Review: 148. Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich...

I'm addicted to Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, even though the last few books have seemed like recordings stuck in an endless loop...
 
Title: Smokin' Seventeen
Author: Janet Evanovich
ISBN-13: 9780345527684
Hardcover: 308 pages
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Waukesha Public Library

drey's thoughts: Oh Stephanie. Working out of a borrowed motor home, Stephanie and her gal Lula get into the same hijinks as always. They get fooled by the perps they go looking for (again), Steph's wheels go up in flames (again), Grandma Mazur causes a ruckus at the funeral home (again), Steph's mom sets her up with another it'd-be-better-to-not-go-there date (again)... If you're familiar with the series, I don't need to say any more. If you're not, start with One for the Money, where it's all fresh and new.

 Honestly, I'm not sure how much longer I'll keep picking these up. At some point, the same-story-all-the-tiime routine gets old and stale. And I hate that she's with both Morelli AND Ranger in this one. Pick one and stick with it, or dump 'em both and go find someone else! (Not that it would be easy to dump Ranger, in my opinion!)

Stephanie needs to get off of this wheel she keeps running around in. Really.

 drey's rating: Ok. What about you? Have you read Smokin' Seventeen? What did you think? Or have you given up waiting on Stephanie to grow up?

149. Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich...

About the book:

Unbuckle your belt and pull up a chair. It's the spiciest, sauciest, most rib-sticking Plum yet.

Recipe for disaster: Celebrity chef Stanley Chipotle comes to Trenton to participate in a barbecue cook-off and loses his head--literally.

Throw in some spice: Bail Bonds office worker Lula is witness to the crime, and the only one she'll talk to is Trenton cop Joe Morelli.

Pump up the heat: Chipotle's sponsor is offering a million-dollar reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the capture of the killers.

Stir the pot: Lula recruits bounty hunter Stephanie Plum to help her find the killers and collect the moolah.

Add a secret ingredient: Stephanie Plum's Grandma Mazur. Enough said.

Bring to a boil: Stephanie Plum is working overtime tracking felons for the bonds office at night and snooping for security expert Carlos Manoso, aka Ranger, during the day. Can Stephanie hunt down two killers, a traitor, and five skips, keep her grandmother out of the sauce, and solve Ranger's problems and not jump his bones?

Warning: Habanero hot. So good you'll want seconds.

drey's thoughts:
Well, one thing's for sure. Not much changes in Stephanie's world. She's still a not-so-good bounty hunter--the skips still give her trouble. Actually, more than just trouble. Lola's still too-much-in-too-little. Grandma Mazur's still stir crazy. Joe Morelli's still kinda-sorta-in-the-picture. Ranger's still hot. *grin*

Comic relief in this book comes from Lola and Grandma Mazur entering a BBQ cook-off. Because, um, like they can cook... But they sign up anyway, because there's a chance the killers will show up, and hey! Who can't use a million-dollar reward? Wait'll you read about the cook-off. You'll laugh your head off.

Family: Grandma Mazur is hilarious, as always. I am so glad she's not actually MY grandmother, holy moly is this lady nuts. Stephanie's parents are still suffering from living-with-Grandma-Mazur. But at least she doesn't have to bunk with them. Even if Lola does... And Stephanie's apartment gets firebombed.

Wheels: How many cars does Steph toast? Let us count, shall we? 1. Her Escort goes up in flames. 2. Stephanie manages to toast not one, but TWO Porsche Cayennes (which brings her total to 3 so far). Within 24 hours. With fire. I'm amazed that Ranger keeps giving her keys. I want that man. Like, seriously. And if Steph's vehicles aren't enough, Lula's Firebird is home to bullet holes.

Action: Not much happening here, except for some smooches. You'll have to read it yourself to find out with whom. Heh.

All in all, another rollicking read from Janet Evanovich. And even though this is #15 in a series, I think it'll be fine as a stand-alone read. You'll just wish you'd read the rest for a bit more of Ranger. Actually, I probably wouldn't mind a lot more of Ranger... *grin*

Title: Finger Lickin' Fifteen
Author: Janet Evanovich
ISBN-10: 0312383282
ISBN-13: 978-0312383282
Hardcover: 308 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 2009

Challenges: 100+, Series, Pub, Stephanie Plum, Support Your Local Library

Another day, another challenge...

