Understanding the strange case of Elizabeth Smart by reading SisterWife

SisterWife, a novel by author Natalie R. Collins, helps others to understand the culture that created Brian David Mitchell, the kidnapper of Elizabeth Smart.

With the upcoming release of the book, Bringing Elizabeth Home, about the return of Elizabeth Smart, Utah is once again in the spotlight, with people asking, "How could this have happened?"

Author Natalie R. Collins answers that question in her critically acclaimed book, SisterWife, available now from Zumaya Publications.

Bestselling author Katherine Sutcliffe said: "This book is a spine-chilling study of evil...The parallels to the case of Elizabeth Smart are frightening..."

In this fictional book, Collins explores the mindset of the fervent believers in Joseph Smith's teachings of polygamy, and shows how a man like Brian David Mitchell could grow to believe that it was his right to take Elizabeth from her home and make him her second wife.

Collins wrote her book, available from Zumaya Publications, after hearing the story of a young girl from Salt Lake City's Kingston Clan, who ran away twice from a marriage to her uncle, and who was severely punished and beaten by her father when she was captured.

By combining certain aspects of the four most prominent polygamous sects in Utah, Collins created the Church of the Lamb of God, with a leader every bit as maniacal--and disturbed--as Elizabeth Smart's kidnapper, even though this book was published months before Elizabeth disappeared.

"The danger was always there, but being ignored by our state's lawmakers and justice system," Collins said. "What happened to Elizabeth Smart is no surprise. The only surprising thing is that people don't realize it's happening every day to young girls--with their parents' consent--who have absolutely no control over their lives. These girls are just as much victims as Elizabeth, but nothing is ever done to help them."

Although the furor over the marriage of young girls to older men with many other wives died down after Elizabeth Smart was recovered and polygamist Tom Green was imprisoned, it is gaining notice again as the states of Utah and Arizona begin to focus on the criminal behaviors in the twin towns of Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah. Collins encourages people to visit the site, http://www.helpthechildbrides.com/ and to sign the petition to help free Ruby Jessop, who was forced into a polygamous marriage and tried to escape, but failed.

To read Ruby's story, visit http://helpthechildbrides.com/stories/rubyjess.htm.

SisterWife weaves a fictional account of a group of fundamentalist Mormons who refuse to let go of the practices of their ancestors, even if the end result is catastrophic. The group is led by a self-styled "prophet" who rules both men and women with an iron hand, adhering to the tenets of Mormonism as it was practiced in the days of its founding with Joseph Smith Jr. at the helm.

Ms. Collins has extensively researched the lives of four very secretive polygamous societies in the state of Utah, including the FLDS group in Colorado City, and explored how the mainstream modern-day Church is attempting to deal with these groups and the media coverage surrounding them, especially after the high-profile case of polygamist Tom Green. She has also studied the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints extensively. She was raised a member of the religion, with an insider's knowledge of the Church's sometimes secretive workings, and is well-known in the community as a former Mormon working to maintain a dialogue between active members of the LDS Church and their dissident family members. She recently was interviewed by ABC News Radio on the Al Rantel Show.

"This is no formulaic novel; author Collins weaves her story from unusual elements," said Ramon Harris, WordWeaving.com, of SISTERWIFE. "She takes the reader through the mangled thinking of a doomsday religious cult, frames the structure of the Mormon Church in Utah and shows how the Church struggles with extremist factions."

Collins has also written two other books, including one loosely based on her upbringing and childhood as a Mormon, entitled OUTER DARKNESS. This book is currently under consideration by several publishers. She has served as an editor for The Sundance Film Festival, worked for the largest daily newspaper in Utah, and has had many short fiction and poetry pieces published. She is a managing partner in The Readers Room, LLC, an interactive Web site for readers and writers of true crime, mystery, suspense, thrillers, and horror novels, and also the author of a book for writers on how to find an agent.

Sisterwife is available in both trade paperback and all popular ebook formats at Amazon, http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1894942256/qid=1061741970/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-2439216-2736003?v=glance&s=books

Or at Booksurge
http://www.bookurge.com/author.php3?accountID=ZUMA00063

For further information, please call or email Nataliewrites@aol.com. You can also visit Natalie's Web site at http://www.nataliercollins.com.

More acclaim for SISTERWIFE:

"From the first page, SISTERWIFE defies you to put it down. A spine-chilling study of evil that will keep the reader gripped until the final page. The parallels to the case of Elizabeth Smart are frightening."
--Katherine Sutcliffe, multi-award winning bestselling author of Darkling I Listen, Fever, and Notorious

"You won't soon forget the characters who inhabit SISTERWIFE! A book for these terrorizing times, readers will get lost in this saga of cult religions and how the zealous mind works in seeking their goals, even to the extent of murder!"
--Angie Ledbetter, Baton Rouge, LA, Author of Fertile Seasons

"SisterWife tells the shocking story of how one fundamentalist Mormon cult terrorizes it own. Fast paced, lots of action, and great details woven through the plot. Collins has written a true expose that chills to the bone, and stays with the reader long after the book is read."
--Peggy Tibbetts, Silt, CO, Author of Rumors of War and Carly's Ghost

"From the first page to the last, this is a heart stopping adventure made more fascinating by the religious dimension. Kelsey shines through as a true heroine, capable of slaying her own dragons, despite the damaged past she has had to overcome. Her enemies are frightening, made more twisted by their sullying of true religion. This is one book that almost stays glued to your hand, it is so hard to put down."
--Amanda Killgore, Gotta Write Lit Net Mag

"Technically well written, compellingly told and downright entertaining, SisterWife is a truly fine first novel from a writer I expect to be seeing a lot more from in the future. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who doesn't mind losing a little sleep at night because they can't put a book down."
--Rob Holden, Readers Room.com, Four and Half Stars

"Natalie R. Collins' SisterWife is a compelling read. The book is about a woman who, in order to save her daughter, is forced to go back and face the terrors of her past. SisterWife takes the reader deep into religious cults and abuse, but the difficult subjects are handled skillfully by Ms. Collins. There is a love story that really lightens the tone and reminds us all that there is always hope. If you want to read a book that will take you beyond the news coverage to what drives the people involved either directly or on the fringe of these cults, get SisterWife!"
--Jen Apodaca, author of Dating Can Be Murder

"Wow. Chilling, thrilling and spine-tingling, SisterWife grabs you by the lapels on page one and doesn't let go until the end. This is fast-paced in-your-face writing at its best. I couldn't put it down, not even to eat. Natalie R. Collins knows what she's doing and she does it with subtle artistry -- Kelsey Waite's plight is fascinating. More importantly, Kelsey is a living, breathing character who gets our sympathy and keeps it through some fairly grueling business. Highly recommended!!"
--John Blumenthal, author of What's Wrong With Dorfman?

"Intensely emotional and sometimes heartbreaking is how I would describe SISTERWIFE...This is a book you'll not want to put down. If you do, you'll be thinking about what's happening so much that you'll keep picking it up until you've read it through. SISTERWIFE is a true page-turner. The intrigue, action and drama are very effective. Ms. Collins has done a spectacular job."
--Robin Taylor, In the Library Reviews

~~Natalie R. Collins--author of Zumaya Bestseller *SisterWife*~~
Bestselling author Katherine Sutcliffe said: "... A spine-chilling study of evil ...The parallels to the case of Elizabeth Smart are frightening..."
http://www.nataliercollins.com