Book Review: Plum Spooky July 10, 2009
Posted by battysgirl in Books, Reviews.add a comment
Plum Spooky
Janet Evanovich
Date: January 6, 2009 — $27.95 — Book
Three and a half stars (of a possible four, of course)
From Booklist
Those who know and love Stephanie, Ranger, Morelli, Lula, Bob the dog, Rex the hamster, and the rest of that wacky crew in Evanovich’s Trenton-set series, have also clasped Diesel, who appears only in these “between-the-numbers” tales, to their collective hearts. Big, blond, dimpled, and paranormal, he flits into Steph’s bail-bondswoman life with unnerving irregularity, and he has special powers that extend well beyond bounty hunting. This time Diesel has a cousin named Wulf, pale, black-clad, and dead-eyed, who has hidden a nerdy scientist and a lot of equipment in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. The repartee sparkles and shimmies from razor wit to toilet humor (and back again), and the plot involves mud, food tossing, explosive farts, occasional kissing, and hilarious (and true-to-life, alas) allergic reactions (that would be from Lula). A group of monkeys, and one in particular named Carl, figure mightily in the plot, in one instance actually making the stoic, understated Ranger burst into laughter. Don’t miss Morelli’s brother-in-law, the sly Star Trek and vampire tropes, and the Jersey Devil. Incredible amounts of fun. –GraceAnne A. DeCandido
From Batty’s Girl
Having finished Fifteen just yesterday I was hesitant to read another Plum novel so soon afterwards but decided I would any way since I didn’t have long to browse the library with a sleepy baby hanging off my shoulder.
Now, I’m glad I did read this book. I think this between the numbers novel was much better than fourteen and fifteen. Diesel is a wonderful character that could have if Evanovich had wanted, given Joe and Ranger a run for their money. Lucky for the two current love interests, Diesel never sticks around long enough.
Totally worth the read!
Book Review: Finger Lickin’ Fifteen July 9, 2009
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Finger Lickin’ Fifteen
Janet Evanovich
Date: June 23, 2009 — $27.95 — Book
Two and a half stars (of a possible four, of course)
From Publishers Weekly
Bestseller Evanovich recycles tired themes better executed in earlier adventures in her latest Stephanie Plum adventure (Fearless Fourteen, etc.). When Lula inadvertently witnesses the beheading of culinary TV star Stanley Chipotle in a Trenton, N.J., alley, Stephanie’s on-again off-again boyfriend, cop Joe Morelli, reluctantly takes the case. Lula, with the help of Grandma Mazur, enters the same barbequing competition Chipotle was in town to promote, hoping to lure the murderers out of hiding. Meanwhile, Ranger has recruited Stephanie to help solve a series of break-ins at properties under the protection of Rangeman Security. The inevitable sparks fly between Stephanie and Ranger, with Morelli grumbling on the sidelines. Evanovich dishes up her usual mixture of shoot-’em-up action (numerous cars explode) and quirky characters (notably a neighborhood flasher with a devoted following), but the lackluster plot will disappoint fans. (June 23)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Batty’s Girl
I’ve loved these books since One for the Money but after Fearless Fourteen I was so let down that I didn’t even know when this book was coming out (as opposed to previous installments when I bought it the day it debuted).
While still funny and light hearted, I think its time Stephanie made up her mind and settled down so that this series can come to its conclusion. While Fifteen was better than Fourteen, the series is just so clichéd now that nothing will bring the Plum novels back to their previous illustrious standing in my eyes.
Borrow the book don’t buy it, since its not keeper material, but still worth the few hours it takes to read!
The Baby in the Mirror July 9, 2009
Posted by battysgirl in Baby Fever, Celeste.1 comment so far
Celeste, who should be napping but refuses, has a conversation with the baby across the way.
Book Review: Cemetery Dance July 8, 2009
Posted by battysgirl in Friends & Family.add a comment
Cemetery Dance
Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Date: May 12, 2009— $26.95 — Book
Three and a half stars (of a possible four, of course)
From Publishers Weekly
From Publishers Weekly
Bestsellers Preston and Child kill off a regular supporting character at the outset of this suspenseful tale of urban terror, their ninth to feature FBI special agent Aloysius Pendergast (after The Wheel of Darkness). William Smithback, a New York Times reporter, and his wife, Nora Kelly, an anthropologist with the New York Museum of Natural History, are celebrating their first anniversary when Smithback is fatally stabbed in their Manhattan apartment, apparently by a creepy neighbor, Colin Fearing, an out-of-work British actor. Given eyewitness descriptions of the killer, including one from Kelly herself, as well as surveillance footage showing a blood-stained Fearing emerging from the apartment building right after the crime, the case appears to be open and shut—until Pendergast and his NYPD ally, Lt. Vincent D’Agosta, learn that Fearing died almost two weeks earlier. This taut page-turner can only add to the authors’ growing fan base. 8-city author tour. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Batty’s Girl
True to form, this book kept me turning pages and caring about the outcomes for each character. That being said, I knew who the master mind was about half way in (although I didn’t know why until the authors revealed the plot).
Does any one else wonder just was Pendergast does for the FBI as he never seems to be doing any official business in any of the books?
Totally worth it if you’ve read the other Pendergast novels, if not, pick those up first because while Lincoln and Child do a good job making each book a stand alone story, there is history with the characters you’d be better off knowing.
Tranquility July 7, 2009
Posted by battysgirl in Friends & Family.1 comment so far
While in Wisconsin visiting family, I had some of the most relaxing hours I’ve had for a long while.
For a few hours one day, I did nothing but sit on Jackie’s front porch and read a book. This is a novelty in and of itself since Celeste was born of course, but it was more than just having some time to read without it being based around Celly’s nap time. It was the setting and the company.
First of all, this is the view from Jackie’s farm:
And to prove I really was on a farm, here are the two cows eating by the barn:
Any hoo, the weather was lovely at a balmy 65 degrees and there was a good wind blowing (the property has a line of wind breaking trees though)
One of the gardens is on the other side of these trees in the wind, here is me helping the kids weed one morning:
So there I am on the front porch behind the wind breaking trees enjoying Preston and Child’s latest with a few friends:
Shep…
Lollypop:
and Jenny (a very pregnant kitty who had her kittens since then):
For the most part, Shep stayed a few feet away napping, Lollypop stayed about a foot away but Jen stayed on my lap purring away and keeping me warm.
Add all this together, the weather, the setting, the four legged company and the book made for some of the most tranquil hours I’ve had for sometime.
The best part about it all? I was sitting by a window and I could hear all the family oohing and ahhing over Celeste inside 
Hey Jackie, can I move in with you? I miss the quiet happiness I was experiencing with you!
