We all know right now that vampires are the new "in" thing. New Moon *screaming like a teenage girl* was released just last week on November 20th. It's all very popular. Many people are worried though about the affect of this phenomenon on their religion, how it will affect their children and so on. Many Christians have boycott the movie and you can find MANY blogs that cover this topic. To me it's all entertainment ~ I like the Twilight series. I don't feel as if it reflects my beliefs. I'm not a devil worshiper or secretly in a Wiccan cult. But I respect others thoughts and I'm sorry if we can't agree on this.
The first book in this tour is called Touched by a Vampire: Discovering Hidden Messages in the Twilight Saga by Beth Felker Jones.
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.
This book is really good for those of you that have heard both the good and bad about the Twilight series. It will help to guide you through the process of deciding whether or not it's something you feel comfortable with watching or reading.
The second book is called 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.
This has been described as an excellent Christian alternative to the mainstream vampire novels. And I have to agree this is a really good book. At first I couldn't get into it. It seemed like it was going to be a hard one to read. As I continued on I really started to enjoy it. This might be an alternative for some of you out there.
Both of these books are great reads and you should definitely check them out. And right now I'm going to give you a chance to WIN one. I'm giving away ONE copy of Touched by a Vampire: Discovering Hidden Messages in the Twilight Saga. All you have to do is leave me a comment below telling me why you want it. :) A winner will be picked on December 2nd @ 11:59PM EST using Random.org.
*Disclaimer: I was provided copies of these books for free for review. The above opinion is my own.*
Lesley,
ReplyDeleteI too have read this series, suggested by my 19 yo daughter and have even gone and seen the first movie with her....we are actually going to see "New Moon" tomorrow together. I totally agree with you that this has no reflection on my beliefs as a Christian as it is for entertainment purpose only. I am truly intrigued to read the book Touched by a Vampire: Discovering Hidden Messages in the Twilight Saga by Beth Felker Jones to see it from a Biblical viewpoint and to be able to pass it on to my daughter who is not a believer, to allow her to see it from another perspective as well!!!
This would be a great book for my girls and I; as we have together debated the spiritual value of books and movies, not just Twilight but many of the popular/fad books and series that are out there.
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