Review Group discussion

Because of the lack of interest in genre novella rounds, I've taken the decision to join the 4 into one. Please sign in again and check the list for review clashes.

The review group is the most successful group for peer reviews on goodreads. It hosts non-reciprocal reading/review rounds of ten authors with a variety of themes and genres, as well as ‘general’ rounds where any book is permitted, from non-fiction, to horror. When a round has ‘now forming’ in the title, there are places available, you can sign up. If it doesn’t, it’s full – look for another round.

This is a novella round. In joining this group you have agreed TO READ and REVIEW ANY four ALLOCATED novellas (under 45,000 words) within the set 8 week limit. You will receive four reviews.
Fiction and non-fiction, adult and children's books are acceptable.


The new amazon rules state that authors/publishers are no longer allowed to specifically supply published books in return for reviews on amazon. To comply with this new rule, we no longer insist members review on amazon. However, we are all in the same situation, we want reviews.
When sorting out groups, I prioritise those members who have fully participated in previous groups and don’t have multiple review connections with the other participants.

If you are only willing to review your own preferred genre, make sure you join a genre round. Allocation is entirely random and there will NOT be any rearranging of the listing to accommodate personal preference. The ONLY circumstance in which you may duck out of giving a review is if YOU provide a stand-in reviewer.
Let’s be honest here – we don’t all like the same things but we all want reviews. The only way this group can function is if we trust each other to behave honourably. And it IS perfectly possible to give a fair-minded review of a text that does not coincide with our normal choice of reading matter. If you need a few hints/tips, please see this thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Now for the boring stuff, but please read it, it saves a lot of time if everyone is on the same wavelength.
Before signing up below with your goodreads author and goodreads book link in the thread below, please agree that you have ensured that:

1. You have enough time to read and review 4 books within the time allowed.

2. Your book is currently available for sale on amazon (not pre-order) and it complies with the individual round theme, if there is one.

3. Your book is fit to be reviewed. If it is not, due to editing or other issues, you risk poor reviews. This is your problem, not that of the reviewers or the groups. For a small fee, the group admin will look at the first few pages of your book to advise. The number one error new authors make is not having their book beta read and edited, by non-family members.

4. You can submit reviews to goodreads, amazon.com and amazon.uk. Amazon has recently changed their criteria for reviewers to allow only those people who have spent $50 on amazon. If you are unsure about your amazon reviewer status, try posting a ‘test’ review before signing up.

5. You can provide (and accept) at least PDF files. Many authors can also provide mobi and epub files. You are not expected or required to buy the books you are allocated to review. Some authors borrow books via KU and others provide smashwords coupons. This is their choice. International Copyright laws apply. You cannot sell, or give away material you have received without the author’s express permission.

6. It is up to individuals what disclaimers they place in a review concerning receiving a book in exchange for a review. Note: reviews that state you received a copy ‘IN RETURN’ for a review will probably be removed/not allowed by amazon.com. ‘I received a free copy from the author without an obligation to review’ would be more acceptable if you feel the need to add a disclaimer.

7. You have completed your reading if you are currently in another review round in this group. You can be involved in the ‘one for one’ list whilst you are in a round.

8. You have an author profile set up before you join.

9. Your goodreads profile allows people to message you, i.e. your profile is not set to private.

10. You declare any relationship you have with another member in the round. Amazon will not allow reviews from the same household on the same book or if you are an editor, relative or close friend of another member.

11. You agree that your reviews will be unbiased and honest, whatever the star rating, and you will try to avoid ‘spoilers’. i.e. giving away the finale of a book.

12. You will not ask a fellow author to change a review of your book because you don’t agree with it. If you think you have a legitimate concern, talk to the mod of your round, NOT the other author. Personal attacks, or pressurising other members WILL NOT BE TOLERATED and will result in you being blacklisted.

13. The new amazon.com review guidelines do not allow for free books to be supplied in return for reviews. Therefore, you are not obliged to review on amazon, just on goodreads. We all want reviews, its why we joined the group. It is bad taste to expect other people to review your book and then not do the same for other people in the group. People that DNF and/or don’t post reviews will find it difficult to get into a subsequent group.

14. Your goodreads details and the rounds you participate in will be recorded by the admin mod on a database. We do not retain details of email addresses etc.

