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When Colors Bleed

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A short story collection that features three unique colors: love, loss, and regret. Both palpable and haunting, each story is a glimpse into human frailty and desperation.

BABY BLUE:
Casey never had any luck with men, even though she was employed by one of the finest clothing stores in New England and saw attractive, “sure kinds” strolling through her section every day like clockwork. At twenty-three years old, she has given up on her dreams of the spotlight, of finding love, and of ever getting out of the small town she reluctantly calls home. But one rainy afternoon, Thomas Rayford, a very unusual and kind stranger, stumbles into her life looking for an odd, baby blue suit. One thing is certain: Casey, the twenty-three-year-old dreamer stuck in a line, will never be the same.

VANILLA RED:
From his cold hell in Block C, a nameless man unfolds this twisted tale. This is the story of a man who becomes something else. A man who had a father once. A man who loved once. “They want to know why. They want a reason,” he confesses. “But nobody likes the reasons. They’re like unwanted children or cancers with no cure. A reason is a justification, an excuse so we can’t be blamed. But I know what it is I’ve done, and there is no reason that can take it back.” So begins Vanilla Red, a confession, a story, a prayer, or perhaps a drip of dark truth in the batter of humanity. Take a look inside and tell me what color you see.

THE MAN IN THE COLORED ROOM:
Colin awakens in a room, jittery, afraid, and confused. He knows not how he got here, who brought him, or why. And the only thing waiting for him is a hot cup of coffee and a seemingly flawless room that bleeds colors. As an architect, he understands that no room is perfect, but somehow this anomaly has crawled through the cracks and pushed the limits of perfection. No seams. No lines. No windows. Enter a bald man in a suit. Once he steps through the door, he makes the colors disappear with the push of button. His name is Jack, and he claims to be a friend. Still unsure of anything, Colin wages war with his mind, with a dark truth he isn’t ready to accept, and with Jack. In the moments that follow, Jack asks Colin a series of questions, questions that will reveal the where, the how, and the why of his arrival.

200 pages, Nook

First published March 4, 2011

51 people want to read

About the author

Estevan Vega

17 books126 followers
I’m a writer. Well, technically an author, because they say that you magically become an author (i.e. true creative) if you’ve published something, and you’re a writer if you haven’t (you know those closet aspiring geniuses who just scribble stuff into notebooks and hide it from the world?). But I still call myself a writer. I’m one of 4 brothers. The middle son. I guess that’s supposed to make me uber weird and dysfunctional, but the jury’s still out on that one. I love mint chocolate chip ice cream. Like, really love it. Watching movies and going to rock shows are 2 of my favorite pastimes, and I am addicted to telling stories.

It all started because a 5th grade teacher decided to become a meddler in my life. That’s right, one of my least favorite authority figures at the time assigned us to write these 1 page short stories for class. We had the freedom to create whatever we wanted (within reason), but the assignments were do every day, and upon completing the school year, the plan was that we’d all bind them to compile a book. Well, at the time I hating reading, hated writing, and wanted to be a comic book artist. I figured I’d one day work for Marvel or Disney or something. And I was pretty good at sketching too. But I always found it hard to create my own characters, and I often just settled for copying somebody else’s masterpiece.

Something was missing.

Well, then a 2nd meddler enters the picture. My pops. He starts helping me with the stories. And by helping me, I really just mean I was there more as a consultant and a constant nuisance, ensuring proper grammar was employed. He was the real writer, in my mind. I just wished I could be him. My teacher started grading the stories, and I was floored to see A+ after A+. And she liked my stories enough…ahem, our stories enough, to read them in front of the class. The response was terrific. My classmates actually gave a crap. They wanted to know what happened next. So I turned 1 story into about 12 or so, and made a little book out of it. Looking back, it’s probably terrible. But the point is…I was hooked on the game.

