I really enjoyed this book. I would love to read the whole series but $8 for ebooks is just too much for my purse. The characters were well written and fit together well. The Suspense part was a little anticlimactic but the love story made up for it. It was written such that you could really envision the town and surrounding area. Thank you for allowing me to read this.

I am thankful to St Martin’s Press for offering me an ARC copy of this novel that I freely chose to review and for the opportunity to participate in the blog tour of its launch.
Although I am not a big fan of Christmas, I do enjoy some Christmas stories, movies, and songs (especially out of season, when one isn’t surrounded by it). The offer to read and review this novel reached me in the middle of a pretty hot summer and it felt like the perfect way to combat the heat. It worked, for sure, and although I had never read any of the other novels in the Eternity Springs series, I quickly became enamoured of the place and its inhabitants. I can reassure you, though, that the story goes beyond the Christmas theme, and there are wonderful scenes that take place in other seasons (the Fall, the Fourth of July…) and other locations apart from Colorado (Nashville, Florida, Australia, and the Caribbean). But I have to agree that the overall theme of the novel, and the spirit that suffuses it, is that of Christmas.
The novel, written in the third person, shares the alternating points of view (and locations) of a part-time resident of Eternity Springs, Devon Murphy (the son of Cam and Sarah Murphy, and brother to Michael, long-term residents of the town), and Jenna Stockton, a doctor specialising in Obstetrics and Gynaecology whom we meet in Nashville. While Devon seems to be a free-spirited man who loves the sea, boats, fishing, and women, but avoids commitment like the plague, Jenna is a model of responsibility. She is a single mom to Reilly, whom he adopted after looking after his mother, a young woman down on her luck who died when the boy was a toddler. She works hard and would do anything to ensure the safety and happiness of her son. But he has a Christmas wish that is out of her hands. Somehow, luck, magic, or the power of believing puts Reilly and Devon in contact, and in a roundabout way, the destinies of the three of them intersect in the wonderful town of Eternity Springs. Both main characters have secrets (as readers of the genre will probably expect): Devon has a traumatic past in the relationships department and has a lot in common with Reilly, and Jenna’s life is haunted by a stalker who seems intent on upping-the-ante and putting her and her son’s lives at risk.
I liked the characters and their relationship, that follows the well-known formula of will-they/won’t-they so successful in the romance genre (they both have very valid reasons for their hesitation, although if you get easily impatient, I must warn you that the book is quite long and the story develops over close to two years), and I liked many of the secondary characters as well (despite not having read other novels in the series, I got a fairly good sense of who they were, and I did not feel I could not fully enjoy the story because of lack of background information. And I wouldn’t mind getting to know more about many of them), particularly Celeste, her resort, and the wonderful idea of the Wishing Christmas Tree that gives the book its title. She has a touch of the magical and is the fairy godmother of the town and all the characters (and I’d love to meet her).
What I most enjoyed of the book was the town of Eternity Springs. I have read a number of novels that take place in charming towns (islands or other locations) where outsiders come and are quickly adopted by the community, becoming, in many cases for the first time, part of a big family. I always enjoy the fact that the town becomes a protagonist in its own right and when the novels works well, you feel as if you had spent time in a real place and look forward to future visits to the magical location. Eternity Springs is one of those towns, and to add to its attraction, it is located within a marvellous natural setting, and the writer does a good job of introducing us to parks, lakes, mountains, taking us on sledge rides, fishing, camping, and exploring the wonderful facilities and the traditions of the place. Although it has more than a touch of the fairy tale (everybody seems to be well-off, everybody is fairly happy, apart from the main protagonists, temporarily, and even the bad things that happen are pretty mild) and it can be a bit sugary at times, I think it would take a very cold heart to read the novel without falling for the magic of the town and its inhabitant. (And perhaps shed a tear or two. Good tears, though).
If I had to point out some things that readers might have issue with, one would be the mystery element. Jenna’s background story and her circumstances bear heavily upon her actions and how cautious she is when it comes to meeting new people and possible romances. Although the mystery element ramps up the tension and adds to the interest of the story, on occasions it seemed to be more of an afterthought and an opportunity to show Devon and his friends (all male) as a team capable of investigating and keeping everybody safe (and yes, some elements of the rescue fantasy and the knight in shining armour were clearly at work there). Although Jenna herself complains at times about being treated like a weak woman in need of protection —despite being a competent professional who had managed well by herself until that moment— this novel keeps to conventional and traditional gender roles rather than challenging them. I know that such plots and story-lines are typical of many romantic (wish-fulfilment) novels but might not suit all readers, especially those who prefer women in charge of their own destinies. As a reader of thrillers and mystery novels, I did not feel the mystery would have satisfied fans of the genre, as we are not given enough information to solve it (we get some details of the case but others are brushed over quickly and the resolution, when it arrives, is somewhat anticlimactic), and it takes a backseat to the romantic part of the story. Having read other books that mix both genres, and this being a romance with some mystery thrown in, rather than the other way round, I did not think its intended readers would be too disappointed.
There are many other subplots I have not mentioned, including dogs, pregnancies, health scares, fishing, older motherhood, baking, National Parks, love of nature, adoption, social media, stalking, counselling, vocation, tropical storms, family, traditions, Santa Claus, magic, traumatic relationships… There are wonderfully vivid and memorable scenes, the style of writing is easy and fluid, and the descriptions bring to life both the locations and the characters (without going overboard with the physical descriptions of the protagonists and love interests, although yes, don’t worry, they are attractive), and there are some sad moments, some funny ones, and many emotional and heart-warming scenes as well. There is plenty of sexual attraction and tension between Devon and Jenna, but there is no graphic sex and although there are some thrilling scenes, the doors stay firmly closed behind the protagonists when it comes to that side of things.
I know readers of romantic novels expect a happy ending. Well, you won’t be disappointed here. What’s more, I know some readers can get really upset if they feel there are elements in the story that are not fully solved and hate it when they feel that writers are using hooks and unresolved issues to keep them buying books in a series (not everybody feels the same, though). As I have said before, this novel can be read independently from the rest of the series, and all the plots and subplots of the story, even the secondary ones, are solved satisfactorily. So don’t hesitate to pick up this novel just because it’s part of a series. You will feel sad it has ended but it won’t keep you awake at night trying to guess what happened next. I kept imagining this novel as either a movie, or better even, a TV series, and would be surprised if some production company didn’t snatch it up. Done well it would be irresistible.
In sum, this is a novel that takes place in a magical location, in gorgeous settings, with a Christmas theme and a hopeful message, a romance that includes elements of mystery/thriller, with likeable characters that will make you feel home. I, for one, won’t hesitate to visit Eternity Springs again in the future.

