THE DEVIL IN THE JUNIOR LEAGUE

Author: Linda Francis Lee ISBN: 0312354959 9/2006 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: ST. MARTIN'S PRESS

The Junior League of Willow Creek, Texas, is tres exclusive. Undesirables need not apply. Fredericka Mercedes Hildebrand Ware (Frede to her friends) is a member beyond reproach...until her life begins to unravel. When her husband betrays her, steals her money, and runs off to places unknown, it's something Frede would rather keep under wraps. The last thing she needs is to become fodder for the JLWC gossip mill. And to make matters worse, there's only one person in town who stands a chance at helping her get revenge: Howard Grout, a tasteless, gold-chain-wearing lawyer who has bought his way into Frede's tony neighborhood. But htere's a price: She has to get his tacky, four-inch-stiletto-and-pink-spandex-wearing wife Nikki into the Junior League.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Linda Francis Lee's new release, THE DEVIL IN THE JUNIOR LEAGUE, is a devilishly wicked comedy. Those familiar with Lee's historical novels are in for a treat with her witty new contemporary. In order to enjoy this book, one must follow some set rules:

• If you're reading this book during the day, you must only drink iced tea. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed until the evening.
• Don't even think about putting that hot pink feathered boa around your neck!
• While we're on the topic of dressing, your spandex tights and leopard print shirts are not tolerated.
• Ladies, please make sure your man has his shirt on when receiving company (and for the record, "sugar pie" is not anyone's name).
• If bathroom breaks are a must, simply excuse yourself and try not to tell everyone exactly where you're going and why.

These are not my rules; these are protocol for the members of The Junior League of Willow Creek. If you happen to break any of these rules, have no fear—these ladies are less than perfect, too!

Twenty-eight year-old Fredericka (Frede) Mercedes Hildebrand has everything in life. As a member of The Junior League of Willow Creek, she has her place in society. All that changes when she returns home one day and finds her husband's mistress in her house. Nothing will ever be the same for Fredericka. Her husband leaves her and drains all the money from their bank accounts. Not willing to let anyone know about her problems, she decides to seek legal help with the new flamboyant lawyer, Howard Grout. Howard accepts Fredericka's case for a price—she must agree to get his over-the-top wife, Nikki, into The Junior League of Willow Creek.

Fredericka is in over her head. No way will the other members allow Nikki into their ultra private club. She's unrefined and undisciplined. Somehow, Fredericka has to turn this spandex-wearing woman into a high-class lady, all the while trying to hide what is going on in her personal life, and keep up her good standing with the other women of The Junior League of Willow Creek. I can give away a bit of what happens next, by saying that Fredericka is in no way prepared for what is about to happen to her. Let the transformations begin!

THE DEVIL IN THE JUNIOR LEAGUE is one of those books that as much as you dislike most of the characters in the book, you can't help but be drawn to them, anyway. Fredericka is one of those characters. As snobby as she is, she does have a good heart and eventually her true nature is revealed. Howard and Nikki are a hoot together, and they are more than welcome to come over and drink some spiked tea at my house any day! Linda Francis Lee created a most memorable cast of characters that really made the story unforgettable.

I had a delightful time reading THE DEVIL IN THE JUNIOR LEAGUE. I sipped my chilled tea, I wore my 1" black heels, donned my best clothes and sat uninterrupted for at least a half an hour. That's about how long it took me to realize that I forgot to take off my pink feathered boa! Enjoy reading this book!

Julie Kornhausl