Hello. Thank you for having me on dru’s book musings. My name is Ellice Littlejohn.

I’m the Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Houghton Transportation in Atlanta, Georgia. I’m responsible for overseeing the company’s legal matters as well as executive-level supervision of the company’s Legal Department. Prior to working for Houghton, I worked at the law firm of Dillon & Beck here in Atlanta. I earned my law degree from Yale University and my undergraduate degree from Georgetown University. I’m also an alum of Coventry Academy Prep in Virginia. My resume is impressive. So is my wardrobe. It has to be because I’m the lone Black person in the executive suite. I was taught if you’re Black, you have to work twice as hard to get ahead and command the respect that is freely given to people who don’t share my skin tone. As for my personal life. It’s just that. Personal. I’m not in the habit of discussing my personal life freely. It’s just who I am.

My recent promotion to Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Houghton Transportation has been my dream job. Unfortunately, it came at the cost of a man’s life. You see, I was recently promoted to replace my boss after his unexpected passing. I’d rather not discuss the details surrounding his death. Let’s just say I found his body and things have spiraled out of control ever since.

So, what’s a typical day like for me as? The days are quite busy. I usually start by going through the emails at the top of the day to make sure I haven’t missed anything pressing since the previous evening. There’s usually a round of meetings with my colleagues to discuss the company’s matters and any legal pressing issues. I meet with my staff as well as others in the company to discuss ongoing legal issues. But lately, all those things have taken a backseat to what’s happened.

Shortly after my promotion, I learned of Houghton’s involvement in a deal with an international company, but I couldn’t find any details about the deal. It concerned me. As general counsel for the company, I should be aware of all legal transactions we are involved in. I knew something wasn’t right. I had what my Aunt Vera calls a “God sense” about it. My new colleagues here in the executive suite are . . . shall we say interesting. And I don’t trust any of them. You wouldn’t either if you knew what I know. And now, things have taken a nosedive. Remember that personal life I mentioned that I don’t like to talk about? Well, once I began to dig into that mysterious international transaction, it seems as if my personal and professional lives collided. Now, all my worst fears have come true. Suddenly, I’m caught in this impossible ethical and moral dilemma, and I have no way to escape. Things from my past that I’d rather leave in the past are starting to surface. I’m afraid this promotion could very well become my undoing.

All Her Little Secrets
Genre: Thriller
Release: November 2021
Purchase Link

Everyone has something to hide. . .

Ellice Littlejohn seemingly has it all: an Ivy League law degree, a well-paying job as a corporate attorney in midtown Atlanta, great friends, and a “for fun” relationship with a rich, charming executive, who just happens to be her white boss. But everything changes one cold January morning when Ellice arrives in the executive suite and finds him dead with a gunshot to his head.

And then she walks away like nothing has happened. Why? Ellice has been keeping a cache of dark secrets, including a small-town past and a kid brother who’s spent time on the other side of the law. She can’t be thrust into the spotlight—again.

But instead of grieving this tragedy, people are gossiping, the police are getting suspicious, and Ellice, the company’s lone black attorney, is promoted to replace her boss. While the opportunity is a dream-come-true, Ellice just can’t shake the feeling that something is off.

When she uncovers shady dealings inside the company, Ellice is trapped in an impossible ethical and moral dilemma. Suddenly, Ellice’s past and present lives collide as she launches into a pulse-pounding race to protect the brother she tried to save years ago and stop a conspiracy far more sinister than she could have ever imagined. . .

Meet the author
Wanda M. Morris is a corporate attorney who has worked in the legal departments for several Fortune 100 companies. An accomplished presenter and leader, Morris has previously served as President of the Georgia Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel and is the founder of its Women’s Initiative, an empowerment program for female in-house lawyers. An alumna of the Yale Writers Workshop and Robert McKee’s Story Seminar, she is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Crime Writers of Color. Morris is married, the mother of three, and lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Learn more at wandamorriswrites.com or follow Morris on social media: Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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