The Journals of Corrie Belle Hollister Series by Michael R. Phillips, Judith Pella

As the wagon train made its descent from the mountains, the warm colors of autumn tried in vain to cheer the weary young travelers. Their mother had perished in the desert, and they had heard that their father was dead some years before. With the help of the wagon master, fifteen-year-old Corrie Belle Hollister is the only one left to bring her two brothers and two sisters into a raucous mining camp during the California Gold Rush to find their Uncle Nick... moreAs the wagon train made its descent from the mountains, the warm colors of autumn tried in vain to cheer the weary young travelers. Their mother had perished in the desert, and they had heard that their father was dead some years before. With the help of the wagon master, fifteen-year-old Corrie Belle Hollister is the only one left to bring her two brothers and two sisters into a raucous mining camp during the California Gold Rush to find their Uncle Nick.Her mother's dying words to Corrie: "A woman's got to be strong. She's got to be able to make her way alone if she has to." When the little troop arrives in Miracle Springs and discovers that Uncle Nick has skipped town and the sheriff is after him, the "land of promise" turns into one of fear and unknown danger. Shouts of "gold" and "new strike" fade away as Corrie stands in the middle of a strange town with everyone turning them away.Could they make it on their own? She'd have to try! less

Her reputation has spread beyond California. Is politics her future . . . or something else?As the election of 1860 draws near and political tensions between the North and South threaten to escalate into a full-scale war, Corrie Belle Hollister finds herself thrust into the political arena... moreHer reputation has spread beyond California. Is politics her future . . . or something else?As the election of 1860 draws near and political tensions between the North and South threaten to escalate into a full-scale war, Corrie Belle Hollister finds herself thrust into the political arena.Her reputation as California's Woman Reporter and her vain attempts to help Colonel John Fremont in the presidential election of 1856 have brought her to the attention of the leaders of California's new Republican Party. And the handsome young political aide, Cal Burton, helps to convince Corrie that Lincoln, and even the nation itself, depend upon the influence she can wield through her speaking and writing. Mounting conflict within the Hollister clan and in the nation at large bring Corrie to the realization that the decisions she makes could change her life forever. less

Book 8 in The Journals of Corrie Belle Hollister. Corrie returns to Miracle Springs to discover a home to call her own, bringing with her Christopher's proposal to marry