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 Amazon rules state that authors/publishers are not allowed to specifically supply published books in return for reviews on Amazon. To comply with this 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 Novella round
Fiction and non-fiction, adult and children's books under 45,000 Words

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 and Amazon. Amazon allows only those people who have spent $50 in the last year to leave reviews in each of their stores. If you are unsure about your Amazon reviewer status, try posting a ‘test’ review before signing up. If you are unable to post reviews on Amazon, please do not sign 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, but it is not necessary to give one.

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 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:
L.N. Denison


1. Stacie Eirich
2. Cathleen Townsend
3. Mary T. Kincaid
4. Augustine Sam
5. Tamira Thayne
6. Franca Ogbonnaya
7. Darrell B. Nelson
8. L.N. Denison
9. Paula Shablo
10. Eunice Nascimento


1. Bear Kingdom & The Golden Sword
2. The Golden Key
3. Hawk McCoy: The Penthiads
4. BLACK GOLD
5. Smidgey Pidgey's Predicament
6. Betrayal of Blood
7. I Killed the Man That Wasn't There
8. Hyde's Lament
9. Roger's Revelation
10. Love By Chance: Felton Ridge Firefighter Heroes

My goodness--I don't think I've ever been the first post before. I'd like to join with my 15k novelette, The Golden Key.

It's available on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Key-Cat....

My goodreads profile is here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show....

Welcome aboard Cathleen - please remember to check back as the group fills to let me know of any clashes.

I would like to participate with my middle grade novel, Hawk Mccoy: The Penthiads. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

My author's profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Thank you.
Mary

Welcome, Mary. Do keep an eye out for clashes as the group fills :)

Hello! I'd like to join with my latest kids fantasy novella for middle-grade readers, Bear Kingdom & The Golden Sword. Book 2 of The Dream Chronicles.

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

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

I've just completed my fourth and final review in Group 183, so should be good to go. No clashes/conflicts as of now. Thanks!
Stacie

Welcome aboard, Stacie! Do keep checking back.

I would like to join with Hyde's Lament:

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

I will be done with my other commitment by the end of the week, leaving the way clear to start this round.

I have read Stacie, and Mary has read me, but it was a long time ago. I do believe she read the now defunct, Oscar. One of only a handful that did. Sorry about that Mary.

Hi, I'd like to join this round with my revised short novel, Black Gold.


Book page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Author profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Note: I have been reviewed by Mary & Stacie, but not this book.

Hi, I'd like to participate with my children's book, Smidgey Pidgey's Predicament.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CQX4CPT/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

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

Welcome aboard Tamira, Augustine and L.N. :)

Hi I would like to join with my novella named Betrayal of Blood: A tale from the Wielder Series.

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

https://www.amazon.ca/Betrayal-Blood-...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Betrayal-Blo...

Thanks so much for letting me know about this. I would love to join with my novella "Roger's Revelation"


https://www.amazon.com/Rogers-Revelat...

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Here is my Goodreads author page:

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

Paula Shablo
Author of Emma: Ancestor's Tales

Hello. Thank you for this opportunity. I'd like to join with my novelette Love By Chance:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

My Goodreads profile
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

I've read the rules. I'm new to the group so no clashes.

I'd like to join, but the book I need reviews for is not technically a novella. It's a collection of short stories.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Luckily this time all my clashes are grouped together.
Mary has reviewed "Showgirls and Aliens"
I've reviewed L.N. and Stacie but not the ones they have in this round.
My profile is: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Welcome aboard Franca, Paula, Eunice and Darrell, that's this group filled to the brim!

This group is now 'Pending' which means I would like everyone to double check that they have never reviewed the four people 'above' them in the list (the list wraps around so 8, 9 and 10 are 'above' 1).

This is because I need to be sure you won't get any reciprocal reviews when those 4 people review you, as that can cause no end of ethical issues - and lead to potential deletions of reviews on Amazon.

Please check and post.

Thanks :)

Don't believe that I've reviewed anyone but L. N. Denison.
Mary

Apart from the ones i've mentioned, i'm good to go.

I’m new to the group so I haven’t reviewed anyone yet.

I have reviewed Mary Kincaid's Mortimer in a past round -- but not the book she has posted for this Review Round. I've not reviewed the other 3 people above me.

