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. Fiction, non-fiction, adult, childrens, thrillers to literary fiction, poetry to horror.

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
Scott Spotson

Member Links
1.Erin Lee Daniels
2.A.J. Maverick (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6...)
3.Florian Armas
4.Jacqui Letran
5.Scott Spotson
6.Melinda Brasher
7.Laura Libricz
8.Diana J. Febry
9.Elizabeth Johnson
10.Jonathan Brown

Book Links
1.Blaque Beauty and the Rancher
2.Not in a Million Years
3.Errant
4.Five Simple Questions to Reclaim Your Happiness!: And Create Amazing Relationships for Life
5.My Wizard Buddy, Wizard Planet, Target Earth
6.Cruising Alaska on a Budget: A Cruise and Port Guide
7.The Soldier’s Return
8.Who Killed Vivien Morse
9.Sebastian: The Life of Sebastian and Hanna Greene
10.The World is Your Home

Have read and agree to the rules :)
Blaque Beauty and the Rancher

:-) Sign me up, please.
Not in a Million Years - A.J. Maverick

Hi Scott, my book will be released on Sept. 15. I'll check back next week to see if there is still a space for me. Thank you!

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

I would like to join.
Errant or something else.

I was reviewed by Erin

I would like to join. Five Simple Questions to Reclaim Your Happiness!: And Create Amazing Relationships for Life

I would like to join.

Cruising Alaska on a Budget: A Cruise and Port Guide


I was reviewed by Florian (for a novel, not non-fiction)

I'd like to add in my wizard trilogy.

Florian has reviewed me before, but not this book.

I have reviewed Melinda before, but not this book.

I don't think I know any of the others...

My Wizard Buddy, Wizard Planet, Target Earth

Disclaimer: The co-author has never participated in any book review groups as far as I know, just me.

I have reviewed The Other Side by Florian

I would like to join please!

Just released my first book on Amazon here:

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

Welcome aboard Jonathan.
Don't worry, Erin, you haven't reviewed this book of Florian's.

Hi please could you add me? The only clash I see is Scott has reviewed one of my books before. I have 7! Who Killed Vivien Morse

Hi,

I would like to join. My historical novel was released today: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
I've read Diana before but not this book.
Thank you!

Hi,
I would like to join with, Sebastian: The life of Sebastian and Hanna Greene.
However, I have reviewed A.J Maverick before but not this book and Jacqui as reviewed another one of mine books.

OK, I think we have our ten. Please check that you have not been asked to review someone who has previously reviewed you.

The four names 'above' yours will review you.
You will review the four names 'below' yours.

if everyone is happy, I'll post the Ready, Steady, GO! message tomorrow.

This is also your last chance to join in the birthday facebook hop, as I'm closing entries for that on the 20th.

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

So it's okay that people who have reviewed me before (for a different book and genre) review me again? If so, I'm all good with the lineup.

Yes, someone can review you again, as long as you have another book.

Ready, Steady, GO!

START DATE: 20-Sep-17

END DATE: 13-Dec-17

Round 1 – post your review by 11-Oct-17
Round 2 – post your review by 01-Nov-17
Round 3 – post your review by 22-Nov-17
Round 4 – post your review by 13-Dec-17



As AUTHORS you send your book file to:

161-01__ Erin Lee Daniels
Jonathan Brown for round 1
Elizabeth Johnson for round 2
Diana J. Febry for round 3
Laura Libricz for round 4

161-02__ A J Maverick
Erin Lee Daniels for round 1
Jonathan Brown for round 2
Elizabeth Johnson for round 3
Diana J. Febry for round 4

161-03__ Florian Armas
A J Maverick for round 1
Erin Lee Daniels for round 2
Jonathan Brown for round 3
Elizabeth Johnson for round 4

161-04__ Jacqui Letran
Florian Armas for round 1
A J Maverick for round 2
Erin Lee Daniels for round 3
Jonathan Brown for round 4

161-05__ Scott Spotson
Jacqui Letran for round 1
Florian Armas for round 2
A J Maverick for round 3
Erin Lee Daniels for round 4

161-06__ Melinda Brasher
Scott Spotson for round 1
Jacqui Letran for round 2
Florian Armas for round 3
A J Maverick for round 4

