Nationally Recognized Book Club Names Top 25 Summer Reads of 2012

Online, August 10, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Alretha Thomas, author of the new novel "Married in the Nick of Nine" was glued to her computer as she blogged, participated in book discussions, and answered a deluge of email. However, it was an email from Cyrus A. Webb, an award-winning artist/author/poet and president of the nationally-recognized book club Conversations that gave her pause. The subject read: First Look: Conversations 25 Summer Reads, 2012.

"Initially I was afraid to look," Thomas said when she opened the email. However, to her surprise and delight, her third novel "Married in the Nick of Nine" was listed among the top 25 Summer reads of 2012. "An endorsement from Cyrus is huge. He's a brilliant writer in his own right and an equally talented interviewer. Cyrus has recently featured a variety of well-known individuals from all walks of entertainment on his radio show, including the legendary Dionne Warwick, singer Kenny Latimore, and Darrin Dewitt Henson of 'Soul Food,' to name a few," Thomas said.

Since its release in May 2012, "Married in the Nick of Nine," about a young woman who wants to meet, fall in love with, and marry "The One" within nine months, has garnered the interest of readers and book clubs across the country.

"WOW!!!! was the first word out of my mouth after reading 'Married in the Nick of Nine.' I sat down to read a few chapters of the book and four hours later I had read the entire book. This book was intense. There was romance and mystery all rolled up in one. It kept me on the edge of my seat." Selatha Smith Circle of Friends Book Club (Ontario, California).

"This book was so good and so entertaining; I literally got mad when I got to the end. I laughed and I cried. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who's looking for a great love story!" V.J. (Inglewood, California).

"I enjoyed the third book by Alretha Thomas, 'Married in the Nick of Nine,' and read it in about 3-4 days. It is an easy read and the main characters are very believable." Rozalin D. Williams (Detroit, Michigan).

"This is the first book that I have read by Alretha Thomas and I must say it was a wonderful book. In 'Married in the Nick of Nine' you will find love, humor, betrayal and so much more." Mz. Tiffany (Memphis, Tennessee).

"They say you can't catch lightning in a bottle and that lightning doesn't strike in the same place twice, but I think Alretha might be proving them wrong. With three books under her belt and all three literary treasures, I think it's safe to say she goes 3 for 3 with 'MARRIED IN THE NICK OF NINE'." CA Webb (Jackson, Mississippi).

"They say the third time's the charm, and this couldn't be more true of Alretha Thomas's
captivating third novel, 'Married in the Nick of Nine.' Alretha has hit the ball out of the park with her amusing-yet-convincing portrait of Cass and Nick, two not-quite-star-crossed lovers who struggle to defy obstacles of time, distance, and skeletons in the closet." Sheryl Sorrentino (Oakland, California).

"'Married in the Nick of Nine' made me laugh, cry, get mad, and empathize with the characters. This is a must read novel. This is movie material. Hey Tyler, check this one out!" Member Circle of Friends Book Club.TRA.

"I did not want to put the book down and I read it in three days. At the end of the story, I turned the page and wanted more!!" SR Sampson.

"While reading this novel I laughed, I gasped, I got angry, and I cried. Every emotion that a good book should make you feel!" SistahFriend Book Club.

"The way I was captured from the beginning to the end reminded me of how Author Sidney Sheldon's novels mesmerized me." Amelia.

"I was given this book as a gift and could not put it down from the moment that I started I ended up finishing it in one day." L. Hassan.

"Once I opened the book, I could not put it down, eager to learn the outcome of each predicament faced by the main character, Cassandra." Chris.

Alretha says she's blown away by the response her book is getting and wants readers to know it's not just a summer read, but can be enjoyed year-round.