suspense - No Apology Book Reviews

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 …

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 …

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 Karna Small Bodman (Trust But Verify)

December 29, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Trust But Verify by Karna Small Bodman brings to life the inner workings of the White House in a financial thriller. Realistic political intrigue and suspense mirrors the current issues. The story is propelled by her past experiences as deputy press secretary and senior director/spokesperson for the National Security Council, in the Reagan Administration. The plot has Russian oligarchs with the help of the Russian mafia attempting to create havoc within the United States. …

Dead Girl Running by Christina Dodd

December 20, 2018December 16, 2018

Title: Dead Girl Running Author: Christina Dodd Series: Cape Charade #1 What the hell is Dodd doing? When I picked up this book for the first time a couple months ago, I intended to write a full review then but was so furious when I was done that I had to tuck it away and forget about it for the sake of my sanity. It haunted me, though, so I skimmed through it a second time, and, knowing its secrets, …

Review Roundup Fall 2018

August 23, 2019December 16, 2018

I don’t review every book I read. Not nearly. As much as I wish otherwise, I simply don’t have time—or sometimes the brain energy—to write dozens upon dozens of reviews. Plus, sometimes it’s nice to just enjoy a book without having to analyze as I read. But I wanted to talk about some of the books I read recently, so I thought perhaps I could compile a series of brief overall opinions for them. A review roundup, if you will. …

Interview with B. J. Daniels (Wrangler’s Rescue)

December 15, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Wrangler’s Rescue by B. J. Daniels is the last in the Montana Cahills series. It is filled with a little romance, tension, emotion, suspense, and a lot of mystery that involves betrayals, murder, and distrust. The readers try to put the pieces of the puzzle together along with the characters. This story has a new twist as AJ, a city gal turned cowgirl, battles Juliette, a seductive sociopath black widow, while the hero is …

Interview with Lynn Blackburn (In Too Deep)

December 1, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper In Too Deep by Lynn Blackburn blends romance, suspense, and a riveting subject matter, labor human trafficking. The first book of the series was good but this book is excellent. The novel begins with a partially submerged car that drives off a bridge, killing the woman occupant, where readers might think of Chappaquiddick. After recovering the body, the Carrington North Carolina dive team finds an encrypted laptop, and an unsettling connection with investigator Adam …

Summoned to Thirteenth Grave by Darynda Jones (No Spoilers)

November 4, 2019October 30, 2018

Title: Summoned to Thirteenth Grave Author: Darynda Jones Series: Charley Davidson #13 A hollow narrative with only humor and charismatic characters as its merits Edit 1/23/19 – Changed rating to two stars So, after reading the book again and giving it more thought while writing my spoiler review last week, I realized very little of this story makes sense. The plots are hollow, and ultimately, there’s no reason Charley couldn’t have snapped her fingers and fixed everything. As has been …