The Christmas Wishing Tree
by Emily March
An Eternity Springs Novel
Publisher: St. Martin's
Release Date: September 25, 2018
Reviewed by PJ
A man who loves adventure and the open sea, Devin Murphy returns for a short Christmas trip to his small hometown of Eternity Springs. Immersed in the joy and magic of the holiday season all around him, he doesn’t hesitate to play along when a young boy phones Santa to ask for a very special wish. Devin never guesses that a wrong number has the potential to make everything in his life so right.
Jenna Stockton adopted Reilly when he needed a mother and she intends to keep him safe. A small town across the country called Eternity Springs seems like a good place to hide from their past without any complications —until sexy Santa himself discovers her secrets. When Devin proposes a daring plan to face down the danger together and defeat it once and for all, she is tempted. Maybe Devin really is capable of making wishes come true? Perhaps in a Christmas wish they’ll both find the miracle they’ve been looking for all along…
My thoughts:
If you enjoy feel-good, contemporary romance that tickles your funny bone, tugs at your heartstrings, and surrounds you with a whole community of people with whom you'd like to be friends, there really isn't any better fictional town to visit than Emily March's Eternity Springs.
In this 16th book of the beloved series, March brings readers another second generation love story when unlikely Santa, Devin Murphy finally meets his match in Dr. Jenna Stockton.
I really enjoyed these two. They are likable characters who come to know one another through unlikely calls to Santa made by Jenna's son long before they ever meet in person or even know one another's names. I enjoyed how March created the connection between them, allowing it to build over time before they actually become part of one another's lives, and bringing them together when Jenna and her son have both lost hope. Of course, their path to love is not without some major roadblocks, including the stalker Jenna's running from, her traumatized son, emotional baggage from Devin's past, and the tiny obstacle of Jenna and Devin living on different continents. It's going to take a whole boatload of family and friends (thankfully, Eternity Springs is bursting at the seams with them) to vanquish Jenna's tormentor and help them find their way. Mostly, though, it's going to take two people having the courage to believe, the willingness to compromise, and the strength to fight for their happiness. Luckily for us, Eternity Springs is a place of hope, a place of joy, a place where hearts heal, and unspoken Christmas wishes come true. It's a place I never tire of visiting and a stop I encourage you to add to your holiday reading list.
Don't let the fact that The Christmas Wishing Tree is the 16th book in this long-running series scare you away. While fans of the series will undoubtedly enjoy catching up with Eternity Springs residents (exciting news for many of our favorite couples!), those new to the series should have no trouble enjoying Devin and Jenna's story on its own merits.
Are you a fan of the Eternity Springs series?
Jenna's son chooses dog-themed ornaments for his Christmas tree. Do you have a special theme for your tree?
When do you put up your tree?
One person who leaves a comment before 11:00 PM (EST) September 26 will receive a print paperback copy of The Christmas Wishing Tree. (U.S. only)
Twitter: @EmilyMarchBooks
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Emily March is the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels, including the critically acclaimed Eternity Springs series. Publishers Weekly calls March a "master of delightful banter," and her heartwarming, emotionally charged stories have been named to Best of the Year lists by Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Romance Writers of America. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Emily is an avid fan of Aggie sports and her recipe for jalapeƱo relish has made her a tailgating legend.
I love Christmas stories anytime of the year. Enjoyed the both the blurb and your review. Have read a few books in the series and definitely need to catch up.
ReplyDeleteCarol Luciano
Lucky4750 at aol dot com
I typically lose interest in a series that's run as long as this has but March continues to keep it fresh and leave me looking forward to the next book. :)
DeleteOoh, this is on my wish list. I would love to win it. Thank you for the chance. I do love this series and we have no theme to our tree.
ReplyDeleteNatty's Mama (Karen T.)
I love it too!
DeleteThis book sounds wonderful and I would treasure this greatly. I have read Emily's other books which I enjoy. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteIt's such a feel-good romance. I really enjoyed it a lot.
