Friday Finds | 05-30-2025 | Welcome
Happy Friday, friends! 🌞
I’m back home from my Southwest travels—sun-kissed, well-fed, and a little road-weary—but excited to dive back in and catch up on all the wonderful emails, books, and fun stuff I missed this past month. If you’ve been waiting to hear from me, thank you for your patience. I'm digging through the inbox with coffee in hand!
This week’s Friday Finds is packed tighter than a Viking’s longboat—brimming with epic reads, generous giveaways, and a sizzling new Fun Time question to kick off grilling season.
From windswept Nordic shores to time-tangled ancient lands… from castle intrigue to ice cream warfare—you’ll find something to make your heart race, your brain whirl, or your sweet tooth grin.
Plus, I’m sharing my favorite foil-packet grill recipe (perfect for backyard feasts), spotlighting an incredible indie project for diverse children’s books, and showing off a creative repair kit that makes broken things beautiful again.
Settle in, scroll through, and don’t forget to enter the giveaways, leave a comment, and maybe share what’s sizzling on your grill this weekend.
Peace & Pages,
Gina
Friday Finds | 05-30-2025 | Wrap-up of Book Reviews, Spotlights, Posts
Wolf of the Nordic Seas by Jennifer Ivy Walker
This spellbinding tale of love and destiny will sweep you into a world of Viking legends and stormy passion.
Win a $25 Amazon/BN gift card.
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Ravens Hill by Garth Pettersen (The Atheling Chronicles #5)
If you love historical fiction with mystery, murder, and more twists than a castle staircase—you won’t want to miss this one.
Win a $15 Amazon/BN gift card.
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The Web of Time by Flavia Brunetti
This is a myth-rich YA fantasy where time unravels and only art, language, and kindness can restore balance. Read my review and exclusive author interview, which explores the creative forces behind this beautifully original tale set across ancient Rome, Tunis, and Tripoli.
Win a $25 Ben & Jerry's Gift Card.
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Reasons I Love War at the Ice Cream Store 2: A Sweet & Stormy Sequel!
Get ready for a swirl of giggles and gooey goodness! War at the Ice Cream Store 2: Rocky Road vs The Sundae Storm is a high-energy, pun-packed rhyming romp that pits bold new flavors against a sugary swirl of chaos.
Win author-signed copies of book 1 (A Collector's Edition) and book 2, along with an activity book and coloring pages. ENTER HERE!
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Here's a look back at last week's Friday Finds, in case you missed it
Many of the giveaways in last week's edition are still active. Check them out.
Friday Finds | 05-30-2025 | Fun Time
What is your favorite food to cook on an outdoor grill?
Share your answer in the comment section. I look forward to reading everyone's answers.
I think I'll go with my potato and carrot packets. Here's my simple recipe.
Slice up a big bowl of washed potatoes (with or without skin, your choice).
Add sliced carrots and onions.
(You can always swap for vegetables of your choice)
Season to your preference. (I usually use a seasoned salt & Six-pepper blend)
Mix well.
Start with a generously sized piece of non-stick foil, and coat it with a vegetable oil spray. Place as many vegetables as you want in the center of the foil for each serving. Top with a couple of pats of butter.
Seal up the packet and throw it on the grill. Turn it occasionally using tongs to prevent puncturing the foil. Cook time depends on the thickness of your packets and the grill temperature.
Cook's tip: Make an extra packet that you can open and close to check for doneness. I like mine with a little char on them. Don't be surprised if that sample packet vanishes by the time everyone has a little taste.
Friday Finds | 05-30-2025 |Independent Author News
Tom Tracy has created a Catalog of Diverse Kids Books that is available for FREE viewing/downloading on his website at: https://www.tomtracybooks.
Over 100 authors are participating in this project. I have worked with several of them and will be joyously featuring this project soon. Keep an eye out for it on the blog and again in a future Friday Finds.
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Friday Finds | 05-30-2025 | Fun Creative Finds
Kintsugi Repair Kit - Fix Your Broken Treasures
UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY: Our Kintsugi Kit includes 4 vibrant mica powders (Old Gold, Bright Gold, Silver, and Copper) along with a generous supply of kintsugi glue and putty to bring your cherished objects back to life. Instructions, practice pieces, and more. Everything you need in one box!
If you are feeling exceptionally generous, donations are always welcome.
Donations help support this website and allow me to offer readers prizes and gifts. Let's face it: I'm buying coffee anyway!
Remember, if you find something you like in this post, leave a comment and click the LIKE button at the bottom of the page. It means the world!
Please share the Friday Finds from 05-30-2025 with your friends and family.
Get your own or gift a Kindle Unlimited subscription TODAY!
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With gratitude and sunshine,
Gina 🌞
(Invite your friends to subscribe to the blog! I love to see my numbers grow.)
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[…] up on Friday Finds | 05-30-2025 if you missed it! Many giveaways are still open—don’t miss your chance to […]
Those veggie packets sound like a great idea!
Would really like to read in print format
Which one is your fave Crystal?
Thank you so much for introducing the Catalog of Diverse Kids Books in this week’s Friday’s Finds. With over 150 diverse kids books by independent authors showcased in the Catalog, your new favorite may just be waiting to be discovered.