Friday Finds: February 7, 2020 | Gina Rae Mitchell | Books, Recipes, Creative Projects

Can you believe it’s time for the Friday Finds: February 7, 2020 edition already? Time is flying by my friends. It’s almost time to start thinking about spring planting. But, I shouldn’t rush it. There is plenty of time left to read a good book, try some recipes, and make a new craft project. I have all of those for you today. I hope you enjoy.

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Friday Finds: February 7, 2020 – Books

Numbland Security: Before the Fire by David Furneaux

Jeff Hanford is leaving soon to go to war. Carrie Station is a rising star on a national terrorism task force…and she hasn’t graduated from college yet. Three months after 9/11, they’re both determined to fight against the ongoing threat of terrorism. There’s one problem: they’ve just confessed their love to each other after a two-year friendship, and Jeff is set to leave for active duty, possibly war, in a few weeks.

The next weeks are a fast forward to meeting each other’s families for the first time. They are learning more about each other while dealing with their fears of an unknown future. Can their love withstand the separate journeys they’re about to take? Jeff’s Officer’s Candidate School is a world away from Carrie’s as she prepares to graduate from FSU and move into the national intelligence community.

Carrie and Jeff are much like America immediately after 9/11. A country and a couple adjusting to the new normal that would change their futures forever.

Before the Fire, book two of the Numbland Security® series includes a flash-forward to a day in Carrie’s future life in national intelligence (NOIHMLA). She has become part of that world in our national intelligence community that toils in the shadows with their own victories, defeats, and sacrifices that our nation doesn’t and can’t know.

Last Day by Luanne Rice

From celebrated New York Times bestselling author Luanne Rice comes a riveting story of a seaside community shaken by a violent crime and a tragic loss.

Years ago, Beth Lathrop and her sister Kate suffered what they thought would be the worst tragedy of their lives the night both the famous painting Moonlight and their mother were taken. The detective assigned to the case, Conor Reid, swore to protect the sisters from then on.

Beth moved on, throwing herself fully into the art world, running the family gallery, and raising a beautiful daughter with her husband Pete. Kate, instead, retreated into herself and took to the skies as a pilot, always on the run. When Beth is found strangled in her home, and Moonlight goes missing again, Detective Reid can’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu.

Reid immediately suspects Beth’s husband, whose affair is a poorly kept secret. He has an airtight alibi—but he also has a motive, and the evidence seems to point to him. Kate and Reid, along with the sisters’ closest childhood friends, struggle to make sense of Beth’s death, but they only find more questions: Who else would have wanted Beth dead? What’s the significance of Moonlight?

Twenty years ago, Reid vowed to protect Beth and Kate—and he’s failed. Now solving the case is turning into an obsession . . .

In Sickness and in Health by Libby Malin

John Baylor decides to wed quickly when he thinks he doesn’t have long to live. When he finds out his prospects aren’t as dire as he’d originally believed…everything changes, and he has to decide if he can make a go of a marriage that had been based more on the “in sickness” lines of their vows than the “in health” part.

Ava Fulton moved to Bethany Beach, Delaware to lick her wounds after a DC scandal sent her into hiding. There, she decides the best way out of her problems is to marry a millionaire, and she just so happens to remember one from high school, John Baylor, now a very successful man who’d shyly tried to court her as a teen. When she reconnects with him, though, she finds he faces grim health news and tries to be a good helpmate through his medical crises. Only after they marry does she realize she’d wed him planning to be a widow, not a wife. They struggle to make a go of their union and a new life in general, eventually heeding an inner call to something greater than either of them together.

From Foster Care to Millionaire: A Young Entrepreneur’s Story of Tragedy and Triumph by Cody McLain

Cody’s story offers all the components you’d expect from the success story of a young entrepreneur with Aspergers—motivation, drive, perseverance, focus, and passion. You might call it a rags-to-riches tale, and you wouldn’t be wrong. But that here-to-there narrative is only the top layer. Cody’s story unfolds to reveal a narrative that is more complicated and yet simpler, more central, to the human experience.

What remains is the story of a boy, burdened like all of us with deep wounds and great gifts, searching for a purpose. What remains is a story that will inspire readers to find their true calling and work like hell to achieve their dreams.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein – 50th Anniversary

As The Giving Tree turns fifty, this timeless classic is available for the first time ever in ebook format. This digital edition allows young readers and lifelong fans to continue the legacy and love of a household classic that will now reach an even wider audience. Never before have Shel Silverstein’s children’s books appeared in a format other than hardcover.

Since it was first published fifty years ago, Shel Silverstein’s poignant picture book for readers of all ages has offered a touching interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another’s capacity to love in return.

And don’t miss Runny Babbit Returns, the new book from Shel Silverstein!

Shop Now buttons for all books at the bottom of the page!

From the Website

Did you miss this review on the website? It’s a great book worth reading.

Review: Devil of Gilding by December Knight

Friday Finds: February 7, 2020 – Recipes

Herb-Crusted Pork Cutlets by Erin McDowell and PureWow

A simple but delicious recipe. I made this yesterday. It was delicious and took less than 30 minutes. I should have taken a picture, but … we were hungry! lol

Layered Strawberry Jello Cups by Beth – The First Year

This is a perfect Valentine’s Day dessert and it’s easy to make it sugar-free!

Easy Brownie Bowl Sundaes by Rachael from Today’sMama.com

How did I not know this trick? This looks so simple and fun.

Friday Finds: February 7, 2020 –Creative Project

Bubbly Bags Sewing Pattern

Tuck a wine bottle, some sparkling grape juice or another gift into one of these special, handmade gift bags to thank your host in style. Easy to make at the last minute with just 2 fabrics and colorful zipper handles, you can add a simple applique or optional corkscrew pocket to make it even more personal.

Finished sizes:

Tall wine bag: 4 1/2″W x 13″H x 3 1/2″D
Medium party bag: 4 1/2″W x 10″H x 3 1/2″D
Small gift bag: 4 1/2″W x 7″H x 3 1/2″D

A video class for all levels – Learn as you go!

The Cathedral Rose Window Afghan is the type of heirloom project that you will pass down to your loved ones. Some may be intimidated by the size and construction, but your confidence will grow as crochet expert Lena Skvagerson works by your side every step of the way. She clearly shows each step of the process with this crystal clear video class. And the beauty of video is that it allows you to watch any portion as many times as you like. Plus, it’s available 24/7!

In this class, you’ll learn how to:

Begin the afghan by making the center octagon.
Crochet the pentagons and triangles and join them all together.
Work in the round with two colors.
Create pyramids and columns and connect the large heptagons.
Make half circles and fill in the peaks and valleys.
Finish the afghan with a beautiful shell border.

Did you read to the end? Here is your bonus for being a dedicated reader.

There is a new The Call of the Wild movie out now, starring Harrison Ford. The original book is currently available on Amazon Kindle for FREE! I have no idea how long this sale will last, so grab yours now!