Hark: A Christmas Collection By: Justin Bog

Book Description....

HARK’S SIX LITERARY HOLIDAY TALES ARE NOT FOR KIDS—THEY ARE FOR DISCERNING ADULTS CONTEMPLATING MORE THAN SIMPLE SUGARPLUM SWEETNESS.

"Within Hark—A Christmas Collection, a retired police officer faces another Christmas Eve while bitter recollections haunt his every turn, a lonely woman plans to seduce Santa Claus one Christmas Eve, a widow grows anxious as she searches for a present she misplaced and intended to send to her ungrateful sister, a woman can’t keep the images of her past—these ghosts—from haunting the life she chooses to live, a young gentleman and his partner join a Christmas party in Sun Valley, Idaho and are taught a lesson most un-holiday like, and, finally, a couple portrays Mr. & Mrs. Claus in their small island town holiday festivities and face a grim diagnosis together.

Set in colorful locations around the United States, from Anacortes, Washington, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Sun Valley, Idaho, each tale focuses on people who struggle to make good choices, learn lessons, and maybe even find peace during the holiday season."

A bonus short story, Poseidon Eyes, from Sandcastle and Other Stories, is included.

Title:  Hark:  A Christmas Collection

Author:  Justin Bog

Publisher:  The Author's Advocate

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

 Review:

"Hark:  A Christmas Collection" by Justin Bog

My Thoughts....

What a wonderful Christmas collection of six short stories that will keep you turning the pages being of a read that will put the reader in and touch your heart.  I loved how as one read through each story you will be able to feel the emotions [happy, sad, in between and thought provoking]  that so many people feel especially during this particular holiday season.  I was able to feel each story so very well that had a different meaning being presented.  After reading this collection I will say I plan to make it one of my traditions to read "Hark" every Christmas holiday!  

Whether it's 'Hark, Seducing Santa, Bracelet. Everyone Wants Me To, Snow Globe and The Heralds' I enjoyed all of the stories that 'will touch your mind as well as your heart.'  And then at the end the author gives the reader a short story 'Poseidon Eyes' which was another good read that I found rather interesting also.  

Definitely, this author is a 'master storyteller' that will keep you in awe as you read through his stories.  Now, I will say this may not be one of those sweet reads...it is a very realistic one...and yes the true meaning of Christmas that takes place all over the United States.  Now there will be some 'bitter sweet moments with romance and even a little humor thrown in.'  This will be definitely a little different in its deepness than the 'normal' Christmas stories.  

I enjoyed reading these unique anthologies as the reader sees how other people have faced different problems and through it all have found hope in the things that are so important to each of them. Would I recommend?  YES,  just remember 'that not everyone has a sparkly and super happy Christmas but their stories will touch you whether you celebrate Christmas or not.'