meh, it was ok. ( )

Fun little Christmas read! ( )

Still do not like the between the numbers, Stephanie Plum books. Calling this one a book is a farce -- a novella, at best. Author Evanovich must have gotten fatigue, and ended the story badly. Also, not enough Lula in this one. ( )

This book was a bit silly, but the humor more than made up for it. There were scenes that, pages later, I was still laughing because the image was still in my head, especially the bit about the grandmother's teeth. I am definitely looking forward to reading more by this author. I thought it was a good time to read it as it is still cold out (it looks more like Christmas here now than it did at Christmas).... ( )

A short and sweet Christmassy tale. Nothing very much out of the ordinary, but for those that enjoy the Stephanie Plum series (like me) its an entertaining little story. ( )

Fun light reading, fun to listen to. ( )

Still had the humor, crazy family issues, and a toy maker named Sandy Claws that Stephanie needs to find. However having a character like Diesel who has special powers lost me - kept trying to think is he real or not. (Interesting that he shows up in another series per another reviewer) Enjoyed the scenes with Grandma Mazur especially when her teeth are missing and then found decorated. ( )

I love the Stephanie Plum books and I decided to give this book a chance. Overall I did not like it or get it and I was just so confused as to why the Author would write this short novel. I would not recommend that people read this. ( )

Synopsis: 'It’s four days before Christmas and things are not looking merry for fugitive apprehension agent Stephanie Plum. She hasn’t got a tree. She hasn’t bought any presents. The malls are jam-packed with staggering shoppers. There’s not a twinkle light anywhere to be seen in her apartment.
And there’s a strange man in her kitchen.
Sure, this has happened to Stephanie Plum before. Strangers, weirdos, felons, creeps, and lunatics are always finding their way to her front door. But this guy is different. This guy is mysterious, sexy–and he has his own agenda. His name is Diesel and he is a man on a mission. Diesel is unlike anyone Stephanie has ever met before in her life. The question is, What does he want with her?'
Review: This is too much like my normal Christmas holidays. ( )

Visions of Sugar Plums: A Stephanie Plum Holiday Novel
Stephanie Plum, Book 8.5

I Picked Up This Book Because: Continue the series.

The Characters:

Stephanie Plum:
Diesel:
Joe Morelli, Grandma Mazur, Mom, Dad and surprisingly only one scene with Lula

The Story:

I can’t believe I managed to skip this but I’m caught up now. Stephanie is up to her old tricks trying to find an FTA but this time she has a supernatural sidekick by the name of Diesel. Roofs collapsing, cars burning up, you know the usual with Stephanie. It was a fun though slightly dangerous romp through Trenton.

The Random Thoughts:

I missed Ranger

3.5 Stars ( )

Pointless read. ( )

Just re-read this book. It is such a great book and such a great series. I re-read it, because I just read the third book in the Lizzy and Diesel series, and this book is the first appearance of Diesel. There is a supernatural element to the story, but still lots of fun antics. I love how Joe meets Diesel and isn't fazed by the appearance of a gorgeous man just showing up at Stephanie's apartment. Craziness abounds. ( )

OK but not as funny as her other books. ( )

2.5 - I guess...
The story was good enough. A quick little read. I think I've come to realize that I read these books to pine after Joe and Ranger. Without Joe or Ranger drama, I guess I'm just not interested.

:-) ( )

Oh, what fun it is to start my Christmas reading with Stephanie Plum! ( )

Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is looking for Sandy Claws since he skipped out on his court appearance. A good-looking guy named Diesel appears in her apartment seemingly out of nowhere. He is there to help and goes with her to start looking for Claws even though she's not sure if Diesel is a supernatural being or not.

This was a humorous story of Stephanie trying to get ready for Christmas but having lots of difficulties, as usual. The usual cast of characters were all there contributing to the humor. This was a fun and short story for the holidays. ( )

Well, this book happened. I'm left a little bit confused by it. Maybe the author's website will offer some clarification. ( )

I have the biggest crush on Diesel! Stephanie Plum books are always fun, but the between-the-numbers series is much better (imo) than the numbered books. But that's probably because of my crush... ( )

When I first picked up this book I thought I would really enjoy the book. It moved fast. BUT I think the concept was kind of silly. And then, all of a sudden it ended. Yea......not so much. ( )

A short holiday-themed interlude in Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, written between books eight and nine. (You can tell it's not a regular part of the series because there's no number in the title.) The story involves a mysterious, hot guy with supernatural abilities who magically appears in Stephanie's living room, having been sent -- somehow, by someone -- to help her as she attempts to apprehend an elderly toymaker named -- wait for it! -- Sandy Claws.

