Stephanie Plum novels, a Must Read

If you've never read Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series than you don't know what you're missing.  Seriously, I am not lying!  I was in a creative writing class during my college days years ago and the professor recommended that we read Evanovich's books.  I totally blew what he said off.  I've been kicking myself since I picked up my first Plum novel about six years ago.  She's creative, funny and all around entertaining!

Evanovich writes engaging characters that will have you laughing out loud no matter where you are.  I can't believe how many times I've had tears trailing down my face while trying to control the laughter rolling out of me.  My husband looks at me like I'm loosing my marbles.  Hey, maybe I am.  Her words paint her stories effortlessly.  Her characters are crazy, yet you feel like you've known them forever

Here's some background:

Stephanie is a klutzy yet endearing wannabe bounty hunter.  Well, I can't really say she wants to be, but hey it's a job and she needs the money to pay the rent and feed her pet hamster, Rex.  However, she's not remotely good at her job.  It's always a comedy of laughs when she's around.   She attracts trouble like you wouldn't believe.  One of the ongoing jokes throughout the series is how long a car will last in her possession.  They are forever being blown up, flattened or totalled in some way or another.  It's come to the point where bets are taken on how long it will be before a car in her possession is no longer in one working peace.

She can never catch a FTA (failed to appear) the first time around.  Hilarious hi jinx always ensues.  She keeps her gun in her cookie jar without bullets.  I think that paints a pretty clear picture of how she is as a bounty hunter.  The FTAs she's forever chasing are crazy, unique and always provide entertainment

Her on again, off again boyfriend is a cop.  Hot and sexy, Joe Morelli.  They have a past history.  Enough said.  They're attracted to each other but can't seem to commit.  Or at least not at the same time.  Morelli also comes with Bob the dog, a huge golden retriever that will eat anything insight. 

Her temptation is a man named Ranger.  He is tall, dark and definitely DANGEROUS.  He is former special forces turned bounty hunter/security expert.  He is Stephanie's temptation.  You'll have to read for yourself to see if she gives in.

The crazy cast of characters goes on and on:

Vinnie-Stephanie's cousin who owns the bail bonding company Stephanie works for.  He's married but into kinky stuff it's better you don't know about.

Lula-Ex-hooker turned file clerk for the bonds office.  A plus size woman and more than most men can handle.  She's also Stephanie's best friend.  She provides a lot of comic relief whether she's eating her way through anything fast food related or taking shots that rarely hit their intended target.

Tank-Ranger's right hand man.  His name says it all.

Grandma Mazur-Stephanie's maternal grandmother  She loves to attend viewings at the local funeral homes.  A closed casket has never stopped her. She's a pistol.

Grandma Bella-Joe's grandma.  She's a little, feisty Italian lady you don't want to cross.  If you do she's bound to put a curse on you as she's done to Stephanie several times.

Stephanie's Mother, Mrs. Plum-The stereotypical housewife.  She's a great cook who expects everyone to sit down to dinner at 6 o'clock or it's ruined.  She irons when she's upset.

Stephanie's Father, Mr Plum-Retired from the post office but drives a cab part time to get out away from Grandma Mazur.

There are so many more interesting characters that repeatedly pop up in the Plum novels.  None of them are "normal" and they all provide comedy relief in some form.

If you're looking for a series of books that will keep you coming back for more this is it.  Don't look any further.  I promise you won't regret it!