*sigh* Blame this one on J.Kaye, too, will ya? I can't seem to help myself... =P So. I am now participating in J.Kaye's Stephanie Plum challenge.

Details:

1. The goal is to get caught up on the Stephanie Plum series, so create a list of the books you haven't read yet. You have between now and December 31, 2010. Don't include books you've read prior to or started before 7/23/09.


2. This reading challenge is for participants with a blog. If you decide to participate in the 2009/2010 Stephanie Plum Reading Challenge, create a post on your blog telling others about this event. In your post, be sure to include the link to this post on your blog. That way others can find their way here and join in the fun.


3. If you want to have your reading list on your blog's right sidebar, then please include a link to this post.


4. Audio and eBooks count.


5. You can join anytime between now and the later part of next year.


6. When you sign up under Mr. Linky, list the direct link to your post where your books will be listed. If you list just your blog’s URL, it will be removed. If you don’t have a blog, leave the URL blank.


7. Books to be published after signing up do not have to be listed. This is optional.


8. There will be a place for you to link your reviews, but this is optional.


9. When you have completed your number of the Stephanie Plum books, link your completed list to the completed page. One will be set up.


10. If you have any questions, feel free to ask below or email J.Kaye at jkayeoldner@yahoo.com. Comments usually get a quicker response.

It shouldn't be too hard, though. I think the only Plum book I haven't read yet is Finger Lickin' Fifteen, and it's already on my bookshelf... *grin* I need an easy one!!

Wanna join me? Go to J.Kaye's Stephanie Plum Challenge page to sign up!

21. Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich...

Title: Fearless Fourteen
Author: Janet Evanovich
ISBN-10: 0-312-34951-3
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-34951-6
Hardcover: 310 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 2008

Morelli's extended family features in this fourteenth Stephanie Plum novel. His cousin Dom just finished serving time for robbing a bank, and Dom's sister Loretta is one of Stephanie's FTAs - for robbing a liquor store. Stephanie brings Loretta in to get re-bonded and ends up babysitting Loretta's son, an artistic type who goes by Zook. Luckily for her, Morelli volunteers to take over.

Good thing, too, because Ranger has a side job for Stephanie, babysitting a still-popular-but-heading-out singer. Things get interesting (don't they always?) when strange men start showing up in Morelli's basement - some alive, some dead - and his backyard. Then Loretta disappears, and Stephanie starts receiving gifts from the kidnapper. So in between picking up FTAs on her list, working for Ranger, and helping Lula with her wedding planning, Stephanie's also hunting for Dom's partners in the robbery, who're apparently still looking for the loot.

Family: Grandma Mazur not only gets engrossed in an online game Zook's playing, she recruits her friends, too.

Wheels: A used-to-be-silver Nissan Sentra that gets decorated & signed by Zook.

Action: Not a lot going on with Zook living at Morelli's till they find his mom.

Another adventure in the life of Stephanie Plum, bounty-hunter extraordinaire (not!), this books has the requisite dead bodies, blown-up vehicles, stalker, comic FTAs, and the ever-bumbling, ever-smart Stephanie and her sidekicks. It was a fun read, but really didn't expand beyond the formula.

20. Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich...

Title: Plum Lucky
Author: Janet Evanovich
ISBN-10: 0-312-37763-0
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-37763-2
Hardcover: 166 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 2008

This St. Patrick Day's mini-novel has Diesel poofing into Stephanie's life again, looking for a little guy in green pants. Apparently, the little dude stole a horse. Stephanie's more worried about finding Grandma Mazur, who disappears. Turns out she found a bag full of money, bought an RV, and headed off to Atlantic City to use her luck.

And as we all know, nothing is what it seems. Grandma Mazur's bag was originally stolen by the little dude, from a mobster. He wanted the money to pay for a vet, because the horse had a bad leg. Now the mobster's on the hunt for his money AND the little dude. Next thing you know, Grandma Mazur disappears again. Only this time, the mobster's got her.

