Monday, November 02, 2009

THIRSTY - Tracey Bateman - Free Book

I was fortunate to catch my friend, Tracey Bateman, for a few minutes to answer five questions for us about her most recent release. This novel is a real departure from the other things you’ve written. Can you tell us why you wrote a Christian vampire novel?

I find the concept of the vampire to be intriguing and find it really difficult to pass up a good vampire book, movie (a GOOD one) or show like Buffy. If I had thought I could get by with writing a vampire book ten years ago when I started in the publishing industry I’d have written one back then. But the doors weren’t open yet. It’s not so much of a jump for me personally. Just for me in terms of genre. But I’m something of a genre jumper anyway. So it’s a natural leap. When the opportunity arose to write up a proposal, it seemed too fantastic to pass up. I spent a few weeks in prayer over it and when I felt like God said, not only was it okay, but an open door from Him, I went full throttle.

I know the vampire novels are all the rage among young people reading ABA books. Where do Christian vampire books fit in all that’s going on?

I think the latest, more conservative vampire series has opened up the opportunity for writers to tackle vampires for the Christian market. It shows there is a more conservative readership that would accept it, if done well. The main issue I am having is convincing people (my friends and family included) that “Christian vampire” doesn’t mean the vampire is a Christian. I’ve started calling it A Vampire novel for the Christian market, but that doesn’t really describe it either. I guess readers will have to draw their own conclusions. Which is what I prefer anyway. Most of my readers don’t want to be told what to think!

Many Christian young people are reading the Twilight series. Although there are a lot of good things in those books such as the purity, I’m disturbed by the lack of redemption in the books. Will readers find redemption in your novel?

I wonder why you would be disturbed by lack of redemption in a secular novel? It’s interesting from reader to reader what they’re actually looking for. That’s why as a writer I have to write what my heart is leading me to write and not consciously dwell on what I think the reader is going to want. I DO care about my readers a lot. But I’m aware that there is a very different audience for THIRSTY than for my chicklit or historicals.


To answer your question: What readers will find is entertainment and if they’re looking and want more than entertainment, they’ll find a message of hope and second chances. News reporters and freelance writers have gotten pretty free describing the book (before it was out or even had galleys available) so they’ve described some things that maybe aren’t necessarily there. My books are never written with sermons or even prayers built in unless it’s a natural event for a character. Again, I write from that place in my heart that belongs to Jesus and what comes out is a message of hope whether I mention Jesus by name or not.

Are there plans for a series?

No. There’s a second vampire book in the works that takes place in Abbey Hills, but it’s not a series. The books stand alone.

I hope you will let me feature that one, too. Where can readers find you on the Internet?


Facebook, Twitter, and we are working on a new website that will be traceybateman.com

Hope to have that done in a month or so.

Thanks for the great questions and the opportunity to share with readers my heart about this new book.

So glad to have you, Tracey. When I went to the Randomhouse.com website and read about the story, I was intrigued.

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.

Readers, here's a link where you can order the book.


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.


Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.


The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.


If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment. Here’s a link.


Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

39 comments:

Lady Araujo said...

I'd love to be entered in your drawing. ^^

Mark said...

Sounds like an interesting book, I'd like to enter

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

I am always fascinated by way the CBA is fickle in it's acceptance of certain books. They shun certain things and then after awhile, embrace it. I love the fantastical and look forward to reading more. Please enter me in the drawing.
sherrinda(at)gmail(dot)com

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

I LOVED this book!!! But it's written by Tracey so that's not surprising! LOL! I'm also giving away a copy of Thirsty on my blog if any of your readers are interested! Good luck everyone!

xoxo~ Renee

Anonymous said...

I have been waiting for this book to come out. Great post. I have enjoyed your other books.Blessings Please enter me.
tarenn98[at]yahoo[dot]com

Sarah said...

I'd like to read it. Please enter me in the drawing.

Cherie J said...

Sounds intriguing. Would love to read it. Enjoyed the interview.

Marta Pereira said...

This book sounds great.
I'd love to read it. Please, enter me.

Tracey Bateman said...

Hey Guys! Thanks for stopping in and reading the interview. Like Lena said, we've been friends for such a long time, pretty much since the beginning of ACFW, I'd guess. Almost anyway. Hey Renee, thanks for the plug. I'm glad you loved Thirsty. It is definitely the book of my heart and I'm finding the characters of Tandem (tentative title of the next Abbey Hills book) just as compelling to me. Important to like my characters. Or at least understand why they are the way they are.
I'd be happy to answer questions if anyone wants to know something related to Thirsty. :)

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

Tracey, are the vampires in your book, your typical vampires, with the normal powers associated with them?

