🍎 Friday Finds - 5 September 2025 Indie Author Missy Tarantino ~ Giveaways ~ Food & Crafts
👋 Welcome, Friends!
Today’s Friday Finds is arriving a little later than usual because yesterday was our 49th wedding anniversary, and I took a couple of days to celebrate. It was time well spent—and now I’m back with fresh indie author goodness, giveaways, simple recipes, and a crafty little project to kick off your weekend.
This month’s theme is Back-to-School—a fun way to celebrate September with all the colors, energy, and cozy vibes of a new season.
👉 And don’t forget—today’s Fun-Time Giveaway is waiting for you at the bottom of this post. This week’s question is all about 🍎 apples!
I should be back to my regular early-Friday posting next week (unless life decides to sprinkle in a surprise or two). Thanks for being here—you always make my week brighter!
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.
📣 Meet - Missy Tarantino, 5 September 2025 Indie Author of the Week
Missy Tarantino is a full-time teacher in Northern Colorado. She works with children who are just learning English and come from all over the world. Her books are written with the help of her students and their families.
When she isn’t in the classroom, you’ll find her out having adventures of her own. She is an amateur race car driver and loves going fast on autocross courses.
🔗 Connect with Missy Tarantino:
Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Pinterest
You can find all my reviews of Missy's books HERE. But these are a few of my favorites.
- Duck Down (Granny Appleton Cozy Mystery #1)
- Quacking the Case (Granny Appleton Cozy #4)
- Free as a Bird: A Foster Care Novel
- The Traveling Trunk Omnibus: Volume 1: Books 1-5 | Travel along with Carla on her first five adventures! When Grandma Silvia introduces Carla to the magical traveling trunk, a whole new world opens up for her.
Please give a warm welcome to this week's Indie Author!
📚 Weekly Book Blog Roundup | 28 August through 4 September 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.)
⚙️ Spotlight + Guest Post: Shadowslayers by Colin Sephton | Steampunk Fantasy + Giveaway
A steampunk fantasy spotlight! Meet Colin Sephton and his new release, Shadowslayers—a cosmic adventure of doppelgangers, prophecies, and impossible choices. Don’t miss the tour stops, giveaway, and behind-the-scenes look at the author’s inspirations.
📖 Review Tour: Between Two Seasons by Marc Macdonald | Literary Fiction & Giveaway
Between Two Seasons by Marc Macdonald is a beautifully written literary fiction novel that will bring both laughter and tears. Mae, a grumpy 91-year-old, completely steals the show while reminding us of the power of unexpected connections.
🧏 Sound Catchers by Jessica Coriat | One-Day Book Blast with Goddess Fish + $10 GC giveaway.
Spotlight: Sound Catchers by Jessica Coriat (Tellwell Publishing). A gentle, lyrical picture book following Maddy as she navigates hearing loss—building empathy, awareness, and inclusive understanding.
📖 Book Review Tour: Anna: A Life of Faith and Courage by Travis E. Short
Anna: A Life of Faith and Courage by Travis E. Short is an inspirational work of historical fiction. Anna’s quiet strength and unwavering faith shine through in this motivational, faith-driven story based on a real memoir.
🔥 Limited-Time Fantasy Sale!
🌟 Bookstagram / BookTok / Blog Tour: The Tarnished Son by Elizabeth McKenna
A gripping domestic suspense novel, The Tarnished Son by Elizabeth McKenna, reveals the cracks in a powerful family’s facade. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
✝️ Review Tour: Christian Answers Course by Christopher R. Losey
✝️ Join me on the iRead Book Tour for Christian Answers Course by Christopher R. Losey. This powerful non-fiction book delivers clear, concise answers to life’s most profound questions about God, faith, and truth—plus there’s a tour-wide giveaway!
🔍 Review Tour: The Booker by Kevin R. Doyle | A Sam Quinton Mystery
Sam Quinton is today’s hard-boiled detective in The Booker by Kevin R. Doyle. This stand-alone PI mystery delivers danger, deception, and a giveaway you won’t want to miss.