My father and I began discussing book concepts until finally, in 6th grade, I set out to write a “real” book, all by myself. 3 years later, Servant of the Realm was born. It was so under the radar it wasn’t even funny, but I was just stoked to have my book searchable on the internet. It’s a pretty cool feeling when you’re 15. 3 years later, I released The Sacred Sin, a much darker story about a detective on the hunt for a serial killer who can steal souls. (THE FORSAKEN is the revamped version. I literally rewrote every page, and added about 100 more pages to the story. So if you haven’t picked that baby up, you might wanna.) 3 years after that–I know, 3 is the magical number, it seems–ARSON was unleashed. This story is closest to my heart because it came from a very unique place and time in my life. It’s like I grew up while writing it.

Well, sorta…

Flash forward to now. I’ve got 5 novels and several short stories out. I’ve been interviewed on TV, radio, and the internet. I’ve done several blog tours, have my own Youtube channel, twitter page, FB page, so quite frankly, there’s really no reason for you not to stalk me. I’m still that sort of college kid looking for his path while already on a path. I love to write. I love to ask the big questions, to create raw, flawed characters who do incredible things. And I’m reminded every day why I do what I do, why I write, why I tell stories…because of you. Because of something greater than myself. Because if I didn’t, I’d probably go insane.

Welcome to my dysfunctional world.

Spread the fire!

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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for CorLostForWords.
181 reviews32 followers
March 15, 2011
Source: Received from author. Many thanks goes to Estevan Vega for sending me a copy of this book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

My rating: 4/5

When Colors Bleed is a compilation of three short stories by Arson author, Estevan Vega. The stories included are, Baby Blue, Vanilla Red, and The Man in the Colored Room. Each tale features the main character questioning themselves and their surroundings. The themes and emotions portrayed throughout are those of love, loss, and regret. It's up to you to see what colour is bleeding through each page.
Baby Blue gives us the story of a 23-year-old girl, Casey, who is working in a department store. She forms an unusual relationship with one of the men who frequents her workplace establishment.
Vanilla Red chronicles the madcap world of a nameless character who is locked in Block C. His reasoning or lack thereof entice the reader in to see what truth he brings to his bizarre and twisted story.
The Man in the Colored Room brings us to the concluding story. It follows the foibles and recollections of a man, Colin, who finds himself placed in an architecturally perfect room. When he finds that he is no longer alone in the room, his questions, and new reality dawn on him, and the reader.
Vega has this smoky yet soulful quality to his writing voice that draws the reader in to his work. It perfectly complements the story as it unfolds. All three of these short stories are compelling, and they question the reader in various ways. The pattern to each story has this rhythm and blues feel, and it really makes this an enjoyable read. Each character questions their situations, though some seem perfectly comfortable in the skin they are in. Others want more from the life they are living. Regardless of the outcome, they all are realistic individuals.
All in all, these stories only whet the appetite for more from Vega. This is the perfect addition to any library. I know I'll be waiting impatiently for Vega's next body of work, be it another short story compilation or the follow-up to Arson. Vega is one to watch.
Profile Image for Missy (Missy's Reads & Reviews).
122 reviews118 followers
March 23, 2011
Estevan Vega completely blew me away with his novel Arson when I read it last year. So when Estevan contacted me to read his short story collection, When Colors Bleed, I jumped on it immediately - no questions asked.

Each story is similar in that they have the usual dark undertone (no sunshine and rainbows here), yet they're each unique stories that stand on their own. I found myself completely taken by each of the stories. BABY BLUE had me in tears, VANILLA RED made the part of me that loves reading about murder and mayhem squeal with giddiness, and THE MAN IN THE COLORED ROOM had me guessing what was going on until the very end. While each was vividly different from the others, they all had the same result: they made me fall absolutely in love with the collection itself, eager to read more.

No matter which story you read, Vega's writing put you right dead in the center of the story. You experience everything that the characters experience. Feel everything they feel. No matter what their story is, or their motives, you somehow are able to empathize with each and every one of them. There's always a trait in each of the characters that you can relate to that makes the story that much more real for you.

With a little over 70 pages, When Colors Bleed can easily be read in one sitting. Be warned: once you've read these deliciously addicting tales, you'll want more. It can't be helped. That's just the way it is. I'm realizing it's just part of the Vega-effect.

