Book Review - Short Stack by Scott Morgan

One of the best collections I've read in some time, Short Stack is a book that is filled with gems that stand alone quite nicely but which coalesce into a nice anthology with ease. Written by the talented Scott Morgan, one of the most promising writers I've discovered this past year, the writing style he utilizes is enviable indeed.

The poetry includes such delicious nuggets as Bells, A Cat's Life, Muscle, and Give Me Credit. Each one is written with a deft hand and a knowledge of literature that impart their gifts to the text in a seemingly effortless manner. The short fiction pieces are just as engaging and entertaining. Jasmine, Perfect Rock, Brown Paper Bags, and Bruce Goodlooks To The Rescue are only the finest examples of Mr. Morgan's talents at writing short stories which are every bit as memorable as any novel you've ever read.

After reading this collection, I came across Scott on Twitter and developed a nice rapport with him. His website is chock full of niceties but it is his eagerness to help other writers attain the best of their talents that I find the most admirable of his qualities.

Scott Morgan is definitely a writer the world is going to be hearing a lot about in the coming years. A talent like his is too much to keep secret and fortunately he isn't inclined to try. Short Stack is a sampling of his ability to write text that is both crisp and fresh while utterly enthralling, and his poetry is nothing less than excursions into the mind of the one who wrote them; instances of emotion transformed into words with honesty and clarity akimbo. Well done indeed.

 

5 Stars.

 

Short Stack Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Short-Stack-A-Collection-ebook/dp/B005TYU8HC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326583307&sr=8-1

Scott's Website: http://www.write-hook.com/

Carey Parrish

 

Book Review - Galley Proof by Eric Arvin

Whenever Eric Arvin writes a new book I cannot wait to read it. This is one of the most talented novelists of the past decade and his brand of gay fiction always satisfies because it speaks to more than just the homosexual audience. Eric writes about human emotions, feelings, and the drama which normally comes along with them. And his use of humor is always a delight.

Galley Proof is Eric's latest release. I read it in about twelve hours. This is the story of Logan Brandish, a writer from a small town who is about to unveil his latest novel. Logan lives a quiet life. He's got his boyfriend, their cat, and his best friend. His life seems full and he is happy with the status quo... until he meets the editor of his new book. Brock Kimble is handsome and alluring in a dangerous kind of way; dangerous in that he makes Logan wonder if the life he's been living is really what he wants after all.

The turmoil that Brock's entry into his life creates causes Logan to flee his quiet life for a while so that he can make some sense of the quandary his emotions have become. He goes to Italy to regroup where the natural beauty of the place, along with the local scenery of men, gives him close to the distraction that he was hoping to find. But he comes to discover that it's only a temporary escape from the problems he left at home, and whether he can have his cake and eat it too becomes the crux for the difficult decisions that he must make.

Galley Proof is without a doubt Eric Arvin's best release since Suburbilicious. He writes with the heart of one who's been through the tale he's telling but also with the talent of a novelist who was just born to write. And this author thinks he was.

 

5 Stars.

 

 

Galley Proof Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Galley-Proof-ebook/dp/B006WW0212/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1326582737&sr=8-17

Eric's Blog: http://daventryblue.blogspot.com/

Dreamspinner Press Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2716

Carey Parrish