Sizzling Sixteen

She's back! In Sizzling Sixteen, Stephanie has to rescue her cousin, and boss, from a most unpleasant fate.  With the help of Connie and Lula (and with Ranger stepping in when she gets in over her head), Stephanie manages to save Vinnie twice by coming up with some crazy schemes.

I have mixed emotions about this book.  While I still enjoyed it very much and it was nice to see more of Vinnie and Connie, I do think that it's time for Evanovich to bring Stephanie into the 21st century.  I could have done with a little less Lula (I love her, but sometimes she can be too much) and a little more Morelli.

As always, this series had me laughing almost all the way through, even (perhaps especially?) with the crazy alligator and hobbit appearances.  If you're looking for a fast, easy, and fun read, this is a good option.

Up Next: Sarah's Key

I Capture the Castle

I watched this movie several months ago on Netflix, and fell in love. I Capture the Castle follows the lives of the Mortmain family for about six months, and is told by 17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain as she writes in her journals.  Cassandra and her family are living in a dilapidated castle in the English country, and barely have enough money for food, much less rent.

When American brothers, Simon and Neil Cotton, inherit the castle, their lives intertwine with those of the castle residents in ways nobody ever imagined.

This is a wonderful story about personal growth, hope, loss, and first loves.  It can get wordy in some areas, but is worthy of any bookshelf.

Up Next:  Sizzling Sixteen

Under the Tuscan Sun

I LOVE this movie, and had no idea it had been a book first, so when I saw it sitting on the shelf at the library, I had to get it!  I was so disappointed when I started reading Under the Tuscan Sun.  To compare the book to the movie would be like comparing yourself to a tree - you both need oxygen to survive.

There are very few similarities between the book and the movie, but the spirit remains the same.  The book brings to life more of the restoration process, which really intrigues the DIY-er side of my personality.  Frances Mayes' descriptions of Bramasole, and the adventures she finds make you feel like you're right there, along for the ride.  And, the way she describes the food makes your mouth water.  Luckily, she includes several delicious sounding recipes (I have yet to try any, but I'm hoping to)!

There are very few similarities between the book and the movie, but the spirit remains the same, which is why I recommend reading Under the Tuscan Sun.  Just remember to put aside your thoughts and feelings about the movie, whatever they may be, and read this book with fresh, open eyes.  You won't be sorry.

If you would like to see the real Bramasole, or the little cottage Mrs. Mayes stumbled upon during one of her walks through the countryside, then bought to restore, look here and here.

Up Next:  I Capture the Castle

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

It took me FOREVER to get into this book. I skipped the last half of the first chapter, and chunks of Chapters 2-3. It wasn't until about half way through the 4th chapter that I actually became interested.

The book starts with an elderly man opening his birthday present, and adding it to his collection.   The gift makes his heart ache.

Then, we are introduced to one of the book's main characters, Mikael Blomkvist, and his troubles.  This is where the book bored me to death.  It went on and on about Blomkvist's trial, and went a little to far into what goes on in the corporate world - something that I, personally, have very little interest in.

Once Lisbeth Salander is introduced and Blomkvist is offered a new job, the book becomes much more interesting.  Together, they work to find out what happened to Harriet Vanger, almost 40 years earlier, and what they find is utterly shocking.

If you decide to read this book, be patient.  The first few chapters are uber boring, and a lot of the Swedish pop culture references might fly right over your head (as they did mine), but it is definitely worth it to finish this book.

Up Next:  Under the Tuscan Sun

Stephanie Plum Series: Finger Lickin' Fifteen (Book 15)

Lula is running late for work so while she's trying to drive and put her make-up on at the same time, she misses her turn, and watches a man get beheaded. It turns out, the man who lost his head is a celebrity chef who is in town for the local BBQ Cook Off.

Not only did Lula see the murderers, but the murderers also saw Lula. Lula's life is in danger, and the murderers find her at her house, so she decides to move into Stephanie's apartment, which sends Stephanie to Ranger's apartment.

Stephanie is working overtime trying to keep up with her FTA's, finding the men who are after Lula, and trying to help Ranger with a problem he has at his securtiy business. There's plenty of laughs and explosions in Finger Lickin' Fifteen, and I look forward to the next book in the series.

Up Next: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Stephanie Plum Series: Fearless Fourteen (Book 14)

It's just another fugitive pick-up for Stephanie when she stops to get single mother, Loretta Rizzi. Loretta has a boy that needs to be picked up from school, and doesn't want to go in to get rebonded until she finds someone to take care of him till she's able to get back home. Stephanie agrees to pick him up, and ends up having the spitting image of Joe Morelli living with her and her boyfriend for longer than expected.

In Fearless Fourteen, it's not just Stephanie that's getting threats, Joe is getting them, too.  Loretta's brother, Dom, robbed nine million dollars from a bank, stashed it somewhere, served his time, and now that he's out, he and his partners want their money.  The money's hiding place has something to do with the house that Aunt Rose left to Joe, and Loretta has been kidnapped.

While trying to find the money so the crazy men will release Loretta, Ranger has also hired Stephanie to do some bodyguard work for a celebrity who comes to town.  The extra work forces Stephanie to hire Mooner, and the celebrity's stalker, to watch over the house and Loretta's son.

Fourteen books into the series, and Janet Evanovich is still able to keep things quite entertaining!

Up Next: Finger Lickin' Fifteen

Stephanie Plum Series: Lean Mean Thirteen (Book 13)

Stephanie was married for about 15 minutes to a jerk named Dickie Orr.  In Lean Mean Thirteen, she's doing a favor for Ranger, and needs to plant a bug on Dickie.  She goes into his office, and the conversation starts out civil enough.  Then Stephanie sees a picture that sets her off and she begins threatening to kill Dickie and Lula points a gun at him, and there are witnesses.

When Dickie disappears and blood is found in his house, Stephanie is the prime suspect.  Her archenemies, Joyce Barnhardt, who is involved with Dickie when he disappears, also thinks Stephanie is guilty, so she does what she can to make all of Trenton turn against Stephanie. 

The two main men involved in Stephanie's life believe in her innocence, and work to keep her out of jail.  Not only does Stephanie find out a few surprising things about Dickie, but she also finds out that Joe Morelli has been keeping a big secret from her.

Up Next: Fearless Fourteen