"Absolutely riveting. A stay-up-all night read about two very different women who discover just how strong they can be—and just how much they'll dare—during the brutal Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II. This story of endurance and sisterhood will have you turning pages late into the night." — Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author
"In this heart-stopping tale of courage and resilience during WW2, Elise Hooper brings the remarkable true story of army nurses, the Angels of Bataan, into the hands and hearts of her readers. Through compulsive, dramatic and tender prose, rich in details of place and time, Hooper expertly handles the unique complexities of the war in the Pacific and the struggles of those caught up in it. Her characters, Tess and Flor, demand the pages to be turned, and their story to be told. This is historical fiction to devour, to inform, and to press into the hands of your friends." — Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author
"Hooper's eye for detail and skillful storytelling shine once more in her latest historical novel about the military nurses who risked their lives in the Filipino resistance during WWII. A powerful testament to female friendship and bravery, Angels of the Pacific is a gripping, satisfying read." — Heather Webb, USA Today bestselling author of The Next Ship Home
"Elise Hooper’s latest book is a meticulously researched, captivating story about WWII nurses serving in the Philippines during the Japanese occupation. In Angels of the Pacific , Hooper pushes past the boundaries of the traditional war novel to reveal little-known details of the challenges endured by an extraordinarily brave and resilient group of women. Infused with Hooper’s trademark heart and bountiful narrative abilities, this is a tale that shocks and inspires." — Lynda Cohen Loigman, national bestselling author of The Two-Family House and The Wartime Sisters
“Elise Hooper’s Angels of the Pacific is a captivating and heart-wrenching portrayal of the US Army and Navy nurses in WWII... This stellar novel is an ode to the power of female friendships and to just how strong, brave and resilient women can be in the very darkest of times. Hooper has brought the true story of the Angels of Bataan to light in a way that both celebrates their unique piece of WWII history and honors their many sacrifices. I loved it!" — Jane Healey, bestselling author of The Beantown Girls and The Secret Stealers
“Told in vivid detail and with tremendous heart, Angels of the Pacific is a deeply moving WWII novel that will have you up all night turning the pages. Hooper masterfully brings this little known story of the heroic nurses in the Philippines to life, weaving together fascinating history, an intricate plot, and characters that you will be rooting for the whole way. A must read!” — Sara Ackerman, bestselling author of Radar Girls
"Absorbing and fascinating, Angels of the Pacific is historical fiction at its finest. With characters to root for, a story that keeps the pages turning, and a multi-layered look into history of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during WWII, Angels of the Pacific is a story of sisterhood, resilience, and hope. Hooper’s attention to historical detail and commitment to research is evident in every page." — Susie Orman Schnall, author of We Came Here to Shine
"Heroism, strong characters, and period dialogue shine in Hooper's (Fast Girls , 2020) latest." — Booklist
“A fast-paced and well researched historical account surrounding the military nurses held by the Japanese as prisoners of war in Manila, who have come to be known as the “Angels of Bataan.” While fictionalized before, the story is told here by an authoritative author in a refreshingly authentic female voice and perspective.” — Historical Novel Society
"Absorbing and fascinating, Angels of the Pacific is historical fiction at its finest. With characters to root for, a story that keeps the pages turning, and a multi-layered look into history of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during WWII, Angels of the Pacific is a story of sisterhood, resilience, and hope. Hooper’s attention to historical detail and commitment to research is evident in every page."
...a moving novel of strength, courage, and ultimately perseverance. Expertly researched and deftly crafted...I was absolutely captivated by the lives, struggles, and triumphs of Betty, Helen and Louise.
In The Other Alcott , Elise Hooper has crafted a sweeping and deeply personal tale of a young woman’s struggle to emerge out of her famous sister’s shadow and define herself as an artist and an independent adventurer. You will never look at Little Women or the Alcott family the same way again.
Elise Hooper’s Dorothea Lange is magnetic!...This is a winning novel from the first page.
Hooper makes me not only feel for Lange, but also wish I could call her up like her friend, Imogen [Cunningham], and tell her I’m coming over for a visit.
An atmospheric and engaging read, The Other Alcott widens the Alcott family spotlight to position the charismatic, artistic May as a rightful equal to famed Louisa. Hooper skillfully draws the reader into the complicated, competitive dynamic between two sisters determined to master their work and love each other.
Hooper deftly balances the fascinating historical fabric of the novel with the personal life of its complicated protagonist. What results is a vivid and deep story that will send the reader to the internet seeking more.I give it my highest recommendation.
