Review Group discussion

The review group hosts non-reciprocal reading/review rounds of ten authors. 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, the moderators give priority to those members who have fully participated in previous groups but do not review many connections with the other participants in the round.

This is a Novella round
In joining this group you agree 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.

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.
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. It would a big help if it is also listed on Goodreads, preferably by the same title.

3. Your book is fit/ready 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. 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 its 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 reviiewers borrow books via KU and some authors 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. “I received a free copy from the author without an obligation to review” is 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 plot twists or 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, send a PM to the moderator of your round, NOT the other author. Personal attacks, or pressuring 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, it’s 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 Do Not Finish and/or don’t post reviews will find it difficult to get into other groups.

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 the moderator 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.
The moderators will do their best to fit everyone into the group requested, but occasionally, particularly in the case of our more prolific good standing members, we may have to decline a member request to fit the maximum number of people into a particular round. It is permissible to review an author more than once provided you review a different book from before is available.
If you need anything clarified please ask before signing up, either by Goodreads personal message to the moderator or on the thread below. It’s a pain to have to keep rearranging the list because people haven’t read the instructions above.

The moderator for this group will be
Hock

Member Links
1. X. Culletto
2. Kathleen Rowland
3. Caitlyn Santi
4. A.V. Osten
5. Hock G. Tjoa
6. Akhil Sharma
7. Annie Harmon
8. Mehreen Ahmed
9. Ceri Bladen
10.Stacie Eirich

Book Links
1. Ronan's Story : A Novelette
2. One Night in Havana
3. Deadly Obsession
4. The Head Employee Precedent
5. Agamemnon Must Die]
6. I Am a Failure
7. Super Piggy
8. Jacaranda Blues
9. Vikings - Taken
10.Bear Kingdom & The Golden Sword

I'd like to join with my novelette. I've read and understand the rules.


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

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

Welcome, Xela. You're the first to sign up. I may move you around to accommodate having everyone in this round such that no one reviews anyone who has previously given that person a review.

That is forbidden by Amazon and frowned upon elsewhere.

One Night in Havana Kathleen Rowland
Hello Hock, I would like to join your novella group with One Night in Havana, an erotic romance with suspense. I know the rules, having read them and have participated in prior groups. Thank you.

Welcome, Kathleen. Good to have you back.

Everyone in these rounds needs to keep an eye on those who sign up later in case there are "conflicts" - you cannot review someone who has reviewed any of your books, not just specific books.

Cheers,

Hock wrote: "Welcome, Kathleen. Good to have you back.

Everyone in these rounds needs to keep an eye on those who sign up later in case there are "conflicts" - you cannot review someone who has reviewed any of..."

Thank you, Hock. It's a pleasure to be here.

Hello, I would like to join with my Christian YA Suspense novella Deadly Obsession Caitlyn Santi
I have read and agree to all the rules. So far I have no conflicts, but I will keep checking back. Thanks!

Welcome, Caitlyn.
Glad to have you!

Thank you! I'm really looking forward to participating in this round! 🙂

I'd like to add my novelette The Head Employee Precedent by A.V. Osten , part 1 in a series.

Hi Hock,
I Would love to join this group.

My novella "I AM A FAILURE" on goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

On Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/I-am-failure-A...

Thanks

Welcome, A.V. and Akhil.
I have added myself also.

Now we are six.

I got the email, I worry about time but I can handle it. I'm in. Keep in mind though, I will have to post through my sister's Amazon account because Amazon locked my account from reviewing after I reached the top 100 review group. (I went as high as the CEO's secretary and they still would not provide a reason for this action.)
Anyway, if you want me, I have a children's chapter book (9-12), but can be enjoyed by anyone who loves animals. It's 44,300 words. It's on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and well, yes, here.
https://www.amazon.com/Super-Piggy-1-...

Mehreen Ahmed

Jacaranda Blues

Novella written in a stream-of-consciousness style, 20,000 words approx.

I'd like to join with my children's fantasy, Bear Kingdom & The Golden Sword. At approx 27, 000 words - it is a novella.

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

I've just completed Review 4 for group 172, so should be good to participate via the rules - which I've read & reviewed. :-)

One conflict: I have already reviewed Agamemnon Must Die.

Thanks,
Stacie

Welcome - Annie, Mehreen, and Stacie!

About conflicts - if you have reviewed someone, you may review a different book by the same person, but you MUST NOT be reviewed by that person. That is the rule against reciprocal reviews that gets Amazon worked up.

