The Christmas Wishing Tree

The Christmas Wishing Tree, to no one’s surprise, is another treasure from author Emily March. It’s the fifteenth novel in the Eternity Springs series and the perfect story to get you into the Christmas spirit. Whether this is your 15th visit to Eternity Springs or your first, you’ll find it’s a magical place, where family and friends, love and loyalty are the most important things in the world. The Christmas Wishing Tree is the story of a little boy with a special Christmas wish, of Devin Murphy, whose heart is in Eternity Springs but whose work is in Australia and of Jenna Stockton, a doctor who is desperately trying to keep her son safe and who isn’t ready to give her heart to anyone or any place. Until everything comes show more together in Eternity Springs.

Author Emily March is a master. Just a few paragraphs in and I was totally caught up in the story and the characters. And when the action moved to Eternity Springs I felt as if I had come home, a place where I was loved and surrounded by beauty and the joy of Christmas.

This is a sweet story filled with people you immediately feel a connection with and want as your friends and family. But it’s also a suspense-filled mystery with a strong, smooth plot, well-developed characters with depth, and a pace that will keep you turning pages. It stands alone with just enough information about the businesses and people in this beautiful town and their history for you to understand the depth of their loyalty, devotion and discretion, and to what lengths they will go to protect someone in need. But if you have read any or all of the previous books in this wonderful series you’ll see the threads expertly pulled together, how folks have grown, relationships developed, problems been resolved. You’ll feel like you are visiting old friends in an oh so comfortable home.

The Christmas Wishing Tree was the first holiday story I read this year and it was the perfect tale to get me in the spirit: majestic forests of trees, babies, dogs, delicious desserts, beautiful decoration, adventure on the high seas, and of course romance. What Jenna and Reilly had already endured made me sad, and the very real danger to them had me truly scared for their safety and grateful for the many loving souls with huge hearts and open arms willing to help – and love – them.

I received a complimentary ARC edition from the publisher St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. I was not required to provide a review, but I recommend The Christmas Wishing Tree without hesitation. I felt the danger and suspense, and I also laughed, cried and smiled. It touched me, and when I was finished I felt happiness, love and hope. show less

The Christmas Wishing Tree by Emily March
Eternity Springs #15

“Believe!” is just what Devin Murphy tells Reilly when he calls Santa’s hotline asking for one more Christmas wish even though it is the night before Christmas and time is running out. Devin is in Eternity Springs for the holidays, has been given the phone and is suddenly giving advice to a lonely boy who wants a father. Well, Devin knows he needs to let Reilly’s mother in on the fact her son has called Santa but Dr. Jenna Stockton has a stalker and fears that the unknown number calling her is…the stalker. Finally they do end up talking on the phone but Jenna and Reilly are “swatted” after having already experienced much “doxxing” and are on the move again show more trying to evade the stalker.

This story does eventually bring Reilly, Jenna and Devin together but it takes time as they seldom seem to be in the same place at the same time and then when they are there are numerous logistics to be dealt with. How they achieve their HEA is a great story to read that reminded me a bit of Peter Pan, quite a bit of Miracle on 34th Street and also a number of wonderful Hallmark movies.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4.5 Stars show less

I love Eternity Springs & it’s resident angel, Celeste! The community pulls together like small towns do. When the women want something, it’s funny how these big, strong Alpha males try to move heaven & earth to get it for them. Emily March infuses so much warmth & emotion into each story that you have to read it cover to cover in one sitting. The connection to the characters is instantaneous. The fear that Jenna feels for her son in each situation the stalker puts them in hits directly in the readers’ heart. I loved how Devin went with the flow when he started getting Reilly’s phone call to Santa & did everything he could to reach out to Jenna & let her know what was going on. The other thing I appreciated is that this wasn’t show more an “instant” romance. This story took place over a couple of years but never was drug down or slow. Emily March has become one of my go to authors for warm, wholesome romances that touch the heart in the same way Debbie Macomber’s stories do. show less

This is one sweet, romantic read with a bit of suspense and mystery thrown in for good measure. It reads like a good Hallmark Christmas movie with a touch of a Hitchcock twist. There's also a bit of magic at play (so it would seem) which the residents of Eternity Springs casually attribute to one of its mature and eccentric residents. They've learned not to doubt nor to question this woman's nuggets of wisdom and the strange coincidences which surround her.

Meanwhile, a boy longing for a dad ignites the magic with an eleventh hour phone call to Santa. Mayhem ensues and greater forces than they themselves have drawn Jenna and Devin into intersecting orbits. The attraction is immediate and sexual tension - palpable. With considerable show more restraint, reason prevails and thwarts the frustrated couple. Yet, with so many obstacles, will love prevail?