And the race is on! Steph's got to find Grandma Mazur. She also has to find enough money to give back to him, since Grandma went on a RV-and-casino-spree. She hides the horse in the RV, and parks it at RangeMan for safety. And recruits Lula and Connie to back her up when meeting with the deranged mobster.

Whew.

Family: Grandma Mazur, missing. Twice. 'Nuff said.

Wheels: A Chevy Monte Carlo that gets blown up by a rocket. By Lula.

Action: Not much when there're three guys in this story...

It all works out in the end, as expected. This was a quick romp through the incredibly lucky life of bounty hunter Stephanie Plum. T'was pretty funny, especially when Stephanie & gang drive the mobster nuts. Completely wacky cuckoo nuts.

19. Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich...

Title: Lean Mean Thirteen
Author: Janet Evanovich
ISBN-10: 0-312-34949-1
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-34949-3
Hardcover: 310 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 2007

It's Stephanie's turn to be the suspect. Her ex-husband Dickie disappears, the day after she beats him up in his office. And there's bullet holes and bloodstains in his house. Joyce Barnhardt follows her around, hoping to find Dickie. Dickie's business partners follow her around, hoping to find his missing stash. And the bad guy uses a flamethrower. And the body (and building) count goes north.

The skips are entertaining, as usual, especially the taxidermist.

Family: Grandma Mazur helps out by waiting for the cable guy while a skip gets rebonded. Everybody hates the cable guy. I wouldn't want to have that job...

Wheels: Steph has a barely-mentioned Ford Escape that got crushed by a tree. She then drives a burgundy ex-cop-car Crown Vic that's shot at by Joyce, covered in exploded squirrel (it was dead already), dies, and it gets crushed in the junk yard.

Action: Morelli has a dude under protection in his place. Stephanie gets waylaid at hers. Hmm...

Y'know, while this series has been pretty entertaining, I'm kinda ready to get to the end. Stephanie's still a bounty hunter with more luck than skill. She's still broke. She's still going back & forth with Morelli. She's still flirting with Ranger. She's still shot at, stalked, threatened. And her vehicles - it's a miracle she can still get insurance. It's like she's stuck in Groundhog Day. I think it's time for a good wrap-up story. Soon.

18. Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich...

Title: Plum Lovin'
Author: Janet Evanovich
ISBN-10: 0-312-30634-2
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-30634-2
Hardcover: 164 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 2007

This second Stephanie Plum short story takes place just before Valentine's Day. Diesel pops up again, and negotiates a deal. If she helps him clear off a match-'em-up Cupid list, he'll hand over her FTA. So off Stephanie goes to make sure 5 people have a good Valentine's day, including an overworked mom, a 30-something virgin, a shy butcher, a desperate vet, and Albert, whom she's supposed to get to marry Valerie.

Family: Valerie's pregnant again, and wants to be married.

Wheels: Stephanie manages to not hurt a 'vette too badly.

Action: As if two men aren't enough to keep her spinning, here comes a third. With dimples...

This was a quick romp through some sappiness for Steph, but all's well that ends well.

17. Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich...

Title: Twelve Sharp
Author: Janet Evanovich
ISBN-10: 0-312-34948-3
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-34948-6
Hardcover: 310 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 2006

Ranger features quite a bit in this book. A woman claiming to be his wife shows up, taking shots at Stephanie. She ends up dead in her SUV. Steph also finds out that Ranger's daughter Julie has been kidnapped, and he's the prime suspect. And all of this occurs while he's out of town. Stephanie also has a new admirer, i.e. stalker, and yes, one other than the dead "wife".

Lula gets a job singing with Sally's new band. So does Grandma Mazur (yep!). With Ranger out of town, Connie tries to hire another bounty hunter to help clear the backlog. That in itself is quite the comic relief, what with the characters who show up to interview for the job. And Stephanie's good heart has a new filing clerk in the office.

Family: Grandma Mazur's channeling Mick Jagger. Need I say more?

Wheels: Stephanie's ride is a Mini Cooper that's shot up by Ranger's "wife."

Action: Ranger shows up at Stephanie's. Morelli shows up at Stephanie's. Absolutely no action while both boys are at Stephanie's.

