Weekly Friday Finds | 07-26-2024| Books ~Author News ~ Recipes ~ SPAAW ~ New Trivia Contest Question
Welcome to the Friday Finds for 07-26-2024. I’m so happy to have you here today. I’ve had a very relaxing week. Since my time away, it seems like I might be getting caught up on some things. That must mean it’s time for another trip! Not that I have anything currently in the works. haha
In case you are wondering what I did with all those fresh veggies and berries from last week’s newsletter, I now have several bags of vegetable soup in the freezer for next winter. We also enjoyed a delicious blackberry pie with a butter crumb topping and refreshing vanilla ice cream. I’m almost ashamed to show the picture. I was rushing and didn’t seal my edges. It ran over and didn’t look very pretty. But I promise you, it tasted terrific.
I also cooked up a batch of green beans with carrots and onions. We ate on it for a few days, and I froze the rest.
That’s about it for me for this week. Would you please leave a comment with anything fun you are doing or delicious food you are cooking up?
Until next week, I wish you peace,
Gina
Weekly Friday Finds | 07-26-2024 | Blog News
These are the blog posts I shared this week.
Let’s Talk About Book Genres | Are There 5 or 5,000 Different Genres?
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Cargo of Bones (The Salt Water Chronicles #1) by Z. Lindsey | Great Prize Raffle
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Twin Stars (The Gannet Quartet #1) by Charlotte Clutterbuck | $10 Gift Card
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Imperfections by Ann Chiappetta | Book Review, Author Guest Post, $25 Gift Card
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Out of Body: A Magical Misfits Mystery #3 by Lina Hansen
Weekly Friday Finds | 07-26-2024 | Garden Party Recipes
If you are planning a “garden” party, fancy or informal, you can’t go wrong with these ideas. What would you serve for a summer garden party? For me, the best recipes start with home-grown or farmers-market produce.
Let’s start with the go-to recipe for any summer party. There are a gazillion recipes out there, but I like this one from “Cooking For An Army.”
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Caprese salad skewers are not only a delicious appetizer but also sophisticated and easy to make. These bite-sized delicacies capture the essence of summer on a stick, playing with fresh and creamy flavors.
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You can also check today’s corresponding email newsletter for more recipes. (Don’t get the exclusive Friday Finds email? Sign up on the sidebar! ) —>
Weekly Friday Finds | 07-26-2024 | Books
What are you reading this week? Here are a couple of suggestions for books I recently added to my queue.
Long Lost Lies (The Owl’s Nest Mysteries) by C.S. McDonald
Alexa’s younger sister, Natalyn, is accused of murdering her boss, and why not? Jacob Burnley is found stabbed to death in Natalyn’s bed the morning after an office party. Because of this current chaos in Alexa’s life, Winnie is forced to take her place and travel to 1958 with Detective Slater for his next rookie Guardian Angel case.
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The Note Keeper: A captivating tale of heartfelt love and unwavering devotion (A GraceTown Book)
On a crowded rack in the corner of the shop, a sleeve peeked out. She reached for it. The softness of the well-worn tweed familiar to her fingers. His scent still lingering on the lapels. This was his coat, the one he swore he’d keep forever. So how on earth did it end up here?
When Taylor finds her late father’s coat in the back of a thrift shop and slips on, she discovers a mysterious note in his handwriting: I love you, don’t sell! As new notes continue to appear, Taylor begins to believe her father is communicating with her. But is that possible? And if so, what is the ultimate message he’s trying to send?
Weekly Friday Finds | 07-26-2024 | Independent Author News
I’ve been hyping Tayvie’s Story from Mim Eichmann for a while now. It’s finally been released! To celebrate, Mim is hosting a giveaway on Goodreads. Click the link or image to win one of five print copies up for grabs.
Book giveaway for Tayvie’s Story by Mim Eichmann Jul 20-Aug 04, 2024
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If you have Kindle Unlimited, StoryOrigin may be your new best friend. I know I use it all the time. It’s easy to find bundles, promos, and similar genres grouped together. Here are two current or upcoming promotions you might be interested in. It’s excellent for reading individual e-books and Audio-books, too.
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Authors, if you participate in StoryOrigin promotions, please send me your promo details or any other news I might share with my readers.
Weekly Friday Finds | 07-26-2024 | Blogs to Visit
Here are a couple of entertaining blogs I think you will enjoy.
Self-published Author’s Appreciation Week ends this weekend. Keeping track of all the celebrations, cover reveals, and reviews is challenging. Witty & Sarcastic Book Club has set up a hub where you can find many SPAAW articles, even after the week-long celebration is over.
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Jo has the best information on her website! I know you will find something (or many things) to intrigue you.
Weekly Friday Finds | 07-26-2024 | Trivia Time
This week’s trivia question is:
Approximately what percentage of flowers sold in the United States are grown overseas?
Leave your answer in the comment section to be entered into this month’s trivia contest.
The answer to last week’s question:
Which subgenre of mystery fiction, often set in a small, socially intimate community, involves an amateur sleuth who solves the crime with little to no graphic violence or sexual content?
Cozy mysteries (also referred to as cozies) are a sub-genre of crime fiction in which sex and violence occur offstage, the detective is an amateur sleuth, and the crime and detection take place in a small, socially intimate community.
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See you soon for more Weekly Friday Finds Fun!
Gina
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That pie looks incredible, perfect for summer.
That pie looks delicious! I don’t go to farmer markets, since it’s too hot; even in autumn, the weather is hot. Plus, we have a plethora of stores around us–some with excellent produce! Are you describing Nancy Drew as your mystery sleuth? 🙂
Thank you so much for including me. I’m thrilled you find my site useful 🥰
You are my 1st go-to blog when I want to understand how something about blogging works…and I always love your reviews!
Our garden got a slow start and then had some storm damage which pushed it back even further. We just now finally started getting some flowers on the tomato plants so I don’t think we’ll get much from our garden this year.
The trivia question answer is 80% of flowers.
Have a great week!
Gina – thanks so much for mentioning my “Tayvie’s Story” Goodreads Giveaway and book publication … it’s been a rough journey this year for both Tayvie and me!