Coming April 2010

horrordude · **Posted:** Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:45 am

Hi, Jeff. This looks great.

I wanted to tell you Pressure was one of the best books I've read all year, and I also enjoyed the hell out of Benjamin's Parasite.

I have to get into a lot more of your stuff. I have the same kind of demented sense of humor, and I love when a writer can mix in actual scares and make it work, like you.

Your short story Gramma's Corpse gave me the creeps so bad, I almost slept on my couch the night I read it, avoiding the bed for obvious reasons given in your story. Definitely makes my list of creepiest stories I've ever read.

Thanks for the laughs and scares, Jeff!

JeffStrand · **Posted:** Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:01 pm

Free knighthood for HorrorDude! Thanks! I haven't heard that much feedback on "Gramma's Corpse," so I'm glad you enjoyed it!

--Jeff

SteveVernon · **Posted:** Wed Mar 24, 2010 9:01 pm

All right.

So I run a nice hot tub.

A cold beer, Rickard's Dark.

I'm going to soak in the tub and read me a bit of DWELLER.

First three pages and that fuckhead Strand rises up out of the funky tub water, points a shotgun at my gut and squeezes both triggers.

BLA-BLAM!!!

Man, those first three pages just kick the door down and take no freaking prisoners.

Nicely done, man.

Craig Cook · **Joined:** Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:25 pm **Posts:** 5637

I can't wait to grab a copy of Dweller.

Like Horrordude, Pressure was easily one of my favorite books from last year. And Haunted Forest Tour was one of the most enjoyable things to plow through, with just about every kind of monster imaginable.

Hopefully Jeff Strand will become a household name in the very near future.

ttzuma · **Joined:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:15 pm **Posts:** 13517

TMLCrow · **Posted:** Thu Mar 25, 2010 4:31 pm

Oh yeah, this one's not even hitting the ol' tbr pile. I'm going to read it right away.

Nice cover, too. Between this and the cover for Gord's upcoming book, it almost makes me think Leisure actually hired an artist to design covers. Almost.

SteveVernon · **Posted:** Sun May 09, 2010 10:37 am

I have been waiting a very long time for Jeff Strand’s second Leisure Book.

His first, Pressure, was a pneumatic vice-grip of a novel that caught hold of the reader at a suitably vulnerable point and s-q-u-e-a-z-e-d.

Dweller is equally as intense.

The book takes a look at the life of a young boy named Toby who has been literally touched by a sort of Bigfoot-style creature. Toby names the monster Owen and in time, in spite of the inevitable speed bumps that arise in any friendship – namely massacre and man-eating – the two become fast friends.

The book follows Toby throughout his life, looking at how having a friendship with a monster can influence and change a person. It sounds a little goofy when you write it out like that but the book really has an interesting sort of Mice and Men kind of vibe to it. They definitely are a pair of “broken toys” who lean on each other and find their own way through this darkness that some call life.

It is a peculiarly charming sort of read and Strand deals with the problems of spanning an entire lifetime by writing little snapshot vignettes – almost the equivalent of a cinematic montage – throughout the book. This technique is surpisingly effective and the reader feels as if they have watched Toby throughout his entire life.

Dweller is not exactly a horror novel, so much as it is a strong dark fable. The carnage is relatively muted and the book has a sort of YA-feel to it that I enjoyed.

I would definitely recommend this book and I am certain to re-read it.

Yours in storytelling,

Steve Vernon

horrordude · **Posted:** Sun May 23, 2010 9:38 pm

JeffStrand · **Posted:** Fri Jun 04, 2010 12:33 pm

I'm a name in MY household, and a name spat out with venom and disgust in two or three others, so that's really all I need.

The awesomeness of Steve Vernon, of course, cannot be overstated. I'd almost rather read his reviews than the books themselves.

--Jeff

Craig Cook · **Joined:** Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:25 pm **Posts:** 5637

Hey Jeff, started this today and can't wait to get home from work and read some more tonight. If it's anywhere near as good as Pressure, I'm going to love it!

JeffStrand · **Posted:** Wed Jul 14, 2010 8:44 am

Thanks, Craig! I hope it isn't a crushing, devastating disappointment!

--Jeff

Craig Cook · **Joined:** Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:25 pm **Posts:** 5637

I posted this over in The Cellar, but wanted to paste it here as well. Loved the book Jeff. Do you know if Leisure has another novel scheduled to come out by you next year?

My original post;

**********

Finished Dweller this afternoon, and am once again in awe of Strand's ability to create such memorable characters. I felt like I was sitting there next to Toby and Owen, listening in on their thoughts and feelings, seeing the emotions on their faces. A fine read indeed. Between this, Pressure, and Haunted Forest Tour, Strand is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

I also noticed how when I read certain authors, I feel like I can get a glimpse at their strong points. Every good author has to be able to combine many elements, but it seems every writer has a certain element they excell at.

*When I think atmosphere, guys like Gary Braunbeck and Tom Piccirilli spring to mind.

*When it comes to action, Brian Keene and James Moore are right at the top of the list.

*And when I think about characters, well, Jeff Strand is one of the best. When you read his work, the characters are what stick with you long after you've finished and put the book away.

Craig Cook · **Joined:** Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:25 pm **Posts:** 5637

Woops, please forgive my question above. I just saw that Wolf Hunt is scheduled for December. Oh man, this is exciting - I don't even have to wait until next year!

Mels · **Joined:** Wed May 07, 2008 12:52 pm **Posts:** 111

I really liked Dweller but Pressure is currently my favorite Strand novel.

Craig Cook · **Joined:** Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:25 pm **Posts:** 5637

JeffStrand · **Posted:** Tue Jul 27, 2010 7:47 pm

Wow, thanks, Craig! That's quite an endorsement!

--Jeff

JeffStrand · **Posted:** Tue Jul 27, 2010 7:47 pm

And thanks, Mels!

Craig Cook · **Joined:** Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:25 pm **Posts:** 5637

While showing some family members what I would like to have for Christmas, one of which was the limited hardcover of Wolf Hunt, my mom saw a photo of the cover for the limited edition Dweller. She looked intrigued, so I told her what an awesome novel it was, and loaned her my paperback copy.

I'm hoping that I'll be hearing you have a new fan, Jeff!

Coming April 2010

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