Friday, September 17, 2010

Review/Giveaway: Immanuel's Veins

A WINNING READINGS GIVEAWAY!

Title: Immanuel's Veins
Author: Ted Dekker
Genre: Christian suspense
How to enter: Leave a comment on THIS post right here! If you're a subscriber or a follower, leave a second comment for a second entry.
Entry deadline: October 10, 2010
Restrictions: Open internationally!

That's right, enter right here for this giveaway.  This is my review copy, so it has been gently read.  The jacket cover also has some water damage...

And WE HAVE A BONUS on this one!  The winner will also get a very cool Spread the Love tshirt from Thomas Nelson...
---------------


This week, the



Christian Fiction Blog Alliance



is introducing



Immanuel's Veins
Thomas Nelson (September 7, 2010)



by
Ted Dekker


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ted Dekker is a New York Times best-selling author of more than twenty novels. He is best known for stories which could be broadly described as suspense thrillers with major twists and unforgettable characters, though he has also made a name for himself among fantasy fans.

Early in his career he wrote a number of spiritual thrillers and his novels were lumped in with ‘Christian Fiction’ a surprisingly large category. His later novels are a mix of mainstream novels such as Adam, Thr3e, Skin, Obsessed and BoneMan’s Daughters, and fantasy thrillers that metaphorically explore faith. Best known among these is his Circle Series: Green, Black, Red, White and The Paradise Books: Showdown, Saint, and Sinner.

Dekker was born to missionaries who lived among the headhunter tribes of Indonesia. Because his parents’ work often included extended periods of time away from their children, Dekker describes his early life in a culture to which he was a stranger as both fascinating and lonely. It is this unique upbringing that forced him to rely on his own imagination to create a world in which he belonged.

After leaving Indonesia, Dekker graduated from a multi-cultural high school and took up permanent residence in the United States to study philosophy and religion. Upon earning his Bachelor’s Degree, he entered the corporate world and proceeded to climb the proverbial ladder. But his personal drive left him restless and, after many successful years, he traded corporate life for wide range of entrepreneurial pursuits that included buying and selling businesses, healthcare services, and marketing.

In the early nineties while visiting a friend who had just written a book, Dekker decided to pursue a long held desire to be a novelist. Over the course of two years he wrote two full length novels before starting from scratch and rewriting both. Now fully enamored by the the process and the stories, he realized that storytelling was in his blood and a new obsession to explore truth through story gripped him anew.

He sold his business, moved his family to the mountains of Western Colorado and began writing full-time on his third novel. Two years and three novels later his first novel, Heaven’s Wager, was published.

Now, Dekker’s novels had sold over 3.4 million copies worldwide. Two of his novels, Thr3e and House, have been made into movies with more in production. Dekker resides in Austin, Texas with his wife Lee Ann and two of their daughters.

ABOUT THE BOOK

This story is for everyone--but not everyone is for this story.

It is a dangerous tale of times past. A torrid love story full of deep seduction. A story of terrible longing and bold sacrifice.

Then as now, evil begins its courtship cloaked in light. And the heart embraces what it should flee. Forgetting it once had a truer lover.

With a kiss, evil will ravage body, soul, and mind. Yet there remains hope, because the heart knows no bounds.

Love will prove greater than lust. Sacrifice will overcome seduction. And blood will flow.

Because the battle for the heart is always violently opposed. For those desperate to drink deep from this fountain of life, enter.

But remember, not everyone is for this story.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Immanuel's Veins, go HERE.

Watch the book trailer:



What I Liked:  This is the first Ted Dekker book I've read, so I wasn't sure what to expect, though I was really hoping to like it.  As it is, I have really mixed feelings and am still not sure where I stand.

Was it well-written and original?  Yes, I'd say so.  Did it make me think?  Yes.  Did it inspire me with the depravity of evil matched against God's greatness?  Yes.

Was it grotesque?  Yes.  It wasn't quite a page-turner; I kept having to grab a breath of fresh air before diving back in.

It made me ponder the fact that us 21st-century Westernized Christians don't have to deal with blood and gore on a regular basis, and we've to an extent whitewashed the very physical sacrifice Christ made on our behalf.  And we've been desensitized to the very graphic allegory of drinking Christ's blood and eating His body - we recite scripture on the topic without batting an eyelash.