This 15th book in the "Eternity Springs" series, easily stands alone where the reader is not a-sea for having missed the previous 14 stories. There are moments of humor, wisdom, terror and utter joy. A truly charming story that will warm a readers heart.

I am grateful to author Emily March, publisher St. Martin's Press and Goodreads First Reads for having provided a free advance reading copy of this book. There generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone. show less

The Christmas Wishing Tree by Emily March is a 2018 St. Martin’s Press publication.

Devin Murphy’s heart is torn between Eternity Springs, where his family lives, and the adventure of the open sea. Returning to Eternity Springs from Australia for the holidays, he receives a phone call from a young boy who thought he was calling Santa. Devin goes along, thinking the call was a one off. But, the kid sort of got to him, because instead the hottest toy or gadget, this kid is asking for a daddy.

Jenna Stockton adopted Reilly and although she works a lot, she’s a great mom. But, when she acquires a stalker, she must protect her son at all cost. To that end, she packs up and heads to Eternity Springs. But, amazingly, Reilly’s show more ‘Santa’ happens to be there, too, and he’s the sexiest Santa Jenna has ever laid eyes on. Once Devin realizes the danger Jenna and Reilly are in, he offers to help discover who the stalker is, so she can finally have her life back. His offer is tempting, but being close to him tempts in ways she doesn’t want to think about…

I say this every year, but it bears repeating. I always bite off more than I can chew when selecting my holiday themed novels for the Christmas season. I want to read all the new ones and re-read old favorites, and never manage to get them all read before we ring in the new year. (And sometimes I over indulge to the point of burning out on Ho Ho Ho’s!) But, no matter what, I always make a concerted effort to read the annual Eternity Springs holiday romance by Emily March.

This story has a very slight edge to it because of the stalker Jenna is on the run from, but mostly this is a terrific story that captures the spirit of Eternity Spring- especially during the magical holiday season. I loved this story because Reilly is a great kid, with interest beyond video games and iPads, who wants something on an emotional level, instead of a materialistic level. I’d say Jenna was a super cool mom despite some critical remarks on her parenting skills at the beginning of the book.

I also liked Devin, who was true to himself, but adult enough to realize he doesn’t have to be one dimensional or pigeonholed. Jenna’s love for Reilly, and her level-headed parenting scored points for me. I loved the way Devin and Jenna showed firmness, but sensitivity to Reilly, and the way they made concessions, working out ways to live their individual dreams and still share a life together.

Once again, Eternity Springs works its special magic and brings two awesome people together, with the help of a super cool ‘Santa’, who eventually comes through, granting a little boy his most fervent Christmas wish.

Overall, this book would be a great way to kick-start your holiday reading. It is heartwarming, with a hint of magic, and loads of charm, and a truly awesome love story. You’ll be dreaming of snowfall and Christmas trees…. And sexy Santas!! show less

Devin Murphy is home for the holidays. He receives a phone call from a small boy named Reilly. Reilly thinks he is talking to Santa. And he wants Santa to bring him a Daddy! Devin continues to talk to Reilly off and on for a long while. This leads to an adventure for Reilly and Jenna. See, Jenna has a stalker and she is terrified. No way is she allowing someone to hurt her son. She buys and camper and starts traveling around the United States. Well, she ends up in Eternity Springs.
I adore these characters. Jenna is just a good, hardworking girl determined not to let anything happen to her son. Devin is a kind soul. I fell in love with Devin the moment he pretended to be Santa. These two characters are perfect for each other. And when show more Jenna is threatened, the whole town of Eternity Springs comes to her rescue.
I have just recently discovered Emily March. She writes the sweetest, most heartwarming reads. This one needs to be a Hallmark Christmas movie! Great setting, great story, and fabulous characters, what is not to like!
I received this novel from St. Martin’s Press via Netgalley for a honest review. show less

This novel has a nice mix of mystery, romance, and suspense, centering around Christmas. Devin gets a wrong number phone call from a young boy. He plays along, and then gets in with the boy’s mom to clue her into the situation. Jenna has reasons to suspect Devin may be more than just a helpful guy, and her trust is hard to win. It’s a complicated tale, one of hope in the season of Christmas. The characters seem real and are well developed, and if the story seems a bit too contrived, it’s still fascinating to read as it all plays out. It just goes to show that you can get by with a little help from your friends, especially at Christmas.