Faith & Fangs Blog Tour & Giveaway

As New Moon mania hits in theaters nationwide today, I bring you reviews of two Christian books that are vampire related. These books were provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

TOUCHED BY A VAMPIRE: EXAMINING TWILIGHT THROUGH A BIBLICAL LENS by Beth Felker Jones

People around the world are asking the same question, enraptured with Edward and Bella’s forbidden romance in the Twilight Saga, a four-book serial phenomenon written by Stephenie Meyer. The bestsellers tell the story of a regular girl’s relationship with a vampire who has chosen to follow his “good” side. But the Saga isn’t just another fantasy–it’s teaching girls about love, sex, and purpose. With 48 million copies in print and a succession of upcoming blockbuster films, now is the time to ask the important question: Can vampires teach us about God’s plan for love?

Touched by a Vampire is the first book to investigate the themes of the Twilight Saga from a Biblical perspective. Some Christian readers have praised moral principles illustrated in the story, such as premarital sexual abstinence, which align with Meyer’s Mormon beliefs. But ultimately, Beth Felker Jones examines whether the story’s redemptive qualities outshine its darkness.

Cautionary, thoughtful, and challenging, Touched by a Vampire is written for Twilight fans, parents, teachers, and pop culture enthusiasts. It includes an overview of the series for those unfamiliar with the storyline and a discussion guide for small groups.

My Thoughts: This was a very interesting book. I agreed with some of the author's points, and others not so much. The book did give me quite a lot to think about. The questions it asked led to some great conversations between Ashley and I. All in all, I found it fascinating, even if I didn't agree with everything in it. Ashley has read the first three books in the series, so being able to ask her specific questions about the books was nice. The author did bring up things I'd not thought about. I am glad this book let me get a little more in touch with what Ashley was gleaning from the books. I've read them all and am a fan of the series, but I discovered that Ashley was interpreting some parts of the books in a way I never expected. Had it not been for Touched by a Vampire, I might never have known this. You can pick up your own copy of Touched by a Vampire here.

THIRSTY by Tracey Bateman

There's no place like home, they say.
"Hello, I'm Nina Parker…and I'm an alcoholic."
For Nina, it's not the weighty admission but the first steps toward recovery that prove most difficult. She must face her ex-husband, Hunt, with little hope of making amends, and try to rebuild a relationship with her angry teenage daughter, Meagan. Hardest of all, she is forced to return to Abbey Hills, Missouri, the hometown she abruptly abandoned nearly two decades earlier–and her unexpected arrival in the sleepy Ozark town catches the attention of someone–or something–igniting a two-hundred-fifty-year-old desire that rages like a wildfire.

Unaware of the darkness stalking her, Nina is confronted with a series of events that threaten to unhinge her sobriety. Her daughter wants to spend time with the parents Nina left behind. A terrifying event that has haunted Nina for almost twenty years begins to surface. And an alluring neighbor initiates an unusual friendship with Nina, but is Markus truly a kindred spirit or a man guarding dangerous secrets?

As everything she loves hangs in the balance, will Nina's feeble grasp on her demons be broken, leaving her powerless against the thirst? The battle between redemption and obsession unfold to its startling, unforgettable end.

My Thoughts: Thirsty was absolutely nothing like I expected. Are there vampires in it? Yes. Would I call it a vampire novel? Um, no. I feel it is much more a story of a woman's struggle with alcoholism. It's a great story, but honestly, I could take or leave the vampires in this. That whole aspect of the story just never quite worked for me. It is a good book though, don't be tempted to pass it over just because of the vampires. They really are not a big deal in this novel, at least in my opinion. You can purchase your own copy of Thirsty here.

I have a copy of Thirsty to give to one lucky reader. All you have to do is tell me if you are a Twilight fan or not in the comment section. Please be sure to leave your email address so I can reach you if you win. Deadline to enter is 11:59pm CST 11/27/09. Good luck!

Ramblings of a Texas Housewife Product Review and/or Giveaway Disclosure- I have received no compensation other than the offer of free product to review and/or giveaway. Any opinions expressed on Ramblings of a Texas Housewife are my own. My reviews are never reviewed or edited in any way by sponsors.