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.

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 truInto the Violet Gardensst 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:
Gene

Member Links * Book Links
1. Gene Kendall * Efficient and Divine: Almost Heaven
2. Stacey Faubion * Violet Jenkins Saves the Day: Violet Jenkins series
3. B.J. Sikes * The Vitruvian Mask
4. Tim Goff * Empire: Country
5. Balroop Singh * Moments We Love
6. Cindy Marie Martin * Happiness 4 U: The Complete Package to manifesting your new life
7. K.T. Munson * 1001 Islands
8. Laura Koerber * The Summer I Went Crazy
9. Sotto Voce * The Bet of the Monsters
10. Dave Saari * Watery Grave

In order to participate in this round, your setting for 'Who Can Send Me Private Messages' needs to be 'anyone'.
Please follow this link to check - and if necessary change - your privacy setting. https://www.goodreads.com/user/edit?t...

I'll open the round with my new book Efficient and Divine: Almost Heaven
A reminder to everyone that books in this round are not required to be 18+ -- reviewers just have to be prepared to possibly read material that is 18+.

I'll hop on.

I've reviewed you, Gene, but not this book. (It was in round 315, OOTW, Blind Cerulean.)

I'd like to join with my new novella, Vengeance.

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

Vengeance link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

I'd like to join with 1001 Islands. P.L. has reviewed me but not this book. I've reviewed you Gene, but not that book.

1001 Islands

I would like to join with my book Moments We Love

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
I've reviewed P.L's two books.

Hi Gene can i join in as reviewer for this group? if yes, i can choose the book i would like to read and review right?

Shweta, when joining you'll post a GR link to your book, and list anyone in the thread who has reviewed you, and anyone you have reviewed. Reviewers don't get to select their slot in the list -- we have to avoid any review conflicts.

Hi I'd like to join with my book Starred.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Looking at the authors so far, I have reviewed Balroop and PL.
Gene has reviewed me.

I would love to join this group I have only reviewed KT Munson but it was another book

This is my book.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7...

I would like to join. Balroop and PL have reviewed my book, "Four Puppet Kings", but I have 2 other books out. I have reviewed Half-Gate by KT Munson, and Starred by Josie Johnston, but I could review other books by them.

I would like to enter my book, "Plutocracy of the Gods".

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B...

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

It looks like a lot of ppl who already know each other are forming this group, so I will promote it in my groups and clubs, to see if we can get some fresh blood!

Thanks for spreading the word, Seth. It will be another day or two before I can work out the preliminary review lineup.

Good afternoon,

I'm interested in being a part of this group that is currently forming. But I do see familiar people such as PL and KT who have reviewed my debut cyberpunk novel, Into the Violet Gardens.

Into the Violet Gardens (second edition)
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/sho...

Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Into-Violet-Ga...

I would like to join this review group. I have read and reviewed Seth's 'Sword of Three Rivers' and 'Four Puppet Kings.' I am very new to Goodreads reviews - this is my first post.

My submission: 'Empire: Country,' first book in the six volume dark fantasy series 'Empire.'

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BHX8Y62M

Hi Gene,

It sounds like a few members are feeling crowded by knowing too many of us (it's an occupational hazard here, I suppose)... so I will bow out and join the OOTW instead. I hope Seth's buddies can bring fresh eyes for everyone!

Thank you Gene!

As of right now, we have two open slots. Authors, please check the four people above you in post one of this thread and confirm you have not reviewed them before -- these are the ones who will be reading your book. The list wraps so that 10 is "above" 1.

Then check the four below you on the list and make sure they have not reviewed you before. If you've already read the book listed, make sure that author has other books available to send as a substitute.

If everything checks out, please leave a comment to confirm.

So far it looks good to me. Thank you Gene Kendall.

I have reviewed Balroop's Moments we love. It looks like she has other titles though. so all OK so far.

Hi! Seth has reviewed me so I can’t review him. Also does Isaac have another book to offer? Just want to confirm since I’ve already read his.

Thanks for the catch, KT. Seth, I'm sorry, but after toying with the list, I don't see a way you can fit. If anyone can work out a way, please tell me.

I think I can get seth in over in 330, if he's interested.

Seth, if you want to join that round, go ahead and sign up over there.

