Christian Speculative Fiction discussion

Hi all,

I'll be running the next review session, so if you have any questions or comments, please direct them my way.

The guidelines and expectations for this session are the same as in previous sessions, and for those of you who've participated in the past, this message will not be new to you.

However, if you are unfamiliar with the way this community runs review sessions, please read to the end of the post and ensure you are aware of all of our guidelines and procedures before signing up. More detailed information can be found in the links at the bottom of this post, but the basics are as follows:

When you sign up, you are agreeing to read and review two books, one per month over the next two months, and these must be completed on time. Reviewing a book includes writing a review for Goodreads and Amazon and posting links to your reviews on this thread.

Deadlines will be clearly posted in the next comment on this thread when the session begins. You can sign up as a reviewer only or as an author and reviewer, in which case, you will need to choose one book for people to review.

If you sign up as an author, you will receive three reviews of the book you submit. You will also be expected to write two reviews along with everyone else in the session. It is the responsibility of each author to ensure all of their reviewers have a free review copy of the book they will review. Please do not assume that if your book is on KU, it will be possible for the reviewers to access it from there. Not everyone has a KU account.

Session 4 will be run on a first come, first served basis. If you want to take part, you will need to comment with your name, whether you wish to participate as a reviewer only or as an author and reviewer, and the name of your book if you are joining as an author. I'll not count any comments that do not include all the relevant information. As soon as all the available slots are filled, I'll post a message to let you know. After that, anyone attempting to sign up will be put on a wait list in case anyone needs to pull out, and will be welcome to try again for session 5.

Pairings for the session, along with specific deadlines, will be added in the next comment as soon as I have enough people to start the session. Goodreads policy is to avoid exchanging reviews, so please let me know if there is anyone in the session who has already reviewed your work or whose work you have previously reviewed. It is difficult to change pairings once they have been made, so this needs to be done as soon as possible.

Let's try to keep this a positive experience for everyone by bearing in mind the time and effort taken to write the books we are reading. We want to encourage our authors and find great books to share with others. That doesn’t mean you can’t point out any issues, just remember to be respectful. The policy for all reviews is to take a positive-negative-positive approach. Any reviews of less than three stars should be given directly to the author and me via pm. Please also note that the star rating systems on Goodreads and Amazon have different meanings and rate accordingly.

The only acceptable response to a review is “Thank you.” If you have any serious issues with something written in a review of your book, please bring them to me to be dealt with privately. Likewise, if you have problems writing a review, pm me to deal with the situation.

Lastly, the most important point: This is supposed to be a great experience for people who love Christ and love speculative fiction. It’s not supposed to be a chore, so have fun and happy reading! I look forward to another great review session.

Lauren

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

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

REVIEW PAIRINGS for Round 1 (Feb 15th - Mar 10th)

A. Who reviews What:
1. Joanne Rolston reviews Jes Drew’s Mind of Darkness
2. Jes Drew reviews C. S. Watcher's The Sorcerer’s Bane
3. C. S. Watcher reviews Sean Elliot Russell’s The Jesus Boy
4. Sean Elliot Russell reviews Steve Pillinger’s The Restorers
5. Steve Pillinger reviews M. H. Elrich’s Etania’s Worth
6. M. H. Elrich reviews Joanne Rolston’s The Kingdom, Here Be Dragons, Here Be Dreams
7. Marie reviews Joanne Rolston’s The Kingdom, Here Be Dragons, Here Be Dreams
8. Laura reviews Jes Drew’s Mind of Darkness
9. Daphne reviews C. S. Watcher's The Sorcerer’s Bane

B. Who is reviewed by Whom (for exchanging review copies):
1. Joanne Rolston is reviewed by M. H. Elrich and Marie
2. Jes Drew is reviewed by Joanne Rolston and Laura
3. C. S. Watcher is reviewed by Jes Drew and Daphne
4. Sean Elliot Russell is reviewed by C. S. Watcher
5. Steve Pillinger is reviewed by Sean Elliot Russell
6. M. H. Elrich is reviewed by Steve Pillinger


REVIEW PAIRINGS for Round 2 (Mar 11th – Apr 4th)

