Strong women.
Fierce choices.
Unbreakable bonds.

Catherine Matthews

AUTHOR

“Funny, heart-wrenching, and hopeful.”

Four states, three sisters, two dogs, one disappointing roadside attraction, and far too many secrets . . .

When Molly Casey asks her sisters to drive her home from Reno to Seattle, they’re reluctant—until they learn she has cancer. Recreating the last road trip their family took before everything fell apart, she hopes to heal the rift between them. Instead, misunderstandings and repressed grievances explode across state lines.

"Three sisters, one road trip, and a whole lot of unresolved feelings. It made me laugh, cry, and feel everything in between. My emotions were all over the place, but I truly enjoyed every minute of it."

Amazon Reviewer

"Roadside Sisters was like hitting the open road with the windows down, a completely satisfying and exhilarating journey from start to finish."

Amazon Reviewer

"Matthews’ beautifully written novel about family and forgiveness stirred my heart, reminding me that we, as humans, are too slow to bury our hurt and reach out to repair important relationships. Roadside Sisters is a must read."

Amazon Reviewer

"Roadside Sisters is a beautifully crafted story that highlights the complexity of sisterly bonds and the impact of secrets. It's the kind of book that stays with you long after you've turned the last page."

Goodreads Reviewer

"Roadside Sisters is a powerful, emotional, memorable and thought-provoking novel."

Goodreads Reviewer

“An epic tale about justice, fairness, and standing up for oneself.”

Secrets hiding on the tundra…

In the dawning of summer, the rugged landscape of rural Alaska sets the stage for a tale of determination and dark secrets. Headstrong Bunny O’Kelly arrives on the sprawling expanses of Buck Miller’s horse ranch with the fiery ambition to make a name for herself. Against the backdrop of wild horses and unchecked wilderness, she embarks on a grueling journey to prove her worth, not just as a ranch hand, but as a woman in a world that doesn’t want her.

"Echoing themes from Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, Catherine Matthews’ heart-wrenching and intricate storytelling with a murderous undertone makes Releasing the Reins a welcome contribution to the gothic western."

Natalie Garrison, BookTrib.,
Loved Netflix’s “Ransom Canyon”? Here’s 8 Western Novels to Keep You in the Saddle

"Award-winning and masterfully written, this novel delivers a compelling mix of mystery, resilience, and raw emotion. The atmospheric setting and unrelenting tension pull the reader deep . . . Releasing the Reins is a must-read for fans of strong heroines, slow-burning suspense, and thrillers that refuse to let go. "

David Lane Williams, author of Carousel Grift

"A tribute to female resistance and independence . . . these girls show physical prowess, mental fortitude, and resilience despite all the resistance they face . . . Brava to Catherine Matthews for crafting such relatable experiences . . . And the writing is flawless and rich with details that made me feel as if I were actually there."

Amazon Reviewer

"An epic tale about justice, fairness, and standing up for oneself . . . From the gorgeous descriptions to the carefully drawn characters, this is a book you won’t want to put down.

Kathryn Dodson, author of Tequila Midnight.

"Bunny is a feminist icon that knows taking the easy road isn’t always easy but it's what you are meant to do. "

Goodreads Reviewer

WD SelfPubEbook-2024 Honorable Mention CF

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My new goal: Beat Fredrik Backman in Best in Show.

Last spring, I wanted to be Fredrik Backman. I don’t mean famous. Or Swedish. Or brilliant. Or a guy. No, I wanted to be the writer whose words...

Embracing clouds in the sky and in life.

“The bluest skies you’ve ever seen in Seattle." That lyric, from Bobby Sherman’s theme song to Here Come the Brides, has been stuck in my head since...

Re-inventing yourself—or an organization or a nation—only works if you face the truth.

The concept of re-inventing oneself seems consummately American to me. As the grandchild and great-grandchild of immigrants, this idea, that I am...

Things may be strongest where they’re broken, but they could still use a little support . . . or what I learned from an arthritic foot.

Louise Penny once wrote, “Things are strongest where they’re broken.” There are so many jewels sprinkled throughout Penny’s writing. Sentences...

Retreat to advance: Strategy for success

The WFWA writing retreat in Albuquerque was an amazing week of learning and growth. A retreat is a powerful way to advance your writing. What’s my strategy to get the most out of it? Remove, Engage, Think, Realize, Elicit, Aspire, Tangle and Scribble

The Clock is ticking. Am I spending my time or investing it?

