Wanda E. Brunstetter is known for her Amish stories. I enjoy and have read many of them. When I saw this title and read the description, I was excited to read something a little different by her. As the introduction tells us, this is a story about three different families. They each have met up in Independence, Missouri in April 1850 to join a wagon train. They all three arrived late and the other wagons have already left for California. Thinking they can catch the wagon train, they vote to continue on. It is unusual and foolhardy to leave at such a late date. Due to hardships and weather, there is a good chance they can get caught in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Wanda is a master at character development. Although the entire story is written about just three families, Wanda gives us a great variety of personalities. We have a brother and his sister wanting to strike it rich in the gold mines. We have a widower and his two small children traveling West to join his brother already established there. Our main character Cynthia Cooper and her mother are fleeing to California. Her father has recently died and left them penniless. Cynthia is engaged to Walter Prentice, who is headed to California to open several stores. If the story has a villain, Walter would be it. Although this was a short story and a quick read, it was interesting and entertaining. I would recommend this book.
I received this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalleys. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I loved this sweet story. Wanda Brunstetter has been a favorite author for many years. I really like the setting of the wagon train. The historical aspect of the novel played well with me. I recommend this book highly, it covers many interest and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thanks to the publisher who provided an ebook arc through netgalley. The opinion are own

The Christmas Prayer by Wanda Brunstetter is a short story about Cynthia Cooper’s trip from Independence, Missouri to California in 1850.
Cynthia and her mother are traveling with the man she has agreed to marry along with two other wagons, Cole and his sister Virginia who are in search of wealth by hopefully striking gold, and Jack and his two small children who are planning on joining his brother and running a cattle ranch.
The story follows the wagon train as they travel across the west in hopes of getting to California by Christmas. Friendships are made, relationships are re-evaluated, and love is found in this exciting read by Wanda.
I was able to finish this story in just a short time, which was good because it was very captivating. The characters were well-written and it was easy to relate to Cynthia and the other travelers.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the netgalley.com and Barbour Publishing in return for my honest opinion of the book. All opinions and statements expressed are strictly my own.

Follow the hardships and joys with this unlikely group traveling along the California Trail. Well written. Enjoyable to read. I was given a free copy of this book by Barbour and Net Galley for my honest review.

Great, historical fiction, fast read from Wanda E Brunstetter. Cynthia and her widowed mother head west with Cynthia's fiance. They join 2 other wagons headed to California. As they travel west and face hardships and danger along the way, friendships and romances develop along the route. Cynthia and her fiance have to determine whether or not their courtship will continue. Likeable characters, sweet kids, and wonderful friendships in this novel.

This was a typical Christmas book, where everything comes out alright. In spite of this, I really liked the story and the characters.

The year of 1850,being destitute, with no funds to take care of her mother and herself. The only option was marriage, not for love, for security. Walter was wanting to make money and thought heading west was the answer, and opening a business. When on the trail, causing the wagon train to wait out a storm. Gave Cynthia, time to notice two other men were interested in her. One was a widower with two small children and a gold prospector. With the age of fifteen years difference, I would of thought Walter would have shown interest in the mother first. Enjoyable story of life in 1850, not easy in those days, and with few choices for woman. Given ARC by Net Galley and Barbour for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

The storyline was enjoyable but the book lacked emotion. It felt that character relations were established between the wrong characters. The author has talent but I think the development was lacking.

This is a short sweet story about how God is in control, I enjoyed this book, just wish it had been longer. Thank you NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc Shiloh Run Press for the ARC copy of this book,This review is my honest opinion.