A Clearing in the Wild by Jane Kirkpatrick

This is the first in her "Change and Cherish" series and is based on the real historical events that led to the creation of the Aurora Colony in Oregon. New bride Emma is not willing to be a submissive silent partner to her husband Christian, a leader of the German communal colony in Bethel, Missouri.  When Christian is selected as a scout by the colonies spiritual leader, Emma refuses to stay behind when they head west to find a new location and so the challenges begin - both the difficulties of the trail and  Emma's internal questioning.  Kirkpatrick tends toward the Hallmark strong woman version of history and that is what this is.  Our book group chose this because one of the members has a family connection to the Aurora Colony but that only happens at the very end of the book.  Maybe on to book two....