Tag Archives: Alretha Thomas

The Daughter Between Them by Alretha Thomas – a Review

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The Daughter Between Them by Alretha Thomas – a Review

 

Amazon / Bookbub

 

Description:
Two mothers. One missing daughter. One life-changing secret.

In 2019, Leslie Graham is within arm’s reach of her goal to become the news editor at the Dancing Hills Times. At thirty-five, she has it all—a promising career and a close relationship with her two teenage girls, Rhonda and Jillian. But when an old enemy from her past resurfaces, threatening to reveal life-changing information about one of her daughters, Leslie does everything in her power to keep her world from crashing down.

A decade earlier, in 2009, Barbara Morris’s seven-year-old daughter, Nancy, goes missing in Queens, New York. Barbara and her husband frantically search for her. But all is not as it seems in the disappearance of Nancy Morris, and Barbara may not be the innocent victim she’s painted herself to be. After ten years of her life spiraling out of control and Nancy still missing, Barbara decides to head to Dancing Hills, believing she’ll find the answers she’s looking for. Barbara and Leslie’s worlds will collide there, and the secrets of the past will finally be revealed.

 

Review:

The Daughter Between Them begins in 2019 with Leslie Graham deep in thought while she is going through things in her office at the Dancing Hills Times. She is on the verge of becoming the first African American news editor at the paper, something which she has worked towards for quite a while. She then receives a phone call from the Dancing Hills police department concerning her two daughters, Jillian and Rhonda.

Once Leslie arrives at the police station, she finds out that her girls were involved in an accident and thankfully are okay. However, it was no accident. The girls say that the car came out of nowhere and plowed into their car then took off without stopping. Leslie cannot help but wonder as things continue to happen if her past may be catching up with her.

Barbara Morris has a daughter who goes missing in 2009. She and her husband try to present a united front when looking for their daughter, but things are not at all what they seem. Barbara’s past has caught up with her present and will have a profound affect on not only her future, but Leslie’s.

The Daughter Between Them is another wonderfully written book by Alretha Thomas. The characters are beautifully written and multidimensional, and the world building is second to none. The twists and turns keep you turning the pages because just when you think you know what has happened, or about to happen, you find out you are close………but no cigar. If you are a fan of suspense, you will not go wrong with this one. I have been lucky enough to have the privilege of reviewing Mrs. Thomas’s books for several years now and have never been disappointed once. I do believe, though, that this one may be my favorite. Well done, Alretha Thomas! Very, very well done!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy supplied for Review

 

 

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The Girl in the Blue Blazer by Alretha Thomas – a Review

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The Girl in the Blue Blazer by Alretha Thomas – a Review

 

Amazon

 

Description:
Two women. One powerful man. A decades-old secret binds them together.

In 2019, Pamela Carter is determined to secure her dream internship with billionaire businessman Andrew Clifford III.

Twenty-five years ago, in 1993, Andrew is just starting out. Without any of his later fame or fortune, the party boy becomes a legitimate hero when he intervenes to save assaulted Elizabeth Westlake. Sure, she’s a waitress at a strip club, but that’s not her dream. Elizabeth is determined to write her way out of the Harlem hellhole she lives in. Maybe Andrew is the ticket? Even the best-laid plans go awry, and for Elizabeth, tragedy looms.

Pamela is impossible not to notice and she soon becomes Andrew’s prime intern. But, just as with Elizabeth, not all goes to plan. The stocks are plummeting. The company is careening. And then, Andrew himself goes missing. Will Pamela also be plunged into the tragedy that surrounds this man? Or is Pamela the one person who really knows what happened that fateful night in 1993? More than a company is at stake, as Andrew struggles for survival. But sometimes, the past is too powerful. Some secrets refuse to remain buried. Sometimes, truth kills.

