Monday, October 16, 2017

KJV Know the Word Study Bible (Review) + Biblical Fiction Giveaway

GIVEAWAY
To celebrate the release of the KJV Know the Word Study Bible I'm hosting a different kind of giveaway today. I'll be reviewing this study bible BUT I'll be doing a giveaway of any Biblical Fiction novel. Check out the details further down in this post -- look for the red lettering! But first my review of:



I'm a stick-in-the-mud bible reader. Once I find one I like I'm not keen on switching to another, never mind that the actual scripture is the same. It's all the extras that sell me on a particular version and the proclamation on this KJV Know the Word Study Bible -- "Gain a greater understanding of the bible, book by book, verse by verse, topic by topic" intrigued me so I thought I'd give it a try and am I ever glad I did!

First off, all the extra content in this study bible is super reader-friendly. No quaking in my boots with dictionary in hand trying to figure out what some scholar has to say about Paul. Plain and simple is the way I like it and that's just what this bible delivers.

True confession. I've only read the bible cover to cover once and that was more about being able to brag  that I did (I was young and foolish) than about seeking a deeper understanding. I'm older and wiser now but I haven't attempted another cover-to-cover reading. I've been content to meander around the various books in the bible on a whim or in pursuit of information on a certain subject. So, naturally, I thought the topic-by-topic feature offered in the KJV Know the Word Study Bible  would hold the greatest appeal.

Guess what? I was totally wrong! I am actually over-the-moon crazy about the book-to-book feature! And I can seriously see myself reading the bible cover to cover again, only this time getting a whole lot more out of it! And that's because the authors have made scripture so much more approachable. Lots of plain speak and valuable context and bringing scripture to life in a new way.

So, it works like this. Each book starts with a brief (like 2 or 3 sentences) summary so you can get your bearings. Then there's a Study the Book Highlights insert which simply lists the important scriptures in that book. So in 1st Timothy it's "Paul warns against false teachers (1:3-15)" and "Guard your heart against greed (6:6-10)" And yes, I had this wicked thought -- if you wanted to cheat you could just skip to those sections -- egads, did I just say that out loud?  Yes, I did, and what's worse I meant it. :-)

Now when you get to one of those highlight scriptures there's another Study the Book insert that explains in more detail, bringing more insight than if you just read a few lines of verse. I guess what I like the most about this study bible's approach is that it makes me think. I can't just skim a verse and call it a day. There so much more that beckons to me. Entices me to stay awhile. Ponder more deeply. And it's all delivered in digestible doses that make me feel like I just might have the potential to become a biblical scholar some day after all.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson and Litfuse Publicity Group for providing me with a copy of this bible


The Giveaway Details: 

Winner's Choice of ANY Biblical Fiction novel (Christian Fiction). Here's how it works:

State the title and the author of the book you want to win in the comment section. 
-- up to 3 different suggestions per person 
BUT 
each title/author must be in a separate comment 
(makes it easier to tally.) 
Books must be categorized as both Biblical and Christian Fiction.
Remember to add your email address in one of your comments (don't need to do it each time) but use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers.
Draw will be held and winner announced on 
Sunday October 22 2017.
Offer open to International Readers



73 comments:

  1. Biblical fiction is quickly becoming a favorite of mine with so many exceptional authors! So my first choice:

    1. Wings of the Wind (Out From Egypt #3) by Connilyn Cossette

    teamob4 (at) gmail 9dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  2. 2. Lydia, Woman of Philippi by Diana Wallis Taylor

    New-to-me author that I think you reviewed this book for. Just from the back blurb it sounds good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

      Delete
    2. I'll come back with a third choice once I see what else everyone suggests. I'm not finding much on the sites I normally go to for 2017 releases.

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    3. I know I've seen a ton of biblical fiction out this year but can't think of a title. I'll do some digging and share what I find. Good luck, Trixi.

