If you’re looking for easy, treacly Christmas fare, you won’t find it here: Christmas Presence takes a bold, unflinching look at the experience of a variety of different, richly constructed characters as they each face their less-than-ideal circumstances.

The gritty take on each vignette is reminiscent of Tom Waits, feeling like a handful of tracks on an unreleased Waits Christmas album. Like Waits, the writer takes his time and evokes a palpable mood with his descriptions. Each scene is set with just the right details to convey atmosphere and emotion without falling into cliché. Like Waits, he also has an ease with meter and rhythm, which allows the poem to move along lightly despite its often weighty subject matter.

There are some beautiful standalone lines here, but the whole experience is what really shines: this is an emotional journey worth taking.

Christmas Presence is proof that small things can pack a big punch!

This sobering and powerful collection of Christmas poems reminds us that “the most wonderful time of the year” isn’t so wonderful for everyone.  Each poem chronicles the sad reality of different people struggling through the holiday season for different reasons.  Thankfully the happy ending comes unexpectedly to the rescue like a Christmas miracle, warming your heart and drying your tears.

The experience of the characters in Christmas Presence teach us the true meaning of Christmas Spirit. A must read for all.

The Present From Christmas Past” is a very heartwarming short story about a young man’s epiphany about his marriage. A story I really enjoyed because the writer’s wisdom captures the relevance of a lesson that so many don’t learn (or never learn) until it is too late in life. It is well written and reflects a lot of thought and personal experience. I look forward to any new publications by the author.

Holiday Miracles…there is just something magical about the holidays and it was captured in this book. Great read for the holiday season or anytime of the year!

A blinding Christmas night snowstorm swirls outside. Inside, searing anger is destroying a marriage . As the storm subsides, Christmas morning approaches, gently illuminating a life changing gift.
A well told, insightful story without one unnecessary word.

What a wonderful story! It kept me riveted throughout the book. Definitely puts you in the Christmas spirit.

It was a great book. It had an interesting plot with well-developed characters. Excellent read for the holidays. I look forward to another book from this author.