Another adventure in the life of Stephanie Plum. This one's got plot, twists & turns, and belly-laughs. There's not as much of her sister Valerie, or Valerie's unraveling/depression/desperation/pregnancy/wedding planning... Just Stephanie, her job, the mystery, and her boys.

16. Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich...

Title: Eleven on Top
Author: Janet Evanovich
ISBN-10: 0-312-30626-1
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-30626-7
Hardcover: 310 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 2005

Stephanie decides she's had enough. Enough of being shot at, cussed at, pushed around, having her vehicles decimated, just plain enough. So she quits working for Vinnie, and starts looking for a "normal" job. She's fired from her first new job for being 1.5 hours late. On her first day. Her second job is with a dry-cleaners whose owner is scarier than Grandma Mazur and Grandma Bella combined. And she's fired from that one when the scary owner takes her keys, gets in her car, and is blown to bits. Her third job goes up in smoke. Literally. So, she winds up with an office job. At RangeMan. Doing investigative work at the Trenton Bat Cave's command and control center. She gets a uniform, a new gun, and a key to Ranger's apartment.

She also has a new stalker, and this one leaves notes. And while she's left her bounty-hunting days behind, she's willing to help out when Lula calls.

Family: Valerie's coming apart at the seams, driven to distraction by the wedding. She ups & disappears to Disney World, along with Albert & the girls. Stephanie's mom and Grandma Mazur get into a cake-throwing fight, whereupon her mom swears off drinking if Steph swears off sugar.

Wheels: A dark green Saturn SL2 that blows up, with someone in it. After it's shot at and sledge-hammered. The indestructible Buick smokes up (dud bomb). Morelli's SUV blows up, along with his garage.

Action: She moves back in with Morelli to help out while he's got his leg in a cast, and to stay low while her stalker's leaving her little blow-up presents. Not that it works (see Morelli's SUV). This doesn't stop Ranger from kissing her though. And he says those three little words again. Actually, they both do. No wonder her brain's a mush when these two are around.

I liked this better than Ten Big Ones, because my gal doesn't get quite as hurt. Sure, she's stunned and transported in a casket, but it's not like she's getting the snot kicked out of her by a gang. This book has more character than chasing-down-the-bad-guys action, and I liked it. Next?

15. Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich...

Title: Ten Big Ones
Author: Janet Evanovich
ISBN-10: 0-312-28972-3
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-28972-0
Hardcover: 312 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 2004

There're gangs and a hitman in this installment. All gunning for my gal Steph. She witnesses in a bike-by bombing - of her own car, as it turns out - and the guilty party isn't happy about it. So Steph hides out while trying to keep up with her FTAs, trying on dresses for Valerie's wedding, and dieting. The body count's reasonable (for Stephanie), till Sally drives his school bus through a bunch of gang members who're trying to beat Stephanie up. Figures. With a cop and an ex-Special Forces dude on her side, it's the 7-foot-tall cross-dressing perpetually-cussing school-bus-driver who comes to the rescue.

Family: Valerie & Albert are getting married. Sally Sweet (from Four to Score) is roped into the position of wedding planner. And Steph finds Valerie a nice place to rent so that she can get her apartment back.

Wheels: Well, the sunny yellow Escort makes it to page 5, where it's, you guessed it, blown up. She buys a purple Lincoln that gets riddled with bullet holes. The Buick (still thinking of a replacement nickname for the tank) gets graffiti'd. At least she didn't toast any of Ranger's vehicles this time...

Action: Stephanie moves out of Morelli's place, and hides out at Ranger's, while he's out of town. There's no hanky-panky (even when he's back in town), but Ranger does drop a qualified "three little words". And she finds out she's a line item in his budget.

I can't believe I'm on #10 already, it seems like it was just yesterday that I picked up One for the Money. 6 more to go (includes to two "little" ones) - I hope they're as good as these have been. =)

14. To the Nines by Janet Evanovich...

Title: To the Nines
Author: Janet Evanovich
ISBN-10: 0-312-26586-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-26586-1
Hardcover: 312 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 2003

This time, Stephanie's chasing down a visa bondee who went missing. A visa bondee is someone who's in the States on a temporary visa, and his/her company places a bond as a guarantee that the employee will return home (wherever that is) when his term of employment is up.

