✨ Friday Finds – July 25, 2025 | Bookish Fun, Giveaways & Weekly Highlights | Friday Finds July 25 2025

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Welcome to Friday Finds July 25 2025! This week’s edition is bursting with bookish goodness—fresh reviews, trending reads, and a spotlight on indie author Karl Riemensperger and his heartwarming Gunner Goes children’s series. You’ll also find a creative reader poll, a themed printable, and a peek back at last week’s favorites. Whether you’re here for the books, the pie tips, or the giveaways—you’re in the right place.

I’m spotlighting an independent author each week this summer.

Want to be featured? Send your latest news to me via the contact page or email. Otherwise, I will randomly choose an author from my list.

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📣 Meet Karl Riemensperger - Indie Author

“Karl Riemensperger, smiling while seated in a light gray armchair, hugs his black rescue dog Gunner. Gunner wears a red bandana with a blue patch. They’re indoors, with a large leafy plant and sunlit windows in the background.” Karl Riemensperger, author of the Gunner Goes Children's Books

Karl is a U.S. Marine veteran and father of five who was inspired by his rescue dog, Gunner, to launch the Gunner Goes series in 2022. He drew upon years of bedtime storytelling and family humor to craft these gentle, family-friendly adventures. The series is co-created with his wife, Karen, and illustrations by Transcend Studios enhance each tale.

Read my thoughts on his delightful Gunner book series.

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Note from Jessica D. Adams, Author of The Underground Toy Society and Grandmom books

Today, July 25th, is the last day to get the full 2025 Homeschool Collection *! You can use my coupon code EARLYBIRD to get $5 off, and you'll get $800 worth of resources for only $29.99!

📚 Weekly Book Blog Roundup | July 25, 2025 Highlights

“As part of Friday Finds July 25 2025, this week’s book blog roundup includes interviews, giveaways, and some must-read new releases.”

Instagram promo graphic for The Variant Conspiracy Trilogy by Christine Hart. Features the tagline “What if the men destroying our world were doing it on purpose?” above the three book covers (In Irina’s Cards, The Compendium, and Terra Nova), set against a forested coastline at sunset. A moth flies near the top right. Text reads: “Author Interview, Excerpt & Giveaway,” with giveaway info and a URL to ginaraemitchell.com
I had a great time designing this post! What do you think of the styling?

Christine Hart’s The Variant Conspiracy Trilogy blends dystopian suspense, romantic tension, and a twist of magic. Don’t miss the excerpt, author guest post, and a chance to win a $20 Amazon/BN gift card!

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Promotional spotlight for "People’s Choice" by Litty Williams, part of The Write Reads Tour. Features the book cover, a black-and-white headshot of the author Litty Williams, and a red wax seal graphic indicating tour participation. Banner includes URL: ginaraemitchell.com/peoples-choice.

People’s Choice by Litty Williams is a gripping YA dystopian novel set in near-future NewBrit. Follow Maz Tallis as she risks everything in a high-stakes battle for truth, justice, and her brother’s life.

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Tour banner for This Is Me Trying by Jenna Adams. The banner features a dark blue book cover with an anatomical heart entwined with roses and a dagger. Tour dates from July 9–18 are listed alongside participating bloggers. Text reads: “TheWriteReads in association with Neem Tree Press – Blog Tour.” Hashtags and social handles appear at the bottom.

This Is Me Trying by Jenna Adams is a gripping contemporary YA debut exploring trauma, mental health, and the lasting impact of first love. Told in three acts, this powerful story follows Brooke and Matt from a secret teenage romance to a complex adult reunion shaped by guilt, consent, and healing.

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BreakEven Book Tours banner graphic listing the tour stops for this book

🛸 Alien slime molds, talking AI, and a sandwich shop full of unlikely heroes—Amorphous: Breaking the Mold by Steven Burgess is a quirky near-future sci-fi tale that breaks all the rules.

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“Instagram post for the book review and giveaway of Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives by Naguib Sami Kerba. Shows book title over a lakeside silhouette of a man and dog with a heartfelt quote and prize details.”

Discover Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives by Naguib Sami Kerba—a moving nonfiction photo biography that pairs heartfelt portraits with personal reflections. Explore real-life stories of resilience, friendship, and transformation, and enter to win a $20 Amazon/BN gift card!

