Rating: 
Summary: Great Fun! A Quick and Enjoyable Read!
Review: "Full Tilt" looks to be the start of a fun, fast-paced, and exciting new series, co-authored by the fabulous Janet Evanovich and her friend Charlotte Hughes. It is a very quick read, but one that I really did enjoy. As a follow up to "Full House", released last year (2002), it works well, and the key to enjoying both of these novels is to take them and like them for what they are; light-hearted, highly entertaining tales that aren't supposed to be deep or thought-provoking, just good, clean fun. "Full Tilt" is heavier on the mystery and somewhat lighter on the romance than its predecessor and I would definitely recommend giving it a try, even to those who were a bit disappointed with "Full House"."Full Tilt" begins the story of Maximillian Holt, who we met in "Full House" as an unmanageable yet brilliant sixteen-year-old. In "Full Tilt" Max is all grown up, and his genius has led him to great heights. A sexy and mysterious millionaire, Max drives around in a car he created himself, with a hugely amusing and downright opinionated AI computer named Muffin who is equipped with every technological luxury imaginable. The story begins when Max buys into Jamie Swift's struggling small town newspaper, and comes roaring into her nice, orderly life. Engaged to a wealthy and handsome man, Jamie thinks she has her life all mapped out, until Max arrives and turns things inside out. There is an undeniable attraction between Max and Jamie, and Jamie just doesn't know what to do about it. Especially when Jamie discovers that beneath Max's highly inflated ego is a kind, considerate and caring man who keeps doing nice things for her. But Max has made the trip to the town of Beaumont, South Carolina for more than one reason. Beaumont is now the home of his flaky, but compassionate older sister Deedee and her long-time husband Frankie Fontana. An ex-wrestler, Frankie is now running for mayor, and has received some unsettling threats. And when Frankie promises to look into the town's missing tax dollars, he stirs up some serious trouble. Amidst bombs, bullets, two assassins, and an ex-military nutcase things couldn't get much more dangerous! And Max is determined to keep Jamie safe, which means keeping her close. But their proximity to one another means that the feelings Max and Jamie have for one another become harder and harder to deny. Add in Deedee, who is in serious denial about what's causing her hot flashes (because it certainly isn't menopause), Deedee's flamboyant personal assistant, and several of Frankie's old wrestling buddies, and you have the recipe for a highly amusing, wacky, and off-the-wall mystery romance that will keep you smiling from start to finish. "Full Tilt" is a madcap adventure filled with suspense and romance, and a great cast of characters. Max and Jamie are both interesting and compelling people who readers will enjoy getting to know, and I am already looking forward to their next escapade in..."Full Speed". "Full Tilt" isn't quite up to par with the Stephanie Plum series, but then, what is? "Full Tilt" is however, an engaging, humorous, and thrilling tale that will give readers several hours of pure pleasure. And so I recommend "Full Tilt" whole-heartedly to everyone who can enjoy a light, tremendously entertaining, and undemanding book for what it is.
Rating:
Summary: Typical Evanovich!
Review: I really liked this book. While I am a huge fan of Janet Evanovich's, I thought Full House was just ok-it did not live up to the Stephanie Plum novels. I was in for a surprise when I read Full Tilt. The characters are hilarious! I especially loved the part when Beenie has amnesia! This is definately a good read!
Rating: 
Summary: You must be kidding
Review: I am a die hard janet evanovich fan, loved all the plum books, enjoyed full house but this was sad. I was so thrilled when it arrived i sat down immediately to dig in. I kept waiting for it to take off but it didn't. I hope the next installment makes up for this one, or maybe full house had set the bar too high. I will just have to be content with the plum series for now.
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic.
Review: Jamie Swift's life is full, she is running the only paper in small town Beaumont, South Carolina and is engaged to a handsome young millionaire. Unfortunately, the paper is struggling and her future mother in law can hardly stand her, feeling that her precious son is marrying beneath himself. The answer to her unspoken prayers arrives when Max Holt, sexy billionaire and brother in law to former wrestler turned mayoral candidate Frankie Fontana, comes to town to allegedly help Frankie's campaign. Actually, his sister Deedee wants him to help Jamie. Matters are complicated by attempts on Jamie's life, her mutual attraction to Max, and Max's computer, Muffin, getting hot flashes. Added to that, Frankie's major domo and Deedee's best "girlfriend", Beenie, another former, and gay, wrestler, gets amnesia and forgets he is gay. You can also add a stripper and some poachers to the muddle, and you get a delightful mix. ***** With spark, passion, mystery and more than one chuckle, this book tickles and delights you from beginning to end. Fans of both of these authors will not be disappointed, everything that makes Stephanie loveable and all the wit of Charlotte Hughes other novels is there. Max is someone you definitely hope is going to be back, and Muffin alone is worth a continuing series. ***** Reviewed by Amanda Killgore.
