🪶 Friday Finds - 24 October 2025 | Indie Author E. Denise Billups, Bonsai Craft, & Fall Harvest Soup

🍂 Welcome

Welcome back to another edition of the Friday Finds, friends! The pumpkins are glowing, the soup's simmering, and I've got another cozy lineup of reads, crafts, and seasonal favorites to share. Each week, we celebrate indie authors who inspire us with their passion, creativity, and perseverance-and this week's spotlight shines on the incredibly talented E. Denise Billups. Whether you're here for bookish discoveries, kitchen inspiration, or just a little fall cheer, grab a warm drink and settle in. You're in good company. 🍂

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The weekly independent author feature has been a huge hit, so I will continue it each week for now. I usually pull names from my list, but I also love receiving nominations! Tell me your favorite Indie Author on my website - you can find all my authors➡️HERE.

✒️ Friday Finds Indie Author Spotlight: E. Denise Billups

E. Denise Billups is a woman of many passions - writer, dancer, marathoner, and lifelong seeker of balance between art, discipline, and movement. Her story begins in rural Alabama and winds its way to the vibrant streets of New York City, where she now calls home. A former Wall Street Portfolio Analyst with an MBA in Finance, Denise traded spreadsheets for stories - and the world of finance for the haunting allure of fiction.

Denise's creative journey began long before her first published book. Professionally trained as a dancer, she carries the grace, focus, and determination of the ballet world into every aspect of her life. Though she's since swapped ballet slippers for running shoes, her love of movement remains - she's completed ten marathons (both domestic and international) and countless races. Her daily routine blends mindfulness and motion: early morning runs, deep yoga sessions, and yes - plenty of coffee. ☕

✍️ The Writer's Journey

Denise's evolution as an author reflects the same tenacity she brings to fitness and dance. Her writing thrives at the intersection of the paranormal and the psychological, exploring the unseen forces that shape human emotion and fate. She describes writing much like training for a marathon - a test of endurance, discipline, and heart.

She's the author of:

• Keepers of the Gate: Twilight Ends (Book One)

• Kalorama Road

• By Chance

• Chasing Victoria

• Simone Doucet Series

• The Lakewood Legacy

• Supernatural short stories: Ravine Lereux, Off The Grid, The Playground, and Rebound

Her books are published by Next Chapter Publishing and are available on Amazon. Many are also available on Audible through this link.

🌍 The Art of Balance

Denise's writing style reflects her multicultural background and her life between two worlds - the slow, soulful cadence of the South and the fast-paced rhythm of New York. Her stories invite readers into a space where mystery meets meaning, where the ghosts of the past whisper in modern corridors, and where every character feels haunted by something - or someone.

Whether she's tackling a new manuscript or crossing a finish line, Denise radiates resilience, curiosity, and a zest for life. Her artistry reminds us that creativity and endurance are two sides of the same coin - both driven by heart.

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Connect with E. Denise Billups:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Amazon | Goodreads | Twitter | Pinterest | YouTube

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🖋️ Closing Thoughts

E. Denise Billups embodies what the Friday Finds is all about - indie authors who pour their soul into their work while balancing the art of living. Her mix of supernatural intrigue and emotional depth makes her a standout in indie fiction. Whether you're drawn to ghostly mysteries or psychological suspense, Denise's writing delivers both chills and reflection in equal measure.

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Check out a couple of my reviews and be on the lookout for more to come soon as I recently received an ARC copy of Beneath Beauford Grove.

(Let me know if you would be interested in reading this e-book and leaving a brief review.)

Keepers of the Gate

Kalorama Road

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📜Recent Blog Posts

This week's book blog roundup includes interviews, giveaways,and some must-read new releases. (Click on the image for more information, including raffle entry.)

Delaware at Christmas: The First State in a Merry State by Dave Tabler "From colonial holly wreaths to Christmas in July at the beach, Delaware at Christmas unwraps the state's most delightful and surprising holiday traditions-each one a reflection of history, heritage, and heart." 🎄

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In The District, justice comes at a price-and Cybil's about to pay it.
Join me for a Goddess Fish Promotions Review Tour featuring Fabricated by Nicole Givens Kurtz-a sharp, futuristic noir mystery that fuses science fiction, suspense, and moral complexity.

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Fletcher Rush refuses to live another day in chains. The Quest for Freedom by Matthew Devitt launches a brutal, high-stakes rebellion on the planet Affer-perfect for readers who love gritty epic fantasy and underdog heroes. My rating: 4/5. Part of an iRead Book Tour.

