Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Two new VAMPIRE books, hot off the presses…

As a youth pastor, I keep a close eye on the books that teens are reading. The Twilight series, by Stephanie Meyer was such an example. Love it, or hate it, millions of teens worldwide stampeded to the bookstores for their latest installment in the series. Today I have two Christ-centered books about vampires—yes, vampires.

Let me begin by pledging to resist the almost uncontrollable urge to dig-up every bad vampire pun I can think of. So I won’t be saying things like, this book goes straight for the jugular, grabs you by the throat, say that it was love at first bite, or complain that this book drives me batty. Nope, I have far too much good taste for that…OK, no more, I promise.

I highly recommend both of these titles as a gift for your favorite teen, as well as for readers of all ages.




Thirsty, by Tracey Bateman (WaterBrookMultnomah)

About The Book:

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.



Touched by a Vampire, by Beth Felker Jones (WaterBrookMultnomah)

About The Book:

EXAMINING TWILIGHT THROUGH A BIBLICAL LENS

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.


* Both titles were provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

3 comments:

Rulan said...

It would be interesting to see how these books handle this subject.

David Meigs said...

Howdy Rulan!

You would love them both. But be careful, once these two books sink their teeth into you, you will never be the same. :-)

Rulan said...

Muahahaha :-)