"A Christmas Prayer" Book Review

AChristmas Prayer
by Wanda E. Brunstetter

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?


MY THOUGHTS:   Wanda E. Brunstetter has written an intriguing tale set in the 1850's which is a fascinating time period for me.  Wanda traditionally writes Amish fiction, so this book deviates from her normal genre.   This is a romance and historical fiction with a bit of added adventure and danger.  
           I really enjoyed the book.  The characters all tore at my heart and were quite likable except for Walter and Cynthia's mother.  I won't reveal the reasons for my feelings towards the characters as they would spoil the story for readers.   It is the mark of a good writer to draw the reader in and create an image that allows readers to develop strong emotions towards characters.   I felt the ending was rather abrupt, but the book was definitely highly pleasurable.
          I am rating this book 4 stars and highly recommend it to readers.    
           I received a digital version of this book from netgalley Shiloh Run Press in exchange for my honest review.   I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

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.

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