Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Anne of Green Gables Devotional by Rachel Dodge, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
Title: The Anne of Green Gables Devotional
Author: Rachel Dodge
Publisher: Barbour Books
Release Date: November 1, 2020
Genre: Teen & Young Adult Devotional
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound
Hi Rachel! Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions
and giving my readers the chance to get to know you and your newest devotional- The
Anne of Green Gables Devotional a little bit better! I usually like
to start these interviews the same way with something fun to break the ice with
5 random facts about you, but since this is our second time together, let’s mix
it up a bit.
Can you share 5 random facts about this devotional?
1. There’s a glossary of Anne’s best lines at the back of the book – organized
by topic. You can find an Anne quote for pretty much any occasion.
2. I drafted this devotional in a journal first before going to my
laptop. It was a wonderful experience to sit down each day with my Bible, Anne
of Green Gables, and a journal. I have so many fond memories of sitting on
my couch with a cup of tea, a cozy blanket, and my fuzzy dog as I dreamed up
this book.
3. This devotional has one corresponding entry for each chapter of Anne
of Green Gables. It’s truly a devotional companion to the novel. But I also
included 2 bonus devotions at the end to make it an even 40!
4. Readers should probably keep a box of tissue handy while reading
this devotional—it’s a book that will make you cry and rejoice and feel all the
feels!
5. This devotional book features beautiful illustrations by the very
talented Jana Christy. They are breathtaking.
Let’s talk writing! When did you first discover you had a passion and talent
for writing?
I’ve loved reading and writing ever since I was little. I remember
my teacher 2nd grade told me I had a flair for creative writing. I thought
that was pretty cool. English classes were my favorite all through school. In
college and grad school I did a lot of freelance writing and editing to help
pay the bills. I have always felt like something was missing or “off” if I
wasn’t pouring words out onto paper in some shape or form!
What drew you to writing devotionals… and particularly devotions based upon
literary works?
I look at all of life as a devotional moment. There are messages
and lessons from God all around us; we just have to take the time to see them.
For me, writing devotions based on great literature brings together many of my
favorite things. I love devotional writing, I love analyzing great literature,
and I love encouraging people to grow closer to God. This type of writing feels
very natural for me!
What first drew you to Anne of Green Gables?
I grew up reading Anne of Green Gables and watching the
movies, so anything to do with Anne Shirley interests me. I’m a huge Anne fan!
I’ve always been especially drawn to Anne’s story of adoption and belonging. Anne
of Green Gables is filled with rich spiritual themes and truths, and I
think Anne’s personal story also provides a gentle allegory about God’s
redemptive plans for our lives. Not only is she adopted, as we are adopted into
God’s family when we place our trust in Jesus as our Savior, but she grows and
flourishes in a loving family, just like we do as part of the Body of Christ.
What type of research went into creating this devotional?
The research for a book like this is two-fold: First, there’s the
literary angle. The year before I wrote this book, I read several Lucy Maud
Montgomery biographies and reread almost all of her books again (and read a few
I’d never read before). I was teaching a seminar on Montgomery at the time, so
I spent a semester researching her life and novels. When it came time to write
this book, I was so glad I already had a solid foundation going into it.
Second, there’s the Biblical part of a devotional book. I’ve been reading The
One Year Bible every year for over 15 years now, so I think God has used that
to give me a really good understanding of the entire Bible. I’ve always been an
avid Bible study gal as well, so all of that Scripture reading and training
flows out of me when I’m writing a devotional book.
Can you tell us a little bit more about The
Anne of Green Gables Devotional?
The Anne of Green Gables Devotional is 40-day devotional with original, full-color artwork. Each
reading includes examples from the novel, scripture, life application, prayers,
and discussion questions for groups, book clubs, or personal reflection.
It’s perfect as a personal read or as a gift for a bosom friend!
What do you hope readers will take away from the book?
It’s my hope that readers will more fully grasp “how
wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (Ephesians 3:18). I want
each reader to know that if they’ve ever felt orphaned, abandoned, left out,
forgotten, or alone that God is with them—always—and that He loves them with an
everlasting love. It’s my prayer that each of us would begin to live like we belong
to Jesus, not as orphans but as cherished sons and daughters in God’s forever
family.
Thank you again for taking the time to answer
these questions. Before you go, are there any other projects you are currently
working on that you can share?
I can’t share anything official yet, but I have
another project in the works that will definitely be of interest to readers who
like devotional books that are based on classic books! Check back with me next spring
and I’ll be able to share more!
