Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich

I must admit, I am not a huge reader, I pick up a book every once in a while, but not too often.  However, about nine years ago, while working in an escrow company in Covina California, one of my co-workers was always reading and laughing every break and lunchhour with a book in her hand.  I asked her what the book was about, and she told me.

Janet Evanovich writes a series of books around a character, Stephanie Plum, who is a nyphomaniac bounty hunter.  Yep, you heard me!  Stephanie lives in a little burg outside Trenton New Jersey, in a tiny little apartment with Rex, her hamster.  She works for her cousin Vinny, the bail bondsman.  Oh yeah!  Her co-workers are Connie, the secretary/office manager, and Lula, a very large and buxom, woman of color, who wears nothing but the smallest spandex mini skirts and tops in the wildest colors you can imagine, with 6 inch heels.

Lula used to be a "ho" as she calls herself, but got out of that business because of the pimps.  So, Lula tags along with Stephanie on her skip tracing escapades.  They eat a lot of donuts and chicken from Cluck "o Bucket.  They both get into some pretty tight spots, AND, Stephanie is always getting whatever car she is driving blown up.

Now, moving right along, Stephanie went to school with Joe Morelli.  They had a few escapades in high school and then hated each other.  Joe is now a detective on the Trenton P.D. and is Stephanie's main squeeze.  Joe is quite a looker, always wears tight jeans and a black t-shirt.  And, then, enter Ranger, a latin, gorgeous hunk of man, who is also a fugitive aprehension agent for Vinnie, but who also runs a high security detail for private citizens and businesses.  Ranger is a loner, but has a thing for Stephanie, and keeps a watch out for her 24/7.  Ranger always knows where Stephanie is and keeps her from getting into too much harm.  He also supplies her with cars, since she seems to always be losing one.  lol

Stephanie visits her parents once a week or so, for dinner.  Stephanie's dad is not thrilled about life, at all.  Stephanie's mother nips at the cooking sherry while cooking.  Stehpanie's grandma Mazur lives with them.  She is a handful, to say the least!  Grandma Mazur is older than dirt, but never misses a viewing at the local funeral parlor.  Goes for the free cookies and punch, and loves to open the casket lids when they are specifically "Closed caskets".  Gets her in trouble every time.  She also goes to the beauty parlor often to get the latest gossip and tell the "girls" about Stephanie's latest escapades.

The very first book in this series by Janet Evanovich, was named "One For The Money", and was made into a movie a year or so ago.  Every year a new book comes out, and I am currently waiting the the November 19th release of the newest in the series called "Takedown Twenty".  I have read one thru nineteen.  It never takes me more than a day or two to finish one of Janet's books from cover to cover.  They are so edge of the seat exciting, and funny.

So, if you are not really into reading, like me, but enjoy someting once in a while, be sure and check out the series.  I will tell you, the first one or two in the series started out a little slow, but then once you get into them, and get to know the characters, many of whom I didn't even mention, you will be hooked like I am.