Thanks,

Stacie

I haven’t reviewed anyone in the group.

I think we have a problem here as Stacie can't be reviewed by someone she has already reviewed. I will try and sort it out but I'm not sure I can with the present group.

That's not fair, I'm supposed to be the problem one in every group and you handled all mine easily.

I'm glad to say I think I have been able to sort the issue. If you have been in these rounds previously, please recheck carefully that you are not going to be reviewing anyone who has reviewed you, please.

Thanks :)

Am I too late? I'd like reviews on either Tales from Suburbia or The Blue Serpent - either one is fine.

Looks like I'm good. I haven't read any of these authors yet, but I'm looking forward to it.

Paula Shablo

I don't see any review clashes on my end. :)

No clashes for me. Thank you.

I'm sorry to ask, but I'm new to this, and I've read the directions above twice and can't find the answer...are we waiting for something else now, or are we supposed to have started reading the four books above ours? Thank you!

I'll be assigning the books and handing you over to your Mod tomorrow, Tamira. I want to be very sure there are no clashes for those who have been in previous rounds as they can't really be resolved once the reading has begun.

OK, great. I just didn't want to be sitting here twiddling my thumbs if I was supposed to be doing something already. Much obliged.

Since I’ve been moved to where I believe I’ll be reviewing #7-10, I think I am clear of clashes. Thanks!

We seem to be good to go :)

START DATE: 08-June-18

END DATE: 31-Aug-18

Round 1 – post your review by 29-June-18
Round 2 – post your review by 20-July-18
Round 3 – post your review by 10-Aug-18
Round 4 – post your review by 31-Aug-18

As AUTHORS you send your book file to:

190-01__Stacie Eirich
Eunice Nascimento for round 1
Paula Shablo for round 2
L.N. Denison for round 3
Darrell B. Nelson for round 4

190-02__Cathleen Townsend
Stacie Eirich for round 1
Eunice Nascimento for round 2
Paula Shablo for round 3
L.N. Denison for round 4

190-03__Mary T. Kincaid
Cathleen Townsend for round 1
Stacie Eirich for round 2
Eunice Nascimento for round 3
Paula Shablo for round 4

190-04__ Augustine Sam
Mary T. Kincaid for round 1
Cathleen Townsend for round 2
Stacie Eirich for round 3
Eunice Nascimento for round 4

190-05__Tamira Thayne
Augustine Sam for round 1
Mary T. Kincaid for round 2
Cathleen Townsend for round 3
Stacie Eirich for round 4

190-06__ Franca Ogbonnaya
Tamira Thayne for round 1
Augustine Sam for round 2
Mary T. Kincaid for round 3
Cathleen Townsend for round 4

190-07__ Darrell B. Nelson
Franca Ogbonnaya for round 1
Tamira Thayne for round 2
Augustine Sam for round 3
Mary T. Kincaid for round 4

190-08__ L.N. Denison
Darrell B. Nelson for round 1
Franca Ogbonnaya for round 2
Tamira Thayne for round 3
Augustine Sam for round 4

190-09__ Paula Shablo
L.N. Denison for round 1
Darrell B. Nelson for round 2
Franca Ogbonnaya for round 3
Tamira Thayne for round 4

190-10__ Eunice Nascimento
Paula Shablo for round 1
L.N. Denison for round 2
Darrell B. Nelson for round 3
Franca Ogbonnaya for round 4

As REVIEWERS you will receive books for review from:

190-01__Stacie Eirich
Cathleen Townsend for round 1
Mary T. Kincaid for round 2
Augustine Sam for round 3
Tamira Thayne for round 4

190-02__Cathleen Townsend
Mary T. Kincaid for round 1
Augustine Sam for round 2
Tamira Thayne for round 3
Franca Ogbonnaya for round 4

190-03__Mary T. Kincaid
Augustine Sam for round 1
Tamira Thayne for round 2
Franca Ogbonnaya for round 3
Darrell B. Nelson for round 4

190-04__ Augustine Sam
Tamira Thayne for round 1
Franca Ogbonnaya for round 2
Darrell B. Nelson for round 3
L.N. Denison for round 4

190-05__Tamira Thayne
Franca Ogbonnaya for round 1
Darrell B. Nelson for round 2
L.N. Denison for round 3
Paula Shablo for round 4