- Originally Posted @ Missy's Reads & Reviews
Profile Image for Raquel Vega-Grieder.
112 reviews64 followers
March 19, 2011
Review Of When Colors Bleed By Estevan Vega

I applaud Estevan for writing three amazing short stories. My favorite was Baby Blue because it made me cry and it just made me take stock of my life. All three stories, in my opinion, reminded me of possible episodes of The Twilight Zone. Vanilla Red is a great retrospect into the mind of a disillusioned soul. The Man In The Colored Room ends up being a curious surprise with a twist for an ending. I read this book without reading the blurb because I wanted to read these stories blind, so to speak. I had no clue about love, loss, and regret being a universal theme within the three stories, so I enjoyed coming to that conclusion on my own. I would loved to see these stories played out on t.v. because if they had such a profound effect on me just from reading it, I can only imagine how much more of an impact it would have upon seeing it with my own eyes. Estevan has another hit on his hands, first with Arson and now with When Colors Bleed. To be so young and yet so uniquely talented in his writing is such a great ability and a credit to his craft. On a scale from 1-10 I give this book a 20 because it is such a refreshingly different experience for me that I feel I have gained such a great appreciation for short stories. The macabre like feel of the stories didn't hurt either. I think everyone 18+ (only because of the themes in the stories) should pick up a copy of When Colors Bleed and discover the greatness that is Estevan Vega for themselves.

Link:
http://www.estevanvega.com/
Profile Image for Savannah (Books With Bite).
1,399 reviews183 followers
March 24, 2011
Let me tell you that the collections of stories in this book are good. Very good. Each had a different feel to them but with the colors is all expressed different emotions.

Baby Blue: This story is achingly wonderful. The amount of emotions and story packed into a short story, is wonderful. The characters you can relate right away and let you fee like you are in their shoes.

Vanilla Red: I love getting into this man's mind. The thoughts in his head were crazy but made sense at the same time. Absolutely beautiful.


The Man in the Colored Room: This one was a little funny at first but then turned serious. You felt Collins struggle with the truth and why he ended up where he was. The plot of this story and the way it turned so suddenly was great.

Overall, this collection of short stories was enough to blow me away! All the plots, characters, emotions, swirled around me in a never ending tornado of great writing!

Profile Image for Carrie Webb.
229 reviews
May 17, 2021
Quick, rather dark, set of tales.

Thought provoking, and yet disturbing, stories about the worst in human nature. Death in its various forms, seem to be the major themes!
Profile Image for Karen.
1,451 reviews110 followers
July 14, 2011
This is the second Estevan Vega book I have read. The first being Arson. This author has such a unique writing style; it's very dark and intense, often tapping into the disillusioned, disenfranchised soul. This collection of short stories is no exception.

Baby Blue tells the story of two people reaching out to each other forming a connection but for very different reasons. It is a touching story, both beautiful and heartbreaking.

Vanilla Red is a dark tale. Very dark, but just as fascinating. The reader is immersed into the psyche of a troubled man coming to grips with his childhood, his crimes and his punishment.

The Man in the Colored Room had a much lighter feel* but as always with Vega's stories it explores the human condition as a man struggles to find his reality, answers, forgiveness and peace. (*I say "a lighter feel" but this is Estevan Vega so lighter still equals a dark tale)

These are very short stories, it took me less than 2 hours to finish the book, so I deliberately didn't go into much detail. I hadn't read anything about them myself before diving in and I think that's the best way. With each story I thought I knew where the story was going and how it would end. Each time I was surprised at where Vega took me.

Baby Blue had me thinking about the random people I meet everyday, realizing there is more going on in people's lives than meets the eye. Vanilla Red had me going "whoa". It made me uncomfortable, and a little scared. The Man in the Colored Room felt a bit incomplete to me but it is still very good. There is a very Edgar Allen Poe/Twilight Zone quality to each tale.

