Naomi Morrison is torn between John Carter, a scientist looking for fossils in the Arizona dessert, and Linc Rawlins, a half-breed who rescued her
In the great north woods she set out on an improbable quest for love... Linnet McLeod —Deep in her innermost being was a father-shaped void, formed by the man who had abandoned her as an infant. She must find him, if only to find herself... Simon McLaren —Linnet had never known a man like him—a quiet man—exuding strength and gentleness, fire and faith—a faith that ran deep as the great rivers they traveled. Who was he and what did he want from her? James Landry —He didn't appear to be the kind of man to brave the rigors of wilderness living. He was too much the English gentleman, too refined, too handsome. Yet his was an invitation she could not resist, "A mutual quest," he said. "Mine born of duty; yours, of love."
Why was she so purely delighted that he had entered her world? In an age of the decline of the Spanish dons—those elegant lords of central California during the mid-1800s—Felicidad Martines meets an Irish sea-man, Seamus Fisher. Though born in different worlds, Felicidad; her father, the don; Seamus, and others in the grandee's family must come to grips with the dying society as it makes way for a new and more democratic order. It is a last gracious moment in history; the first in a vital new era, in which all must learn the power of sacrificial love.
Rose Wilmington, a Christian for five years who feels coerced to marry Willard Stanford, the bad-seed twin of her late fiancé. She leaves Georgetown to sail around Cape Horn to California to join her father. Joshua Talbot, who aided in her escape, brings her love and hope. When they arrive in San Francisco, the gold rush has just begun in earnest —and with it comes a Joshua that Rose has never seen. With a chance to amass a great fortune, he is no longer the gentleman Rose first met. Rebelling against Rose because of her church activities, he becomes involved in the wild gold rush lifestyle. But Rose's prayers never cease. She has a dream for Joshua—a golden dream.
Abby, he whispered, you need to know the Lord... Abby Windsor Talbot - A few weeks before graduation from Miss Sheffield's School for Young Ladies, Abby's aunt and uncle come to tell her that her parents have been killed and she must go with them to Missouri. Bitter and lonely, she goes unwillingly on her journey westward. Daniel Wainwright - Daniel, the handsome young friend of Abby's uncle, tries to help Abby recognize the need to forgive and give her the courage to go on. His parents scalped and killed by Indians when he was five, Daniel was taken in by Abby's relatives and raised as their own son. Together they find a love that is strong enough to withstand anything.