CUPCAKES WAR READING CHALLENGE 2012 discussion

I am online and will be ready at 7:00 pm est to discuss One for the Money. Let me know when you are online. Thanks.

I am here

Many novels fall clearly into a category as mystery, romance, comedy or adventure. Evanovich tries to combine all of those genres into one book. How well do you think that she succeeds? What genre do you think One for the Money should be classified in?

After reading the first book in the series of 18, are you interested in continuing to read more books in this series?

What are your thoughts on the characters in the story? There definitely was a wide-range of personalities and lots of characters to become familiar with throughout the story. Did so many characters make the story confusing for anyone?

I found some of the quotes pretty funny in the book. What do you think about the one when her mom finds out that she has taken a job as a bounty hunter....."You should learn to make slipcovers," she said to me. "There's always a need for slipcovers." I can remember my girlfriend's mom having a set of plastic slipcovers over her sofa. I hated sitting on that sofa!

Well...this is the only book of Evanovich's that I have read so far. But I would say that there was mystery, romance, comedy and adventure. I love when I read a book, and I can't tell exactly who is at fault right away. I knew that Ramirez was a bad man, but I didn't start figuring out that Alpha was an accomplice until further into the book. I loved the love hate relationship that Step had with Joe too. As for the adventure part, reading about her collecting bounties and her successes, was also quite invigorating (Sp?).

I guess it is just you and me...??

Well, unfortunately it seems like there hasn't been anyone to meet for our discussion. So, I hope at least we have some responses left to the questions that I posted. I thought I would give this a try but it seems it didn't work! Maybe, we will try it again another time!

Genre: mystery

Julie wrote: "Well...this is the only book of Evanovich's that I have read so far. But I would say that there was mystery, romance, comedy and adventure. I love when I read a book, and I can't tell exactly who ..."

Brenda wrote: "

I am online and will be ready at 7:00 pm est to discuss One for the Money. Let me know when you are online. Thanks."

I guess so! Oh well

I know I was shocked when Alpha showed up in her apartment

Me too! I wanted to believe he was a good man, but he was just too good to be true!

Hi Julie,
I have actually already gotten the second in the series, Two for the Dough. I haven't started it yet. My friends have always recommended this series. I think I will read more but probably not all 18!

Brenda wrote: "After reading the first book in the series of 18, are you interested in continuing to read more books in this series?"

YES!!

When I was reading I could actually feel like I could relate to Stephanie Plum for whatever reason. She just seems like a fun loving kind of person willing to try anything. I thought it was really funny when she sold all her stuff and then helped herself to Morelli's car!

Brenda wrote: "What are your thoughts on the characters in the story? There definitely was a wide-range of personalities and lots of characters to become familiar with throughout the story. Did so many characte..."

I don't think the characters were confusing at all. I enjoyed being able to switch back and forth "checking in" on people. Plus, it helps keep the mystery going longer. If there were fewer characters, I would have figured it out a lot sooner, and then I would have been disappointed. My favorite character was Joe. He was so smart and hands on. I love how he came to her rescue in the gym, and how he kept tabs on her to keep her safe. Call me a hopeless romantic but I hope he is in the next book too.

I know you can feel the romantic tension between those two. I especially liked it when he handcuffed her to the shower and then threw the keys in the dumpster.
I just can't imagine how all this can last through 18 books!

Brenda wrote: "I found some of the quotes pretty funny in the book. What do you think about the one when her mom finds out that she has taken a job as a bounty hunter....."You should learn to make slipcovers," s..."

Agreed, plastic slipcovers were the worst! My grandparents had those, I always wanted to rip them off and sit on the fabric. Not to mention the fact that she says "there is always a need for slipcovers!" On what planet?? If that was all I had to do to keep a steady job, I would have done it!

I found it funny when Steph was going through Joe's Jeep and was talking about all the stuff in it. The car phone!!! That made me flip to the front of the book to see when the book was written. 1994, that explains it. LOL! I remember thinking how cool that was, and how much money that had to have cost people to have phones in their cars. Now everyone has one (a cell phone)!!

Have you seen the movie? If not, are you interested in seeing it after reading the book?

