Voting ends March 31 in the 2013 Christian Retailing’s Best awards. Anyone connected with the Christian retailing industry—including authors, editors, literary agents and distributors—is invited to vote for what they think are the best products in the Christian retail market.

Suppliers and authors have nominated 2012 gifts and other products—books, Bibles, music, DVDs, children’s products and more—as well as Backlist titles in the 2013 awards sponsored by Christian Retailing magazine.

B&H Publishing Group is planning a relaunch of a major gift book brand and adding a new devotional line to its already successful gift book program.

Before joining B&H last year, Dawn Woods, publisher, Christian Living and Gift Books, had more than 10 years prior experience working in gift books for Thomas Nelson. Along with building on the publishers’ current success, Woods is also moving the gift book line into the future.

Christian Brands has joined the nationwide campaign to stop bullying with a new Stop Bullying wristband.

“There couldn’t be a better time than now to build awareness and put the bullying epidemic to an end,” said Director of Sales Brian Schroeder.

Christian Brands’ new reversible Stop Bullying silicone wristband from Gifts of Faith launched at the January gift shows. Debossed on the outside of the tband are the words “Stop Bullying,” and the inside is silk-screened with the message “God is Love,” reminding kids that God is the ultimate anti-bully and that emulating His love can help stop the epidemic of bullying.

Thomas Nelson and sister company Zondervan lead the publishing houses field in the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) Christian Book Awards, with six finalists each.

There are 36 finalists in seven categories for the awards, honoring Christian publishing's best book and Bible releases of the past year. Each category is comprised of five finalists except for Inspiration, which has six due to a tie in each.

The association's Christian Book Awards will be presented at World Outreach Church in Nashville, April 29, at the start of ECPA's Executive Leadership Summit. One title will be chosen among all the finalists to be named the 2013 Christian Book of the Year.

Nelson's finalists are Heaven Is for Real for Kids by Todd and Sonja Burpo and Jesus Calling Bible Storybook by Sarah Young (both in Children); Jesus Today by Sarah Young (Inspiration); Grace by Max Lucado (Nonfiction); and Anything by Jennie Allen and Love Does by Bob Goff (both in New Author).

Zondervan's finalists included the NIV Study Bible, New International Version (Bibles); Center Church by Timothy Keller and Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Acts by Eckhard J. Schnabel (both in Bible Reference); Zonderkidz's Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing by Sally Lloyd-Jones (Inspiration); A Grace Revealed by Jerry Sittser (Nonfiction); and Interrupted by Rachel Coker (New Author).

Click here for a complete list of finalists.

Click here for more information on ECPA's Leadership Summit.

Editor's note: This story has been corrected since original publication.

Americans will spend an average of approximately $145.13 on products ranging from apparel and candy to food and decorations this year, flat with last year's $145.28, according to the National Retail Federation's Easter spending survey, conducted by BIGinsight. Total spending is expected to reach $17.2 billion versus the projected $16.8 billion in 2012.

"With a plethora of budgetary concerns already on their plates, Americans this Easter will look for special, creative ways to celebrate the holiday without breaking the bank," said Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the retail group. "Retailers are already lining their shelves with specials on chocolates, warm-weather apparel and even gardening tools and outdoor furniture."

The survey showed that much of consumers' budgets will go toward food for a holiday meal—86.9% of those celebrating Easter will spend an average of $45.26 on food. Nine in 10 (90.5%) will stock up on Easter candy, spending an average of $20.66. Nearly half (48.4%) will take advantage of sales on fashion and accessories, spending an average of $25.91.

Consumers also will spend an average of $20.82 on gifts for friends and family, $9.49 on flowers and $9.11 on decorations for home and office. Most consumers (63.4%) will shop at discount stores and four in 10 (40.7%) will shop at department stores. Others will shop at specialty stores (24.9%), online (21.1%) and specialty clothing stores (10.6%).

"While many of today's consumers are coping with tight budgets, the Easter Bunny isn't headed toward retirement in 2013," said BIGinsight Consumer Insights Director Pam Goodfellow. "Look for cost-conscious parents to scope the sale racks, head to discounters and clip coupons to keep spending on track—and to make the holiday special for youngsters this year."

Like last year, tech devices will again play a strong role with Easter shoppers this year. More than half (51%) of tablet owners celebrating Easter will use their device to research products, and make purchases and look up store information. Specifically, 22.1% say they will use their tablet to purchase something, and 43.3% of smartphones onwers plan to do the same.

Dr. Ben Carson's America the Beautiful: Rediscovering What Made This Nation Great (Zondervan) ranked high in three categories of the New York Times best-sellers list for the week of March 17.

Released January 2012, the book was No. 1 on the Paperback Nonfiction and Paperback Combined (Nonfiction Print and E-Book) lists, and No. 3 on the Nonfiction Hardcover list. Since its release, America the Beautiful has appeared 23 times on the New York Times best-sellers list.

In America the Beautiful, Carson, a highly regarded neurosurgeon, examines how the U.S. changed the world, and ways to reclaim its standing as a free and prosperous nation.

"What an honor it is to know that America the Beautiful resonates with so many readers today," Carson said. "This says to me that the state of our nation is not going unnoticed and citizens want our political leaders to lean on God's Word for answers, not their own. I truly believe that America's best days are still ahead, and we must use our God-given talents to improve our lives, communities and our world."

Zondervan Vice President and Publisher of Trade Tracy Danz added: "We are thrilled with the success of this title and the continued support Ben is receiving across this nation. His desire to live a life that God calls him to lead is inspirational to me, and I truly believe that this book can help change lives."

Carson drew cheers last month at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., when he criticized the Obama administration's tax policies and healthcare overhaul as the president observed. Carson was also the featured speaker at the 2013 Conservative Political Action Conference, held March 14-16 in Oxon Hill, Md., where he hinted at political aspirations that could even include running for the presidency.

Good Books has contracted with Simon & Schuster for sales, distribution and fulfillment for all of its titles, effective June 1. Known best for the New York Times best-selling “Fix-It and Forget-It” cookbooks, Good Books also publishes health, family/parenting, peace and justice, arts and crafts, and Amish/Mennonite titles.

Phyllis Pellman Good, senior editor and “Fix-It and Forget-It” author, said the publisher’s big fall title is its first full-color cookbook in the line, the Fix-It and Forget-It New Cookbook. Releasing in October, it includes 250 new slow-cooker recipes.