The Man of My Schemes

by Leslie J. Sherrod

It started at work and then spread to her sister-friends at wedding bell fever. For thirty-four-year-old Berry Jenkins, the craze has just begun. Tired of the prying and invasive questions about her lack of a love life, Berry decides to convince everyone she has finally landed the man of her dreams. However, there is one slight problem. Her fantasy man is just that - a complete fantasy and a bold-faced lie. Of course, lies can't last forever and Berry's ploy to pretend she's met the perfect beau quickly spirals out of control.
When her carefully woven web of deception begins to unravel, only a miracle will save her from her fairy-tale romance gone nightmare reality. Facing exposure, Berry fears that the trap she's created for herself is too messy, too tangled - and maybe even too dangerous - for her chance at love to survive.
Hold on for a wild and zany ride as Berry's imaginary man takes on a life of his own, for better...and for worse.

258 pages, Paperback

Published November 14, 2017

About the author

Leslie J. Sherrod is the author of eight faith-based novels speaking to the hopes and dreams of diverse women. She is also a contributor to multiple other publications, including inspirational devotionals and a short story anthology. A writer and a social worker, Leslie draws on raw emotions to bring messages of hope and healing through page-turning, satisfying suspense and heartwarming humor. Her books have been welcomed at literary events around the country and featured in various outlets, including Baltimore’s Enoch Pratt Free Library Writers LIVE! Series. Learn more about her work and writing at www.LeslieJSherrod.com.

Reviews

[Shannan Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Not too many books are so interesting, that I can't get to sleep until I finish. Not only that, but being a single woman trying to serve God, and having to deal with people almost harassing you wondering when you're going to get married, I can relate to the main character in some ways. Through out the whole story, I went from laughing to crying to laughing again.

Berry Jenkins is getting tired of her mother, church friends and coworkers worrying her about her getting married, so she decides to create a fake boyfriend, and that lie totally gets out of control. I've read books from Leslie before, and this one didn't disappoint. This was a phenomenal read and I enjoyed it very much.

This book was provided by Brown Girls Faith for an honest review
Shannan Harper
Brown Girls Faith Review Team

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though it took me a minute to get into this story, The Man of my Schemes teaches us an very important lesson. Never allow others to determine who you are, what you should do, what age is acceptable to be married or not or even if you should be in a relationship at all. Because if you do you might find yourself living out someone else's dreams for you and then you may realize you are living in a nightmare.

I received this book from the publisher for my honest review.

[Natalie Mangrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. I stumbled across it and downloaded it from the online public library. I was SO pleasantly surprised to see that the author left a note before the first chapter with the phrase, "God, may You be glorified." Yay! Christian urban fiction!

Set in Baltimore, I felt a connection to the protagonist when she talked about walking around on top of Federal Hill or going to a restaurant in Canton. I thought the story was a bit far reaching at times, but that didn't stop me from reading it every spare moment I could. There were times where I literally laughed out loud while reading some of the situations the main character got herself into. Overall, I liked this book and I rated it a 4 because there are very few decent books in this genre and I thought the plot was good. I'm just happy someone is writing about God and natural hair, among other things.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, what a tangled web we weave......

Everyday it's the same thing........listening to coworkers and church friends plan weddings and baby showers! Always the same old question......when are YOU going to get married? I want to have some grand babies before I die! And then the judgement....if you fixed yourself up you'd meet a nice man! What to do, what to do? Asks many young women reaching the ripe old age of thirty......Do I continue to wait for the man of my dreams? Or do I, like Ms. Berry Martini Jenkins, find The Man of My Schemes! Leslie Sherrod takes us on a joy ride with Berry's antics as she finds herself falling deeper and deeper into the abyss of lies she creates while trying to live up to the expectations of family and friends and at the same time always bracing herself for the " hurricane volcano tsunami earthquake" that she knew would explode once the truth came out!

I laughed at her escapades, wanted to smack her when she kept digging that hole and prayed that God would protect her when it all came to a head!

A wonderful story with one of life's greatest lessons......learn to be content in whatsoever state you are in! Well done, Ms. Sherrod!

[Tiffany Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The concept behind The Man Of My Schemes is cute but a little over the top. Berry is aggravated and annoyed by folks questioning her about her personal life and why she isn't in a relationship so she makes one up. At first, her scheme seems harmless but then it goes too far. Anyone that has folks that feel as if others personal lives is their business can truly understand Berry's frustration and her desire to silence her co-workers, church members, and even her own family.

