The Daughter Between Them by Alretha Thomas – a Review

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

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

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

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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The Women on Retford Drive by Alretha Thomas – a Review

The Women on Retford Drive by Alretha Thomas – a Review

 

Amazon

 

Description:
Julia Pritchard, an aging sitcom star making a comeback, and her

stepdaughter, Blythe Pritchard, an aspiring attorney,
form a pact to start fresh and pursue their dreams. But their plans go
awry when Keith Pritchard, Julia’s soon-to-be ex-husband
and Blythe’s father, goes missing and is presumed dead, the day they
plan to move out of his mansion.

The women are filled with bittersweet emotions when they consider the idea
that Keith, a tycoon and functional alcoholic, could be
out of their lives for good. Moreover, they fear the police will name them
as persons of interest because of the abuse they suffered
at Keith’s hands. Julia believes Keith hasn’t met with foul play but
orchestrated his own disappearance, hoping the women will be blamed.
However, Blythe believes her father is dead. When the police reveal a
damning piece of evidence, which could result in one of them being
charged with Keith’s possible murder, they join forces to find out what
happened to him. Did one of the women go off script and kill Keith,
or is another agenda at play, unbeknownst to the women and the police,
that’s far more sinister?

 

Review:

The Women on Retford Drive begins with Julia Pritchard, and her stepdaughter, Blythe, finalizing their move into their own apartment, and leaving the home they’ve shared with Keith Pritchard for years.  They are both ready to move on with their lives, away from an abusive husband and father, until they receive a phone call from Keith’s assistant that he’s missed his flight and no one has heard from him.  Neither of them thinks much of it.  They talk to Martha, the housekeeper, who hasn’t seen Keith since yesterday evening, but things take a sinister turn when Martha discovers a bloody shirt of Keith’s between the washer and dryer.  As they all try to decipher what’s happened, things start to happen quickly.  The police are called and suspicions are raised.  What follows is a series of twists, turns and revelations that will leave you guessing until the very end………….

The Women on Retford Drive is a great start to Alretha Thomas’ new series, Dancing Hills Mysteries.  Told from several first person POVs, we are privy to the character’s thoughts and feelings.  Julia Pritchard was an interesting character.  She was a very protective step-mother, a very loyal friend and by all accounts, a loving and supportive wife.  She and Blythe were extremely close, but that didn’t stop either of them from suspecting (even just a little) each other.  Blythe was a nicely written character as well.  Thomas did a great job of writing about her insecurities, as well as her determination to see things through.

The secondary characters were well written as well.  We get to know just enough of them to make it interesting, and to also suspect them as you read along.  I would know, without a doubt, who the culprit was, until I read the next chapter.  Then, I knew again, and again……………  LOL!  I did end up figuring it out before the reveal, but not until I’d suspected basically everyone, which for me, is a good thing.  It means the author is doing her job.  I’m looking forward to getting more glimpses into the workings of Dancing Hills.  I’m guessing the detectives we meet in this installment will continue to appear, and I can’t wait to get to know more about them as well.  Talk about an odd couple!  But, I love them together.  The Women on Retford Drive is ultimately a story of self-discovery and proof that blood does not make you family.  I can’t wait for the next installment.  If you’re a fan of mysteries, with a little romance mixed in, you’ll definitely not go wrong with this one.  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

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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Losing Lauren by Alretha Thomas – a Review

Losing Lauren by Alretha Thomas – a Review

 

Losing LaurenAmazon

Description:
Alexandra Winifred has played a supporting role in her cousin’s life since they were children. When Lauren Water’s parents are killed in a plane crash, Alexandra becomes her protector, and together they navigate their way through childhood and college. They’re both overachievers, but it’s Lauren who steals the spotlight when she’s discovered by a notable agent and goes on to become an award-winning actress, leaving Alexandra in her shadow as her fledgling publicist. Now Hollywood royalty, Lauren starts to cut those people out of her life who were responsible for her success. Alexandra fears she will be next on the chopping block. But her trepidation about her failing relationship with her cousin becomes her least concern when she’s identified as a prime suspect in Lauren’s subsequent disappearance. Detective Rachel Storme, who has a full plate taking care of a parent with Alzheimer’s and supervising a meth-addicted aunt, is eager to get her hands on a challenging case, but nothing could prepare her for the dark secrets and lies that she uncovers while she does everything in her power to find out what happened to Lauren.

