So You Call Yourself A Man

Having grown up together comes as no comfort to central characters; James Robinson, Brent Williams, and Sonny Harrison as they face the troubles they have created in their own lives. James tries to hide a secret that he is all too aware will eventually be exposed. How can he keep his dirty little secret for just a little longer when at any moment his web of lies will unravel?

Brent looking forward to everything in his prefect bride-to-be, and a recently saved Christian, sincerely puts his best foot forward. But wouldn't you know the devil is hard at work and the question becomes will Brent succumb to Satan's dark susurrations and take the low road, committing a dastardly injustice in the process or will he realize all he needs to arm himself within his struggle is, Matthew 23:16?

While away in a desperate job search, Sonny's wife unrepentantly leaves him. Settling in New York and reunited with his friends, Sonny quickly shakes this minor setback. Determined to have a happy family life, he hopes that he will find all that he seeks in his new love interest, former high school sweetheart, Tiffany Boyd and her children. Will true happiness come at a price too high for all involved?

I am certain that I would not be alone in saying that Mr. Weber has mastered what he does. Unlike some Urban writers, Mr. Weber does not overwhelm his characters with dilemma upon dilemma. Never once did I wonder why a character had not leapt from a cliff or at the least suffered some sort of stress related meltdown.

This story moves quickly and by page fifty, I felt as if the central characters were old friends that I assumed I knew well. As always, it is never good to assume. `So You Call Yourself A Man,' contains clever yet plausible twists that led me in one direction in my thinking when all of time and without a clue the story was heading elsewhere. I really enjoyed not being able to second-guess the outcome of any of the given situations. `So You Call Yourself A Man,' also contains an element of suspense that compelled me to skip ahead, but of course, I could not and besides I did not want to miss a single word. Even for those who do not generally read this genre, I would recommend this title. It is the standard by which Urban fiction writers should gauge their work.

APOOO BookClub

I do agree with the others that I enjoy all of Carl Weber's writings. The Preacher's Son has definitely earned its New York Bestseller's award. However, So You Call Yourself A Man has left me dumbfounded and speechless, and not in a good way. Having read at least one hundred novels in my young lifetime, I know that I have just read a good novel when I am left wondering about characters long after reading the last page. With this book, however, I was glad that it was over so that the intense and overwhelmingly sad drama could be over. With Weber's other books, the drama is tolerable enough to end with a good twist, but rest for the characters. This book ends with unrest for the characters, and the reader as well. This was definitely not a favorite for me. Better luck next time! Still love Carl Weber though!

Wow, Carl pulled it off again. I am still a bit speechless since finishing the book an hour ago. I called everyone I know to tell them about the book. You have got to get it, and if you have never read a Carl Weber book before (shame on you), but don't let another one of his masterpieces slip through the crack. Go get it!! Read it!!! It's a MUST!!! As always, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, each of them were definitely something. Brent, Alison and Jackie (lawd have mercy), James, Cathy, Michelle, and oh let me not even go there with Sonny, Jessica and Tiffany situation!!! Stop sitting there thinking I'm going to give you any juicy details. Go Get The Book!!!

Carl Weber is an absolute genius! "So You Call Yourself a Man" is brilliant!

This may sound sick, but Sonny was my favorite character. He was both unbalanced and hilarious. The "scene" with the roaches was classic.

I had a clue about Brent in the very beginning. Nevertheless, I must admit that I was traumatized to discover "Jackie's" true identity. I re-read that one particular sentence at least ten times. I was completely stunned.

James falling for Michelle's antics pissed me off. If I were him, I would've told her to jump right into the lake, head first. I did admire the way he bonded with Marcus even though he wasn't sure if he was the child's father.

I feel it was imperative that Carl touched the subject of homosexuality and living on the "down low" within the church. This is a delicate topic for many but I thought it was written skillfully into the storyline.

You're the man Mr. Weber. I'm going to pass "So You Call Yourself a Man" along to everyone that I know. I truly took pleasure in reading about the chaotic lives of Sonny, Brent and James. I look forward to "First Lady" in 2007.

The books was just ok. The characters developed in an unrealistic way, in my opinion. It seemed rushed, and not Carl Webber's usual best.

I'm still a fan.

In another drama-filled adventure, Weber chronicles the lives of three African-American men---who also happen to be best friends.