I actually went online to see the preview. It looks pretty funny and it seems like it follows the book.

Julie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I found some of the quotes pretty funny in the book. What do you think about the one when her mom finds out that she has taken a job as a bounty hunter....."You should learn to make..."

I know I did the same thing and checked when this book was written. How things have changed because the actual story takes place during what time period? Stephanie almost ran over Morelli with a 1953 Buick.

Brenda wrote: "Have you seen the movie? If not, are you interested in seeing it after reading the book?

I actually went online to see the preview. It looks pretty funny and it seems like it follows the book."

I haven't seen the movie yet, but I thought it looked good. I am a fan of Katherine Heigl. I always like to read the book before I watch the movie, so now that that is crossed off of my list, it is showtime!

I also thought it was so funny when Joe Morelli's mom calls Stephanie to see why she is riding around town in her son's car!!

Julie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Have you seen the movie? If not, are you interested in seeing it after reading the book?

I actually went online to see the preview. It looks pretty funny and it seems like it foll..."
I love Katherine Heigl as well. I can just imagine her playing that part and doing a great job!

So, what do you think will happen between Stephanie Plum and Joe Morelli after this book?

Brenda wrote: "I know you can feel the romantic tension between those two. I especially liked it when he handcuffed her to the shower and then threw the keys in the dumpster.
I just can't imagine how all this ..."

Yeah, I kept hoping he would come back and uncuff her from the shower. The dumpster was nasty! I would have been super angry if someone did that to me, even if I stole their car...LOL. I think that at some point, the love/hate thing would get old. But what if they formed a bounty hunter partnership?? That would allow the tension and comedy between the two a little longer, at least.

Brenda wrote: "So, what do you think will happen between Stephanie Plum and Joe Morelli after this book?"

I was hoping they would team up. Take names and kick some booty! :) They make a classic partnership.

I actually think this relationship must go on in the other books because somewhere I read that someone was wondering if they would finally marry. I guess there are enough people that never show up for court and therefore there is plenty of work out there for bounty hunters!!! lol!!

So what did you think about all the characters in the book? I loved some of the names....Vinny, Ziggy, (just so fitting for the work that they do!)

Brenda wrote: "Hi Julie,
I have actually already gotten the second in the series, Two for the Dough. I haven't started it yet. My friends have always recommended this series. I think I will read more but proba..."

I am planning to pick up the 2nd one soon. I am notorious for starting series and having to finish them. Sometimes even if I don't like them, I still feel like I have to see it through until the end. (Some people might call that OCD...LOL) So I will probably read the rest...eventually.

Brenda wrote: "I also thought it was so funny when Joe Morelli's mom calls Stephanie to see why she is riding around town in her son's car!!"

Yeah, she was so busted! That would have been enough to make me return the car. I would have felt too guilty! I wonder why she didn't report it stolen for her son??

Julie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "So, what do you think will happen between Stephanie Plum and Joe Morelli after this book?"

I was hoping they would team up. Take names and kick some booty! :) They make a classic ..."

I agree! The guy that plays the part of Joe Morelli in the movie looks different than what I imagined.

Julie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I also thought it was so funny when Joe Morelli's mom calls Stephanie to see why she is riding around town in her son's car!!"

Yeah, she was so busted! That would have been enough ..."

I just thought that Stephanie doesn't let too much get to her. Another part I loved is when she is sitting in the bright red car with all the windows up in that bad neighborhood and she is all dressed up!!! Too funny!

Julie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Hi Julie,
I have actually already gotten the second in the series, Two for the Dough. I haven't started it yet. My friends have always recommended this series. I think I will read..."

Well, you only have 17 more to read! By then, there will probably be another one out on the shelves!

Brenda wrote: "When I was reading I could actually feel like I could relate to Stephanie Plum for whatever reason. She just seems like a fun loving kind of person willing to try anything. I thought it was reall..."

I also felt that I could relate to her. I would imagine that creating a character that most people is able to relate too, would be a hard task to accomplish. However, I would have had a hard time selling my stuff off to make ends meet. I would have found a job doing anything first. Stealing Joe's car was a genius move, but I wouldn't have been able to go through with it.