(Hope that is not the case with your account, Annie!)

One more before we have "lift off"!

Hock wrote: "Welcome - Annie, Mehreen, and Stacie!

About conflicts - if you have reviewed someone, you may review a different book by the same person, but you MUST NOT be reviewed by that person. That is the r..."

Yeah. That's a good rule.

I'm not sure if you have enough reviewers, but if not, I am interested.

I am an author of historical romance novellas. I have not reviewed any of the above books.

Here is a link to mine- http://amzn.to/2H5XC5A

Sorry, here's my link on Goodreads :)

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

Welcome, Ceri.

The important thing is not whether you have reviewed any of the BOOKS but whether you have ever reviewed any of the AUTHORS.

If you have, that person cannot review you - the main problem according to Amazon.

Unless I hear from you or someone else in the next twenty-four hours, I will set up the assignments.

Till soon.

I have not been reviewed by any of the authors...

I do not have any conflicts-- have not reviewed or been reviewed by any of the authors.

I have no conflicts. I haven't reviewed for or been reviewed by any of these authors before. 🙂

Okay, folks, we are ready to go! Please read the set-up below carefully and let me know if there are any conflicts or if I screwed something up.

START DATE: February 14, 2018

END DATE: April 11, 2018

Round 1 – post your review by February 28, 2018
Round 2 – post your review by March 14, 2018
Round 3 – post your review by March 28, 2018
Round 4 – post your review by April 11, 2018

As AUTHORS, you must SEND your book file to:

(X. Culletto, send to)
Annie Harmon
Mehreen Ahmed
Ceri Bladen
Stacie Eirich

(Kathleen Rowland, send to)
Mehreen Ahmed
Ceri Bladen
Stacie Eirich
X. Culletto

(Caitlyn Santi, send to)
Ceri Bladen
Stacie Eirich
X. Culletto
Kathleen Rowland

(A.V. Osten, send to)
Stacie Eirich
X. Culletto
Kathleen Rowland
Caitly Santi

(Hock G. Tjoa, send to)
X. Culletto
Kathleen Rowland
Caitlyn Santi
A.V. Osten

(Akhil Sharma, send to)
Kathleen Rowland
Caitlyn Santi
A.V. Osten
Hock G. Tjoa

(Annie Harmon, send to)
Caitlyn Santi
A.V. Osten
Hock G. Tjoa
Akhil Sharma

(Mehreen Ahmed, send to)
A.V. Osten
Hock G. Tjoa
Akhil Sharma
Annie Harmon

(Ceri Bladen, send to)
Hock G. Tjoa
Akhil Sharma
Annie Harmon
Mehreen Ahmed

(Stacie Eirich, send to)
Akhil Sharma
Annie Harmon
Mehreen Ahmed
Ceri Bladen

As REVIEWERS you will RECEIVE and REVIEW:

(X. Culletto reviews)
Kathleen Rowland
Caitlyn Santi
A.V. Osten
Hock G. Tjoa

(Kathleen Rowland reviews)
Caitlyn Santi
A.V. Osten
Hock G. Tjoa
Akhil Sharma

(Caitlyn Santi reviews)
A.V. Osten
Hock G. Tjoa
Akhil Sharma
Annie Harmon

(A.V. Osten reviews)
Hock G. Tjoa
Akhil Sharma
Mehreen Ahmed
Ceri Bladen

(Hock G. Tjoa reviews)
Akhil Sharma
Annie Harmon
Mehreen Ahmed
Ceri Bladen

(Akhil Sharma reviews)
Annie Harmon
Mehreen Ahmed
Ceri Bladen
Stacie Eirich

(Annie Harmon reviews)
Mehreen Ahmed
Ceri Bladen
Stacie Eirich
X.Culetto

(Mehreen Ahmed reviews)
Ceri Bladen
Stacie Eirich
X. Culletta
Kathleen Rowland

(Ceri Bladen reviews)
Stacie Eirich
X. Culleto
Kathleen Rowland
Caitlyn Santi
A.V. Osten

(Stacie Eirich reviews)
X. Culletto
Kathleen Rowland
Caitlyn Santi
A.V. Osten

If you pull out after the start date for any reason, please find someone to do your reviews. Please do not ask the moderator(s) 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. It is the reviewers responsibility to provide working email addresses. Everyone must be able to provide and accept PDF. Consider Smashwords (a website) and Calibre (software) that provide free and easy conversion.

