Author Interviews - No Apology Book Reviews

Interview with Christina Baker Kline (The Exiles)

August 8, 2021

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline brings to life five women in nineteenth century Australia. All faced similar hardships struggling for redemption and freedom in this new society. They were mistreated and taken from a culture they knew. These women were all brought to their new lives against their will but showed strength and courage. Evangeline, orphaned after her Vicar father died, found a job as a Governess. But the stepson living in the …

Interview with Linda Castillo (Fallen and A Simple Murder)

July 31, 2021

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Fallen by Linda Castillo brings back the wonderful character, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder. Fans of this series are never disappointed with these amazing stories, and this novel is no different. The plot begins with a young woman brutally murdered at a Painter’s Mill motel. Called to investigate, Police Chief Kate Burkholder realizes she knew the victim, Rachel Schwartz. She and Kate had some things in common, not really fitting into the Amish community …

Interview with Lisa Harris (The Chase)

July 24, 2021

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Chase by Lisa Harris is an excellent read. The story doesn’t have quite as much action and suspense as in the first book, The Escape, but readers will be intrigued by understanding the personal dynamics. Both main characters must handle grief and navigate evolving personal relationships. US Marshal Madison James may not be sure who shot her three months ago, but she does know one thing–it’s time to get back out into the …

Interview with Renee Ryan (The Widows of Champagne)

July 16, 2021

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Widows of Champagne by Renee Ryan is the story of a family struggling to survive in Nazi-occupied France. Three widows who lost their beloved husbands must now protect their livelihood, the Chateau Fouche-LeBlanc vineyard in Reims, after it was requisitioned by the Nazis. The plot has wine merchant, Helmut Von Schmidt, now turned Nazi Captain in the Wehrmacht, requisitioning the LeBlanc home and stealing their wine for the German troops. Throughout the days …

Interview with Catherine Bybee (A Thin Disguise)

July 10, 2021

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper A Thin Disguise by Catherine Bybee delves into forgiveness, love, and redemption. There are very few authors that can write a riveting mystery with gripping characters. Bybee does both along with humorous dialogue, a lot of action, and romance. The story has FBI Agent Leo Grant working a protective detail for a child witness against a Russian mob boss engaging in sex trafficking. Olivia Naught, a former assassin and Richter student, is working the …

Interview with Elizabeth Heiter (K-9 Hideout)

July 3, 2021

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper K-9 Hideout by Elizabeth Heiter, the fourth in this series, is just as good as the first three. Combining a mystery with great characters including the four-legged furry kind makes for a great story. Elizabeth Heiter drew from her own personal experience to show what it is like having a stalker in someone’s life. Sabrina Jones has moved from New York City to Desparre Alaska to hide from a stalker. After leaving a note …

Interview with Jerusha Agen (Rising Danger)

June 25, 2021

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Rising Danger by Jerusha Agen is her first full length romantic suspense novel. She has a unique storyline with a private consulting all-female bomb-detection firm. Her characters are great role models for showing how they can exist in a man’s world. The story has someone planting explosives on dams in the Twin Cities. Bristol Bachmann and her bomb-sniffing dog, Toby, are called in to help the police and the dam supervisor. Remington Jones, the …

Interview with Iris Johansen (The Bullet)

June 19, 2021

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Bullet by Iris Johansen brings back forensics’ sculptor Eve Duncan and former SEAL Joe Quinn. This married couple are blissfully in love. But it turns out their relationship was not always paradise. Now readers get a glimpse into their multifaceted relationships, past and present. Love, revenge, family, and an intense mystery are intertwined within this story. The plot begins with Diane Connors, a dedicated doctor who has made a shocking discovery. She has …

Interview with Kelly Rimmer (The Warsaw Orphan)

June 12, 2021

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Warsaw Orphan by Kelly Rimmer is inspired by the real-life heroine who saved thousands of Polish Jewish children during WWII. It is a story that intertwines war, family, survival, and love with themes of injustice, revenge, compassion, and sacrifice. There are four main characters that represent the mindset of those who lived in Warsaw Poland from 1942 to the end of the war. Readers see a teenage boy in the Warsaw Ghetto, Roman, …

Interview with Melissa Koslin (Never Miss)

June 6, 2021

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Never Miss is Melissa Koslin’s debut book. If her future novels are anything like this one, she has a long career as a romance suspense novelist. The story has a unique premise in that the heroine is a female sniper who worked for the CIA. The other piece of the story is a man-made virus used as a weapon. Although readers might have fatigue having gone through Covid-19, the essence of this plot is …