The founding principle of the group is honest, non-reciprocal reviews, so please help maintain the integrity of the group by letting me know as you sign up if you have been reviewed by, or have reviewed another author in the group. Usually places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
I will do my best to fit everyone into the group they request, but occasionally, particularly in the case of our more prolific good standing members, I may have to decline a member request to fit the maximum number of people into a particular round. I will always endeavour to start another round as soon as possible with that member in mind.
It is permissible to review an author more than once if a different book is available.
If you need anything clarified please ask, either by goodreads personal message to me or on the thread below, before signing up. It’s a pain to have to keep rearranging the list because people haven’t read the above.

Your group moderator will be
Neil Carstairs

Member Links
1.Loralee Evans
2.Mariyam Hasnain
3.Chance Maree
4.Allie Cresswell
5.David Duane Kummer
6.Angel Leya
7.James Hockley
8.Cearúil Swords
9.Stacie Eirich
10.J. Aislynn d'Merricksson

Book Links
1.Felicity ~ A Sparrow's Tale
2.Camouflage - Lost and Found: Can You Bury Your Past?
3.Longhorn
4.The New Book
5.My Abigail: A Psychological Thriller
6.Skye's Lure: A Contemporary Fantasy Romance Mermaid eBook
7.Mandestroy
8.Bed Time Stories for Grown Ups
9.Tiger Kingdom & The Book of Destiny
10.Obsidian Alcatraz

I'd like to join!

Book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Author profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

How did I know you'd be joining up LOL!

You're psychic, Emma!

Hey Emma... All kinds of novellas are accepted here?

If yes, I would like to join.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Author's Profile
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Yep as long as its under 45k or under anything goes.

Emma wrote: "Yep as long as its under 45k or under anything goes."

Great...it's 43K approximately. And yes, no clashes with anyone till now.

I thought I's already signed up for an 'of this world' novella round. Is that the one which has been amalgamated? Anyway, I'd like to be part of this group please. Here is my author profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
and this is the anthology of short stories and articles I'd like to submit: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
I don't think I have reviewed or been reviewed by any of the folks who have signed up so far, and I have read and agree the rules.

Yes, all the novella rounds are now amalgamated into this one. It would have taken weeks to fill up the four novella rounds and I know you are are all champing at the bit.

Hello folks,

I would be interested in joining. I don't see any conflicts so I'm good to go.

Author Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Any questions or thoughts then throw me a line.

Cheers and look forward to reading with you.

P.S. How have people found putting reviews on amazon with the new policies in place? I want to help get your reviews to the widest possible audience and want to know if amazon are making that more difficult in deeds as well as words.

I want to join.

Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I've already added you David.

And so far Cearúil, we've only had one member object/refuse to pay the $50 to post reviews on amazon. Most people already to put reviews on amazon, so it wasn't a big deal.
We also haven't had anyone not put reviews via the group on amazon even though we can no longer make it a requirement.

So far, I have no conflicts.

ooh Loralee, that's good!

I would like to join.

Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/JAislynn

Book: Obsidian Alcatraz

If you can fit my new book shot in, I'd like to join this round. I've already reviewed Cearúil's novella, and I've been reviewed by Loralee (a different book) and Allie, I think.

CORRECTION: I can read the novella by Allie.

Chance Maree
Longhorn

I would like to join as well. I've already reviewed Felicity - A Sparrow's Tale by Loralee Evans and have reviewed a different book by Chance Maree.

The Trouble with Antlers (a.k.a. Melvin's Rampant Rack): Season 1, Episode 1

Author Profile: A.J. Culey

Back from my little festive break.
I'll try to fit you both in, but Chance will have priority as she signed up first.

Chance, do you have another novella Loralee could review?

A.J. is it only the one book of Loralee's you have reviewed? She has a few books that fit into this category.

Emma wrote: "Back from my little festive break.
I'll try to fit you both in, but Chance will have priority as she signed up first.

Chance, do you have another novella Loralee could review?

A.J. is it only the..."

Hi Emma. Welcome back. Longhorn is new and has no reviews as of yet. Unless Loralee doesn't want to read a scary chiller, it should be okay. Otherwise, I can send her one of my other novellas.

I could send A.J. one of my other middle grade Sparrow books. I wouldn't mind reading a scary chiller.

I think I've got everyone situated correctly.
Remember, you review the four names under yours, and the four names 'above' your will review you.
If everyone can check and shout loudly if I've set up anyone with a reciprocal review, I'd be grateful.

But don't worry, I'll post a final list once we have our ten members.

Emma wrote: "I think I've got everyone situated correctly.
Remember, you review the four names under yours, and the four names 'above' your will review you.
If everyone can check and shout loudly if I've set up..."

So far, the order is good for me and mine.

Happy New Year, all!

Happy New Year all. I'd like to bung a fantasy novella into the mix: c. 35k words.

Book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

No conflicts here.

I am submitting this book appx 40,000 words.

Loralee reviewed it in a previous round


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Welcome aboard James and Garfield.

Garfield has just withdrawn from the round, so we still have 2 to find.

I have a novella - Skye's Lure: A Contemporary Fantasy Romance Mermaid eBook. It's about 24k. Chrys Cymri referred me. I'm not seeing any conflicts in this round. Thanks for providing this connection!

I'd like to join with my novella, Tiger Kingdom & The Book of Destiny. It is an illustrated fantasy adventure for middle-grade readers.

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Tiger-Kingdom-...
https://www.amazon.com/Tiger-Kingdom-...

I look forward to reading & reviewing! Thank you.
Stacie

Note: I just noticed that Loralee's lovely book Felicity - A Sparrow's Tale is listed - I have already read & reviewed it. Since Tiger Kingdom is newly published before Christmas, she hasn't read/reviewed it.

Oh, Stacie, your book sounds so good! Unfortunately, because you've already read and reviewed my work, I can't read yours. You could possibly read another one of mine, though.

Yes! She fits! We have our ten folks.

I'll set up the list ASAP, probably tomorrow morning, I've on dinner duty at the moment.

Ready Steady... Go!

START DATE: 04/01/2017

END DATE: 29/03/2017

Round 1 – post your review by 25/01/2017
Round 2 – post your review by 15/02/2017
Round 3 – post your review by 08/03/2017
Round 4 – post your review by 29/03/2017




As AUTHORS you send your book file to:

125-01__ Loralee Evans
j. Aislynn d.Merricksson for round 1
Stacie Eirich for round 2
Cearuil Swords for round 3
James Hockley for round 4

125-02__ Mariyam Hasnain
Loralee Evans for round 1
j. Aislynn d.Merricksson for round 2
Stacie Eirich for round 3
Cearuil Swords for round 4

125-03__ Chance Maree
Mariyam Hasnain for round 1
Loralee Evans for round 2
j. Aislynn d.Merricksson for round 3
Stacie Eirich for round 4

125-04__ Allie Cresswell
Chance Maree for round 1
Mariyam Hasnain for round 2
Loralee Evans for round 3
j. Aislynn d.Merricksson for round 4

125-05__ David Duane Kummer
Allie Cresswell for round 1
Chance Maree for round 2
Mariyam Hasnain for round 3
Loralee Evans for round 4

125-06__ Angel Leya
David Duane Kummer for round 1
Allie Cresswell for round 2
Chance Maree for round 3
Mariyam Hasnain for round 4

125-07__ James Hockley
Angel Leya for round 1
David Duane Kummer for round 2
Allie Cresswell for round 3
Chance Maree for round 4

125-08__ Cearuil Swords
James Hockley for round 1
Angel Leya for round 2
David Duane Kummer for round 3
Allie Cresswell for round 4

125-09__ Stacie Eirich
Cearuil Swords for round 1
James Hockley for round 2
Angel Leya for round 3
David Duane Kummer for round 4

125-10__ j. Aislynn d.Merricksson
Stacie Eirich for round 1
Cearuil Swords for round 2
James Hockley for round 3
Angel Leya for round 4

As REVIEWERS you will receive books for review from:

125-01__ Loralee Evans
Mariyam Hasnain for round 1
Chance Maree for round 2
Allie Cresswell for round 3
David Duane Kummer for round 4

125-02__ Mariyam Hasnain
Chance Maree for round 1
Allie Cresswell for round 2
David Duane Kummer for round 3
Angel Leya for round 4

125-03__ Chance Maree
Allie Cresswell for round 1
David Duane Kummer for round 2
Angel Leya for round 3
James Hockley for round 4

125-04__ Allie Cresswell
David Duane Kummer for round 1
Angel Leya for round 2
James Hockley for round 3
Cearuil Swords for round 4

125-05__ David Duane Kummer
Angel Leya for round 1
James Hockley for round 2
Cearuil Swords for round 3
Stacie Eirich for round 4

125-06__ Angel Leya
James Hockley for round 1
Cearuil Swords for round 2
Stacie Eirich for round 3
j. Aislynn d.Merricksson for round 4

125-07__ James Hockley
Cearuil Swords for round 1
Stacie Eirich for round 2
j. Aislynn d.Merricksson for round 3
Loralee Evans for round 4

125-08__ Cearuil Swords
Stacie Eirich for round 1
j. Aislynn d.Merricksson for round 2
Loralee Evans for round 3
Mariyam Hasnain for round 4

125-09__ Stacie Eirich
j. Aislynn d.Merricksson for round 1
Loralee Evans for round 2
Mariyam Hasnain for round 3
Chance Maree for round 4

125-10__ j. Aislynn d.Merricksson
Loralee Evans for round 1
Mariyam Hasnain for round 2
Chance Maree for round 3
Allie Cresswell for round 4


Please remember the commitment you are making to your fellow group members. If you pull out after the start date for any reason it is the other members who will be faced with the problem of finding a replacement, or missing out on reads/reviews, through no fault of their own. Please don’t ask the moderators to chase after replacements as we just don’t have the time.

It is the responsibility of the author to get their book to their readers in a format the reviewer can manage. Everyone must be able to provide and accept PDF. You may buy or borrow the books you are due to read if you wish, and I’m sure the author will appreciate the verified review, but IT IS NOT COMPULSORY. There are no set dates for the start of each round. You can each work at your own pace, within the limits of the round deadlines.

All reviews must be posted to GR. We also encourage members to post on amazon .com and .uk. When you have posted your reviews, please post the three links to your reviews, not the book page in this thread.
The mod of each round will record whether members have posted reviews on amazon. I set up all the groups, and for the good of all, members who persistently fail to post reviews or DNF reviews to amazon, will find me less than willing to add them to subsequent groups.

Postings to other sites are by agreement by both author and reviewer.

If I’ve missed something that results in you being asked to review someone who has already reviewed you, please let me know asap.

To exchange book files, my advice is to use PM to give email addresses to each other (save the chance of spammers getting your addies from this open forum). Happy reviewing, everyone :)

Thanks for getting everyone set up, Emma.

If anyone has questions please don't hesitate to ask. As these are all novellas I hope the reviews will roll through fairly quickly but if anyone has problems with the tighter schedule please let me know.

So do we send out our book to everybody right now? Or wait until the round date expires?

I really like novella rounds. :) I've finished my assigned novellas.

Here are my reviews for Camouflage:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R31KW2T...

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R2MNT...

Here are my reviews for Longhorn:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R1AYX13...

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R33LJ...

Here are my reviews for The New Book:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R2B1RES...

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R2DEM...

Here are my reviews for My Abigail:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R3PAZ80...

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R1R0E...

Thanks so very much!

Thanks, Loralee, well and truly wrapped up. No doubt we will see you in a future round

Loralee wrote: "Here are my reviews for Longhorn:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R1AYX13...

Amaz..."

Thank you, Loralee! You're the first reviewer for that tale, which happens to be my first chiller/horror story....and that makes your review extra special. Thanks!

Loralee wrote: "Here are my reviews for The New Book:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R2B1RES...
..."

Thank you for your insightful review, Loralee.

I've written my reviews for "Skye's Lure" on both Amazon and Goodreads.

Here are the links to my reviews:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...

Thanks, David, could you also post the UK link as well.

For those of us concerned that we can't post on other countries' Amazons because we think we have to spend money there, Worry Not! If you can post on your own country's Amazon (because you've spent the required amount of money) you can also post on any other country's amazon that you want to. It's the same login, and everything.

For example, I just went to Australia's Amazon (amazon.com.au) a place where I haven't posted reviews before, and posted some reviews. I've never spent a single dime on Australia's Amazon (in fact, I couldn't if I tried) but my reviews posted just fine. Here they are:

Longhorn's review: https://www.amazon.com.au/review/RTLJ...

My Abigail's review: https://www.amazon.com.au/review/R3EK...

So don't worry. If you can post reviews on your own country's Amazon, you can also post reviews on any other Amazon in the world.

Eek! Apologies for delay. I've emailed those who are reviewing my novella to see their preferred format.

Thanks for the update, J

Here is my round one review for David's My Abigail: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I am still waiting for the Amazon links but will post them when they arrive.

Neil, here is Amazon.uk link. https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R3IJ2...

Here are my links for Mandestroy by James Hockley:
https://www.amazon.com/review/R7DSY6B...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R1B0P...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Thanks, Allie, David and Angel.