It’s been 25 years since author Janet Evanovich published her first Stephanie Plum novel, One for the Money. But while most series—and characters—just run out of steam after a few installments, this bumbling bounty hunter and her friends are still up to their same old tricks a quarter of a century later in Fortune and Glory (a.k.a.Tantalizing Twenty-Seven)...

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery

I had gotten away from the Stephanie Plum books. They seemed repetitive and lacked the spark that made me love them initially. But, I decided to give Fortune and Glory a shot and am I so glad I did! This book reminded me of all the things I adore about the series:
1. Zany supporting characters like Lula and in the story, Pots, provide depth to the world and story. Also, they are hilarious and over the top. I used to find this annoying, but now I welcomed the escape.
2. Interesting plotlines keep you on your toes. While it might seem a bit far fetched, you get sucked in and want to know the mystery of the treasure.
3. Well developed characters make the series feel like coming home. Readers really KNOW Stephanie by now and there is a HUGE comfort in that.

Perhaps I feel this way because 2020 has been a dumpster fire and this book reminded me of happier times. Whatever the reason, I am thrilled to have rediscovered my joy in this series.

I was thrilled to be offered an e-galley copy of Janet Evanovich's newest addition to the Stephanie Plum series, Fortune and Glory (book 27) because this series is definitely my guilty pleasure and akin to eating comfort food. I admit that I've read the 1st 10 or so books in the series more than once because of the much-needed laughs and escape from reality that Stephanie, Lulu, Grandma Mazur, and a bevy of other characters provide. Let's just say that book 27 didn't disappoint in providing just the escapism that I needed in a time where I've been having a hard time focusing on reading (and most anything else) because, well, the world is just so upside down right now. But this book was a perfect remedy! It's definitely a darker Plum book than some of Evanovich's previous ones with lots of action and dangerous mob hits and kidnapping attempts, but it also seemed to define a change in Stephanie that has been needed for a long time: she is at a crossroads, trying to decide what she wants out of her life and for her future. It's no longer just about "do I chose Morelli or Ranger" for her although that trope is there but not as strong this time around, it's about Stephanie finding herself, and I for one, am here for it! If you've not read the last few Plum novels because they seemed pretty repetitive...cars blowing up, Morelli vs. Ranger, bumbling bounty hunters, well this one is different although those elements are there-I can't imagine a day that Stephanie doesn't blow up something. But this book is Evanovich back at her best, and I definitely recommend giving the series another try. Oh, and watch for Gabriela Rose, Evanovich's newest character! She's getting her own series, and I can't wait to dive in and learn more about her.

Thank you Zoe Harris at Atria Books for the NetGalley DRC in exchange for my honest review.

Some authors and characters give you just what you expect, which can frequently be exactly what you need. Stephanie Plum never disappoints.

Stephanie Plum is at it again. This time, she and her Grandma are determined to find the treasure left behind by Grandma’s last husband. The search is not without risks—there are several old associates of the husband who want the treasure for themselves. Luckily Stephanie has her regular crew. With the rest of her uncle’s bail bonds office and her contact within and outside the law, how can they lose?

This book introduces a new character who it sounds like will continue with more appearances later in the series. Is Gabriela Rose a love interest for Stephanie’s on-again/off-again partner Morelli? That’s another mystery she’s determined to look at after she and Grandma find the treasure.

Overall, I really enjoyed this contribution (the 27th book) to the Stephanie Plum series. While I’m sure I’ve read a couple of these over the years, they stand alone just fine as well. I’d give this one 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Evanovich does it again bring us another hilariously dysfunctional fast paced thriller with our loveable band of misfits. I loved the new characters and the deeper, somewhat darker, look into Stephanie’s psyche that the author added to this installment. It really added a new element, renewing love and obsession with this series. If all of that does not make you want to go out immediately and get this book then I have one word that might just persuade you, Ranger. We get some steamy scenes with our delicious man of mystery. I highly recommend this book to all readers, it is one fun read and I can not wait for more in this series.

I got an early copy of this book from the publisher and I can not even begin to explain how happy that made me. Stephanie Plum is my happy place. If I am having a bad day, I pick up one of the now 27 books and she always manages to make me smile.

Grandma Mazur is a widow again and jimmy left behind a huge mess of a mystery. Jimmy's friends are out to get grandma because they think she hold the keys to the treasure. Stephanie will stop at nothing to keep grandma safe. This book was full of adventure and humor. I literally loved every word. Stephanie still has picked between Ranger and Morelli... but I mean can we blame her? This book does have a lot more Ranger, which makes me a happy girl.