Tracey Bateman said...

Hi Sherrinda, (cool name, BTW), I didn't dwell on the vampire lore of compulsion and fast movements and super human strength. writing for the Christian market, I wanted to be careful how I presented this dark creature and in no way glorify the vampire. Although I feel he is a very sympathetic creature, his vampirism is inherited. Just as a little teaser, there is another vampire in the book who is a little nastier and more in keeping with recent idea about vampires.

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

Thanks for the explanation. I was wondering how you handled all that. Not really knowing all the vampire lore, do vampires breed? I thought they just created new ones. (I really don't know much, do I?) I will say the teaser sounds ingtiguing! :)
BTW, Mom liked Sherry and Dad liked Linda, so they compromised and stuck it all together...hence, Sherrinda. :)

Tracey Bateman said...

My vampires clearly do breed. :) Some vampire lore only create them through a bite (and the explanations vary). Others are tru-bloods. It depends on the book/movie. Authors are pretty free with the Lore. I really don't know how dracula became a vampire.

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

Very cool. I am definitely going to get my hands on your book! :) Thanks for sharing!

Lisa said...

Looking forward to reading Thirsty. Would LOVE to win a copy!

Lisa said...

Looking forward to reading Thirsty. Would LOVE to win a copy!

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

No problem Tracey! I love Christian Fiction AND vampire fiction so when your book became available I totally jumped on it and was VERY impressed! I can't wait to read the next one!

xoxo~ Renee

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great book! Please enter me. Thanks!
jackie.smith(at)dishmail(dot)net

Tracey Bateman said...

I'm anxious to finish it, Renee! :) It's shaping up well. You'll revisit Abbey Hills. The town is becoming curiouser and curiouser. :)
God Bless you all and thanks again for the day of interview and chatting!

Kristen said...

Sounds great. Please enter me!!
thanks

Unknown said...

As a Christian who's a fan of the Twilight saga, I'm intrigued by your book. It's a little difficult for me to imagine how those two "worlds" will interact. I look forward to reading it. Please enter me in the drawing. lauramctx at yahoo.

Anna Weaver Hurtt said...

Sounds awesome! Please enter me!

Anna W.

Ashley E said...

Oh wow, this is the first I've heard of this book, and I try to keep an eye out for books like this. Thank you for stepping out and writing this, Tracey!

Marla said...

One of the girls I am caregivers of would love this book. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!

koinonia572001@yahoo.com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

PLease enter me into this drawing.

dancealert at aol dot com

Jackie Castle said...

Put me in your drawing.

Anonymous said...

Please enter my name in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer @ Quiverfull Family said...

Very curious to read this (having just read Wilson's Jerusalem's Undead series - first two books).

Always interesting to see vampires depicted in Christian fiction :).

mariska said...

Vampire story is my favorite, yum :)
Knowing a new Author makes me happy!
Mariska

mariska said...

Vampire story is my favorite, yum :)
Knowing a new Author makes me happy!
Mariska

Lady Di said...

This entry is for my 14-year-old daughter, who has read the popular vampire trilogy and needs a new book to read! Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in the drawing. ~Abby

abster dot rose at yahoo dot com

Virginia C said...

Hi, Tracey! Thank you for "writing outside the box". I understand and applaud the concept of "A Vampire novel for the Christian market". Congratulations!

gcwhiskas at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

I would love to read this book.

Rose McCauley said...

It was so nice to "see" and "hear" from Tracey again. I would love to win this book and share it with my daughter and granddaughter who both love the Twilight books! And since Tracey wrote it, I would have to read it, too.

Megan said...

Sounds intriguing! I love Twilight, so this will be a good book too. Sign me up, Lena!

Anonymous said...

I would love to win Thirsty. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you, Esther

faith4u7(at)gmail(dot)com

Jamaie W said...

Hi there... I have always wondered what it would be like to actually live the vampire life. I'd love to win this book.

hulahawaiimomma @ yahoo . com

Tracey Bateman said...

Jamaie, I don't think I'd want to know anyone who actually lived a vampire's life. LOL At the very least I don't think I'd want to be invited to dinner. :)