Elaine L. Schulte

Reminds me so much of the Love Comes Softly series. Following Abby as she learns of her parents passing, we see her join her uncles family and quickly learn of their plans to go west to California! The wagon train is long and hard, and they lose family and friends along the way. Abby however gains a relationship with God and a wonderful man who stands by her patiently.

Following Rose (Abby's best friend), we see her journey of healing as she travels to be with her father and near her best friend via clipper ship to California. We learn very early that Rose was meant to be married but her fiance had tragically died. Rather than marry her fiancé's pushy brother, she made the choice to leave and be with her father who had found Gold and God. On the clipper ship she began to fall.hard for her best friends cousin and heal from her broken heart.

I loved this book! Another great brain recall to Janette Oke. This book follows Louisa as she flees her abusive husband. Through her harrowing journey she makes forever friends and finds a man who seems to truly see her and want to protect her. Loved seeing her emotional struggles/growth as she heals and learns to love.

Honestly my least favorite in the California Pioneer books. This book follows Betsy as she travels away from her immediate family to become a schoolteacher. So many big things happen. The local.doctor is on the schoolboard and against female teachers, the doctors wife is mentally ill, the wife's brother tries to schmooze Betsy, and the Dr's wife dies dramatically. Just seemed like a lot that could have been further flushed out.