Review Group discussion

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.
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.

This is a General round. Anything goes!
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 ensure 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
G.J. Griffiths

Member Links
1.Stjepan Varesevac Cobets
2.Marco Peel
3.J.P. Willson
4.T.S. O'Neil
5.Jaci Miller
6.Raleigh Steinhauer
7.J.B. Trepagnier
8.Jennifer Withers
9.Andrew Cairns
10.Carol Devine

Book Links
1.The Child of Happiness
2.City on Clouds
3.Through the Mind's Eye: A Journey of Self-Discovery
4.Mudd's Luck
5.The Scrying
6.Heirs to the Throne
7.Mission: Viper
8.The War Between
9.The Witch's List
10.Mariah

I'd love to join with the book of poetry, "The Child of Happiness".

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

Hi Emma, I'd like to join again please with City on Clouds:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Have you two reviewed each other? just trying to get the structure of the list sorted as I go.

Count me in please.....Through the Mind's Eye: A Journey of Self-DiscoveryJ.P. Willson
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Oh- and yes I have read all the rules etc etc and at this point quite obviously have no conflicts yadda yadda.....

Emma wrote: "Have you two reviewed each other? just trying to get the structure of the list sorted as I go."

For now, I have not reviewed anyone and no one read my book :)

That's the way I like it Stjepan!

:)

Sounds fantastic. I would like to join with "Heirs to the Throne."

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

I don't see any conflicts and would like to join with my novel

Mariah

I would like to join with my children's novel Tiger Kingdom & The Book of Destiny.
Links to follow.

Thanks,
Stacie

I would also like to join with my dark romantic fantasy (first in a trilogy) The Scrying.

I do not see any conflicts either. Thanks!

Here are my book links:

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

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

If any have already reviewed it, I also have 4 poetry books, including a new one that was just published in May.
Thanks,
Stacie

Welcome all!

Hi, I'd like to join with Ship Rats (a children's book). 17k words.

No clashes as of yet.

I'm currently in another group but should have my rounds wrapped up this week.

As a note, could I ask that the books I am assigned are shorter if possible?

If that can't be done then I'm happy to continue, but just for the sake of equivalency and fairness it would be great if I could look at novellas/shorter stories/poetry, etc. No worries if not.

(Apologies for the new post, I can't edit posts on my phone)

Hi Rhian, All reviews must be posted before you sign up for another round. We have a 'clean' round just opened for new members.
When you've posted all your reviews for your current round, either post back here (if it's still open) or in 152, the new 'clean' round.

The only way you can guarantee shorter books is to join a novella round, but I understand your problem. When you confirm you've posted your reviews, I'll add you to the list if there is still room.

If there's still space, I'd like to join with my Sci-Fi/post-apocalyptic novel, The War Between. I have no clashes. I've read & understood all the rules.

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

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

I'd like to throw my hat in the ring for Mudd's Luck.

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

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

I thought I put in for an earlier round, but for some reason it was deleted. Please let me know if there is an issue. Thanks. I've reviewed Marco Peel before, but it might have been a different book.

It's the other way around, I've reviewed two books by T.S. No other clashes yet.

Can I join with Special Agent Mauve-Mission: Viper?I just posted my last reviews for the group I'm in

I've read and reviewed Marco's book, I've read the sequel to Carol's, but not the book in this group (and really kinda want to read it). JP has reviewed another book in the Mauve series, but not this one. TS has reviewed me, but not this book

You did sign up T.S. but as you didn't declare a clash, and the round was almost full, I had to bump you. Can you please check for review clashes in this one? Marco has reviewed you but can do so again.

I think I've got everyone situated. Can everyone check the order for reciprocal review problems.

You will be reviewed by the four names 'above' you, and will review the four names 'below' you.
You can review the same person more that once, if they have another available book.

Number 9?- but I'm all good Emma...

We still need one more, but its useful to check at this point. If it works for everyone, I know if the last person can fit into the remaining slot.

This works for me, thanks Emma.

