A “Perfectly Plum” Giveaway
I wrote one of the essays in the new anthology, Perfectly Plum, about Janet Evanovich’s hugely popular character, Stephanie Plum. It was the first time I’ve participated in an anthology, and what a blast–all the excitement of a book release, with only 1/19th of the work!
The book is divided into three sections: Life, Loves, and Other Disasters. Naturally, I’m in the “disasters” section.
My essay, “Gun in the Cookie Jar: A Nonviolent Approach to Fugitive Apprehension” appears alongside humorous and insightful pieces by Bev Katz Rosenberg, Candace Havens, Kyra Davis, Karen Kendall, Shanna Swendson, Trashionista’s Keris Stainton, JA Konrath (who is, I believe, the only male author featured), and more.
The writers weigh in on subjects as diverse as whether or not Stephanie would be able to get car insurance, the not-so-apparent similarities between Steph and her “perfect” sister Valerie, and of course whether Stephanie should choose Ranger or Morelli. (Or perhaps Rex the hamster is the only man she truly needs.) 
Having worked on the audiobook editions of ten of the Stephanie Plum mysteries (including the soon-to-be-released Lean Mean Thirteen), I was already well immersed in Stephanie’s world when I tackled my topic: whether Stephanie is truly the bungling bounty hunter she’d like us to believe. While Evanovich begins nearly every installment by having Stephanie disavow her bounty hunting skills, I think there’s much more to the problem-plagued protagonist than meets the eye.
Readers love Stephanie because of her humanness. She’s not Superwoman, but Everywoman. She’s the girl next door—if the girl next door was having a really crappy day. She’s an ordinary individual placed in extraordinary circumstances—the type of character fans can readily identify with again and again and again. While I can’t conceive of myself getting into the kind of outlandish situations Stephanie finds regularly herself in, I’d like to think that, like her, if I found myself being chased down by Jersey thugs, part of my will to survive would come from the promise of a post-traumatic pit stop at the Tasty Pastry.
To celebrate the release of Perfectly Plum, I’m giving away one free copy of the book. To enter, just post a comment below. Any comment relevant to the conversation qualifies as an entry (sorry, links to discount pharmaceuticals or male enhancement products don’t count). Cast a vote for Morelli or Ranger, list your favorite Steph blunders, or ponder how Lula keeps her job despite rarely doing any filing. One winning entry will be randomly chosen on July 1 from all comments. (If you don’t include an e-mail or website address in your comment, then check back here after July 1 to find out if you’ve won.)
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June 20th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
Morelli definately!!!
If I had to pick one “Plum blunder”, I could not. Stephanie gets in to too much mischief.
I love her books!
June 21st, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Hi Brenda~ I love, love, love Janet Evanovich and Stephanie Plum! While I love the zany stories, it’s the romance that gets me the most. My vote is for Morelli and darn it, how much longer and how many more books am I going to have to wait to find out who Stephanie picks!? It’s torture for me:)
June 21st, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Oh, count me in! And I vote for Morelli, too. But maybe Morelli would vote for Ranger.
June 21st, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Morelli! He could handle her family. He would be amused by her grandmother and probably aid in some of her adventures. Gotta love grandma.
June 21st, 2007 at 10:42 pm
Hmmm, well can I say that I have not yet read any of these books without being jumped by her fans? Of course, you have all made them sound so wonderful that I am going to have to go out and buy the first one. Another addiction in the making — blast, and I was doing so well this month.
June 22nd, 2007 at 4:30 am
I gotta vote for Morelli but the bab boy Ranger makes my blood boil. I think her loser cousin should get in a fire with Joyce (literally) and leave Steph the business.
June 22nd, 2007 at 11:16 am
Ranger is too hot for dear sweet Stephanie. Morelli is definately the one for her. Maybe, grandma would give Ranger a run for his money? LOL
I’m not a grandma yet,but: (my hand is raised, waving) ME, CHOOSE ME, RANGER.
June 23rd, 2007 at 5:29 pm
I have been reading the Plum series for 2 years now and have completely gone overboard with everything from writting my own FanFiction pieces to participating in RPG boards about the series. When I first started reading the books I was completely head overheels for Joe, but found my self slowing being attracted to Ranger more and more. I work in security myself and took on the PenName ‘Cupcake in Babe Clothing’ for myself. Reading the anthology would would be great insight to any future writting I may do in the FanFiction realm. Can’t wait to read it!!!
June 28th, 2007 at 5:42 am
As a friend of my put it so simply: “I want my own Ranger!”
Stephanie is a lucky girl to have these 2 men watching out for her. You can’t beat it! (Maybe I’m just a little jealous)
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:31 pm
I want to know how Lula keeps her job with her choice of wardrobe! I think I like that Ranger, he looks dangerous. I think my favorite mishap was in the funeral home!
July 2nd, 2007 at 2:49 pm
THE WINNER IS:
Thanks for everyone who commented. The random generator has selected one entry to receive “Perfectly Plum”: Robin!
–Brenda
July 2nd, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Thanks Brenda!!
I can’t wait to read it:)
-Robin