Taming Amazon discussion

Follow these steps to add your book to the review list:

To have your book listed, first contact one of the authors and ask for a review copy. Once you’ve written your review, leave a comment here with a link to the review, including the name of your book. I’ll remove the one you reviewed and add yours to the list.


Here is the list of books to review and links to contact the author to request a free review copy.


The Red Fields (The Eastern Dwarfs #1) by Leo deSouza
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AW7L162
Contact Leo - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Gold Rush Wedding: A Short Story in The California Argonauts series
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B018PQ7MM4/
Contact Suzanne - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

One of Our Own by Dora Furlong
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B012S38HM4/
Contact Dora - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Love & Haight by Tracey Madeley
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FA674IK/
Contact Tracey - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

A Click That Changed My Life©: Based on a true story
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WSQWX0/
Contact Victoria - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Jayden and the Mysterious Mountain (The Sanctum Series #1)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EYSKMF2/
Contact Katrina - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Western Wishes (Dream Agency #1) - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BHW5KYG/
Contact Emma - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Inside Outside - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I08IY3E/
Contact Jenny - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...


Thanks, Jim

Jim…I left a review of ‘The Angels of Jardin Massey’…here’s the link to the review http://www.amazon.com/The-Angels-Jard... The title of the review is ‘The Magic of being in France once again. I also put the review on Goodreads. I may have jumped the gun too soon…I bought the Jardin book first, reviewed it…and then contacted Jackie. Can you give me a list of the current books that are there to be reviewed…I can’t seem to get the most current link. My book ‘Theoclea (The Delphic Oracle) and Pythagoras in Egypt’ can be found here. http://www.amazon.com/Theoclea-Delphi...- ebook/dp/B007EELL6C/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1410920605&sr=1-1&keywords=theoclea+egypt. My email is parisbks@yahoo.com, name is Howard Lipman (Pen name for PanOrpheus) You’ve got a great idea here, and it may take some getting used to--Howard. My blogspot is www.panorpheusbooks.blogspot.com

Thanks for the review. I'll add your book to the list at the beginning of this post in a few days when I'm back from vacation.

Thanks, Jim...Howard

I've updated the review list.

So I don't have time to read full books at the moment but I did have time to post a 5 star one line review for each of the authors listed above (Jackie, Jory, Awdhash, Jenny & Howard). I hope this is ok? Happy to continue to do so for other authors if so.

Speaking of which, I've got my own book coming up for free in a few days. Jim is it ok if I post the link here for anyone that is able to rate it similarly?

Nick, I'm going to go ahead and say this is not an okay thing to do. This is the reason some authors are leery of doing review swaps at all, and while Jim's idea actually has a chance of inspiring some meaningful and honest reviews, your method has completely undercut any trust others might place in these reviews.

I honestly thought you were joking at first, but I checked all the books on Amazon and you actually did make one-line, five-star reviews for each book...as someone who actually reads and honestly reviews books regularly, I'm offended.

On a side note, I see you're new! Welcome to Goodreads.

Hi Thomas. Thanks for the welcome and also the comment - I didn't mean to offend, if that's what I've done :/

I do respectfully disagree with your thoughts about reviews - I honestly don't see how a generic 5 star review like I've given is different from reading a full book and commenting only on the good points, which I assume is what most people would want from participating in this thread. Or rather, I can see how a long, detailed review is better but not how a generic review is morally worse - it's not like anyone on this site is going to give a book that they are reviewing (in the hope of getting a review in return) a one star rating or comment on the shoddy writing, are they?

That being said, I'm new to this whole game and willing to accept that my viewpoint may not be the same as others - I've deleted my reviews and will endeavour to re-participate by reading and then commenting as requested. Sorry again if I've offended :)

I do think it's a good point you've brought up - I would be interested to know what other writers think? Do they not ask their friends to leave a positive review of books they have written to 'start things off?'. Is something like this not an extension of that?

Nick, I'd have to agree with Thomas on this. One of the biggest problems facing indie authors is getting reviews for their books. Potential buyers have become leery of generic 5-star reviews and they are more of a hindrance than a help.

My policy about writing reviews is that if I can't give a book at least 3 stars, I just don't leave a review at all.

If you could take the time to read the book and write an honest review, I'd be glad to list your book.
Thanks,
Jim

Thanks Jim, fair point :)

Jim...I've reviewed Dr. Awdhesh Singh's book, From Knowledge to Wisdom. You can see the review here... https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here's the link to the Amazon review http://www.amazon.com/From-Knowledge-...
Thanks for adding my 'Egypt' book to the book list!

