What do you think?
Rate this book
Calico Trails
Destination Christmas
At her aunt’s insistence, rancher's daughter Katie Haversham reluctantly boards a train leaving The Dalles to be introduced into Portland society at Christmastime. Who knew she’d fall for Creed Browning, a cowboy more suited to her hopes and dreams than any she’d find in high society, long before she reaches her destination? An avalanche waylays the train, and while the passengers fight for survival in the snowed-in pass, Creed and Katie fall in love. But can they escape the disapproval of Katie's aunt Matilda, or perhaps worse, the wealthy but selfish woman who wants to make Katie her daughter-in-law? And if Christmas arrives before the stranded passengers are rescued, can they manage to make the holiday a merry one?
(Originally published in the Home for Christmas novella collection)
(Originally published in the Home for Christmas novella collection)
89 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2020
10 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Pam Hillman
25 books648 followersCBA Bestselling author PAM HILLMAN was born and raised on a dairy farm in Mississippi and spent her teenage years perched on the seat of a tractor raking hay. In those days, her daddy couldn't afford two cab tractors with air conditioning and a radio, so Pam drove an Allis Chalmers 110. Even when her daddy asked her if she wanted to bale hay, she told him she didn't mind raking. Raking hay doesn't take much thought so Pam spent her time working on her tan and making up stories in her head. Now, that's the kind of life every girl should dream of. www.pamhillman.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 27, 2020
Based on a true incident, the author fleshes out the story with likable characters and a little romance thrown in. She uses an avalanche on the train tracks to show Katie and Creed’s sterling qualities. Katie pitches in and occupies the children and helps with the heavy work as well. Creed takes initiative and guides the occupants of the train including children. Who doesn’t like a hero who is good with children?
This was a short and sweet story of making the best out of adversity and finding love at the same time.
*I received a complimentary ebook from the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
This was a short and sweet story of making the best out of adversity and finding love at the same time.
*I received a complimentary ebook from the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
December 14, 2020
Once I got past the rather dumb train engineer who blew his whistle several times on a snowy mountain slope when an avalanche was staring (any noise can start an avalanche in the mountains, and if there is one starting, you don’t want to make more noise unless you are in a place of safety), and past trying to figure out how you can slam on brakes and make the train jolt to a halt, I enjoyed this Christmas story based on a real event.
I liked Katie, and Creed. Aunt Matilda wasn’t in the story much, but I really appreciated how she changed by the end.
The interactions with the different passengers, their struggle to stay warm, and their preparation for Christmas was a delight. And all came right in the end.
There are some kisses, but nothing was detailed.
This is one I'd like to read again some Christmas time.
I liked Katie, and Creed. Aunt Matilda wasn’t in the story much, but I really appreciated how she changed by the end.
The interactions with the different passengers, their struggle to stay warm, and their preparation for Christmas was a delight. And all came right in the end.
There are some kisses, but nothing was detailed.
This is one I'd like to read again some Christmas time.
November 10, 2020
An exciting and compelling plot of survival when the train gets trapped on the tracks by accumulated snow along with a wonderfully romantic kiss makes it a novella that's going on my re-read list! Great ending for a couple who thought their futures were headed in opposite directions.
(Originally part of the Home for Christmas novella collection)
(Originally part of the Home for Christmas novella collection)
November 28, 2020
It’s another fun and sweet Christmas novella from Pam Hillman! Based on a true incident of a Pacific Express train in December 1884, the novella combines the wintery force of nature in the mountains of Oregon, cohesive and nurturing bond among the stranded, delightful secondary characters, and charming romance between Katie and Creed. It’s the book to read curled up with a toasty fire in the fireplace and a cup of hot chocolate.
I received a copy of the book from the author and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
I received a copy of the book from the author and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
December 17, 2020
After a somewhat silly start, this little story has a wonderfully warm Christmastime story.
With cute kids, an avalanche, and matchmaking ladies what's not to love in Pam Hillman's novella "Destination Christmas!"
I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
With cute kids, an avalanche, and matchmaking ladies what's not to love in Pam Hillman's novella "Destination Christmas!"
I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
December 4, 2023
1884 Oregon
Christmas novella about making the best out of difficult situation. Creed is a fabulous main male character.