A. Who reviews What:
1. Joanne Rolston reviews C. S. Watcher's The Sorcerer’s Bane
2. Jes Drew reviews Sean Elliot Russell’s The Jesus Boy
3. C. S. Watcher reviews Steve Pillinger’s The Restorers
4. Sean Elliot Russell reviews M. H. Elrich’s Etania’s Worth
5. Steve Pillinger reviews Joanne Rolston’s The Kingdom, Here Be Dragons, Here Be Dreams
6. M. H. Elrich reviews Jes Drew’s Mind of Darkness
7. Marie reviews Sean Elliot Russell’s The Jesus Boy
8. Laura reviews Steve Pillinger’s The Restorers
9. Daphne reviews M. H. Elrich’s Etania’s Worth

B. Who is reviewed by Whom (for exchanging review copies):
1. Joanne Rolston is reviewed by Steve Pillinger
2. Jes Drew is reviewed by M. H. Elrich
3. C. S. Watcher is reviewed by Joanne Rolston
4. Sean Elliot Russell is reviewed by Jes Drew and Marie
5. Steve Pillinger is reviewed by C. S. Watcher and Laura
6. M. H. Elrich is reviewed by Sean Elliot Russell and Daphne

Once again, I would like to participate in the session as an author/reviewer. This time I would like to have The Sorcerer's Bane reviewed again.

I'd like to join as an author/reviewer with my book The Restorers.

That's the first two spots filled. Good to see you both here again.

I would like to join as a reviewer. Will these be ebook or print books?

I would like to join as an author/reviewer with my book Mind of Darkness please.

Daphne wrote: "I would like to join as a reviewer. Will these be ebook or print books?"

Mine (The Restorers) is only in Kindle format at the moment, but the paperback should be out soon.

Daphne wrote: "I would like to join as a reviewer. Will these be ebook or print books?"

Most authors provide ebook copies for review in this group. Paperbacks can be expensive to ship, especially internationally.

That said, some reviewers in the past have purchased copies of the books they've been assigned in order to leave 'verified purchase' reviews on Amazon, in which case, the choice has been theirs where paperbacks are available. (This is NOT a requirement, however; it is the author's responsibility to provide a copy.)

Jes wrote: "I would like to join as an author/reviewer with my book Mind of Darkness please."

I've added you. Welcome to session 4.

I would like to join as an author. My book is Etania's Worth.

Lauren wrote: "Jes wrote: "I would like to join as an author/reviewer with my book Mind of Darkness please."

I've added you. Welcome to session 4."

Thank you very much.

Hello Lauren,
I'm happy to take part in the next review session as an author/reviewer offering "The Jesus Boy,"

Also, as I'm sure you're aware, during the last review session, I did not receive the two reviews--but Susie has communicated with me and will be submitting a review in the next couple weeks. However, the 2nd review did not materialise. Is it asking too much to request 4 reviews for "The Jesus Boy" for this Review Session 4?

Thanks, Lauren, for leading this next session.
Kind regards,
Sean

The Jesus Boy

Hi Lauren,
I'd like to take part again as an author/reviewer.
My book is "The Kingdom, Here Be Dragons, Here Be Dreams."
The Kingdom: Here Be Dragons, Here Be Dreams
Thanks so much.

I'm interested signing up as a reviewer. :)

Lauren wrote: "Hi all,

I'll be running the next review session, so if you have any questions or comments, please direct them my way.

The guidelines and expectations for this session are the same as in previous..."
Lauren - Just wanted to give you a heads up. I've already read and reviewed Etania's Worth. Thanks.

Sean wrote: "Hello Lauren,
I'm happy to take part in the next review session as an author/reviewer offering "The Jesus Boy,"

Also, as I'm sure you're aware, during the last review session, I did not receive t..."

Sean, it's great to have you signing up again. Additional reviews to replace those are not unreasonable at all, but I'll sort that out separately.

I want to assure you that those who didn't complete reviews last time won't be allowed to take part in this session, and they will have to post their reviews before being allowed to participate in future sessions.

C.S. wrote: "Lauren wrote: "Hi all,

I'll be running the next review session, so if you have any questions or comments, please direct them my way.

The guidelines and expectations for this session are the same..."

Thanks for letting me know.

Lauren wrote: "Sean wrote: "Hello Lauren,
I'm happy to take part in the next review session as an author/reviewer offering "The Jesus Boy,"

Also, as I'm sure you're aware, during the last review session, I did ..."

Thank you, Lauren! :)

Just to help you plan, I've already reviewed "Sorcerers Bane" and "Kingdom: Here Be Dragons, Here Be Dreams"--both good books by good authors! :)

Have a great weekend!
Sean

Sorry, slow on the uptake: I've also already reviewed "Sorcerer's Bane".