190-06__ Franca Ogbonnaya
Darrell B. Nelson for round 1
L.N. Denison for round 2
Paula Shablo for round 3
Eunice Nascimento for round 4

190-07__ Darrell B. Nelson
L.N. Denison for round 1
Paula Shablo for round 2
Eunice Nascimento for round 3
Stacie Eirich for round 4

190-08__ L.N. Denison
Paula Shablo for round 1
Eunice Nascimento for round 2
Stacie Eirich for round 3
Cathleen Townsend for round 4

190-09__ Paula Shablo
Eunice Nascimento for round 1
Stacie Eirich for round 2
Cathleen Townsend for round 3
Mary T. Kincaid for round 4

190-10__ Eunice Nascimento
Stacie Eirich for round 1
Cathleen Townsend for round 2
Mary T. Kincaid for round 3
Augustine Sam 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. When you have posted your reviews, please post the links to each of your reviews, not the book page in this thread.
The mod of each round will record whether members have posted reviews on Amazon and for the good of all, members who persistently fail to post reviews or DNF reviews to Amazon, will find mods 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.

Please read this especially if you are new to these review rounds.

Quick 'start-up' summary for anyone new who might be scratching their heads. You should PM the four people who will be reviewing you through their Goodreads author pages. Click on the down arrow beside the 'Follow Author' button under their picture and it opens a menu which will allow you to message them.

Ask what kind of file they would like or say you can only offer PDF, though unless a publisher uploaded it for you, you can always download a .mobi of your own book from Amazon.

Don't forget to ask where to send it so they can give you their email.

The four people who you are reviewing should be in touch with you in a similar way.

You can, of course, choose to buy any or all of the books instead, or read the books on KU, if you are a subscriber and the books are available there.

Please make sure you have exchanged ALL FOUR books - or have been assured by your reviewers they will buy your book or read it through KU - as soon as possible. Some people read fast and it can be very frustrating to have to wait a long time to get hold of a book you are committed to review.

Finally, recent changes on Amazon mean that we are now asking you to post your review to your own Amazon store and any others you might have access to as well. Please still attempt to post on .com and .uk, but if you can only post on your local Zon you will not be penalised.

Your Mod for this round is L.N. Denison and I shall now hand you over to her experienced care. Please contact her if you have any issues arising

Thank you E.M. Hello everyone! I only have 2 rules:

Be kind to each other, and enjoy the round.

Now, get reading and i'll see you on the other side. Please, if you have any problems or concerns just PM me.

For anyone reading my book, it is available on KU...or I can offer pdf, mobi or epub.

Hi, can anyone explain this to me? I'm not familiar with what they mean by "Amazon Store". Plus, I always assumed when I reviewed on Amazon it also went on Amazon uk. Is that not true? Appreciate any guidance!

"Finally, recent changes on Amazon mean that we are now asking you to post your review to your own Amazon store and any others you might have access to as well. Please still attempt to post on .com and .uk, but if you can only post on your local Zon you will not be penalised."

I have either bought or picked up on KU, all 4 of my books. I look forward to.reading them.

Hey all,
To anyone reviewing me, my book is perma-free on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Killed-Man-Tha...

Just diving in to explain myself to you, Tamira. ;)

If you are in the US your local Amazon store is the .com one (In Germany it would be .de, in Japan .co.jp and in the UK .co.uk etc.)

And no, reviews do not post across stores. But if a book has zero reviews on its own store, then US ones will be listed as 'Most helpful customer reviews on Amazon.com'.

Hope this helps :)

Thank you! Ok, I didn't realize the review didn't follow the book around.

Was just informed Amazon changed the price on me.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
It is free at Smashwords.

I’d definitely like to throw my book in the hat for this reading round.

“The Steel Sentinel” fantasy epic
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Author page
https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/aut...

Kyle, you are a bit late for this round, it has already started. More rounds will.be starting soon.

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

I just finished reading this book, here’s my review on goodreads, I also reviewed on amazon kindle uk.

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

I just reviewed this book on goodreads and also on amazon kindle uk.

Thanks

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

I just finished the book above and reviewed it.

Wow! Franca, you're on fire! One more book and you are done.

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

I just finished reading Darrell B Nelson’s book. Here’s my review.

Thanks again.