Christmas novella about making the best out of difficult situation. Creed is a fabulous main male character.
December 20, 2020
The story was interesting, but there was too much descriptive kissing for me personally to enjoy the rest of the book.
I did like that Aunt Matilda came to her senses though;)
I did like that Aunt Matilda came to her senses though;)
December 14, 2020
Katie Haversham has spent most her life by her father's side working the ranch, but when her aunt convinces her father to let with her back to Portland to get a taste of society, Katie finds herself on a train headed west. When an avalanche waylays their train, the passengers must fight for survival while staying warm and finding ways to still celebrate Christmas.
I liked Creed right from the get go, he is a hardworking, solution finding man, who is always looking out for others. I liked how he and Katie work together and make a great team as they help make the rest of the passengers more comfortable and get to know each other better.
Overall, this was a entertaining and enjoyable holiday romance, with memorable characters, faith and excellent character interaction. Definitely recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I liked Creed right from the get go, he is a hardworking, solution finding man, who is always looking out for others. I liked how he and Katie work together and make a great team as they help make the rest of the passengers more comfortable and get to know each other better.
Overall, this was a entertaining and enjoyable holiday romance, with memorable characters, faith and excellent character interaction. Definitely recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
December 9, 2020
Destination Christmas is a Christmas novella by Pam Hillman, part of her Calico Trails Romance series. It’s an historical romance set aboard a train headed to Portland.
First, let me admit my bias. Strangers trapped on a train. In the snow. At Christmas. Best setting in the world! How could I not immediately fall in love with the story?
Second, it has a cowboy. And a cowgirl – the daughter of a rancher – if only Katie Haversham’s aunt wasn’t insisting on bringing her to Portland to meet wealthy young men. Men who were not cowboys.
Third, it has sweet children and a supporting cast who fill out the story wonderfully well. Truly, the only downside is that I didn’t want the story to end. But seeing as how much I love Christmas novellas, that isn’t actually a downside. It only goes to prove Jane Austin’s quote: “If a book is well written, I always find it too short.”
This is a novella I look forward to reading again. It was sweet and Christmas-y and the perfect novella for a cozy evening, reading by the light of the tree. Add in a cup of hot cocoa (how I enjoyed this particular story) and it was wonderful all around.
---
I purchased a copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.
First, let me admit my bias. Strangers trapped on a train. In the snow. At Christmas. Best setting in the world! How could I not immediately fall in love with the story?
Second, it has a cowboy. And a cowgirl – the daughter of a rancher – if only Katie Haversham’s aunt wasn’t insisting on bringing her to Portland to meet wealthy young men. Men who were not cowboys.
Third, it has sweet children and a supporting cast who fill out the story wonderfully well. Truly, the only downside is that I didn’t want the story to end. But seeing as how much I love Christmas novellas, that isn’t actually a downside. It only goes to prove Jane Austin’s quote: “If a book is well written, I always find it too short.”
This is a novella I look forward to reading again. It was sweet and Christmas-y and the perfect novella for a cozy evening, reading by the light of the tree. Add in a cup of hot cocoa (how I enjoyed this particular story) and it was wonderful all around.
---
I purchased a copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.
December 7, 2020
This is a short sweet heartwarming story with wonderful characters. Destination Christmas is based on a true incident of a Pacific Express train in December 1884, that was totally covered by an avalanche in the mountains of Oregon. Hillman has written a most interesting novella about the characters on the train. We have a country girl Katie traveling with her aunt who feels it is her Christian duty to introduce her to society and a potential groom. Katie would much rather stay on her father’s ranch. She has no desire for the big city life and society. Then there is the cowboy Creed Browning who protected Katie when the snow first covered the train. Together they found ways and means to help the passengers along with the children, to find things for survival and also enjoyment. This much to her aunt’s stern disapproval. There is even a birth on the train and then there is Christmas. It is interesting to see how they all pitched in and adapted except for the snobs. Who made ridiculous demands. Katie’s society aunt being the main one. Most interesting was how they managed to be rescued and Katie and Creed’s growing romance…….. If you enjoy historical romance, you won’t want to miss Destination Christmas! I received a complimentary e-book from the author. This is my honest opinion.
December 8, 2022
Well, parts of this was sweet and it was a different setting (a group of people stranded on a train). However, the romance was an insta-love and rather shallow.
