Last year, I was honored to have my Blaze, STRIPPED, chosen as the best Blaze of 2007 by Romantic Times magazine. This meant a lot to me because, well, I don’t enter many contests with my writing and this one, I didn’t have to enter at all, as it is chosen by the RT reviewers and because I’ve been reading RT since I first started writing romance back in 1987.
Next month is the official print release of SOMETHING WICKED, the sequel, and the final book in my St. Lyon witch series. (The first story was “Under His Spell,” in the WITCHY BUSINESS anthology collection.) Today, I’m not only offering an exclusive, Plotmonkey-only excerpt of SOMETHING WICKED, but I’m also going to give away signed copies of STRIPPED and WITCHY BUSINESS to anyone who comments here.
BTW, the winner of LAST WEEK’s Wednesday contest for my copy of Karen Hawkin’s book TALK OF THE TOWN is #57, Mickey Mac. Please drop me an email with your snail mail address so I can get the book out to you right away.
So…here’s the except. Enjoy! I’ll post the second half next week. Remember, if you’d like a copy of the two prequels, post a comment here.
As she worked, she hummed, her blonde hair nearly completely dry, the edges near her face curling in the steam from the thick ceramic bowl she’d chosen for mixing. Soon, Rick could barely keep his eyes open, much less muster the energy to ask what she was doing.
Little by little, his eyelids dropped. He strained through forced slits to watch the way her hips rocked and her shoulders undulated to the music playing in her mind, he fell asleep.
When he awoke, the kitchen was dark. The aromas from Josie’s brew still permeated the air. Once his eyes adjusted to the dim light spilling in from the window, he realized that she’d set a thick, ceramic mug in front of him that still steamed with fragrance. He picked it up, took a sniff and the moment his vision blurred, he pushed the cup away.
“What is all this?”
He heard a soft murmur from the other side of the room. Sleepy and feminine, like a sigh in a dream. He stood, groaned at the aches in his joints and muscles, then stretched and made his way to the couch.
Josie’s outline was a sensuous “S” of slumber. Judging by the heat from his mug, she’d just fallen asleep. Still clad in the fluffy robe, she’d drawn her hands beneath her cheeks and her left knee was nearly touching her chest. Even in the uncertain light, he could see the contrast of her tanned skin against the white robe and the dark red couch. He wanted to see more of her. So much more.
But he did not have the right.
He couldn’t keep insisting that she had to leave him alone and yet continue to surrender to the attraction driving him, even now, to wonder about the flavors of her skin.
He forced his gaze to the window and from there, to the neon blue clock on the VCR. It was nearly midnight. He had to leave.
Again, she stirred, murmuring innocently, then mumbling something that almost, just almost, sounded like his name.
He took a step toward the bedroom where he’d left his shirt and shoes. He couldn’t believe he’d fallen asleep so long. Sure, his body had been screaming for rest for weeks, but exhaustion alone hadn’t caused him to ignore every instinct in his body to remain alert, if only for Josie’s sake.
And yet, for the first time in months, he’d slept without dreams. No opaque shadows pressed down on him. No flying balls of fire scorched his skin. No glinting knives slashed down toward his heart, causing him to spin and take the cut down the length of his arm.
Just sleep. Sweet, invigorating sleep, just like trapped Josie right now. Or else, if she dreamed, her subconscious gave her something more pleasant to experience, judging by the slight curve of her generous lips.
He leaned forward to shake Josie awake, but his hand stayed just inches from her shoulder. She’d shifted into a beam of light from the window, catching the glow like some sort of otherworldy being. Not the kind he was chasing, but the kind he’d been taught since childhood would intercede on his behalf.
He could spare another few minutes with her, couldn’t he?
On the table in front of the couch, he found a collection of unlit candles. With the long matches lying in a decorative dish, he lit them, then turned to Josie, holding his breath.
The flickering radiance created an irresistible atmosphere, just as he’d suspected. Perhaps, as he intended. Her lips, so pink and moist, were slightly parted and maddeningly tempting. The lapel of the robe had fallen aside, giving him an unhampered view of her breasts. He dropped to his knees, glanced once more at her sleeping face, then surrendered to sweet temptation.
In an exciting bit of news…today is Plotmonkey’s 1000th post! Wahoo!
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.
ANOTHER WILD WEDDING NIGHT
Hard to Hold
Love Me If You Dare
Wild For Him
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I love Blaze, Julie, so this is a wonderful prize. Thank you for being so generous.
And congrats on 1000 posts! I’m only up to about 800 at my blog. It’s hard work doing it everyday *g*
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That’s some cover! I love your books – Debbie
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Congrats on your 1000th post, Plotmonkeys!!!
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Great cover! Wonderful excerpt too!
Congratulations on the 1000th post!!
Cher
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Julie what a great exceprt, Congrats on the 1000th post
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Congrats on post 1000 Plotmonkeys!
I’m only at like post 130, but I don’t post something new everyday.
Julie, I have Something Wicked on my e-reader and it’s the next book up to read. I can’t wait to read Josie and Rick’s story.
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Congrats on the 1000th post and thanks for the wonderful excerpt.
I definitely enjoy the Blaze line of books; I find them really sexy and hot! Great cover and a wonderful prize!
