Friday, January 27, 2012

A Jane Austen Devotional - Review & Giveaway

Amazon Listing

A few months ago I posted about the impending release of A Jane Austen Devotional (see post with book trailer video here).
Because of the interested in it then and because I'm so delighted with my own copy I knew I had to write this review!

Compiled and Written by Steffany Woolsey

Synopsis: "For decades, the beautiful and classic works of Jane Austen have transported readers to a world of grace, wit and simplicity. In this unique devotional, her writing is newly illuminated by showcasing the biblical insights on living and loving. 
More than 100 devotions accompanied by scriptures are paired with excerpts from Austen's best-known novels offering thoughtful reflections and delightful repose. Allow words from Pride and Prejudice to enlighten you on God's unconditional love, and let a selection from Emma encourage you to hope in the Lord. 
Through these pages, you can revisit timeless Christian values and reflect once again on the true meaning of love, honor, and godly character. It all begins with a stroll through the garden with Jane Austen." - from back cover jacket 

Binding: Although I was expecting a much smaller size, this volumes measures 7.7 x 5.3 inches. The hardcover is dressed in a canvas-like material that features a black and cream toile design with red title on the front and side (the back cover is especially pretty when you take the jacket off!). The 224 pages have a sturdy thickness to them and a clear readable font is used on each page. A cream colored ribbon bookmark makes keeping track of your place very easy.


Content: A well laid out Table of Contents lists each devotional by it's title and give the page numbers. An Introduction from the author mentions the lessons on true love and meaningful character that Jane Austen includes in each of her novels. The reader is encouraged to let the words of Jane Austen inspire you to meditate on God's Word and shape your own character. The devotionals fill up pages 2 to 209, each devotional is on two facing pages with the title of each devotional in larger letters. At the back of the books is a short biography of Jane Austen which especially mentions her own religious beliefs and to the "frequent - if subtle - allusions to her Christian faith and church up-bringing" in her novels. A Timeline of Miss Austen's major novels is listed. The book begins and ends with two of Jane Austen's Evening Prayers which she wrote as a young woman.


Devotionals: There are 104 devotionals in all (I counted!). Each devotional begins by quoting a good sized portion from one of Jane Austen's six major novels: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Persuasion and Northanger Abbey. The devotional thought is on the facing page and is followed by a very of scripture. The devotional thoughts either contrast the mistakes made by Jane Austen's characters with scripture or praise the characters for following Christ's example to us. Scriptures are mentioned and usually quoted in each devotional thought and scripture references are given for further reading. Scripture passages quote in A Jane Austen Devotional are taken mostly from the English Standard Version of the Bible but other versions are used such as King James Version, New International Version and The Living Bible.

My Thoughts: I highly recommend this book! I was so excited when I heard this devotional was coming out and I was not disappointed! This is a very beautiful volume! Author Steffany Woolsey did a lovely job in her selecting the passages from Jane Austen's novels. Most quotes will be familiar to those who have read the novels, but even if you haven't read the novels the devotional thoughts Ms. Woolsey has written usually begin by summarizing what is happening in that particular scene. I haven't read all of the devotionals yet, but I've really enjoyed and been challenged spiritually by the ones I have read. Each devotional has the sweet mixture of quotes from Jane Austen's witty works and spiritual truths that are given clearly and in a way that inspires the reader to live according to God's Word. I love that the devotionals are short enough to read before bed or on a lunch break but long enough to give the reader a chance to pause for a peaceful moment's reflection.


Now, what you've all been waiting for! 
Because I'm enjoying this book so much I am pleased to giveaway one copy of A Jane Austen Devotional to one luck reader!

Mandatory To Enter:
-Leave me a comment and tell me which Jane Austen character you think would be most interested in this book. (1 entry)

For extra chances to win: 
-Post about this giveaway on your blog and comment with the link to your post.  (1 extra entry)
-Put this giveaway button on your blog and leave the link to your blog.  (1 extra entry)

Old-Fashioned Charm


This giveaway is open to people in the USA only.
All entries must be in by Friday, February 3rd, 2012 at 11:59pm.
The winner will be announced Saturday, February 4th at which time to winner must contact me otherwise a new winner will be drawn.


