Weekly Friday Finds | 02-23-2024 | Books ~Author News ~ Recipes ~ Crafts ~ Trivia Contest Winner & New Question
Welcome to the latest edition of the weekly Friday Finds. This week, I’m sharing some new things that caught my eye and cleaning up some business from earlier posts that fell to the wayside while I ran off to the beach for some much-needed R&R. I also couldn’t resist switching to a spring theme even though it is still February.
On a personal note, people! Covid is NOT over. Last weekend, I lost a lifelong friend and mentor to Covid. So this is my public service reminder to get your boosters, wear a mask, and avoid risky behavior. As proved by Mr. G, even church can be dangerous. If you don’t feel well, for goodness sake…STAY home! End of the rant, but the grief will linger a long time.
Okay, let’s move on to the happier stuff!
Today’s post has a bit of a different look and format. Please let me know what you like and dislike. All feedback will be considered, even if I cannot implement everything.
I’ll look for you in the comments.
Love & Peace,
Gina
Weekly Friday Finds | 02-23-2024 | Clean up
There are so many things that I have let slip a bit this winter. Last fall’s bout with C19 left me with a lot of brain fog and fatigue. As you may know, I took a few weeks off to travel to Florida, visit friends, and soak up some sun. I think it has helped immensely.
First off, let’s get to that January giveaway. In the January Weekly Finds posts, I asked a few trivia questions. Everyone who answered, right or wrong, was entered into a random number generator to win a prize. Thank you to everyone who participated. I had a lot of fun with it.
The lucky winner is Eve G. (Eve will receive a lovely gift from Amazon very shortly!)
Do you like the contest aspects of the newsletter? Please leave a comment and let me know. I don’t want to discourage anyone from leaving comments and liking the post, as these numbers are very important to the almighty algorithm that decides how many people get to see my posts. So, if you would prefer not to be included in the contest, simply add a quick note with your comment, such as NoGift, No GA, NoContest, etc. But I hope you want to participate. The more the merrier!
Here’s a picture of my lovely entry jar. Can you tell I have Spring Fever?
Weekly Friday Finds | 02-23-2024 | Recipe
What’s not to love about a quick stovetop dinner, especially on a busy weeknight?
“This delicious, traditional One-Pot Chicken Cacciatore recipe is so easy to make in a Dutch oven with a prep time of only 20 minutes! Best served warm with rice or pasta, this simple chicken dinner recipe is made with the perfect combination of tender chicken, green peppers, garlic, mushrooms, and tomatoes for a comforting, hearty dinner!”
Weekly Friday Finds | 02-23-2024 | Books
You didn’t really think I could push books any further down the list today, did you? Here are a few that crossed my path recently. Some immediately went on my TBR, and others are lingering in the “maybe” column.
10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION WITH NEW AUTHOR’S NOTE!
In The Book Lover, a charming bookshop in the village of Warwick, the best stories may not be in the pages of its books but in the lives of the people who walk through its doors.
Owner Ruth Hardaway has been handselling books in her store, The Book Lover, for years. Her gift isn’t just finding the right books for her quirky cast of patrons, it’s also helping them to navigate the unexpected chapters in their own lives.
When author Lucy Barrett lands on her doorstep for a book signing, only to collapse in a meltdown, Ruth is about to become a heroine in a story she never could have imagined. As for Lucy, who’s left a terrible betrayal behind, she’s about to encounter a plot twist she couldn’t have written when Ruth’s son, a disabled vet who rescues injured raptors, causes her to question everything she thought she wanted.
- McFadden, Maryann (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 369 Pages - 05/01/2012 (Publication Date) - Three Women Press (Publisher)
The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm’s way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country have too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, The Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era.
- Hardcover Book
- Hannah, Kristin (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 480 Pages - 02/06/2024 (Publication Date) - St. Martin's Press (Publisher)
Alert: The Easter Eggs are Gone! Is Your Child Ready to Find Them?
It’s time to join the Easter Bunny on a quest to find the lost Easter eggs and bring the joy of Easter back to everyone! Watch your child become the hero of Easter, finding hidden eggs in lots of engaging I Spy riddles.
Why Choose Our I Spy Easter Book?
- Perfect Easter Basket Stuffer: Looking for a unique Easter Basket Stuffer? Look no further! This I Spy book is ideal for making your child’s Easter Basket very special.
- Create Lasting Memories: Watch your child’s face light up as they help the Easter Bunny and save the day, creating wonderful memories.
- High Replay Value: Highly detailed I Spy images and free bonus images for coloring ensure lasting fun for ages 2-5.
- Larch, Marlies (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 40 Pages - 02/05/2024 (Publication Date) - TG Edition (Publisher)
Weekly Friday Finds | 02-23-2024 | Author News
Here are a few recommendations I’ve received from author newsletters and messages.
Hope Callaghan has a new Millie’s Cruise Ship Cozy Mystery releasing soon. In the meantime, she has put together box sets of the earlier mysteries in this series. You should check them out, and while you are there, pre-order Bamboozled in Bimini. “The Love Boat meets Murder She Wrote!” Hoping for a fresh start after her recent divorce, sixty-something Millie Sanders lands her dream job as the assistant cruise director onboard the “Siren of the Seas.” Too bad no one told her murder is on the itinerary.
Discover why so many fans love Millie’s Cruise Ship Cozy Mysteries with thousands of four and five-star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads!
Hope Callaghan novels have no profanity, gore, or sex scenes…Just clean mysteries the whole family can enjoy!
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Callaghan, Hope (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 534 Pages - 12/19/2015 (Publication Date) - Cozy Mysteries Author Hope Callaghan (Publisher)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Callaghan, Hope (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 367 Pages - 02/18/2024 (Publication Date)
August Niehaus has joined with a group of fellow fantasy writers to feature Daugment (and its beautiful new cover), along with a rich offering of free fantasy & Paranormal tales through StoryOrigin.
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Niehaus, August (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 309 Pages - 01/31/2017 (Publication Date) - Halftree Press (Publisher)
I recently recommended one featuring Mark Engels and Wintery Fantasy tales, including his Forest Exiles Saga, You still have until February 28 to take advantage of that fabulous set.
Weekly Friday Finds | 02-23-2024 | Creative News
Everyone loves getting mail from friends & loved ones. Particularly when it’s a handmade card.
Here’s a lovely Easter Card Making Kit for you to get started making people happy.
That wraps up the 02-23-2024 edition of the Weekly Friday Finds. This week’s trivia question is:
In The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, what is the name of the painter who makes the portrait of Dorian?
This week’s winner will be grouped with the March giveaway. Hopefully, it will be announced in the first week of April.
Remember, if you find something you like in this post, leave a comment and click the LIKE button at the bottom of the page. It means the world!
See you soon for more Weekly Friday Finds Fun!
Gina
I like the contests aspect and the recipes! Delicious!
Wow! Thank you Gina! I like your updates and the new look! I’m sharing your good news and appreciate the mention!
I’m sorry about the loss of your friend to Covid. 💔 I have yet to get the most recent booster. No time to be lax!
Thank you. I got my booster yesterday. 90 days exactly since I had Covid in November.
Sorry for the loss of your friend.
I like the trivia and contests! The answer to this one is Basil Hallward. Have a great weekend!