The Day the Flowers Died (Historical Romance Novel) by Ami Blackwelder

Author, Ami Blackwelder, brings to you a historical romance novel, The Day the Flowers Died. It is a 1930 Munich, Germany piece about two unlikely people who fall in love despite the prejudice.

Five Star Review:
Jeff Andrews, Executive Vice President of IPC Technologies, Inc. said,
"The Day the Flowers Died is a Wonderful Holistic Love story.

This book is a rare historical romance told with flare and passion.
When I first received it I thought that it was going to be a dark
and introspective sort of history of two people…but it is so much more.

This book, which is fiction relates what it would have been like for two people, with totally opposing cultures, who fell in love at the beginning of one of the darkest periods in history, pre-war Germany.

Ami has enormous talent and she delivers a love story that is not only profound, but engaging.

I couldn’t put the book down and I am a very busy person with almost no time to read…I almost wished I had gotten the audio version.

This is a must read for those that want to escape to another time…it will change something deep inside of you in a very positive way."

Buy It:
You can purchase "The Day the Flowers Died" and other books written by Ami Blackwelder at her site amiblackwelder.com. Her books can be purchased on paperback or as an ebook.

I also have my own copy of this book and I cannot wait to read it. I am a little behind on my reading since I have been doing more book reviews. I love reading. As you can see from the review below, I will need to make sure I have plenty of time to read it knowing I may not be able it put it down once it is opened ;0)

Mr. Linky Friday!!!

Time to see if it is your lucky week. Enter some of these great giveaways to see. Catch the Drift has two fantastic giveaways going on so be sure to check those out as well.


Cook's Ham FREE Ham up to $30 value
(2 winners)
Ends 4/20


$15 Piggy Paint gift card
Ends 4/20

Stella Is A Star! by Bernadette Peters (Review)

Synopsis
Bernadette Peters and Liz Murphy the terrific team behind the New York Times best-selling Broadway Barks are back with a story about Stella, a pup who would rather be a graceful pig ballerina than what she really is: a dog no one seems to like.
Stella learns the lessons of self-acceptance, following her heart's desires and, most important, that it's okay just to be herself.

Author
Many of you know Bernadette Peters from her stage career on Broadway and in theaters and concert halls around the world. She is cofounder, with Mary Tyler Moore, of Broadway Barks, an annual star-studded animal adoption event benefiting animal shelters throughout the New York City area. Her passion for animals and her work on behalf of the organization are the inspiration behind this book.

Review:
This book is a MUST HAVE! My daughter who loves animals and ballet, loves it. I highly recommend this book because of the great lesson it teaches.
When my children and I first opened this book, we used the CD which was included. Bernadette Peters did an amazing job telling the story. I think both my children prefer listening to her telling the story over me. The CD also includes the song at the end of the book. This gives your children the opportunity to sing along.
"Stella is a Star" really does teach your child self-acceptance and to follow one's dreams. It teaches your child that if they are motivated and positive, they can accomplish anything. The story is written perfectly so that your child can understand its purpose. My son immediately started asking questions regarding Stella and why she wanted to be a pig rather than a dog. It gave me the great opportunity as a mother to teach some of these important life lessons.

Buy It:
You can purchase your own hardcover copy with the cd included at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

This book was donated for the purpose of a review. Even though I was given the book, my review is my very own honest opinion.

Piggy Paint NEW "Tween" Polish (review and giveaway)! CLOSED

Piggy Paint is excited to introduce to Catch the Drift... readers their NEW TWEEN polish line, "Project Earth". Project Earth includes colors your tween will love. These include bright neon colors as well as a glow-in-the dark polish called, "Radioactive". Like all Piggy Paint polish's, "Project Earth" is non-toxic and odorless. This assures that not only will the environment be protected, but your children will also. Piggy Paint also supports Breast Cancer research. If you choose to purchase the Breast Cancer pack, a portion sales will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure for Research!


Recently Piggy Paint received the Excellence Award from Safbaby.com. Piggy Paint now has received the seal of approval as an approved Vendor of Mom approved-child tested products.

Review:
My daughter and I are huge fans of Piggy Paint. I knew we wouldn't be disappointed with this new product line in Piggy Paint. We received a neon yellow polish called "Solar Power" as well as "Radioactive", glow-in-the dark polish. What makes "Radioactive" extra special is the you can layer it over another color of polish. This way you can have not only fun bright nails, but nails that will also glow in the dark. To make the polish's more vibrant you will have to apply 2-3 coats.

Special Discount:
All readers will get a 10% discount off anything on Piggy Paint, including sale items!
Use Code: SNOW10L
Also receive Free Shipping when you spend $35 or more.

Possible Discount: If Piggy Paint hits 3,000 followers by April 29, Piggy Paint will run a special 2 Hour discount code on April 30 for all FB & Twitter followers only!