The magic and faith in Chrstmas makes it a great time of year. When Devin answers a phone call he never guessed what would happen next. Jenna was a hard working single mom, maybe a little too hard working. Reilly was upset that she had to cancel plans with him so often because she had to go into work. When it came to her job or keeping Reilly safe, she chose Reilly. I enjoyed revisiting some characters that popped up in the pages of this story and you will too. Get your copy now.

The Christmas Wishing Tree is a great romance. I fell in love with the town of Eternity Springs, Devin Murphy, and Celeste Blessings. When Celeste gives Devin a replacement cell phone for one that is broken, the story begins with a call from a little boy looking for Santa. This call is what takes Devin on a long and interesting trip to connecting with Devin's mother, Jenna. A connection that is in danger of being ripped away when she comes under attack from several deadly "pranks."

The relationship was really great for me because it didn't happen overnight. Devin and Jenna circled each other for a long time before finally reconnecting on accident one summer in Eternity Springs. But Jenna is on the run, and Devin doesn't know if he wants to settle down. They are both adults thought, which was a great thing because there was no needless drama or arguing.

The one thing I was disappointed in was the resolution to the deadly prankster. It is such a driving force throughout the whole book, and then it just goes away in the span of a couple pages. Yes, it is resolved, but I didn't feel like it was given the attention it really needed.

*I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book*

The Christmas Wishing Tree by Emily March is a book that you can start and finish in one day. In fact you don’t want to put it down. There were many twist and turns, and keeps you turning the pages to find out what happens next. The characters were well developed and the town is described so well that I want to move there. This is the first book I have read from Emily March’s Eternity Springs Series but it won’t be the last. Even though this is book fifteen in the series it can very well be read as a standalone. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my ARC.

