Fiction Book Review - High Five (Stephanie Plum, No. 5)

High Five (Stephanie Plum, No. 5)

By Janet Evanovich

Editorial ReviewsAmazon.com Review"Uncle Fred was someone I saw at weddings and funerals and once in a while at Giovichinni's Meat Market, ordering a quarter pound of olive loaf. Eddie Such, the butcher, would have the olive loaf on the scale and Uncle Fred would say, 'You've got the olive loaf on a piece of waxed paper. How much does that piece of waxed paper weigh? You're not gonna charge me for that waxed paper, are you? I want some money off for the waxed paper.'"The speaker is Stephanie Plum, the glamorous if slightly ditzy bounty hunter from Trenton, New Jersey, and one of the most original creations in recent mystery fiction.
In this fifth entry in Janet Evanovich's increasingly popular series, Stephanie's problems are many and varied. She's not making enough money picking up FTAs (Failures to Appear) for her cousin Vinnie, of Vincent Plum Bail Bonds; her red-hot love affair with Detective Joe Morelli has cooled off; and her giant extended family is no help at all. For instance, Uncle Fred the cheapskate has disappeared, leaving behind some suspicious photographs of body parts in garbage bags and links to some really dangerous people.

When Stephanie turns to her friend and mentor, Ranger, for financial advice, he gets her involved in a gang of toughs doing instant evictions for landlords. (She complains to Ranger about the job and its dangers, prompting one of the hired thug to say, "Man, you don't like to get shot. You don't like to get arrested. You don't know how to have fun at all.")
Most of Stephanie's charm, of course, comes from her attitude--a combination of the brazen bravado that turns a failed lingerie model into a bounty hunter in the first place and the normal fears of a person in over her head.

Other Plums in paperback, by the numbers: One for the Money, Two for the Dough, Three to Get Deadly, and Four to Score. --Dick Adler --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
http://www.amazon.com/High-Five-Stephanie-Plum-No/dp/0312971346/ref=sid_dp_dp#

Now ... My take on the book:

Stephanie is back to blowing up cars and nothing but attitude, you got to love her! She has broken up with her policeman boy friend Joe Morelli. She is broke, she has no work to do. She does get an unpaid investigative job to find her annoying cheapskate Uncle Fred. Stephanie ends up with a house guest that is a dwarf. She does get some paying work moonlighting for none other than Ranger (OMG … why can’t it be me!!)!!! Even gets a couple company cars that either get blown up or stolen.

There is attraction now not only between Stephanie and Joe but Stephanie and Ranger. Uh oh … what will Ms. Plum do … hard choice … bad boy gone good or scary bad boy still scary but scary sexy!! The ending leaves you hanging as we don't know who it was she invited over and put on her hot dress for. At this point I am still on Team Morelli but I am beginning to wonder about him ...

But seriously, folks...forget about what Grandma Mazur did at the all-male strip club (she put the dollar bill WHERE?). This book marks a change in this hilarious series that bodes well for the future. Every book in this side-splitting series has been a treasure. But this outing goes for less laughs and more plot, and the result is stunning! Not that I didn't find myself howling with laughter, once again in public, not that Evanovich's incredible bon mots don't grab you when you're not looking, but this time, there is actually a mystery with several subplots, and some real suspense.

In this adventure, Stephanie's bounty-hunting activities are somewhat sidelined by her search for her missing Uncle Fred, a nasty miser whose possible widow, Aunt Mabel, is planning a Caribbean Cruise within 2 weeks of his disappearance. Nevertheless, the Code of the Burg is strict, and when one's relative is missing, one must do the right thing and bring him/her home. At her family's urging, Stephanie reluctantly accepts the task.

But this is Stephanie Plum we are talking about here. And lest we think that things will run smoothly, there is the small matter of the angry dwarf. Then we have the exploding Porsche (NEVER let Stephanie drive anything other than her indestructible 1950s-model Buick!!!), more exciting viewings at Stiva's Funeral Home, the stolen Beemer (that belonged to RANGER!), the psychotic homicidal rapist Ramirez, fresh out of prison and Eager to Stalk (we met this dude in Book 1, and he is not a nice person), and at least one serious stun gun mishap (I'm not telling, but watch out the next time you eat potroast at the Plum residence). I won't even talk about the spoiled son of the Arab Sheik, or what he wants Stephanie to do for $5.