This book has a little bit of a different feel. There was alot more danger and mystery. There was the quirkiness we have all come to love but it felt alot more real because grandma was in serious danger throughout the book. If you love Stephanie Plum get ready to love her even more and buckle up for a wild ride!

I loved this book. I will always love Stephanie and the gang and I can't wait for everyone to read this so I can talk to them about the details!

Thank you to Atria Books for gifting me a review copy of Fortune and Glory by Janet Evanovich.

This was my first Stephanie Plum novel, and while there are 26 books in the series before this one I still felt it worked well on its own. However, I do 100% plan on reading the rest of them now.

For the first few chapters, I was snort laughing and asking myself ‘what on Earth is this?!’ But once I embraced the complete chaos and ridiculousness, Stephanie took me on a ride that was as entertaining as it was bananas.

The adventure starts as Stephanie’s Grandma Mazur’s new husband dies (on their wedding night) leaving behind the keys to a life-changing fortune. But, Stephanie and her grandma are not the only ones searching for the treasure…will they stay alive long enough to find it?

For Stephanie Plum fans, both Morelli and Ranger are in this book so you’ll get your fix of them. Also, the mysterious Gabriela Rose shows up in this book, and I believe we’ll see more of her in another novel coming in 2021.

Basically, nothing Stephanie does is by halves, whether it’s searching for mob treasure, or cozying up to the two sexy men in her life. This book is action-packed, and there is not a single dull moment—not one.

Thank you! I reviewed this book on THRIVE GLOBAL!
https://thriveglobal.com/stories/escape-into-fiction-this-fall/

Fortune and Glory (#27) A Stephanie Plum Novel by Janet Evanovich
I absolutely love the Stephanie Plum novels. I wait every year for a new one to appear in November. I know I am not the only one because Evanovich has had her last seventeen Plums debut at #1 on the NY Times Best Sellers list and eleven of them have hit #1 on USA Today Best-Selling Books list. She has over two hundred million books in print worldwide and is translated into over 40 languages.

Since 1994, I have been enjoying Stephanie Plum and her fugitive apprehension agent adventures. As she explains, “I occasionally ignore the obvious signs of danger and stumble into something ugly with the potential for disaster.” In each book, I know that her car will blow up, be set on fire or be lost in another humorous way. I agree with her that her “bad car karma is the tip of the iceberg.”

Her gun will never have bullets if she even remembers to carry it and Lula, her side-kick, will be wearing an outrageous day-glo colored outfit that barely covers her body parts and her hair will be a surprise.

Mostly I look forward to her charming moments with the incredibly hot and uber-talented Ranger, who calls her “Babe,” brings her a new car and smells divine. He is former special forces, former bounty hunter and runs a high tech security firm called Rangeman. I also like her on-again, off-again romance with her police officer boyfriend, Joe Morelli. You can start with One for the Money and work your way through to the latest, Fortune and Glory (Tantalizing Twenty-Seven) or just read the newest one which I absolutely loved!

I am hoping Stephanie Plum and her “Superhero Derangement Syndrome” make it to the big screen someday. I enjoy her misadventures and rooting for her to make it to lasagna family dinner with her parents and Grandma Mazur. Stephanie and Grandma are searching for treasure with the keys from her recently late husband and trying not to get kidnapped again.

Like Stephanie Plum, I want to “channel [my] inner Indy!”

A Treasure Awaits!

Grandma Mazur gets plenty of action this time around and some new characters in the latest Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich—Fortune and Glory. 5 STARS.

She has two dead husbands. The custom is to move your wedding band from your left to your right hand. Now she has two rings. But she thinks it is not right to have both of them so close together. Then she notices the dates inside the band from Jimmy, her latest mob husband who died. A clue?

Jimmy Roselli was the Keeper of the Keys—Grandma Mazur's mob hubby. Died and left behind 3 keys in a La-Z-Boy chair. There are also, of course, the wedding rings (which may contain a clue or two).

Two clues are inside a safe at the Mole Hole (strip club with good burgers). Ace it #1 and Philadelphia #3. If you tried to open the safe without the keys, it's Hiroshima. The keys are needed to open a safe that contains something valuable.

Jimmy, a south Jersey guy. He liked the shore. Wildwood, Cape May, and Atlantic City. He liked the slots and poker. So where?

