For Immediate Release:

The Bridge Club is the Book Club choice for February/March 2011 on the fabulous women's networking website Me And My 1000 Girlfriends, That's Who!

http://meandmy1000girlfriends.com/?p=1928

 http://wow-womenonwriting.com/downloads/printable/40-FE1-Winter10Contest-PatriciaSands-Anis.html

http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/2010/11/interview-with-patricia-sands-anis.html

Press Release — "A few years ago Hollywood gave us a movie about what women want. Patricia Sands has given us a book about how women think." Peter McNeilly

The Bridge Club is a bold and engaging story about much more than playing cards. However if you are a bridge player, you will recognize the ongoing support role this popular game can play in people's lives. 

Patricia Sands' new novel attests to the power of friendship. Not simply the "Hi, how are you?" type but the kind that weathers all storms, unselfishly celebrates triumphs, and hums along year after year with never an unkind word. It does exist.

If you already have friendship like this in your life then you will relate to the women of The Bridge Club.  If you don't, perhaps the story will inspire you to find it.

Although it is a work of fiction, many of the issues are based on the author's experience with her real-life bridge club. The story takes the reader on a journey from the psychedelic '60's when the eight friends were hip, liberated twenty-somethings to the present day as these vibrant women enjoy their "zoomer" years.  A life-altering decision in the final chapter profoundly affects each of them.

The Bridge Club touches on subjects such as: honesty among friends, death of a spouse and coping with grief, alcohol rehab, coming out, divorce, adoption issues, breast cancer support, internet porn addiction, self deliverance, Alzheimer's and aging.

"The feedback regarding my book has been very positive and gratifying," says Patricia.  "I feel honored to connect with so many women on such a personal level.  It's a pleasure when they talk or write to me of their own rewarding friendships and how they have evolved over the years.  I'm delighted readers can easily relate to the characters in The Bridge Club.  For those who happen to also be bridge players, a bridge hand can be found at the end of eight chapters. A number of readers have said the book has caused them to look into learning the game! Yay!"

Patricia resides in Toronto and has earned degrees from the University of Waterloo and York University.  A former educator, she has told stories all her life through photography. Her blended family of seven children and six grandchildren are among her favourite subjects.  Having taken four years to write The Bridge Club, she is currently working on her next novel. 

To order The Bridge Club visit www.amazon.ca, www.Amazon.com, www.Barnesandnoble.com, www.chapters.com, www.borders.com or you will find The Bridge Club in the store at The Book Mark, 2964 Bloor Street West (Bloor and Royal York Rd.), Toronto; Nicholas Hoare Books, 75 Front St., Toronto; A Different Drummer Books, 513 Locust St., Burlington; The Freckled Lion, Main Street, Georgetown, ON.

Visit Patricia's website and blog at www.patriciasandsauthor.com

"The Bridge Club"

Published by iUniverse

Price: $21.95

PATRICIA SANDS NEW BOOK, THE BRIDGE CLUB, ATTESTS TO THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP, AND WILL BE LAUNCHED ON NOVEMBER 8 AT 6:00 P.M. AT THE GLADSTONE HOTEL IN TORONTO.

The Bridge Club, published by iUniverse, is Patricia's first novel. The book launch is scheduled for Monday, November 8, from 6:00 p.m. — 8:30 p.m., upstairs in the Gladstone Gallery at the Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West, in the heart of Toronto's literary and art scene. Refreshments will be served and The Fabulous Quitters jazz band will entertain. 

For more information please visit Patricia Sands' website: www.patriciasandsauthor.com