Rating: 
Summary: Empty calories
Review: When my book club picked "Got To Be Real" recently, I was looking forward to a breezy but smart summer read. Unfortunately, much of the book is pretty cheesy and mediocre. I really wanted to like this collection, if only to support the guys who are adding their voices to the contemporary fiction genre. The best thing the book has going for it is the team of Eric Jerome Dickey and Colin Channer. While their stories were a little tedious, they at least attempted something different than the typical brothers-in-love stuff. Beyond lots of steamy scenes, E. Lynn Harris' contribution is thin. I was particularly turned off by Marcus Major's story about the evolution of a troubled relationship. I had a hard time believing that anyone would find the shallow male character appealing, and the dialogue isn't exactly whip-smart. If you must read this book, check it out from a library and save your money.
Rating: 
Summary: A book to read
Review: I found all of the stories in this book to be excellent. I couldn't put the book down until I read all of the stories. One particular story in this book, I found exciting, is I'm Still Waiting by Colin Channer. This story went between the US and Jamaica. I would highly recommend this book to everyone. All of these stories are different, from one another, but deal with the same topic; LOVE. This book deals with heterosexual and homosexual relationships. It leaves no one out. It is a very inculsive book. Read it and you will be satisfied. I guarantee it.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Novel
Review: I really loved this book. All the authors did an wonderful job. Eric's story was a little weak but it was still good. E. Lynn always does a wonderful job on any of his writings. This was really good for him and I hope he gives us more of Kenoy and Jimmy. Marcus's story was just superb. I was crying at the end and wanting more. I couldn't wait to read Good People and was glad that he had Amir and Kenya in there. Then to Colin's story. It took a while for me to get it but I did finally get his message and was overjoyed with his writing. I think he is a great author and his writing are the usually thing. He flows with his own idea and way and that is someti=hing you don't find very often with todays writers. Keep up the good work Colin.
Rating:
Summary: Read It, Gentlemen
Review: All of the stories in this book have one thing in common (regardless of how they end)--they are all about love. I had a tough time with Dickey's piece at first because I wanted so badly for the lovers to get together, but then I realized what he was doing. Because their love is beautiful and pure, there is always the chance in the future that they will get together. Channer, of course, followed up his powerhouse debut WAITING IN VAIN with another winner. The man can't write a bad story. I loved Harris's story even though I am staunchly heterosexual. If guys are skipping this one, they shouldn't. Read it, gentlemen, and you'll be touched as I was. I had never read anything by Major before, and now I can add him to my list of writing champions. I just wish they were all happy endings.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed...
Review: I love Eric J. Dickey but it appeard he did not put much into this story. E. Lynn Harris I've not been able to get into his literature. ( a personal thing)Marcus Major story was alright, the only story that I really got into was Colin Channer. I did enjoy his story and the message from his story. Sorry guys, expected more, but I won't give up on ya...
Rating: 
Summary: Waste of Time
Review: There must be something in the water these days. Something that is causing African-American authors to speak freely about sexuality. This freedom of expression seemed non-existent as recently as two years ago. It was considered taboo. Now, all bets are off. Such is the case with Got To Be Real, a collection of four original love stories penned by some of America's most famous African-American male authors. In Cafè Piel, Eric Jerome Dickey takes you on an escapade with Bobby as he travels to Mexico in search of a man that owes him thousands of dollars for photography assignments he was commissioned for. During his time there, Bobby--one of the characters from Dickey's novel Friends and Lovers, falls for the sexy Alejandria. Alejandria is involved with John, the man that Bobby has come to find. It is a story of forbidden intimacy that is entertaining and well-written. In Kenya and Amir, Marcus Majors clues us in on how Amir, the brother of Myles--the main character from his novel Good Peoples, gives up his playboy ways and falls in love with Kenya. By the time you get to Good Peoples, Kenya and Amir are married with twins and it was delightful to gain firsthand knowledge of how Kenya won over Amir's heart. Marcus Majors is extremely gifted, especially when it comes to dialogue, and is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. In Money Can't Buy Me Love, E. Lynn Harris talks about the romantic dreams of James Whitmore Thorton. James is sick of fly-by-night love affairs and is searching for a man to settle down with. The only problem is that when Mr. Perfect finally walks through his door, so do all of his secrets. It was refreshing to see E. Lynn Harris step away from his infamous character Basil and I look forward to seeing him doing that more often. In I'm Still Waiting, Colin Channer takes us on a detailed journey to Jamaica where Michael Chin-See, a legendary music producer, comes out of semi-retirement to help boost the faltering career of the lovely Patience Olayinka. As always, Channer's descriptions draw the reader in and makes it seem like you are actually there. While I would like to give this book a four, I can't because of the poor editing job done by the publishing house. I don't know if there was a tight time frame that had to be met, but I was very disappointed that a major house would put a book on the market that has so many errors. After awhile, they begin to take away from the pleasure of the reading experience.
Rating:
Summary: 5 stars for all 4 authors!
Review: To say the most is to say the least. It is time to give credit to four well-deserving authors on a book I read 2 months ago.....Eric Jerome Dickey, who I've been familiar with for the past few years, did a wonderful job with his short story. Although I thought Cafe Piel was a little dry in the beginning for someone of Dickey's stature, it paid off in the end. Keep up the good work Eric. Marcus Major's work is something I have to get used to. This is the 1st encounter with one of his stories. Marcus, you did a stupendous job! I loved this story (Kenya was very smart and wise!). What more can I say? Everyone will cry and laugh when they read this story. E. Lynn Harris, I have enjoyed all of your books (all 6 that I own) and I am looking forward to your new book coming out this summer. I enjoyed this short story as well. You are definitely a man of many talents. Colin Channer, new to the game, as far as I am concerned. What was surprising is this was the only story in the book I had to finish, without putting the book down. I actually look forward to getting to the end of the story (which really didn't suprise me). Your character Patience, held her stamina and basically thought she was running the show. However, little did she know what was in store for her. Keep up the good work Colin! Yes, this book definitely deserved 5 stars for all 4 authors. Maybe we can get 4 women authors to repeat the process. One day, I anticipate meeting all 4 authors and acquiring signatures on my book. Thanks for making it a success!
Rating:
Summary: Got To Be Real
Review: Another addition to the A List of books you MUST Read! I've been an avid reader for years especially of african-american authors, it has only been in the last three years that I expanded my criterion to male authors. Since then, I am a true fan of Eric Jerome Dickey, Marcus Major, E. Lynn Harris and now the wonderfully well written Colin Channer. Mr. Channer's story was my favorite, I'm sure other fans as myself are hoping for a full novel. However, in the meantime I am in the midst of "waiting in vain" and is highly anticipating his latest release, "Satisfy My Soul". I am sure that it will be just as provacative & "THRILLING" as his other stories.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I was upset with Mr. Dickey's story, because he usually writes better than that. I don't know maybe he was in a hurry. I liked Marcus story a little better. Mr Harris I don't know, I guess I expected a little more from him. After I was so disappointed with the first three stories I didn't even bother to read Colin Channer's story, besides I tried reading waiting in vain and just couldn't get into it.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I was very disappointed with this book. The stories by E. Lynn Harris and Marcus Major were very good stories. But I was bored with the stories by Eric Jerome Dickey and Colin Channer. I have always been a fan of Dickey's books; his other books have been so easy to read. However, in this book, I never could get into the story. The story was slow from beginning to end. I found the story by Channer to be boring also. I wouldn't recommend anyone buying this book. Check it out of the library, borrow it from a friend, but don't purchase it.
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