A popular mystery writer, a WWE superstar, and a professor who can make a mean cinnamon roll--this could be a Janet Evanovich novel, but it's a Janet Evanovich event. My name is Bob and I'm fortunate to call Janet and her daughter Alex friends. After I read Four to Score, I wrote a fan letter and our correspondence continues to this day. I work as a lead bookseller and have introduced people to the Stephanie Plum series. (I call it Plumming.)
The Evanovichs invited me as a guest to help out at an event and to meet one of my favorite wrestlers and fellow Plummie, Lance Storm (He became a friend to them after One For the Money was picked as a StormBookMarks selection, thanks to a successful rigging campaign). My duties at this event included handing out signed hardcover books to ticket holders (Janet's nephew and I teamed up on this and did an awesome job); handing out posteds (Lance's wife and I ruled this job); and entertaining the Plummies (I came up with a no peek, no tell rule). Each duty was more fun then the next.
The stage show before the event was a sight to behold. Janet appeared to a huge ovation and did a reading from Hard Eight, Four to Score (with Sally Sweet and Grandma Mazur), and Visions of Sugar Plums. Grandma Mazur was played by a friend of Janet and Alex's who is a real nice guy. Lance played Ranger and was a good sport. When he took of his shirt, women were screaming and hollering (I get the same reaction when I take off my shirt, but usually they run as they scream and holler).
Alex makes it a point to make sure everyone is having fun. She talks to the Plummies and has fun stuff on hand. I always have a great time with her and that day was no exception. Lance is a great guy (Lance, sorry to ruin the TV heal image). He was good with the Plummies and with wrestling fans that were there. He told some funny stories, talked books, and made sure I had a picture with him. (His wife was also a pleasure to meet.)
Janet is one of the most down to earth people I know. She always greets me with open arms (literally) and makes sure I have a good time at events. She is someone who truly enjoys her readers, and yes, folks, she is as funny as her books are. I feel privileged to have gotten to know her these past few years and hope to continue our annual meetings in New York and e-mails (with Alex's Simpsons quotes of course.) When the event ended we all said goodbye to each other. I had so much fun that I kept smiling on the way home. It's a great memory to have and I thank the Evanovichs for their invitation.
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