What would you say if you received a phone call from a little boy who thought he was talking to Santa Clause? If you are Devin Murphy, you talk to that little boy, Reilly, as though you are a very kind and thoughtful Santa Clause.

When Santa finds that what Reilly really wants for Christmas is a Dad,he tell him he must continue to believe.

Devin is a very good guy. He is part of a loving family and that makes him a Santa who knows how to talk to little boys. And when he gets the opportunity to speak to Reilly's mother, Jenna, he is very interested in such an fascinating woman.

They have several conversations and Devin finds that Jenna and Reilly are under siege from someone who is spending a great deal of time trying to make their lives miserable. In fact, it even gets to be a threatening assault. No more simply sending large number of pizzas, now things are becoming dangerous.

Devin is home visiting his family in Eternity Springs Colorado. His life is in Australia with his boats and fishing guide work. He loves the sea.

Eternity Springs is a small town which is absolutely a perfect place to live. People who live there are kind, thoughtful, protective and loving toward their neighbors. But, most of all, it seems that there is magic in Eternity Springs. There are events which are not easily explained, but each of the events makes someone's life better.

I am almost ashamed to admit that this is the first book I have ever read by Ms March. She has created a town that is a haven filled with comfort and warmth for everyone who arrives. She has also created characters who are people I would love to meet.

Jenna, Reilly and Devin all have their ups and downs in their lives. Every up and down is very realistic. These are people who have real emotional issues. There are fears and anxieties. And there are relationships which are carried on by very human people. Which means things do not always go smoothly.

At times, it is obvious that Jenna and Reilly are living very precarious lives. And that situation makes the reader hope for the very best for them.

This is part of a series, and since I have not read any previous books in the series, I had to do a little catch up. But, characters are explained, relationships are illustrated and past plots are used to help things move forward.

There was never a time I felt lost.

There were many times I felt very grateful to be sharing in the lives of Eternity Springs.

This is a wonderful story. The mysticism provides the feeling of magic which is lovely in any season whether Christmas or not.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a feel good read. And don't forget to always believe!

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.

It's hard to believe this was my 15th visit to my favorite town in Colorado, and it did not disappoint! I have actually re-read 8 or 9 of these so I go a lot more often than that. It's really good to catch up with the residents and see who is in for an adventure. This time it was Devin Murphy's turn. Home from Australia visiting for the holidays, Devin has no idea one misplaced phone call is about to turn his world upside down...or is it right side up? When he answers a call and hears the voice of a little boy named Reilly thinking he's reached Santa, Devin can't help but play along. The child asks for one thing, all he's ever wanted in his young life. He wants a Dad for Christmas.
Reilly's mom Jenna, adopted him when his birth mother died when he was a baby. When circumstances force her to get away from home quickly, she decides to visit a little town in Colorado called Eternity Springs at Christmas. Reilly is introduced to Celeste Blessing's ritual of placing a special ornament, while making a wish, on her special Christmas Wishing Tree. You have to keep it a secret, keep it in your heart and know that it will come true if you believe. Well Reilly firmly believes, and it is up to the healing powers and Christmas magic of Eternity Springs to make it come true. Throw in a dog, Santa (Devin) and a few special deliveries and Reilly might just get his wish.

Love, love, loved the latest installment of Eternity Springs. This story is family and small town magic at it's best.

I do love this series, and this was a very enjoyable addition. I wouldn't really call it a Christmas story though as it's set throughout the year with just part of it at Christmas.

Jenna and her little boy Reilly are being targeted by some unknown person who whilst not physically harming them is stalking them and causing hassle in their lives through various acts, i.e. sending them 24 pizzas at a time amongst various events. Then it escalates and a couple of very scary events happen involving the police and Jenna decides enough is enough after a few house moves to different cities, as poor Reilly is understandably traumatised, and they take off in an RV to tour around and live below the radar, changing their loook and names, and of course on one of their stops visit Eternity Springs again, which they had visited one Christmas and fallen in love with.

Devin Murphy is part of the Eternity Springs family, everyone knows one another, but lives in Australia where his fishing business is based, although the rest of his family are in Eternity Springs and he visits fairly often.

