authentic reviews and insightful interviews for inquisitive readers
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 …
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 …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Rage by Linda Castillo has a riveting plot. Like a fine wine, she only gets better with each story. Kate Burkholder is a unique character that readers will always root for. The action starts from page one where an Amish man is brutally murdered. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder arrives on scene to find the dismembered body of 21-year-old Samuel Yutzy, a local Amish man who owned a successful landscaping business. The investigation has …
A roundup of several smaller reviews I wrote in early summer 2025. Beware of spoilers! Title: When We Had Forever Author: Shaylin Gandhi Series: n/a Thanks to Shaylin Gandhi, Harlequin Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately I didn’t get to it before time was up; I borrowed an ebook copy from the library, so I can review the story but not the narration. Apologies. I want …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Two Seconds Too Late by Dani Pettrey is a romantic suspense novel. In this story the suspense drives the romance between the two main characters that is carefully plotted within the storyline. The plot starts off with the main female lead, Riley MacLeod, struggling after shooting dead someone who was trying to kill her. Throughout the story readers see her trying to handle the PTSD that includes vivid nightmares. After one of those nightmares, …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Below is an interview with two authors who served in the military. They discussed their books, one a novel, The Guilty Sleep by Baker, and the other a non-fiction, Nothing but Courage by Donovan, as well as what Memorial Day means to them and how they incorporated their experiences into their books. The Guilty Sleep by Jeremy D. Baker is a riveting novel. Although this book reflects on Baker’s past experiences, both professional, militarily, …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Her Burning Lies by Pamela Fagan Hutchins has it all: a suspenseful plot, great banter, and wonderful characters. Sheriff Deputy Delaney now has two adopted daughters. Sheriff Leo has his sister and nephew living with him. Not only do they need to deal with matters associated with their newly expanded families, but there is a wildfire nearby that they are actively fighting. Then there are dead women appearing in the fire area with swords …
Elise and Candace Irving discuss the Hidden Valor series here: https://www.noapologybookreviews.com/interview-with-candace-irving-hidden-valor-military-veteran-k-9-series Below they discuss Irving’s Deception Point series. You can also find out more at candaceirving.com. Article and Interview by Elise Cooper There are similarities between both series in that each has great characters, very unlikeable antagonists, an intense plot, some romance, and a riveting story that readers will not want to put down. The author allows readers to connect emotionally with the characters. The differences are that the Hidden …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Watch Your Back by Terri Parlato intertwines suspense, romance, retribution, and redemption in a compelling measure. It realistically shows how young couples handle stress and trying to make ends meet, which can affect their relationship. The main characters’ professions and personal lives play a significant role in the unfolding of the plot. The two main characters, Nathan Liddle and Eve Thayer, have settled into domestic life after a whirlwind romance. Shortly thereafter they become …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Detective Delaney Pace series is a modern-day western thriller. She can be described as a vigilante with a badge. People should read all the books starting with Her Silent Bones, then Her Hidden Grave, Her Last Cry, with the latest, Her Forgotten Shadow. The character Delaney Pace is street tough, tenacious, intelligent, and steps up to the plate to become a mother to her two adopted daughters, Kateena and Carrie. As with all …