Book Reviews

"Vicki Allen writes with passion and charm, and she knows the South. This is a heroine and book to cherish."
Carolyn Hart, Pulitzer Prize Nominated Author of Letters From Home

"For Molly: a great read! The descriptive writing, character development and story are first-rate."
Danny Williams, morning host KOMA radio

"A compelling story of a remarkable young woman who faces life with grit and determination..."
Maria Weaver, Hammond Daily Star

"This novel grabs you with its captivating characters and well-crafted story and won't let go. Reading it is inspiring and rewarding."
April Wilkerson, Entertainment Editor,
The Shawnee News-Star

"Ms. Vicki Allen made a note on the title page of my recently purchased copy of For Molly: "Hope this makes you laugh and smile--and cherish precious friendships!" Her fabulous book, indeed, did that for me. However, I also grieved, cried, and on one occasion thought that the kinship I felt for Ashley Stewart was too unbearable to read any further. I proceeded to finish the book, though, and I am so very glad that I did.

As a teacher for the past four years, I have tried to reveal to my high school English students that literature is an imitation of life. Considering that definition of the term, I must say that For Molly is truly literature at its finest..."

Jessica L. Dunn

"Although the writing at the beginning of this book is a bit amateurish, the author settles in soon and so does the reader. The characters are so identifiable that you'll swear you knew them once upon a time. With her engaging style, Allen emblazons them upon your heart ... months later, you'll suddenly think about Ashley and wonder how she's doing, maybe even think about going to the drugstore downtown to check on her, then you realize she was a character in a book. While it may be a little different for me, since this book is set in the town where I live and that drugstore actually exists, I do believe you'll feel the same way about Ashley, her friends, her loves, and her family. A wonderful story about the innocence of youth, the pathos of life, and the demons we all must face sooner or later. (And if you enjoy this book, be sure to read the sequel: The Return.)"

"This is the first time in a long time that a book has been so good that it made me laugh, cry and hope with all my heart. I couldn't seem to put it down, except when my tears were blurring the pages or I was so exhausted that I could not read another word."
Darcy Jenkins, Moore, Oklahoma

"Characters you'll really care about---there comes a point when you can't put it down!"
Randy Reynolds, KEZP-FM, Alexandria, Louisiana

"For Molly is the most wonderful story I've read in some time. I fell in love with the characters and just hated to see the story end. It truly touched my heart."
Janet Hall, Alexandria, Virginia

"I neglected the house, Kids and husband to finish this book - IT WAS GREAT! Overall, I thought is was a great story and it kept me interested the whole way through, excited to turn the page."
Robin Wallis, Edmond, Oklahoma

"A charming tale of self-discovery with southern flair. This book satisfied me like a big ol' helping of Red Beans and Rice!"
Suzanne Lafargue, Dallas, Texas

"Literally could not put it down. Devoured all from first to final page. Vicki Allen's eye for fine points and atmosphere made me feel I had stepped back into luscious Louisiana. Emotional, yet empowering!"
Karen McMillen, Marietta, Georgia

"Vivid characters, dynamic dialogue.... great story line! I picked up FOR MOLLY and could not put it down. Vicki Allen's propensity to write captivating dialogue is the catalyst that drives this book. There's an emotional story told here and the characters are ones the reader doesn't soon forget. The details, which provide the Louisiana and Oklahoma settings, are reminiscent of the time frame when FOR MOLLY occurs. There's great writing talent here and it provides a fascinating reading experience for the person who delves into FOR MOLLY. What's the best compliment a read can give? I didn't want it to end!"
Karen Brantley, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

"FOR MOLLY is a must for 'coming of age' teens, boys and girls alike. A true to life drama: it stirs emotions and touches the heart! A captivating book, FOR MOLLY takes you from laughter at the teenager we all were, or wanted to be, through the tears of loss, to anger at the cruelty of self-centeredness, then leaves you with the rightness of life as love dose conquer all FOR MOLLY illustrates the importance of making wise decisions. It shows the strength of character needed to live with the consequences of our decisions or, when necessary, to admit we made a mistake and ask for help! Look for strong family ties and forever friendships that truly define the word friend."
T.J. King, Edmond, Oklahoma

"Huge Fan! A Salute to Vicki Allen!
I'm still reading this first book! The characters come to life as soon as you open this amazing book, about love and love lost. A young girls struggle to understand why life can be so beautiful one minute and so devastating the next. A very stubborn southern girl, which I picture as a younger Ms. Scarlet. I have laughed out-loud and I have literally wept while reading passages from this wonderful book! Get ready for a roller coaster ride of emotions, when you read a book by Vicki Allen. The best descriptive writer of our time. She writes as if she's painting the characters and scenes with her pen! 'For Molly' is a treasure! Thank you! Always Oland"
Robert Oland Whitlock, President of What A Media Inc.

