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:
Kat Kinney

Member Links
1. Peter Martuneac
2. Zita Harrison
3. K.T. Munson
4. Clive Hawkswood
5. Phillip Vega
6. Harry Old
7. Mary Markstrom
8. Carolyn St-Denis
9. Thomas A. Burns Jr.
10. Nico J. Genes

Book Links
1. Their Names Were Many
2. Owl Manor - Abigail: Book 2 of the Owl Manor Trilogy
3. Zendar: A Tale of Wind and Sand
4. Incidentia MMX
5. Searching for Sarah
6. Operation Bluebird
7. Out of the Madhouse and into The Doghouse: Meno-paws-al Social Worker escapes the UK rat-race and escapes to working with dogs in Spain.
8. Unhinged: A true story of child abuse, resiliency and hope.
9. Stripper!
10. Magnetic Reverie

I'd like to join this round with Their Names Were Many

Hi, E.M., I would like to join with my book, Owl Manor Abigail, book 2 of the Owl Manor Trilogy.

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

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...

Thanks!

Welcome Peter and Zita - please keep checking back and tell me if you see any clashes as we fill. Thanks :)

I'd like to join with Stripper! I've reviewed Peter, but not this book.

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

Welcome Thomas.

I would like to join with Incidentia MMX

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

Thomas has reviewed one of my previous books, but I haven't reveiwed anyone who is so far on the list.

Welcome Clive.

Dont's forget everyone, to keep checking back as we fill and let me know if you spot any clashes. If you are not sure how to check for clashes this will help:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

E.M. wrote: "Welcome Clive.

Dont's forget everyone, to keep checking back as we fill and let me know if you spot any clashes. If you are not sure how to check for clashes this will help:
https://www.goodreads...."

As Thomas said he reviewed one of my books but not the one I'm offering for this round.

Again, I've reviewed Clive before, but not the book he has up for this group.

I'd like to include my book please!

https://www.amazon.ca/Unhinged-Story-...

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

I've already reviewed #10 Stripper!

Can I join, since Group 272 is on pause? I can provide THE WAKE UP (or, for those who've read it, THE ART OF WAR: A NOVEL). I have some time on my hands now and would love to jump in and devour some amazing books! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

If I'm able to join (I can drop out of Group 272 if it'll take a while to sort things out), please know:

I've read two books by Thomas, but it seems he has more.

Carolyn has read one of my books (The Art of War). Peter has read both.

Angela, I'm responding to your PM now.

I'd like to join with Everywhen.

Zita has reviewed another of my books.
I have reviewed Art of War by Angela

Kat, please remove me from this group since I'll be continuing with group 272. Thank you! :)

Ed has reviewed me before.

I reviewed Flit by Ed, but not Everywhen.

Welcome Carolyn and Ed.

Please keep checking back for any new clashes :)

Hi,
I would like to join with Magnetic Reverie
I've read Peter's other book and Thomas read this one, but not the second one in the seriesReverie Girl

Will check later on if any other clashes will appear.
Thank you, Nico

Welcome Nico.

I would like to join this round with The Soldiers' Perspective.

Phillip Murrell

I have already reviewed:
Peter
Ed
Carolyn (since this is her only book, she will have to be in my blindspot. I'm also willing to let her be above me and not review my book).

The following have review me (though none this book):
Zita
Thomas

I would like to join this group with my memoir, Out Of The Madhouse And Into The Doghouse.

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

I haven't reviewed any of the books on this list.

I have reviewed Mary's book, Out of the Madhouse...

Welcome Mary.

Philip - Sorry, I can't fit you in this round.

Can I join this group?https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

I have reviewed 4 books mentioned in this group: 2, 8, 9, 10.

Balroop - I am sorry but I can't fit you in here either. the degree of clashes you have would simply be impossible to accommodate with the existing ones in the group.

Yes, I can see that! Thanks E.M.

Hi all, I am interested in a spot, and would love to review some books as well if I can receive feedback!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HGRZJSV

That is my book's link. Not entirely sure how to do this but there it is. Please let me know what else I should do!

E.M. wrote: "Welcome Mary.

Philip - Sorry, I can't fit you in this round."

No worries. Thanks for trying.

Mike wrote: "Hi all, I am interested in a spot, and would love to review some books as well if I can receive feedback!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HGRZJSV

That is my book's link. Not entirely sure how to do t..."

Hi Mike! First, you need to claim you author's profile on Goodreads as you're currently posting from a regular member account.

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

I'd like to join with Alabaster Alibi
https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/...

I have reviewed Peter and Nico

Mary has reviewed me.

I will double-check the others.

S.D. - I am really sorry but I can't see how to fit you in. All the places are pretty much locked in stone due to pre-existing clashes. It is really a case of if someone can fit in the available spaces then they can have them :(

Thanks... see you in another round.

I have reviewed Unhinged already.
Not sure if we're going up or down this time so just a note...

Everyone else is fine for me.

Searching for Sarah

I'd like to join this group. I will read and post honest reviews to both Goodreads, and Amazon. Hopefully, others will reciprocate.

I still see no clashes for me.

Apart from having reviewed #10, I still have no clashes

Just a reminder that I have reviewed Mary's book Out of the doghouse.

No changes for me. Carolyn, I believe you mean you've read #9 :)

I've already reviewed Magnetic Reverie.

Welcome Philip.

Thanks all for the updates. if you have read someone before and are down to read them again, please let me know if I have missed the fact they don't have another book for you to read.

Hi!

I would like to join with Operation Bluebird please if there is still a space.
I'm new here so have never read anyone on the list or been read by them.

The links to the book on Goodreads and Amazon are:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Operation-Bl...

Thankyou!

Welcome Harry!

Alright, now we come to the 'check' phase. This is very important and I need everyone to do this, no exceptions.

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 through your profile (the link is under your portrait), 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.

Any issues, please post to say.

When everyone has posted 'Good to go' we will be :)

Good to go :)

I reviewed a different book by Thomas A. Burns Jr.
Other than that the 4 above and below are good to go.

Good to go!

I have not reviewed anyone above me on the list.

Below me, I have reviewed Nico's Magnetic Reverie, and Her Name was Abby by Peter. Ed has reviewed me, but not Stripper!

Hey guys! A quick reminder on how to check for clashes... please go to your bookshelf and do a search for the other 9 authors entered into the round. That will tell you if you have read them in the past.

THEN you need to go to the bookshelf of any author who looks even vaguely familiar to you and do a search for your name. That will tell you if they have read you in the past.

It's really important that we get the order set right because we don't want to inadvertently set anyone up to reciprocal review and have something unfortunate happen to your account privileges over on the Zon.