Review Group discussion

GROUP 6 - moderator Marie-Anne Mancio

START DATE: 29 Dec 2012

END DATE: 23 Mar 2012

Please remember the commitment you are making to your fellow group members. If you don’t think you can manage to do 4 book reviews between these dates, then please let me know now. You will be put into a later group that will be more suitable for you. 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 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 reviewer in a format the reviewer can manage. When the file is received, please post a link to the book in this thread so that the author has confirmation that reviewing of the correct book has started.

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 by 23 March 2013.

When you have posted your review on GR please post in this thread with a link to your review.

All reviews of 3, 4 or 5 stars must be posted to GR, Amazon .com and Amazon.co.uk.

If the rating is 1 or 2 stars, the review must be posted to GR but the author should be asked if they want the review to go to Amazon or not.

Postings to any other sites are by agreement by both author and reviewer.

DON’T FORGET TO POST THE LINK TO THE BOOK(S) YOU WILL BE PUTTING FORWARD FOR REVIEWING AS I REQUESTED IN MY PM TO YOU. FAILURE TO DO SO BY THE GROUP START DATE MAY RESULT IN YOU LOSING YOUR PLACE TO ANOTHER MEMBER.

In the next post are the listings for the 4 review rounds, the who reviews who stuff.

Happy reviewing, everyone :)

I think I’ve managed to solve the puzzle of how to arrange the next groups so that:
• no mod is in a group they’re mod of
• no clashes from previous reviews
• no-one is in more than 1 group ie current group has ended
• everyone currently listed as wanting in gets a go, first come first served within the limitations of the points above and only 10 slots per group

If I’ve missed something that results in you being asked to review someone who has already reviewed you, please let me know asap. If you’ve registered and are not listed here, don’t worry, your turn will come soon in another group.

Member Links
Jason Parent http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Anne Carlisle http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Gabrielle Poplar http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Dean Johnston http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Lynn Blakmar http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Gloria Piper http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Brandon Collier http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Kerry Dwyer http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
D.G. Speirs http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Elizabeth Los http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/12...

The four rounds you have signed up for:

Round 1 end 19-Jan
Round 2 end 09-Feb
Round 3 end 02-Mar
Round 4 end 23-Mar

Round 1
Jason Parent reviews Anne Carlisle
Anne Carlisle reviews Gabrielle Poplar
Gabrielle Poplar reviews Dean Johnston
Dean Johnston reviews Lynn Blakmar
Lynn Blakmar reviews Gloria Piper
Gloria Piper reviews Brandon Collier
Brandon Collier reviews Kerry Dwyer
Kerry Dwyer reviews D.G. Speirs
D.G. Speirs reviews Elizabeth Los
Elizabeth Los reviews Jason Parent


Round 2
Jason Parent reviews Gabrielle Poplar
Anne Carlisle reviews Dean Johnston
Gabrielle Poplar reviews Lynn Blakmar
Dean Johnston reviews Gloria Piper
Lynn Blakmar reviews Brandon Collier
Gloria Piper reviews Kerry Dwyer
Brandon Collier reviews D.G. Speirs
Kerry Dwyer reviews Elizabeth Los
D.G. Speirs reviews Jason Parent
Elizabeth Los reviews Anne Carlisle


Round 3
Jason Parent reviews Dean Johnston
Anne Carlisle reviews Lynn Blakmar
Gabrielle Poplar reviews Gloria Piper
Dean Johnston reviews Brandon Collier
Lynn Blakmar reviews Kerry Dwyer
Gloria Piper reviews D.G. Speirs
Brandon Collier reviews Elizabeth Los
Kerry Dwyer reviews Jason Parent
D.G. Speirs reviews Anne Carlisle
Elizabeth Los reviews Gabrielle Poplar


Round 4
Edit 17/01/13 - I missed a clash for Anne and Kerry, so I will review Anne. Sorry Kerry - that means you're stuck with my book. Can't win 'em all!
Jason Parent reviews Lynn Blakmar
Anne Carlisle reviews Gloria Piper
Gabrielle Poplar reviews Brandon Collier
Dean Johnston reviews Kerry Dwyer
Lynn Blakmar reviews D.G. Speirs
Gloria Piper reviews Elizabeth Los
Brandon Collier reviews Jason Parent
Kerry Dwyer reviews Jay Howard
D.G. Speirs reviews Gabrielle Poplar
Elizabeth Los reviews Dean Johnston
Jay Howard reviews Anne Carlisle

For review, I am submitting

Happy to be part of the group! I will be submitting What Hides Within, http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15...

Thanks,

Jason

for review I am submitting The Footsteps of Domingo Rhodes

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16...

