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Don't Stand So Close
When handsome 17-year-old Matt Poe moves to a rural town in Iowa, he is the new kid in school. An outsider who can’t fit in, his only friend is his beautiful and sympathetic teacher, Linda Hayden. The older woman is the first to take an interest in him, helping him adjust to the community and keep his grades up. Matt can’t help falling hard for Linda and what begins with a kiss becomes a torrid, secret affair. But his teacher is a lot more than he bargained for and the kid’s wildest dream becomes his worst nightmare. The only people who can save Matt are his two classmates, Grace McCormack and Rusty Shaw. But the three of them are in way over their heads against an evil adult trying to make sure they stay after class permanently.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2012
About the author
Eric Red
74 books109 followersEric Red is a Los Angeles based novelist, screenwriter, and film director. His novels, an edgy Y/A book called DON’T STAND SO CLOSE and a dark fantasy called THE GUNS OF SANTA SANGRE and its sequel THE WOLVES OF EL DIABLO are published in hardcover, trade paperback and digital editions by SST Publications. Two other novels, a science fiction thriller called IT WAITS BELOW, and a mystery crime thriller called WHITE KNUCKLE are published by Samhain Publishing. The first two of his Joe Noose Western novels, NOOSE and HANGING FIRE, are published in Mass Market Paperback and digital editions by Kensington Books and Pinnacle Books. The next two Joe Noose Westerns, BRANDED and THE CRIMSON TRAIL, will be published in 2021.
Mr. Red directed and wrote the films COHEN AND TATE for Hemdale, BODY PARTS for Paramount, UNDERTOW for Showtime, BAD MOON for Warner Bros. and 100 FEET for Grand Illusions Entertainment. His original screenplays include THE HITCHER for Tri Star, NEAR DARK for DeLaurentiis Entertainment Group, BLUE STEEL for MGM and THE LAST OUTLAW for HBO.
His published horror and suspense short stories have been in Cemetery Dance magazine, Weird Tales magazine, Shroud magazine, Dark Delicacies III: Haunted anthology, Dark Discoveries magazine, Mulholland Books' Popcorn Fiction, among others.
He created and wrote the sci-fi/horror comic series and graphic novel CONTAINMENT from SST Publications and the horror western comic series WILD WORK for Antarctic Press.
Visit his website at www.ericred.com.
Mr. Red directed and wrote the films COHEN AND TATE for Hemdale, BODY PARTS for Paramount, UNDERTOW for Showtime, BAD MOON for Warner Bros. and 100 FEET for Grand Illusions Entertainment. His original screenplays include THE HITCHER for Tri Star, NEAR DARK for DeLaurentiis Entertainment Group, BLUE STEEL for MGM and THE LAST OUTLAW for HBO.
His published horror and suspense short stories have been in Cemetery Dance magazine, Weird Tales magazine, Shroud magazine, Dark Delicacies III: Haunted anthology, Dark Discoveries magazine, Mulholland Books' Popcorn Fiction, among others.
He created and wrote the sci-fi/horror comic series and graphic novel CONTAINMENT from SST Publications and the horror western comic series WILD WORK for Antarctic Press.
Visit his website at www.ericred.com.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 20, 2015
Don't Stand So Close by Eric Red is an erotic type thriller and I must admit I was suckered in by the cover, have to say it did it's job perfectly and top marks for whoever chose them, IT, I mean it.
The cover is of course not the one above but this little gem or gems (enough with the crap jokes FFS) below.
To the story well it's a bit of a coming of age tale with some steamy action in the shape of a hot female teacher who it seems succumbs to the attentions of a smitten pupil. She introduces a bit of danger to spice things up, teaches our jammy young charge everything he could possibly want to know in the bedroom antics department but when he starts to fall for a class mate. Miss hot teacher ain't too happy and she's got a side that the locals are yet to see, anything goes in psychobitchpines.
Now if you look at the endorsements for Don't Stand So Close, there's one or two big names that have put their weight behind it, little old me on the other hand thought he must have been reading something else. The cover and the reviews must have raised my expectations beyond normal reason because I just felt lots of awkwardness with the dialogue, the over descriptive prose and even some of the supposed erotic encounters.
If you're pushing an RV off a bridge, your shirt gets caught in the bumper just as it starts to plummet, is it possible that your shirt could get ripped off your back as you manage somewhat incredulously to hold onto a railing, a 3 tonne dead weight versus you and your shirt, yeah.
And if there's a sane bloke out there who's ever felt like cutting his own dick off then my names Bob McSeveredappendage and should you ever use the word palate in the description of a hot kiss, only if you're a bloke writing about sex.
The story felt like exactly what it was, a first time author feeling his way with a story that could have been so much better if the editing was up to scratch. There were bits I enjoyed, the ending was ok, the plot had it’s moments but what I tend to remember, is the impression of a mediocre job that could have been so much better.