OK, I'm aware this must seem like a very unseasonable thing to read in March. But this is when I happened to reach the point in the series where it's set. And I thought that might actually work in its favor. I mean, I honestly much prefer Christmas music if I encounter it (usually via iPod's random shuffle feature) in July than in late December, by which point I've been inundated with Christmassy stuff for so long I've gotten sick of it. I'm not sure that works nearly as well with books, though, because I was a bit humbuggy about this one.

The thing is, while I like fantasy novels just fine, supernatural elements suddenly, randomly popping up after eight volumes set firmly in mundane reality annoys me immensely. Since this is presented as being outside the main run of the series, that might not have been quite as much of a problem if I could have just regarded this as -- to use a nerdy buzzword -- non-canonical, a Christmas fantasy brought about by over-indulgence in eggnog, perhaps. But it features a significant development that seems like it's going to have to carry through to later books in the series, so I couldn't even do that. And it's not like the fantasy part of the story was even good. It was underdeveloped and gratuitous, and silly in entirely different ways than this series is supposed to be silly.

It wasn't all bad, though. There are some great scenes with Stephanie's family, who are in fine, hilarious, even-crazier-than-usual form. I'm mildly tempted to knock my rating up another half a star just for those, but... Meh. ( )

ZERO stars

Absolutely terrible! Written just to capitalize on the Christmas-themed publishing market. Stephanie Plum is visited by the mysterious Diesel, a “person” with other-worldly talents. He helps her track down her latest skip – Sandy Claws – who happens to operate a toy shop. It’s just four days until Christmas, and Stephie hasn’t gotten a tree, bought a present, put up any lights, baked any cookies or sent any cards (she hasn’t even bought any cards yet). Oh, my … how will she get out of this jam and get her man before the big day? Who cares?!

This is just a waste of paper.

A reread and a good one. ( )

Funny, maybe, some parts... mostly not....

Four days before christmas & Stephanie comes home to find Diesel in her kitchen. No tree, no lights, no gifts, no money.... but she's working on a skip. Sandy Claws, a toymaker (who has now gone into hiding) didn't show for his hearing and it's up to Steph. to pull him in. Diesel is sticking very close to Steph. and he's not saying why.

All of a sudden there are major electrical storms, fires, power outages and they seem to be connected to Sandy Claws...... Turns out Sandy Claws is a "special" person like Diesel and Sandy's once best friend, Ring, has escaped from his lockdown unit and is out to get Sandy. In between Ring, is also harassing Steph.

Adding to the chaos is Grandma Mazur, who is missing her teeth and Steph's divorced sister Valerie who finds she is now pregnant..... Morelli is not a major part in this story, but he makes a few appearances. Ranger is completely out of the picture.....

No I really didn't like this..... it was just filler and not very much of a story. I like Diesel in the "Wicked" series better...... It's just too much adding into Stephanie's already full bag of insanity.

What I did like was this quote: "Aside from all the religious blah blah blah, which we won't get into....... I think christmas is whatever turns you on. That's what I really believe. Everyone decides what they want out of christmas. Then everyone gets a shot at making it happen." -- Diesel ( )

I will be honest I have not read this one, I was actually trying to find this book and signed on by accident. I think this could be pretty cool, so I guess I will continue to check things out. I will say that the other books before this one was cool. Yes there somethings that repeat, but if you were to come in on the middle of the series it gives you an overview. I think I like these books because I can kinda relate, not about the men or the job, but about the dumb luck. If she didn't have bad luck she wouldn't have any luck at all. If anyone can tell me a better why to find this book I would be thankful.

Definitely a weird Stephanie Plum story. Breaks the mold a bit, which is good since some of the last couple of SP novels were getting a little stale from overuse of the formula. This book also used some elements of the formula, but the new ingrediant added a touch of something needed.

Yes, the characters still lacked any sort of growth, but I really don't expect that from a series (after all, Perry Mason, Della Street, and Paul Drake really don't change even after 80 books). Character development wasn't part of this series from the outset, so some complaints I have read to that effect seem misguided. ( )