Okay, I know all of you had your fun on Wednesday, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, pinching people who dared not to wear green, giving yourself excuses for drinking green beer and gorging on corned beef and cabbage.
I did not. I have nothing against St. Patrick’s Day. To be honest, I wouldn’t have even known it was March 17 on Wednesday except I ventured out to Jazzercise and realized everyone else was wearing green. I decided that I’d prefer to celebrate today’s holiday: the Feast of St. Joseph.
I won’t go into the religious aspects, but the bottom line is that St. Joseph is the patron saint of Sicily, so on this day, when I was a kid and my grandmother lived in a predominantly Italian neighborhood, I got to eat a lot of cookies.
Cookies are good.
So today, the lucky winner (US only) will receive a box of Italian cookies and a copy of NEW ORLEANS NIGHTS, which contains two of my books, including INSATIABLE, which is usually called “the Italian food book,” by those who know and love it.
Leave a comment to win!
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 over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Happy Friday! It might be snowing here (after some great 60+ degree weather) so I’m going to stay in this weekend and relax.
Have a great weekend!
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You, too, Stacy? High today of almost 70, then winter storm watch for the weekend–4″ to 8″ of snow.
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As a Sicilian who grew up in an Irish Catholic family and married one of them too, I find it easier to just celebrate both. I am wearing red today. I wore green on Wed (along with my token orange, but we won’t go there).
I have to work all day and miss the great weather. My boss is being an idiot. :*&#!:
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I am half irish and my hubby is italian I too celebrate both so everyione have a great day picked up some advance copies of some new books at a used book store I am so excited I love advanced copy books feel like I got something good before anyone else and I will do a review on them for the authors since I am so excited…
Donna :Irish2:
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Donna, I sent you an email about this…but wanted to say for everyone’s benefit that ARCs should not be sold or resold. If the bookstore wants to give them away, that’s fine…but I think you were ripped off. ARCS are not a resalable item. It’s nice to get books in advance, but in the long run, it hurts the book industry when they are SOLD to readers. The author is not paid, the publisher is not paid…the only one making money is the bookstore, and they have no right.
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Cookies and books, what a great combination! Count me in.
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Thank you Julie. I am the same. I do not celebrate St. Patty’s Day and it is nothing against the Irish. I meant to wear red today but it totally slipped my mind. But I am celebrating St. Joseph’s Day too! Have a great weekend!
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Happy Friday everyone! Weather guy said we would be in the 70′s today and tomorrow. Really wish I didn’t have to work today so I could enjoy this weather. Have a great weekend everyone!
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Oooooh my favorite cookies ever! Italian and Austrian here but I celebrate St. Paddy’s in honor of mom’s stepdad (Irish to his core). He raised her and he was the only grandpa I ever knew. So I raise my glass of green hued Amaretto to him!
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What a fun memory!!
Have a great weekend, everyone!! The temps are supposed to be in the 70′s here this weekend too and I am so ready for it!! Sorry, Stacy, that you’re getting more snow!
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I am neither Irish nor Italian but would love to try those cookies while reading your books! Shorts day yesterday and flurries today…
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Happy Friday, Julie and everyone!! Not Irish or Italian, but always appreciative of a good cookie and a good story!
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Julie, I was just thinking of St. Pat’s Day, St. Joe’s Day AND New Orleans this week. Leslie took me to New Orleans for my 40th birthday (Jeez, was that really 11 years ago?!) and we were ther for both holidays. They have full blown parades down Bourbon St. for both. Not the size of Mardi Gras but you definitely get the full flavor. Being half Irish and half Italian (and of course you know how much I love NO), I was in heaven.
There was an interesting distinction between the two groups. The Irish were drunk and throwing beads from the floats. The Italians were drunk and throwing beads from the floats and all the little old Italian men were roaming around kissing all the women…including Leslie. I guess I know which half I get that from.
I guess the rules state that since I’m related to a Plotmonkey I’m exempt from the cookies huh?