Grandma must find the secret treasure with Stephanie's help. It is a dangerous proposition. A safe. Diamonds, money, bodies, or what and where? What did Jimmy leave her?

Jimmy's mob friends (6 of them) La-Z-Boys are after the treasure; however, Stephanie and Grandma Mazur are right behind them.

Stephanie— has some competition this go around for Morelli and Ranger's attention. As always, she is loyal to her family and her cupcakes. But she is a bounty hunter and surely she can help Grandma find the treasure. But little does she know all the others on the trail.

Morelli is kind of out of the picture—at the moment, and it was "game on" for Ranger.

Gabriela Rose—A new kick-ass character. A Latina Wonder woman beauty, Rachel Ray, and GI Ninja rolled into one. (who will star in June 2021 novel And best of all: you get a sneak peek)!

George Potts — Stephanie's new bodyguard, geeky sidekick, wingman. Age 37. Unemployed. He is allergic to everything, has PTSD, and lives at home, and plays video games in his PJs.

More action and adventure— than ever. With Gabriela, Morelli, and Ranger. La-Z-Boys' Tunnels and the Mole Hole. Comic books—Superman and Uncle Scrooge. Even more cars: blowing up and buildings— (signature). Plus, it wouldn't be Stephanie Plum without some funeral home, caskets, viewings, and cemetery action.

Lula is always up for an adventure as long as there is food around, especially chicken and donuts. Love her! Stephanie's Mom— threatening to put Grandam Mazur in an assisted living. Now wouldn't that be a riot and another series in itself!
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Stephanie is feeling down. About her love life. Her job. Her apartment. Her inability to cook, shoot, figure out streaming, understand the cloud, or complete any of the books recommended by Oprah. She still has Rex her pet hamster and shared custody with Bob, the golden retriever with on and off again Joe Morelli.

But now there is Gabriela. Stephanie thinks she has her hooks into her ex-boyfriend, and now she thinks she is trying to steal her family's treasure.

Always the conflict between Ranger vs. Morelli. Plenty of action from Rangers SWAT team: Rangemen. Always some bad boys: Hiroshima, Shine, Salgusta, and others on the trail.

La-Z-Boy(s) —Who knew a chair and good ole boy mob buddies could get so much action? When the journey is as exciting as the destination!

Join in the fun. Want some laughs and entertainment? Find it here, better than ever! Janet Evanovich always has some surprises up her sleeve. BULLSEYE! Loved this one.

Check a book giveaway contest which ends Nov. 2. Enter for a chance to win a hardcover copy and answer the 3 questions: https://bit.ly/GiveawayContestFAG
1. Favorite Stephanie Plum Book?
2. Favorite Plum Character (s)?
3. Joe or Ranger for Stephanie?

Stay tuned for a fun Q&A with Janet on Nov 3 and the results of the contest and winner!

#JDCMustReadBooks

A special thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for an advanced reading copy.

FORTUNE AND GLORY
Janet Evanovich
Suspense thriller
320 pages

Well our favorite bonds-woman is at it again. In the previous number 26 book, Stephanie's Grandma Mazur had gotten remarried to Jimmy Rizzoli and was being hunted for some treasure that Jimmy had hidden with the La-Z Boys. Grandma truly had no clue where the keys/clues were to this treasure but she sure wanted to find it. Now this book continues Grandma Mazur & Stephanie's hunt for these keys/codes while fighting off bad guys & trying not to get kidnapped or worst.  Meanwhile in Stephanie's lovelife Morelli last broke it off with her but we may see a reconciliation in this new book. Stay tuned to find out.

I love the Stephanie Plum series & they just get better with each book. In my opinion it is good to read them in order not to get confused or lost in everyone's storyline. I highly recommend this book & the series if you love a fun, hysterical mystery with some girl power in it.

I am new to Janet Evanovich and Stephanie Plum. Where have I been!? I’d seen the books at the bookstore, but I never picked them up.

That said, I found this book to be an incredibly entertaining quick read. I honestly could have finished it in 3 hours or less, but I didn’t want it to end, so I read it over 3 days. I enjoyed getting to know Stephanie and the rest of the quirky characters. The book grabbed my attention on page one and the drama, comedy and lite mystery did not let go until the very end.

With this being the 27th installment in the series, I am shocked by the pace and the momentum the plot has. I think I will be reading some of the others on the series, just to see if they are written the same way. The story is funny at times and bizarre at times, but overall this is a great book. Readers new to Evanovich, like me, could start with this book and not feel like they are missing anything by not reading the previous 26 books.