Not my thing.
Not my thing.
December 4, 2020
A quick read and so enjoyable, and so real, because it is based on a true incident.
You will be cringing, maybe a bit cold, but also smiling at the ingenuity and the entertaining of the children.
Can’t even imagine being on a train and encountering an avalanche, and now it is a matter of survival. Will help come in time?
We see a case of wealth vs those less fortunate, those who give what they have and those who feel entitled.
There is a bit of romance, slay riding, even Christmas Spirit!
I would love to continue on here with those that know the spirit of giving, and the joy of sharing God’s love!
I received this book through The Calico Crew, and was not required to give a positive review.
You will be cringing, maybe a bit cold, but also smiling at the ingenuity and the entertaining of the children.
Can’t even imagine being on a train and encountering an avalanche, and now it is a matter of survival. Will help come in time?
We see a case of wealth vs those less fortunate, those who give what they have and those who feel entitled.
There is a bit of romance, slay riding, even Christmas Spirit!
I would love to continue on here with those that know the spirit of giving, and the joy of sharing God’s love!
I received this book through The Calico Crew, and was not required to give a positive review.
November 29, 2020
Katie loves living on a Montana ranch and insists on wearing her boots under her frilly dress but her aunt, Matilda, is determined to introduce Katie to the refined life in Portland for Christmas. Cowboy Creed is also on the train when it is hit by an avalanche in the mountains! Attitudes change as people wonder if they will be rescued and a pregnant woman goes into labor. If you enjoy historical romance, you won't want to miss Destination Christmas! I received a complimentary e-book from the author. This is my honest opinion.
November 11, 2020
WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS READ 🎄 ❤
About 1½ hours start to finish, so a perfect way to end the day, and get all the cozy, Christmas feels. This is a clean, historical with several moments of danger & a sweet budding romance between a kind, hardworking cowboy, and a rancher's daughter bound for high class city life if her aunt has anything to do with it. The two are literally thrown together when an avalanche derails their train.
"The cowboy pulled her closer, cocooning her in his embrace and tucking her head against the soft warmth at the hollow of his throat."
From there everyone is forced to work together to survive. I really enjoyed this sweet story & am pleased to recommend it. I also loved reading the interesting inspiration behind the story.
I purchased an eVersion of this book. All opinions are my own without expectation or compensation.
Merry Christmas!🎄
About 1½ hours start to finish, so a perfect way to end the day, and get all the cozy, Christmas feels. This is a clean, historical with several moments of danger & a sweet budding romance between a kind, hardworking cowboy, and a rancher's daughter bound for high class city life if her aunt has anything to do with it. The two are literally thrown together when an avalanche derails their train.
"The cowboy pulled her closer, cocooning her in his embrace and tucking her head against the soft warmth at the hollow of his throat."
From there everyone is forced to work together to survive. I really enjoyed this sweet story & am pleased to recommend it. I also loved reading the interesting inspiration behind the story.
I purchased an eVersion of this book. All opinions are my own without expectation or compensation.
Merry Christmas!🎄
November 8, 2020
This is a sweet and heartwarming story with wonderful characters. This is Katie and Creed's story and includes a number of energetic children and a few snobby adults. The couple were both on a train bound for Portland. Katie's aunt wanted to introduce her to society and a potential groom much to Katie's chagrin as she would much rather stay on her father's ranch. On the way, there is an avalanche and the train is stranded. While stranded, a group of children catch Katie and Creed's attention and they strive to keep them busy and see to it that they have a tree and gifts for Christmas all while their mother was giving birth to a baby. Will Katie and Creed realize their feelings for each other and find their HEA. Be sure to read this story to find out. I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.
November 9, 2020
Loved this novella so much. A delightful Christmas story that can be treasured.
November 4, 2020
I absolutely loved this story! This story just grabbed my heart, the author takes you back to how Christmas was so beautiful and simple. The children with their cheer and laughter having fun in the snow took me back to my childhood. A romance between two that worked to share joy and love to others while feelings grew for each other. This is a feel good story that will have you smiling from ear to ear!
December 18, 2020
It's a short novella, but I didn't realize it was based on a true event that actually happened! Interesting tidbit: I read this book on Dec. 18, 2020 without realizing this book was based on real events, or even which dates were involved! (that info is inserted at the end of the novella, so there's no way I could have known it beforehand!)