This series just gets better and better! Laugh out loud funny, and full of high power action. Truly a winner.

Fiction Book Review - Four to Score (Stephanie Plum, No. 4)

Four to Score (Stephanie Plum, No. 4)

By Janet Evanovich

Editorial ReviewsAmazon.com ReviewStephanie Plum, the trash-talking New Jersey bail bondswoman of this popular series, is tracking Maxine Nowicki, who's wanted for skipping out on a car-theft charge lodged by her ex-boyfriend. Now the ex-boyfriend's very interested in getting back the love letters he supposedly wrote to Maxine. But what he's really looking for is the secret on which Evanovich hangs her screwball cast of colorful minor characters, including Sally Sweet, a cross-dressing drag queen; Lula, the 250-pound ex-hooker who works for Steph's boss; Cousin Vinnie, the bail bondsman; Grandma Mazur, who packs a Glock and is always looking for a little action; and Joyce, a wannabe bounty hunter who's been cramping Steph's style since she played pass the salami with Steph's ex-husband. The action doesn't get much farther from Trenton than the Jersey Shore, but when Steph's apartment and car are blown up by the others on Maxine's trail and she moves in with Joe Morelli, the handsome, arrogant cop she's been hung up on since high school, it gets hotter than the craps table in Atlantic City. Plum's fans won't be disappointed in this fourth outing in the series, and they're likely to be even more interested in the snappy patter and sexy shenanigans than in the mystery that holds it all together. --Jane Adams --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Score-Stephanie-Plum-No/dp/0312966970/ref=sip_rech_dp_6

Now my take on the book:

This fourth book in the series is one of nonstop laughter and wierd looks from my family. Stephanie Plum, ill fated bounty hunter, is after Maxine Nowicki who is free on a stolen automobile charge. Her boyfriend, Eddie Kuntz, also offers Stephanie money in hopes that she can retrieve something extremely valuable to him...love letters, he claims. Hmmmm ...

The chase is on in this page-turning craze, and all of the extra added details that makes this adventure that much more funny! The cast of characters is helpful to Stephanie once again. Stephanie's family, especially Grandma Mazur, add pizzazz, depth, and a heck of a lot of humor to this great plot.

Joe Morelli is also back and yes him and Stephanie finally get together ... mmmm yummy (Still on Team Morelli!) Lula, the rubenesque "ho" turned file clerk / assistant bounty hunter is hysterical as usual! Her quick wit and street humor keep you rolling. Ranger is also on deck to help when needed and torment Stephanie as much as possible!! He is a hunky hunk of man, isn't he?!?!

This fourth book also introduces Sally Sweet, a crazy haired cryptographer who works as a cross dressing musician. When Grandma Mazur asks Sally what a drag queen does with his manhood I laughed for like three minutes.

Stephanie's mortal enemy, Joyce Barnhardt (AKA red haired Devil), also has a larger roll in this book, as the newest bounty hunter at the Vincent Plum bail bonds agency. Oh, let the good times roll and the cat fights begin ... does anyone else smell sulfur?

This book is truly hysterical, pages keep turning with the fast paced humor and wit. This is the best book yet in the series and I thought three was good. This series is highly recommended!

Fiction Book Review - Three to Get Deadly (Stephanie Plum, No. 3)

Fiction Book Review - Three to Get Deadly (Stephanie Plum, No. 3)

