Author Interviews - No Apology Book Reviews

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 Alafair Burke (The Wife)

October 10, 2018January 27, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Wife by Alafair Burke starts out the New Year with a thrilling read. It is more plot driven since many of the characters are not very likable. The story is intense and dark being told by a possible unreliable narrator. The storyline concentrates on Angela, who suffered extreme trauma in her teen years and now learns that her husband, Jason, may be a sexual predator. This novel is timely and will force people …

Interview with Lynette Eason (Oath of Honor)

October 10, 2018January 20, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Oath of Honor by Lynette Eason is the first in a new series. This thrilling story is a shout out to those in law enforcement who put their lives on the line each and every day to keep everyone safe. The action never ceases as the plot combines a mystery, criminal investigation, politics, gang wars, shootings, and bad cops. What makes this story stand out is that Eason also brings to life engaging and …

In Memory of Sue Grafton

October 10, 2018January 14, 2018

Article by Elise Cooper Sue Grafton the legendary mystery fiction writer died of cancer on December 28th. She is known for her alphabet series, using the strategy of alphabet titles for her novels. She based the idea on Edward Gorey’s gruesome alphabet picture book, The Gashlycrumb Tinies. Unfortunately she never finished the alphabet and as her daughter noted, in Grafton’s universe the alphabet ended with “Y.” Grafton once stated to me, “My character Kinsey Milhone is my alter ego. I …

Interview with Anne Elizabeth (The Power of a SEAL)

October 10, 2018January 5, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Many military books have been written by and about SEALs. The Power of a SEAL by Anne Elizabeth is a suspense-romance novel that highlights the SEAL community. It blends a mysterious plot, some romance, and a realistic look at those serving. Readers gain an insight into the personality of a SEAL. They are truly the selfless warriors that do not require any accolades: humble, bold, strong, brave, with an inner calm during the missions. …

Interview with Jayne Ann Krentz (Promise Not to Tell)

October 7, 2018January 2, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Promise Not To Tell by Jayne Ann Krentz is a breath-taking story. While the first in the series, When All the Girls Have Gone, was spell-binding, this book leaves the readers’ heart pounding as it is more of a thriller than a mystery. Krentz delivers an impactful series by focusing each novel on one of three brothers. Each book can be read as a stand-alone, but in not reading the first people will miss …

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 …

Interview with Carey Baldwin (Countdown)

October 10, 2018December 20, 2017

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Countdown by Carey Baldwin is a story ripped from the headlines. Juggling two professions, psychologist and pediatrician, has helped her with formulating different storylines. This novel is a departure from her last one, and is much more of a fun read. The plot begins with what appears to be someone drowning on the beach of Tahiti. Forensic psychiatrist Caitlyn Cassidy and FBI Agent Atticus Spenser are enjoying some R and R while preparing for …

Interview with Melissa de la Cruz (Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe)

October 10, 2018December 17, 2017

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Pride And Prejudice And Mistletoe by Melissa De La Cruz modernizes Jane Austen’s classic Pride And Prejudice. She turns the characters on their heads by switching the roles: Fitzwilliam Darcy, the male protagonist in the original novel becomes Darcy Fitzwilliam, the female heroine in the new novel, while the female lead in the original, Elizabeth Bennet, has become the male hero, Luke Bennett. Darcy Fitzwilliam is twenty-nine and extremely career oriented. In the first …

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 …