Friday Finds | July 31, 2026
"The best summer afternoons ask very little of us-a good book, something homemade, and a little time to enjoy both." - Gina Rae Mitchell
Welcome to the Friday Finds, July 31, 2026 Edition!
As July gives way to August, gardens are full, berries are ripening, and there's still plenty of summer left to enjoy. This week's edition is all about slowing down and savoring the season-from two memorable books and a comforting featured author to fresh blackberry muffins, a beautiful tea cup, and a simple question to start a conversation. I hope you discover something that brightens your reading life this week.
🪑 From My Reading Chair
Every book has a story beyond its plot. These are the ones that stayed with me this week.
🌿 On the Blog This Week
Dragonslayer's Valkyrie by LS Delorme
Jennifer Ivy Walker brings the legendary tale of Sigurd and Brynhildr vividly to life in this immersive Viking romance filled with Norse mythology, prophecy, unforgettable characters, and richly researched historical detail.
Also This Week
Sounds Like Trouble to Me by Jean Trounstine
When silence is survival, finding your voice can change everything.
Inspired by real events, Sounds Like Trouble to Me by Jean Trounstine is a compelling debut novel exploring courage, systemic injustice, and the resilience of women who refuse to remain silent.
🌿 Community Corner
One of my favorite parts of Friday Finds is hearing from readers. Whether you've discovered a wonderful book, visited an inspiring bookstore, attended a literary event, or simply have a recommendation you'd like to share, I'd love to hear about it.
This space belongs to our reading community as much as it does to me, and I'd love to feature more reader discoveries, bookish adventures, and recommendations in future editions.
Feel free to leave a comment on the blog or reply to the newsletter. You never know-your recommendation might inspire someone else's next great read.
🌟 Featured Author Spotlight
💭 My Reflections
One word comes to mind whenever I think about Nancy Fraser's books: comforting. Across every story I've read, regardless of the setting or romance subgenre, she has a knack for creating welcoming worlds filled with genuine characters, gentle humor, and satisfying happily-ever-afters. Her books remind me why I enjoy returning to favorite authors-they offer a familiar sense of warmth while still telling a fresh story each time. When I need a relaxing, feel-good escape, Nancy Fraser is an author I'm always happy to revisit.
If you're new to Nancy Fraser's work, these featured reviews offer a few inviting places to begin. With her range of settings and romance styles, you can nearly always find one of her stories to suit your mood.
📚 Start Here: My Featured Reviews
- Ella → Review
Part of the Prairie Roses Collection. - Everything's Coming Up Daisy → Review
A delightful romantic comedy. - Christmas Carole → Review
A Dickens holiday romance.
See all my Nancy Fraser features →
Amazon • BookBub • Author Hub
✨ Featured Author Spotlight introduces readers to authors whose work has been featured on the blog, along with my personal reflections and a few recommended places to begin.
🫐 Sip & Savor
Blackberry Crumble Muffins
A tender summer muffin filled with juicy blackberries and topped with a buttery brown sugar crumble.
Our blackberries are beginning to ripen, which always feels like one of summer's sweetest rewards. These easy Blackberry Crumble Muffins are a delicious way to enjoy fresh berries, whether they come straight from the garden, a farmers market, or the grocery store.
The muffins are soft and lightly sweet, with bursts of blackberry in every bite and a simple crumble topping that adds just the right amount of texture. Serve one with a tall glass of iced tea for a relaxed summer breakfast, afternoon snack, or quiet reading break.
Blackberry Crumble Muffins
Makes: 12 muffins
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 18-22 minutes
For the muffins:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blackberries
For the crumble topping:
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners or lightly grease each cup.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Gently fold in the blackberries. If the berries are especially large, cut them in half first.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups.
- To make the crumble, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in the cold butter with a fork or your fingertips until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the muffin batter.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
🍴 Gina's Kitchen Note
Fresh blackberries can release quite a bit of juice, so fold them into the batter gently to keep the muffins from turning purple. Frozen berries work well too; add them directly from the freezer without thawing. These muffins are especially good while still slightly warm, served with butter and a cold glass of iced tea.
☕ This Week's Friday Find
Tea Cup Set with Matching Gift Box
A Beautiful Cup for Your Next Book Break
Fresh blackberry muffins deserve something special to sip alongside them. This elegant floral bone china teacup and saucer arrives in its own coordinating gift box, making it a lovely treat for yourself or a thoughtful gift for the tea-loving reader in your life. Whether you're enjoying an afternoon novel or catching up with a friend, sometimes a beautiful cup makes the moment feel just a little more special.
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🍓 This Week's Reader Question
What's your favorite fruit recipe this time of year?
I'd love to hear your favorites in the comments!
📜 More Friday Finds
Missed a week? Browse previous editions of Friday Finds for more book reviews, author spotlights, reader favorites, and bookish discoveries.
Browse the Friday Finds Archive →
Thank you for spending part of your week with me. I hope you have a peaceful, joy-filled weekend filled with good books and little moments to savor.
Until next week's Friday Finds,
Gina
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Reader's Question: My favorite fruit this time of year is Watermelon 🍉
Love the tea cup and gift box and the muffins look yummy 😋