Jim wrote: "Follow these steps to add your book to the review list:

To have your book listed, first contact one of the authors and ask for a review copy. Once you’ve written your review, leave a comment here ..."

This looks like a great idea, but I wish there were more than five books to choose from. I would prefer to review books similar to those I like to read, and at least right now, none of these fit me. Will you be allowing more books to be added? Or should I just keep looking here, and soon other kinds of books will appear.

I plan to add more books soon to have a wider range, once there is more interest. Would you like to add one of your books to the list?

Sure! But I thought I needed to review one first. Maybe I misunderstood. I'm very new to goodreads and hope everyone will be patient with me while I make mistakes and learn my way around.

Hi Jim

My thoughts are the same as Winifred's. First of all, I think this is a great idea ... leaving aside the potential for a few Amazon stars, I think getting feedback from people in a group that clearly have a love for reading and a respect for authors would be extremely useful. For that reason, I too would feel a little uncomfortable reviewing most of the books on the list - I wouldn't be able to do them justice.

So, I'm sat waiting for something more my genre so that I can then add my book too. It's called FAT Girlfriend, and it's simply a humorous story. Let me know if you plan to develop the idea, or if I've missed a point.

Secondly, again, I think, like Winifred, I'm looking to understand the eBook industry so that I can get more people to read my work, and to build interest in my next book; so thanks for starting the Group.

I've just downloaded PanOrpheus' book via my KU account, I'll post a review in due course.
There are a few other groups that do a similar thing, including this one https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
but its quite possible to review a book that isn't your preferred genre honestly.
The purpose of such a list of this is surely to get a review for your own book, rather than getting a free read that you might have bought anyway?

Thanks, Emma ... I appreciate the feedback and the information, but need to state that I wasn't looking for a free read. I'm quite happy to buy the books. And I agree you can review books outside your genre, and it's good to try something different anyway. Perhaps I'm viewing it a little selfishly, but my time is so precious that I want to read for pleasure at the same time.

marketing isn't always a great deal of fun, but it still has to be done.
As an author, reading other people's work is just another part of the job, professional development if you like. Sometimes work is fun, sometimes it isn't.

I've looked over the rules and aims of your group, Emma, and understand better where you're coming from and what you're trying to achieve. Perhaps there was an amount of naivety on my part initially. Thanks - I hope to contribute in the future.

I agree that this review group would be more compelling with a larger selection of books to review, so I'll add a few more to the list.
If anyone would like to add their book to the review list, please click on my avatar to send me a message with a link to the book you'd like to have reviewed.
Thanks,
Jim

Jim wrote: "I plan to add more books soon to have a wider range, once there is more interest. Would you like to add one of your books to the list?"

Sure! My book 'Songs and Stories from Tesla's Tower' is definitely in a Steampunk Sci-Fi/ Fantasy genre with Mark Twain-like humor, and a dash of profanity. All of the stories have something to do with the life, inventions and presona of Nikola Tesla. Here's the link http://www.amazon.com/Songs-Stories-T... I'm on the Board of Directors of the Tesla Science Foundation...so that's my Tesla connection. My characters from Ancient Greece, especially Theoclea and Pythagoras also appear in the book.

I think we should only have one book per author.

Jim wrote: "I think we should only have one book per author."
Jim...If you want to replace the Theoclea-Egypt book with Songs and Stories...i'd be fine with that.

Here's my review for PanOrpheus on goodreads.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....
I'm leaving it up to Panorpheus to decide whether I post it to Amazon.
You have already added my book for 'free' Jim.

I could not find a way to message the author of Inside Outside but I would like to read and review her book

Anthea, you have to go to their profile page and click the "Send message" link.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Let me know if you need help.
Jim

Awdhash 's book "From Knowledge to Wisdom" has been reviewed here:
http://www.amazon.com/review/R182QGJD...

I've removed the book from the list and added Katrina Cope's book, Jayden and the Mysterious Mountain (The Sanctum Series #1).
Jim

Just posted my review of The CEO by Peter Ralph, a fascinating story about a truly evil businessman. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Winifred wrote: "Just posted my review of The CEO by Peter Ralph, a fascinating story about a truly evil businessman. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Thanks, would you like to add a book to the list?
Jim

Thanks, but my book Of Mice and Money, sort of chic-lit with some thriller elements, is already on the list. Here's hoping someone will pick it to review! -- Winnie

Good Morning, Admin.