With a little bit of the usual meddling by the quite mystical Celeste Blessing and 'Santa', Reilly and Devin get to know one another by a accidental phone call one Christmas, until their paths eventually cross in Eternity Springs.

There is a bit of suspense in this book with the stalker, but also lots of fun with great characters and lots of pregnancies(!), with all women due at the same time.

This is a really lovely series, and Eternity Springs sounds like a fabulous place to live.

This was a good story about having hope and believing that there is something positive to look forward to in the midst of adversity.
Jenna and Devin were wonderful characters that drew your attention right away.

The Christmas Wishing Tree is book fifteen from the Eternity Springs series and my first introduction to Emily March's books. I liked it and will look for more by her in the future. Five stars.

I love Emily March's writing - the communities she creates are always ones I wish I could climb into the book and join. This book was no exception. However, I just couldn't connect to the two main characters or feel the chemistry between them. The timeline was difficult to follow, and when they first ally meet, I didn't feel the spark. The author said it was there, but I didn't see it. Instead, as soon as they saw each other, they were instantly intrigued. But then Devlin decides he's not the relationship kind (he's a one night stand kind of guy) and after that I was done. Too cliche. Emily March is better than that. Not my cup of tea, but still a fan!

I would love to live in Eternity Springs. It is truly a magical place.

Devin is perfectly happy with his life. Being a fishing guide in Australia with no wife or kids. And he loves coming home to his family in Eternity Springs. And it is during that Christmas visit that mysterious and magical things begin to happen. Doing a good deed ruins his phone and the one he has borrowed is apparently the number for the North Pole. So when he gets a Christmas Eve call from a little boy in Nashville who really wants a Dad for Christmas, something about it pulls at him.

In Nashville, Dr. Jennifer Stockton is celebrating Christmas Eve with her son when all hell breaks loose as the doors are broken down, and a SWAT team with guns is staring at her. She has been swatted. But who is this mysterious stalker who keeps finding her and terrorizing her and her son, Reilly?

When the two finally meet in Eternity Springs, Devin and all the guys are determined to help Jenna and uncover her stalker.

Will her phone Santa come through? Will she finally be able to find peace and safety for herself and Reilly? You will have to read this one to find out.

A story of family, love, healing and maybe a bit of magic!

Netgalley/September 25th 2018 by St. Martin's Press

This is one series that I’ve read every book in and eagerly anticipate the next release so I was thrilled to get an early copy of this one. If you’ve never visited Eternity Springs and gotten to know its citizens, you're truly missing out on one of the best experiences the fictional world has to offer. Every time I'm immersed in one of these books it's like coming home, and I'm delighted to catch up with these wonderful characters. March has a way of bringing the setting to life, engaging all senses fully, and the perception is more life-like than any virtual reality experience. No one does warm, welcoming, quaint small town quite like March, and I’m hoping she's immortal so this series can go on forever.

Eternity Springs, Colorado, is a special place where hearts go to heal and wishes come true. Celeste Blessing, the Gold Wing riding angelic resident, seems to always know what the souls in her town need, including Devin Murphy when he's visiting his family there at Christmastime. When Devin's cell phone gets damaged and Celeste gives him a loaner, along with some words of wisdom, he doesn’t think much of it. But a phone call from a five-year-old boy looking for Santa and wishing for a daddy, as well as the conversations that follow as Devin stands in for Santa, plot a course for Devin's life he never could have expected. Fate has a way of giving Celeste a helping hand, and it shouldn’t be any surprise when, months later, Devin stops to help a little boy and his mom with tangled fishing lines and they turn out to be his phone buddy, Riley, and Riley’s mom, who've run from danger to Eternity Springs.

We first met Devin as a teenager with a bit of an attitude, so following his journey to happily ever after was all the more special. I always enjoy it when a hero is anti relationship or marriage and love sneaks in and changes his plan, and Jenna and Riley wreak havoc on Devin's commitment to his bachelor lifestyle. It took some time for the stars to align for Devin and Jenna, but sometimes people need repeated messages from destiny, with their paths crossing several times, before they’re ready to accept their once-in-a-lifetime love. March does a beautiful job of introducing the hero and heroine and then returning them to their separate lives, building the reader's expectation and anticipation without a lot of angst or frustration. Instead, the reader is able to relax and enjoy the ride, confident that the twists and turns of journey will eventually bring them together.