James and wife Cathy seem to have finally gotten their volatile marriage back on track. Everything seems to be looking up--until the one indiscretion in James's history from those troubled times makes a phone call--and announces that he is the father of her three-year-old son. James can't face telling Cathy....but what will he do when the lies run out?

Meanwhile, best friend Brent has problems of his own. Newly engaged and then married to the overweight and God-fearing Alison, no one can figure out what the gorgeous Brent sees in Alison when he has been pursued by virtually every woman in their church--married AND single. Unbeknownst to Alison, Brent has been able to resist the advances of all but one---the gorgeous Jackie. And it is not until he is caught quite literally with his pants down that Brent is ready to confess his infidelities to his church family.

Lastly, best friend Sonny is planning to return with his family to New York City from Seattle, Washington. But while Sonny has gone ahead in advance to prepare for the big move, his wife plans to make big moves of her own---and they don't involve Sonny.

With mega twists and turns and shocking plots, Mr. Weber has done it again. My only criticism would be the storyline of Sonny; his actions I just found too difficult to believe. Not that it doesn't happen, but I felt that the ring of realism and truth was missing.

All in all, the typical great Weber tale, and not to be missed.

DYB

Best-selling author, Carl Weber, has done it again with "So You Call Yourself a Man." This story of three friends, James, Sonny, and Brent, is full of twists and turns that will catch even the best sleuth off guard.

Brent Williams, a born-again Christian, is a brother who could have any woman he wanted. His fiancée' who is also a born-again Christian, is a plus size, hard working woman who is devoted to her man and her church. As the saying goes, "the mind is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Brent's best friend is James Robinson who is married with children. James and his wife Cathy grew apart over the years, but desperately fought to rebuild their relationship. Now James is fighting to keep Cathy from finding out about his affair and the child his ex-lover has just informed him that he fathered three years ago.

James and Brent have another best friend by the name of Sonny Harrison. Sonny married his wife Jessica against the advice of his friends and moved to Seattle. With James' help, Sonny lands a job at UPS and moves back to New York to reunite with his buddies. Meanwhile, Jessica has plans of her own that don't include returning to New York or reuniting with Sonny. Heartbroken for all of a day, Sonny moves on and rekindles a relationship with his high school sweetheart, Tiffany. After losing his wife Jessica, Sonny will do anything not to let this one get away.

This book gives true meaning to the phrase, "what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger." Hats off to Carl Weber for a great read!

For many years Carl Weber has taken the spot as my favorite male author. After reading this book in less than 2 days he has moved up on my scale to favorite author, period.

As many reviewers have stated the plot twists and turns in this book are riveting. I was stunned by Jackie, and even more shocked by Sonny. As usual just when you think you know where the story is going Carl takes a detour to a place you never would have imagined you'd end up.

My only issue with this book which prevents me from giving it 5 stars is that I never felt like I knew the characters. I didn't connect with them on any type of emotional level. I didn't grieve for them when their situations went sour. I didn't even remember the Bishop and Charlene until someone else pointed out to me they were from another book that I loved, but barely remembered the characters.

However, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, it was plot driven rather than character driven which makes it easier to throw in lots of curves in the road.

This is a page turner and a book I would definately recommend.

Three childhood friends-James Robinson, Sony Harrison and Brent Williams are all dealing with life's daily situations and nothing "is" as it seems. James had an affair when he and his wife were having marital problems, but now he has a son and the mother has extreme demands. Sonny lives in Seattle and has lost his job but decides to move back to New York to work at UPS, since James put in a good word for him. But his wife takes the kids and leaves him while he is starting his new job and he meets his old high school sweet heart. Brent is fine and the women are all over him, but he's dedicated to his church. He wants to marry Alison, a full-figured Christian sister, but another church member, Jackie, is chasing him and he thinks he might be in love. All three of these men have to decide on the right thing for a man to do.

I read this book in 3 days. Once I started it was hard to put down, and then the last part of the book had me up until 3 am reading. This was a very good read. I enjoyed the twists thrown in: James, his baby mama drama and his feeble attempt at hiding a secret from his wife surely catches up with him in the end; pretty boy Brent, let's just say he's getting looks from everyone; Sonny and his deceptions catch up with him and has him putting his friend in a very akward position.