Review of "Sizzling Sixteen" by Janet Evanovich

 Finally, another Stephanie Plum novel! Thank goodness, I needed it. And I must say, I can't wait for her new "Unmentionables" Series to start.. Well, let's dive right into it!
Disclaimer: This book was given to me as a gift for my birthday. I was not given this book, nor any sort of monetary incentive, in exchange for a positive review.

Types: Series, Mystery, Sexy men, Doughnuts, Destruction of cars, Mobsters

About the book: Stephanie Plum is at it again. Vinnie gets himself kidnapped by his bookie's new boss, and Lula, Stephanie, and Connie have to find a way to come up with the cash, or their business, and possibly their lives, are forfeit. So Stephanie has to balance her skip-hunting, which she doesn't do all that well on the best days, with trying to find her cousin, which is near impossible. Complete with her two favorite men, Morelli and Ranger, a few car mishaps, several burning buildings, and plenty of stink bombs, and you have the newest Stephanie Plum installment.

I have to say, I'm much more pleased with this newest Stephanie Plum book, than the last one. "Finger Lickin' Fifteen" felt like a disappointment, but I think "Sizzling Sixteen" got back to the good ol' days of adventure, hijinks, and some actual character development. Stephanie actually questions her job, and shows some growth, something the last few books have been missing. I still hold hope for this series, and I think Evanovich will have to toss down the Ranger or Morelli card soon... Stephanie is going to have to make a move. The fans can't be left with this tension for the rest of the series, however long it continues. I'm sure whatever decision she ultimately makes will make a lot of people mad (Go on, admit it, most people are either Team Ranger or Team Morelli... me? I'm Team Screw Stephanie, Let Me Have Them Both!), but she has to do SOMETHING! And a quick little note... I loved seeing more of Vinnie this time around. We get to see him more as a character, and less as just a footnote in Stephanie Plum History.

I definitely have to give Evanovich some brownie points, the plot of "Sizzling Sixteen" is far superior to "Finger Lickin' Fifteen." The characters actually have something strong to motivate them, they don't feel like they're just going through the motions. Yes, there is still the crazy, random occurances that we love Stephanie Plum for, but there's more. That "more" is what I have felt missing in the past few books, and I'm so glad the author is taking this beloved series in a much better direction. I hope she keeps this up with the new off-branch of the series, featuring Diesel's people.

So, to sum it up, I really enjoyed "Sizzling Sixteen." It was Janet Evanovich's usual romping good read, and I feel like it showed a lot of improvement since the last book. I can't wait to see more of Stephanie's tale, and frankly, I hope some more man-drama is added in the next book. We readers can't handle it being in such a stand still forever!

I'm giving "Sizzling Sixteen" by Janet Evanovich a FOUR out of FIVE. I'm happy with the end result of the book, it had some extremely good, laugh-out-loud moments, but I really wanted Evanovich to step it up even more, and give Stephanie's relationships a good kick in the bum. Hopefully next time!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Morning Glow

The Great book and TV war...

I love reading. I do! I mean, I decided to take up reviewing, for hecks sake, of course I love reading. But there is another love in my like.. television. And I do watch a few shows on TV (Bones, Castle, Leverage).. I mostly prefer to see everything on DVD. And now, working at a library, I can do that! At my work, we lend DVDs out for two weeks, and have many, many TV shows to choose from.

Currently, I'm watching Monarch of the Glen. A BBC show, it ran for several years (I believe there are 7 seasons), and guess what - work has them all! So I put myself on the request list for seasons 1 - 3. Of course they came in out of order.. 3, 1, 2.. then as I started watching some, I put more on hold. Now 5 has come in before 4. But here's my dilemma. Since three came in first, it is due this week. So the part of me that hates to keep things overdue wants to spend all my free time watching this show, so I can return them. But the other part of me, the one that knows that as a library employee.. I don't get fines for overdue items... says might as well keep them overdue, and spend some of that free time reading!

But to make it even worse! Guess what else is due this week! "Tempted" by PC and Kristin Cast.. book six in the House of Night series. And I'm still on book five. So now, maybe, you understand the title of this post. My love of reading and my love of TV (as well as the pressure of due dates) is at war.. which do I do first? Do I watch the shows first, do I read first? Do I split my time? I just need a few more hours in the day, please!