The entire peal of belles therefore vow to ring the changes on Diane's errant husband. They have regular meetings and at one such discover that the husband of one of them apparently has an extra domicile as well as an extra woman.

The Red Hat Club comprises a group of middle aged matrons who have been friends since their teenage years when they were inducted into a sorority known as the Mademoiselles (I wonder why they couldn't have been Mesdemoiselles?) They have weathered the years together, valuing the bond between them perhaps even more than the bond with their respective husbands. She is fulsome in her acknowledgments, thanks and praise of a wide variety of people who, apparently, have helped make her an astonishing success - people ranging from a banker to someone running a warehouse but not forgetting her family. One would assume, from the content of the book, that Smith is writing on behalf of all the oppressed sisterhood of the south.

Her protagonists in THE RED HAT CLUB are, like the writer herself, Southern Belles. '(This novel has not been authorized or endorsed by the Red Hat Society.Haywood Smith, author of QUEEN BEE OF MIMOSA BRANCH is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. So join the Red Hat Club and remember that age is all in your head, calories should always be in chewable form (Diet Coke with chocolate eclairs ), and that when all else fails, your Red Hat Club will see you through. As in 'The Red Hat Club,' these irrepressible heroines face the challenges of friendship in sickness and in health, with heart and indomitable humor. Laughter is spiced with secrets, surprises, and pitfalls aplenty, including a midlife pregnancy test, a fight for life, the perils of Internet dating, an all-expense-paid plastic surgery cruise, and a surprise celebration that proves it's never too late for love. As the women confront their pasts along with their hazardous adventure, they discover surprising strength in themselves and their friendships.

When Pru Bonner, black sheep of the group, falls off the wagon so hard it shakes Diane, Linda, SuSu, Teeny, and Georgia's world, 'the girls' stage a hilarious kidnapping in Vegas to help their childhood friend clean up her act. 'The Red Hat Club' is back, in rare form. Put on your red hats and plenty of attitude, and spend a hilarious, heartwarming read with five fabulous women.

The Red Hat Club by Haywood Smith