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Mmmmm Cookies and books. Great prize offerings as always. Hope everyone has a great weekend.
I am going to a 60th wedding anniversery party Sat afternoon. Having dinner with friends Saturday evening. Will be a busy weekend. Hope the weather stays nice.
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Yup-today is supposed to be 65 degrees, this weekend 6-8 inches of snow. Crazy. Good weekend for reading! :)
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I don’t think I even know any people with Italian blood. They didn’t settle in this area. But hey, I do like just about any kind of cookie! Munch. Munch. They would go good with my coffee addiction.
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I totally need the cookies…my Oldest is having lots of anxiety because I think he wants to do the Spring Program, but he is just anxious, my middle boy doesn’t want to do the Spring Program, either. Finally, my babysitter is flaking on me (and I have a non-refundable plane ticket to Paris in three months and no one who can watch my boys). I am not a happy woman. The only good news is that my Youngest has a playdate today and I am looking forward to hanging out in the sunshine with him and his friend and his mom. Otherwise, I am having a panic attack.
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T.G.I.F. I never have had those type cookies but would luv to try. The book sounds as delicious.
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I thought I was Irish growing up, but after getting non-identifying info on my adoption, I discovered I’m Chickasaw and Bohemian, with a dash of French. Go figure! I love St. Paddy’s, always have. I had no clue about St. Joseph, even though I’m sitting here in a red shirt.
Like Stacy and Gillian, nice today, icky over the weekend. If my RWA chapter meeting is cancelled, I’m headed under the covers to catch up on my reading! And now you’ve got me thinking about cookies, Julie. I may have to bake some!
Have a great weekend, Jungle peeps!
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That is too coincidental. I was adopted too and think I have Irish. My daughter swears she is Irish. In fourth grade she told all the kids she was a leprachaun. I thought it was hysterical. Howerver, the teacher at the Christian school she attended thought it was evil and of the devil.
Wouldn’t it be great if there were a blood test or something to explain your heredity to you.
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Debbie, that would be cool! I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before you can take a DNA test and find out what your cultural roots are.
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I forgot I was “supposed” to wear green on Wednesday. Working at home, I tend to forget little things like that. Sigh.
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Nice prize. Love those cookies. have a great weekend.
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I’m all for the cookie holiday. Well today is beautiful and Saturday we have a winter weather advisory with accumulations of snow forecast. Naturally the jonquils and spring flowers are already up. Man I really don’t like winter.
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Hey Jules, love the prize for today. Cookies and books set in NO…what a great combination. I didn’t wear green on Wednesday either…I don’t own anything that color except Army fatigues and I was NOT going there. If I go outside today, big IF, I will wear red because I generally do on Fridays. I didn’t know about St. Joe’s so I might have to do some more research…LOL!!!
I hope that everyone has a wonderful day. Right now it is sunny, but I don’t know what the weekend will bring.
How is your search for author names going, Jules?
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Thanks for the delightful and cute combo. The cookies look delectable and a book is wonderful.
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Happy Friday Everyone! Cookies and books sound great.
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I’m not a big St. Patty’s Day person either, Julie. And I’m Irish.
We have had weather in the upper fifties to mid sixties all week then last night a storm came in. We could get 10 inches out of this spring storm.
But hey, that’s why I love Colorado 
Oh and Julie, SEND ME THOSE COOKIES!!! I love cookies!! And your book too. What could be better than reading a great book and munching on cookies.
Have a great day all,
Cher
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Oh, if you get a chance check out this link. Fabulous!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHmmid1pLi8&feature=related
Cher
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The Italian cookies sound yummy. Happy Friday!
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Happy Friday everyone! Cookies sound good! We are having nice weather right now sunshine and everything, but I think its going to start raining and turn cooler again! I spend yesterday triming bushes outside it was beautiful! Have a great weekend!
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Italian cookies that sounds great! Happy weekend – We are cold here today
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I celebrate both, but instead of cookies we have zapolies.