Jenna and her son Riley have trouble on their heels and the people of Eternity Springs open their arms to them both. I immediately connected with this strong and intelligent doctor who is a single mother by choice, having adopted Riley at a young age. Nothing is more important to her than her son and his safety. Since the Santa conversations with Riley, this boy and his mom have become special to Devin, and he’ll do everything in his power to keep them safe. And when members of the community jump in to help, the bad guy doesn’t stand a chance.

I’d be hard pressed to choose a favorite element in this book. From the realistic small town and supporting characters, to Devin, Jenna and Riley who owned my heart in all of two seconds, and their story which pretty much reads itself, everything about this book is phenomenal. If I had any critique it might be to ask March to curtail the tear jerking a bit, only because it’s hard to read through watery eyes. However, she more than makes up for it with delightful, hilarious kids and critters that steal a few scenes, and a beautiful, deeply emotional love story that steals the show and will absolutely steal your heart.

*I reviewed this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.

I want to visit Eternity Springs! This latest installment in Emily March's series is delightful. The over arching theme is love, which is perfect for a holiday feeling. Devin and Jenna have serious issues in their lives and their trust takes time to develop. There is a slightly mystical feel to this series, and 'The Christmas Wishing Tree' did not disappoint. Skipping past the overtly sexual aspects I would highly recommend this book.

Typical of Ms. March, this story was a touching , cute and sweet. It’s a story about hope, overcoming obstacles, opposites attracting , family, small town life, and love.
At times heartbreaking , at others heartwarming the plot spans a few years in which we see the main characters, Devin Murphy, Jenna Stockton and her son Reilly grow and develop.
What started as a phone call to Santa, changes the lives of these three. It’s also a reminder that wishes can be granted when you believe in those wishes.
Lastly, the idea of a Wishing Tree is one we should all have in our towns.
If you are familiar with the series, some characters make a cameo appearance and of course, Celeste once again brings all things good to the story.
I was entrusted this copy by Netgalley and St Martin’s Press. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

The Christmas Wishing Tree by Emily March is a story that captures my interest right away. I feel the emotion from the characters as though I were the one going through it all. The ups and downs are realistic. Sad, heartbreaking, and emotionally gripping Emily March writes a tale worth reading. From danger to healing, there is so much to offer for readers like me. Plenty of action, intrigue, and what-ifs to keep me guessing the whole way. I was not sure how the book would end. It could have ended completely different. 

Inside, I meet a young woman who took a young boy into her home and heart. The boy's mother is too young and battling an abusive situation. She gives birth and the boy is given to Jenna Stockton. From there the boy has been in Jenna's care. She raises him like her own son. Until a stalker and dangerous threats start to happen, Jenna and her son's lives become anything but happy ones. I love how Emily March wove hope and love into scenes despite all the risks and danger present. It made my heart melt at the boy's innocent talk with a man whom he believed to be the real Santa Claus. How can a man hurt the young boy's hope and Christmas wish? Devin des everything he can to help the boy on the phone. Jenna at first thinks Devin is the stalker but soon realises her mistake. From there Devin becomes a ray of sunshine for both mom and boy. But the  troubles they go through are far from over...can their nightmares end? Will their lives know no peace or happiness? The Christmas Wishing Tree brings back the innocence and heartwarming memories of what the season gives us. Hope, faith, and kindness and maybe, love. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to all.

Traveling back to Eternity Springs is like revisiting your family and this book does not disappoint. I love the connections Emily brings to this book, and the backstory woven between Devin, Jenna, and Reilly are terrific. I love the way Emily brings the characters together by the end in a way that will make everyone happy. If you haven’t read the other Eternity Springs books, you can still read this one before the others.

The Christmas Wishing Tree is a sweet lovely story. Jenna and Devin are great characters and their interaction and the whole story makes for a wonderful read.

To be honest I tried, I got 30% and DNF I just couldn't get into the authors story, writing or connect with the characters. I must be in the minority here, but I will re look at this story at xmas time. hopefully then I can get into it.