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:
Gene

Member Links * Book Links
1. Hayley Phoenix-Winterburn * Chaos is a Friend of Mine
2. L. Ross Coulter *City of Mann
3. Dee Osah * Teka Legacy
4. Sass Green * Billionaire's Bet
5. Sean DeLauder * Sexsassins
6. Esther Pearl *Heart-shaped Keystrokes: An Anthology
7. Caroline Orman * The Other Side of Fear : The inspirational true story of escape from abuse
8. Gene Kendall *Efficient and Divine: Honey Locust
9. John Schuster * Great Warrior Deer Hunter and Other Short Stories
10. S. Lynn Helton * Duplicity of Power


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...

We're starting a new General round. As we go, please post if you've reviewed, or been reviewed, by the authors signing up.
I'll list my latest book to start the round. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Hi there, I would like to sign up with Chaos is a Friend of Mine.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Hi Gene, I'd like to join with my novel Teka Legacy:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Hi! I'd like to sign up with Heart-Shaped Keystrokes.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I'm going to submit a WWII spy satire, Sexsassins. No one here has reviewed any of my books that I can recall, and vice versa.

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

Hi Gene,
I'd like to sign up with my latest book:
Seeking Truth at Ardwick House

G.J. Griffiths

I am just writing my final review in Group 349.
Thanks
Graham

Hi Gene,
I'd like to sign up with my book, The Other Side of Fear
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Thanks, everyone. Please check to see if you've been reviewed or have reviewed anyone currently in the first post.

G. J. -- I can't add you until your final review is posted in the other round. I know waiting on Amazon is frustrating, but we have to ensure all commitments are fulfilled before adding authors to a round.

Gene wrote: "We're starting a new General round. As we go, please post if you've reviewed, or been reviewed, by the authors signing up.
I'll list my latest book to start the round. https://www.goodreads.com/boo..."
Hi Gene. I would like to join the group with my book Great Warrior Deer Hunter and Other Short Stories.

Just FYI, I have reviewed one of GJ's books, long, long, long, loooooong ago (2016).

Hello,
Can I join with my novel City of Mann?
City of Mann
I have no conflicts as far as I can tell

Malik has asked to be removed so as of now, we need two authors.

I would like to submit my (newly re-edited) Dark Fantasy novel 'Empire: Country to this group.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSZFTP3L

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

I know Malik from another site but have not read his books.

Gene did review the older version of this book, but I have others available in the series.

I am not immediately aware of any other conflicts.

Gene hello. I've been looking for a group. Is there space available?

Sass wrote: "Gene hello. I've been looking for a group. Is there space available?"

Yes, Sass. We have one slot open. Please post a link to the book you'd like to enter, and let me know if you've reviewed the people already listed in the first post. Also, if anyone has reviewed your books in the past.

Thank you Gene. I will have this for you by end of day

Gene, thanks, and hello everyone.

The book is called "Billionaire's Bet" and it is available on Amazon. Readers can upload reviews to this URL:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVH1D1V6


From the group above, I believe. it was "I" who reviewed your group, Gene. And the name Dee Osah is familiar but not sure who reviewed who (Dee Osah pls comment).

You can get my book by emailing me at Sass at SassGreen dot com. Also please tell me links where I can find your book on Amazon and goodreads.

I’d like to sign up with my book “It’s not God, It’s You!” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I have a conflict with Tim Goff above me. I've reviewed him before.

Sass wrote: "Gene, thanks, and hello everyone.

The book is called "Billionaire's Bet" and it is available on Amazon. Readers can upload reviews to this URL:


Yeah Sass, I've reviewed your previous book

no conflicts on the entire list for me, so I can be move wherever if it helps with other conflicts :)

Sass has alternates, so that doesn't create a conflict for Dee.

Dee, just to be sure, is Teka Legacy the only book you have available for review?

I am okay to go.

No more conflicts for me. Thanks Gene.

No conflicts for me, Gene!

Dee wrote: "I have a conflict with Tim Goff above me. I've reviewed him before."

Which of my books did you review? I have other books available in the series if you have reviewed 'Empire: Country.'

Apart from that, I am not seeing any conflicts.

Wrote too soon. Gene has reviewed 'Empire: Country.' Not sure if my reviewing his book causes a conflict or not.

Tim wrote: "Wrote too soon. Gene has reviewed 'Empire: Country.' Not sure if my reviewing his book causes a conflict or not."

That's right, Tim. The current list won't work. I'll do some more tinkering.

Okay, after reviewing the conflicts, I can't work out a way for Tim to fit. (Below are the conflicts that make this list unworkable.) I've asked S. Isreal Isreal (who signed up a little late) in a DM if he's interested in joining. In case he's reading this here, instead -- S. Isreal Isreal, please confirm you'd like to join, and list any authors here you've reviewed. Also list any who have reviewed your books.

Thanks for your patience, everyone!

Dee can't review Gene
Gene can't review Dee (no alternates)
Gene can't review Sass
Tim Goff can't review Gene
Tim Goff can't review Dee
Sass can't review Dee

I have reviewed couple of authors in this post and they are listed below:

1. Chaos is a Friend of Mine (Kindle Edition)
2. Teka Legacy (Dee Osah)
3. Beauty Sex & Terror
4. Heart-shaped Keystrokes: An Anthology

But I have not been reviewed.

I’d like to sign up with my book “It’s not God, It’s You!” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Gene, I can review Tim Goff but he can't review me.

Thanks, Dee. Even if Tim offers you an alternate, I haven't been able to work him in.

S. Isreal, unfortunately, there isn't a way to fit you in this round.

Everyone, as of right now, we need one author who can fit without conflicts.

I think I might fit into that open spot. Both Gene and Sean have reviewed me before. I don't see any other conflicts with authors in the list.

I'd like to join with my fantasy book Duplicity of Power. I'm all done with my reviews for Round 351.
-Lynn

My GR book link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
(Note that Gene has already reviewed this book and so will need to review one of my others)

My GR author link: https://www.goodreads.com/slynnhelton
(I also write as https://www.goodreads.com/lynnhelton)

Hi, Lynn. It looks like you can fit.

Everyone, the list has been rearranged to reflect the new line-up. These are the conflicts that I'm aware of:
Dee can't review Gene
Gene can't review Dee (no alternates)
Gene can't review Sass
Sass can't review Dee
S Lynn can't review Gene
S Lynn can't review Sean

If others exist, please tell me.

We need to affirm that the new list has no conflicts. Please tell me if you have reviewed any of the four people above you on the list (the list wraps around so (10) is 'above' (1) ). Please also check that if you have already reviewed any of the four people 'below' you on the list, they have more books available that you have not yet reviewed.

Remember you're SENDING your book to the four names above you (the list wraps so 10 is above 1) -- and you're RECEIVING books from the four names below you on the first post of the thread.

Once EVERYONE confirms they're good to go, the round can begin.

Member Links * Book Links
1. Hayley Phoenix-Winterburn * Chaos is a Friend of Mine
2. L. Ross Coulter *City of Mann
3. Dee Osah * Teka Legacy
4. Sass Green * Billionaire's Bet
5. Sean DeLauder * Sexsassins
6. Esther Pearl *Heart-shaped Keystrokes: An Anthology
7. Caroline Orman * The Other Side of Fear : The inspirational true story of escape from abuse
8. Gene Kendall *Efficient and Divine: Honey Locust
9. John Schuster * Great Warrior Deer Hunter and Other Short Stories
10. S. Lynn Helton * Duplicity of Power

no conflicts here!

No conflicts for me. I'm good to go.
-Lynn

I am okay to go.

Okay, we have four confirmations so far (that includes me.)

Some other things...

Sass will need to ensure the book she's listed is on sale when the round begins.

John needs to change his settings on this page so that he can receive private messages: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Caroline also has to change settings on her page to that she can receive private messages:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

I will wait for the next group to form.

good to go!

Good to go.

John Schuster is good to go.
What is the easiest way to send our books?

I checked my profile settings and it's set to receive messages from anyone. Is it working now?

John wrote: "John Schuster is good to go.
What is the easiest way to send our books?"

If a book is on Kindle, I will buy a copy, so you don't need to worry about getting one for me.

That may not be everyone's preference, though, for one of any number of reasons, so I usually ask what the recipient prefers when I message them on Goodreads.

oIk, thanks Sean.

Good to go!

I'm good!

Okay, we only need to hear from Sass.

Also, for anyone reviewing my book, I have free Audible US and UK codes if you'd prefer the audio version.

Hello Gene and everyone. I am traveling abroad hence the delay. The physical hardcover is available for sale at this address https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CB78MCMJ

It is available for sale and for reviews, I will not be publishing the ebook until later. I can send anyone the epub or the PDF. I believe Dee is one of my readers and will send her the PDF as soon as possible. My email is Sass@Sass.com