Bittersweet Surrender by Diann Hunt

I have been waiting for this book for years. Literally years. First found out about it several years ago and have been hunting for it (no pun intended) ever since only to find out that it was shelved and could possibly come out as an ebook. It finally did. And I am proud to tell you that it was the first one I downloaded and read on my new Kindle.

I love a book by Diann Hunt, mostly because I love to laugh and I imagine that she is a laugher just like I am. Her books crack me up. In this novel we meet Carly Westlake, a spa owner. Not just any spa, this lady runs a chocolate themed spa. I know, "where is it and how can I get there?" Right? Carly has been burned by love, by a husband who left her in her time of need, during a bout with breast cancer. Now her view of herself as a woman is warped (as most womens views are) and she doubts she'll ever find love again unless she loses the twenty-five extra pounds she's carrying and has reconstructive surgery to replace her missing breast. I know, you're wondering why on earth I laughed during this story, but trust me, this author is funny!

If you are the owner of an e-reader and you're looking for a new book to purchase & download then I suggest Bittersweet Surrender. It's only available in ebook format and is new today!

You can purchase it here.

This book was provided for review by Booksneeze.

2012 Reading List

 Reading list for 2012. Links go to Amazon. Books in BOLD are favorites.

January

1. Bittersweet Surrender by Diann Hunt (Kindle)
2. The Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter
3. First Date by Krista McGee (Kindle)
4. The Search Committee by Tim Owens
5. Something I Can Never Have (novella) by Travis Thrasher (Kindle)
6. Summer of Promise by Amanda Cabot
7. Shadows on the Sand by Gayle Roper (Kindle)
8. Hide in Plain Sight by Marta Perry (Kindle)
9. Where Wildflowers Bloom by Ann Shorey
10. The Big 5-Oh! by Sandra Bricker (Kindle)
11. Missing Mabel by Nancy Mehl
12. The Lord is My Shepherd (Psalm 23 Murders #1) by Debbie Viguie (Kindle)
13. Not in the Heart by Chris Fabry
14. Burn by Ted Dekker & Erin Heal
15. Diagnosis Death by Richard Mabry MD (Kindle)
16. Miss Match by Erynn Mangum

FEBRUARY
17. Rematch by Erynn Mangum

18. Match Point by Erynn Mangum
19. I Shall Not Want (Psalm 23 Murders #2) by Debbie Viguie (Kindle)
20. Medical Error by Richard Mabry MD (Kindle)
21. Letters to Heaven by Calvin Miller
22. Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble
23. The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow by Joyce Magnin (Kindle)
24. Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
25. The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen
26. Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride by Sandra Bricker (Kindle)
27. Still Growing by Kirk Cameron
28. Lady of Milkweed Manner by Julie Klassen
29. More Beauty Less Beast by Debora Coty

March
30. Walking on Broken Glass by Christa Allen (Kindle)
31. The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen
32. Code Blue by Richard Mabry (Kindle)
33. Chop Chop by L.N. Cronk (Kindle)
34. Composing Amelia by Alison Strobel
35. Lie For Me by Karen Young
36. River's Call by Melody Carlson
37. Bridge to a Distant Star by Carolyn Williford
38. Lie Down in Green Pastures by Debbie Viguie (Kindle)
39. The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck
40. Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings (Kindle)
41. Need You Now by Beth Wiseman
42. Stand by Me by Neta Jackson (Kindle)

APRIL
43. The Secret Life of a Fool by Andrew Palau
44. Sweet Baklava by Debby Mayne (Kindle)
45. Titanic Affair by Amanda Grange (Kindle)
46. I Blame Eve by Susanna Foth Aughtmon
47. The Narrow Path by Gail Sattler (Kindle)
48. Wish You Were Here by Beth K. Vogt
49. Finding Our Way Home by Charlene Ann Baumbich
50. Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman (Kindle)
51. Promise Me This by Cathy Gohlke
52. Wildflowers from Winter by Katie Ganshert
53. Covenant Child by Terri Blackstock
54. The Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport
55. Downfall by Terri Blackstock

MAY
56. Temptation by Travis Thrasher
57. Cut, Crop & Die by Joanna Campbell Slan (Kindle)
58. The Ride of Her Life by Lorna Seilstad
59. Always the Baker, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker (Kindle)
60. Gone to Ground by Brandilyn Collins
61. Always the Designer, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker (Kindle)
62. The Best Friend by Melody Carlson
63. After All by Deborah Raney
64. The Messenger by Siri Mitchell  (Kindle)
65. Nobody by Creston Mapes (Kindle)
66. Glamorous Illusions by Lisa T. Bergren

