Rating: 
Summary: Engaging, but Lacking
Review: While this book kept my attention, and was engaging, I was surprised by the lack of consistency in one respect and very disappointed overall. The lack of consistency surfaced often in Ira Bernstein. For example, on page 316, Ira could not decide on whether it was the white race, or the vhite race. Whether it was William, or Villiam. I was disappointed because of the extent to which vulgarity was used. I look forward to the day when black authors,especially female black authors, will choose to refrain from using vulgarity and rely on their true God-given abilities to 'tell' a story.
Rating: 
Summary: "FAST FOOD" READING
Review: I would not recommend this book to any serious reader of thrillers/mysteries, or fiction. First, the subplot is much more interesting than the main plot. Further, the main character, Patricia Conley, is the least interesting and most unsympathetic (and pathetic) character in the story. In fact, this character is annoying. Throughout the book, she refers to her fiancee by both his first and last name. Who does that? In addition, the character makes sweeping statements that are unfounded and untrue. For example, Patricia Conley analogizes what she states to be black folks' universal disavowal of slavery with the guilt felt by rape victims! Ugh! Needless to say, the book was painful to read; but I stuck with it, only to be further disappointed with the book's final plot twist. The book would have been much better if the final plot twist had been left out. It was only until I read the final pages that I thought reading the book may have been a total waste of time.
Rating: 
Summary: EXCELLENT!
Review: I picked this book up and did not put it down until the last page. Informative, emotional and real, it was a fascinated read for me.How could I not love and admire Patricia? She had the guts and the savvy to do what she had to do. I found her anger refreshing, her no hold bars attitude a welcoming type of heroine. And that opening scene had me right there with her, waiting. Ms. Coleman is a gifted writer who wields an enthralling story. I don't know when her next book is coming out, but I hope it's soon. A fan for life.
Rating:
Summary: Educational thriller.
Review: What a woman's gotta do, proved to be a thought provoking educational thriller. Eliminate one part and there is still plenty of action. A very enjoyable book and it is a must read!
Rating:
Summary: A MYSTERY WORTH WAITING FOR!
Review: Since I truly haven't read many suspense novels. I thought for a "change of pace" it would be challenging to "read something out of the norm" so I decided to read "What A Woman's Gotta Do" and I was anything but disappointed in my selection. After reading the first chapter my curiosity had definitely been "sparked" especially since Kenneth was a "no show" at the courthouse the day him and Patricia were to "jump the broom" I said to myself (Umm What's Up With This?) Patricia was also in denial even though she had identified Kenneth at the morgue. After reading the letter Kenneth had written her along with the clues in regards to the contents of the "safety deposit box" which consist of money and a "rare diamond ring," and etc. The events that occured after she learns of the contents leaves her very vulnerable which may lead to some very dangerous consequences which I truly don't feel she'll be able to handle alone. When she starts to investigate the circumstances which lead to Kenneth's death she learns about his past which was consist of secrets regarding his family and his occupation (involving his own employment) along with other information he had chosen not to discuss with her. All this new information she has discovered becomes quite "mind boggling" but she has no real friend she can trust except Cathy and their's a limit to how much she feels comfortable in revealing even to her. I just hope she "watches her back" because she definitely comes across some shady characters especially Jeff Samuels, Ira, and Mr. Biggers who bears watching. My only concern is (to what lenghts will Patricia Conley go in finding out the truth surrounding Kenneth's death) and what will she decide to do with the "rare diamond ring" which has brought nothing but harm or tragedy to those she has come in contact with and (will she be the next victim)? In hopes this scenario will heighten the curiosity of the "avid reader" who enjoys reading mystery. I would recommend this novel as a must read! Especially if you are the type who enjoy challenges and would consider taken on this case as a Private Investigator as you sit on the "edge of your seat" turning the pages of this "nail-biting" novel. Ms. Evelyn Coleman allows her readers the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of her characters, along with affording you the chance to come up with your own questions/opinions which my assist you in solving this mystery. So my suggestion(s) to you would be to make sure you take notes mental ones as well as written because each character you "STUMBLE ACROSS" is a connecting piece of this puzzle. "SO BEWARE" NOVELS I WOULD RECOMMEND: "NO HIDING PLACE" - VALERIE WILSON WESLEY, "DAMAGED" - BERNADETTE Y. CONNOR, "SOMETIMES YOU GET THE BEAR" - DAN HOLLY
Rating:
Summary: A thought-provoking, exhilarating, yet funny novel.
Review: Not only does a man gotta do what a man gotta do, so does a woman. This was clearly demonstrated in Evelyn Coleman's aptly titled, What a Woman's Gotta Do. The story opens with Patricia being jilted by her fiance Kenneth. To her dismay, she spots him (or was it a case of mistaken identity?), at a restaurant with another woman. Instead of going home and crying herself to sleep, Patricia stops by the karate studio and has an intense match with her sparing partner. In trying to determine the circumstances surrounding Kenneth's disappearance, Patricia finds herself immersed in a perilous adenture, which results in her contemplating her inner soul for the very first time. The Mind & Soul Alliance Book Club, of which I am a member, reviewed this selection in August. This was our first thriller, and one of our more complicated story lines to date. Since Ms Coleman is an Atlanta resident, we were fortunate to have her as a guest. The question and answer session was invaluable. We learned the difference between suspense and thriller. In suspense, the reader can usually predict the outcome, but not the circumstances/events leading to the ending. With a thriller, the plot has huge ramifications affecting not only the central characters but humanity. We also learned about naming conventions in a thriller. Since thrillers usually involve a large cast of characters, it is matter-of-course to refer to them by their first and last names. We were also introduced to the mystical/spiritual powers of the Dogon people. The Dogon people (Kenneth's ancestors) identified many stars and constellations centuries before Western astronomers. This thought-provoking, exhilarating, yet funny novel was awarded our second highest rating this year. Ms Coleman, in a stunning debut, succeeded in winning over a group of very diverse opinionated women and this is no small feat.
Rating:
Summary: This thriller was hard to put down once it got started!
Review: I originally started this book a week ago. While my cable was out, I decided to pick it up again, and boy was I glad! This was one great thriller! The Dogon tribe, the old man, the twins, the phoney policeman all make for some great reading. I also felt Ms. Coleman must have put in lots of research time for this novel. Keep up the good work!
Rating:
Summary: Too Unrealistic
Review: I am a mystery fan, and this book did have a lot of surprises, but the author has a very vivid imagination. I know this is fiction, but everything about Patricia speaking to the grandfather was too "out there" for me. She mixed reality with fiction so much that I didn't know what was real - like is there really a Dogon tribe with the beliefs she talked about?
Rating: 
Summary: The Thrill is On in this Book
Review: I really don't read suspense and thriller books but, Ms Coleman, I really enjoyed this one. It was different and it keep me on wheels to find out the next unsolved mystery. It had it all, including the romance that I enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Move over Patricia Cornwell
Review: I've just finished reading What a Woman's Gotta Do by Evelyne Coleman, I couldn't put it down. The character of Patricia Conley and the combination of Dogon mysticism,cloistered monks, high level martial arts, big money conspiracy, racism, anti-racism, wit and wisdom kept me up all night. When Evelyne Coleman publishes another novel, I'm going to be first in line at the bookstore and I'm going to read it right there. That's how good I thought What a Woman's Gotta Do was. Joe McLellan
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