She gets greased up trying to catch a naked, Vaseline-d FTA, and has a stalker who leaves her red roses and white carnations, and shoots tranquilizer darts at her. Somehow I think that even if Steph moved into an uber-secure gated community, she'd still have to deal with break-ins. At least in this book there are no dead bodies left in her apartment...

Oh, and in addition to vehicles, Stephanie must've put the hex on Ranger's merry men. Tank breaks a leg. Cal faints and suffers a concussion. Erik survives Lula with broken bones in his hand and possibly a slipped disc. Everybody watch out - she's graduated from mechanicals to organics!

Family: There's lots of Morelli's family in this one. Specifically his mom and Grandma Bella who stop over - all. the. time. - while she's at his place. Stephanie's parents place is bedlam with 4 adults and two (soon to be three) children living in a 3-bedroom 1-bath. and Valerie has a baby girl.

Wheels: Stephanie's sunshine yellow Ford Escape actually survives this book.

Action: Lots of Ranger kissing Stephanie. Makes things complicated when Steph moves in with Morelli due to the stalker, and offers her apartment up as temporary housing to Valerie. I sure hope things work out for her.

This book had a more involved plot than the others so far. I'm happy she made it through in one piece. Yes, I know there are more books in the series, but I did get worried about my gal Steph. A great addition to the series.

13. Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich...

Title: Visions of Sugar Plums
Author: Janet Evanovich
ISBN-10: 0-312-30632-6
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-30632-8
Hardcover: 149 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 2002

This short story has Stephanie looking for FTA Sandy Claws. At Christmas time. What she finds is a toy store that looks abandoned, a workshop that falls down around her, and "elves" who like pelting her with cookies and causing a riot. And don't forget Diesel, who just pops into her kitchen. Like, literally. To complicate things, it's four days to Christmas, and she hasn't gotten anything done - no Christmas cards, no tree, no presents, no Christmas cheer.

Family: Valerie is pregnant. Grandma Mazur has a half-blind studmuffin, who comes with sparks. The Christmas tree goes up in smoke, along with the "fake snow" batting and all the presents underneath.

Wheels: A Honda CR-V that gets burned to a crisp.

Action: There's kissing, but nothing to tell. =)

This is a quick read that capitalizes on Stephanie's ability to draw out even the most unbelievable events and people. Morelli's gotta be wondering sometimes.

12. Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich...

Title: Hard Eight
Author: Janet Evanovich
ISBN-10: 0-312-98386-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-98386-4
Mass Market Paperback: 326 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 2002

Stephanie's helping out her parents' neighbor Mabel, whose house is collateral for a custody bond on Annie, her great-granddaughter. Now Annie & her mom (Evelyn) are both missing, and Mabel's going to lose her home to the bond company. Ok, you say, what's so difficult about finding a mother and daughter? Apparently, a lot. QUITE a lot. Stephanie finds herself face-to-face with another psycho nutjob, one that both Morelli AND Ranger warns her to stay away from. If only it were that easy. Steph & psycho nutjobs seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly.

She gets stalked around town by a bear and a rabbit, picks up a new helper (a hapless lawyer), has an FTA die on her (of the flu), and gets rescued by Valerie.

Family: Valerie tries to put her life back together. Apparently landing herself a husband is supposed to help. Hmm... Stephanie's mom runs over a rabbit on the way to lunch. Never mind that the rabbit was chasing after Stephanie in the middle of the street. Buh-bye bunny!

Wheels: Stephanie's CR-V apparently survived Seven Up, only to get blown up here. After being stolen multiple times, and side-swiped at least once. She's baaaaaaaaaaaack!! Her replacement (loaner?) CR-V from Ranger also meets the same fate. Somewhere up there is a commiseration club for Stephanie's vehicles, where they're all one-upping each other with the stories of their demise...

Action: Stephanie finally gets some Ranger action. Whoo boy. What is it about Stephanie and men who will not commit?

