A Pioneer Christmas Beyond the Oregon Trail: A Western Adventure Novella

by David Fitz-Gerald

Dorcas and her family endured a harrowing trip along the Oregon Trail in 1850. Now, they face their first brutal winter in the rugged wilderness. Can they survive the harsh realities of frontier life?

Devastating setbacks threaten their lives, crush their hopes, and test their faith in timeless traditions. Their cabin is unfinished. Wild animals shred their tents, ruin their food supply, and wreck their camp. As winter closes in, a powerful storm strikes their remote homestead. How much more can they endure?

Dorcas suggests skipping Christmas to focus on survival, but her children balk. They don't want to give up on the cherished holiday. Is Christmas a luxury they can't afford?

When her husband, Agapito, fails to return from a critical supply run, Dorcas ventures into the wilderness with a rifle in search of food for her children. She must brave the elements as a mountain lion stalks her through a violent winter storm.

Can the love that binds this family deliver Christmas miracles? Or will the unforgiving wilderness crush their holiday spirit?

Start reading A Pioneer Christmas Beyond the Oregon Trail today. Get wrapped up in this gripping western adventure of love, survival, and the enduring power of hope. Perfect for fans of frontier fiction and heartwarming holiday tales, this novella will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Genres: Historical Fiction

123 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2024

About the author

David Fitz-Gerald writes frontier and pioneer western fiction from the wilds of western Vermont—about as far west as you can get without slipping into New York.

Though he’s never wrangled beeves to market, Dave was a top hand on his grandfather’s dude ranch in the Adirondack Mountains… before he turned ten. He’s lived most of his life on dirt roads. Whenever he gets the chance, he travels west to recharge his spirit on the windswept prairies.

He’s an Adirondack 46’er which means that he’s hiked to the top of every mountain in the park. In 2018, Dave completed the 1960s fitness craze by hiking 50 miles in one day. That’s one heck of a long walk, but not nearly as grueling as the iconic trails that he chases in his fiction.

Even after all these years, Dave still has his head in the clouds like Ken from My Friend Flicka, and a quiet, self-reliant spirit like Sam from The Trumpet of the Swan. That blend of wonder, heart, and spirit runs through the characters he portrays. His editor states he is “exceptionally good at creating real moments between characters”—and readers seem to agree.

Dave’s breakthrough series, Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail won Chanticleer’s Grand Prize for Book Series. He’s now the author of nearly twenty novels and counting, and as long as there’s coffee in the kitchen, Dave will be plotting one adventurous story after another.

Reviews

[Fred Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A CHRISTMAS STORY BRING THE END OF THE STORY TO A HAPPY ENDING TO A GREAT SERIES

☆☆☆☆☆

"The miracles we've witnessed this Christmas made me realize that Christmas is for everyone. Not just children, but adults too."

If you have read the David Fitz-Gerald's series "Ghosts Along The Oregon Trail", this adds to the story of Dorcas Moon-Delgado, Agapito Huerta Delgado, the Moon children, and their friends and family after they have made the six-month journey from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City, Oregon and gives you an insight to settling in and building a new life in the Oregon Territory.

Though this is a Christmas Story it's also gives us a small look into the hardships starting a new life in the wilderness in the 1850's in what during that time was the middle of nowhere. That being said, their Christmas story is full of Christmas miracles, joy, friendship, love, compassion, and even loss. Families and friends come together for each other not because it's the holidays but because of the love and respect they have for each other.

I have really enjoyed reading this and the "Ghost Along the Oregon Trail," and I hope you will too.

[Yvette Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this Christmas novella! With the familiar characters of Dorcas and her family I felt like I was living in the past, experiencing the challenges of preparing a homestead for the long winter ahead. There didn’t seem to be any time for Dorcas to think about Christmas, let alone resources to be had. It seemed they would have to skip Christmas after all they had already been through. It was one too many losses and the children wouldn’t hear of it. They showed Dorcas that Christmas wasn’t just about presents and food it was about love and being together through thick and thin. Each one made it a Christmas to remember and celebrated their new lives together.

[Linda Galella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike most Christmas novellas, this is NOT a typical feel good story. In fact, for most of these 112 pages, reader are given a view of the harsh realities that faced pioneers on the Oregon trail.

Dorcas, the FMC, mother of 4 and wife to Agapito, her 2nd husband, (Her first died on the journey west and she married Agapito at some point after), have arrived at their property after a trouble laden journey. They are nearly starving, without most of their supplies due to a freak accident and completely exhausted from preparing to build their cabin and helping fellow pioneers.

