Julie Elizabeth Leto

Pseudonym: Julie Leto.

http://www.julieleto.com

I don't have a stepmother, have never been blonde and wouldn't know how to clean a fireplace if ashes were stacked to the flue. But my road to publication didn't come overnight or without a lot of disappointment. Yes, I have my Prince Charming (and a little Princess to boot), but other than that, Cinderella and I have nothing in common. Of course, my becoming published did have a lot to do with finding the perfect fit, so who knows? Maybe I do have a fairy godmother somewhere out there.

Born and raised in Florida to a close-knit Italian-American family, I learned never to give up or give in -- especially when in pursuit of a lifelong dream. I worked over eight years before Harlequin Temptation bought my first book, SEDUCING SULLIVAN.

A romance reader from age 16, I knew these were the stories I wanted to write. I started my first romance in 1988 while in graduate school. Soon after, I joined the workforce as an English teacher. I wrote at night and on weekends. During breaks. I grabbed every free moment I could.

In 1996, I retired from teaching, joined my family's manufacturing business and gave myself more time to write. "The call" from Harlequin came in March of 1997 with an offer to publish SEDUCING SULLIVAN, my fourth completed novel.

I discovered my niche with Temptation's sensuous, sexy tone and character-driven stories. My desire to "push the envelope" fit perfectly in Temptation's Blaze series. All the rejection letters and years of working to improve and hone my style paid off. With the start of the new Blaze line, I have homes at both Temptation and Blaze that I truly treasure.

So to be honest, sometimes I do feel like a certain fairytale princess.

Books

Private Lessons February 13, 2007 Banker Grant Riordan was a bit of a stuffed shirt—until Harley showed up on his doorstep and sent his libido skyrocketing. Hired as the "entertainment" for a bachelor party, Harley dressed like an Read more...

The Domino Effect
(#272 Extreme)
August 1, 2006


Domino Black, professional assassin

I've killed too many to count.

All in the name of United States security.

I don't care. I don't feel—I just do what I'm told. My latest assignment was different.

I Read more...

Boys Of Summer
(#264)
July 1, 2006


Baseball. The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd...and the view of mouthwatering men in tight uniforms! A sport in which the men are men...and the women like them that Read more...

A Fare To Remember
June 13, 2006


Convincing these women he's found their matches is hardly a smooth ride for cabbie Mario Capelli....

Just Whistle by Vicki Lewis Thompson
There's no way jaded Zachary Evans will help new grad Hannah Robertson Read more...

New Orleans Nights
May 9, 2006


Two classic stories with the miniseries characters you love.

Pure Chance (originally published in Harlequin Temptation #814, January 2001)
Desperate to get out of a bind, Serena Deveaux decides to "hire" bodyguard Brandon Chance, her Read more...

More Than Words, Volume 2
October 1, 2005


The second annual More Than Words anthology
Five bestselling authors
Five real-life heroines

Every day, women across North America reach out and change lives in their communities. Five have been selected as this year's recipients Read more...

Making Waves
July 1, 2005


Tessa Dalton used to be a celebrated author of erotic fairy tales...until her ex-husband used them against her in a highly publicized divorce case. He said she had an insatiable appetite for men—any Read more...

Dare Me
March 1, 2005

In Cherry Adair's Playing for Keeps, a woman's daring and bravery has earned her a death warrant from vengeful adversaries. Her ex-husband is the only man who can save her. Read more...

Seducing Sullivan
January 1, 2005


She just has to have him... After all, it's been ten whole years since Angela Harris last saw sexy, mischievous Jack Sullivan. And now with their upcoming high school reunion, she finally has Read more...

Getting Real
January 1, 2005


Real TV, real love...and no commercials....

Surviving Sarah by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Financial planner Luke Richards has entered a battle-of-the-brawn reality TV show for one reason. He wants the "prize"—Sarah Donovan, former teen star Read more...

Good Girls Do!
(All-Time Favorites)
November 1, 2004


The Most Virtuous Woman on Campus. How in the world did Miranda Carpenter, professor of sexual education, find herself nominated for that? Now everybody thinks she's an innocent, including her Read more...

Undeniable
(#146)
August 1, 2004


After years of making every possible wrong choice, Danielle Stone is taking control of her life. And choosing a new lover is the perfect way to start—especially when that lover Read more...

Essence of Midnight
July 1, 2004

Read more...

Lip Service
January 2, 2004


Tantalized (reissue) by Lori Foster
Josie Jackson isn't really a hot babe. The skimpy outfit and sexy come-on are meant to scare off Bob—her sister's latest pick of boring blind Read more...

Up to No Good
(#100 "Invitations to Seduction")
August 1, 2003


She needs to escape into fantasy. He needs to learn to lose control. Little do they dream that a book of sensual invitations will give them both exactly what they Read more...

Looking for Trouble
(#92 "Invitations to Seduction")
June 1, 2003


An innocent looking for adventure.

A bad boy trying to change his image.

And a book of sensual invitations that will make them forget everything but each other ...

Rory Carmichael is finally Read more...

Impetuous
May 31, 2003


IMPETUOUS by Lori Foster
On the outside, Carlie McDaniels was a shy, no-nonsense schoolteacher. But on the inside, there was another Carlie—a sultry, sexy femme fatale—burning to get out. One night, Read more...

Brazen and Burning
(#920)
March 1, 2003


Sydney Colburn is a card-carrying member of the Bad Girls Club. When she wants something, she goes after it until its hers. Too bad it took her over a year Read more...

Double the Pleasure
(#49)
August 1, 2002


The Man

Newspaperman Grey Masterson. He's responsible, conservative . . . and he's at the end of his rope! Only, little does he guess that when he and his brother, Zane, Read more...

What's Your Pleasure?
(Temptation Heat #884)
June 1, 2002


Pick a pleasure...

Mystery author Devon Michaels is in a fix. Her publisher has offered her a lucrative contract, if she makes the jump to erotic thrillers. The problem: Devon's love Read more...

Just Watch Me...
(Blaze #29 "Midnight Fantasies")
March 1, 2002


Jillian Hennessy is supposed to be watching a man suspected of insurance fraud. But when wires get crossed and she ends up watching Cade Lawrence, a sexy undercover cop on Read more...

Exposed
(Blaze #4 "Sexy City Nights")
August 1, 2001


One woman looking for love. One man seeking an escape. One incredible interlude that could only occur during...SEXY CITY NIGHTS. Ariana Karas is feeling restless--and an affair with a sexy Read more...

Insatiable
(#835)
April 1, 2001


HE WAS WICKEDLY DELICIOUS... CEO Dominick LaRocca loves fine food and even finer women. Only ever since his grandmothers put his photo (not to mention his income and marital status) on the label Read more...

Seducing Sullivan
June 1, 1998


HE WAS HER GREATEST WEAKNESS... Angela Harris had only one obsession--sexy-as-sin Jack Sullivan. Ever since high school, he'd been on her mind...and in her fantasies. And at her upcoming reunion, Read more...