By Janet Evanovich

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com ReviewAs readers of Janet Evanovich's two previous books about funny, feisty, family-tied bounty hunter Stephanie Plum already know, she operates in "the burg"--a "comfy residential chunk of Trenton, New Jersey, where houses and minds are proud to be narrow and hearts are generously wide open." On this turf, Plum fights for justice and fashion points--this time in pursuit of a beloved neighborhood candystore owner who seems to be moonlighting as an anti-drug vigilante. Evanovich now lives in New Hampshire, but authentic affection for Trenton energizes her prose. Plums in paperback include One for the Money and Two for the Dough. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition. From Publishers WeeklyTrenton, N.J., bounty hunter and former lingerie buyer Stephanie Plum (last seen in Two for the Dough) becomes persona non grata when she tracks down a neighborhood saint who has failed to show up for his court appearance. No one wants to help Stephanie, who works for her bail-bondsman cousin, Vinnie. While questioning admirers of the man nicknamed Uncle Mo, Stephanie is attacked and knocked out as she cases his candy store. She comes to next to the dead body of her attacker, who turns out to be a well-known drug dealer. Suddenly, she can't avoid stumbling across the bodies of dead drug dealers: one in a dumpster, one in a closet and four in the candy store basement. Stephanie suspects that mild-mannered Mo has become a vigilante and is cleaning up the streets in a one-man killing spree. But when she's repeatedly threatened by men wearing ski masks, she wonders if Mo has company and just might be in over his head. Despite her new clownish orange hair job, Stephanie muddles through another case full of snappy one-liners as well as corpses. By turns buttressed and hobbled by her charmingly clueless family and various cohorts (including streetwise co-worker Lulu, detective and heartthrob Morelli and professional bounty hunter Ranger), the redoubtable Stephanie is a character crying out for a screen debut. Mystery Guild selection; Literary Guild alternate; major ad/promo; author tour. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

http://www.amazon.com/Three-Get-Deadly-Stephanie-Plum/dp/0312966091/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252120836&sr=8-8

My Take on this book:

Stephanie Plum, the lingerie buyer turned bounty hunter, after blackmailing her cousin Vinnie. As usual, Stephanie Plum's trials and tribulations had me laughing out loud! Janet Evanovich has done it again. Three to Get Deadly, begins as Stephanie Plum, ex-lingerie buyer turned bounty hunter is given the go to pick up Mo Bedemier. Uncle Mo, as he's known in "the burg", Stephanie's working class, Trenton neighborhood, owns an ice-cream parlor/candy store, has missed his court appearance and seems to have left town.

Uncle Mo is nowhere to be found. The case soon winds up with attacks by strange anti-drug vigilantes, murdered men and porno films. The body count of the local drug dealers around his store continues to rise! Stephanie gets no help from the locals, only threats to leave uncle Mo alone. Lula, the prostitute turned file clerk, has a much greater voice in this novel, and she truly adds laughter to the story with one trip out on her bounty hunting training. Police officer Joe Morelli is back and Stephanie is even concerned he has a girlfriend since he no longer seems interested. Ranger is also back, with help and exercise! This novel you really get closer with all the characters. The family dinner time just wouldn't be the same if one of Stephanie's friends wasn't invited to join them.

The writing is witty, irreverent and down to earth, with dialogue that will have you laughing out loud. Though the mystery itself is a bit of a stretch, it doesn't matter, because spending time in Trenton, with Stephanie and company, is such a joy. Start with One for the Money and read all the books in this series. They will put a smile on your face. The book flows at a blistering pace and it is hard not to enjoy this book! I highly recommend this series!

Have you read these books? What did you think about this book? If you haven't read them ... read them they are GREAT!

Book Review - Dark Challenge (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 5)

Dark Challenge (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 5)
By Christine Feehan

Editorial Reviews
Product DescriptionA New York Times Bestselling Author
Julian Savage was golden. Powerful. But tormented. For the brooding hunter walked alone, always alone, far from his Carpathian kind, alien to even his twin. Like his name, his existence was savage. Until he met the woman he was sworn to protect . . . When Julian heard Desari sing, rainbows swamped his starving senses. Emotions bombarded his hardened heart. Was Desari more than his perfect mate? Julian had met his match in this woman, but would she drive him to madness . . . or save his soul? --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Challenge-Carpathians-Book/dp/0505524090/ref=cm_lmf_tit_5_rsrsrs0

My take on the book:

The fifth in the ongoing original saga of the Carpathians, Dark Challenge introduces us to four new characters as well as the twin, Julian, of the 'hero' Aidan in Dark Gold. It also introduces Desari (Dara) a Carpathian Female who is equal in power to Julian, which makes for an interesting situation as none of the Carpathian males (except those in Desari's 'family unit') are used to dealing with Carpathian women who are the equal of their power. It also brings a unique twist into the mix as the two carpathian females introduced to us, each have a unique power that the Carpathian males were unaware that Carpathian women of power have. More over we find that Desari & her brother Darius are the long lost siblings of Gregory.

