In 1856, Mormon converts began what is known as the Mormon Trek, traveling 1,300 miles from Iowa City to Salt Lake City to start a new life with others of their faith.

This historical account is the basis for Sandra Dallas’s latest novel, True Sisters. Dallas will read from the book at 7 p.m. today at Prairie Lights, 15 S. Dubuque St.

True Sisters follows four women, Nannie, Louisa, Jessie, and Anne, in the last group to leave for Utah. This group faced many harrowing hardships; more than a quarter of the 575 people in the last group froze or starved to death. The women must endure incredible challenges as they travel, clinging to their faith and friendship to survive.

Dallas resides in Denver and is an alumna of the University of Denver. She reported for BusinessWeek for a number of years and is the author of other novels such as The Persian Pickle Club and Tallgrass.

The author tells the stories of people on a journey of faith who make many sacrifices along the way.

— by Julia Jessen