What we’re reading Wednesday: Wicked Appetite

Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich
St. Martin’s Press • $27.99 • September 14, 2010

Some people would say this is a sin, but somehow I have never read a novel by Janet Evanovich. I’ve always been interested in spunky bounty hunter Stephanie Plum, but I was overwhelmed by the thought of catching up on 16 books. When I heard that Evanovich was starting the Unmentionable series with Wicked Appetite, I figured it was a good time to jump in.

Wicked Appetite stars Lizzy, a cupcake baker with a certain skill important to two different men: Diesel (imagine an “unkempt ruler of the pride”) and Wulf (“scary in a sexy vampire sort of way”).

The dialogue is snappy and the action fast-paced. You’ll just have to read the novel yourself to figure out why Lizzy is special! (Although there’s a hint in the excerpt below.)

“I work for that governing body,” Diesel said. “I’m commissioned to pull the plug on Unmentionables who abuse their power.”

I saw this as registering high on my bull-crap-o-meter, but I was curious all the same.

“How do you pull the plug?” I asked.

“I’d tell you, but then I’d have to kill you,” Diesel said.

I’d heard that line before and always knew it was a line. This time I wasn’t sure.

“Why do you need my help?” I asked him.

“You’re one of us. You’re an Unmentionable, and you have a skill I lack. I can find people. You can find empowered objects.”

I was speechless. He actually looked serious. “That’s ridiculous,” I finally said.

Diesel turned off Lafayette Street. “Yeah, and I’m stuck with it. Nothing personal, but you’re not my first choice for a partner.”

Also in BookPage: Browse our Evanovich archives or read a blog post about the film adaptation of One for the Money.

What are you reading today?