Welcome to the Friday Finds – January 24, 2020. This week I found lots of good books, recipes, and a couple of Valentine Day crafts you might want to get started on. Further down in the post, are the winners from last week’s contest. A special thank you to Uday Mukerji for donating three digital copies of his book to my readers. It’s a great fictional novel that touches on Huntington Disease, which has a bit of a special connection with my family. See more about it below!
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Friday Finds – January 24, 2020 – Books
Short Stories – Fiction
This is a work of fiction that centers on some of life’s experiences. There are moral lessons to be learned, too, based on the roles played out by the different characters portrayed in this book. Young readers would find the stories informative, entertaining, and captivating, as a result of diverse cultural mix reflected within. The collection of stories begins with The Family of Blackbirds, which describes the family life of a close-knit family of blackbirds. There is imminent danger that looms over them, as revealed in a dream to one of the blackbirds. There is also Zizi – a girl who learns a lesson the hard way all because she failed to listen to simple advice given to her.
True Crime
After more than a decade, when sisters Nikki, Sami, and Tori Knotek hear the word mom, it claws like an eagle’s talons, triggering memories that have been their secret since childhood. Until now.
For years, behind the closed doors of their farmhouse in Raymond, Washington, their sadistic mother, Shelly, subjected her girls to unimaginable abuse, degradation, torture, and psychic terrors. Through it all, Nikki, Sami, and Tori developed a defiant bond that made them far less vulnerable than Shelly imagined. Even as others were drawn into their mother’s dark and perverse web, the sisters found the strength and courage to escape an escalating nightmare that culminated in multiple murders.
Harrowing and heartrending, If You Tell is a survivor’s story of absolute evil—and the freedom and justice that Nikki, Sami, and Tori risked their lives to fight for. Sisters forever, victims no more, they found a light in the darkness that made them the resilient women they are today—loving, loved, and moving on.
Civil rights Fiction
Meet Lightnin’, a thirteen-year-old boy with a spectacular fastball and a less than accurate knuckleball, and his brother, Daniel, a badly crippled child with extraordinary and magical talent. They live in a home on the edge of mysterious woods with their ethereal mother and Zeke, an upbeat but embattled civil rights trial lawyer. Lightnin’ and Daniel absorb the shame of their father, a former Atlanta Crackers pitcher jailed for attempted murder and try to ignore schoolyard gossip about their mother. Captivated by their grammar school teacher, Miss Rose, they gradually learn of her secret life. In this coming of age tale, two boys navigate their growing awareness of the Civil Rights Movement, of racial inequality, and the meaning of love and family. They witness a searing out-of-control jury trial that alters their family, their reality, and their hearts forever.
Children’s
Ring in Valentine’s Day–and love–with the New York Times Best-Selling Crayons! This charming new title featuring everyone’s favorite coloring crew is the perfect gift for that special someone on Valentine’s Day–or any day of the year.
Love is yellow and orange. Because love is sunny and warm.
Love is purple. Because it’s okay to love outside the lines.
This unique gift book, featuring all the Crayons from The Day the Crayons Quit, explores the bright colors and subtle shades of love. This is a must-have for fans of The Crayons, and the perfect gift for that special someone.
Clean Romantic Comedy
Buckle up. The ride is about to begin…
British doctor Sarah Farnsworth’s life spirals out of control when she loses a patient during surgery, then soon after, loses herself.
When it looks like she will be lost forever, the road of fate leads her to a blue convertible owned by the mysterious Billy Caldwell.
She is informed Billy has twenty-four hours to get out of town and needs her help to get all of his affairs in order.
But why does he have to leave? And what is the big hurry?
As they drive around Atlanta in Billy’s ragtop, visiting the people and places dear to him, Sarah realizes the crisp October air has breathed new life into her due to her new friend.
What she doesn’t realize is Billy has been watching her. For years.
And someone has been watching Billy. For decades…
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Last week’s bonus was a giveaway of Dead Man Dreaming by Uday Mukerji!
The winners are Joan, Cricket, and Taryn. A special shout-out to them for participating!
If you didn’t win, you can purchase the book from this link or at the end of the post.
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Friday Finds – January 24, 2020 – Website
This week I wrote a short post describing my 2019 Year in Books. If you missed it, you can read it here! Thanks!
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Friday Finds – January 24, 2020 – Recipes
A Keto Reuben in a Bowl from Jessica at Stylish Cravings sounds like a great recipe. I’m passing this on to several friends that are doing the Keto diet right now. I also have a Pinterest board full of Keto recipes, if that’s your thing.
Becca at MyCrazyGoodLife.com share her version of Tuscan Chicken Pasta. She says it’s very similar to the Cheesecake Factory Favorite. Best of all, you can make it in the Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, or on the stovetop.
It’s time to start thinking about those Valentine Day treats. Wouldn’t this Easy Valentine Trifle from Making Life Blissful be fun to serve for any occasion near Feb. 14th?
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Friday Finds – January 24, 2020 – Creating
It’s been a while since I’ve found a mason jar project for you. I think the picture is self-explanatory for all you crafty souls. However, if you don’t have the time, skills, or inclination to make this, you can buy it from Sprinkled&Painted! Simply click on the picture or the link. It makes a lovely gift.
Hello, Wonderful has a great tutorial for making fun owl Valentine Cards. These cards would be fun to do with kids or not. Everyone needs a little cut & paste therapy occasionally.
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That’s all folks. I thank you for reading to the end.
I’ll see you next Friday for more fun.
Gina
Your Friday Finds – January 24, 2020 “I read it to the end” bonus!
Click here for a free e-book: Scraps of Paper (The First Spookie Town Murder Mystery Book 1) by Kathryn M. Griffith.
*Audible, Paperback, & Hardcover available, but not free.*
The Family of Blackbirds an...Shop on Amazon 
If You Tell: A True Story o...Shop on Amazon 
All the Way HomeShop on Amazon 
Love from the CrayonsShop on Amazon 
Dead Man Dreaming: A novelShop on Amazon All the Way HomeShop on Amazon
I am so happy Gina for featuring my book, ‘The Family of Blackbirds and other stories,’ on Friday Finds. Thank you! I love the ideas presented for the Valentine season – ‘Easy Valentine Trifle from Making Life Blissful and fun owl Valentine cards.’ They are simply great.
You are most welcome Chika. I’m glad you liked the Valentine ideas.