 

Review:

The Girl in the Blue Blazer begins with Pamela Carter anxiously waiting to mee with Andrew Clifford III, having made the cut to the final two from a grueling process for his prestigious internship program.  This is her third time, and her last.  That is the maximum number of times that you can apply and she is determined to make it.  When she is called into Andrew’s office, they have a frank, albeit strange at times, conversation. When Pamela leaves, she feels good about her chances, only to have them dashed a few days later when she is told they chose the other candidate. Imagine her surprise when she receives another phone call a few days after that informing her that they were choosing her.  She has waited soooooo long for this opportunity and she will not waste one moment to do what she needs to do.

Elizabeth Westlake is trying to make it on her own, having run away from home to escape her mother’s abusive, ever changing, boyfriends.  Her story begins in 1993 when she is seventeen (she lied about her age)  and working as a waitress at a strip club.  When Elizabeth is groped by a customer, Andrew steps in and saves her.  He then requests she have a drink with him in the VIP room.  Little does she know how much that encounter will alter the direction of her life……….and so many others.

The Girl in the Blue Blazer is written with dual timelines and draws you in from the very beginning that have you turning the pages faster and faster as you navigate all of the twists and turns.  One moment, you’re convinced of one thing, the next, not so much.  What you ARE convinced of is that Mrs. Thomas has once again written an amazing story and built a world that draws you in and doesn’t let go until the very end.  One thing that hit me while reading this is that it is so refreshing to read a story that has “real” dialogue between the characters.  Due to the subject matter of this book, that frank and real dialogue will endear the characters to the reader even more. If you’re a fan of suspenseful storylines with awesome and strong women, you will not go wrong with this book.  So happy that she is back to writing with her busy schedule.  Well done, Alretha Thomas!!  Very, very well done!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy supplied for review

 

 

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The Truth About Gretchen by Alretha Thomas – a Review

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The Truth About Gretchen by Alretha Thomas – a Review

 

Amazon

 

Description:
Gretchen Holloway, in her final year of graduate school, is in the throes of auditioning actors for her thesis film, inspired by a murdered young football star who has haunted her dreams for two years. Gretchen believes making the movie will be cathartic. But instead of freeing her, embarking upon the film production unleashes a sequence of events that lead Gretchen to conclude that she’s the reincarnation of the young man.

Regina Wilson has always wanted to be an actress. When her agent gets her an audition for a role in Gretchen’s film, which eerily mirrors one of the worst events of her life—the unsolved murder of her older brother, Robert—she’s hard-pressed to go through with it. Upon fleeing, she leaves behind a keepsake that features Robert’s photo. Gretchen sees the picture and recognizes Robert from her dreams. She tracks down Regina, and after being rebuffed and called crazy, Gretchen’s unexplainable knowledge of events in Robert’s life eventually convinces Regina that Gretchen is Robert reincarnated.

The two decide to have his case reopened, but their significant others are dead set against it, and the police, who believe that Robert’s death was gang-related, are less than cooperative. However, Gretchen is desperate to get justice for her former self, and Regina wants justice for her brother. The women piece together the final week of Robert’s life. And the deeper they delve into his past; one shocking revelation follows another, leaving them wondering who they can trust and if they’ll live long enough to find Robert’s killer and bring him to justice.

 

Review:

The Truth About Gretchen begins with Gretchen Holloway hosting auditions for a film she’s making in her last year of graduate school.  She has been haunted for two years by recurring dreams/nightmares of a young man being murdered.  She also has no idea who the guy is.  All she knows is that the need to make a movie based on these dreams is a need like no other.

Regina Wilson has struggled for twenty years with the unsolved murder of her brother.  She lands an audition for the movie Gretchen is making, but, is disturbed at how eerie the events are to her brother’s murder.  She makes her way to the auditions, only to breakdown at the thought of actually going through with the audition.  She leaves in a near panic and has no idea how an item she leaves behind will change her life and the lives of others.