Lauren,
If you have difficulty finding reviewers for The Sorcerer's Bane because it's already been read, I would be happy to offer any of the other three books of the series for review in place of The Sorcerer's Bane. They are: The Light Arises, The Deceit of Darkness, and The Light Unbound.

Thanks

In which case I should add that I've also reviewed "The Light Arises"…

Steve wrote: "In which case I should add that I've also reviewed "The Light Arises"…"

Thanks for both!

You're welcome! They're great stories. I've read the other two and thoroughly enjoyed the whole series. Still need to review #3 & 4…

Wow! Thanks! I feel so blessed when readers enjoy them.

Also, I have read all the books by C.S. as I really liked her series! Just in case this affects how the reviews are distributed.

M.H. wrote: "Also, I have read all the books by C.S. as I really liked her series! Just in case this affects how the reviews are distributed."
Thanks! Glad you like the series!

OK, thanks all for the info. I'll do my best to make sure you all get something new.

Lauren wrote: "OK, thanks all for the info. I'll do my best to make sure you all get something new."
Sorry for any confusion.

C.S. wrote: "Lauren wrote: "OK, thanks all for the info. I'll do my best to make sure you all get something new."
Sorry for any confusion."

Not a problem

OK all, it looks like we're stuck on 6 author-reviewers and one reviewer, and it's getting well into Feb now.

If you know of anyone who would enjoy reading two spec fic books for free, please encourage them to join the thread (or even the group, if they're not members already). If we can't get at least a couple more reviewers, I'll have to run the session with a pared down number.

Didn't Daphne (message 6) say she wanted to be a reviewer? Or did that change?

C.S. wrote: "Didn't Daphne (message 6) say she wanted to be a reviewer? Or did that change?"

Thanks for the catch. That got lost in the larger question of whether the group uses ebooks or paperbacks. I'll message and check before I add her to the list, though, just in case.

OK all. We need to get going, so I'm closing the sign up and I'll post the assigned books and the timeframes first thing tomorrow.

Lauren wrote: "OK all. We need to get going, so I'm closing the sign up and I'll post the assigned books and the timeframes first thing tomorrow."
Thanks, Lauren.

Thanks Lauren

Not exactly first thing in the morning - something came up - but the details for the session are up in the second post of the thread. Let me know soon if there are any issues.
Happy reading!

Hi Lauren,
Hope you're well.

I don't see a message from Marie within the Review Session 4 Thread nor any way to contact her (for the second month of the review session). If you know, can you let me know. Thanks a lot!

Almost the weekend! Yaaaay!
Sean

Sean wrote: "Hi Lauren,
Hope you're well.

I don't see a message from Marie within the Review Session 4 Thread nor any way to contact her (for the second month of the review session). If you know, can you let m..."

Sorry about that, Sean. I've sent you a message with the info you need.

I am waiting for Amazon to acknowledge my review of The Jesus Boy. In the meantime, here is the link for my review on Goodreads:

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

C.S. wrote: "I am waiting for Amazon to acknowledge my review of The Jesus Boy. In the meantime, here is the link for my review on Goodreads:

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

That was fast. Glad you enjoyed it.

I did enjoy it, thanks. The only problem is I've been trying to post the review on Amazon with no luck. I get the response that I've submitted it, but it's been days and nothing. I also have another review with the same problem. I don't know what's happening with Amazon.

After waiting days and 'submitting' the review multiple times, Amazon finally acknowledged my review of The Jesus Boy. Here's the link:

https://www.amazon.com/review/R2RX670...

C.S. wrote: "After waiting days and 'submitting' the review multiple times, Amazon finally acknowledged my review of The Jesus Boy. Here's the link:

https://www.amazon.com/review/R2RX670......"

Thanks, C.S.. I think we're going to keep running into problems with Amazon and reviews, but it's great that yours finally made it on there.

Yes. I posted another review and that too took several days to appear.

My review for C.S. Watcher's Sorcerer's Bane:

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

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

Jes wrote: "My review for C.S. Watcher's Sorcerer's Bane:

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com..."

Thanks, Jes. Glad you got to see how it all began.

Yes, very interesting.

My review for Sean Russell's Jesus Boy

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

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

Jes wrote: "My review for Sean Russell's Jesus Boy

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

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

Wow, that was quick, Jes. Looks like you're done for the session. Thanks for joining in. :-)