John Stevens' Courtship: A Story of the Echo Canyon War

"John Stevens' Courtship: A Story of the Echo Canyon War" by Susa Young Gates is a historical novel set in the 19th century, following the romantic journey of John Stevens and Diantha Winthrop amidst the turmoil of the Echo Canyon War. The story begins with a cheerful picnic organized by Salt Lake City settlers in 1857, providing a temporary diversion from the rising tensions with U.S. troops. Through the interactions between Diantha and her sister-in-law, Rachel, the narrative reveals their relationship dynamics and a budding romantic competition for the attention of John Stevens and another suitor, Henry Boyle. The lively anticipation of the picnic masks an underlying sense of uncertainty, foreshadowing the hardships and transformations that await the characters as they navigate both personal relationships and the significant historical events unfolding around them in the valley.