I'd like to join with The Summer I Went Crazy. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Gene and I cannot review each other--I've read all of his books!
Balroop, KT, and Isaac have reviewed at least one of my books, but if they can't review this one, I can give them another one.

I have reviewed two of Josie's books and would be happy to review another one.

I think I am okay to either read or be read by Tim and Cindy.

Laura wrote: "I'd like to join with The Summer I Went Crazy. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Gene and I cannot review each other--I've read all of his books!
Balroop, KT, ..."
I only have 2 books at present Laura.

On reflection, with my work commitments and the increasing number of possible conflicts, I think I'll withdraw from this round and look for another one in the near future. Thanks anyway Gene, hope to catch you on a future round.

Good afternoon,

Will be moving from here and toward to Out of this World's section. I'm seeing familiar people that had reviewed me and I appreciate understanding.

I guess I should mention for anyone who might be assigned my book (if my book is accepted) that many of my reviewers, while giving me four or five stars, say they cried and got angry all the way through the book. It is definitely triggering. The story concerns the aftermath of rape and the effect on a witness. I can substitute a different book for someone who is concerned about reading this one.

I've updated the list and removed Isaac and Josie. If Laura ends up in one of my slots, that's okay because I'm listing a new book.

Provided a link to this thread on a fantasy writing site I frequent. Possibly a author or two there may take interest.

Great. Thanks, Tim!

I could join with "Watery Grave" if you can fit me in.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

I have reviewed Balroop (this one and two others) and Gene (Blue Cerulean).

Laura and K.T. have reviewed me, but not this book.

Woud love to join with "The Art of War: A Novel"
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Looking at the current list,

I've reviewed: Gene, Balroop (but looks like they've more books for me to read)

Been reviewed by: K.T., Laura (but I've other books to share)

I've added Dave.
Angela, it looks like you have too many conflicts (but, as always, if someone sees a way, please tell me.)

Gene wrote: "I've added Dave.
Angela, it looks like you have too many conflicts (but, as always, if someone sees a way, please tell me.)"

Ah well. Maybe next time. :)

I only have one book, but if I can fit in, I'd love to join.

Gene, Tim, and Laura are OK for me to do either a review or to be reviewed. I have not reviewed this book from KT. Balroop has reviewed me. I have reviewed Dave's Watery Grave and Cindy's Happiness book, but if they have another...

Here's my book: https://www.amazon.com/Drop-Heaven-Le...

I do have another book if needed.

Hi Gene,
I'd like to join with my book, The Bet of the Monsters.

I have reviewed you before (Blind Cerulean) but there is no conflict with others so far.
Thanks in advance.

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

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

I toyed with the list and now I think there's a way for Juliette to fit. I've now added her and rearranged the list, so please let me know if you see any conflicts, or don't have alternates to offer.

I've added Sotto. Assuming we have no conflicts, that leaves one slot left.

I can’t remember if the 4 above reviews me or if the 4 below does, but Balroop has already reviewed me.

Laura’s before me but I’ve reviewed her books (not the one listed). So we’d need to swap spots.

For what little it may be worth, I do not have conflicts with any author on the list.

Thanks for letting me know, Juliette. If you don't have an alternate, then I don't see a way for you to fit.

Ok, maybe next time.

Thanks, Gene.

KT Munson is below me on the list but I am pretty sure she's reviewed me which means I can't review her.

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I've set the listing back to the way it was on Thursday.

hi! I do not see anyone on this list who has reviewed my books or who I have reviewed. Would love to jump in with The Vitruvian Mask https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
My GR profile https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Hello,

I'll join again in the future!

Thanks anyway !

Regards
Stella

I've added B.J. Sikes.
Stella, sorry -- but you'll have to be able to provide a PDF as an option.

I'm keen to join though have crossed paths with a couple of authors here. Seth has reviewed the book I'd like to enter and I've reviewed another of Tim's (not the one he's put in here). So, not sure if that makes it too hard to work in or not? Anyway, my book is:

Dan Williams:

https://amzn.eu/d/0o1huQA

https://a.co/d/7lOppVB

Gene wrote: "I've added B.J. Sikes.
Stella, sorry -- but you'll have to be able to provide a PDF as an option."

I can't join, thanks anyway!

Hopefully Dan will like 'Empire: Country' better than he did 'Empire: Capital.'