Book #14: Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich

"Visions of Sugar Plums" by Janet Evanovich is a "Between-the-Numbers" novel in the Stephanie Plum series. It is really more of a novella; very short and not as detailed as the regular series.

In "Visions of Sugar Plums" Stephanie is faced with something completely new: a man appears in her kitchen out of nowhere. She can't figure out what kind of supernatual being he is, but isn't too frightened of him. Of course, it doesn't hurt that he's hot (kind of like every man in her life-how lucky is she?). She lets him tag along on her current apprehension since she's feeling frazzled at the fact that it's a few days before Christmas and she's trying to pick up a skip named Sandy Claws. I mean really, at that point, what's a hot, supernatural guy going to hurt?

I read this book in about two hours. It was just as hilarious as all of the other Stephanie Plum books, just quicker to read and with fewer twists. It would make a great read for a work commute or a short flight. Just be open to the fact that the supernatural element is never explained. Who needs an explanation with Stephanie's life though?

Book #8: Seven Up by Janet Evanovich

If you have followed my blog, you already realize how much I love the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I can always count on them to draw me in, make me laugh and keep me coming back for more! "Seven Up" follows right along that same path.

In this installment of the series, things are getting hotter with Ranger and more serious with Morelli. Stephanie is still at war with Joyce and Lula still has her back. Her big case is finding Eddie DeChooch which, as is normal, proves to be harder than it should be. Especially since Eddie is an old man who can barely see. At least he rarely hits what he shoots at!

Along the way, Dougie and Mooner (friends she made in "Hot Six") both end up missing. She has to figure out how they are tied into the DeChooch situation and find them before something bad happens to these harmless stoners.

As a change of pace, Stephanie doesn't have a car blown up in this book. That doesn't mean something doesn't happen to it, though. This is Stephanie Plum we're talking about!

If you want a fun read, one that goes fast and keeps you interested-not to mention howling with laughter-read this book! You don't have to start with the first book in the series since there is a synopsis at the beginning to give you an idea of what the series is about, but seriously, they are all worth reading. Janet Evanovich has created fascinating characters that are flawed in all the right ways.

Want to Laugh Out Loud While Reading? This Will Do the Trick!

I absolutely LOVE the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. My best friend got me started on the series by giving me the first book, "One For The Money", several years ago and I've been hooked ever since. My latest Stephanie Plum read was my 14th book of the year, "High Five", you guessed it, the fifth in the series. I'm pretty sure this one was my favorite so far. All of the books have made me laugh, but this one was especially funny.

Stephanie is on the case of her missing uncle, assigned by her mother and grandmother. Of course, she gets into her usual trouble (How many cars have blown up now? I lose track.) and has her usual romantic issues with Morelli. Finally in "High Five" things get a little hotter between her and Ranger. I've been waiting for this for four books now!! The cliff-hanger at the end was groan-inducing for me: who does she invite over for a night of passion? Morelli? Ranger? Someone new? I can't wait to get my hands on number six to find out!

A couple of scenes that had me cracking up were Grandma Mazur testing Stephanie's stun gun and Stephanie and Lula trying to apprehend a particularly feisty "Failure to Appear." If that doesn't tempt you, I don't know what will!

In light of the fact that a Stephanie Plum movie is in the works, I recommend starting this series before the movie comes out if you haven't already. In my opinion, movies are usually lacking something that the book had. I'm anxious to see who will be playing Ranger and Lula in the movie, because they are the characters that I have the clearest picture of in my mind. I plan on watching the movie as soon as it comes out and hope they do the books justice.

Book #14 for the year was a blast! How is your reading going for the year?