The ‘Risen’ series will disappoint anyone looking for vampires that sparkle and make teenage girls swoon or live in creepy gothic German castles, but it’s keeping thousands of intelligent readers on the edge of their seats with its captivating plot line and rich narrative about a 200-year-old revenge-thirsty vampire who rises from the grave to unleash evil on a small town. Replacing clichés with a smart and authentic cast of characters that play out in a story unlike anything written before, author Krystal Lawrence is proving there’s plenty of fresh blood left in the world of horror fiction.
Seattle, WA -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/04/2015 -- While vampire fiction has long been a staple of the horror world, both critics and readers have become disillusioned with hastily thrown-together narratives that do little but play into the genre's clichés. Sharing the same bold opinion and having always had a passion for stories that keep her too scared to turn off the light, author Krystal Lawrence has emerged as the one writer brave enough to shake up the worlds of vampires and horror for good.
Lawrence's 'Risen' series, currently comprising two volumes, bucks the trend with gusto through smart and intricate tales that provide an unusually-intelligent read. While breaking new ground, the series' premise of a 200 year-old vampire rising to wreak havoc, in what becomes an epic supernatural murder mystery, pulls together vampiric traditions readers crave.
Synopses:
'Risen' – The boy was unremarkable. No reason anyone would have thought twice about him. Not unless they looked closer. Then one might see something was different——something was wrong. There's a killer on the loose in Alder Lake, and the detective assigned to the case has just become the prime suspect. What no one knows is that a two-hundred year-old vampire has risen, and a centuries-old unconscionable evil is about to be revenged.
'Risen II' - The Progeny - Francis Barclay, the vengeful and bloodthirsty vampire back from the dead in Risen, has once again returned from the ashes. He has come to save the vampire child he accidentally sired during his last unhallowed return–– and this time he is not alone! Seven-year-old Lorna has inherited Barclay's glowing eyes, as well as his taste for blood. Alder Lake is once again plagued by murder. Only this time, the suspect will surprise everyone!
"I hold my work to very high standards," admits the author. "The plot had to be rich, the characters had to be authentic and every page had to provide something new while avoiding the stereotypes that give vampire fiction a bad rap."
Continuing, "The storyline is scarily believable, and I'm currently working to convert both volumes into screenplays. From the feedback I've been getting, they have solid potential for hitting the stage and/or screen."
Lawrence isn't exaggerating. Her work has garnered rave reviews. Author Steven H. Jackson comments, "What I wanted was more than just a scary story, but one with a page-turning plot that was enhanced by the horror aspect. I found this in Krystal Lawrence's 'Risen.' The author tells a great tale of crime and duplicity tied up in a surrounding tale of generational evil. And, unlike the current slew of vampire books that are just young adult pulp fiction, Risen is a great ride for the more discerning reader."
Suezy L. Proctor adds, "I wish I could say that I read this book slowly and savored every word on every page. I wish I could say, in the end, that it was trash…that Horror was just what I always suspected it would be...a total waste of my time. Truth is, I can't say either thing. I read this book cover to cover in one sitting. The characters were compelling and very well developed. They were believable....their interactions and reactions."
But Lawrence's portfolio isn't all about vampires; 2013 saw the release of the highly-acclaimed 'Be Careful What You Wish For'. Unconnected to the 'Risen' series, unfathomable horror hits readers between the eyes as metaphysics collides with three protagonists' darkest dreams.
Synopsis:
'Be Careful What You Wish For' - A Trilogy of Terror. Welcome to Bella Luna. Don't let the façade fool you. It's more than just a bookshop, and the owner, Belda, much more than a mere proprietor. Just ask the people you will meet. Taking desperate measures to attain their heart's desires, they are unaware of the evil they have called upon. Now their only wish——to turn back time and stop the horror unleashed by walking in the door of Bella Luna.
Those with a craving for the unconventional are urged to get started on the author's three books without delay. A fourth is in the works, so there's no time to waste before Lawrence is back with another spine-tingling literary treat.
'Risen' - http://amzn.to/1CKGdZg
'Risen II - The Progeny' - http://amzn.to/1ysXOOS
'Be Careful What You Wish for' - http://amzn.to/1z81F7Y
For more information, visit the author's official website: http://www.darksidestories.com
About Krystal Lawrence
Born in Southern California, Krystal Lawrence grew up appearing in major motion pictures and television shows. In her twenties she hosted a successful radio talk show in Las Vegas and majored in criminal justice in college. Working for a police department, Ms. Lawrence gained detailed insight into the world of crime scene investigation and police interrogation. Her knowledge gives her writing an intriguing touch of true crime blended into a purely fictional tale. Ms. Lawrence has enjoyed many national accolades for her work.