Lyn's 2nd Annual MEGA May starts Monday May 3rd

Would you like me to send this postcard to some woman you love for Mother's Day?

Since the focus of this blog is Strong Women, I celebrate with Mother's Day with an all month special, MEGA May! I celebrate by asking readers to share their own family stories of strong women.

This year only two readers have so far shared their stories. Tuesday is Shirley from Mississippi and later in the month Edna T from South Carolina will pay tribute to their mothers. I have room for more if you have a story about a beloved mother, grandmother or daughter, let me know! You can email them to me at l(dot)cote(at)juno(dot)com

This year three brave men are going to pay tribute to their wives, authors Thom Lemmon, Harry Kraus, and Jeff Gerke. Also authors, Betsy St Amant, Linda Goodnight, Cheryl St John, Ruth Axtell Morren, Sharon Dunn, Stephanie Grace Whitson, Irene Hannon, Marta Perry, and Elizabeth Johnson will be sharing stories.

MEGA May is the only month where I ask authors to donate books for a HUGE once a year prize. Drop by this month and share a story or comment and your name will be entered to win the MEGA May basket of books and goodies.

Finally I always offer to send the postcard above to those you love. The postcard says: Happy Mother's Day from Author Lyn Cote. Someone who loves you asked me to send you these loving wishes. On the back, I give your name.

If you'd like me to send one of these postcards, send me the person's name and address. I will of course NEVER share this information with anyone. Deadline Monday May 3rd.

So don't miss MEGA MAY!--Lyn

MEGA May Gift Basket Won by Reader Roberta Harwell

I know many blogs give away books etc often. And I will be giving books and other interesting options as this blog progresses. But the biggest giveaway will always be the MEGA May Gift Basket. Here is what the winner will receive in her colorful yellow box of books decorated with hearts:

• Ramona Richards' Secrets of Confidence
• A Murder Among Friends
• The Taking of Carly Bedford
• 
  
• Missy Tippens' His Love Forever
• 
  
• Janet Dean's Courting Miss Adelaide www.loveinspiredauthors.com
  
• 
  
• Cindy Kirk's Claiming the Rancher's Heart http://jauntyquills.com/
  
• 
  
• Sandra Robbins' Pedigreed Bloodlines www.sandrarobbins.net
  
• 
  
• Anna Schmidt's Seaside Cinderella
• Gift from the Sea
• 
  
• Audrey Hebbert's Green Light Red Light www.audreyhebbert.com
  
• 
  
• my own Never Alone/New Man in Town
• Carly
• Winter's Secret
• The above titles are all signed by the authors
  
• 
  
• But in addition--thanks to Ramona Richards:
• Lenora Worth's Code of Honor
• 
  
• Roxanne Rustand's Deadly Competition
• 
  
• Carolyne Aarsen's A Family for Luke
• 
  
• Cheryl Wyatt's Ready-Made Family
• And goodies.

I was very grateful to these authors for donating these books and I was delighted that so many readers submitted stories from their lives and stopped by and made comments.

My next special month is Yummy July!

Drop by my homepage www.LynCote.net and read about how I hope to make July one of your "yummiest" months this summer!

Thanks for all the comments and for being interested in stories of strong women.--Lyn

The Last Day of MEGA May

This has been a month of heartwarming stories. I'm so happy that six readers shared the stories of their mothers. I'm happy that 46 readers posted at least one comment and a few of you several. Commenting really gives that two-way street that blogging is meant to be.

Very soon I'm going to put the names of the readers who posted comments and shared stories into a hat and draw out the name of the winner of the MEGA May gift basket.

I'll be announcing the winner sometime this week. When I started this blog, I did it to have a way to converse with readers and to start a source of stories that inspire women.

No matter what career we choose as women, we always have family to care for and love. (We won't talk about children in the teen years. GRIN) And I think it is heartening to hear the stories of other women who show strength and bravery in this life that can be so hard at times. From what readers and authors have posted, many of us are in the sandwich generation where we have adult children and parents who need us. We carry a heavy load of love.

I hope you'll invite friends to join us here at StrongWomenBraveStories.blogspot.com so they can be inspired to stand strong for themselves and their families.

Every woman has a story. Share yours!--Lyn