• "An Exquisite Read,"
  January 27, 2012
  By Arletta Dawdy

"THE BURNING JACKET by Nel Rand is an exquisite read, built on the stories of three generations of amazing women. As with her first novel, MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY, Nel Rand writes in a lyrical/poetic fashion. The voices of her characters are strong, distinct and finely drawn. Rand is a mistress of wordage, leading the reader down the path only to tease with surprises..none of which I will give away. Themes abound: family strengths and weaknesses, connections with nature and creativity, good and evil clashes in the forests, in relationships and self. This unique book well deserves all the honors that have come to it, including as a finalist for the WILLA award from Women Writing the West. What will Rand send out next? It is sure to be a book rich with characters, including setting as character; she consistently evokes a world of mysticism, natural beauty and poignancy."

• Judge's comments from WILLA, Women Writing the West.

Judge- "Emotional grabber".
Judge- "This book was so beutifully written with vivid characters who became like friends. As much tragedy as it contained, it's best quality was a wry humor and an underpining sense of joy. The interplay between the three generations was as genuine and complex as real life, and each of the women in the family was a facinating person in their own right."