🍷 Review: The Wine Jelly Murder by Meg Benjamin (Luscious Delights Mysteries)
The Wine Jelly Murder by Meg Benjamin hits all the cozy notes—food, friendship, and a dash of romance—while delivering a taut mystery. Read my review, check out an excerpt, and enter the $15 Amazon/BN giveaway!
Last week's Friday Finds Recap
“In last week’s (Friday Finds (29 August), we celebrated indie author Marlene M. Bell, rounded up fresh book blog reviews, kicked off a late-summer foodie treat, and crafted whimsical hummingbird wind chimes. Don’t miss the fun recap!”
📘FREE e-book!
Jessica D. Adams is a long-time contributor to my blog. She just published a new children's book, The Plain Little Unicorn! It will be a free eBook Sept. 4-6 on Amazon! Click here to go directly to the book page. I love this mother-daughter duo. Jessica writes, and Janelle illustrates!
🎉 Friday Finds 5 September 2025 Fun Time Giveaway
How many apples are in today's Pinterest image found at the bottom of this post?
💬 Reply in the comments with your answer to enter!
🗓️ Entries close September 30th at 9:00 p.m. CST.
Winner announced October 3!
I'm also doing a holdover on last week's question. Would you participate in my "Read The Classics Book Club," and what is your go-to classic book?
🌟 Under-the-Radar Gem
“This week’s gem isn’t a book—it’s the perfect library cart to keep your TBR stack in sight (and off the floor!).”
🍴 Foodie Fun - 5 September 2025
While I'm not personally a fan of pumpkin spice coffee, I'll have a slice of Ree's Pumpkin Coffee Cake along with my regular coffee anytime!
Pumpkin Coffee Cake from The Pioneer Woman
🍎 Don’t forget—today’s Fun-Time Giveaway question is waiting for you at the very bottom of this post!
🍎Craft Corner – Watercolor Painted Postcards
All-in-One Watercolor Postcard Set – 6 Fall Designs – Beginner Friendly Watercolor Kit, Relaxing Craft Kit for Adults & Teens - On Sale until September 14, 2025
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!
That’s a wrap for this week’s Friday Finds. If something here made you smile, please share the post with a friend or drop a quick comment—I love hearing from you. 💬
Since we’re kicking off a new Back-to-School theme for September, I’d especially love to hear your thoughts—what do you think of the new look? Until next time, happy reading, happy making, and thank you for supporting indie authors and this little corner of the internet. See you next Friday!
Gina
📌 Save this Friday Finds post to your favorite Pinterest board—perfect for when you need weekend reads, indie author gems, simple home-cooking recipes, and crafts.
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49? Wow! Congratulations. And, you always make me smile.
Aw. Thanks so much Eve!
I only see 2 apples. I like film noir type of classic books.
I know I only added 2 apples to the image, but some folks (my husband included) are convinced one of the push pins is shaped like an Apple. So everyone that guesses will get an entry into the Sept drawing! I’ll try to do better next week!
Gina - Happy Anniversary! Not sure which apples are included, so will have to take a pass on the game. I'm taking a stab once again at selling my books at Printers Row today. First year I did this went well; second year poured rain. With Taste of Chicago now running only a few blocks away, not sure how that will impact overall congestion.
Thanks, Mim. Goodluck with the book sales!
Three apples.
Happy Anniversary, Gina.
I saw two apples although I wasn't sure I was in the right place.
Many thanks, Cricket! I thought this would be a simple game, but even I’m confused at this point. I know how many apples I added to the image, but ….
Happy Anniversary! I pinned the photo and I see two apples. Did you get your free eBook of The Plain Little Unicorn?
I did. And I forgot to add it to the post. I see if I can quickly edit that in.
Happy Anniversary Gina
I'm finding 2 Apples in your pinterest board
Happy anniversary Gina!