Girlfriendology Contest PRIZES - May (Kinda like gifts for my girlfriends!)

If I could, I'd give all my girlfriends gifts - all the time. I'd spoil them with surprises on their doorstep; thoughtful, fun cards with meaningful messages; gift certificates for mani/pedi pampering handmade presents to show how much they mean to me. Giving gifts to girlfriends is, in my opinion, even better than receiving gifts. We get to brighten her day and build into an important relationship. We can express our love and support and feel the joy that comes from making someone special feel special.

Each month on Girlfriendology we have a contest to ask YOU for YOUR girlfriend stories. This shameless begging for events and lessons from girlfriends is a great resource for then sharing your stories and motivating others (who hopefully share their story and the circle of 'great girlfriendship' expands making the world a better place for us all - seriously!).

The May Girlfriendology Contest asks you for ideas, memories and gratitude for special girlfriend birthdays. Birthdays are our day for special attention and a great opportunity to show friends and family how much we love them. And, since we're often rushed for time or stressed with too much to do, these shared ideas can inspire us to do the little (or big) things that make your favorite gal pal overlook the age and just be happy for being born around the same time as YOU.

This month several publishers have provided their books and items as additional PRIZES. Each day a girlfriend story submitted with be selected at random and she will receive one of the following great books:

NOVEL DESTINATIONS: Literary Landmarks From Jane Austen's Bath to Ernest Hemingway's Key West by Joni Rendon and Shannon McKenna Schmidt. We'll interview Shannon and Joni on a podcast for next week about this book that invites readers to follow in the footsteps of much-loved authors, discover the scenes that sparked their imaginations, glimpse the lives they led, and share a bit of the experiences they transformed so eloquently into print. We'll find out their behind-the-scenes adventures of writing this amazing book together - as literary, and literally, girlfriends!

THE ANGEL, by CARLA NEGGERS. Carla is the New York Times bestselling author of THE WIDOW, ABANDON, BREAKWATER and DARK SKY. Her books have been translated into dozens of languages and earned her critical praise and the loyalty of readers. I had the honor of doing a video interview with Carla this week on her book tour (video to be up early next week - tune in!) - she's great and I know you'll love her new hardcover book!

REAL YOU INCORPORATED: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs, by Kaira Sturdivant Rouda. Kaira is an author, popular speaker, wife, mother of four and President of Real Living real estate company. Her new book is an essential guide for women who have entrepreneurial dreams. (And, if you don't have those, wouldn't you love to give this to a girlfriend who does?! Enter the contest!!) Listen to the May 7th podcast interview with Kaira!

So girlfriends, while my budget and time allocation prohibit me from being the generous gift-giving girlfriend that I'd love to be, I am thrilled to be able to show my appreciation for your sharing of girlfriend stories with Girlfriendology with the above prizes. I look forward to your stories and to sending you something special. Thanks for being great girlfriends and for sharing your girlfriend birthdays with Girlfriendology!