      Delete
  3. I grew up reading the KJV and memorized a lot of verses in that version. As an adult I switched to the NIV for ease of reading. Your review of this study Bible is interesting, I like any study Bible that gives me better understanding. You referenced the NKJ study Bible, but the picture is of KJV, are they one and the same, or two different versions?
    Re biblical fiction, the only one I have on my list would be Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette-5/2017

    I have come across some new ones for 2018 that look really good if you'd like to have some titles for your 2018 list. All three have the most gorgeous covers and draw me right in:
    1)Judah's Wife/Angela Hunt-1/2/18
    2)A Passionate Hope/Jill Eileen Smith-2/6/18
    3)Light on the Hill/Connilyn Cossette-2/6/18

    Thanks Kav and Happy reading Monday everyone!
    tracey14567 at gmail dot co

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh -- thanks for the sneak peek into next year's new releases.

      And gah -- yes that's a typo. It's the KJV -- the picture is right. I grew up with this version as well and still love to read the psalms and Proverbs in this style. Like you, I also have a NIV -- and I think that's why I kept slapping an N in front of the KJV. Oy...off to correct hither and yon. Good luck, Tracey.

      Delete
  4. Here's some that I found if anyone is interested. And have you noticed how absolutely stunning all the Biblical fiction covers are?????

    Egypt's Sister
    by Angela Hunt
    Redeeming Grace : Ruth's Story
    by Jill Eileen Smith
    Noah, Man of Resolve : The Remnant Trilogy
    by Tim Chaffrey, K. Marie Adams
    The Dow Who Was There
    by Ron Marasco
    Acts of Faith : 3 in 1 Edition
    by Davis Bunn and Janette Oke
    The Queen of Sheba
    by Jill Eileen Smith
    The Christmas Star
    by Robert Tate Miller
    Bread of Angels
    by Tessa Afshar

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's funny, I picked up four new biblical fiction novels while visiting my sis-in-law. She has a thrift store right around the corner from where she lives and I always walk over there to check out the books. I found a gently used copy of Bread of Angels by Tessa Afshar and got so excited because it's newly released! The other three are; Love Amid the Ashes by Mesu Andrews, Love's Sacred Song by Mesu Andrews, and The Well by Stephanie Landsem. All of them looked practically brand new! So I have added more to my Biblical fiction collection :-)

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  5. OKAY -- I SWITCHED THE RULES SO NOW IT'S ANY BIBLICAL FICTION TITLE NO MATTER THE PUBLISHING DATE. Turns out there aren't tons of options published in this year...or at least ones that are easy to scout out. So any publication date is fine by me.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jill Eileen Smith’s Redeeming Grace
    I love her biblical fiction; have read most of them.
    jacsmi75 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Field of Grace by Tessa Afshar
    Tracey introduced me to her, and I love
    her books
    jacsmi75 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar
    jacsmi75 at gmail dot com

    I love different versions of the Bible and enjoy studying them on biblegateway.com.


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've probably heard of biblegateway.com but dismissed it because it's online and the thought of reading the bible on my computer is just...well torture. Someday maybe but not now. I know people at church are all pulling out their phones when the pastor says "turn to..." and that still freaks me out. LOL Good luck, Jackie.

      Delete
  9. In that case Kav, I would love to complete my Living Water series by Stephanie Landsem by choosing:

    #3 The Thief (Febuary 2014)

    Thanks for changing the rules Kav! That opens up some whole new choices!! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never read anything by Stephanie Landsem. Must check that series out. If you want to change your first two choices in favor or retro ones that's A-OK with me, Trixi. Good luck.

      Delete
    2. No, it's fine Kav thanks for the offer! I'll stick with the first two choices :-)

      Delete
  10. Land of Silence
    by Tessa Afshar
    Thanks for the chance
    iamabho ATgmailDOT com

    ReplyDelete
  11. The Christmas Star: A Love Story
    by Robert Tate Miller
    Thanks iamabho ATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  12. Shadow of the Storm (Out From Egypt Book #2)
    by Connilyn Cossette

    Thanks again for the chances to win
    iamabho ATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  13. A Stray Drop of Blood by Roseanna M White

    mindyhoungATmsnDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  14. A Soft Breath of Wind by Roseanna M White

    mindyhoungATmsnDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  15. Jewel of Persia by Roseanna M White

    mindyhoungATmsnDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've heard great things about her biblical fiction. Must check them out myself. Good luck, Mindy.

