Natalie R.Collins is the author of Wives and Sisters (St Martin's Press, 2004) in paperback (March 2006)!

Suspense Fiction Breaking Open the Closed Mormon World

What a great name, eh? I love it. And Bookbitch.com LOVES W&S. Fun to see such a great review!

"It makes for a most heartrending and compelling story that will not be easily forgotten."

Well, I have a LOT to say today!!

The Columbus Metropolitan Library has picked W&S as one of the "Best of the Rest," titles you might have missed in 2004. Since they only picked four, I feel honored. I love libraries.

I have FOUR new reviews, all of which are rather significant, each in their own way. First, a review ran on Authorlink, which was picked up by The Celebrity Cafe, which claims millions of hits a month. Then I had a review show up on Mostly Fiction.com. The Washington Times ran a great review, and lastly, Rendezvous Review Magazine, which goes to editors, publishers, and agents worldwide, ran a great review, AND gave Wives and Sisters its "Rosebud of the Month" award!! Very cool news. Interestingly enough, W&S seems to be picking up speed almost FOUR months after it was released. If you are interested in reading the reviews, I included links below.

http://thecelebritycafe.com/books/full_review/383.html

"Wives and Sisters is a raw, emotional story that never gives into sentimentality. It puts a plain, unvarnished face on the secret workings of the human soul and the price of blind faith."

http://www.mostlyfiction.com/mystery/collins_nat.htm
"The novel is more a coming-of-age story, a young woman's struggle to survive against an almost cult-like upbringing. ...It is a most compelling read. "

http://www.washingtontimes.com/books/20050115-095707-8740r.htm
"This is a book written with skill and passion and I suspect it will resonate with women who have never set foot inside a Mormon church. These problems are too widespread to pin down to one place, one time or one institution."

http://www.rendezvousreviews.com/
"WIVES AND SISTERS is clearly one of this year's best books; riveting, painful at times, realistic always, and completely unforgettable. It not only makes you cry, it makes you think, which is my personal hallmark of an excellent read.
Natalie R Collins has emerged as one of the finest new authors I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Brava, Ms Collins! Brava!"

The Columbus Metropolitan Library in Ohio has picked Wives and Sisters as a "Best of the Rest: January's selections feature titles you may have missed in 2004!"

W&S was picked as one of October's notable titles, when it came out, so it's even MORE wonderful to have it picked for the year.

Not only that, but a friend in Ohio tells me the waiting list to read it is quite long! I love Ohio. I love libraries, too.

Honestly, librarians are among the biggest supporters of this book, and I am extremely thankful.

Go libraries!

The author of the critically-acclaimed The Ferry Woman passed away earlier this week in the floods of Southern Utah. He was the lone victim in a terrible tragedy, carried away in the raging floodwaters.

He will be missed.

Libraries are goo-ood. Very good. Librarians across the United States are embracing WIVES AND SISTERS, and it's exciting to see. I had a very successful signing yesterday at the Park City Library (Park City, Utah). Head Librarian Teresa did an awesome job setting the entire thing up, she was gracious, organized, and extremely supportive. Thanks, Teresa! And despite the fact there was a blinding snowstorm (in Park City, we LIKE snow. Lots of snow) a decent crowd showed up and almost every person bought books. Said books were provided by Dolly's Bookstore, and the manager was so supportive of the book, and also interested a signing.

It was a great day. I got to shop in the factory outlets, eat a fabulous lunch at Loco Lizard Cantina, read and discuss WIVES AND SISTERS with local Park City residents and feel like I'd left the state of Utah, at least for the afternoon.

I love libraries. I LOVE Park City. It's a love fest!

I can be found tomorrow, January 8, at the Park City library, for a reading and signing.

Come see me, and get a book signed. Or get free refreshments. Either or.

"...it was compelling, it was riveting, it was disturbing. W&S is about love and hate and compassion, it's about loss and redemption. It's about coming to terms with family, God and one's own inner demons. This book is about surviving."

"Author Collins excels in developing Allison, an extremely complex character. She is, at once, filled with rage, yet still compassionate and loving - rebellious, but loyal and ready to lend a hand when needed, even to her father, stepmother and family who have so wronged her."--Amazon Top 500 Reviewer

"This book is wonderfully written ~~ suspenseful and compelling ~~ it should have come with a warning sticker on it ~~ you cannot put this book down because you want to know what happens to Allison. So when you decide to read this one ~~ be sure to carve out a chunk of time to read it ~~ you will need it."--Amazon Top 500 Reviewer

"An excellent job by a very talented writer... Highly recommended."--Amazon Top 500 Reviewer

"This is an excellent mystery filled with drama and suspense. It is hard for me to believe that this author has not been propelled to the Top Ten of the Best-Sellers list anywhere."--Amazon Top 500 Reviewer