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whoo hoo.. congrats on the 1000th post.. this is the best blog on the net…. without a doubt..its one of my first stops for the day..
what a great post.. cant wait for the releases.. yay… thanks for sharing..
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:wave: WOW – 1000 posts – congrats! Great excerpt – can’t wait to read the rest! :flower4you:
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Julie, I can’t wait!!!!! I loved the first two books I can’t wait for this one……
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I am finally home and just in time it seems!!
I have to go back and catch up on the posts since I haven’t had internet since I left for CA.
And returned home in snow and ice.
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Congrats on 1000 posts!
Julie, I loved the first two in the series and can’t wait for the third!
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I saw that your book was coming out…my niece will love it!
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Congrats on the 1000th post!!
The excerpt left me wanting more, can’t wait!
Lu
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Great cover and fabulous excerpt. :)
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Blaze + witches = Julie
And 1000 posts? Time to
Congrats to the Plot Monkeys and to Julie!
I only have 886 posts to go in order to catch up….
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Fabulous excerpt – thanks for sharing that. Congrats Plot Monkeys on th 1000th post!! What an accomplishment.
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Congratulations on 1000!
Your new book looks great.
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Congrats on the 1000 post! I’m a novice to blogging. So far Plotmonkeys is the only place I’ve been commenting on. And I’ve been enjoying it very much.
The excerpt was great…I wanted to keep on reading…
Debbie
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Thanks so much for the excerpt. I am looking forward to this book.
I am backm to reading again. I so missed it when my eye was giving me
problems. I have a too be read pile from heaven. :happy2:
I just finished Murder Game by Christine Feehan. If you like her game
books this one is excellent. Today I am off to read Plum Soopy by Janet E.
Released yesterday. Well I did get book cards for the holiday.
Julie, I just picked up Phantom Touch with the gift card too.
So you are next to be read. Hugs to all and a big puppy slurp from Zoey.
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:halltaz To the Plotmonkeys.
Congrats on the 1000th post. Thank you for letting us be a part of your lives.
Julie, I can’t wait to get started with the new read.
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Julie – congratulations! That’s such wonderful news
And thanks for the excerpt – I have no idea how I missed the books but they’re going on my list!
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Enjoyed the excerpt and congrats on the post!
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Congratulations, Mickey Mac!
Congratulations to the Plot Monkeys on their 1000th post!
That was an excellent excerpt, Julie. Something Wicked sounds like it will be a great way to end the St. Lyon witch series.
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Congratulations on post 1000!
Now that was a fabulous excerpt.
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Congratulations on reaching the big 1-0-0-0!
1000 posts, that’s a great achievement!
Pat Cochran
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Congrats to Mickey Mac for your win! And Congrats PLOTMONKEYS for your 1000 post!
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I LOVE Blaze books and I love the excerpt! :) Thanks Julie!
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This is a great excerpt and I can’t wait to read the rest of the book!
Congrats on hitting the big 1000th post!
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Hot, hot, hot! Looking forward to reading the book.
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Woohoo, congrats on the 1,000 post. Congrats on the upcoming release of “Something Wicked.”
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Thanks for the teaser on Something Wicked. It sounds like another good read.
:mickey Here’s to the next 1000!
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Julie, Stripped is still one of my favorite Blazes! I missed the first one somehow, but look forward to reading Something Wicked – the excerpt was great. Thanks! And congrats Plotmonkeys on 1000 posts. WOW!
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I didn’t realize that Something Wicked was the last book- how on earth did I miss the others? Hmm. My TBR pile just keeps getting bigger and bigger but I really want to know what is in that mug and also see how far into temptation he went:)
Congrats on the 1000!!!!!
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Congrats on 1000 posts!
Thanks for the teaser. It sounds like a great read!
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Wow – congrats on 1000 posts.
Its not fair – Harlequin for Australasia still can’t tell me when Something Wicked is coming out here. I suppose I’m going to have to consider purchasing it from Amazon.
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Hooray on the recognition, Julie–well deserved! And thanks for the sneak peek! Can’t wait!! This sounds like another winner!
And happy 1000 posts, Plotmonkeys!
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Enjoyed the excerpt! Congrats on the 1000 posts and a very happy and successful new year to all of you!
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Woo hoo! Congrats on the 1000th. WE love you guys. Here’s to 1000 more!
Count me in for the draw. Excerpt looking good.
X5 
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Plum Spooky isn’t up as an ebook yet.
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Congrats! Enjoyed the excerpt!
Best of luck with your writing in 2009!
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I enjoy your blaze books very much! This is how it looks this morning in CT. I envy all the Florida people in days like yesterday and today :freezin
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Whoo hoo….I can’t wait to read more!
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I love that cover and can’t wait to read the book!!!
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Wow 1000th post how cool is that
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Best Blaze of 2007, that’s really saying something. Congrats! I do love a red hot Blaze!
Deidre
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ooh – great excerpt! hope I win!
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A day late due to computer problems. Just wanted to comment on what a great excerpt. You know I’ve been waiting forever for Rick and Josie’s story. Congrats on the 1000th post, Plotmonkeys!!
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Hi Julie,
Just sent you my addy where to send TALK OF THE TOWN that I won!!!!
Thank you so much!!!! Can’t wait to receive!
Would you like me to email you when I receive???? Mick Mac
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so great love it here. please counte m en the contest. love u ladies
:love: 
