No Apology Book Reviews - authentic reviews and insightful interviews for inquisitive readers

Elise’s Review – What Doesn’t Kill Her by Christina Dodd

March 1, 2019

Book Review by Elise Cooper What Doesn’t Kill Her by Christina Dodd brings back the fabulous characters of Cape Charade. Dodd has outdone herself by creating this character driven story. The previous book presented the heroine Kellen Adams as a victim, survivor, and warrior. But in this novel, readers also see another aspect of her, as a mom. People will take a journey with Kellen as she grows emotionally, while overcoming the trials and tribulations of having a seven-year-old daughter. …

The Fifth Doctrine by Karen Robards

November 4, 2019March 1, 2019

Title: The Fifth Doctrine Author: Karen Robards Series: The Guardian #3 Got a love-hate relationship with this series I would like to thank Karen Robards, Harlequin/Mira, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. I read Moscow Deception (MD) and Fifth Doctrine (FD) back to back, so this is kinda-sorta a review for both. I’ve decided to have a love-hate relationship with this series. On one hand, I freaking love it, because …

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 …

The Duke and the Enchantress by Paullett Golden

November 4, 2019February 23, 2019

Title: The Duke and the Enchantress Author: Paullett Golden Series: The Enchantresses #2 Wonderfully complex characters, minor narrative issues My thanks to Paullett Golden, who asked me to read a free copy of her novel in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t like Charlotte or Drake as they were portrayed in the first book. I thought she was a whiny woe-is-me brat and he was an obnoxious, selfish asshole. I was very curious about this second book, because I …

Interview with Lisa Gardner (Never Tell)

February 22, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Never Tell by Lisa Gardner brings back some of her well-known characters. Detective D. D. Warren and CI Flora Dane must work together to find the truth behind a murder. It powerfully examines how someone’s past can come back to haunt them, especially when the police appear to have tunnel vision. The book opens with a pregnant wife, Evelyn “Evie” Carter, returning home to find her husband murdered. What she does next becomes very …

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 …

Say You’re Sorry by Karen Rose

November 7, 2019February 17, 2019

Title: Say You’re Sorry Author: Karen Rose Series: Sacramento #1 Good read but rather bland Click here to find an interview with the author regarding this book. I liked this book a lot, but it…lacked energy, I guess. Things moved along at a steady clip, never got slow to the point of putting me to sleep—but I didn’t want to stay up late to read more, either. There were only two scenes—in six hundred pages—that got my heart pumping: when …

Interview with Alyson Richman (The Secret of Clouds)

February 15, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Secret of Clouds by Alyson Richman brings to life the bond between a teacher and student. In the current environment, it is a reminder of how precious a life is even for a fleeting moment. It is a story of hope and the dreams of a young boy who readers will connect with immediately. The book opens with Sasha and Katya living in the Ukraine. They move to America but discover their young …

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 …