Carl Weber is back again with another bestseller, “The First Lady.” The author of several books, including “The Preacher’s Son,” “Baby Mamma Drama,” “So You Call Yourself a Man, and one he co-authored with Mary Morrison, “She Ain’t the One,“ four of his books have made the New York Times bestsellers’ list and “The First Lady” could very well join the list too.

During a recent interview, Mr. Weber expressed disappointment that Black Images Book Bazaar closed on Dec. 30. The book store would have celebrated its 30th year in existence but a number of issues led to its closing. “I’m so sad about what happened with Ms. Emma and Black Images,” said Mr. Weber. “I love that woman and all the African American authors loved her. She helped so many over the years.”

This time when he comes to Dallas for a book signing, he will be appearing at Wal-Mart, instead of his favorite spot, Black Images. Still he hopes readers of his books will come out and visit with him as he talks about “The First Lady.”

He says he “crosses his fingers” when he responds to queries about the real identities of his subjects. The son of a preacher, Mr. Weber said he was inspired to write “The First Lady” when he witnessed a situation involving another “First Lady“ at his home church. The term “first lady” is used in reference to the leading lady of the Church—the pastor’s wife.

Mr. Weber recalled that at his church Easter Sunday was a day when the church was really crowded while most days, it was fairly easy to get a seat. Then he noticed a change and commented on the change to a friend. Well, the pastor’s wife had died recently and so then “it became Easter Sunday every Sunday,” he learned, as the women crowded the church to get the attention of the good-looking widower. “They were there for the pastor,” he said, “A good-looking brother who lost his wife.”

In “The First Lady,” Charlene Wilson is terminally ill. She gets her trusted friend to write letters to four women who she thinks will be the leading contenders to replace her as the first lady of First Jamaica Ministries. She wanted to make sure that her husband, Bishop T. K. Wilson, made the right decision.

Interestingly while all the “drama” was going on, the Bishop had no idea that women were scheming to take his deceased wife’s place.

Marlene, a recovering drug addict, was the mother of his daughter, Tanisha. The aggressive Monique, who they called the “First Lady of Plastic Surgery,” was definitely not a favorite of Charlene, nor any of the other members. Then there was Savannah Dickens, the somewhat innocent new choir soloist. But Charlene’s friend, Lisa Mae Johnson appeared to be the frontrunner.

What’s a man to do?

Once Bishop Wilson realizes what he is up against, the chase is on. Then he finds out that the four ladies have been receiving letters, written by his wife before she died. She also has a few letters from him as she tries to dictate his future from her grave.

Once again, Mr. Weber provides drama, and more drama as the women become more acquainted with one another.

If you have a book you would like reviewed, contact Cheryl at csmith@dallasweekly.com