historical - No Apology Book Reviews

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 …

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. …

Highlander Ever After by Paula Quinn

November 6, 2019December 15, 2018

Title: Highlander Ever After Author: Paula Quinn Series: Highland Heirs #8 Endearing characters but lackluster plot I would like to thank Paula Quinn, Forever/Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was a nice story, but I don’t think it lived up to its full potential. The central conflict was great—Adam and Sina being forced to marry for political reasons. They were caught between a rock and a hard …

Interview with Louisa Cannon (from Bright Young Dead by Jessica Fellowes)

November 16, 2018

Find an interview with the author HERE. Elise Cooper: Thank you for doing this. You appear very loyal, willing to threaten your job as a nanny to defend your friend who is accused of murder. You live in an exciting time because society is changing and it appears your hopes are changing as well. EC: Why did you decide to become a nanny of sorts? Louisa Cannon: I needed to get away from London and my friend Jennie was with …

Interview with Jessica Fellowes (Bright Young Dead)

November 16, 2018November 9, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Bright Young Dead by Jessica Fellowes brings to life the mid-1920s amid a strong “who done it” mystery. Fellowes, known for writing the companion books to the Downtown Abbey TV series, has used those skills to write a riveting historical book. This is the second novel that delves into the lives of the aristocratic Mitford household during the Golden Age. During a treasure hunt a murder is discovered. Arrested is one of the guests’ …

Interview with Julia London (Seduced by a Scot)

November 3, 2018November 3, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Seduced by a Scot by Julia London is a book about survival and how someone can overcome extraordinary obstacles. The hero and heroine had to overcome their past and learn to move forward. A prominent Scottish family hires a fixer, Nicholas Bain, to help them weather the possible scandal. Calvin Garbett has arranged for his daughter, unassuming in personality and beauty, to be married to someone whose family will help his business dealings. Falsely …

The Earl and the Enchantress by Paullett Golden

February 2, 2019October 14, 2018

Title: The Earl and the Enchantress Author: Paullett Golden Series: The Enchantresses #1 A solid, well-written debut with relatable characters Thank you to the author, who asked if I would like to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I liked this book quite a bit! I wouldn’t say I was utterly riveted, but I didn’t like having to stop reading, either. I had no major problems with it, but a few small things bothered me. Not enough …

Interview with Hazel Gaynor (The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter)

October 5, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter by Hazel Gaynor explores relationships, some tragic and some hopeful. This historical novel, inspired by true events, is a gripping story about the extraordinary female lighthouse keepers who lived one hundred years apart. Readers first see the real-life heroine Grace Darling who in 1838 in Northumberland, England at the Longstone Lighthouse on the Farne Islands rescued shipwreck survivors in a furious storm along with her father. This twenty-two year old …

The Scandalous Secret of Abigail MacGregor by Paula Quinn

November 20, 2019September 24, 2018

Title: The Scandalous Secret of Abigail MacGregor Author: Paula Quinn Series: Highland Heirs #3 The sweet love story of two endearing characters I wanted to read this book because—well, because it’s Paula Quinn; but I also wanted to familiarize myself with Abby and Daniel, as I suspect they’ll be involved with the next—and last, unfortunately—Highland Heirs novel, out this December. I enjoyed Abby and Daniel’s story very much. They had great chemistry and got along like friends, being pleasant to …

Interview with Robert Langford (from The Glass Ocean by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White)

October 6, 2018September 15, 2018

Find an interview with the authors HERE Elise Cooper: Thank you for doing this. You have had some hard knocks in your life. As a British gentleman who lives during the Victorian years you had to conform to your father’s wishes. Now you are heading back to England, after taking some time away in America, on the lavish ocean liner, Lusitania. I am sure there are times on that ship where you tried to put the world behind you, but …