About the Book
Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter
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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My Thoughts
Wanda Brunstetter never disappoints, and I found this sweet Christmas novella very enjoyable. Although I would have loved for it to have been fleshed out into a full novel, it is a very satisfying read and just perfect for the fall-to-Christmas season.
Brunstetter’s historical detail and descriptions are so vivid that readers will feel they, too, are on the 1850s westward journey from Independence, Missouri along the California Trail. The dangers, hardships, and relationship tensions felt real – and through it all is the reminder of God’s presence and ways of working through difficult times.
Cynthia is an appealing and sympathetic leading lady, caught up in an engagement that is seemingly necessary to provide financial security for her mom. Walter, “one of those who measured people by their wealth and social standing,” rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning, and even more so as we got to know him on the journey. I loved how the other two families, a brother/sister and a father with two young children, worked together to make the journey successful, and never quite knew how their relationship with Cynthia would work out. I also enjoyed how Cynthia’s journal entries not only provided detail, but moved the story along.
The delightful Christmas part of this story happens when the group is stranded in an abandoned cabin during winter snows. How they come up with gifts for the two children is touching, and there’s even a “surprise” Santa. There’s also a great life lesson as Cynthia realizes that their delays were from God, giving her a chance to rethink future plans.
The Christmas Prayer is an enjoyable read for any time of the year.
Recommended.
I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
About the Author
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.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?
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
Instructions:
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.
Giveaway
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 book plate inside!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the image above or the link below to enter.
Blog Stops
Among the Reads, September 18
The Avid Reader,
September 18
The Power of Words, September
18
Lighthouse Academy,
September 18
Just Commonly, September 19
Carpe Diem, September 19
A Baker’s Perspective, September
19
Blossoms and Blessings,
September 20
Britt Reads Fiction,
September 20
Random Thoughts From a
Bookworm, September 20
Connie’s History Classroom,
September 21
Luv’N Lambert Life, September 21
Not Enough Time for Books,
September 21
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS,
September 22
Lis Loves Reading, September
22
Literary
Reflections Book Blog, September 22
Babs Book Bistro, September 23
Jeanette’s Thoughts, September 23
Janices book reviews, September 23
Abba’s Prayer Warrior
Princess, September 24
Mary Hake, September 24
Two Points of Interest, September 24
Inspiration Clothesline,
September 25
Inklings and notions,
September 25
Ashley’s Bookshelf, September
25
Fiction, Faith, and Fun, September 26
Girls in White Dresses,
September 26
Book by Book, September 26
Splashes of Joy, September 27
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly
Kisses, September 27
The Morning
Chapter, September 27
The Mimosa Blossom, September 28
Pause for Tales, September 28
Have A Wonderful Day,
September 28
Miss Tina’s Amish Book
Reviews, September 29
To Everything A Season, September 29
Cafinated Reads, September 29
Bibliophile Reviews, September 29
Quiet Quilter, September
30
Southern Gal Loves to Read,
September 30
proud to be an autism mom,
September 30
Texas Book-aholic, October 1
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations,
October 1
Bigreadersite, October 1
Love wanda's books
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to this as a Christmas read.
ReplyDeleteI love reading Christmas stories in the fall! I'm looking forward to reading this one!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy a good wagon train/Prairie romance. And with Christmas coming up this would be fun to win.
ReplyDeleteWonderful review, Carole! I'm looking forward to reading this one.
ReplyDelete