All of this made me think about how I am spending my time. I got caught on the phrase: spending time. If you think about it, spend is technically correct but indistinct. It doesn’t really say anything about value . . . The value of time is not like that of money. You can’t bank time, make more, or spend it later. Time is marching on. Whether with intention or not, we are going to spend it. How we spend it matters.

Fear and Flexible Thinking

Years ago, I knew a talented young woman full of joy and promise. She was an artist. As I had primarily studied the sciences, I didn’t always...

My parachute is purple: (With apologies to Sister Estelle) A book report that is thirty-five-years overdue.

It was 1989 and, looking back, my parachute was crimson. The ink on my Bachelor of Science degree in Biology had been dry a year and my teaching...

If your backpack sets off the seatbelt alarm, you’ve got too much baggage.

As I do every morning, I got in my Jeep yesterday, buckled up, and drove off. I was maybe a block from the house when the seatbelt alarm went off. I...

Start acting like a baby and take that first step!

Join me in acting like a big baby: Take a step toward what you want.
Even when it is scary, do it anyway.
Embrace yet.
Let go of the fear of appearing awkward or foolish.
Accept the crooked line as the perfect path for you.
Learn from falling down.
Use what you have and reach out for support.
Celebrate every moment—big and small—toward your goal.

Catherine Matthews

“Funny, heart-wrenching, and hopeful.”

"Three sisters, one road trip, and a whole lot of unresolved feelings. It made me laugh, cry, and feel everything in between. My emotions were all over the place, but I truly enjoyed every minute of it."

"Roadside Sisters was like hitting the open road with the windows down, a completely satisfying and exhilarating journey from start to finish."

"Matthews’ beautifully written novel about family and forgiveness stirred my heart, reminding me that we, as humans, are too slow to bury our hurt and reach out to repair important relationships. Roadside Sisters is a must read."

"Roadside Sisters is a beautifully crafted story that highlights the complexity of sisterly bonds and the impact of secrets. It's the kind of book that stays with you long after you've turned the last page."

"Roadside Sisters is a powerful, emotional, memorable and thought-provoking novel."

“An epic tale about justice, fairness, and standing up for oneself.”

"Echoing themes from Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, Catherine Matthews’ heart-wrenching and intricate storytelling with a murderous undertone makes Releasing the Reins a welcome contribution to the gothic western."

"An epic tale about justice, fairness, and standing up for oneself . . . From the gorgeous descriptions to the carefully drawn characters, this is a book you won’t want to put down.

"Bunny is a feminist icon that knows taking the easy road isn’t always easy but it's what you are meant to do. "

The stories I write.
The dogs I love.
The news you need.

Get my latest news

My new goal: Beat Fredrik Backman in Best in Show.

Embracing clouds in the sky and in life.

Re-inventing yourself—or an organization or a nation—only works if you face the truth.

Things may be strongest where they’re broken, but they could still use a little support . . . or what I learned from an arthritic foot.

Retreat to advance: Strategy for success

The Clock is ticking. Am I spending my time or investing it?

Fear and Flexible Thinking

My parachute is purple: (With apologies to Sister Estelle) A book report that is thirty-five-years overdue.

If your backpack sets off the seatbelt alarm, you’ve got too much baggage.

Start acting like a baby and take that first step!

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Catherine Matthews

“Funny, heart-wrenching, and hopeful.”

"Three sisters, one road trip, and a whole lot of unresolved feelings. It made me laugh, cry, and feel everything in between. My emotions were all over the place, but I truly enjoyed every minute of it."

"Roadside Sisters was like hitting the open road with the windows down, a completely satisfying and exhilarating journey from start to finish."

"Matthews’ beautifully written novel about family and forgiveness stirred my heart, reminding me that we, as humans, are too slow to bury our hurt and reach out to repair important relationships. Roadside Sisters is a must read."

"Roadside Sisters is a beautifully crafted story that highlights the complexity of sisterly bonds and the impact of secrets. It's the kind of book that stays with you long after you've turned the last page."

"Roadside Sisters is a powerful, emotional, memorable and thought-provoking novel."

“An epic tale about justice, fairness, and standing up for oneself.”

"Echoing themes from Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, Catherine Matthews’ heart-wrenching and intricate storytelling with a murderous undertone makes Releasing the Reins a welcome contribution to the gothic western."

"An epic tale about justice, fairness, and standing up for oneself . . . From the gorgeous descriptions to the carefully drawn characters, this is a book you won’t want to put down.

"Bunny is a feminist icon that knows taking the easy road isn’t always easy but it's what you are meant to do. "

The stories I write.The dogs I love.The news you need.

Get my latest news

The stories I write.
The dogs I love.
The news you need.