161-07__ Laura Libricz
Melinda Brasher for round 1
Scott Spotson for round 2
Jacqui Letran for round 3
Florian Armas for round 4

161-08__ Diana J. Febry
Laura Libricz for round 1
Melinda Brasher for round 2
Scott Spotson for round 3
Jacqui Letran for round 4

161-09__ Elizabeth Johnson
Diana J. Febry for round 1
Laura Libricz for round 2
Melinda Brasher for round 3
Scott Spotson for round 4

161-10__ Jonathan Brown
Elizabeth Johnson for round 1
Diana J. Febry for round 2
Laura Libricz for round 3
Melinda Brasher for round 4

As REVIEWERS you will receive books for review from:

161-01__ Erin Lee Daniels
A J Maverick for round 1
Florian Armas for round 2
Jacqui Letran for round 3
Scott Spotson for round 4

161-02__ A J Maverick
Florian Armas for round 1
Jacqui Letran for round 2
Scott Spotson for round 3
Melinda Brasher for round 4

161-03__ Florian Armas
Jacqui Letran for round 1
Scott Spotson for round 2
Melinda Brasher for round 3
Laura Libricz for round 4

161-04__ Jacqui Letran
Scott Spotson for round 1
Melinda Brasher for round 2
Laura Libricz for round 3
Diana J. Febry for round 4

161-05__ Scott Spotson
Melinda Brasher for round 1
Laura Libricz for round 2
Diana J. Febry for round 3
Elizabeth Johnson for round 4

161-06__ Melinda Brasher
Laura Libricz for round 1
Diana J. Febry for round 2
Elizabeth Johnson for round 3
Jonathan Brown for round 4

161-07__ Laura Libricz
Diana J. Febry for round 1
Elizabeth Johnson for round 2
Jonathan Brown for round 3
Erin Lee Daniels for round 4

161-08__ Diana J. Febry
Elizabeth Johnson for round 1
Jonathan Brown for round 2
Erin Lee Daniels for round 3
A J Maverick for round 4

161-09__ Elizabeth Johnson
Jonathan Brown for round 1
Erin Lee Daniels for round 2
A J Maverick for round 3
Florian Armas for round 4

161-10__ Jonathan Brown
Erin Lee Daniels for round 1
A J Maverick for round 2
Florian Armas for round 3
Jacqui Letran 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 :)

Please consider downloading one of my books and/or one of the round mod’s books as a thank you for all the hard work we put in for the group.
My amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Emma-Jaye/e/B0... There’s even a free book! No review is necessary, but as always, they are appreciated.

Not to steal Emma's thunder, but yup, let's go! I'll be both the participant and moderator for this round.

The key thing now is to exchange books, and if you like a certain format, such as .mobi, .epub, or .pdf, be sure to let the author know.

Some participants even buy or download the book if it's free or if it's a low price like $0.99 to $2.99... not necessary, but a fast way to get the books if you don't mind being out a dollar or more! I would stress that there's absolutely NO requirement to buy a book... this is meant to be a free round and authors must get you the book free on a timely basis upon request.

Enjoy reading, and message me privately if any concerns.

Hi Scott,

Does anyone have contact with Diana? I messaged her here in goodreads but she hasn't responded.

I'll contact her.

Good luck with that. Diana was meant to be involved in the hop, but has proved to be uncontactable either by email, goodreads or FB.

True, and she's been around in several review rounds in the past, and completed her duties each time, so let's wait and see.

Hi,

I need to get my book to two reviewers, whom I have contacted with no response. What is the next step?

Also, only one of the 4 people I'm supposed to review reached out to me with their book. Do I need to reach out to them or they to me?

Thank you in advance.

I've done dozens of those groups. As to who should do the contact first... I've had no consistent rule for myself. As Emma says above, "It is the responsibility of the authors to get their books to the readers..." it's a two-way street, because the reader needs (usually) a readable file from the author (like .mobi, .epub, and .pdf) while the author needs an email address from the reader, so does the chicken or the egg go first? We've all muddled our ways through, with some authors contacting the readers first, or the readers contacting the author first.

I would suggest if the authors you're reviewing haven't contacted you yet, take the initiative (yeah, I know you're doing all the work, it's only an email by private messaging at this point though) and then provide your email address to those authors privately. Then, if the author has plenty of notice from you and has your email address, but has not responded, I will not be a happy camper!!

