historical - No Apology Book Reviews

The Secret of Bow Lane by Jennifer Ashley

August 2, 2022

Title: The Secret of Bow Lane Author: Jennifer Ashley Series: Kat Holloway Mystery #6 A great read! I would like to thank Jennifer Ashley, Berkley, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Also thanks to Yazmine Hassan for inviting me on the blog tour. (Take that, Berkley! Can’t deny my request if I’m invited, huh? *blows raspberry*) When her late husband’s wife asks for Kat’s help, Kat’s reluctant. But she’s also …

Interview with Amanda Quick (When She Dreams)

May 14, 2022

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper When She Dreams by Amanda Quick, is a story with lies, murder, blackmail, and drugs. This series takes place during the 1930’s in the small town of Burning Cove, California with some recurring characters. The opening scene sets the atmosphere for the rest of the plot. Maggie Lodge enters the office of Dr. Oxlade for a session about her lucid dreams. Unbeknownst to her, he gives her a drug called the enhancer. He is …

Interview with Erika Robuck (The Invisible Woman and Sisters of Night and Fog)

April 22, 2022

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Invisible Woman and Sisters of Night and Fog by Erika Robuck are very riveting historical novels. Based very closely on true stories, Robuck skillfully brings to life these heroic women, Virginia Hall, Virginia d’Albert-Lake, and Violette Szabo. Both these novels highlight the duty, sacrifice, and determination of these historic women who helped the Resistance in WWII. The SOE, known as the Special Operations Executive, was a British WWII organization formed in 1940. They …

Interview with Anita Abriel (Lana’s War and A Girl During the War)

March 11, 2022

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Lana’s War and A Girl During the War by Anita Abriel are heartfelt reads. The stories take place during World War II, the former in France and the latter in Italy. Both books are filled with danger and romance. Lana’s War begins with a tragedy. In Paris 1943 Lana Antanova is about to tell her husband, Frederick they are going to have a baby when she sees him brutally shot dead by a Gestapo …

Interview with Stephanie Graves (Olive Bright, Pigeoneer and A Valiant Deceit)

February 11, 2022

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Olive Bright, Pigeoneer and A Valiant Deceit by Stephanie Graves are the latest books in her new historical mystery series. It features Olive Bright, a spirited young pigeon fancier who finds herself working for a secret British intelligence agency, while in her spare time solving mysteries. These books are set in England during World War II where the reader gets a close look at life in a small English town. The first book has …

A Lullaby for Witches by Hester Fox

January 25, 2022

Title: A Lullaby for Witches Author: Hester Fox Series: n/a Unfocused story, bad “historical fiction,” meh characters I would like to thank Hester Fox, Harlequin, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Also thank you to Justine Sha for inviting me to participate in the blog tour. This is a long one, so grab a snack and settle in. I tried to convince myself I liked this book, because in theory …

The Mitford Vanishing by Jessica Fellowes

January 19, 2022

Title: The Mitford Vanishing Author: Jessica Fellowes Series: Mitford Murders #5 Best of series to date I would like to thank Jessica Fellowes, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free audio ARC in exchange for an honest review. Of the five Mitford books, I liked this one most, and it’s probably because it contained the Mitfords the least. I’d never heard of the Mitfords before venturing into this series, and now that I’ve learned about …

The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont

January 11, 2022

Title: The Christie Affair Author: Nina de Gramont Series: n/a No. Just no. I would like to thank Nina de Gramont, Lucy Scott, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free audio ARC in exchange for an honest review. I rarely DNF (did not finish) books, especially ones received via NetGalley, but I’m calling it. When at 48% I saw that I had five and half hours left of this audio galley, I simply thought, “Nope.” …

A Touch of Romance by Paullett Golden

December 30, 2021

Title: A Touch of Romance Author: Paullett Golden Series: Romantic Encounters #2 Slow start but satisfying Thank you very much to Paullett Golden, who provided me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Jules and Leila meet at a writer’s retreat hosted by mutual friends. Randomly paired together for an activity, they don’t expect to like each other much, and when instead sparks fly, no one is more surprised than they are. But Jules, of humble means, had …

Interview with Rosemary Simpson (The Dead Cry Justice)

December 25, 2021

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Dead Cry Justice by Rosemary Simpson always involves a mystery, returning characters, and a social issue during the Gilded Age. This historical novel delves into a very tough and disturbing topic. But Simpson is such a gifted author and writes in a manner that does not go over the top. She realizes a line should not be crossed, leaving the subject matter up to the reader’s imagination. The story opens with the main …