I love my gal Steph, but even I'm thinking she might want to find another line of work. One that puts you in the hospital as often as this one, isn't really my idea of fun... Still, she gets 'em all in the end.

11. Seven Up by Janet Evanovich...

Title: Seven Up
Author: Janet Evanovich
ISBN-10: 0-312-26584-0
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-26584-7
Hardcover: 309 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 2001

This next installment in the Plum series has Stephanie chasing down old Eddie, who's depressed, half-blind, hard of hearing, and surprisingly quick on his feet. As usual, Stephanie loses the FTA, and insanity ensues. Eddie's looking for Stephanie's old high school classmate, Dougie (the Dealer). Dougie did a delivery run for Eddie and disappears. Perpetually-stoned MoonMan, Dougie's buddy, comes to Stephanie to ask her to find Dougie. She finds her first dead body on page 14. I wonder if this is the earliest one has popped up? I should've taken notes...

Extras in this caper are Benny and Ziggy, Eddie's "social club" buddies, who're also looking for Eddie & the stash he lost. And have no problem waiting for Stephanie in her apartment. Uninvited, of course. You'd think she'd get better locks. And lots of 'em. Oh, and we can't forget Bob, who now lives with Morelli. Who eats anything and everything (Bob, not Morelli). And then has to return what he's eaten. Usually (if she can make it there) on Joyce's lawn.

Family: The perfect sister, Valerie, moves back home with her daughters, Angie and Mary Alice. The hubby ran off with the money and the babysitter. Grandma Mazur gets kidnapped, and can't wait to tell everyone about it. Her mom's getting hot flashes, and her dad should be ready to drive himself to the asylum any day now... =P

Wheels: Stephanie's ride is a black Honda CR-V. Which lasts through 2/3 of the book before getting accordioned by a Cadillac.

Action: Morelli & Stephanie are engaged! She gets dragged dress-shopping, her family books the hall, and she's not sure that she's ready for marriage. She's not sure he is, either. The book ends with Ranger visiting, to collect on helping her bring Eddie in.

Wow. I'm actually in awe of Stephanie. Somehow she's managed to get through seven (!) of these books without permanently hurting herself. Sure, she's been shot at, shot, beaten up (by little old ladies nonetheless!), and almost blown up, but she's still ticking. And going. Kinda like the Energizer bunny... AND, she gets her man. Every single one. Whether she really wants him or isn't so sure. Another entertaining caper to pick up.

10. Hot Six by Janet Evanovich...

Title: Hot Six
Author: Janet Evanovich
ISBN-10: 0-312-20540-6
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-20540-9
Hardcover: 294 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 2000

In Hot Six, Stephanie has to use all her skills & more, to find Ranger. Yup, Ranger's the FTA - a rookie cop booked him for carrying concealed. And he didn't show up for his court date because he's now also a "person of interest" in a homicide investigation - he's on camera walking into a building with the deceased, and walking out without him. He's actually Joyce's FTA, because Stephanie knows better. Complicating things is the fact that the deceased is the youngest son of a local mob family. So instead of trying to find Ranger, Stephanie stakes out the mob family's properties, and ends up chauffeuring the mob's don out for cigs & beer.

She also trades favors to help out her friend Carol Zabo, and ends up with a new addition to her apartment - a golden retriever named Bob. All this plus 1 homicidal maniac who tries to run her over & sets fire to her shirt. A domestic abuser who also turns out to be her first body - in this book. And 1 high-as-a-kite stoner and his enterprising buddy, known as the Dealer. Life could be better.

Family: Grandma Mazur has a spat with Stephanie's dad and moves in. Just until she gets her own place. Stephanie can't get a wink of sleep, and Morelli's getting antsy (lol!).

Wheels: Stephanie loses a little blue Honda Civic to a reefer. She borrows a Rollswagen from the Dealer, which is probably only good for parts by the time she's done with it. The two hitmen following her lose a Lincoln Town Car to a manic wife-beater FTA gunning for Stephanie, and a Carpet Car set on fire by the oldest trick in town - the flaming dog poop bag. Oh, & Grandma Mazur buys a red Corvette.

Action: None while Grandma Mazur's at Stephanie's.