 

Review:

Losing Lauren begins with Lauren having just won a best actress award and attending a party afterwards.  Alexandra has felt Lauren pulling away and asks her about it.  They agree to meet later to talk about everything going on with Lauren and part ways.  Alex heads home, only to receive a frantic phone call from Lauren’s fiancé that something has happened to Lauren.  When Alex arrives at Lauren’s, the scene before her leaves her mind spinning and her stomach churning. 

The police are called and the world, as Alex knows it, changes forever.  Detective Rachel Storme and her partner, Herb, eventually make the scene and discover that there is no body, but there is evidence of a crime.  As Rachel and her team try to piece together what happened, the list of suspects grows.  Lauren’s fiancé is a likely candidate, as is her management team.  Rachel interviews Alex as well, and even though Alex is a suspect, Rachel isn’t buying that she had anything to do with Lauren’s disappearance.  What follows are so many twists and turns that one minute, you KNOW who did it, only to be proven wrong a little later.  All Alex knows is that her world will never be the same.

Losing Lauren is yet another nicely written story by Alretha Thomas.  The characters in all of Ms. Thomas’s books are so relatable and real that you feel that you know them.  This story was no exception.  The plot twists will grab your attention and when the big reveal is made, your heart will break for what Lauren endured as a child.  Your heart will also break for Alex who will always wonder if she could have done more to protect her cousin and best friend. You will also fall even more in love with Detective Rachel Storme.  She is probably one of the most believable and realistic characters I’ve read about in a long time.  She is the daughter every mother would love to have.  She is the co-worker everyone would want, but even more than that, she is the person everyone would hope to be.  She loving, loyal and steadfast in her beliefs that right is right and wrong is wrong.  If you’re looking for a good mystery with lots of twists and turns, as well as wonderfully written characters, this one is definitely for you.  I look forward to the next installment in this series.  Well done, Alretha Thomas!  Very well done!!

Reviewed by Vickie

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Justice for Jessica by Alretha Thomas – a Review

Justice for Jessica by Alretha Thomas – a Review

 

Justice for JessicaAmazon

Description:
Mousey, overweight Stacey Sullivan would love to trade places with her glamorous socialite BFF, Jessica James—that’s until she discovers Jessica murdered in her own home. Whip-smart detective Rachel Storme is ready to exchange her gun and badge for a gardener’s hat and hoe. But she reluctantly puts her plans on hold when she’s asked to help solve Jessica’s murder. These two strangers from different generations—Stacey a millennial and Rachel a baby boomer—become unlikely friends in their pursuit of JUSTICE FOR JESSICA. But their friendship is put to the test when Stacey insists that her husband, Matt, is innocent in spite of evidence that speaks to the contrary. Rachel, baffled by Stacey’s blind loyalty to Matt, doggedly fights to take Matt down, but with Stacey’s help, he eludes her at every turn. Is Matt the killer or could Grant, Jessica’s husband, be the culprit? Perhaps it was her jealous sister, Georgette or the maid, Rosa? No matter who the killer is, Rachel, by any means necessary, is determined to find her man or woman.

 

Review:

Stacey Sullivan met Jessica James in high school and they have been best friends ever since.  Stacey had stayed overnight with Jessica, which she did a lot when Jessica’s husband was out of town.  When Stacey woke that morning, she dreaded heading in to work, but knew she had to get a move on.  When she didn’t hear Jessica stirring, she went in search of her, and made a horrible discovery.  Jessica was in the guest room with her throat slit and lying in a pool of her own blood.  Stacey screams for help as Rosa, Jessica’s maid, arrives for work.  They call 911 and know things will never be the same.

As Rachel Storme is home pondering her life, she answers a call from her boss at the police department.  Although she’s on leave, her boss knows her all too well.  He fills her in on the Jessica James murder and pleads with her to help with the high profile investigation.  After a few minutes, she finally gives in and heads over to the James place to meet him.  Once they arrive and survey the scene, they set to work trying to figure out what in the world has happened.

Rachel is the one who interviews Stacey and almost immediately feels a connection with her.  She sees herself in Stacey twenty years ago.  As the interview progresses, she knows that Stacey isn’t the murderer and she promises Stacey that she will work hard to find who killed her best friend.  Rachel dives into the investigation with her boss and as they navigate all of the twists and turns and possible motives and suspects, they hit a few road blocks here and there.  But as they start to try and put things together, Rachel can’t help but wonder if they will truly find the murderer, and indeed, find justice for Jessica.

