to try. Seriously. Thanks for the advice. You are VERY right. I know you’re right. But I’m such a control freak, it’s hard! Maybe I need to throw myself into my new book, but there is so much to DO. I need balance.
Or a beer. Maybe what I need is a beer.
At 7am? Nope…I’ll have to settle for decaf coffee.
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Yay, something to look for while at Borders this weekend!
Loved the excerpt and the visuals were nice too:cooldance: Try not to stress and just think, it’s noon somewhere so feel free to have that beer … though really you’ll probably be more productive with the coffee:
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It’s called DEAD END DATING and features a vampire matchmaker. I know, right? But hey, you gotta climb out on a limb in this biz.
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Hey Julie, FYI Waldenbooks had your book out in my town face out!!! I was so pumped on my book buying day yesterday to find it. I has a list all written down of new releases, but left it at work. Can’t wait to start reading tonight after work!!!:)
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Thanks, Liza! I did a lot of promo with the Waldens sellers, so hopefully, it has paid off! Thanks SO much for buying the book. I hope you enjoy it!
Kim, yours sounds really fun…which I’m betting it is since you do that so well. Maybe I’ll get into vampires if they’re humorous. After Bram Stoker and Anne Rice, I really can’t see the evil vampire as heroic. I know lots and lots of authors are pulling it off, but I think my vampire lore is too deeply ingrained. (I taught Stoker for years.) I’ve added DEAD-END DATING to my list!
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The excerpt sounds great. I would go get it today, but many thing are closed around me because of Ernesto, even schools are closed (my daughter was very upset about that,:hissyfit: she is 4 so she still loves school). But I will keep an eye out for it. Good Luck, but you will do great!!
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Someone pour this poor girl a
Can’t wait for this weekend!
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Can’t wait to go get it, as soon as I get back home.
Vampire Dating Service?? That sounds funny. I love Vamp stuff, just not Anne Rice type, etc. Dracula is a classic though.
You’ll be fine Julie, but you know, you can have a beer to celebrate tonite!!!:cocktail: Ok, a cocktail since there’s no beer stein.
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Everyone, don’t walk, RUN to your nearest bookstore and pick up DIRTY LITTLE LIES! Talk about sexy men and a kick-ass heroine. It truly doesn’t get any better than this!!!
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Julie,
Relax–what a great word, but such a hard activity to accomplish. Instead I say, calm down, but keep your mind busy. Play some mindnumbing computer games…or check out plotmonkeys at work, y’know the first day of a brand new school year and you have 1450 kids showing up in 15 minutes. Trust me…I vote for the plotmonkeys suggestion.
That way you are reminded
A) you have such a better job than alot of others
B) you have a HUGE fan base
C) you have an EVEN BIGGER support base
D) you are not the only one waiting for the book to be released
E) with all of this support you only have to buy every other bookstore out–to boost the sales report
F) All of the above
Have a good day, if all else fails, go to the spa and have Chocolate
:kiss::love2:
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:)Julie, don’t worry. You have a huge fan base. Your excerpt sounds good (okay, the visuals are nothing to sniff at, either!!!!).
I hope Ernesto misses everyone…
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The excerpt is fantastic
There’s absolutely NOTHING selfish in caring about your book and wanting it to do well :)
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I bought your book yesterday at work. I will be reading it at work on my down time. Shh… dont tell anyone. :wink: lol. Thank god i have a job that has a lot of down time. I would be pulling my hair out if i didnt keep my mind occupied with these lovely books from the plotmonkey’s authors.
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Terrific excerpt!:thumbsup:
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Julie, Firstly, keeping fingers crossed Ernesto misses you (& everyone else). Haven’t seen DLL at the local Borders Express yet, but, wanted to tell you I did finish reading THE DOMINO EFFECT (which I bought through the “advanced ordering” procedure at HQ), & really liked it. I think I’ve previously mentioned I really don’t like RS: I know it’s “in”, but, not with me. So, I wondered how I’d warm to an assassin as a heroine. But, under your expert writing–LOL, I did. You wrote the “relationship” between the h/h well, which is really where I place my emphasis. So, I enjoyed the relationship, & the story.
Good luck on DLL; I’m certain it’ll do well.
Patricia A.
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Congrats on the release! Can’t wait to read it. I’ll buy it this weekend, but I need to finish reading THE DOMINO EFFECT (which is fantastic, btw) before I start!
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Julie, are you sayin’ my Ian gets to have more fun in this book?? Woohooo! I cannot wait to get my hot little hands on it even moreso now!
I need a button that says I LOVE IAN.
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Colleen, if you find a button like that, send it to me, too!!! Geez….!
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Great excerpt……..Yeah on the release. Going to have to pick it up………..8)
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very hot, cant wait
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Great excerpt
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Hi Julie
I just came home from Borders with my copy of DDL:thumbsup: I can’t wiat to read it.
I am reading DLS and LOVING IT:thumbsup:
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Julie I loved this book!! I just finished it! Let me tell you I can not wait for Talk Dirty to Me! Marisela rocks! I wish I could be more like her!! Anyway just wanted to say this book was AWESOME! I can’t wait to see what happens next!!
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Olga, I’m hearing you on Ernesto! We have this one weather guy who is always right and he told us yesterday that the storm was going to fizzle and vear east. He was dead on. Still, I have tons of bottled water in the back of my car and more cans of spaghetti-os than could be eaten by an entire third grade class, LOL! No storm shutters for us, but I wish we did!
Thanks for buying the book!
Thanks EVERYONE. You all have really helped me through my anxiety today. I don’t know what I would have done without the Plotmonkey readers!
Darlene–THANK YOU! I’m so glad the book worked for you and that you enjoyed Marisela and her adventures. I hope to be working on TALK DIRTY TO ME soon. I’m dying to dig into that plot!
Colleen, if I make up those buttons, you’ll be the first to get one for Ian. I can’t say much about what happens, but his relationship with Marisela definitely changes, setting up future scenarios. That’s all I’m saying.
Patricia, I’m so glad that THE DOMINO EFFECT works for you. I’m a relationship writer, I think, even though I might go at a story differently sometimes. Even Marisela is really about the relationships (plural) though the plot is important. Of course, this is because the Plotmonkeys never let me get too wrapped up in the plot! They’re all character driven writers, which is so valuable to me! Thanks for letting me know you liked it!
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INGO RADEMACHER! I love him as Jax on GH.
He’s back now too — so WOOT
I love the cover and will probably defitely have to check this out!