contemporary - No Apology Book Reviews

Interview with Mary Burton (Burn You Twice)

October 2, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Burn You Twice by Mary Burton is suspenseful with a heated plot. Fire is front and center in this book whose main antagonist is an arsonist. An added feature of the plot is how Burton gives glimpses and insight into the deranged mind of an arsonist. This psychological thriller intermingles a slight romance with family, fire, mistakes, and second chances. Readers quickly learn that ten years ago, college student Joan Mason and her best …

Interview with Sandra Brown (Thick as Thieves)

August 27, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Thick as Thieves by Sandra Brown is a riveting romantic suspense story. She has a knack for throwing in a curve ball twist at the end, which only makes the story more engaging. The story opens with a robbery of half-million dollars by four individuals. But by daybreak their plan has become unraveled. One of them was in the hospital, one in jail, one dead, and one who got away with it. Readers are …

Interview with Maisey Yates (The Bad Boy of Redemption Ranch and The Hero of Hope Springs)

August 14, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Bad Boy of Redemption Ranch and The Hero of Hope Springs show why author Maisey Yates is the queen of the cowboy stories. In both stories the characters are searching to find their place in the world. They are stories of hope, acceptance, love, and family with a small-town romance. The Bad Boy of Redemption Ranch has the heroine as someone who enforces the rules, butting heads with the hero who likes to …

Interview with Elizabeth Heiter (K-9 Defense)

July 24, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper K-9 Defense by Elizabeth Heiter puts readers continuously on edge. The three main characters, Colter Hayes, Rebel, and Kensie Morgan are engaging. The human characters, Colter and Kensie are damaged and vulnerable, both suffering from survivor’s guilt after losing their loved ones. Rebel, the canine-tracker dog, is protective and supportive for the main characters. Those who enjoy stories involving man’s best friend get an added bonus. There are two books in one with a …

Interview with Megan Crane (Alaskan Force series)

July 16, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Alaskan Force series by Megan Crane is riveting, suspenseful, and combined with romance. What makes this series a stand out is the relationship and banter between the characters, with the mixture of honorably discharged special ops heroes, their dangerous missions, and the rugged Alaskan wilderness. They insert themselves into difficult and dangerous situations by protecting the vulnerable and rescuing those who need it. Below is a synopsis of each of the books with …

Ghosts I Have Known by Nhys Glover

July 16, 2020

Title: Ghosts I Have Known Author: Nhys Glover Series: Greyworld #1 Meh characters, predictable plot, too much “telling” Thanks to Maria Inot for offering me the opportunity to review this book, and thanks to Nhys Glover and TCK Publishing for allowing me to read a free copy in exchange for an honest review. Buy link: • Amazon • This is a well-intentioned but poorly written story that doesn’t develop a romance so much as act as a platform to explore …

Interview with Julia London (The Billionaire in Boots)

July 3, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Billionaire in Boots by Julia London is the latest of two books that show why she is “Queen of the Banter,” writing family-focused funny and endearing tales with snappy, witty, and teasing dialogue between the hero and heroine. The Billionaire in Boots has a lively dialogue, a sassy heroine, and a hero unsure of himself. But instead of having a royal environment this plot has a western cowboy theme. A scene in the …

Interview with Sean McFate (High Treason)

June 26, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper High Treason by Sean McFate is an authentic thriller. The story has plenty of political intrigue and is action packed. There are explosive assassinations, heated gun battles, and trying to decipher who are the good guys and who are the bad guys. Tom Locke, the protagonist of the story, is staying with a good friend in Israel. He watches an explosion of a bridge that takes out the Vice-President and his wife. Realizing that …

Dance Away with Me by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

June 15, 2020June 10, 2020

Title: Dance Away with Me Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips Series: n/a A return to form I was kinda nervous to crack this book open, not gonna lie. I was so disappointed in First Star and didn’t want to see more of the same. (Oh my god, was that really four years ago already? Holy shit.) But fear not! This felt like classic Phillips, and I adored it. There wasn’t a whole lot I didn’t like. Only a couple things come …

Call It Magic by Janet Chapman

May 13, 2020

Title: Call It Magic Author: Janet Chapman Series: Spellbound Falls #7 Started out somewhat promising…then tanked I would like to thank the late Janet Chapman, Berkley, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. I feel like I’m sacrilegiously speaking ill of the dead—rest in peace, Ms. Chapman—but that’s not going to stop me from giving an honest review. I wanted this book to be good so that it would honor Chapman’s …