Love, violence, and death on the American frontier play a part in this story of the early Mormons and their search for peace and freedom from persecution. Nathaniel, a young man from a Shaker background, has promised to help Hannah and her brother get safely from Ohio to Missouri, where Hannah’s fiance Dan is building a cabin for them. As the arduous journey unfolds, Nathaniel falls deeply in love with Hannah, a complication with profound repercussions.

In Clouds of Fire explores the diversity of people who were attracted to this unique religion of Mormonism, and the groups from which they came, religious and otherwise. Based on accounts and journals of the time, the book brings to life an exciting portion of American history.

Author Elaine Stienon grew up in Detroit and attended U-M, where she earned a Hopwood award in her senior year for a collection of short stories. Since that time, she has had stories published in such literary magazines as Phoenix, South, the Cimarron Review, and the Ball State University Forum. In Clouds of Fire is her fourth published novel.