This book, I felt, had a deeper depth to it than the last four. It really showed how hard it was for Carpathian males to live together, and showed a deep interaction between the "family unit" of Desari (including a sweet sister relationship between Desari and Syndil, the other female Carpathian). All of the characters were delightfully interesting, and the situation between Julian and the other male Carpathians, especially between Darius and Julian, was quite amusing and real.

Spoiler here, but it also hints big time that we will be seeing more about the legendary warrior twins, Gabriel and Lucian. I cannot wait to read their story. The story Christine gave in the book set up quite a stage for their stories, and so far Christine has proven that her sequels can stand on their own two feet and do not fall in the trap of most sequels of wearing out the same plot over and over.

All in all this was just a good book that was steamy, romantic and impossible to put down!

Book Review - Dark Magic (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 4)

Dark Magic (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 4)
By Christine Feehan

Editorial Reviews
Product DescriptionThey were masters of the darkness, searching through eternity for a mistress of the light...WOULD SHE FIND MAGIC Young Savannah Dubrinsky was a mistress of illusion, a world-famous magician capable of mesmerizing millions. But there was one--Gregori, the Dark One--who held her in terrifying thrall. Whose cold silver eyes and heated sensuality sent shivers of danger, of desire, down her slender spine. With a dark magic all his own, Gregori--the implacable hunter, the legendary healer, the most powerful of Carpathian males--whispered in Savannah's mind that he was her destiny. That she had been born to save his immortal soul. And now, here in New Orleans, the hour had finally come to claim her. To make her completely his. In a ritual as old as time . . . and as inescapable as eternity.

http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Magic-Carpathians-Book/dp/0505523892/ref=cm_lmf_tit_4_rsrsrs0

My take on the book:

DARK MAGIC is the fourth book in the Carpathian series written by Christine Feehan. For nearly a thousand years Gregori, the relentless hunter of the undead and the most powerful healer of the Carpathians has struggled with the darkness teetering on the brink of madness; the beast within him strong. He can wait no longer and claim his lifemate Savannah Dubrinsky, daughter of the Prince of the Carpathians. Savannah is a world famous magician and more than anything she desires her own independence and does not want to be a lifemate to anyone. She is especially weary of one as powerful and menacing as Gregori.

Years before, he came to claim her as his lifemate. Right away she notices how very different Gregori is from the other young men. Afraid, she runs from him; she runs from his dark sensuality and the intensity of her feelings for him. He knows that if he should turn vampire, he would tear the world apart. Gregori can no longer trust himself and seizes Savannah. But it is too late. Having her presence near him sends him toppling over the edge. The struggle between man and beast is AWESOME and totally believable in one who has struggled with insurmountable darkness for endless centuries. Savannah merges her mind with his and "feels" the suffering he has endured for her. For the first time, she understands Gregori's plight.

DARK MAGIC is brimming with dark emotions, incredible sensuality and violence. All of us who have read the very first book in the series knows that Gregori is a hard man. He has suffered more than any other Carpathian for he is called upon to dispense justice and all of that killing has taken its toll. His own people fear him and the immense power he possesses. Knowing this, he willingly isolates himself even though he is aching for acceptance. He believes his soul is forever lost and in a desperate bid for salvation, he tampers with nature. He agonizes over Savannah one day discovering how he had manipulated their chemistry many years before. Agonizes that there very well might be her "true" lifemate waiting for her. Agonizes that her heart will never be his!

This like the other three books was well worth the read & was impossible to put down!

