WWII - No Apology Book Reviews

Interview with Joy Jordan-Lake (Echoes of Us)

October 25, 2024

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Echoes of Us by Joy Jordan-Lake centers around Joannie DuBarry. There are dual timelines between the past of WWII and the present day. The author shows the fear and terror of locals as German submarines lurk off the coast of the little island. Readers will learn about the danger that the war in Europe brought there. Joannie’s disappearance and a mysterious older woman who lives on the Island during the present day makes the …

Interview with David Lewis (A Jewel in the Crown)

July 27, 2024

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper A Jewel in the Crown by David Lewis is a thriller and mystery all in one book, a spy novel set in England during WWII. In 1940 there is a fear of German infiltrators throughout England. To safeguard the Crown Jewels from the Nazis, Winston Churchill devises a daring gamble to have them shipped overseas. The priceless artifacts will be secretly removed from the Tower of London and driven north to Scotland by two …

Interview with Rhys Bowen (The Paris Assignment)

August 25, 2023

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Paris Assignment by Rhys Bowen is a story of love and war, bitterness and brutality, bravery, and forgiveness. The setting moves from England to France to Australia. The heroine Madeline Grant is sent to study overseas at the Sorbonne in Paris. There she meets charismatic French journalist Giles Martin. After the Christmas holiday, she defies her stepmother and returns to Paris to live with Giles. After finding out she is pregnant Giles eventually …

Interview with Sarah Sundin (The Sound of Light)

February 11, 2023

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin shows why her name has become synonymous with captivating and historically accurate World War II books. This novel has ordinary people responding to extraordinary circumstances using their courage, faith, fortitude, and a bit of hope. The story shows how the Nazi occupation was different with Denmark. After the Germans occupy Denmark during WWII, they treat the country as a “model protectorate”. They didn’t enforce the same antisemitic …

Interview with Brad Meltzer (The Nazi Conspiracy)

January 20, 2023

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Nazi Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch dives into the 1943 Nazi assassination threat against the Big Three world leaders. As the war against Nazi Germany raged abroad, President Franklin Roosevelt had a critical goal: a face-to-face sit-down with his allies Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill. This first-ever meeting of the Big Three in Tehran, Iran, would decide some of the most crucial strategic details of the war. Yet when the Nazis …

Interview with Renee Ryan (The Secret Society of Salzburg)

December 31, 2022

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Secret Society of Salzburg by Renee Ryan is a heartwarming story with heartfelt characters. In this current period, when there is so much decisiveness, reading stories like this reminds people how working collectively brings everyone together. Ms. Ryan has hit a home run. Elsa and Hattie are the most unlikely individuals to become sister-like friends. As with her previous books, Ryan writes about two strong women who work together for a common goal. …

Interview with Rhys Bowen (Where the Sky Begins)

August 19, 2022

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Where the Sky Begins by Rhys Bowen is another home run regarding this historical novel. The reality of World War II plays a huge role in this novel. Readers will take a journey with the characters as they see families separated when the children are sent to the countryside, husbands being called to fight in the war, the high casualty rate of RAF fighters, the societal class system, the civilian casualties after the German …

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 …