contemporary - No Apology Book Reviews

Interview with Amanda Flower (Blueberry Blunder)

June 10, 2023

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Blueberry Blunder by Amanda Flower is the eighth book in the Candy Shop Amish series. This series along with the spinoff Amish Matchmaker Series are great cozies. Readers are treated to a unique mystery, brilliant characters, and some funny animals. The plot has the main character, Bailey King, building her dream candy factory in Harvest, Ohio. After the construction work stalls, she fires the contractor. Unfortunately, that same night someone kills him. With a …

Interview with Maisey Yates (Cowboy Wild and One Little Spark)

June 3, 2023

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Cowboy Wild and One Little Spark are recently published books by Maisey Yates. Because One Little Spark is domestic suspense, she has written the book under the pseudonym Ellie Banks. Two books, each a different genre. Besides writing her wonderful cowboy romance stories she has also ventured into writing stories that have women relationships, almost a “sisterly bond.” One Little Spark has a fire destroying a small town, throwing the lives of three women …

Interview with Laura Griffin (Deep Tide)

May 19, 2023

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Deep Tide by Laura Griffin is the fourth book in the Texas Murder Files series. As with the other three, readers will not be disappointed. The stories have likeable characters and intense action. The heroine Leyla Breda is the sister of two local police officers, Joel and Owen. She meets the hero, FBI Special Agent Sean Moran, at the wedding of her brother Joel. But Sean is also there as an undercover agent to …

Goddess of Rain by Jane Frkovich

May 14, 2023

Title: Goddess of Rain Author: Jane Frkovich Series: Lost Gods #1 Reads like fanfiction Thank you to Jane Frkovich, Danielle Fliller, BooksGoSocial Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudiobook in exchange for an honest review. Have you ever wanted to read a Percy Jackson and Star Wars crossover fanfic? Or listen to a narrator who sounds like a student reading aloud from a novel in English class, is overly obsessive about enunciating every single vowel …

Interview with Lori Foster (The McKenzies of Ridge Trail)

May 12, 2023

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The McKenzies of Ridge Trail trilogy by Lori Foster is a great read. The stories are intense thrillers with characters that are relatable and identifiable. There is plenty of action, some humor, and family bonds. Each book has the serious subjects of human trafficking and abuse embedded in the emotional stories. The first book in the series, No Holding Back, has the eldest son Cade McKenzie as the hero and Sterling as the heroine. …

Interview with Melinda Curtis (Forever Family in a Small Town and A Cowboy Worth Waiting For)

May 5, 2023

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Melinda Curtis is one of those special authors than can write stories within different genres. She is known for her cowboy series, romantic comedy series, and mystery series. Although there are some similarities between the plot and characters the one major difference is how the mystery is presented. What they do have in common is the fabulous banter between the characters and family closeness. The Love in Harmony Valley series also has a mystery …

The Murderous Affair at Stone Manor by Laura Stewart

April 28, 2023

Title: The Murderous Affair at Stone Manor Author: Laura Stewart Series: Amelia Adams #1 charismatic characters but confused genre It was with great joy that I saw this book has a sequel. Then it was with great sorrow that I realized the sequel is not available in audiobook format, minimizing the likelihood of my reading it, especially this time of year. I enjoyed this book very much. I suspect the characters are what will either pull readers in or drive …

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth

April 28, 2023

Title: The Soulmate Author: Sally Hepworth Series: n/a Well and effectively written Thank you to Sally Hepworth, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. I hate narratives that jump around in time while also switching POV. Those narratives make the worst audiobooks, because if you’re distracted for even a moment, you might miss a switch and become confused. However, this story could not have been told well without …

Interview with Lori Foster (The Dangerous One)

April 28, 2023

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Dangerous One by Lori Foster is a spin-off of the McKenzies of Ridge Trail trilogy. The story has everything a reader would wish for: suspense, secrets, lies, power, control, manipulation, security, protection, acceptance, and love. The hero and heroine both are fighting demons of their past. Jodie Bentley was abused and is trying to overcome the terrors, while former park ranger Hunter Osborn is trying to stop the nightmares after seeing a terrible …

Interview with Mary Alford (Amish Wilderness Survival)

April 15, 2023

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Amish Wilderness Survival by Mary Alford blends an Amish story within an intense thriller. The plot is action-packed as the hero and heroine are immediately thrust into a dangerous situation where they must run for their lives. Leora Mast is trying to find her twin brother, Tanner, who has gone missing. After losing her parents to a fire and surviving cancer she only has him left, with an unmistakable link. She travels to Montana …