romance - No Apology Book Reviews

Interview with Kathryn Springer (The Gathering Table)

October 8, 2021

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Gathering Table by Kathryn Springer would be great for a Hallmark movie. The characters and the plot are relatable to anyone who has struggled with betrayal. Despite the many bumps along the way, the characters end up having hope after reinventing themselves. Readers realize how new friendships can help with overcoming past secrets. Meet Jessica Keaton, who was unjustly fired from her job and accused falsely of improprieties. She decided to start anew …

Interview with Joanna Davidson Politano (A Midnight Dance)

October 2, 2021

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano brings to life a mystery involving the ballet. But the plot has more than a mystery. As with many ballet romances, there are tragedies. Combining history and the ballet culture during the 1830s, readers get suspense with a tinge of romance in a captivating plot. The story begins with the main character, ballet dancer Ella Blythe, finding some very old, but famously well-known crimson ballet slippers. She …

Interview with Melinda Leigh (Right Behind Her)

September 18, 2021

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Right Behind Her by Melinda Leigh is a gripping read, just like her other books. Readers get sympathetic heroes and monstrous villains along with a plot that will keep them turning the pages. Sherriff Bree Taggert agrees to travel to her childhood home with her brother Adam. She must confront the memories of her childhood that includes the cruelness of her father, being attacked by his dogs, the night her father murdered her mother, …

Interview with Serena B. Miller (Sugarcreek series)

September 3, 2021

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Bertha’s Resolve by Serena B. Miller is the fourth installment of the Love’s Journey in the Sugarcreek series. This novel, as well as the other three, have engrossing characters, a riveting plot, and information about the Amish of Ohio. The stories involve policewoman Rachel Troyer, her three elderly Amish aunts who run a Bed and Breakfast, Joe Matthews, Rachel’s eventual husband, and his son Bobby, along with other Amish town members. These books should …

A Harbor Secret series by Kristie Dickinson

August 20, 2021

I first encountered Dickinson’s work via Audible Escape (R.I.P.) in Spring 2020. I loved Tunnels and devoured Devil’s Elbow, but those were the only two available and I thought that was all I would experience of Dickinson. But this summer I was pleasantly surprised when the author reached out to me and offered free copies for review—audiobook copies. Oh. Hell. Yes. She even provided copies of Tunnels and Devil’s Elbow for me to re-listen to and refresh my memory. I …

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 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 …

Legacy by Nora Roberts

June 27, 2021

Title: Legacy Author: Nora Roberts Series: n/a Rambling, predictable, and annoying lead I would like to thank Nora Roberts, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book had three huge marks against it: the narrative rambled, I knew who the culprits would be the moment they were mentioned in the first chapter, and I seriously disliked Adrian, the main character/heroine. The romance took too long to develop …

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 …