“Finger Lickin' Fifteen” by Janet Evanovich

“Finger Lickin' Fifteen” by Janet Evanovich
2009, St. Martin’s Press
ISBN: 98-0-312-38328-2

I don’t often buy the books I read. I sort of ran out of room to store them and then I ran out of book money. Mostly, lately anyway, I get them from the Dimond branch of the Oakland Public Library or from the little library at the Curves I go to in the Dimond. This one, though, I flat out bought new. I was over at Luann’s book store, across the street from where I live. She keeps about one copy of everything. But, this just jumped out at me from where it was on the shelf and I didn’t even have to think twice about waiting for it to come out in paperback. No, I must have it even at top dollar which was $27.95

I’ve read all of the Stephanie Plum books. Each one is fabulous and this was no exception. Stephanie is currently on the outs with Morrelli and the smokin that’s going on with Ranger is exceptional. Lula witnesses what looks like a mob hit and from that moment on they’re after her. She sticks close by Stephanie and, as usual, it’s like Lucille Ball on wheels. I even read half a page to a co-worker at lunch today. Her eyes got real big. Now, I’m going to lend the book to her and I’m betting they’ll get a lot bigger.

If you have never read one of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum novels go read one now. It doesn’t have to be this one. It could be any of the previous fourteen. I believe I started with number five when I first started reading them. These are so good that I will often read them more than once. It’s sort of like a chocolate attack. Nothing will do but chocolate and sometimes nothing will do but some huge laughs with Stephanie Plum.

“Lavender Morning” by Jude Deveraux

“Lavender Morning” by Jude Deveraux
2009, Atria Books
ISBN: 978-0-7434-3720-2

I have two great things I love to do. I eat and I read. Today I almost ate this book. “Lavender Morning” is a huge romantic mystery. I can’t tell you the end because that might spoil the book for you, but I can tell you that you’re not going to be able to put this one down.

At the heart of it is a gentile old woman named Edi and a young girl named Jocelyn. Edi takes Jocelyn under her wing when Joce was about 10 years old. Joce’s family doesn’t pay too much attention to her anyway, so they don’t miss the time she spends with Miss Edi. The love these two have for each other is endearing.

And, then the old woman dies. And, in her will she leaves something of extraordinary value to Joce.

Read this book to see how a lonely and grieving young woman can follow the last wishes of an older woman to find her destiny.

“Innocent in Death” by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts)

“Innocent in Death” by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts)
2007, GP Putnam’s Sons
ISBN: 978-0-399-15401-0

I think this is the second novel I’ve read by Nora Roberts writing as J.D. Robb. Central to the story is Lieutenant Eve Dallas. She is a cop in the future. I think about 2060 or so.

In “Innocent in Death” Eve with her trusty second in command, Peabody, get a case where a teacher has been murdered in a trendy private school. As the clues are discovered it seems that the killer is in plain view. Except, then he is killed.

And, the questions move forward: Who is the real killer?

What is interesting to me are the other characters in the book. Lieutenant Dallas’ husband Rourke who appears to have a mysterious past. There’s an old flame of his who pops on the scene to create problems between husband and wife. There are other characters who come into the novel who obviously have had greater roles in other books. There’s a whole bunch of them with Lieutenant Dallas and I’m looking forward to reading them. I hope you might give one of the futuristic mystery novels by Nora Roberts writing as J.D. Robb a try.

“Just After Sunset” by Stephen King

“Just After Sunset” by Stephen King
2008, Scribner
ISBN: 978-1-4165-8408-7

It’s been a long time since I’ve read a short story, but, here I am and I’m having a ball. This collection is by Stephen King and right now, I just finished the first one. It’s called “Willa”. You need to read this. I’m a psychic and I’m saying you need to read this.

As I started it I wondered at the actual construction of a short story. Of course it’s going to be shorter than a novel. With a novel you settle into a chair, curl your legs up, draw a blanket over you and get comfortable. It’s going to be awhile. But, with “Willa”, Stephen King just dropped me into the middle of a situation. It was very much like walking into a crowded room. Generally, I’m a wall flower and tend to cautiously, very cautiously move out into a party area. I felt the same with this story.

Stuff was going on. Stuff I wasn’t aware of, but everybody else seemed to already know. And yet, they knew nothing. I knew nothing and yet this story was moving forward. Suddenly I got a creepy feeling. I thought, “What if?” Then, as the story moved forward I thought, “No, that couldn’t be right.” But, it was right. And, it was crafted so wonderfully, as only Stephen King can, that it slowly dawned on me what was going on.

This was such a surprising story. It was such a delight and as a psychic I absolutely loved it. Now, on to the next story. Not sure if I will write of every one or just a few. There are 16 in this book. I’m certainly going to enjoy each and every one of them. Stephen King has got to be my all time favorite writer.

Reading….reading….

Okay, so now I’m almost half way through the book. I’ve read several of the stories. Some were short. Some were of the slasher type where I had to force myself to keep reading only because I knew in my heart the end would be good; and I was not disappointed. However, I was not inclined to comment on them. But, this story is different and I’d like to talk about: “Stationary Bike”.

I think people are always interested in hearing stories they can relate to. I could relate to “Stationary Bike”, because it was about getting fit and healthy. I have to force myself to do this and it just is not ever any fun. According to a friend of mine who is a psychotherapist I need to get to the psychology behind it all in order to make it work. I can go on any diet in the world, but somehow, somewhere along the line I sabotage it. That’s where this story got to me. It was interesting to see somebody ending up the way I end up every single dang time. However, it’s got that special Stephen King twist and Richard Sifkitz dips deeply into his artist’s imagination to create a place where he actually likes to exercise, where the motivation is there and the only motivation is because it feels good. I give this one a big ole thumbs up. Especially because at the end of it you’re thinking, “You know, this isn’t so far fetched. I bet it really could happen.” That’s what makes the stories Stephen King writes so scary.

Reading…reading…and, now I’m finished. Not a minute too soon either. The book was due back at the library 2 days ago and I think the fines on the 7 day hot picks (I got to renew it once) are 25¢ a day…maybe more. I will return it this afternoon and fork over whatever I owe. Totally worth it. No way was I going to read this one through half way.

Anyway, I absolutely loved every one of the stories in this book. I’ve been wondering for the last 2 days if much, much more of what I do isn’t obsessive compulsive behavior rather than just habit or rut. Stephen King has always pushed my buttons. I absolutely love it. The reviewer says, “Read this book.”

“The Day the Cowboys Quit” by Elmer Kelton

“The Day the Cowboys Quit” by Elmer Kelton
1992, Bantam
ISBN: 0-553-29669-8

I was surprised to even think of a cowboy going on strike, but that’s exactly what these cowboys did. Texas, time enough for men who fought in the Civil War to be middle-aged. It was a time of transition from when cowboys worked small herds to when the bankers from the East came flooding West to form huge ranches.

The hero in our story is Hugh Hitchcock. He has a wise head on his shoulders, but even so through loyalties to other cowboys is pulled in many directions, towards the individual cowboys who want to strike for better wages and better respect to the man, Charlie Waide, who ran the W’s ranch. Charlie’s arm was twisted by the bankers. He was forced to side with the big ranchers and Hugh ended up on the other side with the cowboys.

Hard fought battles, but in the end it was loyalties that won out, it was respect for the individual and it had a really good ending.

I’ve enjoyed all the Westerns I’ve read by Elmer Kelton and will keep my eyes peeled for more. I sure would like to read more with Hugh Hitchock in them.