My First Readers Contest

I just closed a contest for sharing the Taming Cross buy link on Facebook, and I've decided to start another one as a thank you to everyone who's taking a chance on Taming Cross and buying it early. It might not be something you think about a lot, but it really means the world to most authors when people decide to buy their book the first day out - or even the second or third day.
So, this is for all you guys who bought Taming Cross today, or who will buy tomorrow (Wednesday 8/21), or even Thursday 8/22. I may decide to extend it to Friday 8/23. The easiest way to enter is to forward me the e-mail Amazon sends you (or the receipt you get from Smashwords or BN.com) when you make a purchase. My e-mail is ella_f_james@ymail.com, and I will be cataloging all your e-mails to be sure everyone gets entered. Another way to enter and confirm that you've purchased is to review the book on Amazon or wherever you bought it. Then forward me a copy of your review.

This book is not 99 cents, so I know you have to decide carefully whether you want to buy it now or later, when you've heard more about it. I have so many wonderful, loyal readers, and you are the ones I want to reward - the ones who will just buy it because you know you like my stories.

I want to reward you in a big way... so the prize is going to be BIG. I'm going to pay for your ticket to one of the three events I've committed to this coming up year. I'll also give you a $300 lodging stipend and a $400 travel stipend. I'm giving you the choice of three events because I know not everyone lives in the same region of the country. The events are utopYAcon 2014, in Nashville, Tennessee, June 20-22; Penned Con in St. Louis, Missouri, September 12-13; and Queen City Indie Con in Cincinnati, Ohio October 24-25. If the winner I choose is for some reason not able to travel, I've give you a several-hundred-dollar gift card to your favorite e-bookstore.

In the meantime, help me spread the word about my contest - and enjoy Cross!

Buy links are:
Amazon
BN.com
Smashwords

P.S. I really, really, really hate saying this, but I've seen a notable increase in returns since I announced the contest. If I continue seeing more than usual returns, I may have to cancel it. Please don't buy the book and then return it! :(