J.B. wrote: "Can I join with Special Agent Mauve-Mission: Viper?I just posted my last reviews for the group I'm in

I've read and reviewed Marco's book, I've read the sequel to Carol's, but not the book in this..."

Okay, sorry, I was busy and didn't see your note until it was too late. No other clashes.

J.P. wrote: "Number 9?- but I'm all good Emma..."

I was just being a goof Emma- number 9, the Beatles....I thought it was funny yet my sense of humour is somewhat warped....

I'm okay with all of the names above me except Marco if he's set to review mine. There's 5 names above mine and I've already reviewed Marco in a previous round. I'm fine with the names below mine

That all work then, we just need number 9....

I'd love to review J.B.'s book, but she's already reviewed mine, so I don't think I can. I do have another one for her if needed.

All works for me too!

Hi, if it's not already filled up, I'll like to join this round with BLACK GOLD

Book link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Author link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
I have previously reviewed Stjepan (but not the book featured here) and I have been reviewed by both Marco and J.B. but this is a different book.
Thanks

Sorry Augustine, with the clashes we already have in this round, its not possible to fit you in.

I've swapped JB with Raleigh, which hopefully sorts out her clashes.

Hello,

Can I sign up with my novel?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
On no. 9 slot?

Cheers, Andrew

You certainly can, Andrew! We love a newbie with no review clashes!

I'll set up the ready steady go! message ASAP.

Ready.... Steady.... Go!

START DATE: 28-Sep-17

END DATE:

Round 1 – post your review by 27-Jul-17
Round 2 – post your review by 17-Aug-17
Round 3 – post your review by 07-Sep-17
Round 4 – post your review by 28-Sep-17


As AUTHORS you send your book file to:

151-01__ Stjepan Varesvac Cobets
Carol Devine for round 1
Andrew Cairns for round 2
Jennifer Withers for round 3
J. B. Trepagnier for round 4

151-02__ Marco Peel
Stjepan Varesvac Cobets for round 1
Carol Devine for round 2
Andrew Cairns for round 3
Jennifer Withers for round 4

151-03__ J.P. Willson
Marco Peel for round 1
Stjepan Varesvac Cobets for round 2
Carol Devine for round 3
Andrew Cairns for round 4

151-04__ T.S. O'Neil
J.P. Willson for round 1
Marco Peel for round 2
Stjepan Varesvac Cobets for round 3
Carol Devine for round 4

151-05__ Jaci Miller
T.S. O'Neil for round 1
J.P. Willson for round 2
Marco Peel for round 3
Stjepan Varesvac Cobets for round 4

151-06__ Raleigh Steinhauer
Jaci Miller for round 1
T.S. O'Neil for round 2
J.P. Willson for round 3
Marco Peel for round 4

151-07__ J. B. Trepagnier
Raleigh Steinhauer for round 1
Jaci Miller for round 2
T.S. O'Neil for round 3
J.P. Willson for round 4

151-08__ Jennifer Withers
J. B. Trepagnier for round 1
Raleigh Steinhauer for round 2
Jaci Miller for round 3
T.S. O'Neil for round 4

151-09__ Andrew Cairns
Jennifer Withers for round 1
J. B. Trepagnier for round 2
Raleigh Steinhauer for round 3
Jaci Miller for round 4

151-10__ Carol Devine
Andrew Cairns for round 1
Jennifer Withers for round 2
J. B. Trepagnier for round 3
Raleigh Steinhauer for round 4

As REVIEWERS you will receive books for review from:

151-01__ Stjepan Varesvac Cobets
Marco Peel for round 1
J.P. Willson for round 2
T.S. O'Neil for round 3
Jaci Miller for round 4

151-02__ Marco Peel
J.P. Willson for round 1
T.S. O'Neil for round 2
Jaci Miller for round 3
Raleigh Steinhauer for round 4

151-03__ J.P. Willson
T.S. O'Neil for round 1
Jaci Miller for round 2
Raleigh Steinhauer for round 3
J. B. Trepagnier for round 4

151-04__ T.S. O'Neil
Jaci Miller for round 1
Raleigh Steinhauer for round 2
J. B. Trepagnier for round 3
Jennifer Withers for round 4

