contemporary

Interview with Kate Angelo (Girl Lost)

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Girl Lost by Kate Angelo is a compelling and gripping story that has redemption, courage, and the power of facing the truth. This is one of those plots where readers will love the good guys and thoroughly hate the bad guys. There is action, arson, murder, kidnappings, and a missing person. The plot opens with Luna Rosati, a CIA counterintelligence officer who had a hard past. After becoming pregnant at sixteen she gave the …

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Interview with J. T. Ellison (The Wolves Come at Night and Last Seen)

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Last Seen by J. T. Ellison is a standalone novel. Her protagonist, Halley James, is not having a good year. She is getting divorced, has lost her job at the forensics lab, and her dad needs emergency surgery after a fall. But the biggest blow is when she discovers her mother died, not in a car accident, but was murdered by her sister. Since she was six years old her dad had lied to …

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Review Roundup Fall 2025

A roundup of several smaller reviews I wrote in late summer to fall 2025. Beware of spoilers! Title: What Comes After Author: Katie Bayerl Series: n/a Thank you to Katie Bayerl, Penguin, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Sorry it’s overdue. DNF 31%. The afterlife is the same as life, filled with veiled autocracy, big brother, social media, toxicity and strife, and other familiar bullshit. And so many awful puns. …

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Interview with Candace Irving (Blood on the Wire)

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Blood on the Wire by Candace Irving brings back Kate Holland and her loving furry partner, Ruger. She is a former US Navy Lieutenant who writes the Hidden Valor series, and the Deception Point Military Detective series. Fans of Ruger get a bonus because there is now merchandise available for purchase at https://store.candaceirving.com/collections/hidden-valor-merch-collection The plot of this book has Kate initially investigating the death of a VA psychologist who was brutally stabbed to death. …

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Interview with Melinda Curtis (The Cowboy’s Wedding Proposal and Country Fair Cowboy)

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Cowboy’s Wedding Proposal and Country Fair Cowboy by Melinda Curtis are charming reads. The stories have romance with a little mystery intertwined. Touching stories of second chances and new beginnings. The Cowboy’s Wedding Proposal’s plot has Tillie Powell facing an insurmountable job as a wedding planner for her cousin Reese, who is a Bridezilla. Now she must also contend with best man Keith Morgan. Six years earlier he had proposed to her and …

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And the Crowd Went Wild by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Title: And the Crowd Went Wild Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips Series: Chicago Stars #11 Much thanks to Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Avon, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Also thanks to Jen McGuire at William Morrow for emailing the widget. I really liked this book. Absolutely devoured it. I was leery at first—another Stars book? Another MC involved in Hollywood? Blech. I don’t care about football or Hollywood. I’m gonna hate …

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Interview with Dana Mentink (Fire Mountain)

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Fire Mountain by Dana Mentink is a story that pits survival against impossible odds. It has nonstop action, adventure, some tender moments, and a bit of romance. The story opens with Cullen Landry wakening a long-haul trucker in her crashed rig. Cullen did not flee after being warned of the imminent eruption of Mount Ember where he lives in his cabin. While making sure everything was secure, he sees the crash from his cabin …

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Interview with Elizabeth Goddard (Perilous Tides)

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Perilous Tides by Elizabeth Goddard brings back the characters Jo Cattrel and Cole Mercer, who were front and center as supporting characters in the series’ first book, Storm Warning. This story has everyone Jo loves leave without a word. Three years ago, her mother was killed, but before she died, she told Jo to watch her back. She was able to reconnect with her biological father, living in the small town of Hidden Bay. …

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Interview with Patricia Johns (Green Pastures)

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Green Pastures by Patricia Johns focuses on the relationship and bond between three Amish sisters: Tabitha, Amanda, and Rose. They are compelled to uphold the commitment they made to the Amish traditions but realize life can get in the way. Each sister must navigate through different aspects of being Amish yet rely on each other, their father, and their community to help them through. Tabitha, the oldest, left the community during rumspringa, but has …

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Interview with Lisa Childs (Only the Dead Within, The Cowboy’s Baby Surprise, Personal Security)

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Only The Dead Within, The Cowboy’s Baby Surprise, and Personal Security by Lisa Childs shows her ability to write in multiple genres. These three recent books show how diverse Childs is with her writing style because she writes thrillers, mysteries, and family-oriented stories. Only the Dead Within is the thriller, Personal Security the mystery, and The Cowboy’s Baby Surprise the family story. Only The Dead Within tells the story of Child Protective Services Investigator …

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