Gina Rae Mitchell

Welcome to the Friday Finds: December 15-2023

Welcome! I’m so very happy to have you here today. I’ve missed writing my regular Friday Finds missives while I was sidelined with vision issues. But, I’m back Baby!!!

While I am rushing to get this out to you in a timely manner, I’ll try to pack in as much as possible.

If I don’t see you again till the New Year, I want to be sure you know just how much I appreciate each and every author, reader, cook, and crafter who stops by this blog. I hope you always find value, joy, and fun while you are here.

Peace & Love,

Gina

Now…on to the good stuff!

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Indie Author News for December 15-2023

These are snippets of news I’ve received recently that I want to share with you!

Good morning, all you book lovers! If you’re interested, this just popped up yesterday — I am giving away 30 PDF copies of my political/adventure memoir, Confronting Power and Chaos, on LibraryThing.com this month. They tell me the drawing ends Dec 26th at 6 pm EST.
So, if you want to read my memoir yet or want to recommend it to folks you know, here’s the link: https://www.librarything.com/ner/detail/48927/Confronting-Power-and-Chaos-The-Uncharted-Kaleidoscope-of-My-Life​
Please spread the word among friends and relatives! Many thanks from one Villager to another, and I hope your holiday season is jolly and joy-filled!
Christine Skarbek

You can read my review HERE.

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D.L. Schleicher is offering two of his books at a deep discount. Disappear with And Then We Vanish and return with When We Come Back.

Both collections are discounted through the holidays – 7.99/paperback, 2.99/ebook, or always free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription.

Here are links to both the books:

​And Then We Vanish     When We Come Back

And my reviews:

 And Then We Vanish     When We Come Back​

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Last Minute Freebies For The Holidays!

December 15th (TODAY!) is the last time my books will be FREE on Kindle this year. I also have FREE and inexpensive activities to do with your kiddos before, during, and after the Holiday Break. You can find all the purchase links for the Gingerbread Collection on my educational blog, Lemon Drop Literary.​

Ellwyn Autumn

(I just grabbed a couple for myself, so watch for my reviews of Chris Kringle’s Cops: The First Mission

and A Fish Named Fancy soon.)

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To all my Indie Authors…send me your news for the new year so I can share it with all my readers.

 

Recipes for December 15-2023

To all the email newsletter subscribers, I hope you enjoyed that Elf Fluff recipe. If you don’t get the newsletter, sign up today, and I’ll ensure you get the recipe, too.

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And this one I plan to make this over the holidays for one of my grandsons, who thinks root beer floats are the greatest thing ever invented!

Root Beer Float Chocolate Cake

 

Crafts for December 15-2023

DIY Snowman Kit

• Christmas Snowman Craft – Building a snowman kit is an ideal Christmas art and crafting activity for kids and adults. The snowman will not melt, creating a strong winter-Christmas atmosphere.
• Ideal Kids Gift – Snowman crafts can stimulate children’s hobbies and exercise their creativity, Increase parent-child interaction, and enrich children’s leisure lives.
• Package Includes – 12 white clay, 12 hats, 4 scarves, 24 eyes, 12 noses, 24 arms, 36 buttons and 12 snowman accessories. Easy to shape and mold. Enough quantity to build different styles of snowmen.
• Safety Material – The air-dry clay kit is made of foam putty material, soft to the touch, has no special smell, no residue, and can dry within 24 hours. Safe Christmas snowman craft kit is perfect for kids.
• Multiple Applications – Christmas Craft is not only a Christmas gift but also suitable for school classes and winter birthday parties. Make a lovely keepsake of your own.

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I adored the Corner Bookmarks shared in today’s newsletter. You can make them from used Christmas Cards or holiday wrapping paper. The possibilities are endless. If you want the directions, comment below and let me know.

 

And last but not least, my favorite section:

BOOKS for December 15-2023

Here are a few books that I am reading over the holidays. Leave a comment to share what you are reading so we can all take a peek!

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown

A debut novel full of magic, adventure, and romance, The Book of Doors opens up a thrilling world of contemporary fantasy for readers of The Midnight Library, The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, The Night Circus, and any modern story that mixes the wonder of the unknown with just a tinge of darkness.

Cassie Andrews works in a New York City bookshop, shelving books, making coffee for customers, and living an unassuming, ordinary life. Until the day one of her favorite customers—a lonely yet charming old man—dies right in front of her. Cassie is devastated. She always loved his stories, and now she has nothing to remember him by. Nothing but the last book he was reading.

But this is no ordinary book…

It is the Book of Doors. 

I got an Advanced Reader Copy of this one, and I CAN’T put it down. I can’t wait to share my thoughts with you.

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The Hope Series by E.C. Jackson

This five-book series by E.C. Jackson sounds like the perfect January reading project to instill hope and love in everyone’s heart.

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Polar Express 30th Anniversary Edition: A Christmas Holiday Book for Kids

You can never go wrong with the classic Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg.

This beautiful hardcover edition of The Polar Express is the perfect gift for all those—of any age—who believe, come Christmas Eve, that they too will hear the sweet sound of a reindeer’s silver bell. This edition includes a keepsake ornament.

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Ok, it’s time for me to “wrap” this up. I have gifts to sort, noodles to make (and cookies, candy & more), and decorating to do.

I hope you have a joyous holiday season (and if this is something you don’t celebrate…have an awesome couple of weeks!), and I’ll see you back here real soon.

Peace and love to all!!

Gina