God is love.  Love is willing to die on behalf of its subject.  And we are indeed saved through blood drawn from Immanuel's veins.  That blood changes us; transforms us; conquers all evil.  That is the theme that fills the book.

What is sacrificial love?  In most cases today, it's cleaner than what you see in this book, but I'd venture to say it's harder.  Less visual, more internal.  Less concrete, more open to shades of gray.  Laying down your life on behalf of someone - by putting aside your own interests and priorities to take on theirs, goes against our every nature. 

It's easy to say I'd give my life for my daughter, jump in front of the speeding truck to push her out of the way, etc.  But how often I fail on the day-to-day stuff.  One more blog post I want to read, one more chapter I want to finish, one more item of laundry I want to fold, one more task I want to check off, when she is literally dancing in front of me, begging for attention.

What I Didn't Like:  I already discussed my mixed feelings above, but one thing that did definitely bother me was the theological interpretation of the Nephilim.  I would have been fine with just classifying the story as fantasy, but I fundamentally disagree with the theological possibility presented in this book.  It's somewhat a cross between vampirism and a not-so-rare belief that Nephilim are offspring of fallen angels and humans.

Posted by Jane from Mozi Esmé

74 comments:

Jessi E. said...

I love Ted Dekker! Please enter me in your contest!

Thanks,
jlelliott08 AT gmail DOT com

Julia M. Reffner said...

Not sure what I'll think of this, but I've been a fan of Dekker in the past and want to read this.

julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Please enter me in the contest. I also got the book for review, I thought it was great.

smr411(at)gmail(dot)com

Katie said...

Please enter me! Most of the time I like Ted Dekker. :)

Thanks!

God bless!

Katie G.

katiegalyean (at) yahoo (dot) com

Katie said...

I am a follower.

katiegalyean (at) yahoo (dot) com

Anonymous said...

i'd like to enter :)

aaalien_eowyn (at) yahoo (dot) com

Linda Kish said...

Please include me.
Thanks for the chance to win.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am a GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Miss Lissy said...

I would love to win!
mkzellmer at yahoo dot com

Miss Lissy said...

I also follow via GFC
mkzellmer at yahoo dot com

Alexia said...

I have yet to run into a novel of Ted Dekker's that I didn't like :P I'd love to win!

Aleksija at ymail dot com

Anonymous said...

I would love to read this. Please count me in. Thanks!
peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I subscribe by email and follow with GFC.
peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

Linda said...

Great giveaway! Please enter me.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Linda said...

I'm a follower by GFC and email.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Trinity Rose said...

Greetings,
Would love to win.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Many blessings,
Trinity Rose
wandaelaine at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Well, you talked me into entering the giveaway for Ted Dekker's novel. I've read about his book on other giveaways and wondered to myself if I could get through the book as it is described. Decided then that I'd never know how I felt about this story until I read it. Thank you for the giveaway and the chance to win it...now I hope I do.

Sharing Christ's Love,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Unknown said...

I am a follower and a subscriber.

Please enter me for the giveaway.

Thanks,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

arceli said...

Please enter me - Ted Dekker is one of my favorite Christian authors.

a(dot)long(at)tcu(dot)edu

Jennifer @ Quiverfull Family said...

Please enter me! :)

Jennifer @ Quiverfull Family said...

I'm a subscriber.

Anonymous said...

I'm interested in giving this book a try.

lovemybabysquid@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I'm a follower.

lovemybabysquid@yahoo.com

wmmahaney said...

I love Dekker's books. Please enter me
wmmahaney(at)Att(dot)net

wmmahaney said...

I subscribe in Google Reader
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

Anonymous said...

I would love to win
mjmeeks5@netscape.net

Anonymous said...

HORTON111@AOL.COM

I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THIS BOOK TO READ THIS WINTER TIME....WHEN IT IS TOO COLD TO GO OUTSIDE

Nicole C. said...

I follow on gfc.

choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

Sue said...

I'd love it. Thanks for the giveaway.

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Please count me in!

rugerpuppies at hotmail dot com

Pat said...