It’s the week before Christmas. Agapito decides to travel into town to purchase the supplies needed to sustain the family until they can plant and hunt. Dorcas isn’t feeling well and stays home to finish putting the new cabin together, care for the children and recover from her accident. The children do as they are able when she leaves to go hunt for food. They’re very, VERY hungry. Things are not going well.

I found the first half of the story jerky and halting. The second half is much better, more like a man against nature thriller. Dorcas is featured as she fights to save the the lives of her children and herself. It’s so much more with the fight for Christmas woven into the story and this is where I began to lose interest.

One of the characters has a paranormal gift that doesn’t ring true and Dorcas recalls past experiences that don’t make sense for what I learned about her character. Perhaps if I’d read more about her in other books from the series? I don’t know what the problem is but my truth meter was sorely lacking.

For those reader who don’t mind troublesome tales, this one does end with hope for a better future for Dorcas, Agapito, her family and a Merry Christmas 🎄📚

[Kim Degeyter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved checking in with these characters in this sweet Christmas setting :) 3.5 stars

[J.M. Northup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cozy Addition to Series

I'm currently reading this series, so when I saw the holiday add-on, it was an easy grab. Though it does standalone and can be read as such, I don't recommend it. It's a good tale on its own, but the inclusion to the series makes it fuller and enriches the story.

I enjoyed revisiting the likable characters. It was nice to see how they are fairing now that they've arrived at their destination. It only made sense, giving the time of year, to share a pioneer Christmas with readers, which also have more insight into these people and their lives.

If you enjoy westerns, are fascinated by all things Oregon Trail (like me), or just want to cozy up with a family survival story, this is a great novella. There is action, mystery, and a ton of love. Happy holidays!

[greenize02gmail.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Pioneer Christmas...filled with Christmas memories

I liked the references to events along the Oregon Trail. Also, the classic Christmas memories put me in the mood to

decorate for the holidays. Remembering our people and critters who have passed on is made easier with this story.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has a soul.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series was top notch! I loved this last book to check on Dorcas and Family. It was heartwarming to read that they are all still together and happy. I’m sure there are things in this series that I will always remember. I didn’t want this series to end!!! Please please please write some more about this wonderful family!

[Gene Komaromi]

The story seems to retell a frontier adventure until the author introduces some metaphysical elements. Those elements provide a whole new depth to the basic story. This is a "Good Read". I couldn't put my Kindle down and read the book in one setting.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

finally a complete story

We finally have a complete little story for this series. You don’t have to have read the rest of the stories to understand this one. It helps but it’s not necessary.

[Jeannie N Sommers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely Christmas story on the trail

I loved following Dorcas and her family for their Christmas. I love reading about the wagons heading west. A simple but a fun western Christmas read.

[Linda Younger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am glad I found this series

I enjoyed every bit of this story. I couldn't put these books down. I felt like I was on this adventure right along with the families. If you want a great story this is one to read.

[Cheryl Bourdet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fine Story

Great addition to the original series about the Oregon Trail. Best of all it brings out the need that everyone has to do acts of service and kindness for those around them. Only wish there wasn’t an end to these tales!

[Daniel Moore]

Goofy

If you're willing to believe that these people survived a cross-continent trek and survived with little or no survival knowledge, then more power to you. The constant mistakes and author goofs (boots of the period couldn't MELT) are irritating to me. And the names - awful.

[Marlyn Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

great adventure.

This series was great. From first book to last I could not wait for the next read. I read late into the night and early in the morning. It was hard to put the books down. What tough people our ancestors were.

[Debbi Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

This was an interesting story, but unless you've read the series theres not a lot of backstory. I enjoyed it

[Deborah Hanlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read! Lots of love, excitement, heart stopping events. With a happy ending!

[Telena Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice read

I found the characters easy to like and relate to. I would like to have read more about their day to day activities. But all in all, I enjoyed it.

[Barbara McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series. Just it would never end.

[Rhonda Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I enjoyed this book. It really showed the hardships the settlers sent through coming to a new part of the country. I recommend this book.

[Gwendolyn spry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond the Oregon Trail saga

I loved this series of books, the characters were life like and real to me. Great books to read, couldn't put them down. I hope the story continues

[Tammy Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love knows no bounds

A beautiful story of love,survival and making dreams come true if you work together and work hard. Anything is possible