Here is my goodreads review of The Daughter Clause, which I very much enjoyed reading. It's also reviewed on Amazon.com and .co.uk

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

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Daughter-Clau...

http://www.amazon.com/review/RFAB82DJ...

My comedy, adventure, thriller, action, historical,romance, humorous road story FAT Girlfriend can be found here:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Thanks David,
I've added your book to the list.
Jim

Jim, I posted my review of "FAT Girlfriend" by David Lindsay.
The link is: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1F5YBVX..., the title: An exciting reading, it invites reflection. I also posted the review on Goodreads.
My book is "A Click That Changed My Life" by Victoria Vorel, the link to Amazon is: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WSQWX0/r...
my email: victoriavorel@yahoo.com

Hello Jim,
Yes, I did that, never heard back.
I'm willing to review someone but having some trouble here.
Anthea
Jim wrote: "Anthea, you have to go to their profile page and click the "Send message" link.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Let me know if you need help.
Jim"

Thanks Victoria, I've added your book to the list.
Thanks,
Jim
Victoria wrote: "Jim, I posted my review of "FAT Girlfriend" by David Lindsay.
The link is: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1F5YBVX..., the title: An exciting reading, it invites reflection. I also posted the revi..."

Anthea,
I sent a message to Jenny, I'll let you know if I hear back from her, sorry for the difficulty. I hope we can work it out or I'll have to remove her book from the list.
Jim

Anthea wrote: "Hello Jim,
Yes, I did that, never heard back.
I'm willing to review someone but having some trouble here.
Anthea
Jim wrote: "Anthea, you have to go to their profile page and click the "Send messa..."

Anthea,
Jenny said that she sent you a message through Goodreads, so please check your inbox.
Jim
Jim wrote: "Anthea,
I sent a message to Jenny, I'll let you know if I hear back from her, sorry for the difficulty. I hope we can work it out or I'll have to remove her book from the list.
Jim

Anthea wrote: ..."

Anthea wrote: "Hello Jim,
Yes, I did that, never heard back.
I'm willing to review someone but having some trouble here.
Anthea
Jim wrote: "Anthea, you have to go to their profile page and click the "Send messa..."

Jim wrote: "Thanks Victoria, I've added your book to the list.
Thanks,
Jim
Victoria wrote: "Jim, I posted my review of "FAT Girlfriend" by David Lindsay.
The link is: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1F5YBVX......"

Jim
Very much appreciated, have a wonderful week, kind regards, Victoria

Thomas wrote: "Nick, I'm going to go ahead and say this is not an okay thing to do. This is the reason some authors are leery of doing review swaps at all, and while Jim's idea actually has a chance of inspiring ..."
Well this is an eye opener, I have been tracking my book sales on Amazon, it does seem that only 10% bother to leave a review. It is frustration if you only have a few reviews, so understand why it is done.

Getting reviews can be very frustrating!

Hi Jim, here is my review of Brendan's book Thieves in the Night.

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

The book I would like reviewing is Love & Haight https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Thanks

Tracey

Thanks Tracey, I've added your book to the list.
Jim

Hello, I have reviewed “Songs and Stories from Tesla’s Tower". Here is the link to my review:
https://www.amazon.com/review/R1FWXZA...

The book I would like to have reviewed is "One of Our Own" here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/One-Our-Own-Dor...

Thank you,

Dora

Thanks Dora, I've added your book to the list.
Jim

Thank you Jim, this thread is a great idea.

Hi Jim,
I just wrote a review for OF MICE AND MONEY. I reviewed on Amazon, Goodreads, and posted to my blog. Amazon review link http://www.amazon.com/Of-Mice-Money-W...
My book I'd like reviewed is THE RAD MISFITS http://www.amazon.com/Rad-Misfits-Mar...

Thanks!
Marlina

Thanks Marlina, I've added your book to the list.
Jim

Hi Jim, Here's the link to my review of bodygarage on Amazon. I also posted to review to Goodreads.

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

The book I'd like reviewed is The Cabin: A Christmas Short story, and here's the link to it on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017...

Thanks Angela,
I'v added your book, The Cabin, to the list.
Good luck!
Jim

Angela wrote: "Hi Jim, Here's the link to my review of bodygarage on Amazon. I also posted to review to Goodreads.

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

The book ..."

Where was the request for reviews for Body Garage? Thank.