This story about the betrayal of love and the quest for redemption features the grandeur of the West and Native people’s ancient ties to the land. Central characters Elijah McCloud and Jackie Logan are different in every way imaginable—except one: both are deeply wounded by loss.

Elijah once possessed the rare gift of dream singing—seeing the future through dreams—but lost it through a selfish act. It caused him to become estranged from his family, his Modoc tribal heritage, and himself. He now lives a reclusive life in the mountains.

Jackie, a young runaway from Seattle, stumbles upon a murder in a rail yard—and flees the killer. A seemingly chance crossing of paths changes both Elijah’s and Jackie’s fates.

Smith started out as magazine freelance writer in the South, writing about life in a Trappist monastery in Georgia, Civil Rights activist Julian Bond, and crossing the continent by freight train, among other stories. Today, in addition to writing fiction, he’s a ghostwriter, writing coach, and writing instructor at the Maine College of Art. He lives with his wife on the coast of Maine.

This free program is open to the public and will take place in the Androscoggin Community Room. For more information, call 207-333-6640 ext. 4.