It's a SCREAM

Caution is the watchword when Robert Liparulo's dreams come true: FBI agents become the prey of a modern-day Viking ("Comes A Horseman"), the Ebola virus is genetically engineered to infect individuals with specific strands of DNA ("Germ"), four friends in the Canadian wilderness face both the pinpoint accuracy of a satellite weapon and the callous teen who wields it ("Deadfall").

Although these particular dreams were written as nightmare thriller novels for adults, the Colorado-based writer has long realized his work has crossover appeal to a younger market. Embracing a request from his publisher to pursue storytelling for tweens and teens wasn't difficult, Liparulo recently told the Sun Journal by phone during a break from ThrillerFest in Manhattan.

Besides, he said, he had another dream he wanted to share, and one that had haunted him since he was a tween himself living in the Azores Islands.

The six-book series that sprang from that recurring vision became "Dreamhouse Kings," with the first two books released in tandem in July: "House of Dark Shadows" (286 pages, $14.99) and "Watcher in the Woods" (290 pages, $14.99).

That both books draw on an element of horror, are set in a thick forest and contain a haunted house with portals into other times and places is little surprise. Liparulo, like many modern authors, credits Stephen King for inspiration early in his writing career.

That both books impale young readers with a sense of moral certitude is also no revelation. These novels are the result of a happy marriage between writer Liparulo and publisher Thomas Nelson. While the author says that the faith-based Nelson maintains its distance from its mainstream novelists - Liparulo's often blood-soaked plots make his point - "Dreamhouse Kings'" themes tackling bullying, deceit and the vital connections among family members are at home under Nelson's roof.

Still, these are Robert Liparulo novels. Woven within the continuing plot is enough cinematic action to capture the attention of teens more acclimated to gaming, text messaging and instant gratification than reading a fiction series that requires the patient arrival of a new book every few months.

Indeed, the most encouraging sentence in Book 2, "Watcher," is the one that finishes the novel, "NOT THE END ..."

A fitting sentence, this, for an author whose mature prose reaches out to children, and whose young adult texts will surely be found in many adult libraries.