🍋 Friday Finds – 29 August 2025 | Indie Author Marlene M. Bell ~ Giveaways ~ Food & Crafts
👋 Welcome, Friends!
Can you believe it’s already the last Friday of August? Our lemonade stand theme has been such a bright spot all month long, and I’m so glad you’ve joined me for each week of books, giveaways, recipes, and crafts. Today’s edition is a special wrap-up to summer—featuring a talented indie author, an under-the-radar bookish treasure, and a little foodie + crafty fun to carry us into fall. So grab a glass of lemonade and let’s dive in! 🍋✨
Each week this summer, I’m spotlighting an independent author. 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.
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📣 Meet - Marlene M. Bell: The 29 August 2025 Indie Author of the Week
Marlene M. Bell is an award-winning writer, artist, and self-proclaimed crazy sheep lady who makes her home in beautiful East Texas. Her acclaimed sheep photography has appeared on the covers of numerous livestock magazines, where she also contributes articles drawn from her hands-on experience raising sheep.
Her debut novel, Stolen Obsession, earned praise from Kirkus Reviews:
“Debut author Bell delivers a great, slow-building romance, gently examining her characters' painful pasts.”
The novel went on to win the 2018 IndieReader Discovery Award (IRDA) for Best Fiction Cover. Along with its sequel, Spent Identity, the Annalisse series has collected multiple honors, including the Independent Press Award for Best Mystery in 2020. The third installment, Scattered Legacy, continues the globe-spanning intrigue with romance woven at a breakneck pace. Copper Waters is the fourth book in the series.
Marlene also charmed younger readers with her children’s picture book, Mia and Nattie: One Great Team! (2020), inspired by true ranch events and celebrating the bond between a girl and her lamb.
She shares ranch life with her husband, her beloved horned Dorset sheep, a vigilant Maremma guard dog named Tia, and three cats—Hollywood, Leo, and Squeaks—who firmly believe they run the household.
🔗 Connect with Marlene M. Bell:
Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Twitter
You can find my reviews of Marlene's Books HERE
Stolen Obsession ( Annalisse #1)
Scattered Legacy: Murder in Southern Italy (Annalisse Book 3)
Copper Waters – A New Zealand Mystery (Annalisse Series Book 4)
A Hush at Midnight (Stand Alone)
Mia and Nattie - One Great Team (Children's Book)
Please give a warm welcome to this week's Indie Author!
📚 Weekly Book Blog Roundup | 22 through 28 August 2025
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.)
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Chronicles of Ordi by Alex Zenk — a fantasy spotlight featuring a dwarf mage, ancient magic, and a perilous quest. Don’t miss the guest post, tour stops, and your chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card!
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How Old Should I Be This Year by J.C. Walker is a beautifully illustrated picture book that puts a whimsical spin on birthdays. The Nuwayble family celebrates by choosing how old they want to be, sparking imagination, joy, and reflection in readers of all ages. Don’t miss my review and the $10 Amazon/BN gift card giveaway!
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The Boys Are Back in Town by Tanith Davenport. A fiery erotic rockstar romance about love, fame, and second chances. Includes excerpt, giveaway, and author spotlight from the Forever Rock series.
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Who Are We Now by Beth Anderson—an atmospheric romantic suspense where family secrets, betrayal, and danger collide. Read a tension-filled excerpt, meet the author team behind the pen name, and don’t forget to enter the tour giveaway for a $25 Amazon/BN gift card!
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🔙 Recap: Friday Finds – 22 August 2025
Last week’s edition was packed with variety! Here’s what we explored together:
Last week we enjoyed:
📣 Indie Author Spotlight – D.H. Schleicher
📚 Weekly Book Blog Roundup
🎉 Season Vibes Giveaway
🍴 Labor Day Recipe Teaser
🍋 Craft Corner – DIY Buffet Table Signs
It was a colorful mix of books, creativity, and community fun — setting the stage for the last post of August!
🎉 Friday Finds 29 August 2025 Fun Time Giveaway
👉 If we start a “read the classics” group this fall and winter, would you be interested?
What “classic” would you like to see on the list? Even if you don’t join in, what are your favorites?
💬 Reply in the comments with your choice to enter! (Copy/paste is fine.)
🗓️ Entries close August 31 at 5:00 p.m. CST.
Winner announced September 5!
PS – I’m planning my September theme! The lemonade stand was fun—what should come next? So far, suggestions include a fall theme, back-to-school, and country fairs. Bonus entries for all who chime in!
🌟 Under-the-Radar Gem
This book is from one of my favorite mother-daughter teams. If you haven't read any of the Underground Toy Society books, you are missing out!
Firefighter Fox by Jessica D. Adams (Underground Toy Society series)
Fox longs for a new home. He had been forgotten in a box with his friends for many years after the firefighters could not find enough volunteers to hold carnivals anymore. Will the toys successfully deliver their message to the firefighters without being seen? Or, will disaster strike, revealing the toys' secret and causing a collapse of The Underground Toy Society?
🍴 Foodie Fun - Late Summer 
Dilled, Crunchy Sweet Corn Salad With Buttermilk Dressing (via Food52)
This bright salad has none of the harshness raw veggies often bring. Tangy buttermilk-and-yogurt dressing cloaks sweet corn, peppers, and cucumbers in silky flavor. 🌽 Bonus: there’s a recipe video included!
🍋 Craft Corner – Hummingbird Wind Chimes
I know have been featuring lots of diamond painting lately, but my entire family is obsessed with it. From the youngest to the oldest, everyone loves this fun and relaxing activity.
Hummingbird Diamond Art Wind Chime Kit
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5 hummingbird patterns
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Sparkling bells & colorful beads
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Easy assembly, perfect for yard/garden décor
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Love what I do? You can always support the blog via Ko-fi or just by sharing your favorite finds with a friend.
💛 Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks so much for joining me for this week’s Friday Finds—the final lemonade stand edition! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on indie authors, giveaways, recipes, and crafts.
🍋 Gina
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I read Copper Waters and wanted to go back and read Marlene Bell's other books, so thanks for the reminder, Gina. I keep saying I want to read more classics, but have only read 2 or 3 this year. I'm not sure which ones I would read, but will watch to see what other's suggest.
What a surprise to see Firefighter Fox's book on your blog today! Thank you so much! I never really read very many classic books so I don't really know. I know that I loved The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe when I was young. I don't think it's old enough to be a classic yet but I think it should be one day.
You are most welcome, Jessica! 🦊
Hands down, my favorite 'classic' book is Kate Chopin's The Awakening, even though many people have never heard of it.
Oh thanks, Mim! I’ll add it to the list.
Love the Hummingbirds and this author to me so excited about trying her books
I LOVE the classics! Just reviewed stories by O Henry. They are awesome! Shared your post! I love lemonade too!!😊
Thanks so much, Eve! I added your suggestion to the list.
My favorite “classic” book: All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque.
Thanks Mark! I added that to the list.