The Bridge Club

Eight women. Four decades. One unforgettable weekend. The Bridge Club attests to the power of friendship. Not simply the "Hi,how are you? type but the kind that weathers all sorts of storm, unselfishly celebrates success, and hums along year after year with never an unkind word. It does exist.

Book Trailer

The Story Behind This Book

Girlfriends rule! Whether you are twenty or a "zoomer"! The Bridge Club is based on the forty-five year friendship I continue to have with my real-life bridge club. Along with partying hard back in the psychedelic Sixties, some of us decided to play bridge together once a month. One thing is for certain though - it was never just about the cards. "Stuff" happens in life and twists of fate wove through the friendship and good times we shared. Never the Ya-Ya Sisterhood or Desperate Housewives From Somewhere, there was enough drama in our lives to fill a book. So that's what I did. There's laughter, tears, and the need for a hug with a good friend after the final chapter.

Media Mentions

• See website link

Praise and Reviews

"A few years ago, Hollywood gave us a movie about what women want. Patricia Sands has written a novel about how women think." Peter McNeilly, Kitchener, ON

From a reader on Amazon.ca

"When I finished reading The Bridge Club I wanted to call my best friends and tell them how much their friendship means to me. This story really gets to the heart of what friendship is all about and highlights how we empower each other through it. As the reader rides along on the forty-year journey with these women, it doesn't matter what age you are as there are many situations to which everyone can relate. What does matter is the reminder that everyone has "stuff" happen in life and knowing you have true friends to rely on can help carry you through. There are moments of great laughter and others where I reached for a tissue. The final chapter touches on a topic most of us try to avoid discussing and in a gentle way encourages the reader to think about it. I'm so glad I read it."

Comment from blog:

  I want to register my congratulations to Patricia, on the publication of 'The Bridge Club'.  'The Bridge Club' has been a few years in the making, and is proof of her dedication and determination to share some of the stories from a very special group of friends.  Most of us have known one another for almost 50 years, and a few have been friends since birth.  'Special' is hardly adequate to describe the group, and 'unique' only begins to suggest the blend of personalties, challenges and adventures. It's very exciting to now be holding a copy of the book in my hand!  The story is an amazing blend of fact and fiction, that only begins to hint at the strong friendships and intangible ties that exist in our special group of 10.  Well done and thank you! 

Jinty  :)

From Barnes & Noble website:

Posted September 21, 2010, 10:01 AM EST: By the time I finished this book I felt as though I had made eight new friends. Each "SOS" experienced by these women was something that either I had personally experienced or someone I know has gone through. All sides of each issue were examined in a humorous and thought-provoking way. The final chapter was especially emotional. This book would be a great pick for a book club because it's guaranteed to start some lively discussions as readers debate which characters they most relate to and which sides of the various issues they support. Can't wait for the next one, Ms. Sands!

Great Read! 4 Thumbs Up!!

 Reader Rating See Detailed Ratings

Posted September 14, 2010, 2:40 PM EST: Don't be fooled by the title. I know nothing about bridge other than it's hard and wondered if I'd be interested in a novel with a title about a pastime I have no interest in. Thank goodness I listened to my friend because it has little to do with bridge. If you've ever wondered what it's like to really have true friends who are there for you thru thick and thin, who make you laugh and at the same time infuriate you yet who always have your back, then this is the book for you. If you want to exhale squeals of laughter, or silently sob at heart wrenching challenges, then this is the book for you. If you want to be transported into the fascinating lives of characters who you now desperately want to meet, then this is the book for you. Good books stimulate, inspire and provoke a plethora of emotions. The Bridge Club does that in spades. So many emotions were aroused as I read it...joy, sadness, curiousity, doubt, anger, jealousy, empathy..I could go on but I won't as I don't want to give it all away. All I can say is, buy it, read it, and pass it on to your friends, your sisters, your daughters for you will be moved to recreate this most enriching circle of friendship.

Author Interviews

• Liquid Lunch Interview #1

Related Links

• My website
• My blog
• Facebook/TheBridgeClub