The First Lady
by Carl Weber
Published by Kensington Publishing Corp.
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Reviewed by Patty Inglish, MS
Carl Weber is becoming a well-known author of urban literature.
Following up his first novel, Preacher's Son, The First Lady continues the drama of scandalous First Jamaica Ministries in Queens, New York. It combines a taste of popular TV shows--"Amen" (1986-91) and CWB Network sitcoms--with real-life components of drug addiction, jealousy, and church folk-ism. The strength of this work is that Weber offers good character development, especially in one drug addict that jumped out of the book at me, detailing the plight of addicts and their abusive suppliers.
Bishop T.K. Wilson had successfully taken over the church from his father-in-law, while Charlene controlled the women of the congregation. Now she lies dying of cancer and at age forty-four, has accepted her terminal condition. Nevertheless, she still wants to control the church by choosing her husband's next wife and first lady.
His congregation, pushing him to remarry after Charlene's death, distracts Bishop Wilson. They set up "meetings" for him with available ladies and snoop to find out the results. The booze in his desk drawer is another distraction from a church full of politics and control initiatives, and it is a wonder that there is any room for God's work. Even so, there are a lot of surprises, including how the Bishop's son married his daughter.
Aided by her friend Alison, Bishop Wilson's new secretary, Charlene writes letters to four contenders for the Mrs. Wilson title. She also writes to the Bishop, telling him to marry someone who can help him with the church. The first-lady contenders include Marlene, a recovering drug addict and the Bishop's "baby mama" from another life; Monique, looked upon as a loose woman; Savannah, a singer and deacon's daughter; and Lisa Mae, widow of Pastor Jones and ready to become first lady again. After Charlene's death, Alison observes these folks' activities and delivers the startling letters, as needed, with startling results.
The First Lady is fast-paced reading that contains graphic sex- and drug-related scenes and harsh language.
Armchair Interviews says: Readers who might enjoy a more adult version of "Amen" would be delighted.