The Truth About Gretchen is another well written story by Alretha Thomas.  Gretchen and Regina are both relatable from the beginning.  However, it’s Regina, at least for me, that pulls you in.  Her steadfast need to find out what really happened the night that her brother was murdered is emotional on one hand and endearing on the other.  Even though both Gretchen and Regina are doubted from the very  beginning of their quest for justice, they know that they won’t allow anyone, or anything,  get in their way.  The story is wrought with intrigue and  mystery, but it is the emotion that makes it a page turner, which is, in my humble opinion, what makes Thomas a standout author.  The secondary characters are well written as well, and you’ll find yourself hoping your inner circle is as supportive as these people are.  As always, I can’t wait for Thomas’ next book………….  Well done, Alretha Thomas!  Very well done!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy supplied for review

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A Penny for Her Heart by Alretha Thomas – a Review

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A Penny for Her Heart by Alretha Thomas – a Review

 

A Penny for her HeartAmazon

Description:
Vanessa Johnson Rossi’s dream is to work in the White House. Not as the leader of the free world, but as chief of staff, overseeing the executive office of the president. As an assistant working at Buderwood Hills City Hall, she finds herself getting closer to realizing her dream when a plum position becomes available that would put her a step closer working directly for the mayor who has personal connections to the White House. But Vanessa’s hopes are dashed when her best friend, Penelope Newhouse, lands the coveted job. However, when Vanessa discovers Penelope murdered less than a hundred feet from the office she dreamed of occupying, her disappointment turns into devastation. Detective Rachel Storme and her team are put on the case and she soon finds herself delving into the underbelly of politics in search of the killer. The clues point to a litany of suspects, including the mayor. As usual, Detective Storme is determined to solve this case—a case so chock-full of dark and sinister twists and turns, it has her questioning her own competence.

 

Review:

A Penny for Her Heart begins with Vanessa heading into work at the mayor’s office on what should have been her day off, but duty calls.  She arrives and heads to her best friend’s office.  She and Penelope (Penny) met in college and have been best friends ever since.  Once Vanessa enters Penny’s office, she notices almost immediately that things seem a bit off.  Penny is nowhere around, which leads Vanessa to check the bathroom.  Little did she know that once she set foot in that bathroom, her world would be changed forever.  She sees blood everywhere and someone in a stall, but is so distraught all she can do is run out screaming for the security guard on duty to summon the police. 

Rachel Storme is attending a cookout at Herb’s, who also happens to be her long-time partner at the police department.  When Herb gets the call that there’s been a murder at the mayor’s office, he and Rachel, along with co-workers Vincent and Carlos, who were also attending the get together, head out to the scene of the murder.  It doesn’t take Rachel long for that methodical mind of hers to start processing the scene and the people there.  She interviews Vanessa, who is understandably upset and ready to just go home.  Once finished, Vanessa heads out with the promise to call Rachel if anything of use comes to mind. 

As the investigation progresses, Vanessa soon realizes that Penny had a whole other side that she never knew about.  Lies are uncovered, hearts are broken and Vanessa finds herself questioning everything she thought she ever knew about her friendship with Penny.  While Rachel and her team dig up clues and try to tie together a motive, she knows that the longer it takes them, the chances of finding the killer get smaller.  Add to that the family issues Rachel has with her scattered and irresponsible aunt, along with her mother’s Alzheimer’s disease……….some days she just can’t catch a break.  The one thing that she excels doing?  Pulling together the pieces of evidence and listening to her gut.

A Penny for Her Heart is another wonderfully written book by Alretha Thomas.  As I’ve said before, all of the characters in Mrs. Thomas’s books are relatable, as well as believable.  While reading this particular one, more than any of the others, I found myself wrong so many times when I thought I’d figured out who the killer was.  The twists and turns kept me turning the pages, but Rachel Storme keeps me coming back to this series.  Her determination and drive, along with a big ol’ heart, is very endearing.  I’m starting to feel repetitive in my reviews of this series, but Rachel is truly one of the most believable and realistic characters I’ve read in a long time.  Anyone would feel lucky to have such a person in their lives.  If you’re a mystery fan, this one will not disappoint.  And, as always, I look forward to the next installment.  Well done, Alretha Thomas!  Very, very well done!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy supplied for review

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