Hello
Thank you for the information Jay. I am submitting my travel memoir 'Ramblings In Ireland'.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15...

For round 1 review by Jason starting December 29, I will be submitting HOME SCHOOLING: The Fire Night Ball.
Home Schooling: The Fire Night Ball

I'd like to submit this book for review it can go to any available group. Treasured Chest

Zrinka wrote: "I'd like to submit this book for review it can go to any available group. Treasured Chest"

Sorry, Zrinka, but you are not a member of this Group. Only 10 spaces are available in each group. You will have to wait for your own to form up.

I have received and opened Gabrielle's book, Custodian of the Luima Legacy, which I will review for Round 1.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15...

Welcome everyone. The round hasn't technically started yet but reviewers who want to start early, I suggest you contact the authors.

We haven't had posts from Linda, Gloria, Joelle or Alexandar, but there are a few weeks to go yet. They may not check GR except at the w/e.

Hi,
I'm submitting Train to Nowhere for Round 1.

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

My apologies to Joelle and this group membership - I forgot I was supposed to be waiting for confirmation that she had completed her novel publication. She will joining in a later group.

Details of the new member will be posted as soon as I have confirmation.

Well done with all the postings. Believe me, it will prevent a lot of hassle that we had in earlier groups. When you post your review please remember to post a GR review link here. Thanks :)

Linda has dropped out, thankfully before the group start date, as she has decided that random allocation of reviewers is not what she wants. Specifically she does not think that men would properly appreciate her novel. I think she might have been pleasantly surprised, as I was when mine was reviewed by men, but that’s her decision, and she sends her apologies. Her replacement’s details will be posted here as soon as I have an affirmative reply from another member. I am contacting the waiting list in the order of registration and availability.

Jay wrote: "Linda has dropped out, thankfully before the group start date, as she has decided that random allocation of reviewers is not what she wants. Specifically she does not think that men would properly ..."

I had the same thought about females, but (so far, keeping fingers crossed) that hasn't been the case. But I've always taken into account target audience when I read a book for review.

Dean Johnston has now joined the group and takes slot 4.
Dean Johnston

Jason wrote: "Jay wrote: "Linda has dropped out, thankfully before the group start date, as she has decided that random allocation of reviewers is not what she wants. Specifically she does not think that men wou..."

If you think about it, women have never had a problem reading novels by men and appreciating them on their merits. Who could not love Hardy's writing? Now we're just getting a taste of the reverse process. Any book should be judged for itself. It's never the author we review but the work.

D.G. Speirs has just joined and takes slot 9.

Hi, I'm Dean. I'll be submitting:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15...

Looking forward to seeing what I get to read...

I love that title, Dean!

It's looking like a very interesting selection of work from the entire group :)

Good morning, everyone! I'm the last-minute substitute, D. G. Speirs. I consider it an honor to be among you here, and look forward to the reading.

I will be submitting my novel, Triangle: False Mirror for all four rounds.

Shall we begin?

You can start as soon as you've got in touch with each other for exchange of files. The only member we're still waiting to hear from is Alexandar.

Jay wrote: "You can start as soon as you've got in touch with each other for exchange of files. The only member we're still waiting to here from is Alexandar."

...who happens to be the one I'm reviewing in round 1.

'sokay, I can wait patiently :-).

Why don't you start with round 2 if you want to start now? You'll have 3 weeks from 29 Dec to do round 1. If we haven't heard from Alexandar by the start date I'll replace him. Have you tried PMing him yet?

Hi everyone - I didn't mean to disappear from the group! I had a fierce couple of deadlines that took up all of my time. But I'm slowly making my way back. I have yet to send my book to people and get their books from them. Gotta love the holidays!

Katrina wrote: "Hi everyone - I didn't mean to disappear from the group! I had a fierce couple of deadlines that took up all of my time. But I'm slowly making my way back. I have yet to send my book to people and ..."

You're on the wrong thread, Katrina - you're in Group 4 and need to get hold of Magdalena's book pronto. The review is due a week tomorrow ;)

Hi,
I've finished Brandon's book and have posted the review.

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

Thank you, Gloria - another really thorough review.

So much action and we haven't even got to handover date yet! I'll leave it in your capable hands, Marie-Anne, apart from the issue of Alexandar. If we get no response from him by the start date I'll notify who the replacement is.

Happy reviewing everyone!

Jay wrote: "Zrinka wrote: "I'd like to submit this book for review it can go to any available group. Treasured Chest"

Sorry, Zrinka, but you are not a member of this Group. Only 10 spaces are available in eac..."

Sorry, I'm not a member? How am I able to post here or even see this? I'm sure I joined. I really don't understand.

