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 or check back another time.

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 don’t insist members review on Amazon, but we do insist that every participant in the round has the capacity to leave a review on their local Amazon store, so we all start with the same options.

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 and do check back as the group fills to report any clashes. Usually places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

This is an '18+' round
Books that may contain explicit material. Including but by no means limited to horror and erotica. Books in other genres may be submitted. All authors must be comfortable with reading extreme and explicit material.

Please note it is always possible that the books you are assigned may contain material you find upsetting or offensive. If you can't commit to this, please do not sign up.

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 12 weeks of 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.
You are not expected or required to buy the books you are allocated to review, but as this will give a ‘Verified Purchase’ review on Amazon, it is welcomed when you choose to do so. Many authors have books available via KU and others might provide smashwords coupons. Most authors can provide mobi and/or epub files directly by email. Please note: International Copyright laws apply. You cannot sell, or give away material you have received without the author’s express permission.

6. 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.

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

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

9. 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.

10. 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. Please note the Review Group will back any reviewer's right to express their opinion about a book, but personal comments about a fellow author are against both Review Group and Goodreads policy.

11. 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.

Please note:
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 DNF and/or don’t post reviews will find it difficult to get into a subsequent group.

It is not necessary to leave any kind of disclaimer in your review, but ultimately, it is up to individuals. 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.

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

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.

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/...

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:
Trish Butler

Member Links
1. Thomas A. Burns Jr.
2. Sanam Asif
3. Peter Martuneac
4. Miriam Yvette
5. Trish Butler
6. Dave Saari
7. Balroop Singh
8. Byron Fortin
9. Carolyn St-Denis
10. Mark Huntley-James (Carro)

Book Links
1. Stripper!
2. Just Like Fire
3. Her Name Was Abby
4. Lola
5. Redway Acres: Book 6 - Emmalee
6. Dog Leg Left
7. Moments We Love
8. Two if by Dark Reverie - Part II
9. Unhinged: A true story of child abuse, resiliency and hope.
10. Hell Of A Deal

Thanks for setting up new rounds, E.M.

I'd like to join this round with my latest Redway Acres book - Emmalee. It's a prequel to the earlier books.

Trish Butler
Redway Acres: Book 6 - Emmalee

Trish

Hello!

I would like to join and include my side story, Lola.
I have read Trish's lovely Redway Acre: Book 6 Emmalee.

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

Book Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Hi, I would like to join with my poetry book:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Thanks.

Hello! I'd like to join with Dog Leg Left.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

I've reviewed one of Balroop's poetry books.

I'd like to join with my novel Stripper! Balroop has reviewed a different book of mine. I have not reviewed Dave or Trish. Dave has reviewed Stripper, but I have other books he has not reviewed.

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

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

Hey,

Yes, Miriam has reviewed the book I listed, but if she's willing she could review Redway Acres - Helena (bk 1)

I've reviewed Balroop before, but not the one she's listed.

Dave and Thomas are new to me.

Trish

I’d like to join with Her Name Was Abby! I’ve reviewed Redeay Acres - Emmalee but would love to review another entry in that series. I’ve reviewed Balroop but not that particular book.

Peter wrote: "I’d like to join with Her Name Was Abby! I’ve reviewed Redeay Acres - Emmalee but would love to review another entry in that series. I’ve reviewed Balroop but not that particular book."

Thank you for the compliment, Peter. I'd be happy for you to review book 1 (Helena).

YOU HAVE also reviewed Miriam, she joined right after my message above (a different book though). I THINK we can work it out, but E.M. is the expert. Miriam can't go in your blind spot because she has also reviewed me and Balroop, and Dave has reviewed Balroop too. After that, my head explodes! LOL

Trish

I'd be more than happy to read Helena!

Thomas A. Burns Jr. has reviewed Lola, but not the Birth.

I hope we can work it out! If there is "conflict" I don't mind waiting until the next round, by then I should have The "Conflict" volume 2 back on Amazon. (see what I did there?) lol

Miriam wrote: "I'd be more than happy to read Helena!

Thomas A. Burns Jr. has reviewed Lola, but not the Birth.

I hope we can work it out! If there is "conflict" I don't mind waiting until the next round, by ..."

Thanks Miriam. I guess by saying he hadn't reviewed me and Dave, Thomas meant he HAD reviewed you and I didn't pick up on it.

I'm leaving the heavy lifting to E.M. while I pick up my brain fragments! LOL

T

Trish wrote: "Miriam wrote: "I'd be more than happy to read Helena!

Thomas A. Burns Jr. has reviewed Lola, but not the Birth.

I hope we can work it out! If there is "conflict" I don't mind waiting until the ..."

Sounds good, and I hope it works out!

Can I join?

Sanam wrote: "Can I join?"

Hi,

Maybe if Balroop can review your other book?

I know You have reviewed Peter and Miriam in the last 18+ round. Any other clashes?

Miriam has a different book this time - have you read that? What about Peter's other books?

Thanks.

T

Peter wrote: "I’d like to join with Her Name Was Abby! I’ve reviewed Redeay Acres - Emmalee but would love to review another entry in that series. I’ve reviewed Balroop but not that particular book."

Peter, can you post your links please - author and book

Also, could Sanam read an alternate book of yours if that's possible?

Trish

Sure, here's the link to the book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

And link to my profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

I have only one book out.

Welcome all, please check your clashes so far on the list and let me know if I need to move anyone.

Many thanks to Trish for sorting this round so well :)

Balroop has reviewed Legacy of the Unborn. I have not reviewed Dave or Trish. I have reviewed Miriam's Lola. Dave has reviewed Stripper, but I have other books he has not reviewed.

I have not reviewed Peter

Thomas wrote: "Balroop has reviewed Legacy of the Unborn. I have not reviewed Dave or Trish. I have reviewed Miriam's Lola. Dave has reviewed Stripper, but I have other books he has not reviewed."

Thomas - has anyone other than Balroop and Dave reviewed you before?

Have you read Miriam's The Birth?

thanks

Trish

Ok, I think we can fit Sanam in (to be confirmed by E.M.) if we do this order.

Can you all take a look and be sure that works. Then we only need 3 more!

Thanks.

(Remember you will review the 4 below you in the list if you have reviewed the book they've listed make sure they have another you can review. The list wraps around. Check the 4 above you in the list haven't reviewed you before or if they have you have another book for them to review.)

Trish
1. Thomas
2. Sanam
3. Peter
4. Miriam
5. Trish
6. Dave
7. Balroop
8.
9.
10.

That works for me!

Oooh, I'm in!
Fine and dandy here!

I don't think so. I have not read The Birth.

I'd like to join with In It For The Money
It's the third in the series but can be read as a standalone

potential conflicts -
Waiting for Peter to send me Her Name Was Abby so I can finish the last round.
I've read Balroop's poetry.

Cathy wrote: "I'd like to join with In It For The Money
It's the third in the series but can be read as a standalone

potential conflicts -
Waiting for Peter to send me Her Name Was Abby so I ca..."

Cathy,

Have you read Balroop? Because on the two rounds I've modded with the two of you in, she has read Double Down and In It for the Money. If you've read and reviewed her too that could be a problem.

I don't think we can fit you in because Sanam has only one book and both you and Balroop have read it (Balroop is already in Sanam's blind spot). You could try the general round.

FYI all this is moot until you submit your last two reviews for round #259.

Trish
PS Peter, can you get your book to Cathy so she can complete the last group we were in. Thanks.

I have read Peter and Miriam. will they give me their other books for this cycle?

Sanam wrote: "I have read Peter and Miriam. will they give me their other books for this cycle?"

Miriam signed up with another book this round, so you're good there. Peter has other books too and he said this list would work for him.

Trish

So far, so good. I reviewed Balroop's Emerging from Shadows.

Trish wrote: "Cathy wrote: "I'd like to join with In It For The Money
It's the third in the series but can be read as a standalone

potential conflicts -
Waiting for Peter to send me Her Name Wa..."
Hi Trish,
Cathy has not read any of my books. I have read and reviewed two books of Cathy, the ones you've mentioned. I have read the book she has listed in this round.
Thanks, Balroop

Hi Trish, you've reviewed a different book of mine.
Peter, Miriam and Dave have reviewed my books but not this one.
Thanks, Balroop

Hi,
I'd like to join in with my book Two if by Dark Reverie - Part II, if possible. I can do Mobi, ePub and PDF. Books are also available on KU. It being the fourth entry in the series, a brief summary of the first three books can be provided, if necessary, in order to get the reader more up to speed. Being new to the group, I do not believe that I have reviewed any of the other authors on this list. Looking forward to getting to know all of you!

Byron wrote: "Hi,
I'd like to join in with my book Two if by Dark Reverie - Part II, if possible. I can do Mobi, ePub and PDF. Books are also available on KU. It being the fourth entry in the ser..."

Great! E.M. will add you soon.

Providing a synopsis of the other books will be entirely up to you. If you are looking for people to read the book and see if it works as a standalone then it would be best not to.

I'll be modding and taking part in this group, so feel free to ask questions - I promise to be gentle.

Trish

Trish wrote: "Great! E.M. will add you soon.

Providing a synopsis of the other books will be entirely up to you. If you are looking for people to read the book and see if it works as a standalone then it would be best not to."

Fantastic, thanks! Can't wait to get started.

I'd like to join please with my autobiography.Unhinged: a true story of child
abuse, resiliency and hope.


Book page:

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

Author page:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/dash...

Available KU, MOBI or PDF

Miriam Yvette has already reviewed this book.

I'd like to join on behalf of my other half, Mark Huntley-James, with his dark humorous contemporary fantasy Hell Of A Deal. First in the series.

Carolyn and Carro/Mark,

Can you confirm if you have ever reviewed or been reviewed by anyone else signed up already?

See my list on message #22 and also Bryon who joined a few messages above yours.

Thanks.

Trish

Hi Trish Butler 👋 as I've stated, Miriam Yvette has reviewed me. I have not reviewed anyone of the list :)

Carolyn wrote: "Hi Trish Butler 👋 as I've stated, Miriam Yvette has reviewed me. I have not reviewed anyone of the list :)"

Missed that - thanks!

T

Welcome all!

I now need everyone to please post to tell me if you have reviewed any of the four people above you on the list (the list wraps around so 10 is 'above 1). Please also check that if you have already reviewed any of the four people 'below' you on the list they have more books available that you have not yet reviewed and post to tell me if they have not.

You can check if you have reviewed anyone before by going to your reviews, clicking the 'Author' heading to get them in alphabetical author order, and then checking through to see. You can check if someone has reviewed you in the same way through their profile.

If you are new to the group, it's worth checking out how this works so you know for future reference.

When enough people have reported in with no clashes, I can move us on to the reading phase.

Hurrah!

I'm all good. Everyone who has reviewed me before (Peter & Miriam) is going to do so again and Balroop whom I have reviewed before I will review again.

Perfect!

Trish

I have not reviewed any of the other newly added authors on the list.

I'm all good.

I've not reviewed any of the books above me. Would note that one of the books above me is a part II - it might make it hard to do this justice not having read part I. Is reading part I possible? (Instead of part II not as well as.) No problem reading part II if that is preferred.

The four below have not previously reviewed Mark.

I have not reviewed the four authors above me.
I have read Peter's and Miriam's work, but Miriam has a different book in this one.
I have already read Her name was Abby by Peter. I can read the 1st book in the series.

Carro wrote: "I've not reviewed any of the books above me. Would note that one of the books above me is a part II - it might make it hard to do this justice not having read part I. Is reading part I possible? (I..."

You will be reviewing the 4 people below you, Carro, that is why it is vital that none of them have previously reviewed you.

No, none of them have reviewed Mark.

Would note that Lola is a second book, and I've not read the first. Should I read the first instead, or see how Lola reads as a stand-alone?

Carro wrote: "I've not reviewed any of the books above me. Would note that one of the books above me is a part II - it might make it hard to do this justice not having read part I. Is reading part I possible? (I..."

Like E.M. said, Carro, it's the other way around to how you have it.

You will review Thomas, Sanam, Peter and Miriam.
Dave, Balroop, Byron and Carolyn will review Mark's books.

Just as a point of admin, should requests for a copy of Mark's book (when we get to that point) go through you?

Thanks and keep asking questions - that's absolutely fine.

Trish

Hi all,

Just an aside about book series.

If someone puts a book in a series in one of our review groups, then that is the book they want reviews for this time. Sometimes, it is great for the author for someone to read a book later in the series first, as we love to ensure our books can really be read as standalone books.

Example - For anyone potentially reviewing me (we aren't set in concrete yet) my book 6 is a prequel, so it should read just fine as a standalone.

Hope that helps.

Trish