Smokin' Seventeen

Smokin' Seventeen (A Stephanie Plum Novel)by Janet Evanovich

Dead bodies are showing up in shallow graves on the empty construction lot of Vincent Plum Bail Bonds. No one is sure who the killer is, or why the victims have been offed, but what is clear is that Stephanie’s name is on the killer’s list. Short on time to find the murderer, Stephanie is also under pressure from family and friends to choose between her on-again-off-again boyfriend, Trenton cop Joe Morelli, and the bad boy in her life, security expert Ranger. Stephanie’s mom wants her to dump them both for a former high school football star who’s just returned to town. Stephanie’s sidekick, Lula, suggests a red-hot boudoir “bake-off.” And Joe’s old-world grandmother gives Stephanie “the eye,” which may mean that it’s time to get out of town.With a cold-blooded killer after her, a handful of hot men, and a capture list that includes a dancing bear and a senior citizen vampire, Stephanie’s life looks like it’s about to go up in smoke. (goodreads.com)

I read this book in one evening, which is pretty impressive right now since I can't seem to find any time to read. For the first time in a long time I have a whole bunch of books to review for pubs and I just can't find the time. Ugh. (Which is why I have decided to not accept books for review now except from 3 places that I have a long-standing relationship with, but I'm being picky picky about what I accept.)This book was so much fun. I was worried because I'd seen quite a few people say it wasn't one of the best, but by golly, did I find it funny. From the 72-year old vampire FTA to the Mooner Bus I was laughing and laughing.Not to mention Ranger... OH LORDY! Ranger! *swoons*There were sexytimes galore in this book and, I might be wrong about this, but I think this is the most graphic (and that's being generous because they weren't graphic at all) they have ever been. There really isn't much sex in these books, if any and so when you get a book full o' Morelli (meh) and Ranger (is it hot in here? Or is it just me? *purr*) it was... hot. Ranger.Hang on a second.....Ranger...Sigh.So, you might guess (though I don't know how you would) that I am totally on the Ranger team in this series. I have yet to find anything all that appealing about Morelli. The man needs to grow up and go away. I don't know why Stephanie hasn't just moved on. I mean, I know, but still.. R-A-N-G-E-R.'nuff said.All the sexytimes made me totally ignore the fact that I had guessed what was going on and who the killer was right from the first time we met said person. I don't care. I don't read this series for super hard to figure out mysteries, I read it for the laughs, sheer entertainment value and the characters (Did I swoon over Ranger yet?).I can't believe this series is up to eighteen books though! I feel like it was only a handful of years ago they started. This is always going to be one of my Comfort Food books. I actually call them Mashed Potato Books because I loooooove mashed potatoes. Yum. Those will always pick me up when I am down (or sick)!Janet Evanovich has an amazing sense of humour and it shines through with these books. The entire cast of characters make these books so entertaining.I didn't even crave McDonalds ONCE through this entire story, though! That's a first I think. Thank the gods I don't have a Cluck-in-a-Bucket or I'd be eating my weight in fried chicken with each book. Mmm.. fried chicken.Mmmmm....Ranger...*swoon*Stephanie Plum series

1. One for the Money
2. Two for the Dough
3. Three to Get Deadly
4. Four to Score
5. High Five
6. Hot Six
7. Seven Up
8. Hard Eight
9. To the Nines
10. Ten Big Ones
11. Eleven on Top
12. Twelve Sharp
13. Lean Mean Thirteen
14. Fearless Fourteen
15. Finger Lickin’ Fifteen
16. Sizzling Sixteen
17. Smokin' Seventeen
18. Explosive Eighteen 

Stephanie Plum Between-the-Numbers Novellas

1. Visions of Sugar Plums (between 8 & 9)
2. Plum Lovin’ (between 12 & 13)
3. Plum Lucky (between 13 & 14)
4. Plum Spooky (between 14 & 15)