Ah, Stephanie, Stephanie, Stephanie... It's just comical how things happen around her. But she's smart enough to figure things out, and she always gets her man in the end. Which includes a kinda-sorta marriage proposal. Joe's exact words were "Yeah, for crying out loud, I'm going to marry her." Stephanie, I know you love him, but there's a way to do things, for crying out loud! =) Another quite enjoyable romp.

9. High Five by Janet Evanovich...

Title: High Five
Author: Janet Evanovich
ISBN-10: 0-312-20303-9
ISBN-13: 978-0312203030
Hardcover: 292 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 1999

Stephanie looks for missing Uncle Fred in this addition to the highly-entertaining series on the life & times of a bounty hunter. Uncle Fred went to complain to the garbage collection company, and never came home. Her FTA is Randy Briggs, who moves into her apartment after she breaks down his door during his apprehension. And to try & make more money, Stephanie takes on a side job - working for Ranger. She manages to lose a limo (& passenger), and blow up a bomb-wearing junkie looking for his stash. Actually, the latter was blown up by someone else, but Stephanie was next to the (ex-)dude. New characters include Tank, a heavily-muscled ex-military employee of Ranger's.

Adding to the suspense, the psychotic prize-fighter from One for the Money is back and stalking her again. And the press now tags her the "Bombshell Bounty Hunter," not in reference to her looks, but rather for the way things just seem to blow up in smithereens around her.

Family: Well, there's Uncle Fred, who's missing. Aunt Mabel, who's buying new things, & planning a cruise. Grandma Mazur, who's... Grandma Mazur. Who manages to stun-gun Stephanie's dad. And pulls a fire-alarm at the funeral home so she can look into the (closed) casket.

Wheels: Boy oh boy. I don't know what to say... Well, first off, I need a new name for the tank (see above). I'll have to get back to you on that. This time, Stephanie manages to kill 1 Porsche (bomb), 1 BMW (stolen), 1 limo ("stolen"), and 1 garbage truck (see Porsche). At least none of 'em are hers - the 1st 3 are Ranger's, because his "employees" only drive black - and the garbage truck was collateral damage.

Action: Stephanie tries to stay away from Morelli, except she has to go to his cousin's wedding with him. She also gets kissed by Ranger, further complicating her feelings for both men. She picks one in the end, and gets some nookie. Go, Steph!

Stephanie is a smart-enough cookie to somehow make it through the bombs, stalkers, weapon-wielding (& wearing) losers running around, AND gets her man, too. How could I not read #6 next? =P

7. Four to Score by Janet Evanovich...

Title: Four to Score
Author: Janet Evanovich
ISBN-10: 0312185863
ISBN-13: 978-0312185862
Hardcover: 294 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 1998

The continuation of Stephanie Plum's life & career as a bounty hunter. This time she's on the hunt for Maxine Nowicki, who stole her boyfriend's car, then skips her court date. Complicating things is Maxine's disappearance, while her friend's finger gets chopped off, her mom gets scalped, and her boyfriend gets kidnapped. None of which helps Stephanie find her. And who else shows up on the hunt, but Stephanie's nemesis Joyce Barnhardt? Good thing Lula's there to help diffuse the situation, Lula-style!

All this while somebody accuses Stephanie of stealing their boyfriend, and fire-bombs her apartment. What fun! (not!)

Family: Grandma Mazur goes to Atlantic City with Stephanie, Lula, and Sally (7-ft-tall - when fully decked out - cross-dressing singer in a transvestite band). And boy, do they scare the heck out of locals & tourists alike.

Wheels: A Honda CRX that's - yup, you guessed it - blown up. Ok, what happened is it got soaked in gasoline. And the FTA's mother dropped a lit cigarette into the gas puddle. Whoof! & it's back to the tank...

Action: Stephanie stays at Morelli's for 3 days. So what do you think happens?? Whereupon his mom invites them to dinner, his granny Bella puts the eye on her & declares she's pregnant, and his aunts start showing up at the door with casseroles and Morelli's christening outfit, talking about showers. Run, Steph, Run!

