“The Christmas Prayer” by New York Times best-selling and award-winning author Wanda Brunstetter is not her usual Amish offering, but a historical Novella. Set in the West, this 176 page paperback is the tale of a small group of travelers leaving Independence, Missouri, in April 1850 journeying to California. Their goal is to join a wagon train which left earlier.

Cynthia Cooper and her mother Mabel are two of the characters we meet. They are going with Cynthia’s fiancé, Walter Prentice, to California. Arriving in Independence, late they are disappointed to learn the wagon train has already departed. They discover two other families in the same shape and begin their long journey to catch the train. The other parties are Cole Edwards and his sister, Virginia as well as Jack Simpson, a widower traveling with his two young children, Alan and Amelia.

The characters are extremely well rounded defined. Some were delightful and others detestable. Conversations flowed easily and smoothly. True to life, troubles and trials happen along the way to delay their journey. The group finds themselves at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains when winter hits. Snow falls and halts travel. The author has done a wonderful job describing the time, place, and emotions in her delightful story.

The Christmas Prayer is a well-written novel with a nice message, great writing, and smooth transitions between characters’ viewpoints. At times it was easy to guess what would happen next. The Christian message was sprinkled lighter than normal, but it was still present. Pray and trust God.

I would highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys historical romance, Christmas books, or for Wanda fans. It is a lovely afternoon or evening read. I will be buying a few for stocking stuffers this year. I gave it 5 out of 5 star rating. A free copy of the book was provided by the author and CelebrateLit, but all opinions are my own, honest ones.

About the Book:

Genre: Historical Christmas Romance

Release date: September, 2018

Beloved, bestselling author of Amish fiction, Wanda E. Brunstetter takes readers on a journey in 1850 along the California Trail.

Only the brave—or foolhardy—would attempt a cross-country journey late in the season. Three wagons meet up in Independence, Missouri, in April 1850, and their owners decide to keep forging ahead despite many setbacks and delays. December finds them in the Sierra Nevada Mountains when a sudden snowstorm traps them, obscuring the trail.

Cynthia Cooper is traveling with her mother and the man she has promised to marry. But as Christmas is upon them and they are hunkered down in a small cabin, she is forced to reevaluate her reasons for planning to marry fellow-traveler Walter Prentice. When a widowed father heading to a California ranch and a gold prospector both show an interest in Cynthia, she weighs her dreams for marriage alongside her responsibility to care for her mother. Can love win over her timid heart?

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About the Author

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Wanda E.

Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written close to 90 books translated in four languages. With over 10 million copies sold, Wanda’s stories consistently earn spots on the nations most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.

Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com.

Guest Post from Wanda

A cross-country journey in 1850 leads to high mountain danger—and romance.

Find out in The Christmas Prayer from NY Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter.

Try this Exclusive Bonus Recipe Found Inside the Book!

Cynthia’s Fried Apples

Without peeling, quarter as many tart apples as you would like. Lay apples close together, skin side down, in frying pan with salt pork fat or butter. Cover until well steamed then uncover and brown both sides, turning and watching closely to prevent burning.

To celebrate her tour, Wanda is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a free copy of The Christmas Prayer with an autographed bookplate inside. Be sure to comment on the blog stops (schedule below) for 9 extra entries into the giveaway. Click here to enter.