I've read several of his books and would love to win this one!

pbabcock2004(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Ted Dekker is one of my favorite authors I have a hard time putting down his books.

sonflower277(at)gmail(dot)com

Tara said...

This was actually on my Amazon recommended reading list! Would LOVE to win this book!

Thanks for the chance!

TaraTagli at gmail dot com

Melissa Stuff said...

Can't wait to read this!!

I would love to win it.

Unknown said...

This giveaway appears to still be open for comments, so I'll take another chance. After making a prior comment, I've read reviews on Dekker's writings and feel a need to read his book to help me with my own desire to write. I'm feeling the urge to begin, have been studying and nervously waiting for the moment to JUMP IN! Thank you for the chance to win. I hope I do.

Blessings,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Kate Scott said...

This book is at the top of my TBR list! What a terrific giveaway!

kate[at]parchmentgirl[dot]com

Kate Scott said...

I'm a follower.

kate[at]parchmentgirl[dot]com

Cathy W said...

I'm excited, looks like a wonderful read.

Cathy W said...

Follow on GFC

lezanac said...

I think I might like this book. Never read anything from this author before. lezanac@yahoo.com

lezanac said...

GFC follower

Unknown said...

I never read Ted Dekker before and asked for this book for my birthday, I guess that fell on deaf ears...trinitygsd at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Ted Dekker's book still interests me to read it. I'm aware that it will be different than I'm used to reading, but in developing my writing skills, I need to read about those things I'm unfamiliar with. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win the book. I hope I do.

Blessings,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Unknown said...

Oh! I LOVE Ted Dekker and so does my brother! this would make an AWESOME gift for him! Ted Dekker is deff one of his favorite authors :)

Ellie Wright said...

Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway.
eswright18 at gmail dot com

Ellie Wright said...

I follow via GFC
eswright18 at gmail dot com

DarcyO said...

I have enjoyed Ted Dekker's books. Please include me.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

erma said...

I'd love to read this.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

Melissa B. said...

I would love to read this, and the shirt is a nice bonus.

Danielle said...

Ted Dekker is fantastic. I'd love to have another read of his!

Anonymous said...

I would like to read this Ted Dekker work!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Homemaker said...

Looks like a great book!

sallylynnsara@hotmail.com

Homemaker said...

I'm a follower of your blog - Homemaker

sallylynnsara@hotmail.com

Kristy said...

I'd love to win this one!!
kristymcg1972@gmail.com

Dawn Reid said...

I would love to read this sounds good.
mightynaynay(at)cs.com

/\Heather/\ said...

Hmmm, mixed on this. Might as well read it and see for myself!

/\Heather/\ said...

I follow via gfc as /\Heather/\

Kathy P said...

Thank you for the great giveaway please count me in :) klp1965 (AT) myfairpoint (DOTNET)

susan1215 said...

Sounds like a good book

s2s2 at comcast dot net

susan1215 said...

follow via GFC

Tricia316 said...

This looks like an interesting read. And a good topic for my adult Sunday School class! We love lively discussions!

hockeygalnc(AT)hotmail(DOT)com

Tricia316 said...

I follow you on GFC - Tricia31
hockeygalnc(AT)hotmail(DOT)com

Annerszz101 said...

I'm excited for this!

Thanks for the giveaway.

Annerszz101@wowway.com

Renee G said...

I love Ted Dekker books.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

Renee G said...

I follow as Renee G on GFC.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

Laura H. said...

Thanks for the giveaway!

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

I'm a GFC follower.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Charlene Kuser said...

I would love to read this book by
Ted Dekker.A book about love, redemption, and sacrifice sounds
interesting to me.The video was
great

CharlieGurl57@aol.com

Unknown said...

It sounds great. i would love to read it. garrettsambo@aol.com

Unknown said...

I am a follower. garrettsambo@aol.com

ZESTYWONDERLAND said...

Wow! This book sounds so awesome! I would love to win it!

I have not read any of Ted Dekker novels but you make me want to find out more!
zestywonderland@gmail.com

ZESTYWONDERLAND said...

I follow on GFC!
zestywonderland@gmail.com

Bakersdozen said...

I have heard so much about this book and would love to win. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Bakersdozen said...

Email subscriber. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com