All reviews must be posted to Goodreads. We also encourage members to post on amazon .com and .uk. When you have posted your reviews, please post the LINKS to your REVIEWS, not to the book page in this thread.

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

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

Happy reviewing, everyone.

Right, I think I've managed to send requests or my email out to all the authors I am linked to above. If it hasn't come through, please contact me.

I'm looking forward to receiving and reviewing your books :)

Ceri

To everyone who has my book "Ronan's Story", and would like a copy for their Kindle, it's free today, tomorrow, and Thursday on Amazon. If you'd like a different format, let me know.

https://www.amazon.com/Ronans-Story-N...

Okay, I think I have messaged everyone I needed to. If I have missed anybody please let me know! Looking forward to some great reading!🙂

Hock wrote: "Welcome, Ceri.

The important thing is not whether you have reviewed any of the BOOKS but whether you have ever reviewed any of the AUTHORS.

If you have, that person cannot review you - the main p..."
Oh! Somehow I missed this being mentioned (speed-reading to catch up) I noticed I am on your list to review, and you reviewed me many years ago. Is that what is being spoken of?)
Annie

Mehreen wrote: "Hi everyone, my email is [email protected] for those who want to send me their books.

I could not get in touch with A.V Osten to send my book."

Emailing you right now.

Caitlyn wrote: "Okay, I think I have messaged everyone I needed to. If I have missed anybody please let me know! Looking forward to some great reading!🙂"

Hi Caitlyn, I am reviewing your book in the first round. Can you please send a mobi to [email protected] -- thanks so much.

A.V. wrote: "I'd like to add my novelette The Head Employee Precedent by A.V. Osten , part 1 in a series."

Hello A.V. I am reviewing your book, The Head Employee Precedent, and look forward to reading it. Love the title. Please send a mobi to [email protected] -- thank you.

I hope no one has trouble send personal messages within Goodreads - this is why there is a list of everyone in this group in the first message.

The links there all work, click and then find a downward arrow, click again and then choose, send a message.

This is recommended over sending your email addresses in a post - for your privacy.

Cheers,

Hock

I've sent Super Piggy out to all on my list and have received two of the books I am in line to read. Which is just perfect, since I can't read all four at once anyway! So, I'm happily on track.

My first round review for One Night in Havana:

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

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

I couldn't find this book listed in amazon.co.uk
Kathleen, if you've got a link, I'd be happy to list it there as well.

My review for One Night in Havana.

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

https://www.amazon.com/review/R2WXN28...

My review for Stacie Eirich: Bear Kingdom and the Golden Sword

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

https://www.amazon.com/review/R2P62SE...

My review for Caitlyn Santi: Deadly Obsession

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

I have posted on both Amazon's .co.uk and .com sites - waiting for links

My review for Mehreen Ahmed: Jacaranda Blues
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.amazon.com/Jacaranda-Blue...

Many thanks, Akhil

Sorry, perhaps this will work?

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

Here are the Amazon links: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-...

My review of The Head Employee Precedent

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

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R2EB7MO...

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R1922...

Here is my review for Deadly Obsession by Caitlyn Santi-- enjoyed reading this fun, adventure-filled inspirational for upper ya.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/RD3VI...

https://www.amazon.com/review/R3H2UZD...

X. wrote: "My first round review for One Night in Havana:

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

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

Thank you for your review!

The link for One Night in Havana on Amazon UK is https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Night-Ha...

Amazon hides erotic romance from the general audiences.

Mehreen wrote: "My review for One Night in Havana.

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

https://www.amazon.com/review/R2WXN28..."

Thank you so much for your lovely review, Mehreen!

Kathleen wrote: "Mehreen wrote: "My review for One Night in Havana.

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

https://www.amazon.com/review/R2WXN28..."

You are very welcome Kathleen I really enjoyed your book!

Thank ..."

My review of Ronan's Story by Xela Culletto.

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

https://www.amazon.com/review/RKZYM0E...

My review of The Head Employee Precedent by A.V. Osten

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


Posted to Amazon .co.uk and .com. Waiting for links to go live.

Mehreen wrote: "Many thanks, Akhil" You are welcome Mehreen.

Link to Amazon reviews now live - A V Osten

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

My review of 'One Night in Havana' - Kathleen Rowland

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

Posted to Amazon - awaiting links to go live