Carl Weber

Title: Up to No Good
Author: Carl Weber
Publisher: Kensington
Series: Church
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Review:

"Up to No Good" by Carl Weber...

"There is always a man around the corner. Church trustee James Black should know--he's usually that man, carrying on adulterous affairs and sleeping with one conquest after another. But when he suddenly finds himself truly in love, the other women in his church have a thing or two to say about it--including his daughter, Jamie.
Jamie has every show more intention of dismantling the relationship--until she discovers a mystery woman has been secretly calling her lover, Louis. Meanwhile, James's son, Darnel, spirals out of control after he catches his fiancée cheating. James knows he's to blame for the turmoil that surrounds him and his loved ones. Now he'll have to find a way to bring peace to their lives. But he can only do it by facing some hard truths about himself and changing his scandalous ways."

What I liked from the novel.....

This was another one of this author good reads. "Up to No Good" was definitely one of this author types of drama novels that will keep you on the edge of your seat with a lot of drama and suspense and leave you wondering what will come next. You will be left saying 'what a story' that was a little predictable but yet not disappointing in any way with some characters that were simply off the chart. Some of the characters were greatly flawed while a few others were simply well developed, engaging and oh so real to give the readers a simply good character development with a excellent subplots along with a unforgettable story line. The ending will definitely leave thinking just how far would you go to help out a blood relative. That ending left me in awe...because even though I know that person had a lots of demons and definitely needed help....I never thought that would happen. I am still shaking my head about that ending. All that is left to say is wow what a interesting intensed read that still I have thoughts about long after this read. If you are looking for drama with a lots of pain and craziness you have come to the right place for "Up to No Good" will give it all to you and more! show less

"Up To No Good" was my first Carl Weber book. While the book had an interesting start, I quickly became bored with some of the characters and their storylines.

I found the character James very interesting. He was an old-school player who laid his cards on the table before each intimate encounter. He made it clear he was not looking for a relationship simply a good time. All parties knew what they were willingly getting into. Suddenly, the character changes from a "no strings attached" show more lifestyle to a man stuck by puppy love - dating a woman for months with no intimate contact. This seems very unlikely for a player especially considering the woman was not only his daughter's age but a friend of his daughter. In order to not give the ending away, I will simply say that most players would not have allowed themselves to be played.

I found the character Darnel the most interesting and the reason I decided to finish the book. Darnel was betrayed by his fiancee and by best man the night before his wedding. The betrayal led Darnel to do some things that were totally unexpected as he swung back and forth between seeking revenge and reconciling with his fiancée. However, the ending of his storyline was a little far-fetched and not very believable.

I agree with some of the other reviewers who gave the book a low rating that the character Jamie could have been totally excluded from the book. Half way through the book I found myself briefly skimming through her chapters. Her interaction with her father (James) was interesting but her relationship with her brother (Darnel) and her boyfriend (Louis) were totally boring and unnecessary. The twists and turns with her boyfriend seemed out of place in the book and added nothing to the storyline.

After reading this book I vowed to not read any other Carl Weber books. But after reading some of the other reviews, it seems this was not one of his better books. Therefore, I am willing to give him another chance. show less

Title: Torn Between Two Lovers
Author: Carl Weber
Publisher: Kensington Books
Series: Big Girls
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

"Torn Between Two Lovers" by Carl Weber ...

"One of Richmond, Virginia’s, hottest, most successful women, plus-sized diva Loraine Farrow finally wants to settle down with her husband, Leon, and focus on her marriage. Trouble is, her ex-lover, Michael, isn’t about to let her go so easily.

But things aren’t so simple with Leon either. Painful issues from his show more childhood are starting to surface in the bedroom. Leon’s seeing a therapist, but what he’s uncovering could destroy their marriage for good—unless Michael does it first.

As Loraine deals with her relationship drama, her best friend, Jerome, is left alone to deal with Peter, a stalker who will stop at nothing to destroy him. Now, four indomitable people torn between love and lust, secrets and lies, will have some momentous decisions to make."

What I liked from "Torn Between Two Lovers"

I thought this author did it for us again and that was giving us a very interesting and intriguing read that I thoroughly enjoyed. This is a story about Loraine, Leon , Peter, Michael and Jerome that was full of 'twist and turns, tricks, lies and deception.'

I was kept intrigued and I was surprised who this 'Big Poppa' turned out to be because this author was able to leave some clues but he did a good job in that they were so subtle and really almost nonexistent for the reader to catch it...at least it was for me!

This novel really will hold your attention whether you are reading and or listening till the end. All I can say is that this author did a good job with this well written story that was so full of drama. I will say that some of the characters really were quite upsetting to me at times. I had trouble with a few characters but for the most part they were well developed, real and well portrayed only to give the reader a interesting read. It left me thinking do you really know who your friends and or husbands really are? Well, for sure the main character wasn't the only one torn between two lover.

"Torn Between Two Lovers" was quite a interesting series. It left me saying Wow, what a read. show less

I was not disappointed! The back story revealing what the true family business is, and what each family members part in the business is, was nothing short of brilliant. The vivid descriptions and realism of the situations pulled me in at every turn. Either these guys did some serious research to ensure the “business” dynamics were realistic, or they’ve had a room with a view to such operations previously to make this storyline work. The cut throat tactics of the outside players, as show more well as within the family itself, ensures the reader undrstands early on that these are not the Huxtables from the Cosby Show or the Seaver’s from Family Ties. Each family member has their own back story and the audio version definitely made certain that I felt like I was listening to a movie playing on my television while I was in another room. The newly ensued trouble that begins at the end gears you up for the sequel…while you wait on the edge of your seat for it. Nothing short of “Bravo” is worthy in reviewing this book. show less