Rating:
Summary: Don't Waste Your Money
Review: I was sooooo disappointed! I buy the Stephanie Plum books in hardback so I know that Janet is usually good for the investment, but this book was BAD. The writing was so poor, it made me cringe. Didn't anyone edit it? The plot was weak and unoriginal, but I could never seem to get past the junior-high level poor grammar and cliche-ridden writing style. I rarely find it hard to finish a book--I'll slog through almost anything--but I skipped a large portion of this one to read the ending. The first book in the series was an acceptable early Evanovich. My advice to the publisher is to kill the rest of the series now.
Rating: 
Summary: Full TIlt
Review: For Stephanie Plum fans, this book will be disappointing. Evanovich had not hit on her literary style when she wrote this story, which is an unrealistic romance with none of the excitement or pizzaz we love. A quick read with little substance.
Rating:
Summary: Janet can do much better
Review: No other mystery writer can begin to measure up to Ms. Evanovich's work. The Stephanie Plum books are so well written Mrs. Macdonald, my 8th grade English teacher, who was liberal with C- and D, would have given her an A+. There's not one stereotypical character in all 9 books...the plots are dynamite. Usually, when I'm immersed in these books I laugh more than I read. However "Full Tilt" and its companion were very disappointing. Probably because I don't like romance novels, and both of these are just that. I strongly suspect that romance readers will have a vastly different opinion. BE that as it may, I wish I had bought neither.
Rating:
Summary: What happened to Janet Evanovich?
Review: "Full Tilt", a collaboration by Janet Evanovich and Charlotte Hughes, is a waste of money. Coming on the heels of "Visions of Sugar Plums",another disappointment, I wonder if the pressure to produce books is too much for Janet. "Full Tilt" is the story of a stubborn, but helpless female who is continually rescued by the strong, resourceful mysterious stranger. Perhaps a contender for a Harlequin romance but certainly not the entertaining, quirky mystery I expected from Evanovich. My recommendation to Evanovich-- Fire Charlotte, take a vacation, and release a better book or stop writing. My advice to the reader-- Save your money. Don't buy "Full Tilt"--reread the One through Eight series.
Rating:
Summary: Full Mess
Review: I read Full Tilt because I am a fan of the Stephanie Plum series and hoped that this would provide the same fun read. Unfortunately it does not. The plot is both farfetched and utterly predictable. The dialog is absurd. There is a mishmash of stock characters, not one of whom is convincing; the portrayal of a gay character is downright embarrassing. There is no real chemistry between the 'hero' and 'heroine'. The sense of place is all wrong; it does not feel southern. There is an uneasy mix of (not very funny) madcap or zany action and then violence. All in all, it is a major disappointment.
Rating:
Summary: FULL TILT is FULL of FUN!
Review: Max Holt the 16 year old boy genius from FULL HOUSE is 20 years older and something of a cross between James Bond and Bill Gates. Frankie the Assassin stays married to Max's wacky sister Dee Dee, and after retiring from wrestling, he decides to run for Mayor. The resulting comic romp is fast and funny. Death threats to Frankie extend to Max and his silent partner Jamie Swift, who must catch the killer before their time runs out! DeeDee, a former beauty queen, has hot flashes, Max's car has more personality than most modern heroines, while a host of other zany characters make this book super fun to read. The romance between Max and Jamie is reminiscent of the Moonlighting Couple. Janet Evanovich and Charlotte Hughes are a great team, and while this is more of an adventure than a mystery, the Plum fans will be pleased that this book is something of a page turner/mystery as well. Fans of Ms. Hughes will enjoy her fun and fast pace (especially the second half, where the pace reminds me of her HOT SHOT). I can't wait for the next in the series!
|
