2. What was the political commonality between Montana and the Utah Territory prior to the Manifesto?

3. Name a prominent Utah woman involved in the suffragette movement.

4. Approximately how many horses and mules were killed in the Great War?

5. What weapons introduced in the Great War changed the face of warfare?

6. Which LDS prophet put out a call for women to become doctors?

7. Who was the first female doctor in the Utah Territory?

8. Approximately how many people died in the Great War?

9. Approximately how many people died in the influenza epidemic of 1918?

10. When was the name of the Great War changed to World War I?

11. Why do historians insist that seeds of World War II were sown in the Great War?

12. The Great War began in 1914; why did it take America until 1917 to enter the war on the side of the Allies?

13. How did the influenza epidemic open new vistas of medicine?

14. Who said, "Things change, Fancy, they change all the time . . ."?

2. How does the Great War in Europe and the influenza epidemic affect the faith of the characters in the novel?

3. How do the historical elements of the book enrich the story?

4. Name three historical elements of which you were unaware prior to reading the book.

5. How was the experience of war conveyed through the eyes of the combatants on both sides of the conflict?

6. How does the novel address expansion of women's roles in the 1900s?

7. Relate scenes from the book where the light of human compassion and dignity expressed itself even in the darkness of war.

8. Using Elizabeth Lund as the example, explore the danger in prejudging a person or situation.

9. Choose one of the main characters and evaluate their emotional or spiritual progress through the story.

10. Do you personally relate to any of the characters in the novel?

11. How does Eleanor Lund's pursuit to become a doctor speak to the broader women's issues of the day?

12. Why does James Lund refer to the family apple farm in California as Eden?

1 cup sugar

½ cup melted shortening

1 ½ cups of applesauce

2 cups flour

¾ teaspoon soda

¾ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon baking powder

1 tablespoon dry, dark cocoa

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon cloves

1 cup coarse nuts

Beat sugar and melted shortening.

Add apple sauce.

Mix dry ingredients.

Add nuts to mix, blend lightly

Fill bread pan ¾ full or use muffin tins

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 ½ hrs-less for muffins.

With her husband half a world away, Alaina derives some solace from the fact that her younger sister, Eleanor, lives nearby. Nineteen-year-old Eleanor-the only woman studying medicine at the University of Utah-is soon immersed in researching treatments for the influenza pandemic ravaging the world, a scourge that will soon touch her life all too closely.

An unforgettable historical drama of innocence lost, of memorable characters struggling to hold on to truth and meaning in an age of turmoil, you'll be captivated by Gale Sears' poetic weaving of time, place, and powerful emotion. 

The much-anticipated sequel to Autumn Sky, and Until the Dawn

A wonderful story. Well written and captivating. This is one book I'd love to read to the family on a long drive. I am so grateful that it ended on an inspiring and reassuring note of hope.

    -Lee Groberg

It was a very intense time in history. The Great War in Europe had been raging for three years, America was going to battle, and the influenza epidemic was waiting in the wings. I thought it would be a great canvas on which to paint the abilities, fears, and faith of the characters.

Because this is historical fiction, how much research do you do prior to writing?

Hundreds of hours. I often get lost in the fascinating stories that bubble to the surface when researching history. I have to be careful not to go off on a tangent in my writing.

How much of the research actually makes it into the book?

I may do twenty hours of research on a certain detail and only a paragraph or two of information makes it into the story.

Women in this book seem to be expanding their horizons. Was this accurate to the time period?

Absolutely. The early 1900s were an emerging time for women. They were calling for the vote, moving into professions once held only by men, and becoming more active in the community-all the while maintaining their dedication to home and family. This expansion in profession was especially true during the war. So many men left for the battle front that women had to step in and fill the gap, becoming mail carriers, law enforcement officers, factory workers, sales clerks, etc.

Was it difficult to write the war scenes?

Yes. I'm very attached to my characters and it was hard to see them suffer, but I knew I needed to be true to the actual horrors of battle they had to endure. In researching it was heart-wrenching to read of the lives of the soldiers.

Are there research books about World War I that you would recommend?

Two actually. War Letters, edited by Andrew Carroll, and Doughboy War, edited by James Hallas. Both of these books give the reader a fascinating firsthand look into the soldier's world.

Do you have a favorite character?
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]-->That's a loaded question! I'm going to be diplomatic and say I like them all for different reasons. Even the ones who aren't so likeable have something to teach us.

How does your faith influence the writing?

I'm a convert to the LDS church, having joined when I was twelve. Subsequent to my conversion, I attended and enjoyed the spiritual atmosphere of many other religions. I suppose that's why the theme of religious appreciation finds its way so often onto the pages of my books.