151-05__ Jaci Miller
Raleigh Steinhauer for round 1
J. B. Trepagnier for round 2
Jennifer Withers for round 3
Andrew Cairns for round 4

151-06__ Raleigh Steinhauer
J. B. Trepagnier for round 1
Jennifer Withers for round 2
Andrew Cairns for round 3
Carol Devine for round 4

151-07__ J. B. Trepagnier
Jennifer Withers for round 1
Andrew Cairns for round 2
Carol Devine for round 3
Stjepan Varesvac Cobets for round 4

151-08__ Jennifer Withers
Andrew Cairns for round 1
Carol Devine for round 2
Stjepan Varesvac Cobets for round 3
Marco Peel for round 4

151-09__ Andrew Cairns
Carol Devine for round 1
Stjepan Varesvac Cobets for round 2
Marco Peel for round 3
J.P. Willson for round 4

151-10__ Carol Devine
Stjepan Varesvac Cobets for round 1
Marco Peel for round 2
J.P. Willson for round 3
T.S. O'Neil 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 :)

I got Mariah and Child of Happiness of KU, but will need copies of the other two books I'm reading

Hello Everyone,
I’m G.J. and will be your moderator until 28 September. I will be tracking progress and trying to keep the group on schedule. But I am also here to help with any queries or problems you may have. Emma's list seems to have covered most eventualities but please message me if there is something you do not understand or seems to be a problem for you eg. illness, family crisis.

Note:
The usual formats are pdf, mobi/kindle, and epub. If anyone needs to convert the format of a book, useful (free) methods are Calibre or Draft2digital so you could download one of those.

Wherever possible reviewers should avoid "spoilers."

You can help me a lot by posting all three links (to GR and Amazons US & UK) at once, and by ensuring that you are giving the links to your actual review, not the book's page. Both Amazons will send you the links to the review when they have posted it. It should not take long.

Most importantly, please enjoy the process of reviewing/being reviewed, particularly if you are new to the "experience".
Best Wishes, G.J.

J.B. wrote: "I got Mariah and Child of Happiness of KU, but will need copies of the other two books I'm reading"

Hi J.B. - I just sent you my book, The Witch's List, by email. Kind regards, Andrew

My review of the Scrying

https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R3LAM...
https://www.amazon.com/review/R3EJN4E...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My review of Special Agent Mauve

https://www.amazon.com/review/R232PQE...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

I can't leave a Amazon UK review as it's restricting me. I'll try going through an VPN and see it that works.

Even with an anonymous browser, it won't let me leave a review as my email address is U.S. based.

T.S. wrote: "My review of Special Agent Mauve

https://www.amazon.com/review/R232PQE...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

I ca..."

T.S. wrote: "My review of the Scrying

https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R3LAM...
https://www.amazon.com/review/R3EJN4E......"

Thanks for your reviews, T.S. If you have posted a review on Amazon UK for "Scrying" as above then it should work for "Agent Mauve" providing you use the same user & password names? Could it be something else?

Carol Devine - please can you respond. I've sent you my email by goodreads message. Please send me your book in pdf or mobi. It's first on my list!

My review of the Heir to the Throne (The Last King of Legend)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.amazon.com/review/RFSNU2Z...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/RINB6...

G.J. wrote: "T.S. wrote: "My review of Special Agent Mauve

https://www.amazon.com/review/R232PQE...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3......"

G.J. wrote: "T.S. wrote: "My review of Special Agent Mauve

https://www.amazon.com/review/R232PQE...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3......"

It's keying off my email address and unless I want to change my domicile, we are at an impasse. You may have some type of restriction on the book.

G.J. wrote: "T.S. wrote: "My review of Special Agent Mauve

https://www.amazon.com/review/R232PQE...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3......"
An interesting note is I was able to post for the Last King on Amazon UK as well. So, you would think so, but no. Have others been able to post reviews?

Ok, 3 down, 1 to go Jennifer Withers the ball is in your court. I need your book file.