December 18, 1884 a train crashed when the end of it became caught in an avalanche. The train couldn't move forward, however, because another avalanche had already deposited its snow all over the tracks ahead. The people were stranded for one week, and were rescued on Christmas day. The author Pam Hillman, read a small excerpt about that event, and came up with this book plot. She made up the love story, and inserted all the children having fun and running amok in the snow. The relationship develops quick. It was so super short, though! I would have loved to have the story dragged out and expounded on!
December 18, 1884 a train crashed when the end of it became caught in an avalanche. The train couldn't move forward, however, because another avalanche had already deposited its snow all over the tracks ahead. The people were stranded for one week, and were rescued on Christmas day. The author Pam Hillman, read a small excerpt about that event, and came up with this book plot. She made up the love story, and inserted all the children having fun and running amok in the snow. The relationship develops quick. It was so super short, though! I would have loved to have the story dragged out and expounded on!
December 15, 2020
I enjoy reading novellas that are well-written to the point the story does not feel rushed and that is what you will find in this heartwarming story set in 1884. The characters are likeable with the exception of one Mrs. Wilkins, a real snob. Katelyn Haversham, who prefers to be called Katie, is on her way to Portland to as her aunt says, “make connections with the best families.” While on the journey to Portland the train is overtaken by an avalanche. Although Katie is initially rescued by a handsome cowboy named Creed, the perfect cowboy name, that is only the beginning to their hazardous journey to be rescued. It seems on the surface Katie and Creed are entirely different, but will they discover they have more in common?
I was given a complimentary copy by the author. The opinions are my own.
I was given a complimentary copy by the author. The opinions are my own.
January 25, 2021
This was such a sweet story packed with adventure, romance, and tragic situations. Hillman pens an interesting romance between two walks of life that are basically forced together when a train gets stuck in an avalanche. I have never read anything like it! Hillman easily makes the reader feel as if they are right there on the train with her descriptions and inviting conversations. Let me say this however, I would not have been in first class!
Oh I chuckled and rolled my eyes essentially anytime Katie's aunt and (potential) future mother-in-law spoke. They remind me of the very reason I cannot stand the class system - they basically put their noses up at anyone that is beneath them. But here's the thing. Even a secondary character can grow in a story, and Hillman surprised me with some growth in Katie's aunt. I found it to be very refreshing!
The romance between Katie and Creed was natural, charming, and a joy to read. I enjoyed reading this holiday novella, even after the holidays! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Oh I chuckled and rolled my eyes essentially anytime Katie's aunt and (potential) future mother-in-law spoke. They remind me of the very reason I cannot stand the class system - they basically put their noses up at anyone that is beneath them. But here's the thing. Even a secondary character can grow in a story, and Hillman surprised me with some growth in Katie's aunt. I found it to be very refreshing!
The romance between Katie and Creed was natural, charming, and a joy to read. I enjoyed reading this holiday novella, even after the holidays! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 14, 2020
I adored Destination Christmas by Pam Hillman. I loved the chemistry between Creed and Katie. It was such a great romance. It was a short read but full of adventure and entertainment. I loved it.
I am giving Destination Christmas a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading sweet and clean historical romance.
I received Destination Christmas from the author but was not required to write a review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
I am giving Destination Christmas a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading sweet and clean historical romance.
I received Destination Christmas from the author but was not required to write a review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
May 6, 2021
I really enjoyed this sweet romance. I love the characters and how they get through a derailment during a snowstorm. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
December 2, 2021
Not at All What Aunt Matilda Planned
Sweet story. The train trip to Portland was not Katie’s idea. She did not want to find a husband among the elite of Portland. There is one surprise after another as you read this tale.
Sweet story. The train trip to Portland was not Katie’s idea. She did not want to find a husband among the elite of Portland. There is one surprise after another as you read this tale.
December 8, 2020
Charming story with a train journey near Christmas brings together a young lady and a cowboy with characters helping with the informal courtship moments
December 24, 2020
I usually don’t care for short stories, but I loved this one! The storyline had a nice flow - it doesn’t feel too fast or slow. I love all of Pam Hillmans books!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews