I can’t say enough about authors who thoroughly researches what is to be exposed as serious copy for good literary effect. Stories that grip you in the beginning never turning you loose, are those that gives reasons to hang around for the denouement. Virginia DeBerry and Donna are stereotypical in a good way as their ongoing love affair with Harlem continues to reverberate telling the tale of the Dixon real estate empire reiterating how selfishness, greed and egotism, can destroy a family's work and reputation with overtones that further fans the fires of discontent. Their latest contribution to their reputations is a book entitled, UPTOWN. Familial order is always the goal of family striving for unity, but in the Dixon household it all unravels when tragedy and old wounds surfaces when a set of circumstances causes turmoil. As the story unfolds DeBerry and Grant wastes no time in showing their story-telling prowess as they elicit questions that need to be answered. What happens when one faction of a family makes a decision without the approval from another? Better yet, when secrets are unearth and there’s no reasonable explanations about alleged shady family dealings the story takes off!
This is a classic story of literary worth where characters are defined in unlimiting detail swirling around a storyline all too familiar with themes we’re all aware of in life. It’s has a lot to do with different wrenches turning the screws for a tight story teeming with intrigue that highlights conflict and good contrast. To wit: Avery Lyons wish things could have been like there were before she left after 20 years of foreign service. Albeit, it’s a drastic turn when she realizes that wounds and scars are synonymous, especially with dealing with her cousin Dwight Dixon. A balance hangs in the air that begs to be equal to what has to be righted on both sides of the spectrum. Her mother is sick, eventually succumbs and a controversies arises relative to the past catches up to the future. The real question that the story will demand is, will their already stretched-to-the-limit family legacy survive the new set of problematic issues? Or will their real-estate empire and past success dissolve before their eyes?
I loved this story from the beginning. It didn’t start out in tedious fashion like most stories that are full of dramatic interludes. It moved moderately along with just the right amount of spacing for each character to make a name for themselves based on the authors’ penchant for interesting behavior patterns. You can’t go wrong with this duo -- they are winners, and good writers to boot! DeBerry and Grant nails this one with timely and essential universal themes with this dramatic, epic and tragic story of triumph and failure; forgetfulness and forgiveness; and betrayals among secrets that can unravel any family’s faith in what needs to be done to bring it back full circle. Readers undoubtedly can be winners with this story much more for it’s entertaining value and attention to the things that may not be unfamiliar to all of us. I rated the book 5 out of 5 stars, despite a few minor bouts of predictability, which took nothing away from the setting and what they brought to the table. This story is not just for DeBerry and Grant fans as it is for everyone wanting and needing a better book to soothe and tantalize. Buy this book...you won’t be disappointed!