Hi Rachel! Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions and giving my readers the chance to get to know you and your newest devotional- The Anne of Green Gables Devotional a little bit better! I usually like to start these interviews the same way with something fun to break the ice with 5 random facts about you, but since this is our second time together, let’s mix it up a bit.
Can you share 5 random facts about this devotional?
2. I drafted this devotional in a journal first before going to my laptop. It was a wonderful experience to sit down each day with my Bible, Anne of Green Gables, and a journal. I have so many fond memories of sitting on my couch with a cup of tea, a cozy blanket, and my fuzzy dog as I dreamed up this book.
3. This devotional has one corresponding entry for each chapter of Anne of Green Gables. It’s truly a devotional companion to the novel. But I also included 2 bonus devotions at the end to make it an even 40!
4. Readers should probably keep a box of tissue handy while reading this devotional—it’s a book that will make you cry and rejoice and feel all the feels!
5. This devotional book features beautiful illustrations by the very talented Jana Christy. They are breathtaking.
Let’s talk writing! When did you first discover you had a passion and talent
for writing?
I’ve loved reading and writing ever since I was little. I remember
my teacher 2nd grade told me I had a flair for creative writing. I thought
that was pretty cool. English classes were my favorite all through school. In
college and grad school I did a lot of freelance writing and editing to help
pay the bills. I have always felt like something was missing or “off” if I
wasn’t pouring words out onto paper in some shape or form!
What drew you to writing devotionals… and particularly devotions based upon
literary works?
I look at all of life as a devotional moment. There are messages and lessons from God all around us; we just have to take the time to see them. For me, writing devotions based on great literature brings together many of my favorite things. I love devotional writing, I love analyzing great literature, and I love encouraging people to grow closer to God. This type of writing feels very natural for me!
What first drew you to Anne of Green Gables?
I grew up reading Anne of Green Gables and watching the movies, so anything to do with Anne Shirley interests me. I’m a huge Anne fan! I’ve always been especially drawn to Anne’s story of adoption and belonging. Anne of Green Gables is filled with rich spiritual themes and truths, and I think Anne’s personal story also provides a gentle allegory about God’s redemptive plans for our lives. Not only is she adopted, as we are adopted into God’s family when we place our trust in Jesus as our Savior, but she grows and flourishes in a loving family, just like we do as part of the Body of Christ.
What type of research went into creating this devotional?
The research for a book like this is two-fold: First, there’s the
literary angle. The year before I wrote this book, I read several Lucy Maud
Montgomery biographies and reread almost all of her books again (and read a few
I’d never read before). I was teaching a seminar on Montgomery at the time, so
I spent a semester researching her life and novels. When it came time to write
this book, I was so glad I already had a solid foundation going into it.
Second, there’s the Biblical part of a devotional book. I’ve been reading The
One Year Bible every year for over 15 years now, so I think God has used that
to give me a really good understanding of the entire Bible. I’ve always been an
avid Bible study gal as well, so all of that Scripture reading and training
flows out of me when I’m writing a devotional book.
Can you tell us a little bit more about The
Anne of Green Gables Devotional?
The Anne of Green Gables Devotional is 40-day devotional with original, full-color artwork. Each
reading includes examples from the novel, scripture, life application, prayers,
and discussion questions for groups, book clubs, or personal reflection.
It’s perfect as a personal read or as a gift for a bosom friend!
What do you hope readers will take away from the book?
It’s my hope that readers will more fully grasp “how
wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (Ephesians 3:18). I want
each reader to know that if they’ve ever felt orphaned, abandoned, left out,
forgotten, or alone that God is with them—always—and that He loves them with an
everlasting love. It’s my prayer that each of us would begin to live like we belong
to Jesus, not as orphans but as cherished sons and daughters in God’s forever
family.
Thank you again for taking the time to answer
these questions. Before you go, are there any other projects you are currently
working on that you can share?
I can’t share anything official yet, but I have
another project in the works that will definitely be of interest to readers who
like devotional books that are based on classic books! Check back with me next spring
and I’ll be able to share more!
(1) winner will receive a copy of The Anne of Green Gables Devotional with a pretty bookmark and a sticker!
Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight November 30, 2020 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 7, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
I grew up reading Anne of Green Gables and this would be a perfect gift to pass down to my niece!
ReplyDeleteYay! Thank you! - JustRead Tours
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a good read.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed meeting Rachel and learning about her devotional. Thank you for participating in the tour.
ReplyDelete