SOLVED. Man disputes sentence to hell, sent back to earth to prove himself [s]

[[deleted user]]

Read this book about 2 years ago. It was about a man (40ish, African-american) that dies and goes on to the gates of heaven only to be told he is sentenced to hell. He is told that he sinned (lying, laying with multiple women out of wedlock, stealing, etc) He retorts he did not sin, as he only did what he could to survive. All of his actions were a must and in this day in age, one must "sin" to survive, so he doesn't deserve hell. As he does not accept fate, they cannot send him to hell. He is sent back to earth with an angel to prove himself. He has a limited time (can't remember how much) to show the angel that his life forced him to "sin." He shows how the women he lays with all need him and he steals only to eat and feed the women and children in his life. He shows how he has to lie to get out of being killed, etc. Another piece of the story is how the angel starts to believe him and takes part of earth-life(which means he would be stripped of his wings and left on earth for condoning sin).

I can't quite recall the ending, which is why I would like to read it again. Any help would be appreciated!!

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Paper book, ebook, online, other? Regular publisher or self-published? Author male or female?

[[deleted user]]

It was a paper book. Pretty sure a regular publisher. Not sure of gender of author...maybe male?

[Michele]

Hope someone solves this, it sounds really good!

[Kris]

The Tempest Tales by Walter Mosley seems to match your description.

[[deleted user]]

Thats it!! Thank you so much Kris!! :D you just made my day!

[Kris]

Great! Glad we could help. :)

[Michele]

Yay, now I can add it to my to-read list! (Although given the length of my list already, perhaps "yay" is not the word, more like "yikes" lol...)

[Kris]

I know what you mean. :)