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Before we go further, a disclosure. I count the author as a friend and this is the first review for a friend I've had to write. That said, I'm going to review this just like any other book because doing anything else wouldn't be fair.
I wrote a little something about each story:
FOOTSTEPS: I loved this award-nominated tale. There's an image at the end that I will think about any time I read a story featuring this particular type of menace.
WHEN DOVES CRY: A folksy good time. As a period piece it sticks out a bit, but still a ton of fun.
I WANT TO BREAK FREE: I liked the different perspectives in this story. Finding out what was actually happening was neat.
MANEATER: Knowing Janine's background, this was a cool story to read. I hope we get to see more of Detective Kate Ramsey.
ADDICTED TO LOVE: This one is sexy and has some teeth. Not like any other story in the collection. I liked it, but not as much as some of the others.
SWEET CHILD O MINE: Loved this story. When kids say they see things, PAY ATTENTION!
TAINTED LOVE: Twisty story about infatuation with a gut-punch for good measure.
LOST IN THE SHADOWS: I haven't been to the drive-in in years, but we do have one close by. I really dug the setting and the Easter Eggs. There's a lot of names I recognize and the story was gross because I read it while hungry. That will make more sense after you read it.
IT'S A SIN: One of the creepier stories in the collection and one of my favorites. I could read stories like this all day.
LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD: Very different than the rest of stories in the collection, with a fun (if not frustrating) ending.
RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL: Another one of my favorites. When it hits the fan in this story, it hits the fan and I loved every second of it!
PARADISE CITY: Uhhh...wow, lol. Equal parts dark comedy and yikes. The Narnia reference killed me. Hormones are a hell of a thing. Not my favorite, but couldn't help but laugh at it.
SCHOOL'S OUT FOREVER: I actually wanted this story to be longer, but I also understand why the story ended the way it did. Make sure to read the story notes on this one!
LIVING ON A PRAYER: This one would have made a hardcore episode of "Are You Afraid of The Dark?". Really liked this one.
BONES OF BOARDED-UP BABY BODIES BEHIND THE BATH-PANEL: I think this one was my favorite? The ending totally and completely worked for me. Genuinely creeped out by this one.
NOBODY'S FOOL: This story felt like the beginning of something. I wanted to know what happened after it ended!
THEY: Feels like a bookend and a perfect way to end the collection. I loved this one too and one of the cooler werewolf stories I've ever read.
Bonus points for the foreword by Glenn Rolfe (totally got me pumped) and the wonderful story notes!
I had a blast with this collection. While not every story was a complete home run for me, I at least liked parts of every story and that goes a long way. Janine's voice is very natural and full-steam ahead. There's no words wasted here, and as mentioned above, there's a few stories that I wish were longer. TWISTED: TAINTED TALES is like a late-night Halloween party that refuses to turn the music down no matter how much the neighbors complain, and let's face it, they probably won't make it 'till morning anyways if they're in a Janine Pipe story.
