Meet Natalie R. Collins!

Now here's something exciting. You may have heard me flap my gums about the fact I wrote a funny and serious book about a group of sexy surburban housewives before ABC launched a funny and serious television show about a group of sexy suburban housewives. Well, Natalie Collins is in the same boat. She wrote an intense and inside look at the closed world of the Mormon Church before HBO lauched their Big Love TV show, which, as you probably know, is an intense and inside look at the closed world of the Mormon Church.

Interesting timing, no?

Anyway, her book, WIVES AND SISTERS, was just released in paperback and I'm buying it because it looks like the kind of character-driven drama that will wrestle me to the ground and hold me there until I turn the last page. Here's the synopsis:

Set in the closed world of the Mormon Church, WIVES AND SISTERS is the gripping story of a young woman on the run from evil, powerful men. It opens with a look back at the sudden disappearance of Allison Jensen’s best friend, who was kidnapped while playing in the woods near home. One moment her friend was beside her; then she was gone. When no leads emerged, she was given up for dead. Now, years later, trying to fill in the gaps of a patchwork memory, Allison still gets no answers from the Mormon community in which she lives. She is stuck in a world where she does not fit with a father who tyrannizes and torments her as the self-appointed messenger of God. Why is she being fed half-truths? When a brutal attack makes her desperate to escape Mormon bonds, Allison finds herself on a collision course with community leaders as they cover up the steps of a sexual predator.

Mark Peterson is trying to live a life of impeccable standards, dictated by Mormon tenets, and when he fails, the consequences are deadly, as he will do almost anything to protect his standing in the community of Saints. Allison is determined to bring Mark and those who didn’t stop him to justice, before they stop her from piecing together the tragic past that has haunted her for so many years.


I don't usually link the author's website until the end, but if you've read this far, please click here for a link to the best book trailer I've seen. It's so simple yet so effective. Bravo, Natalie!

And now, here's what people are saying about this book:

“A dark, powerful debut novel. Natalie Collins pulls no emotional punches crafting this searing tale of one woman's search for justice.” ---Lisa Gardner, New York Times bestselling author of The Killing Hour

“Natalie Collins' Wives and Sisters is a journey through heartbreak, tragedy, and self-discovery with a courageous woman who dares to think for herself in a dogmatic society. This is a story for anyone who has ever questioned what they've been taught all their life; anyone who has ever doubted their self-worth, and everyone who loves to cheer on the underdog and watch them triumph in the end. You'll be glad you took this journey with her.”---Tina Wainscott, bestselling author of I’ll Be Watching You

“Please warn your readers, this is not a book that can be put down. It’s so compelling, so dramatic, with strong suspense and mystery elements, that I had to find out what would happen.” ---Perri O’Shaughnessy, New York Times bestselling author of Unlucky in Law

“Wives and Sisters is indeed a suspense novel. It is not a condemnation of a faith, but rather those who follow blindly. It makes the reader think. Can you have faith without deceit? Can religion have too many rules? Read the novel for yourself. Make up your own mind.” ---The Clarion-Ledger

“…the author brings authentic color and gripping detail to her book, which underscores the very real mentality of protecting the Church at all costs, thus allowing offenders to abuse their victims over and over again without consequence.” ---The Tucson Citizen

“Well-written, fast-paced, Natalie Collins’ Wives and Sisters is suspense filled satisfaction with a bone chilling, thought provoking similarity to recent events.” --- About.com

“Wives and Sisters is a gripping tale oozing with skillful feminist commentary about the patriarchal nature of Mormonism, which may earn Collins disparagement in her home state. A spirited decision for a newcomer, and it earns her the status of a voice to watch.” ---Riverwalk Journal

“…fans will be stunned by this tense thriller that condemns extremist religious and social moral behavior at the cost of any segment of society." ---Harriet Klausner

“Don't be surprised if you devour this book in one reading. Natalie Collins has captured the essence of a page turner by giving us a three dimensional characters, plenty of action and a healthy dose of controversy.” ---Midwest Book Review

“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.” ---Mostly Fiction.com

"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." ---The Celebrity Café.com

"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." ---The Washington Times

"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!" Rendezvous Review Magazine “Rosebud of the Month” winner

WIVES AND SISTERS is available at your local chain or independent bookstore. To order online, visit amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com.