JUNE
67. Five Miles South of Peculiar by Angela Hunt
68. Coming Home by Stacy Hawkins Adams
69. The Blood Sugar Solution by Mark Hyman, MD
70. Treasures of Healthy Living by Annette Reeder and Dr Richard Couey
71. Waiting for Sunrise by Eva Marie Everson
72. The Anniversary Waltz by Darrel Nelson
73. Praying God's Word for Your Husband by Kathi Lipp
74. Missing Max by Karen Young
75.  Plain Fear Forsaken by Leanna Ellis
76. The Director's Cut by Janice Thompson
77. Starring Me by Krista McGee
78. Facelift by Leanna Ellis

JULY
79. Death of the Couch Potato's Wife by Christy Barrett (Kindle)
80. Tidewater Inn by Colleen Coble (Kindle)
81. My Big Bottom Blessing by Teasi Cannon
82. God Loves Broken People by Sheila Walsh
83. Cool Beans by Erynn Mangum (Kindle)
84. Perfectly Ridiculous by Kristin Billerbeck
85. Dangerous Mercy by Kathy Herman
86. Travelers Rest by Ann Tatlock
87. Chasing Sunsets by Eva Marie Everson (Kindle)
88. The Mother Road by Jennifer Allee (Kindle)
89. Making Waves by Lorna Seilstad (Kindle)
90. Dying to Read by Lorena McCourtney

AUGUST
91. Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer
92. Raising Financially Confident Kids by Mary Hunt
93. The Scent of Rain by Kristin Billerbeck
94. Inescapable by Nancy Mehl
95. The Girl in the Glass by Susan Meissner
96. Almost Amish by Kathryn Cushman
97. Simple Secrets by Nancy Mehl
98. House of Mercy by Erin Healy
99. Blood Bayou by Karen Young

SEPTEMBER
100. Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund
101. Mother of Pearl by Kellie Coates Gilbert
102. Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer
103. Heiress by Susan May Warren (Kindle)
104. Escaping the Cauldron by Kristine McGuire
105. Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus by Joyce Magnin
106. While We're Far Apart by Lynn Austin

OCTOBER
107. Song of the Brokenhearted by Sheila Walsh & Cindy Coloma
108. The Trouble with Cowboys by Denise Hunter
109. Hope Springs by Kim Cash Tate
110. The Christmas Pony by Melody Carlson
111. The Miracle Girls by Anne Dayton & May Vanderbilt
112. Breaking Up is Hard To Do by Anne Dayton & May Vanderbilt
113. A Little Help From My Friends by Anne Dayton & May Vanderbilt
114. Love Will Keep us Together by Anne Dayton & May Vanderbilt
115. Candle in the Darkness by Lynn Austin
116. Placebo by Steven James
117. Christmas Roses by Amanda Cabot
118. A Wreath of Snow by Liz Curtis Higgs

NOVEMBER
119. Nowhere But Up by Patti Mallette with A.J. Gregory
120. The Chase by DiAnn Mills
121. At Every Turn by Anne Mateer
122. The First Gardener by Denise Hildreth Jones
123. The Sweetest Thing by Elizabeth Musser
124. Hurricanes in Paradise by Denise Hildreth
125. A Wedding Blunder in the Black Hills by Kim O'Brien
126. Secrets of Harmony Grove by Mindy Starns Clark

DECEMBER
127. All Things New by Lynn Austin
128. The Choice by Robert Whitlow
129. Right Where I Belong by Krista McGee
130. Debt-Proof Your Christmas by Mary Hunt
131. Belonging by Robin Lee Hatcher
132. Betrayal by Robin Lee Hatcher
133. Vanished by Irene Hannon
134. Come to the Table by Neta Jackson
135. Asking for Trouble by Sandra Byrd (Kindle)
136. A Clearing in the Wild by Jane Kirkpatrick

Love Lifted Me by Sara Evans with Rachel Hauck

Love Lifted Me is the third in the Songbird series by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck and is the best of the trio in my opinion. Return to the story of Jade and Max as they navigate the waters of forgiveness and try to rebuild their broken marriage. A job change throws life for this family into a whirlwind as they leave behind all they've known and head to Texas where Max is hired to be a high school football coach. A heartwarming tale that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page, Love Lifted Me is one not to miss.

About the book:

Jade never knew happily-ever-after would be this messy, loud . . . delicious.

Jade Benson embraces unexpected motherhood when her husband Max gains custody of his young son. As she and Max work out their newly formed family, an invitation to coach Texas high school football sends them on a journey.

