Reader Recommendation – A blast from our past buddy read of “Blister” by Jeff Strand.

ROMANCE/COMEDY HORROR ALERT!! Okay okay I know what you’re thinking… UGH THAT COVER!! 😂  But, I love coming across fun conversations we’ve had in our book past, and here’s one that I never dedicated a post to, but that should have been front and center!

I suspect because it was part “horror” that maybe it wouldn’t fit the blog so much, but our book crew had so much fun reading it, that any book that gets this kind of response, should be featured!

Mony: Blister by Jeff Strand also sounds great – weird & quirky…love dark humour.

So without further ado, I’d like to re-introduce… “Blister”.

It all started with Fabi…

Fabi: I found another horror/thriller I want to read. Blister by Jeff Strand. Of course, I still don’t have a single volunteer for my previous horror pick, Twisted. I’m totally reaching outside my comfort zone with these and yet, no one’s coming with me to hold my hand.

Jean: I’m definitely in for a horror buddy read! Just let me know what and when!

Fabi: …I’m intrigued by Blister because I read a review that said it has a realistic romance. I don’t know how that fits in with the thriller/horror but “romance” is the magic word for me. LOL … 4.5 stars from 117 reviews on Amazon.

Amy: And I’m in for Blister, guys! That looks CREEPY. That cover… *shudder* But she has pretty lips. 😉

Leslie M: Good luck guys on the Blister read, the cover is cool. I actually LOVE scary movies, but not books.

Cheryl: Blister looks interesting. Is it purely horror? Romance/horror?? I may be in for BR. …Ok, I’m in!!

Fabi: Cheryl, Amazon says Blister is horror/thriller/mystery/romance/humor. Ha! They couldn’t make up their minds. I just hope its good. I didn’t read the reviews in case of spoilers but I did notice there’s a ton of good ones.

Cheryl: Started Blister. Writing is good, just not sure where it is going yet, especially with the set-up in chapter one. Has had some laugh out loud moments already. I laughed out loud at this line (definitely some morbid humor):

“Sure, my sense of relaxation was still somewhere between “in the dentist’s chair for a quartet of root canals” and “what’s that creature doing on the wing of the plane?”

Amy: I started Blister, and so far I’m liking it. I wouldn’t classify it as horror just yet but it could change…I would say it’s more “horrific” because of what happened to her than anything else.

Cheryl: I would say it is not scary/horror, but like Amy said has horrific events. Small-town mystery is also a good way of describing it. Funny, not dark humor but laughing about a bad situation and just laughing in general. Lots of funny one-liners from the H. I’m thinking “things’ are not what they seem and I’m at the beginning of the explanations.

Fabi: I just read chapter 1 *sticks tongue out at Bev* and I loooove the writing. I had giggles in my stomach the whole chapter.

Amy: You know what, I thought it was pretty freaking hilarious what happened at the beginning with that kid. Sometimes they have to learn lessons the hard way. 😛

Fabi: Are y’all reading Blister ’cause I just met Rachel and I really like her. I’m not hearing the scary foreboding music yet.

Jean: I’m at 30% of Blister. I’m liking it so far. Jason is s very unique character and a lot of his inner thoughts having me grinning. No, not really horror but not sure where it’s going either. Yes, that whole incident with the dog in the beginning was kinda funny from his POV!

Fabi: Jean! Yea, glad you’re reading it too. I’m at 43% and I’ve had several burst out laughing moments. Dry humor and deadpan banter always make me laugh. Yes, there have been some horrifically detailed scenes, but without the music in the background for impact.

Cheryl: Ok, finished Blister. Enjoyed the story, although it wasn’t what I was expecting. Not sure why it was described as scary/horror. I may have been scared for them, but not scared by the story. AND the ending; I wanted more.

Fabi: @63% omg that’s pretty horrific *cringes* @78% WT everloving F ?! Cheryl, you didn’t show an ounce of surprise at this? I am floored!

Jean: Uh oh Fabi! I’m at 60%…..craziness!!!

Amy: Just hit the 63% point Fabi was talking about. Not. Cool. *shudder*

Fabi: Who was it earlier that asked if this was a dark comedy? bev? More and more I’m leaning towards that description. Humour Noir.

Amy: Definitely, Fabi. It reminds me of something Johnny Depp would play in, like a combination of his characters in Secret Window (gotta love Mort Rainey) and Sleepy Hollow. I just finished it, and that last bit had me cracking up even when it was getting a little intense. The MCs exasperated comments and inner thoughts and the village idiots were killing me, LOL!!

Fabi: You finished?! I’m so jealous. I had to come to work leaving the last 20% until later. It’s really different though, huh? JD would be the perfect character to play in this movie. I don’t think it’s the horror I was expecting but I enjoy the humor and it’s a pallette cleanser from the typical romance reads.

Jean: I just finished too. Not even sure what I thought of it…..still processing……

Fabi: Oh my gawd, that’s the strangest, most uniquely bizzare story I’ve ever read.

Amy: “I’d be happy to go!” I said. “The only reason I’m still here is that the sheriff told me not to leave! I hate this town!” Holy moly! I was cracking up at that part! Total JD scene. 😉

Fabi: I have so many highlights.

“I had nothing clever to say. I was under breast hypnosis”

“I felt something running down my neck. Blood? Yeah, had to be blood. Though my vision was blurred I knew it wasn’t eyeball juice.”

Amy: …give Blister a try! It was SO out of the norm for me, and it was not at all what I expected. Fabi’s “humour noir” label is perfect for it. I was cracking up as often as I was cringing. I thought it was great!

…Not a scary read, more of a creepy one but also with some dark humor. Y’all remember that one? I snorted out loud a few times and that doesn’t happen often while I’m reading. …I really liked it. Fabi did good. 😉