This is now my second bit of erotica fiction in two weeks, gonna need another box of tissues if this keeps up.
See the review with cover at http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
The cover is of course not the one above but this little gem or gems (enough with the crap jokes FFS) below.
To the story well it's a bit of a coming of age tale with some steamy action in the shape of a hot female teacher who it seems succumbs to the attentions of a smitten pupil. She introduces a bit of danger to spice things up, teaches our jammy young charge everything he could possibly want to know in the bedroom antics department but when he starts to fall for a class mate. Miss hot teacher ain't too happy and she's got a side that the locals are yet to see, anything goes in psychobitchpines.
Now if you look at the endorsements for Don't Stand So Close, there's one or two big names that have put their weight behind it, little old me on the other hand thought he must have been reading something else. The cover and the reviews must have raised my expectations beyond normal reason because I just felt lots of awkwardness with the dialogue, the over descriptive prose and even some of the supposed erotic encounters.
If you're pushing an RV off a bridge, your shirt gets caught in the bumper just as it starts to plummet, is it possible that your shirt could get ripped off your back as you manage somewhat incredulously to hold onto a railing, a 3 tonne dead weight versus you and your shirt, yeah.
And if there's a sane bloke out there who's ever felt like cutting his own dick off then my names Bob McSeveredappendage and should you ever use the word palate in the description of a hot kiss, only if you're a bloke writing about sex.
The story felt like exactly what it was, a first time author feeling his way with a story that could have been so much better if the editing was up to scratch. There were bits I enjoyed, the ending was ok, the plot had it’s moments but what I tend to remember, is the impression of a mediocre job that could have been so much better.
This is now my second bit of erotica fiction in two weeks, gonna need another box of tissues if this keeps up.
See the review with cover at http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
November 7, 2012
A horrific tale of lust and psychosis, Eric Red has taken the High School American dream and turned it into a nightmare. Great characterization, a relentless pace, and never once faults on the details (especially in the epilogue that explains a certain someone's motivations), Eric Red has created a hell of a first novel.
Want to Read
September 10, 2015This copy is signed by Eric Red.
October 11, 2012
This is a great absorbing read that will have you booing and hissing the villainous teacher, Linda Hayden, all the way through while rooting for the plucky young protagonist, Matt Poe, to prevail against this obsessive psycho beast of a teacher. Adult horror fans will enjoy it as will older teens (there is a lot of graphic content in the novel, so it's definitely not appropriate for younger teens).
October 7, 2012
I enjoyed it, especially the second half of the story when the story is led down a much darker path.
October 20, 2014
Well written and fun to read I got sucked in quick and was not able to put it down! Great job!
November 28, 2018
This review is for the SST (Short Scary Stories) hardcover edition of Don't Stand So Close, which was Eric Red's first novel. The premise of the story was good and the execution and writing was decent, especially for a first time author.
However, my biggest problem with the book was the atrocious editing. As a writer, I can certainly understand and forgive an occasional grammatical error or typo, but this book is unacceptable. It has tons of typos, grammatical errors, run-on sentences, and word omissions. These editorial errors were so annoying, I frequently considered discontinuing reading the book. Yes, it was that bad!
Who the hell edited this book? A blind person? I don't blame the author, but shame on SST Publishing for not giving this book more attention.
Two Stars!
However, my biggest problem with the book was the atrocious editing. As a writer, I can certainly understand and forgive an occasional grammatical error or typo, but this book is unacceptable. It has tons of typos, grammatical errors, run-on sentences, and word omissions. These editorial errors were so annoying, I frequently considered discontinuing reading the book. Yes, it was that bad!
Who the hell edited this book? A blind person? I don't blame the author, but shame on SST Publishing for not giving this book more attention.
Two Stars!
October 21, 2021
For such a short novel this takes forever to get going until it takes an admittedly juicy, horned up and dark turn in the final third. A bit like a Laymon novel with the semblance of conscience, I guess?
March 23, 2021
Very sexy!!!
It was lent to me, and I'm so glad I got a chance to read it.
It was lent to me, and I'm so glad I got a chance to read it.
August 15, 2017
I recieved this First Reads Goodreads Giveaway book for an honest review.
When I first found out about this book, I was confused. I wasn't sure if this was supposed to be a sexual fantasy book or a horror. I'm glad to tell you it is more horror than anything else.
The book is reminiscent of the old horror movies (Friday the 13th, Halloween, etc.) in the writing. The setting is a small town in the heartland of America, Iowa. The kids are dressed in clothes that hearken back to the 70's, 80's, and 90's, but the time this is set is modern. There are smart phones, Xbox's, stuff like that. It gave the book a weird anachronistic feel. I wasn't sure if the author didn't know that Iowa kids wear the same stuff as California kids or if he did that for a reason.
Sure, you're going to see more jeans in Iowa, but I haven't seen teenage girls wearing jean shirts there. I should know, I just got back from Iowa in September. Not a single jean shirt or printed shirt that screamed Farrah Fawcett's time in Charlie's Angels.