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Italian cookies and a book… what a terrific combo! Have a wonderful weekend all!
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I never seem to remember St. Patrick’s day. I don’t like beer so that is probably part of it. Happy weekend all.
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What unique and lovely prizes. Love the book and cookies. Thanks. Enjoy your weekend.
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Cookies and a good book!!! Nothing could be better…..
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A great Friday prize as always! I love coming here on Friday to see what the give away is. Thanks Julie & all the Plotmonkeys for the generosity.
My family is German but I sometimes wonder if there isn’t some Italian no one knows about!! I love Italian food. The Italian’s I know are warm wonderful people. There are many in this area due to the fact that it compares with some areas of Italy.
We have lots of sun for the day and the weekend. Yesterday got to 80! It is March, I was real happy with the 70′s!!
Everyone enjoy the weekend.
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Cookies and books. Does it get any better?
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Oooo fabulous prize
Have a great weekend everyone!
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Cookies and a book, sounds good!
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Cookies and a book, yum…Have a good weekend.
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Hey Julie! There is nothing that goes better than Fridays, cookies and books! My three favorite combinations with the exception of chocolate. How’s your Friday going?
Have a great weekend!
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I like cookies! I like books! I’m not sure about St. Joseph’s Day. It’s sad too. I like in St. Joseph. I’m Catholic (by marriage). I guess I should be learning my Catholic history.
Have a great weekend!
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Cookies are always good. I’d love a celebration like that.
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I say what ever holiday that you celebrate just enjoy the day! Like today. It’s 70 degrees outside and the sun is bright. Life is good!
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Since all my ancestors are 100% Sicilian this would be a great prize!!!
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I love books set in New Orleans. Also, I am not trying to sneak and enter twice. But I am going to reply to Silver.
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Hi there Julie! Happy Friday! Mumm, What goes better with books than a glass of wine but cookies and milk! My favs! Nothing going on big here this weekend. How about you? Spring starts this weekend! Yeah!!
Maybe, just maybe, it will start getting warmer and the sun will shine more! Yeah! 
I’m so ready!!
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:taz: GIVE ME THE COOKIES :taz: Whoops! Wrong character! Oh well, you get the point right. I really like books set in New Orleans! The city is rich in history and always makes a great story setting. I buy all the books I find set in New Orleans.
Call me Silly 
but I do. Enough babbling, have a great weekend!! 
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I didn’t do anything on St. Patricks Day and haven’t since I was in college–and that coincides to when green beer sounded like a great idea. In the years since college, I’ve become a wine drinker. So the Italian celebration sounds much more my kind of thing. And did you say cookies?! Did I hear cookies?! That especially sounds like a great way to celebrate.
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Awesome prize. Happy Friday.
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Cookies sound great to me!
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I would never pass up the chance the eat cookies!
Tami B.
I
Jazzercise!
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TGIF!!!!!
I would love your books!!
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Hope everyone has a great weekend!!
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Julie don’t forget the best part of St. Joseph Day is the Zappolli’s yummy. I got a chocolate one today
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I’m Italian and love when I was a little girl, my grandmother would celebrate this day too… She made wonderful homemade italian cookies. Yummy.
Happy Friday everyone… enjoy the weekend.
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Years ago my cousins used to have a St. Joseph’s Table at their house and all the proceeds would go to their favorite charity. Being Italian I always look forward to St. Joseph’s Day! Who could not like Italian cookies and Zeppolli’s
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Cookies will work.
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I’m Irish, but geesh, we get soda bread instead of cookies so I think you win!
Cookies are heavenly, and I don’t recall ever eating Italian Cookies.
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Being married into an Irish/German family and being a Catholic, I’m going to
celebrate both, just like Bruce! Especially since we all love us some cookies!
Any kind of cookies! In fact, when they were small, I called my grandchildren
my “Cookie Monsters,” because they were always asking for “Coo-kies!”
