Spread the Love!

Well, first I have to begin by saying thank you! It's because of my readers that FARM FRESH MURDER landed on the New York Times' Bestseller List, something that was beyond my wildest dreams. You're truly the best!

The second book in the series, FRUIT OF ALL EVIL, publishes one month from today - March 1. Spreading the word about a new book is a challenge, and for me self-promotion is an uncomfortable venture but it is a necessary part of being an author. So, hopefully, I've come up with some things that will make self-promotion less painful for me and more . . . well, prize-filled for you.

However, I will need your help - just a little, though.

Beginning on February 4 and going until February 14, I'll be posting a "Which Way" mystery on this blog featuring Becca, the star of the farmers' market mysteries. At the end of each post, I'll ask readers to vote between two different "ways" the story should go. I've only written the first part. I know sort of how I want it to end - with something that leads to the beginning of FRUIT OF ALL EVIL, but I have no idea what will occur in between. That'll be up to you. So, I will really need your votes, so does Becca. This is your chance to be a part of the mystery writing process.

Also - It would be terrific if you took a moment between now through February 14 to spread the word about FRUIT OF ALL EVIL and the "Which Way" story. A note on your Facebook page, your blog or a Tweet sending friends to this blog would go a long way to helping Becca and her pals land on the New York Times list again.

Did you think I was going to ask for your help without giving you anything in return? Of course not!

First - if you're thinking about buying FRUIT OF ALL EVIL, DON'T! I mean, don't buy it just yet. However, if you pre-order it on February 14, you'll be eligible to win . . . an iPad!

If you pre-order it online on the 14th, and send me a copy of your receipt (the confirmation email you receive), I will put your name in a drawing for an iPad. Okay, to be fair, if you've already pre-ordered it, send me your confirmation email and you'll be entered too -- but purchases between now, February 1, and February 13 won't be entered. I think you can probably figure out what's going on here - we're looking for a day of good rankings on Internet bookstores. This is like one of those contests where you send in an essay and a hundred dollars and you're entered to win house, except that you don't have to write an essay and your investment is only about $7.00. Oh, and you won't win a house, but you will have a good book! Send your confirmation to: FruitContest@gmail.com.

So, what's the point of the "Which Way" story if all you have to do is pre-order the book to be eligible to win the iPad? Good question.

At the end of the story, I'll post ten questions on this blog - questions like, "What kind of fruit was Becca looking at in the first post of the story?" The first five people who get the correct answers and post them on MY FACEBOOK page, will each receive a $20 bookstore gift certificate for the store of each winner's choice. If you don't read the posts, you won't have a chance to win a gift certificate. Friend me on Facebook if you haven't already.

Oh, and one more thing - of the five who win the gift certificates, one of them will win an e-reader. We'll do another drawing. I have the e-reader, but I don't want to sway you as to where to pre-order the book so I won't say which model. It's one of the well-known ones, trust me.

Again, I'm sure you see what's going on. It's so important to spread the word about a new book. I'm just hoping to spread a little love along the way, too. Prizes are good things.

Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!!

Drawings:
I'll do the drawing for the iPad on February 16 - this should give everyone a chance to get their February 14 order date confirmations to me. Again, here's the email for those: FruitContest@gmail.com

I'll post the final episode of the "Which Way" story on February 14 (the pre-order date). I will also post the ten questions. After the first five posts with the correct answers show up on my Facebook page, I'll do a drawing for the e-reader. Don't forget, those first five correct posts win gift certificates.

Also, I'll send confirmation emails to those who are entered to win the iPad contest. I have no control over Facebook. I'll just have to let the posts for the gift certificates/e-reader happen as they happen. If there are any minor tweaks or changes along the way, I'll post the info on the blog.

Make sense? I hope so. Basically, the contest will span ten days, with the big day on February 14, Valentine's Day.

Again, thank you!

Paige