Book Review - Dark Gold (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 3)

Dark Gold (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 3)
by Christine Feehan

Editorial Reviews
Product DescriptionThey were masters of the darkness, searching through eternity for a mistress of the light . . .
Alexandria Houton will sacrifice anything--even her life --to protect her orphaned little brother. But when both encounter an unspeakable evil in the swirling San Francisco mists, Alex can only cry to heaven for their deliverance . . . And out of the darkness swoops Aidan Savage, a golden being more powerful, more mysterious, than any other creature of the night. The ageless Carpathian male snatches them from a hideous fate. But is Aidan Alex's salvation . . . or her sin? If she surrenders to Aidan's savage, unearthly seduction, and gives him the color, the light, the family he craves, will Alex truly save her brother? Or sacrifice more than her life? --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Gold-Carpathians-Book/dp/0843958448/ref=cm_lmf_tit_3_rsrsrs0

My take on the book:

In the previous books we got the setting and sense of the Carpathians and their world, we also got a story totally different for the characters. The same is true of Dark Gold, which was lighter and more playful.

The main character Aidan is an ancient and barely holing on to his soul. Alexandra is a young woman caring for her little brother & struggling to do so. Just when she thinks she can turn it around with a new job that makes use of her artistic talents he is attacked by vampires and tries to protect her young brother. Both her and her brother end up in the hands of a Vampire and just when things are at their worst Aidan, appears and saves them. Alex must decide, and her decision could condemn them to death, or give them life, and love for all eternity.

What I loved most about the heroes is how protective and strong they are, emotionally and physically. They're all very sexy with to die for heroes who have larger-than-life abilities (which make them the ultimate alpha guys!) and intelligent heroines, but the characters have their own individual personalities, too. The books are fantasy based but the emotions are everything we want in reality. It was wonderful, too, how the author made each book unique. This is by far one of the most entertaining, original series of books I've found in a long, long time. This is a wonderful, sensuous book that you will not be able to put down. Once you've read it, you will probably be as addicted as I am! I highly recommend them all.

Book Review - Dark Desire (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 2)

Dark Desire (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback) by Christine Feehan

Editorial Reviews
Product DescriptionA New York Times Bestselling Author
The stranger silently summoned her from across the continents, across the seas. He whispered of eternal torment, of endless hunger . . . of dark, dangerous desires. And somehow American surgeon Shea O'Halloran could feel his anguish. Drawn to the far Carpathian mountains, Shea found a ravaged, raging man, and recognized the beloved stranger who'd already become part of her. But was she to be his healer . . . or his prey? --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Desire-Carpathians-Book/dp/0843956534/ref=cm_lmf_tit_2_rsrsrs0

My Take on the Book:

In this second Carpathian (Dark) series we find Jacques Dubrinsky, a brooding and once powerful Carpathian, was betrayed to vampire hunters who tortured and imprisoned him in chains where he has remained for seven years. His memory gone,
Jacques Dubrinsky is fighting to survive the insufferable anguish as his traumatized mind manages to create a connection with a stranger. This stranger is a woman who might be able to save him or who may be the cause of his agony. His voice haunt her dreams and finally she feels compelled to find his place of imprisonment and try to save his life. Her compassion, courage and ability to love will return Jacques to sanity and restore his memory if anything or anyone is able. Shea has a rare blood disease and needs constant blood transfusions to remain alive.

American surgeon Shea O'Halloran feels compelled to travel thousands of miles to the Carpathian mountains where she uncovers a being like none she has ever known. In her frantic pursuit to save Jacques, Shea must face the truth about what he is and about herself. They must deal with Jacques' past and also Shea's - which is much more unusual than she knows. Also, the evil men, and vampire, who originally tried to take Jacques' life are hot on their trail, as are his Carpathian family. They believed he was dead and now want to help both Jacque and Shea.

Christine Feehan has given us another can't put it down page turner with Dark Desire. I was pulled deep into the emotional impact of Jacques' devastating psychosis from page one. The relationship between Jacques and Shea reminded me of the Beauty and the Beast story; he desperately needs her but at the same time is dangerous to her while She is drawn to him in spite of the fact that she knows it may lead to her destruction.

Not for the faint of heart, is an extremely exciting and imaginative novel. The romance is sensual and scorching hot, but violent at times - remember, Jacques is not quite sane at first - also the descriptions of his torture are graphic.

Highly recommended. I can't wait to read the next Carpathian novel.