Pat Cochran
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cookies and books! two of my favorite things!
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Cookies and books….what could be better?
Spring is FINALLY springing here in Carolina. 75 degrees today and should hit near 80 tomorrow. Flowering trees have finally started to bloom. Up next will be the annual pollen shower turning everything yellow…hate that!
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Hey, everyone loves an Italian girl! My family tree is filled with Josephs, Angelos, Pasquales, Angelinas, Marias, Giannis….well you get the picture!
Although I do have a brother who was born on St Patrick’s Day!
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I did so much planning on St. Patrick’s…making cookies with my granddaughter and such..that I forgot to wear green. I don’t pinch people but they sure like to pinch me.
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I don’t “celebrate” either holiday, but I did wear green yesterday, just in case someone wanted to pinch me
And I wouldn’t pass up a chance to win cookies and a great book, so count me in!
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Cookies sounds great I am tired of cornbeef my family loves it so much I have to make a ton of it. So i get sick really quick.
Our weather is not good again, I don’t think it knows it is Spring out there.
Have a good weekend everyone.
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Red for the saint day. I did not wear red.
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Wishing everybody a great start to a happy spring this weekend!
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I’m not Italian or Irish, but I eat corned beef and cabbage and, definitely, cookies. I am Foodie-American
And will happily celebrate any holiday that features food. I wonder if there’s a box for that on the census?
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Cookies? Cookies? Who said cookies? I am the Cookie Monster. Gimme some cookies…LOL I love sweets and to win NEW ORLEANS NIGHTS too, Awesome…
Pls put my name in the hat. Have a great weekend. To be sunny here but rain on Sunday. Tomorrow is the first day of Spring, YAY!!!!
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My husband is half Sicilian and we used to get great homemade cookies all the time. Mom-in-law doesn’t bake much anymore since all the kids are grow
n.
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Happy St. Joseph’s Day. We celebrate both St. Patrick’s Day and St. Joseph’s Day.
(I’m part Irish and my husband is Italian.) We do corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day and St. Joseph’s pastries for St. Joseph’s Day. (The pastries are similar to a cream puff, with a ricotta cheese filling. The filling is similar to a cannoli cream. YUMMY!) We can only find the pastries in Italian bakeries around March 19.
Great topic Julie.
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Happy Friday, It’s getting late. I’m so tired but can’t sleep. UGH!But I want to win. Pick me please! :) HAGN
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I loooooooooove these cookies! I have not thought (or had) about them in years but my mother’s family (which is Italian) used to have them all the time at our family gatherings. Thanks for bringing back some good memories for me. St Joseph was very special to our family.
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Friday’s almost over. Waiting for the Saturday and Sunday reading and relaxing. I went to New Orleans for my 25th wedding anniversary. What a great time. I would love to read a book about New Orleans and snack on cookies. Have a great weekend everyone.
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My email is italiancookies! Also I am joelle named after my father joseph and on st patricks day we wore blue and we celebrated st josephs day. Therefor I should be the winner :)
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TGIF!! Another great contest!! I LUV cookies and anything to do with new Orleans. Thanks, Sue
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Is there still time to enter? I need more cookies in my life.
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both sound AMAZING
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As a non-Catholic I’m not familiar with the Feast of St.Joseph,but if it advocates gorging on cookies then it’s worth acknowledging. I’ve been inspired to research this holiday.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com
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I must confess that I did wear green on Wednesday (and I’m not Irish), but I’d love to celebrate St. Joseph’s day (I’m not Italian either, but my hubby is)! I love cookies and books – what a great way to celebrate!!!
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mmmm cookies!
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I don’t really do anything for either one of them. I worked Wed. and didn’t have a green work shirt but I did wear ear plugs with a green string on them does that count.
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lmao…I didn’t know it was St.Patty’s day until I went to my best friends house and she was cooking boiled dinner. I was like …oh crap… and I had had black on all day. :Irish1: