First let me state that I am NOT an Amazon affiliate nor am I ever likely to be!! When I read and review a book I want to be able to give my honest opinion without monetary considerations. I happen to believe that every book will be loved by someone and even if I don't like it--someone will (thus the 5 stars)--I have often written "this book is not for me--but...". And yes, that review is put on Amazon, B&N and Goodreads--if the book is listed on the site. As most of you know I promote like crazy on social media whether there is a giveaway attached or not--and I do not get anything for it except the book and visits to my site. I do keep my eyes out for those free books or ones for .99. Hey I am semi-retired--I just don't have the extra cash.
Amazon pulled the rug out from under those that review products on their site--but stated at the bottom that books were not included. Well--they are doing that but in a rather, in my opinion, underhanded way!! I had noticed that some authors were doing giveaways on Amazon directly but never bothered to go in and check them out. I will be now just for the heck of it! AND someone I know (a blogger not an author) just tried doing it as well--I went in and checked it out. It seems like Amazon is trying to get bloggers to do reviews with them----
On clicking in I was first accosted by a massive ad for the free Kindle (which I already have)- and something at the bottom that states that you are going to allow Amazon to send you emails about their promos, etc. I have to insert here that since this all began have been getting a LOT of emails from Amazon about books-which I almost always delete without reading-even if it is an author that I really love)-and no, to my knowledge I have never asked them to send me emails that I know of at least. Well--I bypassed both of those annoying pages and finally got to a page with something about the giveaway. Although the bloggers name was mentioned up top as the one hosting the giveaway and down below was a disclaimer that this blogger had bought the book and paid tax and shipping--you could not click into his site!! This particular blogger has a problem on his site so that could be the reason--but I wonder---and actually the blogger isn't even getting site visits as the giveaway is hosted on Amazon I think--although I could not find it----wait I just got an email from that blogger and when I clicked in I was able to read what he wrote-clicked into the giveaway--it states it has ended? He just put this up!! Well he did say it was just a test!!
Another thing that has me wondering--who will be awarding the giveaway? What if the author does not want to?
In my opinion, this might be good for authors to use----but not book bloggers!! Only time will tell--just be very careful before you get involved with this!!
All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.
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