historical - No Apology Book Reviews

Interview with Sarah Sundin (The Sea Before Us)

October 10, 2018February 24, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin brings into focus British cultural and historical tidbits, a mystery involving an embezzler, a World War II setting, and a love triangle. It is a reminder of how America’s finest prepared for the D-Day invasion to defeat the Nazis. The year is 1944 and the Allied forces are preparing for the invasion of Normandy. Lieutenant Wyatt Paxton is a US Naval officer advising on how to use …

Interview with Kristin Hannah (The Great Alone)

October 9, 2018February 17, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah is another winner from the author of the bestseller The Nightingale. There are not enough adjectives in the English language to describe the greatness of this novel. It is an adventure story where readers feel they are put in the middle of the Alaskan frontier; it is a relationship story that also confronts abuse and obsession; and it is a love story between a mother/daughter, father/son, and two …

Interview with Lauren Willig (The English Wife)

October 10, 2018February 4, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The English Wife by Lauren Willig is full of intrigue and suspense. It is a refreshing change from all the recent Gone Girl look alikes, and instead is part mystery, part love story, and part family drama. This historical crime fiction novel involves murder, scandals, and secrets. The Gilded Age is highlighted between the years 1894 in England to 1899 in New York. Bayard, the son of a Knickerbocker prominent family returns after a …

Interview with Charles Todd (A Casualty of War)

October 10, 2018December 21, 2017

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper A Casualty of War by Charles Todd is a winner. This Bess Crawford mystery has the war coming to a close. The story explores the impact World War I had on all who witnessed it: officers, soldiers, doctors, and battlefield nurses. Fans of Bess will not be disappointed as she is still as independent, steadfast, intelligent, and resilient as ever. Per usual she seeks justice and works within societal norms where readers are able …

Review – The Christmas Room, The Ghost of Christmas Past, Last Christmas in Paris, Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe

October 10, 2018December 10, 2017

Book Reviews by Elise Cooper With the holiday season here, readers can find novels that blend a good mystery within the Christmas atmosphere. A word of warning, these are not “sugar and spice and everything nice” holiday books. Yet, they are very realistic, believable, and leave readers with a good feeling at the end, a feeling of faith and redemption. The Christmas Room by Catherine Anderson is one of these special stories. Two holiday generational romances touch on grief, healing …

An Excuse for Poor Conduct by Kate Dolan

October 9, 2018December 9, 2017

Title: An Excuse for Poor Conduct Author: Kate Dolan Series: n/a good story, skilled writing I would like to thank Kate Dolan and Author’s Den for allowing me to read a free copy in exchange for an honest review. This was a nice short story. Dolan’s writing, mechanically, is more skillful than I expected. Quite professional, actually. The setting of the almshouse and the indigent circumstances of the characters were interesting, a welcome change from the privileged doves and roosters …

Interview with Ashley York (Eyes of the Seer)

October 10, 2018November 12, 2017

Interview by Elise Cooper Elise Cooper: Where did you get the idea with the story? Ashley York: I got the idea for Eyes of the Seer from a character in Curse of the Healer named Marcan. He’s a good friend of the hero. I think in general I find that creating a character that will be a good friend, sparks these very noble characters that deserve to have their own stories. In Curse of the Healer, Diarmuid (the hero) is …

Interview with Sally Cabot Gunning (Monticello)

October 10, 2018November 6, 2017

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Monticello by Sally Cabot Gunning is a fascinating historical novel about the relationship between one of America’s Founding Fathers’ Thomas Jefferson and his eldest daughter Martha. Because the author based this book on actual correspondence between father and daughter it is immersed in reality. Readers see the struggle throughout their life with family, relationships, and issues of the day, including being a good wife, a good mother, honoring her father, and shaping his legacy. …

Interview with Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb (Last Christmas in Paris)

October 10, 2018October 22, 2017

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Last Christmas In Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb is one of these unique stories. A word of warning, it is not a “sugar and spice and everything nice” novel. The story is very authentic as it covers the triumphs and tribulations that affected the civilian life and those on the battlefield. Yet, it leaves the reader with a good feeling as the book ends with a sentiment of hope. The love and …

Interview with Katharine Ashe (The Duke)

October 10, 2018September 28, 2017

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Duke, part of the “Devil’s Duke” series by Katharine Ashe is part mystery, part historical, and part romance. She is one of those writers who allow readers to get swept up in the social, cultural, and political events of the 1800s. Readers of her books can begin to understand how a woman can be feminine yet possess a feminist’s attitude. The plot has her heroine, Lady Amarantha Vale, journeying to Scotland in search …