Twelve Tingly Tales

Book excerpt: "Twelve Tingly Tales" is a mixture of fact and fiction. "Handyman," "John," "The Scientific Man," "Snake," "Toy Boy," and "Tough Guy," are complete works of the author's imagination. "Noises," however, is a story from his youth - one that was related to Hoskins by his parents when he was in his mid-twenties. Craig's father told him that his older brother and he slept through the ghostly brawl, and that he didn't get really scared until their mother turned on their bedroom light and there was no one in our kitchen. Craig's aunt related stories from her childhood upon which he based "Fearstruck," and "Katie." Essentially, they are as she told them and did really happen. Likewise, "Jason," and "Toto," were based upon truth. Hoskins' family did have two wonderful Labs with those names, and Jason did die suddenly after turning so sweet and attentive his last week. Toto did chase away a dog who threatened his Kelly. "Weeping Lady" is based upon a Mexican ghost story. Craig embellished the story with his American characters, but the essence of the story is the same. Read and enjoy... and think. Many times the truth is much stranger than fiction and much harder to believe.