*To find out about more secret sales and special offers, you can follow Piggy Paint on Twitter and Facebook!

Giveaway:
One lucky winner will win a $15 gift code!

To Enter:
Visit Piggy Paint and check out all of their products and nail polish selections. You will find their NEW Tween line under "Project Earth". Come back to this link and leave a comment telling me what you would like to try.

Extra Entries:
- Follow Piggy Paint on Twitter
- Become a Fan of Piggy Paint on Facebook
- Grab my "Catch the Drift..." button
- Subscribe to "Catch the Drift..."
- Follow me on Twitter (Mama_Snow)
- Become a fan on Facebook
- Blog about this post or Tweet it! (Be sure to leave the link)

Rules:
Be sure to leave a comment telling me what the entry is for. Leave a separate comment for each entry. Also be sure to leave an email address for me to contact you. A winner will be selected randomly using Random.org. They will have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be chosen. Worldwide!

Giveaway Ends: 4/20

This product was donated for the purpose of a review. Even though I was given the this product free, my review is my very own honest opinion.

Cook's Ham giveaway! (2 Winners) CLOSED

I love family and always look forward to holiday and/or occasions that bring family together. What better way to enjoy the family than around the table with a delicious meal ready to eat. Maybe this year you can volunteer to make the main dish! Cook's Ham will make it not only easy for you, but will be sure to bring a smile to everyone's face.

What makes Cook's Hams so great:
"There are many brands of ham available to you, but to ensure consistent quality and a great tasting ham, look for the Cook's name. That’s because Cook's hams always begin with old-fashioned bone-in hams for a more natural texture and taste. We slow-cure our hams with natural ingredients like pure cane sugar, real honey, brown sugar and maple syrup. For the perfect finish, we smoke our hams for hours using real hickory wood. This process gives our hams a taste that separates Cook's hams from the rest."

With Mothers Day and Fathers Day coming up you may want to conceder using a Cook's Ham and using some of their tips on How to Prepare and Carve a Ham the right way here and here.

Also, if you do have leftovers, Cooks site offers ideas for "Extra Meals" using leftovers.

Giveaway:
TWO lucky winners will receive a coupon for a "FREE Cook's Ham" up to $30.00!

To Enter:
Go to Cook's website and check out their delicious recipes! Come back to this link and leave a comment telling me what recipe you would like to try! (This is a MUST)

Extra Entries:
- Grab my "Catch the Drift..." button
- Subscribe to "Catch the Drift..."
- Follow me on Twitter (Mama_Snow)
- Become a fan on Facebook
- Blog about this post or Tweet it! (Be sure to leave the link)

Rules:
Be sure to leave a comment telling me what the entry is for. Leave a separate comment for each entry. Also be sure to leave an email address for me to contact you. A winner will be selected randomly using Random.org. They will have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be chosen. US ONLY!

Giveaway Ends: April 20, 2010

"Hand of Fate" book review

Book Description:
The second installment in a New York Times best-selling series featuring three professional female crime fighters. Fox News legal correspondent Lis Wiehl teams up with veteran mystery novelist April Henry for this compelling new mystery. Warning: this one’s not for the faint of heart.

When the host of a popular Portland, OR radio talk show is murdered, the Triple Threat Club—a federal prosecutor, an FBI agent, and a journalist—must narrow down the lengthy list of suspects who wanted him dead.

Outspoken radio talk show host Jim Fate dies tragically and dramatically when poisonous gas fills his recording booth while his show, “The Hand of Fate” is on air. In the ensuing panic, police evacuate downtown Portland, leaving FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges trapped in a high-rise building.

Crime reporter Cassidy Shaw is the only journalist brave enough to report from the scene as chaos overtakes the streets. And federal prosecutor Allison Pierce must rescue a child separated from her family even as she escapes the danger herself.

In the days following Fate’s murder, these three colleagues and friends team up to piece together the not-so public life of Jim Fate in order to uncover the stunning truth of who killed him—and why.

Review:
I decided to make a change and read something that was a not my average book. I really wasn't sure what to expect, but was surprisingly drawn to this book immediately. Right away, the book introduces you to the victim and who they were while alive. Before you know it they are facing death and the suspense begins.

The author did a great job in keeping you wondering who had committed the murder and why. The book was full of twist and emotion. My only complaint is I am still not sure how realistic the outcome in the end is. This is a "fiction" though, so I figured I can't dread on it the ending too much. I also have to admit, that It was nice to have an ending for once that I couldn't guess the outcome until it happened.

It is nearly impossible to find a good suspenseful book without all the vulgarity and gore. Hand Of Fate proved that it could be done and keeps all the christian standards in mind without offending it's readers. Overall I am very excited for the next Triple Threat Novel to come out!

Read more about this series at liswiehlbooks.com