Fashion aside, the book wasn't bad. It escalated rather quickly and the writing pulls you in. You don't really get a complete feel of who the characters are, but for that space of time the book is set in, you learn enough. The book was literally like a movie. Which makes sense because Eric Red has written some horror films.
Don't Stand So Close was a good between book from the other stuff I've been reading. It wasn't "oh my god" amazing, but the book was fun. It's a great popcorn book.
My biggest beef though (aside from the fashion), is the geographical confusion. The book is set in Iowa and though I don't know where exactly, I'm guessing mid-Iowa. The book said that the closest fun town was Twin Falls, which was what I believed to be fictional, but then there was a mention of Idaho and a Twin Falls in Idaho. That, got me confused because Iowa doesn't border Idaho at all. I mean, you have Nebraska and Wyoming in the way. I'm sure there is a closer fun town. So, yeah, that was a biggie. However, if you can ignore geographical and fashion faux pas, then the book would be an interesting one to linger in.
When I first found out about this book, I was confused. I wasn't sure if this was supposed to be a sexual fantasy book or a horror. I'm glad to tell you it is more horror than anything else.
The book is reminiscent of the old horror movies (Friday the 13th, Halloween, etc.) in the writing. The setting is a small town in the heartland of America, Iowa. The kids are dressed in clothes that hearken back to the 70's, 80's, and 90's, but the time this is set is modern. There are smart phones, Xbox's, stuff like that. It gave the book a weird anachronistic feel. I wasn't sure if the author didn't know that Iowa kids wear the same stuff as California kids or if he did that for a reason.
Sure, you're going to see more jeans in Iowa, but I haven't seen teenage girls wearing jean shirts there. I should know, I just got back from Iowa in September. Not a single jean shirt or printed shirt that screamed Farrah Fawcett's time in Charlie's Angels.
Fashion aside, the book wasn't bad. It escalated rather quickly and the writing pulls you in. You don't really get a complete feel of who the characters are, but for that space of time the book is set in, you learn enough. The book was literally like a movie. Which makes sense because Eric Red has written some horror films.
Don't Stand So Close was a good between book from the other stuff I've been reading. It wasn't "oh my god" amazing, but the book was fun. It's a great popcorn book.
My biggest beef though (aside from the fashion), is the geographical confusion. The book is set in Iowa and though I don't know where exactly, I'm guessing mid-Iowa. The book said that the closest fun town was Twin Falls, which was what I believed to be fictional, but then there was a mention of Idaho and a Twin Falls in Idaho. That, got me confused because Iowa doesn't border Idaho at all. I mean, you have Nebraska and Wyoming in the way. I'm sure there is a closer fun town. So, yeah, that was a biggie. However, if you can ignore geographical and fashion faux pas, then the book would be an interesting one to linger in.
November 9, 2014
Although the beginning of this story focuses on the illicit affair of a female teacher and her male high school student, the last half of the story turns very dark and mysterious; a good mix overall. When high school student Matt and his mom, who also happens to be a teacher at his new school, move from California to Iowa, Matt finds himself magnetically drawn to an attractive young teacher who also takes an interest in helping him catch up on his schoolwork. Or so it seems. As Matt's relationship with this teacher, Linda, grows closer he realizes she has much more in mind than teaching him only schoolwork. They begin a sexual affair that Matt eventually ends when Linda gets too kinky for him, and he freaks out. Being dumped by a high school boy does not go over well with Linda and she vows to ruin Matt's life and goes to extreme lengths to do just that. The story is written pretty well and the pace is very good. I would guess the author has never been to Iowa, however as he calls Dairy Queen's famous creation the "Concrete" instead of the "Blizzard" and mentions that the character is going to the Vons grocery store, which there are no Vons in Iowa. He also mentions a character is headed to Kansas when he's really going to Nebraska, but details, details. It just so happens I live in Iowa, so I would catch these things better than others, perhaps. Overall I really enjoyed the book and was pleased the author took the time to personally autograph it. I won this book through a First Reads contest, and I'm thankful for it, although I do wonder if this book would still be considered sexy if the teacher had been male and the underage student had been female. Something to think about.
June 26, 2015
Oh so predictable and cliched and so not dramatic. We all know teenage boys are horny creatures, that's not news. Apparently (I noticed after I read it) this is supposed to be erotic fiction. Really? I didn't find it erotic at all. It was really dull, truly awful. I'm not even sure why I finished it except for trying very hard not to give up on books that don't grab me pretty quickly. I should have relaxed my rule for this!
November 26, 2016
An erotic thriller, the title gives it away. It's from a Sting song about a teacher and a student having a relationship. Matt Poe's teacher is hot, very hot but when Matt crosses the line things soon get very messy not just for Matt but for those that he holds dear.
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December 3, 2013Eric (Durdaller) Red
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews