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 a General round.

All fiction/ non-fiction accepted. This means you may be required to read anything from a book about tax returns to horror/erotica and everything in between.

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

Member Links * Book Links
1. P.L. Tavormina*Aerovoyant
2. G.J. Griffiths*Seeking Angels: Inspector Button Investigates
3. Christa Nonnemaker*Hearts at War
4. Zita Harrison*Owl Manor - the Final Stroke: Book 3 of the Owl Manor Gothic Suspense Trilogy
5. E.K. Frances*The Missing
6. L.M. Berthiaume*Defining Me
7. Katie Nelson*Parties All Around
8. E.M. Swift-Hook*The Mercenary's Blade
9. Jason Newman*Understanding Procrastination: An Insight Into Procrastinating and Distractions and How to Control Them
10. Jenny Graves*Naturally Supporting Cancer Treatment: Evidence-based ways to help prevent cancer formation and recurrence, and assist treatment


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...

Hey there I'd love to join. Have just finished up in Novella.

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

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

For those who've read it, I'll happily accept reviews on other titles in this preferred order: Telomeric, Vengeance, Seven Strengths. For those who have read all four in The Industrial Age, I'll happily take a review on the anthology Writers in Lockdown. But my preference is for reviews on Aerovoyant. :)

Welcome, P.L. :)

Hi, I've finished round 335. Just waiting on Zon postings. Can I put my name down for this one with Owl Manor - the Final Stroke? P.L. has read this one but I think I have one left in the series she can read. You haven't read OM the Dawning, right P.L.? Just Abigail and FInal Stroke?

Hi Zita! I would love to have you join this round as soon as you post all your reviews over in 335. :)

So all my reviews have posted on Goodreads just so waiting on Zon for 2...

Zita wrote: "So all my reviews have posted on Goodreads just so waiting on Zon for 2..."

Understood. As soon as you get the last two Zon links submitted, we would love to have you join a new round. 💕

I can review Zita's Owl book #2 if she is added to the round. :)

They seem to be taking their time with two of mine. Oh well, it might have to be a different round for me. :)

Zita wrote: "They seem to be taking their time with two of mine. Oh well, it might have to be a different round for me. :)"

Only one person has signed up. There are still lots of spaces. :) If it has been a week with the review, you might consider resubmitting.

Kat hi. I have reviewed many times in the past. I have just noted my interest in another group just a few minutes ago and not have heard back yet.

Yet can I do two groups at the same time? If so, I'd like to put forth Rich & Sexy Book 1. This is a series so important to note it is Book 1 with the same title otherwise

Sass wrote: "Kat hi. I have reviewed many times in the past. I have just noted my interest in another group just a few minutes ago and not have heard back yet.

Yet can I do two groups at the same time? If so, ..."

We only allow participation in one group at a time and you are already signed up for the 337 Clean group.

Hi Kat, I would like to join in the group with Seeking Angels. No conflicts so far.Thanks, Graham pen name
G.J. Griffiths

Welcome, Graham. :)

Hi Kat, I would like to join the group with Naturally Supporting Cancer Treatment. I have reviewed Seeking Angels but GJ seems to have plenty of other books that I could review.
Author profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Book link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Thanks.
Jenny

Welcome, Jenny!

All, it will help me greatly if as more people join the round, you will update me with anyone you have reviewed in the past, or who has reviewed you. I will try to check bookshelves as well, but the more eyes we have checking, the more likely we are to get an order that works for everyone from the get go. :)

To check if you have reviewed someone in the past, please go to your My Books, and type in the name of the author in question. That will tell you if you have reviewed them before.

To check if someone has reviewed YOU, go to their author profile, click under their avatar where it says 100 reviews (or whatever) and that will take you to their bookshelf. Then type in your name in their search bar to see if they have reviewed you before.

Hope this helps!

No conflicts so far.

Thanks for your reply, Kat.
Here are the links:
Seeking Angels: Inspector Button Investigates

G.J. Griffiths

With regard to Jenny, above, then I can also offer the book that is previous to Seeking Angels in that series:
The Mule Spinners' Daughters

I hope this helps.
Graham

PS: Oops! I just noticed - I have read/reviewed Zita's Owl Manor.

Hi All,

I'd love to join this Reading Round! This is my first foray into a reading round. I would be happy to read anything listed above as I haven't read or reviewed any of these authors before.

My just-published book is a WWI historical fiction/romance novel: Hearts at War.

Author profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Book link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Thank you!

Christa Nonnemaker

Kat, I have no conflict with Christa. :)

Welcome, Christa!

Thanks, Kat!

Kat, a newbie question - for the book assignments, do we wait until the group has 10 participants before receiving our assignments?

Christa wrote: "Kat, a newbie question - for the book assignments, do we wait until the group has 10 participants before receiving our assignments?"

Hi Christa! Yes. Instructions will be provided during every step of the process. First we must wait to get 10 participants, during which the reading order may change, and then we will verify to make sure everyone is still ready to read and has no clashes, then reading assignments will be made.

Great, thanks so much. :-)

I've got no conflicts with Christa.

Hello! Just wrapped up my reviews for Group 333 and would love to join with my new children's picture book, How Much Love Can a Heart Hold? https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

I've been read/reviewed once by P.L.

I've read/reviewed Jenny and G.J.

I think I might fit in as #7 in the group's list as it stands? :)

Hi Angela! I would love to add you as soon as your last two Amazon reviews go through over in 333. Keep me posted!

Hi Kat, please can I join with The Missing. It's an ARC so OK having reviews just on GR (release date is 9th September.)

Author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Book page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

P.L. and Zita have reviewed me, but not this book. No other conflicts.

Thanks!

Zita wrote: "They seem to be taking their time with two of mine. Oh well, it might have to be a different round for me. :)"

Hi Zita, I'm still pending approval from one I submitted a few days ago too, but if it's just the review of mine your waiting on you might want to resubmit. I may have had too many unverified reviews on the same day as lots of people received the book as an ARC and then submitted their review on launch day. Thanks

Welcome, EK!

Kat wrote: "Hi Angela! I would love to add you as soon as your last two Amazon reviews go through over in 333. Keep me posted!"

It is done, Kat. They came through and I just posted them. :)

Hi Angela!

I just realized I cannot fit you in here because you and Jenny would have to go into blind spots and GJ has read both of you (so I can't make the sudoku work on that.)

However I can fit you in over in the 339 18+ group if that is an option you would consider?

Angela might fit in my group. Her book is for children, so it would be a good fit for the Clean group here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... I'd just need to know what her conflicts are in group 337, and if she's willing to join it.

Loralee I'd love to join your group but I don't think I fit due to conflicts. I've read Balroop, and have been read by you, David, and KT. Please let me know if you do see a way for me to fit though.

Otherwise Kat, if you can fit me into 18+ I'll take it. I could join with The Wake Up... Thank you!

Thanks, Angela! I tried switching spots around, but it does look like there are too many conflicts to fit you, in my group. I'm glad you fit into the 18+!

Hi Kat,
I'd love to join this Round. I am open to reading any of the books.
My novel is called Defining Me, and is contemporary/women's fiction.

Author Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/lmberthiaume
Book Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Thank you!
Leanne

Hi Leanne! Can you please set your messaging status so that anyone can send you messages?

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...

Also, have you ever reviewed any of the authors in the first post of the list before, or been reviewed by them?

Thanks!

Hi Kat,
I just made that change to the messages setting, so should be all set.
No, I have not reviewed these authors or books in the past. This is my first time participating in this group.
Thank you,
Leanne

Kat wrote: "Hi Leanne! Can you please set your messaging status so that anyone can send you messages?

In order to participate in this round, your setting for 'Who Can Send Me Private Messages' needs to be 'a..."

Welcome, Leanne!

My only conflict remains that I've read a different book by E. K., and that's not this book so no problem. Everyone else is new to me.

No conflicts yet, other than GJ Griffiths' Inspector Button and we've resolved that.

Yay, and there's still space! I would like to join if possible. P.L. has reviewed me but I believe I have another book she can review. I have reviewed E.K. but not this book. No other conflicts.

Welcome, Zita!

Kat wrote: "Welcome, Zita!"

I have not read this third book in the Owl Series - so no conflict there. :-)
G J

I would like to join this round if at all possible, no worries if not, with The Mercenary's Blade

I have reviewed G.J. and been reviewed by Zita and E.K.
If it's any help, by my own sudoku calculations I could fit at 7 - in GJ.'s blind spot, or in 9, in Zita's blindspot - or at 8 when I am reviewed by and can review all my previous clashes :)
I might have missed something though...

If I do fit in, please could you list me as 'author' on this GR account as this is the one I am active on GR with and do all my reviews etc. from.

Thanks Kat!

Welcome, Eleanor. Thank you for the sudoku help, always appreciated. :) I think I got everything listed correctly, but if I need to make changes, just let me know.

Kat wrote: "Welcome, Eleanor. Thank you for the sudoku help, always appreciated. :) I think I got everything listed correctly, but if I need to make changes, just let me know."

Looks good! Thanks so much :)

I'm not sure this helps but I don't think Eleanor has read this book of mine - i.e. Seeking Angels.
Thanks, Graham