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

Interview with Karen Rose (Say You’re Sorry)

February 8, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Say You’re Sorry by Karen Rose will keep readers guessing and thinking. It has thrills, suspense, psychological analyses, and a bit of romance. People are kept at the edge of their seats by a story that delves into intense subjects such as cults, pedophiles, torture, abuse, alcohol dependency, anxiety attacks, and PTSD. Although the first novel in a new series, it draws on characters from the Baltimore series. The heroine, Daisy Dawson, should be …

Interview with Paullett Golden (The Earl and the Enchantress)

February 2, 2019February 2, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Earl and the Enchantress by Paullett Golden brings to life the 1790s in this historical novel with a touch of romance. As an English professor at the American Military University she has decided to become an author as well. In this debut novel her heroine lives in King Arthur’s birthplace, while the hero lives where King Arthur supposedly died. Throughout the story tidbits of King Arthur are weaved as the mystery develops regarding …

Interview with Lizbeth Trethow (from The Earl and the Enchantress by Paullett Golden)

February 2, 2019February 2, 2019

Find an interview with the author here. Or read Danielle’s review of The Earl and the Enchantress here. Elise Cooper: Thank you for doing this. Because you lost your mother at a very young age and your father raised you to be self-sufficient you expect to be respected within any relationship. Valuing independence, there is the expectation of being treated as an equal. It appears you have basically given up on marriage. Then you met Sebastian Lancaster, the Earl of …

Strawberry Hill by Catherine Anderson

November 4, 2019January 30, 2019

Title: Strawberry Hill Author: Catherine Anderson Series: Mystic Creek #5 Likable characters but terribly unfocused plot I liked this story, I found it both tragic and heartwarming, but it had some big problems narratively. At the center was Slade and Vickie, two sixty-something has-been sweethearts who were to be married until distrust broke them apart forty years ago. I didn’t relate to them all that much, but I liked Slade quite a bit. Vickie was meh. My biggest problem with …

Interview with David R. Gillham (Annelies)

January 25, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Annelies by David R. Gillham has Anne Frank surviving the Holocaust. As the “what if” comes true, the book presents a story of hope, survival, trauma and redemption. But it is also a reminder of what was lost during the Holocaust: how many of those lives taken away had such promise. Gillham gives Anne Frank’s life back to her, a life brutally cut short by the Nazi monsters. Gillham skillfully transforms Anne from a …

Interview with Jayne Ann Krentz (Untouchable)

January 19, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Untouchable by Jayne Krentz is the finale in the Cutler, Sutter, and Salinas series. It intertwines a good mystery, suspense, and a little romance, while delving into the world of mind control through lucid dreams and hypnosis. The hero of the story, Jack Lancaster, has his mother killed in the cult fire set by Quinton Zane when Jack was 12, and since then he has been on a quest to find the murderer. His …

Summoned to Thirteenth Grave by Darynda Jones (Spoilers)

November 4, 2019January 15, 2019

Title: Summoned to Thirteenth Grave Author: Darynda Jones Series: Charley Davidson #13 A hollow narrative with only humor and charismatic characters as its merits I would like to thank Darynda Jones, St. Martin’s Press/Macmillan, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I beg of you, don’t spoil any part of this series for yourself. Usually I don’t mind spoilers, but this is one series for which spoilers are simply criminal. If you …

Interview with Larry Loftis (Code Name: Lise)

January 12, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Code Name: Lise by Larry Loftis brings to life the most highly decorated woman spy. The story delves into how Odette Sansom displayed courage and patriotism while having to endure endless torture by the Nazis. Born in France and living in England Odette decides she wants to help with the war cause. Because of her knowledge of the French language and customs she was recruited into Britain’s Special Operations Executive Program to conduct espionage …

The Reluctant Courtship of Jack Allan by Dayle King Searle

November 4, 2019January 7, 2019

Title: The Reluctant Courtship of Jack Allan Author: Dayle King Searle Series: N/A A slow burn but still a solid novel My thanks to Dayle King Searle, who asked me to read a free copy of her novel in exchange for an honest review. First and foremost, I want to say this was not a romance. Oddly enough, it’s women’s fiction with a male protagonist. I found the weird clash of tone, perspective, and genre fascinating, and I have to …

Interview with Beth Kendrick (In Dog We Trust)

January 5, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper In Dog We Trust by Beth Kendrick says it all with the title. This fun-loving book is a must read for all dog lovers and those that want smiles on their faces. In addition, readers get an interesting mystery where greed is the antagonist. The story is enjoyable, amusing, and entertaining. The plot takes place in the Delaware seaside quirky quaint town of Black Dog Bay. It has become well-known for being the “best …