So You Call Yourself a Man

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.

Listen people, I highly recommend that you RUN out and get this book!!! If you don't have the $$$$ -- cash in those soda bottles baby. This is a MUST READ! I read it in 1 ½ days. On the way to and from work, at lunch and was sneaking during the work day (I photocopied the pages and they assumed that I was doing research.) LOL This book is the ultimate of the page turners. I am not going into details - read it for yourself! The people on the train thought I was deranged - I was smiling, laughing and probably talking to myself and talking to the book too. The characters - OMG - each one I loved. The turn of events, the surprises, the action, the, oh my goodness drama - need I say more. To summarize it best -- this book was just like my mothers' 7 LAYER SOCK-IT-TO-ME-SOUTH CAROLINA CAKE - from scratch, that leaves you licking your fingers it's so good. Carl, you stuck your feet in this!!!!!. Carl if you are reading this, I am so very proud of you. From Lookin' for Luv to now. I anxiously await your next book. My love to you always. This is the first one that I did not read the galley first.

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 am hard pressed to find an author as great as Carl Weber. In his latest novel entitled So You Call Yourself A Man, Carl uses Brent, James and Sonny to portray three of the most common personality traits in black men. Brent is engaged to a woman he loves deeply while his friends, James and Sonny are happily married to their beautiful wives. These men have the ideal lives or so we are led to believe. As the novel goes on, however, it provides emphasis on the famous saying "everything is not as it seems." A shock comes to the reader when secrets are revealed that were far from expected. Some advice from the wise: Pay attention to every detail for if you blink, you might miss one of the many surprising twists. Ashlee Lewis Black Men In America.com Midwest Reviewer

Kudos to Carl Weber once again for his talent and writing ability. I have read all of Mr. Weber's books and each one keeps getting better and better. This time around he introduces us to James the family man, Brent the devoted christian, and Sonny the heartbroken family man. James and his wife Cathy have rekindled their marriage and are riding high on their newfound love of one another, however a mistress that James had on the side when he and his wife's marriage was on the rocks surprises him three years later telling him he has a son. James panics not knowing what to do. Throughout the story he tries to figure out how to keep his new child from his wife. But can he?? Brent, a charming, gorgeous, and God fearing man is about to lose his bachelor status and marry, Alison, his soul mate he met through the Bishop's wife. All the church women are heartbroken b/c they wanted Brent to themselves. Brent feels that Alison is all he needs in a woman, but a deep dark secret he has been suppressing for years will surface and ruin Brent's life forever. Sonny, James and Brent's bestfriend since the sandbox is relocating back to NYC from Seattle. James hooks him up with a job @ UPS. Sonny thinks everything is kosher dill b/c he is going to move his family back to the east coast and they are going to live a happy life. However, his wife Jessica has a rude awakening for him. She sends Sonny packing and leaves no trace of her and kids. Sonny soon replaces his family with his high school sweetheart Tiffany who feels that Jessica made a big mistake letting Sonny go. Could Tiffany be so sure? Will she find out why Jessica left him? Will she leave too?? This book is fiyah. If you are ready for some good wholesome reading, you definitely have to pick this up. Mr. Weber never disappoints so this book is WELL WORTH IT!!