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Cover of Not Lucille by Mike Steele – A red-haired girl in a purple dress stands with a mischievous smile in front of a brick school building. Trees and a "No Trespassing" sign frame the background. Illustrated middle grade cover.

Not Lucille by Mike Steele is a heartfelt middle grade historical novel about friendship, identity, and learning to be heard. Join Lucy as she forms a secret bond with a deaf girl—and uncovers surprising family secrets. Enter to win a $10 gift card.

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“Instagram spotlight image for Words to Think. Or to Sing. by Intensia – Includes colorful floating musical notes, author quote boxes, and text about a $20 Amazon giveaway. Purple header and footer with post link and Gina Rae Mitchell branding.”

Experience the poetry behind the pop. In Words to Think. Or to Sing. by Intensia, lyrical fragments and reflections offer a glimpse into songs before they’re sung. Discover modern poetry, creative emotion, and a $20 Amazon gift card giveaway.

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“Vertical Instagram graphic promoting Stars Maintain Their Glow by M.G. da Mota, with the book cover centered and three quotes and giveaway details arranged around it on a blue and gold background.”

A layered historical mystery set across WWII and beyond—Stars Maintain Their Glow reveals how women’s stories and secrets connect across generations. Enter to win a $25 Gift Card.

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A visually striking book graphic for “Digital Devotion” by Julian Christian. The image features a futuristic split-face woman (half human, half AI) over a Seattle cityscape. Bold overlays promote a book review, excerpt, and $25 Amazon/BN gift card giveaway. Includes a compelling quote: “Her presence became constant. Her affection… controlling.” Romantic sci-fi color palette with cool steel blue and mauve-gray highlights. Hosted on GinaRaeMitchell.com.

A heart-twisting sci-fi romance set in near-future Seattle, Digital Devotion by Julian Christian explores love, control, and the eerie intimacy of artificial intelligence. Includes an excerpt and a $25 gift card giveaway—part of the Goddess Fish Book Tour.

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 🎉 Friday Finds July 25 2025 Fun Time Giveaway 

📖  New Question

🎉 Just for Fun – If You Could Instantly Become an Expert in One of These Random Topics, Which Would You Choose?

  • 🎨 Art restoration – master the secrets behind centuries-old paintings
  • 🎭 Improv comedy – be the life of the party with quick wit
  • 🧩 Puzzle design – create mind-bending crosswords or escape rooms
  • 🪡 Historical fashion – stitch together centuries of clothing knowledge

🗨️ Let me know your pick—and feel free to add your own wild card answer!

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Answer this week’s question in the comments for a chance to win the monthly prize!
One lucky commenter from any July 2025 Friday Finds post will be randomly selected to win a surprise gift.

 🗓️ Entries close July 31st at 5:00 p.m. (CST). Winner announced August 1st! That's next week, folks. Get your entries in soon.

📈📚 Trending Reads – Week of July 18–25, 2025

🔥 Popular Fiction & BookTok Picks

[amazon fields ="B01M98J44U" value="thumb"][amazon fields ="B004CLYLCG" value="thumb"][amazon fields ="B0BPNP7YQB" value="thumb"]

🍴 Foodie Fun

The Blackberries are starting to ripen here on the farm. Which means, the old family battle is back. Pie or Cobbler? We are a house divided, so I usually make both. First up, though, is the pie as a treat for the farmer/gardener/berry-picker!

blackberry-pie-image from allrecipes
Blackberry Pie Recipe from AllRecipes

This is the recipe I am using this afternoon.

Since I am using freshly picked berries, I have a few tips to help keep the pie from being too runny.

Berry Pie Tips on a pretty recipe card

🎨 Creative Finds - July 25 2025

I keep hearing that the 70s styles are making a comeback! Does this bag just scream retro to you?

Crochet Kit Daisy Bag - Etsy AffGet your full kit here!

Thanks so much for joining me for Friday Finds July 25 2025! I hope you discovered a new book, found a fun distraction, or at least took a moment to smile during your scroll. Don’t forget to answer the expert-level trivia question for a chance to win this month’s giveaway! I’ll be back next week with even more stories, surprises, and something sweet. 💗 Until then, happy reading and sweet baking! 🥧📚✨

💗 Gina

📌 Save this Friday Finds post to your favorite Pinterest board—perfect for when you need weekend reads, indie author gems, or a pie recipe!

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Posted 07/25/2025 by Gina in Author Spotlight, Crafts, Friday Finds, Giveaways, Recipes / 6 Comments

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