A Harmonious Meld of Scripture, Wise Counsel, and Jane Austen
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Publisher
OVERVIEW:
In this elegant hardcover canvas-bound tome, readers will find one hundred and four compiled devotions. Each devotion centers upon a theme, such as: love, friendship, family, or character; and includes a brief excerpt from a Jane Austen novel, a tie-in with Christianity, and a quote from Scripture to reflect upon. Each devotion is only two pages in length, making this devotional come to a little over two hundred pages in total. The excerpts come from all six of Jane Austen’s major novels and are never more than a page in length. Included in this compilation are an Introduction, Table of Contents, and a brief biography of Jane Austen. But alas, no index!
MY READING EXPERIENCE:
My approach to this devotional was to treat it as a daily devotional and read only one entry per day. I didn’t want to consume it all in big chunks; I preferred taking time to savor, reflect, and mediate on each entry for the span of a day (sometimes longer) before reading another. So as you may have guessed, this is why I have not finished it yet!
MY ASSESSMENT:
So far I have exceedingly enjoyed every entry in this compilation! Reading excerpts from Jane Austen’s novels is an excellent way to start my day! I love how Steffany Woolsey so effortlessly and adeptly takes passages like Mr. Knightley and Mrs. Weston discussing Emma’s relationship with Harriet or Elizabeth’s humiliation at the Netherfield Ball and ties it in with scripture and Christian faith. The Christian connections Ms. Woolsey draws from these excerpts are inspiring, full of wise counsel, and illuminating. I love finding all these new and never-before-realized examples of good character and faith in Jane Austen’s novels. In addition, I’m very happy with the amount of faith and spirituality in this book; Ms. Woolsey doesn’t come on too strong, and her remarks aren’t too preachy or sermon-like.
CONCLUSION:
GIVEAWAY!!! Thanks to the kind of people at Thomas Nelson, I have TWO gorgeous BRAND NEW copies of A Jane Austen Devotional to giveaway!!
All you have to do is leave a comment on this review. (To save your inbox from unwanted spam, please don’t leave your email address.) Just check back to see if you win! This giveaway is open to residents in the US and Canada. Thank you, Thomas Nelson!!
This contest will close February 15th. Good luck and thank you for entering!
I love a good devotional and that coupled with my love of Austen sounds like a dream come true. I would love a copy of this on my shelves!
It is a dream come true! Hope a copy finds it way to you!
I agree with Vicky. My love for Jane Austen grows a little more every day, and having a devotional tied in with her and her novels would be the perfect gift.
Indeed it is! I have several people in my life I want to buy this for!
I’m currently reading the e-book version of this and I agree that it is excellent. 🙂
Thanks for stoppgin by, Andrea! I’m glad you are enjoying this book as much as I am!
Wonderful Review! Look forward to reading
Thank you, Krista!
I would love to win this book. It is on my to buy list.
Good luck, Ann! In my opinion, it is a great prize to be won!
This looks like a great way to start the day for sure. Thanks for the chance!
It is just what is needed to get in a good frame of mind!
I want this one =)
I had seen it elsewhere and I have it on my wishlist!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Good luck in the contest, Marie! Thanks for stopping by!
This sounds like a delightful read- thanks for bringing it to my attention! 🙂
It most certainly is! Good luck in the contest, Beth!
Yes! I would love to win a copy of this! I have been looking at this and thinking about getting it. Thank you for the chance to win! 🙂
I think you would love it, Candy! I sure do! Best of luck in the giveaway!
I have been waiting for my birthday to get this, as I think it would make a wonderful present from my mom. But, I have to say, I would also love to win this! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
I hope this book finds its way to in some way! I know you will love it!
What a great concept! I heard there’s a Dickens one, too.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Laura Hartness
Yes, there is a Dicken’s devotional. I forgot to mention that in my review! I think it’s a brillaint concept!
I recently got outbid on eBay for this same item! So glad to see it here!
LOL! Good luck D Rudy!
This is such a wonderful idea! I’d love to win this. Thank you for the opportunity!
I’m so pleased Thomas Nelson is giving ME the opportunity to give two books away! I would love for my readers to receive this wonderful compilation!
I have this on my wish list and love the opportunity to win it. I’m glad to see you giving it a good review.
I think you would love this, Sophia Rose! Good luck in the contest!
What a lovely concept! And from your review, Meredith, it sounds like Ms Woolsey has done it justice. Please enter me in the drawing; I would love to win a copy.
So happy to see you here, Shannon! I’m very pleased with Ms. Woolsey’s approach in this compilation!
I liked the idea when I first read of it @ austenprose and your review only expands and confirms that good opinion! Would love to get a copy! (and if i don’t win, I’ll find some other [honest!] way to get it!)
-Joanna Y.
Best of luck, Joanna! I was glad to see austenprose and I felt the same about this book!
Sounds like a good devotional and thought your review was excellent! A devotional a day is the way I would want to read it. Thanks for the giveaway.
Best of luck, jt! It is so great to start your day thinking about Jane Austen characters and scripture!
Wow! A Jane Austen devotional! I would love to win this.
Good luck in the giveaway, Eva-Joy!
Lovely idea. I would really enjoy this book.
I think so! Good luck, Robin!
“Pick me! Pick me!” I would love to have this book.
LOL! We will see if lady luck is on your side!
I hate to compete with fellow bloggers and even readers, but I want this book!
LOL! It’s a treasure! Best of luck in the contest!
I would really like this book but I live in Singapore 🙁
I should have some international giveaways coming up soon! Sorry you aren’t able to enter this one.