Julie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "When I was reading I could actually feel like I could relate to Stephanie Plum for whatever reason. She just seems like a fun loving kind of person willing to try anything. I thoug..."
Me neither but I just found it so funny that she kept selling off more and more stuff in her apartment.

Brenda wrote: "Julie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Hi Julie,
I have actually already gotten the second in the series, Two for the Dough. I haven't started it yet. My friends have always recommended this series. I thi..."

That is true! I have been interested in the series for awhile, but wasn't sure I would like them. I love trying new things.

Brenda wrote: "Julie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "So, what do you think will happen between Stephanie Plum and Joe Morelli after this book?"

I was hoping they would team up. Take names and kick some booty! :) They m..."

I haven't seen him yet, or at least I can't remember him. I wonder if I will feel the same way. I hate when characters don't match up with what I had imagined. It bums me out.

Evanovich definitely created characters with lots of personality...I just love the grandmother shooting the turkey on the table especially when that guy is over for dinner!

Brenda wrote: "So what did you think about all the characters in the book? I loved some of the names....Vinny, Ziggy, (just so fitting for the work that they do!)"

The names were great. Unique and naturally fit in with the story.

Julie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Julie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "So, what do you think will happen between Stephanie Plum and Joe Morelli after this book?"

I was hoping they would team up. Take names and kick some bo..."
The guy is good-looking but I thought he would have darker hair and look more Italian. Maybe I will feel differently when I actually see the entire movie.

Brenda wrote: "I actually think this relationship must go on in the other books because somewhere I read that someone was wondering if they would finally marry. I guess there are enough people that never show up..."

Yes!! Now I really want to get the second book! :)

Brenda wrote: "Julie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I found some of the quotes pretty funny in the book. What do you think about the one when her mom finds out that she has taken a job as a bounty hunter....."You should..."

That's true, I hadn't even thought about the actual book setting. I just figured she would write it with the most current time period. Funny!

I read that Janet Evanovich was originally from New Jersey so she was able to relate to what she was writing about. She actually starting out writing romance novels and then wrote this first book with Stephanie Plum and it took off so she continued the series.

Brenda wrote: "I read that Janet Evanovich was originally from New Jersey so she was able to relate to what she was writing about. She actually starting out writing romance novels and then wrote this first book ..."

When you find something that is a hit, stick to it! Or at least I would, until I got crazy bored with it...

Julie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I read that Janet Evanovich was originally from New Jersey so she was able to relate to what she was writing about. She actually starting out writing romance novels and then wrote t..."
She now lives in Florida and her whole family is involved in her writing business. Hey, I can't blame them!

Brenda wrote: "Julie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Julie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "So, what do you think will happen between Stephanie Plum and Joe Morelli after this book?"

I was hoping they would team up. Take names an..."

Yeah with a name like Morelli you would think that he would be. I also pictured a dark haired italian guy.

Thanks Julie for sharing your thoughts about One for the Money. We actually were supposed to have three other people join us but I guess they forgot! I know that I have done that in the past.

How do you like the book you are reading now?

Brenda wrote: "Julie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I read that Janet Evanovich was originally from New Jersey so she was able to relate to what she was writing about. She actually starting out writing romance novels an..."

Heck yeah, learn from the best! I have always wanted to write a book. I actually came up with an idea for one a few years ago, but have never tried to make it a reality. I think my idea, would involve a lot of red tape. I would be a book of short stories, borrowed from others. In a similar way as the Chicken Soup for the Souls books, but different.

Brenda wrote: "Thanks Julie for sharing your thoughts about One for the Money. We actually were supposed to have three other people join us but I guess they forgot! I know that I have done that in the past.

Ho..."

No problem. I have enjoyed it, even though it was just the two of us. And just think when everyone else gets on later, their notification icon will be lit up like crazy! LOL

I am really enjoying Everliving so far. I has been an easy read, and I really like the plot. I can't wait to get further in. How is yours going?

I think that most people, including myself, who love to read have the desire to write a book. I have many ideas written down, however, I need the time and the perseverance to actually get the words on the paper. Maybe one of these days. I have actually read two books that were written by authors that were in their 80s and 90s! Never too late.