Then a stranger reveals a painful secret, and Jade faces her hardest challenge yet. When she surrenders her heart to God and to her husband, Jade discovers the joy of love lifting her above her fears.

This book was provided for review by Booksneeze.

Learn more about Sara Evans here. Check out all of Rachel Hauck's books here.

The Common English Bible

At Christmastime many people like to go back to the Bible and read about the birth of Christ. Here's how The Common English Bible recounts Luke 2:1-20

"In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists. This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria. Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled. Since Joseph belonged to David's house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David's city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to have her baby. She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom.

Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. The Lord's angel stood before them, the Lord's glory shone around them, and they were terrified.

The angel said, "Don't be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you--wonderful joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David's city. He is Christ the Lord. This is a sign for you: You will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great assembly of heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, "Glory to God in heaven, and on earth, peace among those whom He favors."

When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go right now to Bethlehem and see what's happened. Let's confirm what the Lord revealed to us." They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them. Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully. The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told."

I love the language this version uses, it makes it come alive in my mind. My hope is that you share this story with those you love, and that they come to know the love of Jesus this holiday season.

For a chance to win a copy of The Common English Bible leave a comment below telling me what your favorite Christmas cookie is.

This Bible was provided for review by The B&B Media Group

Heaven is For Read Small Group DVD Kit & Conversation Guide

The Heaven is for Read DVD Conversation Kit & Guide by Todd Burpo is a nicely packaged tool for small group use. It comes with a book to guide you through discussions and a DVD to watch with interviews with the Burpo family. There are five segments to this so your group can move through it quickly.

The segments are:

1. Why should we care about Heaven?
2. What is Heaven like?
3. When does a person go to Heaven?
4. Where is Heaven?
5. Who goes to Heaven?

Todd Burpo backs up everything with Scripture while he speaks.

The DVD is filmed in a very laid back setting. Almost too laid back. There are parts that could have been edited to make it a little more professional, but I suppose that's part of the appeal (showing that these are real people).

The sessions are short and are easy to follow and understand. The question guide makes for interesting conversation. This might even be something good for a group of people who aren's sure about "the whole God thing."

This was provided for review by BookSneeze & Thomas Nelson.

Precisely Terminated by Amanda Davis

Amanda Davis is the award-winning teen author of The Cantral Chronicles, a dystopian trilogy. She enjoys reading and writing and comes up with new novel ideas while spinning yarn or running on the roads near her home. She was born and raised a Florida girl and loves the warmth of the South.

About the book:
With microchips implanted in their skulls at birth, the slaves of Cantral and Cillineese have labored under the tyrannical rule of the nobles and their computers for centuries. Monica, a noble who avoided the implanting and escaped a death sentence at the age of four, is now sixteen and is in hiding. She lives with the slaves inside the walls of the Cantral palace, pretending to be one of them while the slave council plots a way to use her chip-less state to destroy the all-powerful computers that strike down any hint of rebellion.

The fate of millions rides on Monica's shoulders. As the only chip-less person in the world, she must find a way to destroy the computers and free Cillineese from the nobles' iron fist before they strike with the ultimate punishment-death for everyone inside the city walls.

Watch the trailer:

Lynn Austin's WONDERLAND CREEK

Lynn Austin is one of those authors that I wait in anticipation for a new book from. They are all different from one another and this one was so good that I let out a sigh of satisfaction when I finished reading it. It was simply perfect.

If you have a reader in your life and you want to give them a special gift for Christmas, I suggest this book.

Alice is a librarian outside of Chicago. Her life is made up of books. She has stronger feelings for the characters in the books she reads than in the people in her life. She's young and naive and finds nothing wrong with reading a book during a funeral. This faux pas leads to her boyfriend breaking up with her. She loses her job at the library because of depression-era cutbacks and thinks her life is over. Alice remembers the boxes of books that she's been saving to take to a struggling library in the hills of Kentucky so she packs up and flees town, catching a ride with her aunt and uncle. Two weeks away seems to be the perfect amount of time for her to escape the small town gossip of her break-up and job loss.

She arrives in Kentucky and is dropped off before she finds out that she wasn't expected. Alone and confused she discovers that the library is unlike any other she'd ever known of. Pack horse librarians. An aged woman who makes potions out of herbs and roots. A burly librarian. A town at odds with each other. People desperate for love and attention and no one to give it to them. This is everything Alice finds and her two weeks turns into much longer. Will she make it home? Will she find true love? Will she know who she can trust?

Get this book! It made me giggle. It melted my heart. It made me cry.

Thanks, Lynn, for this CLEAN READ.

This book was provided for review by Bethany House.

Buy a copy here.