I love to read. I think I would not have a book blog if I did not.
I have signed up with virtual tour groups and I read books and give reviews as they do their tour. I have so far only had one book that was a three star. To promote the book, you have to hold a three star and under review until the tour is done. They only want four and five star reviews to promote the book.
I recently read a five star book and I will be posting the review with the tour on the 25th.
However, before that, on the 23rd, is a book I am reviewing that is lucky to get two stars. And that upsets me. I would not want to be on the receiving end of that. If you know me, you would know I spare people's feelings at all costs, sometimes at harm to myself. I try to be truthful with grace. I am a very nice person and fell awful but I have to be honest. This book went nowhere fast. At the end, it had the glimmer of a great idea. But the writing was terrible. When I think of all the self published authors who were looked over for this book, it makes me ill.
I still am going to feel bad when the author associates me with a bad review. I have seen it is in the three star range so I am not too far off in my thinking.
I have many more tour books to read. About one a week until May. Why not? I had my challenge list for the year but I want to be the person to help out in a jam for the tour companies.
So this review will go up Sunday, reluctantly. And I honestly noted the good parts and where it could be improved, because it can. The core concept is interesting. The story built around it was horrible.
The people in the book believe in magic.
No amount of magic will help this book.
And I am sorry.
Melissa, I'm feeling the same. Sometimes I felt awful to give a book 3 stars but as a book blogger I have to be honest. That's the hardest part. The solution is I picked books from the author that I've known. I mean, I've already read the author's previous books, so I knew what I was dealing with. If an unknown author asks me to review her upcoming book I'll check her previous books on Goodreads (the comments/reviews) and then I'll decide. If I decide to not read her book, I'll offer to just do an interview or guest blog. I think it's good for the author (not having bad reviews) and good for me (not having to read a bad book). haha :))
ReplyDeleteBy the way, great blog!! :)
Wow that is such good advice! Thanks. I may do that. I do like being a rebel though lol! I love doing the tours too. But someone else suggested to me to ask to read the first 20 pages or the first few chapters before I decide. I do not know if the tour companies have time for that. So I have to tell you I do not know if you were in on the Blog LoveAThon but it was a bust for me and then you came along. I have got no support, I think I told you, from the blog community. So I feel by you coming by a little support and I want to thank you. I have been by your blog and social media sites. It is nice to know you. I appreciate what you said about my blog. I work hard on it. The funny thing is I have been ill the past few days but am still getting a lot of views. I maybe broke the spell lol! It is so nice to know you and your comment was great. I really appreciate it. I will talk to you soon for sure! By the way, on my blog reviews, I do not even use the star system. I just review. People can take my words and figure it out. That is how I get about reviewing lol!
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