"Paradise with an Expiration Date"
Reviewed by Sandra Wurman
Posted June 27, 2014
Romance Contemporary
For those of you--like myself--that are unfamiliar with
Christi Barth waste no time in getting UP TO ME, the first
book in her Shore Secrets Trilogy. It's sure to whet
your appetite for more. I didn't realize until finishing
this wonderful story there were more to follow. But what I
did realize almost immediately is that I wanted to know more
about these rather unique characters Barth created out
of her talented imagination. Each scene is more vivid than
the last. Barth really makes you part of the story which
endears her to me as a true sucker for a great story filled
with lovable, touchable characters. I have too many favorite
scenes to mention, and of course I wouldn't want to spoil it
for all of you.Sitting around a table with the locals,
and their sometimes biting dialog, made me feel right at
home.
Be prepared to fall in love with a town steeped in tradition
and friendships that are lifelong. The town seems to be too
good to be true; their motto could be "we take care of our
own."
Have you even wished for a way to unload your angst and
worries; a way to think aloud without actually making a
commitment to an idea or a decision. Well the mailbox
journal is the outcome of such a desire. When life gets too
complicated, the journal becomes a way to give voice to
decisions that had to be made or just tangles in life. It
is a way to vent. The journal winds up giving a sense
of solace to many who decide to visit the mailbox and put a
personal entry into the book. Identities are secure since
the entries don't really need to be signed.
In a small town like Seneca Lake, secret identities are
rarely all that secret. Ella Mayhew isn't concerned with
people knowing some of the entries are hers. This town
became her support group during a time of trial she refers
to as the Disaster Day. Following her personal tragedy, she
needed help in assuring that the decisions she was making
were solid and good -- not impaired by the devastating
nature of her life at that moment. She comes through this
tragedy as an independent, sassy woman but still harbors
some insecurities.
This resilient woman attracts the attention of Graydon Locke
immediately. This is a major surprise to Gray, who admirably
separates his business life from his personal one. There is
much about Gray's life he prefers to hide. His job is to
ferret out weaknesses in businesses and report those
weaknesses to his bosses, who swoop down and basically
swallow those businesses. This happens all the time, and the
small businesses' identity and character get lost in the
shuffle.
The newest target by Gray's bosses is Ella's hotel.
Gray's attempts to cool things off with Ella actually angers
him. It seems the town is expressing their worry that Ella
will get her heart broken by a man like Gray: a man a little
too slick for a small town. Gray'll be damned if he'd lets
entries in a journal decide his future with Ella.
Gray's been straddling the line between decent and deceitful
for so long he questions his ability to tell the difference.
The folks in Seneca Lake are showing him just what life
should be. What would he give up to live this way and is he
ready to make that giant leap -- not only with his heart and
soul but with an investment that supersedes any he has ever
made? It is the ultimate gamble, but the rewards could be
amazing.
UP TO ME can almost qualify as a play with a talented group
of actors that engage the audience with every line they
speak. If you are looking for a good, summer, beach read,
look no further. UP TO ME is a candid look at people whose
lives seem to be an open book but who harbor some intriguing
secrets. The joy is in uncovering these secrets through
snappy dialog thanks to Christi Barth.
Learn more about Up to Me
SUMMARY
Ella Mayhew's always appreciated the beautiful view of
Seneca Lake from the spa window of her family's hotel.But
the view improves dramatically when a hot stranger runs
across the grounds—shirtless. He's the first man to
kickstart her hormones in the three years since she lost
her
parents, and she doesn't even know his name. Graydon Locke's on his umpteenth undercover assignment.
The
routine's always the same: assess a business, recommend
it
for closure, then roll out before anyone discovers his
decisions impact hundreds of lives. He's always believed
nothing good comes out of small towns. Why would this one
be
different? Then he makes two classic rookie mistakes—
falling
for the sweet, sexy girl who owns the very business he's
on
the verge of axing. And letting the town's residents get
involved in both his life, and his relationship with
Ella. Ella's the best thing to ever happen to Gray, but he's
lied
to her from the start. If he pulls the plug on Mayhew
Manor,
the entire town may crumble. Ella couldn't save her
parents,
but it's up to her to save their hotel. Even if that
means
turning her back on true love.
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