contemporary - No Apology Book Reviews

Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds by Allison Brennan

June 15, 2025

Title: Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds Author: Allison Brennan Series: n/a Much thanks to Allison Brennan, Harlequin, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Also thanks to Cheryl Lee for inviting me to join the blog tour. CLICK HERE TO READ AN EXCERPT I liked this book, but the resolution left me wanting. I really hate having unanswered questions when I finish a book; it’s right up there with love triangles. …

Interview with Dani Pettrey (Two Seconds Too Late)

June 13, 2025

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Two Seconds Too Late by Dani Pettrey is a romantic suspense novel. In this story the suspense drives the romance between the two main characters that is carefully plotted within the storyline. The plot starts off with the main female lead, Riley MacLeod, struggling after shooting dead someone who was trying to kill her. Throughout the story readers see her trying to handle the PTSD that includes vivid nightmares. After one of those nightmares, …

Interview with Mary Alford (Amish Country Killer)

May 31, 2025

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Amish Country Killer by Mary Alford features a police chief dealing with an Amish cold case where Amish girls have disappeared. Readers will try to solve the case along with the characters as they second guess the clues. The plot opens when Diana Fisher decides to return to her childhood town in Rachel’s Crossing Kentucky, to become police chief. She is following in her father William’s footsteps who once was police chief there. Fifteen …

Silverleaf Rapids by Jodi Thomas

May 24, 2025

Title: Silverleaf Rapids Author: Jodi Thomas Series: Ransom Canyon #0 (prequel to established series) Thanks to Jodi Thomas, RBMedia, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review. DNF 66%. I’ve been getting more and more bored since about 40%. Now I’m only half listening and just really want to get back to Laurie King’s Russell and Sherlock series. Time to call it. I read the entirety of the Ransom Canyon …

Interview with Suzanne Woods Fisher (Capture the Moment)

May 16, 2025

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher brings together nature, romance, and suspense. The setting of Grand Teton National Park plays an important role in the story. The mystery of the story is finding out who the poacher is that is endangering the animals as well as the wilderness. The story has Kate Cunningham given the opportunity of a lifetime. As a zoo photographer, she’s spent years photographing animals in carefully controlled environments, but …

Finlay Donovan series by Elle Cosimano

May 13, 2025

Thanks so much to Elle Cosimano, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read free copies of the entire series to date! #1 Title: Finlay Donovan Is Killing It Loved this! A brilliantly written novel. The mystery had so many layers; every time I thought we’d finally figured it out, a plot twist would peel back another layer. Involving the Russian mob might be rather trite, but it really took things up a notch. I love …

Interview with Pamela Fagan Hutchins (Her Burning Lies)

May 9, 2025

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Her Burning Lies by Pamela Fagan Hutchins has it all: a suspenseful plot, great banter, and wonderful characters. Sheriff Deputy Delaney now has two adopted daughters. Sheriff Leo has his sister and nephew living with him. Not only do they need to deal with matters associated with their newly expanded families, but there is a wildfire nearby that they are actively fighting. Then there are dead women appearing in the fire area with swords …

Interview with Maisey Yates (Rustler Mountain)

April 25, 2025

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Rustler Mountain by Maisey Yates is two stories in one novel. There is the modern western and it also takes readers back to the Wild West days. The Wild West was known for its bank robbers, stage robbers and the shootouts as well as the Gold Rush. In the town today they still believe what was told to them about outlaws’ vs lawmen. The journal entries made by the ancestors of a fictional town …

Interview with Patrice Lewis (The Amish Bride’s Secret and Uncovering her Amish Past)

April 11, 2025

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Amish Bride’s Secret and Uncovering Her Amish Past by Patrice Lewis both have female leads that appear to have deceived the male lead. The Amish Bride’s Secret plot has Cara Lengacher needing to start over after a broken engagement and an out of wedlock pregnancy. She decides to accept Matthew Miller’s advertisement for a mail order bride and move to Montana. But she must navigate her pregnancy and hope it will not affect …

Review Roundup Spring 2025 – Part 1

April 17, 2025April 10, 2025

A roundup of several smaller reviews I wrote in Spring 2025. Beware of spoilers! Title: Perfect Fit Author: Clare Gilmore Series: n/a Thank you to Clare Gilmore, RB Media, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t intentionally DNF at 82%, but life interrupted and circumstances are preventing me from finishing it. I enjoyed what I did read, though. Josie and Will are wonderful, sympathetic characters with relatable …