contemporary - No Apology Book Reviews

The Dysasters by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast (No Spoilers)

November 4, 2019February 25, 2019

Title: The Dysasters Author: P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast Series: The Dysasters #1 Liked but didn’t love I would like to thank P. C. Cast, Kristin Cast, and Michelle Cashman at St. Martin’s Press for inviting me to participate in the blog tour. I received a free ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the abridged non-spoiler version. Find the full spoiler review here. Jumping right in—the illustrations were my biggest problem with the book. …

The Dysasters by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast (Spoilers)

November 4, 2019February 25, 2019

Title: The Dysasters Author: P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast Series: The Dysasters #1 Liked but didn’t love I would like to thank P. C. Cast, Kristin Cast, and Michelle Cashman at St. Martin’s Press for inviting me to participate in the blog tour. I received a free ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Don’t want to be spoiled? See my non-spoiler review. Jumping right in, my biggest problem with the book didn’t have anything to do …

Elise’s Review – Stroke of Luck by B. J. Daniels

February 22, 2019

Book Review by Elise Cooper Stroke of Luck by B.J. Daniels is the first of three in this new series. Known for mixing romance and danger this one concentrates more on the relationship than the danger, a slight change from her past novels. “I wrote it as more of a romance than a mystery. My editor suggested I do this. I tried it but feel it is not what I really want to do. I think people read me for …

Moonlight & Whiskey by Tricia Lynne

November 4, 2019February 14, 2019

Title: Moonlight & Whiskey Author: Tricia Lynne Series: N/A Choking on angst and cliches I would like to thank Tricia Lynne, Loveswept/Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book definitely wasn’t to my taste. I requested it several months ago and can’t remember what appealed to me about it to begin with, but I don’t usually get into the sexually graphic, angsty, uber urban young-and-free type of …

Interview with Karen Rose (Say You’re Sorry)

February 8, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Say You’re Sorry by Karen Rose will keep readers guessing and thinking. It has thrills, suspense, psychological analyses, and a bit of romance. People are kept at the edge of their seats by a story that delves into intense subjects such as cults, pedophiles, torture, abuse, alcohol dependency, anxiety attacks, and PTSD. Although the first novel in a new series, it draws on characters from the Baltimore series. The heroine, Daisy Dawson, should be …

Dead Girl Running by Christina Dodd

December 20, 2018December 16, 2018

Title: Dead Girl Running Author: Christina Dodd Series: Cape Charade #1 What the hell is Dodd doing? When I picked up this book for the first time a couple months ago, I intended to write a full review then but was so furious when I was done that I had to tuck it away and forget about it for the sake of my sanity. It haunted me, though, so I skimmed through it a second time, and, knowing its secrets, …

Review Roundup Fall 2018

August 23, 2019December 16, 2018

I don’t review every book I read. Not nearly. As much as I wish otherwise, I simply don’t have time—or sometimes the brain energy—to write dozens upon dozens of reviews. Plus, sometimes it’s nice to just enjoy a book without having to analyze as I read. But I wanted to talk about some of the books I read recently, so I thought perhaps I could compile a series of brief overall opinions for them. A review roundup, if you will. …

I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella

November 5, 2019November 7, 2018

Title: I Owe You One Author: Sophie Kinsella Series: N/A Good but not great I would like to thank Sophie Kinsella, The Dial Press/ Random House, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Fixie Farr possesses a compulsion to “fix” things. From cleaning up a stain no one would notice to calling 999 despite her friend’s wishes, Fixie derives pleasure in knowing she righted wrongs. She considers the compulsion one of her …

Elise’s Review – Vendetta by Iris Johansen

October 26, 2018

Book Review by Elise Cooper Vendetta by Iris Johansen brings back characters introduced in the Eve Duncan books. Although it is billed as an “Eve Duncan” she is only mentioned briefly. But, this does not take anything away from the plot and the main characters, Rachel Venable and Jude Brandon. The story centers on these two and their attempts to bring down Max Huber, the head of Red Star, a terrorist organization with immense power. The story begins with the …

Interview with Wendy Walker (Emma in the Night)

October 26, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Emma in the Night by Wendy Walker is a psychological thriller about two sisters. This dysfunctional family adds a whole new meaning to this word. Judy Martin always used her beauty and charm to manipulate her family, requiring her daughters to flatter her to win her affection. Threatening her fragile ego are her daughters’ looks. Now the family’s life has been in limbo since the two daughters have been missing for three years. Cass, …