🗓️ Friday Finds – 7 November 2025 | Featuring Indie Author Marisa Noelle | Fall Recipes & Crafts

🌟Welcome to the Friday Finds

I took a little mini-vacation from Saturday through Tuesday — an indoor waterpark getaway with the youngest grandkids and their parents (because I’m not that brave on my own!). We had the best time — a well-deserved, joy-filled break before the holiday craziness begins.

If you’re new here, I’d love to have you join the community! Click Subscribe Here » so you never miss a Friday Find, and don’t forget to nominate your favorite indie author for a future feature.

The weekly independent author spotlight has been a huge hit, so I plan to continue it each week. I usually pull names from my list, but I love receiving nominations — tell me your favorite indie author on my website. You can find all past features ➡️ HERE.

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🌊 Friday Finds Indie Author Spotlight: Marisa Noelle

Marisa Noelle is a powerhouse indie author who writes adult and young-adult novels blending science fiction, fantasy, horror, and mental-health awareness into emotionally charged stories. Her works include The Shadow Keepers, The Unadjusteds (The Unadjusteds, The Rise of the Altereds, The Reckoning + more), The Mermaid Chronicles – Secrets of the Deep, Quest for Atlantis, Fight for Freedom, + more and the award-winning psychological thriller The Unraveling of Luna Forester.

With dual citizenship in the UK and USA, Marisa draws inspiration from both sides of the Atlantic, weaving her stories through richly imagined worlds grounded in human emotion. As a mentor for the Write Mentor program, she’s passionate about helping aspiring middle-grade and YA authors bring their stories to life.

Before turning to writing, Marisa studied psychology — a path inspired by her fascination with the human mind and her own journey with anxiety and anorexia. Influenced by underdog tales like The Karate Kid, she channels that same spirit into her mission to uplift others through storytelling.

When she’s not writing, you’ll often find Marisa swimming (a nod to her lifelong love of the ocean), binging thrillers or supernatural series, or enjoying a scoop of Ben & Jerry’s with her husband and three sons in Surrey, UK. Her writing desk might be anywhere — a kitchen corner, a cozy couch, or a quiet nook — but there’s always a forgotten cup of tea nearby.

Fun Fact: Marisa’s favorite number is 12, her favorite smell is clean sheets and cinnamon, and she has a soft spot for the words reckon and ubiquitous.

Connect with Marisa:

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Instagram | Pinterest | Tik-Tok | Twitter

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Here are a few of my  reviews and features.

• The Unadjusteds 
•  The Shadow Keepers
•  Fight For Freedom (The Mermaid Chronicles #3)
•  The Unraveling of Luna Forester
• Secrets of the Deep (The Mermaid Chronicles #1)

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📜Gina's Recent Blog Posts

This week’s book blog roundup is a little lighter than usual (thanks to that mini-vacation). Click any image to read more and enter the raffle!

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  Sister Acts by Sharon Adelman Reyes — Four sisters. Four clashing personalities. One family secret that changes everything. This heartfelt story explores grief, rivalry, and the long road to forgiveness. (iRead Book Tour Review & Guest Post)

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R.J. Gould returns to The Dream Café with a tender, witty story of second chances. Once We Were Lovers follows Georgie and Peter—former sweethearts reunited after fifty years apart—as they confront their past and rediscover love in their seventies.

Last week we celebrated indie author Elizabeth Pantley, whipped up some fun ghoulish treats and appetizers, and even decorated our party table — all alongside a batch of new book recommendations. If you missed it, click the link above to catch up!

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 Foodie Fun 7 November 2025

Vegetarian 15-Bean Soup

15-bean vegetarian soup is hearty mix of beans, tomatoes, and greens in a rich vegetarian broth. A few Parmesan rinds lend the same savory depth you’d usually get from a ham hock — cozy, comforting, and perfect for chilly nights.

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Apple Pie by Grandma Ople

If you're looking for the best homemade apple pie recipe of all time, you've come to the right place. Grandma Ople's recipe is the ultimate homemade apple pie! Tart Granny Smith apples mingle with white and brown sugar for a sweet-tart filling under a golden lattice crust. Add a pinch of cinnamon or apple-pie spice for that extra fall flair.

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🧑‍🎨Craft Corner 

30 Piece Thanksgiving Pre-Printed Painting Panels (5 × 7 Inches)

Enjoy DIY Painting— These autumn-themed outline canvases make DIY painting easy for all skill levels. Each has a smooth texture and vibrant fall design — perfect for home décor, parties, or weekend projects. 

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50 Color Acrylic Paint Set (2 oz Bottles with Brushes)

These acrylic paints Water-based and richly pigmented, these paints are easy to mix and layer on canvas, wood, or ceramic. They dry quickly, resist fading, and are non-toxic — ideal for artists of all ages.

NON-TOXIC & CERTIFICATED : Conforms to U.S. ASTM D-4236 & EN71-3, non-toxic and acid-free, safe and suitable for all ages

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 Thanks for stopping by!

Thanks for joining me for this edition of the Friday Finds! 

Thank you for joining me for this edition of Friday Finds! I hope you discovered a few new favorites — a book to read, a recipe to try, or a craft to spark your creativity.

Don’t forget to drop your Fun Time Giveaway answer in the comments, and join me next week for more books, bites, and creative delights.

Until next time — stay cozy, stay curious, and keep reading.

If you enjoy what I do, you can support the blog by sharing your favorite post or buying me a coffee on Ko-fi. ☕
And remember to subscribe so you’ll never miss the weekly indie author updates, giveaways, recipes, and crafts!

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