DeleteI haven't read anything by this Author. I do a Victorian them for my Christmas Tree which I put up at the beginning of December.
ReplyDeleteYou have some wonderful stories to look forward to, Diane!
DeleteIf you prefer historicals (or romantic suspense), March wrote several as Geralyn Dawson before changing her pen name and creating the Eternity Springs world. I was a big fan of her earlier books too. :)
Thanks, PJ. I will check out the library catalog for her earlier books.
DeleteThis author's series is captivating. My tree goes up late and I have an interesting family theme. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMy 'theme' tends to be a bit of a hodge-podge, mostly consisting of homemade ornaments gifted to me over the years. It's my sweet memories tree. <3
DeleteI have read several of the books in the Eternity Springs series, and this one sounds like a lovely addition.
ReplyDeleteWe usually put up our tree in early December, but this year we have a grandchild due around then so who knows when the tree will go up! Our tree's theme is just "memories" I guess. The ornaments represent family milestones, vacations, and gifts from friends and family.
I have read all of them and can't wait to read this one!!! And we put our tree up on Thanksgiving!!!
ReplyDeletePatricia Bennett Barber
I have read probably all of them. I love Christmas romance stories. No theme to my tree and I put it up around mid December.
ReplyDeleteMy Christmas tree has had a Cardinal/ red theme - tho other sentimental ornaments are included too. I try to put it up as soon after Thanksgiving as I can - it takes time ao I might as well enjoy it as long as possible - plus it's pretty. It also gets me in the mood to do Christmasy things like wrap presents & bake cookies.
ReplyDeleteps - I love this Eternity Springs series!
Cannot wait to read it. It has been on my wishlist for quite some time. Fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteI have not read this author. I don't put up a tree.
ReplyDeleteI love reading Christmas stories all year.
ReplyDeleteWe put up our tree in early December.
denise
OK -hate to admit this - but this book is the first Emily March book I have ever read. I think that fact makes me the village idiot. She writes beautifully and this is a terrific book. Although it is part of a series, I did not feel lost. Characters are identified, past events are explained and I could follow easily.
ReplyDeleteI was a genius last year. I gave away my large tree, and most of my decorations were divided among my family. Then I went out and bought a much smaller tree....unfortunately, when I went to decorate, I found most of my decorations were gone.
This year I will need to go and find some new things, so not sure what my theme will be.....hopefully the theme will be no giant blank spots.
I try to put the tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving but usually don't until mid-December. I have a mix if ornaments including things my children made, lighthouses, dolls, seashells, Victorian decorative.
ReplyDeleteI have read all the books in this series, including this one. I agree Ms. March delivers all the feel good, perfect couple, charming story, and this one had a little suspense. I put my tree up a week before Christmas. No theme, just old family decorations.
ReplyDeleteI love this series. I won Teardrop Lane and had to read all the rest to get caught up. Our tree goes up mid December. We pick out a real tree and decorate it. No theme for me. Just ornaments that we have collected over the years.
ReplyDeleteI've loved the books I've read in this series, but I haven't read many. We haven't had a themed Christmas tree in ages. We used to do our tree Thankgiving weekend, but the last few years it's been pushed back a week or 2.
ReplyDeleteI got to book 6 in this series, but fully intend to catch up. I bought all of the books! Our tree has a combination of woodland animals, mice, and Disney. Most are vacation keepsakes, or ones I bought when my children were born. We put up the tree right after Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteI have read a couple of her Eternity Springs books and enjoyed the atmosphere. Small town set series are favorites.
ReplyDeleteI have a Victorian themed tree in our parlor. A small tree in our family room has ornaments our children have made over the years, book theme ornaments, and some we got while traveling. I have little trees (1 ft.) in many of the other rooms.
Thanksgiving weekend has traditionally been the time we put up our exterior decorations and start out tree.