Broken Branches

This story is about three generations of a family. It's centered around Lisette Auburn--a young woman very close to her mother and cousins. When a very close relative of hers suddenly dies tragically, a chain reaction of bad things happens within the family. Secrets, bad feelings, fears, everything comes out, whether they like it or not, and she gets caught in the middle of the family's inevitable breakdown. (This is the best description I could give without giving away too much of the story). When I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. I was immediately drawn to the characters and their problems. I find myself telling everyone about it. The story is emotional and it affects you in more ways than one. It is fresh and intriguing, and the dialogue between the characters is VERY realistic. The author even puts the supernatural into the mix, giving it an intriguing flavor.

A friend gave me this book, and I utterly enjoyed it. I genuinely loved her style of writing and highly recommend this novel. I would really love to see the author do another book on this family; to continue the story. If not that, I look forward to reading another story from her, period!

Ms. Colin has crafted a gem of a story. I was riveted by the characters and wanted to know more and more about them as the story went on. Ms. Colin's ability to create and define her characters is fabulous. She is a natural and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

It was a great story that held me, no gripped me, and did not let go until I finished. The words, sentences and paragraphs that described characters made them real to me. I could visualize them. I was there with them, a silent member of the thought or conversation. I was on occasion in the room wanting to put my two cents in. The intricate dynamics that both binds and conflicts a family I thought, were expressed sometimes with subtlety, then with the in your face manner that I've seen within my own family. I enjoyed this book! Start to finish, two sittings, every page. No jumping ahead. No seeing how it ends. The book is Super. She can write. It was a pleasure reading the book. Oprah, everyone, read this book!

The book is great! The characters, the way it is written, I felt the love, the hurt, the pain, the passion and the emotion. At times it even brought tears to my eyes. The Authorities, as they like to call them, are unbelievable. Every second I read the book it became more and more enticing! I could barely put it down. I am so looking forward to the next one! All I can say is, this book is the BOMB!

"... I enjoyed the book so much that I would enjoy a follow-up to find out about those characters that intrigued me because of their mysterious pasts and reactions to the present crises. I think once you read this debut novel you will fall in love with the Auburns and with Colin's storytelling. This is a story about how the past can shape us and the future can set us free. I'd highly recommend this book and know this is not the last we have heard from Erika N. Colin."

An emotional but fun-spirited book. A well rounded cast of characters. You will find yourself relating to them and naming them after members of your own family! Remember... everything is not always as it appears. Ms. Colin is a talented storyteller and I look forward to her next piece of work.

Writing heals. This is the simplest way I can summarise what, in my reading, Erika N. Colin’s début novel foregrounds... In the center is not only the simple question of forbears or the usual 'generation gap' syndrome. It is also about how one can relate to the community and the tradition into which she has been socialized... N. Colin’s language abounds in imagery.

...writer with a flair for the imaginative... this is a book well worth completing, as the last 100 pages make it difficult to put down.

Good humor. She has a magical way with dialogue. Each scene is vivid and plausible.