24 March 2023 Friday Finds | Meet the Newest Author & Blogger of the Week, BBNYA & Indie Author Announcements, Book Recs, Spring Recipes, Felted Eggs, & more!
Hello, my friends & welcome to the 24 March 2023 Fun!
Are you having a good March? Mine is going great. I’m getting my emails and author requests under control…sort of! I get at least a half dozen indie author review requests every day. It’s so hard to pick & choose which to accept. I have the hardest time saying no to authors. If they haven’t read my review policy and don’t include the requested info, or if they are requesting reviews of genres I do not read, it’s a little easier. But you know, it’s a fun problem to have.
Did you miss last week’s tip about getting a huge discount on Kindle Unlimited? You can find it here.
I hope you enjoy this week’s post, and be sure you leave a comment below voting for your favorite find of the week.
Peace & Love
Note: I will share purchase links on all recommended items if possible. Every purchase made through my links helps support this blog.
Friday Finds | 24 March 2023 | Author News
Do you have a new book releasing soon, a special promotion coming up, or any other news I can share with my readers?
In the reported book and author news this week…
Mim Eichmann will be part of the Wheaton Public Library’s Local Author Fest, along with thirty Chicago area authors, from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, April 1. Bestselling author Elizabeth Berg speaks at 1 p.m. (Please note: registration is required to attend Ms. Berg’s presentation but NOT for the Fest itself.) This is the Wheaton Library’s first author festival since their 2020 fest was canceled due to Covid!! Hope you can join them for an enjoyable and enlightening afternoon! https://wheatonlibrary.org/
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The Book Blogger Novel of the Year Award is gearing up for 2023, even as we finish the tours for the 2022 winner.
BBNYA is an annual Indie book award hosted and judged completely by book bloggers from all over the world!
It’s sponsored by the Folio Society, the maker of beautiful illustrated collectible editions of the world’s great works of fiction and non-fiction.
Our goal is to give underappreciated, lesser-known Indie authors a chance to make themselves known without being overshadowed by the big names and show the world the power of book bloggers!
If you are an Independently published (or small press) author. Please read the information here. We would love to have you join us. Book submissions close on May 20, 2023, 23:59 GMT
Do you love to read and review books? You are welcome to sign up as a panelist even if you don’t have a blog; social media account shares are welcome. Panelist sign-ups close the 10th of May, 2023, 23:59GMT
If you have any questions, please reach out. If I don’t know the answer, I can find it for you.
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Indie Author of the Week
Rochelle Bradley is my newest featured author. I adore her books. I haven’t reviewed one since I read Municipal Liaisons. I need to remedy that soon. She has a new book releasing on May 30th, so watch this space for that review. Please welcome Rochelle to the website (on the sidebar & in this post) by reading my reviews and visiting her website. She is also the featured author in my Bookshop this week.
Cole's New Song: Sweet Smal...Shop on AmazonPre-Order Now!
Blogger of the Week
Kerry from Herding Cats & Books is my featured Blogger of the Week! Her website is beautifully formatted and full of fabulous information. Please give her a visit & tell her where you found her today.
Would you like to be featured as my Author/Blogger of the Week? Please drop me a comment below to let me know. That’s all it takes! If no one “volunteers”, I have systems in place to choose one.
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Friday Finds | 24 March 2023 | Books
The Queen of Dirt Island by Donal Ryan
From the multi-award-winning and internationally bestselling author Donal Ryan, a searing, jubilant story about four generations of women and fierce love
The Aylward women of Nenagh, Tipperary, are mad about each other, but you wouldn’t always think it. You’d have to know them to know that—in spite of what the neighbors might say about raised voices and dramatic scenes—their house is a place of peace, filled with love, a refuge from the sadness and cruelty of the world.
Their story begins at an end and ends at a beginning. It involves wives and widows, gunrunners and gougers, sinners and saints. It’s a story of terrible betrayals and fierce loyalties, of isolation and togetherness, of transgression, forgiveness, desire, and love. Of all the things family can be and all the things it sometimes isn’t. The Queen of Dirt Island is an uplifting celebration of fierce, loyal love and the powerful stories that bind generations together.
