🍂 Fun Fall Friday Finds – 3 October 2025

🍂 Welcome

Hello, friends, and happy Friday! 🍁 Fall is in the air—the crisp mornings, the scent of apple spice, and leaves crunching underfoot. I’m so glad you stopped by to spend a little of your Friday with me. Each week in Friday Finds, I round up indie author spotlights, bookish treasures, giveaways, delicious recipes, and crafts to spark your creativity. So grab a cozy sweater, pour a warm drink, and let’s dive into this week’s collection of fall fun!

If Fall hasn't arrived in your area yet, please feel free to dream about cooler days, with rain! That sounds heavenly in this drought-scorched area!

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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 Author Spotlight: L.J. Ambrosio

L.J. (Louis J.) Ambrosio is an American novelist, producer, and former theatrical professional whose career spans stage, screen, and literature. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Ambrosio spent years managing regional theaters and running a bi-coastal talent agency before turning to writing full-time. He has also taught at multiple universities, sharing his knowledge of performance, literature, and the creative process.

Ambrosio is also deeply tied to Film Valor, the New Jersey–based independent production company he manages alongside director Jamison M. LoCascio. Film Valor is known for its award-winning independent films, and in recent years, it has expanded into publishing, releasing Ambrosio’s novels under its banner.

Connect with L.J.
Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Instagram | BookBub

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Here are my reviews, spotlights, and interviews.

A Reservoir Man (Reflections of Michael Series Book #1)

Reflections on the Boulevard (Reflections of Michael Series Book #2)

Exiles (Reflections of Michael Series Book #3)

A New Life” (Reflections of Michael Series #4)

A Guest Post from L.J. Ambrosio

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📚 Weekly Book Blog Roundup | 

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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Last week's Friday Finds Recap

In last week's Friday Finds, September 26, we celebrated indie author Petie McCarty

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🌟 Indie Gem of the Week

Blood and Silver by Vali Benson is one of my favorite historical fiction books set in Tombstone, AZ.

What is a twelve-year-old girl to do when she finds herself in the silver boomtown of Tombstone, Arizona, in 1880, and her only home is a brothel, and her only parent is a drug-addicted mother? If she is Carissa Beaumont, she outsmarts the evil madam and figures a way out.

After tricking the madam, Miss Lucille, into summoning a doctor for her mother, Lisette, she discovers that Miss Lucille has been drugging her. She and the kind doctor make a plan to try to save Lisette by dosing her down on the drug.

Doctor Henderson tells Carissa that the only source for the drug is a Chinese immigrant named China Mary, who lives in Hoptown, at the other end of Tombstone. Carissa has no choice but to go to the powerful woman for help. Many say that China Mary is the one who really controls Tombstone.

China Mary admires Carissa's brave spirit and uses her influence to get her a job at the new Grand Hotel, which will free Carissa from her many duties at Miss Lucille's. She will work along with Mary's twelve-year-old niece, Mai-Lin. The two girls become fast friends.

Then, disaster strikes, and the two girls must work together to stay alive.

With a host of colorful characters and meticulous attention to period detail, Blood and Silver is a story of the best and worst of human nature, the passion for survival, and the beauty of true friendship.

I hope you will give this under-the-radar book a try. Let me know what you think of Carissa's story.

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🍴 Foodie Fun 26 September 2025

Johnny Marzetti Casserole

Folks love this Retro Johnny Marzetti Casserole. This version pushes the flavor profile a bit. If you let the casserole sit overnight before baking, the flavors intensify and the pasta absorbs some of the sauce, resulting in the perfect consistency.

Have you heard the story of Marzetti's Restaurant and salad dressings?

A Brief History of Marzetti’s Restaurant
Marzetti’s Italian Restaurant was founded in 1896 in Columbus, Ohio, by Italian immigrant Teresa Marzetti and her husband Joseph. Popular with Ohio State University students, the restaurant became famous for its hearty dishes, especially the baked pasta casserole Teresa named after her brother-in-law, Johnny Marzetti. The dish spread across the Midwest and became a comfort-food staple. By the mid-20th century, Marzetti’s dressings were being bottled for sale, eventually giving rise to the national T. Marzetti Company brand. The restaurant itself closed after Teresa’s death in 1972, but her casserole and dressings live on as part of Ohio’s culinary legacy.

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🧶Craft Corner – Halloween Delights

Crochet Halloween Treat Bags

I think these are adorable, but if crochet is not your thing, check out the many other patterns for sewing, quilting, knitting, and paper crafting found on this page! We are talking serious Halloween fun!

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🍁 Thanks for stopping by!

That wraps up this week’s Friday Finds! I hope you discovered something new to read, bake, or make. Whether it’s an indie gem, a hearty recipe, or a festive craft, I love sharing these little sparks of joy with you each Friday. 🍂 Don’t forget to leave a comment with your favorite fall activity to enter this month’s giveaway—and if you enjoy these posts, please share them with a friend or save them to Pinterest so you can come back anytime.

Thanks for spending part of your Friday here with me. Until next week, may your days be filled with cozy reads, tasty treats, and plenty of autumn magic. ✨

— Gina

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