...a moving novel of strength, courage, and ultimately perseverance. Expertly researched and deftly crafted...I was absolutely captivated by the lives, struggles, and triumphs of Betty, Helen and Louise.
"Fast Girls is a high-speed romp as ambitious and heart-pounding as its trio of track-star heroines...A gold medal read from Elise Hooper!"
"Elise Hooper’s latest book is a meticulously researched, captivating story about WWII nurses serving in the Philippines during the Japanese occupation. In Angels of the Pacific , Hooper pushes past the boundaries of the traditional war novel to reveal little-known details of the challenges endured by an extraordinarily brave and resilient group of women. Infused with Hooper’s trademark heart and bountiful narrative abilities, this is a tale that shocks and inspires."
"Absolutely riveting. A stay-up-all night read about two very different women who discover just how strong they can be—and just how much they'll dare—during the brutal Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II. This story of endurance and sisterhood will have you turning pages late into the night."
"Heroism, strong characters, and period dialogue shine in Hooper's (Fast Girls , 2020) latest."
A fast-paced and well researched historical account surrounding the military nurses held by the Japanese as prisoners of war in Manila, who have come to be known as the “Angels of Bataan.” While fictionalized before, the story is told here by an authoritative author in a refreshingly authentic female voice and perspective.
Told in vivid detail and with tremendous heart, Angels of the Pacific is a deeply moving WWII novel that will have you up all night turning the pages. Hooper masterfully brings this little known story of the heroic nurses in the Philippines to life, weaving together fascinating history, an intricate plot, and characters that you will be rooting for the whole way. A must read!”
"Hooper's eye for detail and skillful storytelling shine once more in her latest historical novel about the military nurses who risked their lives in the Filipino resistance during WWII. A powerful testament to female friendship and bravery, Angels of the Pacific is a gripping, satisfying read."
"In this heart-stopping tale of courage and resilience during WW2, Elise Hooper brings the remarkable true story of army nurses, the Angels of Bataan, into the hands and hearts of her readers. Through compulsive, dramatic and tender prose, rich in details of place and time, Hooper expertly handles the unique complexities of the war in the Pacific and the struggles of those caught up in it. Her characters, Tess and Flor, demand the pages to be turned, and their story to be told. This is historical fiction to devour, to inform, and to press into the hands of your friends."
Elise Hooper’s Angels of the Pacific is a captivating and heart-wrenching portrayal of the US Army and Navy nurses in WWII... This stellar novel is an ode to the power of female friendships and to just how strong, brave and resilient women can be in the very darkest of times. Hooper has brought the true story of the Angels of Bataan to light in a way that both celebrates their unique piece of WWII history and honors their many sacrifices. I loved it!"
"Heroism, strong characters, and period dialogue shine in Hooper's (Fast Girls , 2020) latest."
Hooper deftly balances the fascinating historical fabric of the novel with the personal life of its complicated protagonist. What results is a vivid and deep story that will send the reader to the internet seeking more.I give it my highest recommendation.
"Hooper has delivered a stunning, multi-layered gem of a novel. With stark frankness, she illuminates the racism, sexism, and homophobia of the era. Yet, while the three protagonists are often victimized, they never allow themselves to become victims…Readers will be richly rewarded."
Her adventures illuminate the world of intrepid female artists in the late 1800s, a milieu too little appreciated today [...] The Other Alcott comes alive in its development of the relationship between Louisa and May.
"...kinetic, mesmerizing, and terrifically entertaining...A wonderful novel...it will surely appeal to anyone with an interest in the pioneering women who paved the rocky and uphill way for today’s female Olympians."
"Fast Girls is a compelling, thrilling look at what it takes to be a female Olympian in pre-war America. Rich with historical detail and brilliant story-telling, the book follows three athletes on their path to compete – and win – in a man’s world."
"Fast Girls is a high-speed romp as ambitious and heart-pounding as its trio of track-star heroines...A gold medal read from Elise Hooper!"
Hooper excels at humanizing giants....seamlessly weaving together the time, places and people in Lange’s life...For photo buffs and others familiar with her vast body of work, reading the book will be like discovering the secret backstory of someone they thought they knew.
Washington Post on Learning to See
In The Other Alcott , Elise Hooper has crafted a sweeping and deeply personal tale [...] You will never look at Little Women or the Alcott family the same way again.
Fast Girls will hurl you down the track of American history and have you rooting for some of the toughest underdogs ever to aspire to Olympic gold... I couldn’t put this one down.