Zrinka wrote: "Jay wrote: "Zrinka wrote: "I'd like to submit this book for review it can go to any available group. Treasured Chest"

Sorry, Zrinka, but you are not a member of this Group. Only 10 spaces are avai..."

Hi Zrinka,
When you join the review group, you get allocated a group. There are only 10 members in each Group and only 3 groups running at a time because we don't have time to moderate more than that.
This is not a closed thread so anyone can post but it is specifically for members in group 6. (You will see their names listed at the top of the thread).
Once you are given a group number (could be 8 or 9),you will find out who you are reviewing. Read the FAQs if you are still confused but feel free to read some of the postings in the other threads to read reviews

I'll PM you, Zrinka, and we'll sort out the misunderstandings that way :)

Edit i minute later:
You lucky group members, with a mod so on the ball. Excellent post, Marie-Anne, thank you :)
I'll point Zrinka to the main bits to read with links in a PM.

Hi everyone, I hope you have all had a lovely holiday and are ready to start (Gloria has kicked us all off beautifully - thanks!)
Please, please if you still have not heard from the person you are reviewing, let me know asap.
Happy reading!

I tried to contact Alexandar with no luck. He was supposed to review my book in Round 1. It's too bad; he seemed to be my target audience. Anyway, thanks to D.G., who was supposed to review me in Round 2 and Alexandar in Round 1. He has already received my book.

If Alexandar can be replaced, that would be great. If not, I understand. It won't affect my commitment to the four authors here who rightfully expect a review from me. 100 pages into your book, Anne, and don't know what to expect!

Jason wrote: "I tried to contact Alexandar with no luck. He was supposed to review my book in Round 1. It's too bad; he seemed to be my target audience. Anyway, thanks to D.G., who was supposed to review me in R..."
Hi Jason, I am going to let Jay know because she was aware there might be a problem. Sure we can find a replacement.

Jason wrote: "I tried to contact Alexandar with no luck. He was supposed to review my book in Round 1. It's too bad; he seemed to be my target audience. Anyway, thanks to D.G., who was supposed to review me in R..."

Now I am scheduled in the round robin to review Alexandar's book. It took a few e-mails, but I was finally able to get him to send me something, albeit not in my preferred format (I would have preferred a MOBI formatted book to use on a Kindle, I recieved a weirdly formatted PDF file).

Since I would be directly affected by any change, here's my recommendation: If Alexandar will not reply to Jason, then go ahead and replace him in the rotation. I will review his book, and the novel of the person you add into the round robin.

Hope that makes it easy for everyone.

D.G. Speirs

Thanks for the offer to help in this way, but you don't have to do the review of Alexandar's book. I've repeatedly PMed him and had no response. I've posted on the forum with the same result, despite him being busy with other groups on GR. Apart from that, one rule is that you confirm your membership by posting your book link on the Group thread. Another is that you supply the book format your reviewer wants.

Marie-Anne and I will replace him as I have no faith in his commitment to this group and I don't think the rest of you should suffer from his lackadaisical approach to it.

That's correct, Elizabeth, you're replacing Alexandar as we've had no contact from him. You need to contact DG and Jason for round 1. I'll amend the various threads shortly. Welcome aboard :)

Elizabeth wrote: "Hi all. I am a substitute for this group (Jay please correct me if I am wrong). I look forward to reading.

I am submitting my book, Second on the Right, to be included in the rounds of reviews.S..."

Welcome, Elizabeth! Thanks for stepping in.

Thread amended, all members present and correct, so bye from me, Group 6. I'll leave you in Marie-Anne's capable hands from this point and go sort out Group 7.

Enjoy :)

Really enjoying Gloria's book. Looking forward to reading everyone else's.

Woo-hoo! Let the party begin!

Hi,
I finished Kerry Dywer's very enjoyable book and have posted the review.

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

Another great review, Gloria, thank you. I'm sure Kerry will be delighted with the time you've taken.

Hello All,

Here is my review of Anne Carlisle's book, Home Schooling:

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

Gabrielle,

Looks like I have you second, but Goodreads is being a &%$@ and won't let me send you a message. Could you please contact me, and i will get started on your book?

Thanks!

Jason wrote: "Gabrielle,

Looks like I have you second, but Goodreads is being a &%$@ and won't let me send you a message. Could you please contact me, and i will get started on your book?

Thanks!"

I tried to send Gabrielle one on your behalf but Goodreads was still being a &%$@!
Your review was also really thorough - thank you. You and Gloria have set the bar high.

Elizabeth wrote: "Oh boy, I'm slow :)"

Me too, but I was trying to get through the holidays without killing anybody...

Just as a guideline, we used to average 3 weeks per book so you're really not slow!