Freefall into Us by Tess Rosa Ruiz

source: free review copy via NetGalley
title: Freefall into Us
author: Tess Rosa Ruiz
published: Urbane Publications (November 1, 2015)
pages: 304
genre: poetry/short stories
rated: 4 out of 5 stars

blurb:
Tess Rosa Ruiz is a powerful new voice on the American literary scene, redolent of Kerouac and Rollins in a battle of words. Freefall into Us is a compelling collection of unique poetry and prose that provides an emotional mosaic of the path of relationships. This is a raw and visceral insight into how women and men desire, need, want and ultimately love each other in the most beautiful, passionate and honest ways. The carefully structured flow of poetry and short stories provides the reader with a constantly challenging and engaging snapshot of humanity, leading them through different stages of desire, sex, lust, obsession and passion in adult relationships. These are the feelings we have all felt, but are often afraid to voice. Freefall into the words and perhaps, just perhaps, you’ll recognize a piece of you.

my thoughts:
Freefall into Us took me nicely by surprise. I requested this one through NetGalley not having heard of this author before.
This collection combines two of my favorite things, poetry and short stories. I savored each piece like I would a decadent morsel of chocolate. If that sounds clichéd I just do not care because it is the truth.

My favorite poem was October Sky.

My love, my want of him, more desirous than before.
He gave me bits and pieces of himself over the
next few months.
He played with me, always.
When would I learn he was a dead end…

With themes of love, sex, heartache, loss, and even a touch of the supernatural, I was swept away by Ruiz’s sensual and provocative writing. The blurb describes this work as “raw and visceral” and I have to agree.

Some of the short stories were short at just a few pages, others were longer at around twenty pages. One that left me wanting more was Gone Awry and I could see it being made into a full length novel. Another short story, Saving Jack, was a homage to poet Jack Kerouac. Crystal Blond Persuasion left me in shock and I had to go back and skim it to see what I had missed once I finished it. The short story Freefall Into Us was really good as well and left me stunned. I wonder if that one was semi-autobiographical as some of the poems relate back to what the man in that story did.

You fall for the beast, the devil, the boogeyman.
He is dressed well.
His smell intoxicates you.
It is nectar to your senses.
His skin entices you.
The softness, the honey color.
His eyes, penetrate you, adore you.
-Snippet from the poem The Boogeyman

This was a passionate collection of short stories and poems and I recommend it to fans of the genre. Special thanks to NetGalley for my review copy.

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Disclaimer: This review is my honest opinion. I did not receive any kind of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. I am under no obligation to write a positive review. I received my free copy of Freefall into Us by Tess Rosa Ruiz via NetGalley.