Very Truly Your's,

27 comments:

Mariah said...

Henry Tilney would probably like this mixture of devotion and fun.

I shared this link at:
http://meb892.tumblr.com/

Miss Dashwood said...

I think Fanny Price would probably be most pleased with this lovely book! Thank you for posting about it, Miss Laurie--I love reading such thorough reviews. This book sounds perfectly delightful!

Miss Dashwood said...

I put your giveaway button on my right sidebar, seventh from the top:
http://miss-dashwood.blogspot.com

Moriah Simonowich said...

I think that Elinor Dashwood would like this devotional!

Neat giveaway! :)

Moriah Simonowich said...

I put this giveaway button on my blog!
{www.uniquelyfashionedforhisglory.blogspot.com}

Blessings,
Moriah

Ella said...

I would be interested in Elinor Dashwood.
I put the blog button on my website.
P.S.I have given you The Irresistibily Sweet blog award.

Charity U said...

Miss Laurie --

I think that Mary Bennet would probably enjoy it a lot, but Elizabeth would enjoy it too. :)

I posted: http://austenitis.blogspot.com/2012/01/jane-austen-devotional-giveaway.html

And the button is up on my sidebar. :)

That should be three entries! You have my email.

Melody said...

I would have to say Fanny Price. ;-) She enjoyed books as well as having strong faith. Perhaps she and Edmund would share it with each other. =)

I put the button up! And hopefully I'll do a post later. =) But I'll comment again.

Thank you for hosting this lovely giveaway!

SarahG said...

I never would have thought to take Jane Austen books/quotes and put it in a devotional! What a fun idea!

SarahG said...

I put the button on my blog! http://rural-legacy.blogspot.com/

Julia said...

I have to say Fanny Price! She immediately jumped to mind when you asked which character would be most interested in this book.

What a sweet and generous giveaway! Thank you for hosting this, Miss Laurie!!

I would dearly like to be entered! :D

Julia said...

I put the blog giveaway button on my blog:

http://jewelsbyjulia-lauren.blogspot.com.

I would really love to win this!

Bluerose said...

I'll say Elinor Dashwood. I would love to be entered! (Thanks to Charity for the heads-up on this giveaway)! :)

bluerosesheart at yahoo dot com

Emily Boyd said...

I think that Anne Elliot would enjoy this book!

Emily Boyd said...

I put the button in my blog roll here: borrowingphotographs.blogspot.com

MomWaldsPlace said...

Please do enter me in your drawing for this darling devotional. I am so very curious about it. Thank you for the review.

Emma Dashwood really needed this devotional. Anything to help deal with a house full of emotional women!

Christine said...

Strange as this may seem to some, I believe Marianne Dashwood would have loved a volume like this.

Anonymous said...

Okay, I posted about your giveaway. =) So I've done all three now!

http://regencydelight-janeaustenetc.blogspot.com/2012/01/giveaway-two-events-and-four-awards.html

Thanks again!

(Sorry I'm posting under anonymous. I don't feel like signing in. haha)

~Melody

Sharon Rose said...

I think the two older Dashwood sisters would have enjoyed reading the devotional together.

Ella said...

I have posted about the giveaway on my blog.
Thanks you soo much for hosting the giveaway!

erlynn said...

I think Mary Bennett would most enjoy it and Lydia Bennettt could most benefit.

Candy @ So little time... said...

I thing Jane Bennet would enjoy this.

Great giveaway! Thanks!

BurtonReview said...

Thanks for the giveaway, but most of all, thanks for describing this book. I am definitely going to look for this for myself if I don't win. This sounds like such a perfect book to cozy up to on those moments we need to reflect.
I do think Emma would NOT sit still long enough for this, but perhaps Jane Bennett would enjoy this the most.

Elsa said...

I think Jane Fairfax would have enjoyed this book.

BurtonReview said...

I posted your Giveaway Graphic on the top of my Blog's sidebar too.
http://www.burtonbookreview.com/

Thanks again!

Sara Lyn said...

I think Emma Woodhouse would SAY she wanted to read this, but never get around to it. Fanny Price would probably be the most interested.

Mrs. Sensibility said...

Great giveaway! I think Miss Anne Elliot would have greatly benefited from the devotional.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...