Author Biography - Janet Evanovich

I am an unabashed fan of Janet Evanovich and eagerly anticipate each new novel. With the latest Stephanie Plum novel Explosive Eighteen recently released and the soon-to-be-released movie based on her first Plum book One for the Money, I decided to spread the word about this wonderful writer.

Janet Evanovich, nom de plume of Janet Schneider, was born on April 22, 1943. She began writing in her 30s while spending the rest of her time as a wife and stay-at-home mom.

When Janet first started writing, she wrote as Steffie Hall and started with romance novels. Her first book, Hero at Large," was published in 1987. Tiring of all the mushy romance after a number of years, she decided to write adventure novels with a little romance thrown in and - with a twist - they would be written in the first person point of view of the heroine, Stephanie Plum. Janet researched bond enforcement agents in Trenton, New Jersey, where the books would take place.

There are 18 Stephanie Plum novels to date. Stephanie is a bounty hunter from New Jersey with a wacky family, no money and a penchant for destroying cars. Her partner, Lula (a heavy African-American woman with an attitude and an eye for clothes about 6 sizes too small), her on again-off again boyfriend policeman Joe Morelli and mysterious hunk, Ranger, make up the primary cast in each book. The books are "LOL - laugh out loud" funny and leave readers begging for more.

The first book in the series, One for the Money, was published in 1994 and the movie will premiere on January 27, 2012. Janet had no involvement in making the movie but has seen the screening and loves it. Katherine Heigl stars as Stephanie Plum.

The sixth book, Hot Six, was the first to reach number one on the New York Times Best Seller List. All the other books debuted at number one.

Janet has collaborated with other authors, such as Charlotte Hughes, on other novels and has published more than 25 books. When beginning a new novel, Janet outlines the book first. She does do book tours and enjoys them. I like the fact that she accepts fan submissions for future book title ideas.

Janet and her family live in New Hampshire and Florida and everyone works at evanovich.com - Evanovich, Inc., the family business that began in 1995.

If you like books that are funny, have a bit of murder and mystery thrown in and are easy to read, check out the Stephanie Plum books. You won't be disappointed.