Sara Says: Back to the Beginning

Six years ago I started I started a book review website called Sara Says. I had always loved books and thought it would be fun to write personable reviews about books I enjoyed. Keep in mind this was before blogs, facebook, and common personal websites. I had to write everything in HTML...it helped having a tech savvy hubby.

As my website grew, I became an Amazon Associate. I linked my book reviews to those on Amazon.com and received a small percentage to anyone beginning at my site and then going on to buy through amazon. Now there are so many affiliate links out there and this is very common--I had thought I was very cutting edge back then!

Sara Says really began to take off and it occasionally showed up first on google searches. This was in large part due to the original wording and there weren't as many websites to search through--not because the book reviews were that amazing. :-)

A perk that I hadn't anticipated was that new authors and other publishers began to send me their manuscripts and books to review. I accumulated a large book shelf of free books on a wide variety of topics. I enjoyed writing reviews for these authors and I someday hoped to have my own book out there to review.

Time passed, we moved to a different house and I became pregnant with our second child. Sara Says wasn't updated as frequently and a pile of books began accumulating on my bedstand from waiting authors. I really disliked not being on top of it all so I stopped reading and writing as much. I left my site up and still enjoyed getting amazon gift cards every few months or so from the affiliate links.

A few weeks ago, I received an e-mail from FSB associates wanting to know if I would review a new book The New Mom's Survival Guide. A little spark ignited in my mind. I received the book in the mail, read it all in one sitting and couldn't wait to tell people about it...starting with my sister who just had a baby.

Next up: a copy of a children's book entitled Buddy's Candle is in the mail. Can't wait! The Sara Says book review site may be back! After all, it is a combination of two of my favorite things -- reading and writing...