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hen attorney David Byrdsong discovers his own face in a missing child ad, his entire life unravels. Have You Seen Him by Kimberly Lee is a fast-paced debut thriller full of conspiracies, secrets, and emotional depth-perfect for readers who crave suspense with heart.

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Join me as I spotlight The Strange Grey Everything by Rebecca Crunden - a 2025 BBNYA Semi-Finalist that proves indie authors deserve the spotlight! Learn more about this story and the Book Bloggers' Novel of the Year Award.

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🎸Some songs never leave you-they just find new hearts to live in. Join me as I review Scenes from a Song by Susan Sloate, part of the Goddess Fish Promotions Review Tour, and don't miss the $25 Amazon/BN gift card giveaway!

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Join me on today's iRead Book Tour stop for ICENI: The Year of Sacrifice by Stephen D. Owen-an epic historical thriller that brings Boudica's rebellion to vivid life. This debut novel blends courage, vengeance, and destiny in the fight for freedom against the Roman Empire.

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Step into a sweeping dual-timeline story that bridges Australia and Afghanistan in Afghani by Brendon Patrick. Inspired by his own heritage and military experience, Patrick explores the human cost of war, the search for identity, and the enduring fight for peace. Join me for a special guest post from the author as part of the iRead Book Tour.

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Last week's Friday Finds Recap

In last week's Friday Finds we celebrated indie author, Rachel Dacus, whose heartfelt,  fiction captures the beauty and messiness of human relationships. We enjoyed a cozy fall craft and a pumpkin-inspired recipe, among many other treats.

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🍴 Foodie Fun 24 October 2025

Speaking of colder weather ( If we have to!), here's a delightful recipe from Joyous Health.

Fall Harvest Soup

What makes this soup so wonderful is the variety of veggies. There's butternut squash, zucchini, celery, tomatoes, onions, garlic, carrots and more. I used dried herbs that I always have in my kitchen (you probably have them too) and all the flavours together combined with a really good quality stock made for a wonderful soup that will having you coming back for more.

If you don't have butternut squash handy, don't sweat it. Sweet potato would be the perfect swap. Don't have celery on hand? Double the carrots. This soup can work many ways. The more variety of veggies you include, the more flavour you'll have. Phytonutrients are the plant chemicals that give plants their taste, so that's why more diverse veggies is a good thing! - Joy McCarthy, award-winning blogger,podcast host and the best-selling author of three cookbooks:Joyous Health, Joyous Detox, and The Joyous Cookbook - all created to empower you in the kitchen and beyond.

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🧶Craft Corner 🎋

Do you miss playing in the dirt during the winter months? Now is the perfect time to try your hand at Bonsai Farming!

Bonsai Tree Kit, Complete Bonzai Tree Starter Kits with Tools, Unique DIY Gardening Gifts

4 EXOTIC BONSAI TREE VARIETIES: Grow your own miniature forest with our complete DIY bonsai kit! It includes premium seeds of 4 exquisite species: stunning Jacaranda with its purple blooms, fiery Flame Tree (Delonix Regia), classic Japanese Black Pine for traditional styling, and elegant Japanese Pagoda Tree. Perfect for creating diverse and beautiful bonsai displays.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED IN ONE BOX: This all-in-one starter kit contains 4 seed packs, 4 burlap grow bags, 4 plant markers, 4 soil coir bricks, 1 bonsai clipper, a set of essential tools, an easy-to-follow instruction guide, and a stylish wooden box that doubles as a display planter. No extra supplies needed!

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🍁 Thanks for stopping by!

And that wraps up this week's Friday Finds! From supernatural stories to steamy soup bowls and mindful bonsai crafting, I hope today's post sparked something creative (or at least made you hungry!). A huge thank-you to E. Denise Billups for being this week's featured indie author-her dedication to both art and endurance is such an inspiration.

Don't forget to join the Fun Time Giveaway by leaving a comment below-tell me if you're loving the crisp fall air or already counting the days until spring! Your thoughts always make my week. Until next Friday, stay cozy, stay curious, and keep finding joy in the little things. ❤️

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with a friend or pin it to your favorite Fall Reads, Recipes & Crafts Pinterest board. Every share helps support the indie authors, creators, and small businesses featured here each week.

Until next Friday, keep reading, creating, and celebrating the season. 🍂
- Gina 

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