A very enjoyable, fast, read. Even for me. =)

3. Three to Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich...

Title: Three to Get Deadly
Author: Janet Evanovich
ISBN-10: 0-312-96609-1
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-96609-6
Mass Market Paperback: 321 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 1998

Book #3 in the Stephanie Plum line-up, Three to Get Deadly has our heroine hunting down the neighborhood's ice-cream and candy shop owner, Moses Bedemier. She's stuck out the bounty-hunting gig for 5 months now, and is feeling better about making this work for her. However, Uncle Mo is beloved by all, and nobody is willing to help her find him when he disappears. Stephanie's efforts are further complicated by the pile-up of dead drug dealers turning up all over town. Her efforts to nab smaller-fry FTAs result in orange hair and a public take-down of a chicken. Or, rather, an FTA in a chicken suit.

Family: Grandma Mazur brings a date to dinner. Who's promptly sent on his way by Stephanie's dad. With dessert in a bag, of course.

Wheels: A cute little blue Nissan pickup that she buys on a whim, and breaks down constantly. Until it's finally fixed. Upon which it gets eliminated by a rocket launcher. Don't worry, the tank's still around.

Action: More smooching (& a little more) with Morelli. Oh, and some puking on, too.

There's no lack of action, dialog, and the occasional illegal maneuvers, but I'm now wishing I'd picked up #4, which is waiting for me at the library. Oh well, there's always tomorrow.

2. Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich...

Title: Two for the Dough

Author: Janet Evanovich

ISBN-10: 0-684-19638-7

ISBN-13: 978-0-684-19638-1

Hardcover: 301 pages

Publisher: Scribner, 1996

Book #2 in the Stephanie Plum line-up continues Ms. Plum's adventures as an bounty hunter. It starts with her crouching behind a hydrangea bush in the heat of an Indian summer, watching for another bail jumper from the burg - Kenny Mancuso. Something like that would probably make me re-think my choice of careers, but Stephanie... Well, let's just say that her options haven't improved much since book #1 (and she did bring in Morelli for her $10,000). She's still got attitude and ineptitude, some brains, and a whole lotta luck.

Family: Grandma Mazur features prominently, and boy does she have fun checking out stiffs in caskets, which gives Stephanie's mom nightmares.

Wheels: Stephanie drives a Jeep Wrangler, which gets stolen. Guess that's better than getting it blown up, like Morelli's SUV in One for the Money. Her next ride is a powder-blue 1953 Buick, which she calls Big Blue, and I call the tank - she can hit anything with it, and it'll have nary a scratch.

Action (*grin*): Morelli kisses Stephanie. And more. But not quite everything.

All in all, this is a fun ride-along with Stephanie's escapades. Pick it up if you're a Stephanie fan, or if you just like a good rollicking adventure.

1. One for the Money by Janet Evanovich...

My very first book read in 2009 is the beginning of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels. I picked it up from the library on Tuesday, and inhaled it this morning. =)

Title: One for the Money
Author: Janet Evanovich
ISBN-10: 0312990456
ISBN-13: 978-0312990459
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 2003

One for the Money introduces Stephanie Plum, who lives in Trenton, New Jersey. Unemployed with no prospects on the horizon, she finagles a job bringing in FTAs (failure to appear) who're bonded by her cousin Vinnie. Hilarity ensues with her attitude and ineptitude in chasing down a cop wanted for murder (who just happens to have a history with Ms. Plum), avoiding a psychotic prize-fighter who's intent on teaching her to show respect, hanging on the corner with two prostitutes, and learning the finer skills of the trade from pony-tailed ex-Special Forces apprehension-agent-extraordinaire Ranger (yes, that's his name). All while making it to dinner with her parents and Grandma Mazur, who's a character in herself.

This was a quick, entertaining read. I did feel bad for Stephanie - sometimes she just seemed so clueless, but it wasn't so totally overdone that it got annoying. And her chutzpah, especially in stealing Morelli's (the cop) SUV when her own ride was out of commision, was entertaining, and almost endearing. She's just a gal trying to make some money (legally), and doing whatever she can so that she doesn't sink.

Fans of mysteries with sassy female protagonists will enjoy this one. I'm just a little slow to hop on the band-wagon. =)