"A replacement for Lavyrle Spencer!!! At last a replacement for Lavyrle Spencer, since she has retired and no longer writing the good books we enjoyed so much, Vicki is the perfect replacement. The book was a real page turner but not so deep that it was hard to get into. I loved it!!"
Alice, an avid reader, retired from Kmart

"I really enjoyed For Molly, It was a story that many girls and women can relate to. It was heartwarming and I couldn't put it down!"
A Reviewer

"Made This Grown Man Cry... Although I seldom read fiction, I picked this one up because I was curious to see how this author portrayed us Louisiana folks. You know, we're not all Cajuns like you see on TV. As I was sitting in my recliner trying to hide my tears from my wife, I remembered why I didn't read books like this. Being a slow reader, throughout the week it took me to read, I found myself constantly thinking about the decisions that the primary character made, and how our lives are carved from those situations that we have absolutely no control over. Sorry to ramble, in short, the book as great. The author did a nice job with the Louisiana stuff, and an even better job with the storyline. I'll give her next one to my wife as a gift..."
Steve Blackwell, a 36 year old sales manager.

"A Terrific Read..... This is the first time in a long time that I got so deeply involved in a story and fell so deeply in love with a set of characters. The descriptive passages are so good that I felt like I was actually there---right there with Ashley, Susanna and Kate, sharing all their experiences. I laughed with them and the good times and sobbed with them at the bad. And now that I'm finished with For Molly, I miss them! Where's The Sequel???"
Z.C., a 28-year old office manager.

"Sometimes you just want to read a story that makes you feel good inside--a story that makes you want to call your family members and tell them you love them, tell them you were thinking of them and tell them you appreciate them for all they've been and all they are. A book that can do that is "The Search for Shannon"...If you're searching for a nice, warm book, look no more." Jonathan Shipley, The Daily Oklahoman

"In THE SEARCH FOR SHANNON, Vicki Allen has created a beautiful, uplifting story of family love and devotion. The depth of the characters is what makes this book joyous, poignant and captivating." April Wilkerson, Entertainment Editor, The Shawnee News-Star

"Move over Danielle Steele...there's new girl in town! In 'The Search for Shannon', Vicki Allen does a masterful job of weaving the lives of four contemporary women into an involving story. The characters have you laughing one minute and crying the next, and are so real they could be next-door neighbors. I really hated to see the story end. When's the sequel?"
Pat Hoge

"The Search For Shannon is set in Mississippi and southeast Georgia. Author Vicki Allen presents a gripping novel about four disparate women brought together by the birth and the subsequent adoption of a child. There is Andie, an elusive blonde who fled her Texas hometown with a deeply hidden secret, only to return twenty years later to right wrongs and reveal the truth. Dana is Andie's daughter, raised by her father and who could have anything she wants -- except for the one thing she longs for most. Zoë is the golden child, torn between two families and the question of her heritage. The Search For Shannon is a thoroughly engaging and satisfying novel from beginning to end."
Reviewer: Midwest Book Review, Oregon, WI.

"The Search For Shannon is a wonderful story of love lost and found again for a group of friends, family and lovers. I simply could not put it down from the moment I began reading! The way Ms. Allen dove into each character's thoughts and background made you feel as if he/she was a personal friend. When you finished reading it, you want to pick up the phone and tell all of your friends and family how much you love and appreciate them. 'The Search for Shannon' is a "feel good" book that is a MUST to read."
Melissa Rice, Edmond, Oklahoma

“Vicki Allen's novel, The Return, is the story of Ashley Stewart, a divorced woman who thought she had found a tranquil place to raise her child and lasting happiness with her second marriage. But a dark threat looms just beyond her sight, threatening all she holds dear, for the man who nearly destroyed her sanity years ago is back. Also highly recommended is Vicki Allen's first book in this emotionally gripping series: For Molly.” Midwest Book Review

"Vicki Allen creates powerful, true-to-life characters who draw the reader from page to page. The Return is a wonderful, compelling read, continuing the story begun in For Molly." Charlotte Miller, author of There Is A River; Through A Glass, Darkly; and Behold, This Dreamer

“Setting a trend with another great book! The Return was everything I expected and more. Teasing the imagination and capturing the heart, Vicki throws in unexpected twists and jaw dropping surprises. Another must read from this amazing author.” Tiffany King, Odessa, TX

“I was hooked on page 1! I couldn't put it down and finished it in less than a day! Ms. Allen has the ability to get and keep your interest in the story, then POW! surprising you by throwing tragedy into the lives of the characters you have grown to love. At one point I even threw the book on the bed and shouted "I hate you!" to Ms. Allen for allowing so much grief to hit the characters. I can't explain why, but I really bonded with the main character. Reading "For Molly" first will give you more background and insight to the characters in "The Return". A must read for teenagers and older!” Teresa Curtis, Edmond, OK

“I hated for The Return to end. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Dougie for President!”—Amy Benson, Columbus, GA

“It was excellent, well worth the wait. After reading For Molly, I felt like I knew the characters so well and when I started The Return, I felt the same way. It was absolutely wonderful!” Amy Halverson, Oklahoma City, OK

“The Return was wonderfully written. I couldn’t put it down and was pulled into the story just like with For Molly.” Shauna Ward, Oklahoma City, OK