Justice for Jessica is another nice story from Alretha Thomas.  Told from several first person POVs, which is a trade mark of Thomas, we are privy to what’s going on with a lot of the main characters and their thought processes as everyone tries to do what they feel is the right thing.  Stacey Sullivan is a wonderfully written character.  In the beginning, she is a bit timid and a lot naïve, but is finally strong enough to do what needs to be done.  When she finds out that Jessica wasn’t quite as good a friend as she thought, she really did buck up and do what needed to be done.   Rachel Storme is an awesome character as well.  She’s smart, savvy and a hard worker, as well as a devoted daughter and friend.  The cast of supporting characters were well written and kept you guessing until the very end.  Justice for Jessica is, of course, a murder mystery, but it is also a story about facing up to life’s challenges and making your own dreams come true.  If you’re looking for a good mystery and a quick read, you cannot go wrong with Justice for Jessica.  Well done, Alretha Thomas!

Reviewed by Vickie

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Missing Melissa by Alretha Thomas -a Review

Missing Melissa by Alretha Thomas -a Review

 

Missing MelissaAmazon

Description:
Twenty-two years old with a journalism degree from UCLA and a promising entry level position at a television station, Madeline Patterson is ready to take on the Universe. Raised by two loving parents, adored by her grandmother, protected by her dog, Pepper, and supported by her best friend—Madeline has it all. There’s only one thing missing—literally missing—her identical twin, Melissa.

When Madeline and Melissa were three-years-old, their mother was carjacked in broad daylight while taking them to a doctor’s appointment. She was able to get away with Madeline in tow, but the assailants left the scene before she could rescue Melissa. A long and massive search ensued, but Melissa was never found and is believed to be dead. However, a dream Madeline has on her twenty-second birthday, wherein Melissa appears to her as a grown woman pleading for help, convinces her Melissa is still alive. Against her parents’ wishes, Madeline vows to find her twin. However, in doing so, she unknowingly stumbles upon a series of startling clues that point to her parents’ possible involvement in Melissa’s disappearance. Paralyzed by fear, Madeline doesn’t want to face what could possibly be the ugly and grim truth about her parents. However, her desire to find Melissa propels her forward—but nothing could prepare her for what she discovers.

 

Review:

When Madeline awakens on her 22nd birthday, she has one thing on her mind. Her twin sister, Melissa, who was abducted nineteen years earlier. She had no idea at the time how much her life would change in a relatively short time. When she confides in her best friend, Ruby, that she believes Melissa is still alive, Ruby, more or less, tries to convince her to give up on that notion. After all, her birthday party is starting in just a few hours.

Once Madeline makes her appearance downstairs and the party gets rolling, she is greeted by lots of friends and family, and in particular, one friend from a long time ago who brings up her twin, Melissa. It’s actually this old friend that really motivates Madeline to reinvigorate her search for her sister, even though he’s a little on the creepy side. Madeline eventually broaches the subject of Melissa’s disappearance with her dad who shuts her down. Hard. Which only adds to her curiosity.

Things really get rolling once Ruby decides to help and sets up a Facebook page, Missing Melissa, and tips start coming in. Madeline eventually contacts the cold case detectives at the police department and is almost immediately befriended by Sam, one of the detectives, who proves to be instrumental in the investigation. Through a series of events, Madeline finds out that some of the things she thought she “knew” all of her young life, were indeed not the way at all. Once she starts delving deeper into things from her family’s past, the more mysterious things become. She doesn’t want to believe that her parents are hiding things from her, but a conversation with her paternal grandmother changes everything……….

Missing Melissa is another wonderfully written story by Alretha Thomas. There were lots of twists and turns, and when the ultimate reveal was made?? Let’s just say that I thought that I had it all figured out. To say I was way wrong is a slight understatement. I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING! Madeline was a wonderful young character who followed her heart, and her gut. Even though she seemed a little naïve at times, I had to remember that she was only twenty-two. I also loved that Ms. Thomas wrote Madeline’s romance with Sam. Even though they were attracted to each other, she didn’t have them jumping each other’s bones. She let it slowly evolve, which was refreshing. Ruby, her BFF, was a wonderful character as well. I have my Ruby, and I can only hope that all of you have one as well!! Missing Melissa is ultimately a story about not giving up and following through with determination that would make anyone, friend, parents, etc., proud. If you’re looking for a refreshingly different storyline with a lot of mystery, lovely developed relationships and a big ole who done it, this one is for you! You will cheer, you will jeer and you will definitely shed a tear…… Well done Alretha Thomas!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Author

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