Author Interviews - No Apology Book Reviews

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 Iris Johansen (Mind Game)

October 10, 2018October 29, 2017

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Mind Game by Iris Johansen has fast paced action involving “Super Heroes.” The plot has Jane MacGuire plagued by dreams of a girl, Lisa, in trouble, having been kidnapped and beaten. She ends up discovering Lisa is related to Seth Caleb, someone Jane is attracted to and frightened by. Working with Caleb, they free Lisa and find that the kidnappers are trying to leverage Seth into doing their dirty work of killing someone without …

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 Catherine Anderson (The Christmas Room)

October 10, 2018October 15, 2017

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Christmas Room by Catherine Anderson is one of these special stories. A word of warning, it is not a “sugar and spice and everything nice” holiday novel. Yet, it is very realistic, believable, and leaves the reader with a good feeling as the book ends, a feeling of hope. The two holiday generational romances touch on grief, healing and redemption. Readers will go through a range of emotions with the characters from joy, …

Interview with Christina Dodd (The Woman Who Couldn’t Scream)

October 10, 2018October 8, 2017

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Woman Who Couldn’t Scream is a classic Christina Dodd novel. The plot has Merry Byrd seriously injured in an explosion that meant to kill her. She had to undergo numerous facial surgeries that changed her appearance. To get the financing she had to make a pact with the devil, a possessive old geezer who wanted her for his trophy wife. Changing her name to Helen Brassard she endured nine long years of his …

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 …

Interview with Kerry Greenwood, Deb Cox, and Fiona Eagger (Phryne Fisher)

October 10, 2018September 24, 2017

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper If you do not already know of her, meet Phryne Fisher, the 1920’s detective that took Australia by storm. She came on the scene in 2006, the fabulous character of author Kerry Greenwood. Made into a TV series by Deb Cox and Fiona Eagger in 2012 it aired for three seasons and can now be seen on Netflix. Those who enjoy the show and books might get more of Phryne since the creators are …

Interview with Alix Rickloff (The Way to London)

October 10, 2018September 21, 2017

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Way To London by Alix Rickloff is very much a relationship story with the backdrop of World War II. It is the flip-flop Cinderella story about a rich girl and poor boy. Instead of having the military aspect the author concentrates on how the civilian population endured the war. The book starts out in Singapore in 1941, just three months before Pearl Harbor, where the population is still free of any concerns. Lucy …

Interview with Lisa Scottoline (Damaged and Exposed)

October 10, 2018September 3, 2017

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Lisa Scottoline deserves a high five for her latest novels Damaged and Exposed. These back-to-back homeruns hit at reader’s heartstrings with her gripping and riveting storylines and characters. In Damaged, a ten-year-old child, Patrick, has fallen under the radar of the government agencies. His needs are not being met regarding dyslexia, abuse in a public school by a teacher’s aide, and having to endure classmates’ bullying. Law partner Mary DiNunzio is hired to fend …

Interview with Linda Castillo (Down a Dark Road)

October 10, 2018September 3, 2017

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Down a Dark Road by Linda Castillo is an electrifying thriller. It seems with each book, this being the ninth, she gets better and better. Within a riveting mystery she is able to seamlessly blend the Amish culture, giving glimpses and insights to their way of life. Once again small town Painters Mill police chief Kate Burkholder is forced to re-visit her childhood past. She is notified about the escape of Joseph King, convicted …