Elise’s Review – Vendetta by Iris Johansen

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 …

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Interview with Wendy Walker (Emma in the Night)

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, …

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Interview with Karen Rose (Death Is Not Enough)

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper With Death Is Not Enough Karen Rose has out done herself. This story highlights love and friendship, romance and passion, gruesome murder, frustrating injustice, with an engaging hero/heroine. Although Rose’s readers have seen Thomas Thorne and Gwyn Weaver in previous books this novel is their story. Thorne actually gives defense attorneys a good name, always attempting to help those unfairly charged, as was the case when he was young. His backstory is very compelling, …

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Interview with Maxine Revere (from Abandoned by Allison Brennan)

Find an interview with the author HERE Elise Cooper: Thank you for doing this. You have had some hard knocks in your life. Your mother left you just before your tenth birthday and then disappeared off the face of the earth a few years later. Raised by your grandparents you became an independent, strong, determined, person who has little regard for those who are dishonest. Now you use those skills as a cable TV investigative reporter to help solve Cold …

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Interview with Marta Perry (Shattered Silence)

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Shattered Silence by Marta Perry flawlessly intertwines a mystery with contemporary themes, while giving a sprinkling of the Amish culture. She illuminates the differences between the Amish community and the larger urban society. The plot begins with new divorcee Rachel Hartline attempting to touch base with her ex-husband, Paul, to discuss putting their home up for sale. After catching him trying to download some sensitive company information things go very awry for her. First, …

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Interview with CeeCee Purnell (from Karen White’s Dreams of Falling)

Find an interview with the author HERE. Elise Cooper: For those who do not know CeeCee Purnell she is a reflection of her times, growing up during the 1950s and 1960s in the South. Her life is a plateau, with many ups and downs. Growing up and living in Georgetown, South Carolina, she raises her late friend’s daughter, Ivy, and her daughter, Larkin. CeeCee is grateful that Larkin has returned home after nine self-exiled years to help locate her missing …

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Interview with Linda Castillo (A Gathering of Secrets)

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper A Gathering of Secrets by Linda Castillo is a powerful story. From the very first page, when a young Amish woman commits suicide, the plot takes on a dark and gripping tone, a very thought-provoking novel. Bur readers should not be surprised considering Castillo books are always insightful and riveting. The story begins with Amish teenager Emma Miller hanging herself and then fast forwards six months where Painter Mills police chief Kate Buckholder is …

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Interview with Iris and Roy Johansen (Double Blind)

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Double Blind by Iris and Roy Johansen is a heart stopping story. This series has a very original premise and this novel, in particular, has a killer that is unique. Blind from birth, the main character, Kendra Michaels, regained her sight at the age of twenty. Now she is able to use her extensively distinct senses and acute analytical skills to help the FBI thwart bad guys. This case literally came to her after …

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Interview with Geo Shaw (from Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier)

Find an interview with the author HERE Elise Cooper:  Geo Shaw from Jennifer Hillier’s Jar of Hearts has consented to this interview. We will discuss with Geo Shaw how she endured abuse, her best friends’ murder, going to prison, and the scorn of the community. EC: Do you think people can reinvent their life—did you? Geo Shaw: I’m working on it. I have a lot of baggage that follows me wherever I go. But I believe we can do anything …

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Interview with Jennifer Hillier (Jar of Hearts)

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier blends a murder, cover-up, and twisted relationships. Through manipulated lives, prison hardships, abuse, friendship, and wrecked futures readers understand how someone’s life can go so wrong. The story centers on Georgina (Geo) Shaw, someone who had to deal with the grief of losing her mother and two best friends. But it appeared she overcame it, becoming a successful, thirty-year-old self-made executive at a Seattle pharmaceutical company. That is …

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