Berry's web of lies gets deeper and deeper and that's when the book sort of lost my interest. There was a part of the book when I wanted to physically shake Berry and tell her to stop. It was simply too much. As stated before, the book has a cute concept, it was a quick read, and the lesson that Berry learned was ultimately worth her scheme.

Rating: 3.5

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of The Man Of My Schemes in exchange for an honest review.

[Priscilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone, male and female, are guilt of doing this. The Man of my Scheme by Leslie J. Sherrod reiterates the good things comes to those who wait. In this novel, Berry Jenkins, after listening to her co-workers gloat about their boyfriends and her family remind her that she is getting older, decides to create the man of her dreams. She goes out of her way to create someone that everyone would approve of and consider to be perfect for her. Until her plan backfires.

Sherrod did an excellent of showing the how family and friend make single relatives uncomfortable and pressured to do what they think they should do with their lives. Many lessons can be learned from this story one of which is “listen to your heart”. There were sections in the novel that moved slowly for me while others made me want to jump in the pages and shake some sense in the characters. Book clubs will definitely enjoy this book and have plenty to talk about

[Kiera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everywhere Berry Jenkins looks, love is in the air. Friends and co-workers getting married, having babies, and they're all asking Berry that age-old question, "When are you going to fall in love and get married?" Berry soon finds herself in all kinds of shenanigans, each scenario more elaborate than the next. This book had me laughing so hard in some places, I caught the hiccups, as well as some not-so-nice stares at the doctor's office. I wanted to reach into the book and shake some good sense into this simple girl. Other times, I wanted to sit her down and have a big-sister talk with her.

The book is comedic, thought provoking, and there is definitely a lesson to be learned inside. A few of the characters reminded me of a couple of people I am acquainted. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an easy flowing read, with likeable characters, and a thought-provoking topic. Great for a book club read.

[Ellowyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read several books by Leslie Sherrod and I must say this book is different. This book is a page turner. When reading this book you will ask yourself "What would you do to fit in with your friends?"

Berry Jenkins is faced with trying to fit in with her co-workers, her friends at church and trying to please her mother. She goes through many obstacles such as having low self esteem and always trying to live up to what others are doing instead of the things she wanted out of life.

This story has many twists and turns. If you are looking for a good read pick up a copy of this book to see what Berry goes through in The Man of My Schemes.

This book was provided by the author for an honest review.
Ellowyn Bell
Brown Girls Faith Street Team

[QUEENIE CLEM]

Berry Jenkins is a woman who makes up a man to get her family and friends off her back. But she does this at a price. She tricks everyone into thinking she has a real man which seems harmless at first. The lies just kept coming and coming. In the end came hurtful to everyone. She was aggravated and annoyed that all her friends were talking about engagements, weddings, and birth that she had to do something....LIE! Great quick read. There is a lesson to be learn from this. This was my first book by this author but will definitely not be my last.

This book was provided by the author for an honest review.

[Cryssy Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how the storyline flowed and gave me that "the struggle is real" vibe. I've never face palmed so many times in my life but her situation just kept getting worse and worse until it all fell apart. Not only was I happy to read that Berry didn't let the situation break her, I was glad that she used it to tap into her true passion. I really liked how she made the decision to take her journey day by day while allowing God to lead her. But more importantly, I loved how it didn't end with a cheesy fairytale ending involving the perfect guy that saves the day. I'm a sucker for relatable reads so I fully enjoyed this book #TeamNatural

[LaCeasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes we can make single women feel like they aren't worthy of love or that something is wrong with them because they have not found that special someone at a certain point in their lives. That's what happens to Berry, but what she does in response will have you shaking you head. This was my first read by this author and I really enjoyed it. You will not be disappointed with this read. My copy of this book was provided by Brown Girls Publishing for my honest review.

[Kadea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining! It's amazing how one little fib snowballed out of control. Despite her antics, I liked Berry and the fact that the book highlights how asinine society can be with the whole pressuring women to get married thing. A good read!

[Julianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a surprise when I first started I was skeptical and was still expecting some romance but it's the first Christian coming of age story I read. Definitely worth your time...