Sorry that nothing yet has "happened" much smoothly, but remember, the first review isn't due until Sept. 27, (three more days eeks) and you have at least one book now, you can review that first, out of order if need be. Then the next review isn't due until October 18. There is no need to do the assigned books in order, just that there's an expectation that we do one review every three weeks.

Actually, I see the group didn't start until Sept. 20... I'll kindly ask Emma if we can extend all our deadlines by another two weeks each. I'll get back to you about the deadlines! Usually the first deadline, like all four, is three weeks after the date the group gets the go-ahead. I'll see if I can get the first deadline extended to October 11, and then the next three deadlines would also be extended accordingly. Hang in there, and happy reading!

Thanks Scott and Emma for all your help!

Thank you so much for your help.

Sorry guys - yup I was on holiday. I'll be contacting everyone tonight. If you are reviewing me in round 1 - don't stress - just add me to the end of your list. I'm a pretty quick reader & will read my first book as soon as I receive it.

My review for Alaska. Such a good book.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R17UXLN...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R28TY...

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

Scott wrote: "My review for Alaska. Such a good book.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R17UXLN...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R28TY...

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

Thanks so much, Scott. I'm glad you enjoyed it. And yes, the "Nugget Falls/McDonalds" incident was unintentional. But kinda fun.

I'll add the book you mentioned, "Never Cry Wolf" by Farley Mowat, to the recommended reading list in the back. It sounds really good. I see he also wrote the short story that "The Snow Walker" was based on. Great movie. I'll have to try to rustle up the book of short stories.

Review for Blaque Beauty And The Rancher: I added one extra star for Amazon.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.amazon.com/review/R2LDVVZ...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R263A...

Thanks, Elizabeth.

Oh goodie, we got the correction in the listing of review due dates. The first review is due October 11. Two more weeks!

Keep rocking, folks!

Hi everyone,

Here's my review of Who Killed Viven Morse: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'll add the amazon ones when they go live.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R26E6...

https://www.amazon.com/review/R169FYL...

My review of The Soldier's Return

https://www.amazon.com/review/R22G2B9...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/RGIVB...

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

Round 1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/R2W0...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-...
Round 3
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/R1X2...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-...
Jonathon I can't trace receiving your book. Could you check & send it again please.

Review for Errant
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R1TSY...
https://www.amazon.com/review/RGFM8CG...

thanks everyone!

Not In A Million Years
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R1FR2Y5...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/RK7LG...

Errant
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R3BVDG4...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/RCSAJ...

Five Simple Questions to Reclaim Your Happiness
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R3B7P45...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R2PON...

My Wizard Buddy
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R1MSEMT...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R2BZA...

Bang! Thanks, Erin!

My Round 1 review of The Soldier’s Return

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/review/R6R7MMN...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R1FFN...

The first round of reviews was due October 11, yesterday. To date, only six of ten of us have completed our round one reviews. Come on, let's hustle some more! I'll wait until tomorrow, then corral those wandering reviewers with my cowboy hat on!

5 Simple Questions to Reclaim Your Happiness:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Cruising Alaska on a Budget:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

---

Not sure how to get those UK reviews up too. Anyone?

I've sent reminder emails to the three reviewers who still haven't submitted any first round review. Let's keep working away!

As for AJ, usually if you already have an account in a home country, you should be able to post on another Amazon country page, even if it's not your home country's. I've never had a problem. I could ask someone who has reviewed this in detail, E.M. Swift-Hook, so let me know if you still have a problem. Try logging into your home (I assume U.S.) account on Amazon and then try going on the book's U.K. Amazon site without logging out. Then try leaving the review.

My review for Jacqui's Five Simple Questions to Reclaim Your Happiness

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

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

Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R1G37...

Elizabeth wrote: "Review for Errant
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R1TSY...
https://www.amazon.com/review/RGFM8CG......"

Thank you, Elizabeth.

Erin wrote: "thanks everyone!

Errant

Thank you, Erin.

Review for Not in a million years:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon UK:https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R31P2...
Amazon. com: https://www.amazon.com/review/R3DX76U...

I still haven't heard from Jonathan Brown, I have left him 3 messages, I can't read his book if i don't have it.

As always, move on to your next book. It is the authors responsibility to get their book to their reviewers.