      Delete
  16. 1. The Christmas Star: A Love Story
    by Robert Tate Miller

    melodybissonnette AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  17. The Dog Who Was There
    by Ron Marasco

    melodybissonnette AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  18. 3. Land of Silence
    by Tessa Afshar

    melodybissonnette AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  19. In the Field of Grace by Tessa Afshar

    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Counted With the Stars by Connilyn Cossette

    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. A Stray Drop of Blood by Roseanna M White

    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. The Christmas Star: A Love Story
    by Robert Tate Miller

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.
    countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Counted With the Stars by Connilyn Cossette

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.
    countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Light on the Hill/Connilyn Cossette

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.
    countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Intriguing review. Will look up the Bible on Amazon when I leave here. :)
    There are a few Biblical fiction titles on my wishlist, so here we go. :)

    Redeeming Grace - by Jill Eileen Smith

    mbaaij at hetnet dot nl

    ReplyDelete
  26. Shadow of the Storm - by Connilyn Cossette

    ReplyDelete
  27. Lydia, Woman of Philippi - by Diana Wallis Taylor

    ReplyDelete
  28. 1. The Christmas Star: A Love Story
    by Robert Tate Miller
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  29. 3. Redeeming Grace - by Jill Eileen Smith

    ReplyDelete
  30. I'm glad you changed it to ANY Biblical fiction. Since I don't read tons of Biblical fiction, I have just a few on my tbr.

    1.) The Crimson Cord by Jill Eileen Smith

    ReplyDelete
  31. 2.) The Prophetess by Jill Eileen Smith

    ReplyDelete
  32. 3.) Love's Sacred Song by Mesu Andrews

    Thank you, Kav. tlhcoupon(at)Hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm just discovering biblical fiction myself and I don't believe I've read anything by Jill Eileen Smith. Good luck, Terrill.

      Delete
    2. I've been wanting to read The Crimson Cord for such a long time and would love to read it as part of a book club. If only I was in a book club. haha

      Delete
  33. Redeeming Grace by Jill Eileen Smith mauback55 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Acts of Faith by Davus Bunn and Janette Oke mauback55 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Bread of Angels by Tessa Afshar. mauback55 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. KAV, I love Biblical fiction! Thank you for the great review. I use The Wesley Bible, KJV.

    The Dog Who Was There
    by Ron Marasco

    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Counted with the Stars by Connilyn Cossette

    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Shadow of the Storm by Connilyn Cossette
    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

    Thank you for the chance!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never heard of the Wesley Bible, I'll have to check that out. I'm growing quite the bible collection now. It's kinda fun. Good luck, Caryl.

      Delete
  39. Here are my 3 choices:

    #1 Counted With the Stars by Connilyn Cossette

    samanthabis23 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  40. #2 Bread of Angels by Tessa Afshar

    ReplyDelete
  41. #3 Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar

    ReplyDelete
  42. I'm so late in posting this, but better late than never! My first choice is "A Passionate Hope: Hannah's Story" by Jill Eileen Smith.
    Elly -Indiana-
    jcservantslaveATicloudDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  43. My next choice is "The Prophetess: Deborah's Story" by Jill Eileen Smith.
    Elly -Indiana-
    jcservantslaveATicloudDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  44. My last choice is "The Warrior's Vow" by Christina Rich.
    Elly -Indiana-
    jcservantslaveATicloudDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  45. Another suggestion for everyone! The Lion of War Series by Cliff Graham. They're REALLY good! If I didn't already have them, I would definitely have requested them!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for that suggestion, Elly -- I haven't heard of the Lion of War series. Good luck.

      Delete
    2. I guess I probably should have put a warning on that suggestion. The Lion of War Series is pretty violent, but it IS, after all, about soldiers (David's Mighty Men) and it's written by a soldier, so he writes battle scenes based on experience. (So if you don't like gore, this isn't the book for you.)

      Delete
  46. My sister would also like me to enter her choices on here.
    #1. Love's Sacred Song by Mesu Andrews
    Tori
    toricoxDOTelroiATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  47. #2. The Pharaoh's Daughter by Mesu Andrews
    Tori
    toricoxDOTelroiATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  48. #3. Isaiah's Daughter by Mesu Andrews
    Tori
    toricoxDOTelroiATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't read much by Mesu Andrews but I want to read more. Good luck, Tori.

      Delete