The Queen of Dirt Island: A...Shop on Amazon
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International bestseller Jill Mansell delivers a hilarious, touching book about romance, friendship, and becoming the woman you really want to be.
When aspiring musician Izzy is knocked off her motorbike, she doesn’t just lose her dignity—she loses not one, but two long-term boyfriends, her job, and her beautiful apartment.
Gina, who caused the accident, has more important things to worry about: her husband has just deserted her for his pregnant mistress. Why should she care about Izzy? Yet somehow, Gina finds herself opening her home to Izzy and her spirited teenage daughter.
Izzy quickly finds herself falling for Gina’s oldest friend, heart-stoppingly handsome Sam, whose lingering kiss feels like the start of the perfect romance. But there are just a few obstacles between that first kiss and the happily ever after that has always eluded her…
Every chick-lit fan will swoon for this throwback book where plots tangle, emotions run high, and one incredible kiss can change your life.
KissShop on Amazon
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Little Daymond Learn to Earn by Daymond John
Entrepreneur, FUBU founder, and Shark Tank fan fave Daymond John introduces kids to basic ideas about money and starting their own business in this accessible picture book!
Meet Little Daymond and his enterprising friends! When Daymond hatches an idea for a small business to make money to buy a music poster he wants, the whole crew comes together and figures out their unique strengths so they can each get exactly what they want—and even have some change to spare.
Bestselling author and Shark Tank star Daymond John uses this fun story to ignite kids’ early interest in how money works–including the concepts of saving, spending, budgeting, and borrowing–to develop a basic foundation of financial literacy that sets children up for success in the future.
Little Daymond Learns to Ea...Shop on Amazon
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*Question of the Week! Did you click the above banner to support women writers?*
Friday Finds | 24 March 2023 | Recipes
Lemon curd is a scrumptious spread for scones, biscuits, or other baked goods. You can find it in larger grocery stores alongside the jams and jellies or with the baking supplies, but making this lemon curd recipe from scratch is simple and delicious..
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Famous in Louisiana, muffulettas are cold cuts, cheese, and olive salad layered into an Italian bread shell.
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Add some color to your table with this fast, delicious dip. But you better take a picture because this dish won’t last long.
Today’s recipes are courtesy of Taste of Home.
Friday Finds | 24 March 2023 | Creative Projects
If you have always wanted to try needle-felting, here’s your chance with the cutest little Easter Egg kit!
Friday Finds | 24 March 2023 | Gina’s Blog Roundup
If you missed one of my reviews in the past week, here’s an easy link to find them all, or click on the image & links below. Be sure you check out the giveaways. There are some great prizes this week!
BBNYA Winner’s Tour: # 9 ~ Bloodlaced (Youkai Bloodlines Book 1) by Courtney Maguire | Spotlight
Thanks for reading this week. Peace & Love!
The March monthly contest is closing soon. Be sure you check out the email announcement to learn how to enter!
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Lots of great shares this week, Gina. I just pinned that lemon curd recipe and am staring to read the Queen of Dirt Island this week. I will be checking out all your links later. Have a great weekend.
Thanks, Carla. Hope you have a fab weekend too!
That’s so cool that Daymond John wrote a book about himself. He is my favorite on Shark Tank.
I’m very ready for spring, especially since my whole family has been sick for the past two weeks. I’m ready for warm sunshine!
Thanks for stopping by, Jessica. I hope everyone feels better soon
Thanks for featuring me
You are most welcome Kerry!
Gina – thanks so much for including the upcoming Wheaton Public Library (Wheaton IL) Local Author Fest in your author news!
Happy to help, Mim. I know I have some readers up in the northern IL area.
Your posts always make me smile! Thanks Gina!
You are so sweet, Eve!
I always love your Friday Finds!! So fun, so colorful, so informative.
I’m featuring (and discounting) Saving Madeline the entire month of April. It has an updated cover and book club discussion questions at the end.
Thanks, Cricket! I’ll be sure to add that in next Friday’s Post.