Best Books and Best Blogs of 2012

I really like reading books and blogs and these are my top picks for 2012: 

Books:
Hope for the Weary Mom by Stacey Thacker and Brooke McGlothlin
She's Got Issues by Nicole Unice
Mother of Pearl by Kellie Coates Gilbert
With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin
Love Finds You in Mackinac Island by Melanie Dobson
Beyond Hope's Valley by Tricia Goyer
Miracle for Jen by Linda Barrick
Sometimes He Whispers, Sometimes He Roars by Marilynn Chadwick












Blogs:
*She Sparkles- Cindy has a powerful testimony and a Red Hot Bible Study coming Summer 2013
*The Confident Mom- Love Susan's Weekly Household Planner,weekly audio blog talks and 31 Days of Mom Mojo.  She also has a great Opening Act to help moms become calm, cool and confident.
*Good Morning Girls- Excellent women's online Bible study group
*To Love, Honor and Vacuum- Great marriage advice.  (Get 31 Days of Great Sex ebook! by Sheila Gregoire.  I got this for my husband for Christmas and he was ecstatic.  If you buy this from my link, I will not know your name or email.  Go for it!!)
*Cheri Gregory- The Purse-onality Challenge
*Women Living Well- All around excellent blog that helps women to pursue God
*The MOB Society- Help for mothers of boys
*Peak 313 Fitness- Motivating women to get spiritually and physically fit with New Move Monday videos, fitness challenges and more!

Websites:
*Crockin' Girls- This is my favorite go-to site for crockpot recipes.  I love their Crockin' Monday videos too!
*Together in Ten-Great style in a snap!
*Proverbs 31 Ministries- Daily Devotional, Daily 1 minute radio spot and a monthly magazine (not
digital!!)
*Skinny Ms.-  Excellent ideas for eating healthy, losing weight and getting fit.

Also, I discovered Pinterest which is a really great way to organize all the ideas I need for teaching, cooking, cleaning, marriage, parenting and more!

Well, that wraps it up for 2012.  I hope you check out some of these great blogs and continue to sneak back here to see me a little bit.  I hope to do some different things here in the future.  Have a great New Year!!

3 Ways I Save on Buying Books and a Giveaway Reminder!

You all know that I absolutely LOVE books!  I am never without reading a book.  I used to check out books from the library all the time, but now that I have kids, it's much harder to spend leisurely time looking at books in MY section.  So, I have found 3 ways to still feed my book addiction.

#1- Review books

I review books for so many sites.  I get them all for FREE and I keep some and I give some away.  Love this program.  Here are a few sites that I prefer reviewing books for:  Litfuse, Harvest House Publishers, Bethany House Publishers, Tyndale House , FIRST Wild Card Tours and many more!

#2- Use Swag Bucks!

I never buy anything on Amazon unless I use some Swag Bucks.  Swag Bucks basically is a site that you use instead of Google to search for things on the internet.  Each time you search, you might earn some swag bucks.  Then you can trade them in for gift cards or other products.  I usually trade for Amazon gift cards.  Sign up for Swag Bucks today and start earning!  It's fun and free.

#3- The Book Depository- offers FREE shipping worldwide

Whenever I really want to buy a book and don't want to spend money at Amazon, I use The Book Depository because it has prices less than Amazon AND there is FREE shipping!    What a deal!  I have a huge list of books that I am going to get very soon.  No shipping charges EVER!

PS.  Did you know I have a giveaway for Kyle Sherman's new CD- Hear Me?  It is excellent and I'm surprised that I have only had a few entries!  Ends 10/14! Go for it: http://jsknowlton.blogspot.com/2012/10/kyle-shermans-hear-me-cd-music-review.html.  You will love it!!

Best Book of the Year Awards go to...

Here are my picks for best books that I have read this year in categories!  I HIGHLY recommend these books!

Best True Story

Unplanned: The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader's Eye-Opening Journey across the Life Line (Focus on the Family Books) by Abby Johnson

Best Inspiring True Story

Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption by Katie Davis

Best Fiction

Courting Miss Amsel by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Best Self-Help

31 Days to Clean by Sarah Mae

Best Spiritual Growth/Parenting

The Ministry of Motherhood: Following Christ's Example in Reaching the Hearts of Our Children by Sally Clarkson

Best Marriage

When a Woman Inspires Her Husband: Understanding and Affirming the Man in Your Life by Cindi McMenamin

Best Prayer book

Warrior Prayers Ebook by Brooke McGlothlin
Right now it's only 99 cents!

Do you have any of these or have you read any of these?
Which one would you like to read this coming year?

PS.  I read 57 books this year!

Book Giveaways update!

Hello wonderful blog followers!

I just wanted to give you a little update on my book giveaways.  Recently, we had a major setback in our finances due to a HUGE hospital bill that we have to pay off.  On top of that, since I am no longer nursing we've had to switch to formula which is a large expense even despite coupons.  We are trying to cut corners on everything.  And unfortunately one of the areas is sending books off to winners from my giveaways.  I am still trying to include all other kinds of giveaways that have my sponsor send you the winning item.  However, do not give up hope!  I am SAVING a lot of books that I am reviewing and when I get to a point where we are out of the water, then I will have a big book giveaway event.   So, please forgive me if I can't offer as many book giveaways right now.  Hang with me!

Blessings, Shonda  :)

5 Favorite Books Week: Day #5 (Love Comes Softly)

I think I was in junior high when my mom gave this book to me as a gift.  Love Comes Softly (Love Comes Softly Series, Book 1) is the first book in series of 8 that follows Marty and her family.  I could read this book in one day.  I love stories about life in the covered wagon days that were so simple, yet full of tough reality.  This book is no exception.  But it also contains a lot of emotion and I just love the way Janette Oke shares what her characters are thinking.  I love the "looks" that characters give to each other and this one has a very special love story.  I recommend this whole series and read each one in order.

There, that's it!  My 5 most favorite books.  Are there any that you would want to read?  I hope so.  I want to go back and read these all again real soon.

5 Favorite Books Week: Day #4 (An Echo in the Darkness)

An Echo in the Darkness (Mark of the Lion #2) was the first book I read in this series and of the 3, it's my most favorite.  I could actually do away with the other two.  This one makes me cry every time I read it.  This is true love at its best.  If you want to be swept away into another time and place, this is the book for you.  Read this one first!

5 Favorite Books Week: Day #3 (Vienna Prelude)

I'm thoroughly fascinated with European history.  I know it was a tough time for many people and reading about the horrors of WWII are not taken lightly by me, but with a heart that is thankful for the freedom I have.  However, I do enjoy the intrigue and adventure that fiction novels take in bringing this era to life.  Vienna Prelude (Zion Covenant, Book 1) is a much loved book not only for the great historical story, but also for the wonderful love story woven in between.  I actually have the whole series, but this first book is my favorite.  The main characters seem like they are unlikely match, but the romance is page turning!  So pick this book up today and enjoy a thrilling read and don't forget the whole series too.

5 Favorite Books Week: Day #2 (Jamie MacLeod)

My best friend in high school gave this book to me and it is another one I just couldn't put down. The cover of my book, Jamie MacLeod: Highland Lass (The Highland Collection, Book 1) is very well worn because I have read it so often.  What draws me to a book like this so many times?  This one is about a young girl who grows up in the highlands and eventually starts to work for a wealthy man.  She is torn between two loves and has a desire to become a lady.  There is mystery and adventure.  I haven't read this in a while, hm, might pick it up again soon.  Psalm 121 is throughout this book, but written in the Scottish tongue.  You will really enjoy this book!