The Red Hat Society's Queens of Woodlawn Avenue
Oct 4, 2006
The Red Hat Society’s Queens of Woodlawn Avenue
By Regina Hale Sutherland
Warner Books
June 2006
Ellie Johnston thought she would never play bridge. Heck, she had never thought she would be alone and officially divorced on her fiftieth birthday either, but life has a way of changing your comfort level with no advance notice. All she wants to do is silently suffer in her recently purchased 1920’s Tudor house on Woodlawn Avenue and eat Krispy Kreme donuts until she passes out from a sugar overdose, but a whirlwind of new friends and the game of bridge changes all of that.
After Ellie is informed that her house is one of the original Queen of Woodlawn Avenue houses, noted for its heart-shaped archway in the diningroom, she suddenly finds herself named the new Queen of Hearts and sitting in the Queen of Diamonds’ home, learning to play bridge whether she likes it or not.
Her new Red Hat friends, Jane, Grace and Linda, take Ellie under their wings and help her get her new life together, each offering their services. With their help, Ellie gains confidence, starts her own business, and leaps back into Nashville society. Along the way, she becomes a new woman, relishing her newfound independence.
Regina Hale Sutherland’s latest book lets you feel the bonds of friendship between these four women while subtlety teaching the reader the fine points of the game of bridge. Each obstacle that Ellie is to overcome is likened to a particular play of a hand of cards. I thought it was a humorous and effective writing ploy.
After Ellie sees that she can make it without her heel of an ex-husband, who slithers slowly back to her after becoming tired of his young, Hooters waitress, she refuses to give up her independence and return to the life she had once led.
I found this book to be very entertaining and informative. I don’t know if I will ever be a fan of bridge, but the writer blends the rudiments of the game so effortlessly and humorously, that you don’t even realize you are learning a game in the process.
Dana Sieben
www.southerngalgoesnorth.blogspot.com
