Hi Laura,
Interesting. I think I would have a bit of trouble with the dominance stuff. LOL! I just knew about her vampire tales, and since E.A. Poe gives me nightmares, I avoid such.

You noted that Rice portrays Mary favorably for being the eternal virgin)is quite a leap!
Well, not my personal theology, but a firmly held Catholic belief apparently spurred on by a popular second century tale of the Journey to Bethlehem where the Christ child is born in a cave before the midwife gets there and the midwife's hand falls off when she doesn't believe Mary is still fully a virgin after the baby is born. Of course Mary heals her hand.

Apparently it became quite popular. Ken Bailey, Bible Professor in Lebanon, Egypt and Jerusalem for 45 years, has found it to be translated into several Middle Eastern languages.

From what I understand, Ann Rice has had a rather dramatic turn around in her life in general. The media hasn't focused on that part much.