Rating:  Summary: The greatest love stories of all time. Review: The book, Got to be real, was a wonderful book, all four authors, did a great job, of coming together, and creating such wonderful love stories. It's a must, you have to read this book, I read it, in three hours, and plan to read it again, you will be reading page, after page, and you will want more, so I suggest, you check out the other books, that the authors have wrote, I have, but still have a little bit more to go, and future books to read, and buy. much love, to all the authors
Rating:  Summary: Pretty Good Review: All in all, this book was pretty good. I picked it up because I have previously read books by Eric Jerome Dickey, E. Lynn Harris, and Marcus Major and I enjoy their writings. Their stories in this book were exceptionally good. I enjoyed every one of them. However, I could only give this book 4 stars because I didn't enjoy Colin Channer's story at all. It just wasn't interesting to me and it really didn't make much sense. I don't know, maybe I have to read it again. Anyway, definitely get this book, because 3 out of 4 ain't bad.
Rating:  Summary: ???Lost, Confused, Bored??? Review: This book was not real at all and did not leave me wanting more. I was really dissapointed in Eric Jerome Dickey's part of the story because it seemed to not have a real plot or theme. E. Lynn Harris was cool bt he seemed to move a bit slower than usual.The worst story ever written in the United States would have to be the one by Colin Channer. GOODNESS!! I tried so many times to read his last irrelevant story but i couldn't because i fell asleep due to BOREDOM. My favorite story was by Marcus Major. This was in fact a REAL story. It shows just how much bull a black woman will take from a man that she loves. All in all- please don't waste your time.
Rating:  Summary: "I'm Still Waiting" by Colin Channer Review: "I'm Still Waiting," is an enthralling tale about a (former) producer's return to the music industry in an attempt to save a gifted but troubled singer from a destructive path. While reconstructing Patience's shattered career in Jamaica, Michael crosses paths with his ex-wife and greatest love, Mia. Although they both have new, separate lives, Michael and Mia are now forced to decide if their flame is worth rekindling, or whether it is better left extinguished. "I'm Still Waiting," is a stimulating short story by Colin Channer and a worthy distraction from life's stress. Channer's impressive writing shapes real characters in a sizzling storyline with a seductive backdrop of the Caribbean. Easy to read but hard to put down, Channer's short romance leaves the reader satisfied, and yet greedy for more. On the real, "I'm Still Waiting" is honest, absorbing, and erotic. Essentially, "I'm Still Waiting" is love - dipped in chocolate.
Rating:  Summary: Fifty-fifty Review: "Got To Be Real" is a refreshing take on the contemporary African-American love-story landscape. While reading the novellas, I found myself casting roles for the screen. I'd particularly like to see Colin Channer's "I'm Still Waiting" on film -- it might be a friendlier medium. It's a compelling story with memorable characters, including a Sino-Jamaican music producer and "Patience," an Afro-Brit recording artist whose name belies her temperament. I look forward to the film version of "Waiting" because the text boasts some of the most Faulknerian prose poised to rival any offered by Toni Morrison, minus the mysticism: "Loosening his shirt, he moved toward the bathroom. In the base of his neck a vertebra was feeling like the nut that held his shearing shoulder blades. In the mirror his torso was a copper line that halved his copper shirt. And as he watched without watching, saw without seeing, a man who looked like him -- oblong face -- high, flat cheeks ... eyes like cowrie shells -- placed his palms atop his head and dribbled down his chin and neck. ... [H]e was embarrassed in his own reflection. He touched his fingers to the glass. The tips were raw from playing [guitar]. Both hands on the mirror, he tried to hide himself. But the man was still observing him through cracks between his fingers, brows underscoring scribbled lines of worry." And on and on it goes, passage after passage of labored description. Despite the authority of the writing, after wading through the prose, it was difficult to care about the story. E. Lynn Harris' legion of followers clearly puts me in the minority when I say that I found "Money Can't Buy Me Love" offensive -- not because of the depictiion of same-sex love, but because of his narrowly drawn African-American gay men. The flaming and the screeching impedes an otherwise engaging story about a lovelorn, in-the-market man who's unable to discern between a hustler and a domestic-partnership prospect. Just as Colin Channer takes us on a tour of Jamaica's striking landscape, so are we treated similarly to Mexico with Eric Jerome Dickey's "Café Piel" -- a nice, straightforward snapshot of a California photographer who undergoes a reawakening on his journey to retrieve some cash he's owed. Speaking of straightforward, kudos to Marcus Major for "Kenya and Amir." He manages to get us to the point through a rainstorm of drama with no unnecessary delays, connecting flights or lengthy layovers -- all without sacrificing any of the conflict, tension, flavor or colorful and witty dialogue. Way to keep it real, Brotha Major.
Rating:  Summary: Not my cup of tea!!!!! Review: I only liked the first two stories of this book the last two were a big dissapointment. I do not want to read about two gay me getting it on and I was very dissapointed with the ending of the last story he should have ended up with patience instead of his ex-wife I do not even see the reason for even bringing her in the story. This book was a big dissapointment; I would not recommend this to anyone!!
Rating:  Summary: Not Real! Review: This was a book club recommendation, which left me wanting to read a "real" book. I was not impressed with any of the stories. The first one left me stumped! I am still trying to understand what the author was trying to get across to his audience. What was the theme? As to the second story, I am waiting for the ending. How long will this man sit in the stairwell - I know it is fiction, but can we have a dose of reality here. The third story is typical E.Lynn Harris, one of my favorite authors. However, he lost some of his fervor in writing this story. It did not have the substance found in his other novels. The last story is simply the worst. It was tedious and painful to read. Too detailed, nothing left to the immagination, too many quotes from Bob Marley's songs, too much of everything.
Rating:  Summary: Read it to Sleep Review: I think this book gets hype because of the four authors and not the actual stories they wrote. I forced myself to read most of this book only because I made the mistake of buying it. It didn't move me at all. I give it 2 stars - one star for each of the TWO stories worth reading. Try reading this book when you're suffering from insomnia. I guarantee you'll be out in no time.
Rating:  Summary: The title says it all. Review: If there was ever a book that I would like to see continued stories on, this is it! Every story in this book have the amazing ability to touch my soul. The characters in all of the stories are your friends, family and maybe even yourself. "I'm Still Waiting" by Colin Channer was the best love story ever with an exciting twist at the end that leaves you wanting more. I surely hope that there will be a follow up to this story. I would love to see where these two hearts will go.
Rating:  Summary: Real Men Write!!! Review: I picked up Got To Be Real because I am a fan of E. Lynn Harris, Eric Jerome Dickey, and Colin Channer. Marcus Major has just been added to that list! I like the romanticism in each story; each author shines in his own way. The resulting collaboration is like a buffet: a li'l sumthin' sumthin' for everyone! EJD's "Cafe Piel" was OK, but a bit drier than his books. "Money Can't Buy Me Love" by ELH was very sweet, but a bit more in-your-face than I expected (woo chile!). I really enjoyed "Kenya and Amir" by MM; I ran out and bought his first book, Good Peoples, after reading this story (I wrote a review for that one too). My favorite of them all is "I'm Still Waiting" by CC; the man is simply a genius with metaphors! Overall, this is a book to read and reminisce, perhaps with that special perfect one, perhaps not. Makes a great gift,too, especially for someone who has not had the pleasure of being introduced to these four fine authors.
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