If your a fan of darker fare and can handle tougher subject matter then give this collection a try. Estevan Vega is an author to watch.
Profile Image for Jessica.
1,183 reviews87 followers
April 7, 2011
I've had Estevan Vega's book Arson on my wishlist forever. I'm still anxiously waiting for my library to buy a copy, but when he offered me the opportunity to review his new set of short stories I jumped at the chance! I've heard nothing but good things about his writing and I went into this with high expectations.

Wow, is all I have to say. Truly. These three short stories are not only well-written, but each one is filled with such emotion and so poignant. It's like being teased with a little bit of your favorite candy. You want so much more after you're done! My favorite by far was Baby Blue. This short story had so many emotions packed into one story. It made me sob. Every now and then I come across a story that makes me take stock of my life and what is around me. This was one of those stories. In their own ways Vanilla Red and The Man In The Colored Room were both fantastic as well. Definitely different, which made them a delight to read.

Let me say this. Estevan's writing is superb. It is dark and has almost a smoky quality to it. His characters pop off the page in even his short stories. If this is what he has in store for me, I am now waiting even more impatiently to get my hands on a copy of Arson. Well done Estevan. Thank you so much for sharing your fantastic writing with us!
Profile Image for Heather.
9 reviews39 followers
March 24, 2011
I was asked by Estevan Vega to review this collection of short stories and seeming how I loved his book Arson I felt honored to do so . The first story Baby Blue gave me such a lump in my throat. It tells you the story of a unique relationship developed over a suit but the end is so very heartbreaking. The characters made me realize that even someone you meet in such a short time can change your life forever and you shouldn't be afraid to take chances. My heart broke for Casey in the end. Then we move on to the second story Vanilla Red which is total opposite storyline and quite might I say creepy. It takes you into the mind of a guy who has murdered a woman. Let me tell you his mind is a mess but makes you think ,do alot of other murders think like him. I was at loss for words after reading that story but not in a bad way. The Man in the Colored Room was the last of the stories and kind of surprising at the end. All the stories have similar themes like loss,hurt,and rethinking themselves. Estevan did such an amazing job making them very realistic and making you want to know more about their stories. I can not wait to read more of Estevan Vega's work. What an amazing storyteller
Profile Image for Kelsey.
Author 1 book14 followers
March 16, 2011
I was quite surprised about these three short stories. They really made you think and they draw you into them and the whole time it has you guessing what the end result will be. All of them are tragic and haunting.

Baby Blue tells the story of a Casey who works at a department store. A strange man visits once a week and asks to try on the same suite and shirt. They build a comfortable relationship. Then one day he buys the suit and Casey is shocked by what she reads in the paper the next day. Extremely heartbreaking in the end. Vanilla Red is creepy! It takes you into the mind of a psycho and what his thinking was when he murdered a woman. Very jumbled thoughts and crazy thinking!! The Man in the Colored Room we find ourselves in a room with a cup of coffee and a man named Collin. I was wondering was this a kidnapping or a man having a bad trip. Of course it was neither! Collin is visited by a man named Jack and Jack lays out Collin's life. Tells him was his addiction worth losing his family. Collin wants to change and says he will change but it is too late.
Profile Image for Merisha28.
330 reviews19 followers
September 19, 2012
I received this book in exchange for a honest review ~WaAr~

This book is a collection of short stories by the author : Baby Blue, Vanilla Red and The Man in the Colored Room. These shorts are more on the dark side for anyone expecting anything different.
Baby Blue is the softer out of the three showing you if you don't take chances that you will lose them. Vanilla Red kind've creeped me out since you were seeing and reading the perspective of a murderer. The Man in the Colored Room is about a man named Colin who wakes up in an unknown room and finds out how he comes to be there. I give this 5 stars since it is very unique.
Profile Image for Kate.
2,213 reviews78 followers
January 5, 2014
Creepy, disturbing, wonderful, all three short stories. I really like that all three were mysterious in the beginning. Vega is an author I've been meaning to read for years and this was a great introduction to his writing!
Profile Image for Althea Wynne-Davis.
17 reviews9 followers
April 9, 2013
Vega is a new-to-me author. I found this collection of short stories to be haunting, sad yet beautiful, unique. A great find for me. I'll be seeking out more of Vega's stories.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews

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