🗓️ Friday Finds – 14 November 2025 | Featuring Indie Author Karen Baney | Fall Recipes & Crafts

Post Highlights

🌟Welcome to the Friday Finds

Welcome back to another cozy, book-filled edition of Friday Finds! I hope your week has treated you gently and given you a moment (or two) to curl up with a good story, a warm drink, or a creative spark. November always feels like the season of gathering—gathering books, recipes, crafts, and of course, our wonderful Friday Finds community.

If you’re new here, I’m so glad you found your way to this corner of the bookish world. Every Friday, we celebrate indie authors, share delicious seasonal recipes, explore fun DIY projects, and connect through our weekly giveaway question. Think of this space as your friendly little pause at the end of a busy week—where we swap recommendations, cheer on indie creators, and discover new joys together.

This week, I’m especially excited to feature an author whose heartfelt cowboy romances have become a staple on my blog. So grab a cozy blanket, settle in, and let’s explore what’s new in the world of books, bites, and creative delights.

The weekly independent author spotlight has been a huge hit, so I plan to continue it each week. I usually pull names from my list, but I love receiving nominations — tell me your favorite indie author on my website. You can find all past features ➡️ HERE.

🌟 Friday Finds Indie Author Spotlight: Karen Baney

This week, I’m delighted to spotlight an author whose books consistently leave me smiling, swooning, and fully invested in the rugged beauty of Arizona. If you love faith-laced romance, heartfelt character journeys, and cowboy heroes with real emotional depth, you’re probably already familiar with Karen Baney.

Karen writes Christian contemporary cowboy romances and historical romances rooted deeply in themes of faith, hope, second chances, and redemption. Whether she’s introducing you to a quiet cowboy with a wounded heart or whisking you across sweeping Arizona landscapes, her stories feel warm, grounded, and refreshingly human. Every book makes you want to sit with these characters like old friends.

I’ve reviewed several of Karen’s books over the years, and they all share that signature Baney blend: heartfelt romance, strong moral center, and vivid Arizona settings that feel like a character all their own.

📚 My Karen Baney Reviews:

Each story brings something unique to the table, but they all carry that Karen-Baney hallmark — authentic characters striving toward grace, love, and healing.

💬 About the Author

Here’s a blend of Karen’s official bio and the personal touches she’s shared with readers over the years:

Karen Baney brings the heart of Arizona to life in every book she writes. As a member of Faith Hope & Love Christian Writers and the author of more than 30 novels, she specializes in emotionally rich stories featuring flawed characters who fight for second chances, redemption, and the courage to overcome adversity.

A transplant who fell in love with the state, Karen incorporates real history, real locations, and authentic Arizona spirit into both her contemporary and historical romances. Her research passion shines through her work, and her stories often take shape from the adventures she shares with her husband, Jim, and their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. They make their home in Gilbert, Arizona and are active members of Rock Point Church in Queen Creek.

By day, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry — and by night, she gifts readers with heartfelt cowboy romances that uplift, encourage, and entertain.

🔗 Where to Connect with Karen Baney

📜Gina's Recent Blog Posts

This week’s book blog roundup is a little lighter than usual (thanks to that mini-vacation). Click any image to read more and enter the raffle!

Lucy McConnell’s Tyler: A Christmas Novel is a sweet, faith-based holiday story about second chances, fatherhood, and rediscovering the true meaning of Christmas—with a little help from an angel-in-training. Perfect for readers who love clean, heartfelt Christmas romances that leave you smiling.

Saving Grace by Jon McConnell, a 2025 BBNYA Semi-Finalist, blends horror and survival in a chilling story of trust and endurance. When a mysterious epidemic turns children into killers, one man’s decision to help a stranger could destroy everything he’s fought to protect.

Last week we celebrated the season with indie author Marisa Noelle, cozy fall recipes, and creative DIY crafts. The Friday Finds community is your place for books, bites, crafts, and giveaways!

🎉 Friday Finds 14 November 2025 Giveaway Question

Happy November!

This week’s question:
➡️ I added some of my favorite things to the image above. What do you like best in the image?

💬 Reply in the comments to enter!
🗓️ Entries close November 30 at 9 p.m. CST, and the winner will be announced December 5, 2025.

🎊 Congratulations to S. Daisy, October’s Fun Time winner. She has received her prize.

Foodie Fun 14 November 2025

Since we are rapidly advancing upon the holiday season, it's time to start planning those special meals. This recipe is a favorite of my family.

Easy Creamy Corn Casserole from House of Nash Eats

This easy Corn Casserole recipe uses a Jiffy corn muffin mix, creamed corn, sour cream, and whole corn kernels to make the most delicious sweet and savory side dish with a wonderful, corny texture that is a cross between cornbread and a pudding! Round out your holiday meal or weeknight dinner with this classic family favorite!

This recipe is in honor of my root-beer loving grandson. He is nine and loves to cook. I think cooking together is a great way to connect.

Root Beer Glazed Ham

Is there anything a can of root beer can't do?! It's not just a family favorite drink, but it's also the key to making this beautiful glazed ham from The Pioneer Woman.

🧑‍🎨Craft Corner

DIY Barn Quilt Pattern Ornaments Painting Kit

Each kit contains:
Six four inch in diameter (six different patterns) each has a base with scoring to help paint the patterns and then a laser cut overlay frame of the pattern to glue on top after
Two fine tipped paintbrushes
Two flat paintbrushes
Your choice of five paint colors- see last photo for options
wood glue
six strands of jute twine for hanging
instructions/tips sheet

All of this packaged and wrapped in a box!!

Thank you so much for spending part of your Friday with me! I always love putting these posts together, and knowing you’re out there reading, commenting, and sharing in the excitement makes it all the more meaningful. Whether you come for the indie author features, the recipes, the crafts, or simply the sense of community, I’m grateful you’re here.

Don’t forget to answer this week’s Fun Time Giveaway question in the comments—your responses always make my day. And if you enjoyed something from today’s edition, please share the post or send it to a friend who might love discovering new authors, recipes, or DIY inspiration.

Until next week, may your weekend be filled with good books, good food, and moments of peace. Stay warm, stay curious, and keep turning those pages.
And if you’d like to support the blog, you can always buy me a coffee on Ko-fi—every little bit helps keep Friday Finds going strong. ☕💛

See you next Friday for more books, bites, and creative delights!