Lynn’s Comments (group member since Jun 14, 2022)

Lynn’s comments from the Review / Write / Read Club (Indie & Self-Published) group.

Welcome to the round Eliza, Amber, and Kat!

Since Goodreads notifications aren't reliable, please be sure to check back from time to time to report any new conflicts and avoid missing out on anything posted in the round.

This is a "General, Goodreads+ (NOT Amz)" round
Any and all types of books, both fiction and non-fiction, are acceptable here. This means you might be reading anything from a book about tax returns to creative nonfiction to horror or erotica and anything in between. ARC files and pre-order books are fine.

In Goodreads+ rounds, participants post reviews to Goodreads and at least one place elsewhere, such as BookBub, LibraryThing, IG, X/Twitter, B&N, FB, Kobo, etc. Reviews won’t be posted to Amazon.

When posting your review to places like IG, X/Twitter, etc., please create a new post, on your own account, in which you review the book. Don’t go to the author's account and paste your review as a comment on one of their posts - that comment is too easily lost in all the activity on the platform.

Before you sign up, please make sure:

1. You’ve thoroughly read and understand How Read/Review Rounds Work (The Rules). Participating in the round indicates your understanding and acceptance of the rules and compliance with them.

2. You’ve claimed your Goodreads author page.
If you’re on a regular Goodreads user account, rather than an author account, you’ll need to do this before joining a round. You’ll find the directions for claiming your author profile page here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/program.

3. Your Goodreads account setting "Who Can Send Me Private Messages" allows people to message you, i.e. it’s set to "anyone".
(See Private Messaging Settings for how to check/change this.)

4. You’ve completed your review commitment if you’re currently in another read/review round in this group. (You can’t sign up to a new round until after you’ve completed that review commitment (posted both review links) in the other round in this Goodreads group.)

5. Your book is fit and ready to be reviewed.
If it’s not, due to editing or other issues, you risk poor reviews.

6. You have enough time to read and review a book within the round timeframe of three weeks.

7. Your book fits the round theme.

8. You can provide — and accept — at least PDF files.
You’re not expected or required to buy the books you’re scheduled to read, although that’s a nice gesture. Each participant is responsible for getting a review copy of their book to their reader in the round and must be able to provide — and accept — at least PDF files. Many provide and accept other formats as well. Please ask your reader’s preference if you can provide files in a variety of formats. And many authors have books available via KU and others might provide Smashwords coupons.

Note that International Copyright laws apply: you cannot sell or give away material you’ve received, without the author’s express permission.

To sign up for this read/review round, please reply to this thread with these details:

1. Your Goodreads Profile link

Please also include any additional names/profiles under which you publish, to help the other participants check for and avoid reciprocal reviewing.

2. Your Goodreads Book info link for your book that you want to have reviewed

3. Specify which of the other authors in the round have previously reviewed any of your books (if none, please specifically say so), and also which of the other authors in the round you have previously reviewed (if none, please specifically say so), to help everyone avoid reciprocal reviews. Also, state any relationship you have with other members in the round.

It’s a more-professional practice to avoid reviews from the same household on a book from that same household, or if you are an editor, relative, or close friend of the author.

How to check for reciprocal reviews:
Go to your reviews through your profile (the link is under your portrait), and search for the other author’s name. Check if someone has reviewed you in the same way… through their profile, searching for your name.

Please check back as the round fills to report any new conflicts.

And be sure to check back periodically, so you don't miss out on anything in the round (note that Goodreads notifications aren't reliable).

By joining this round, you agree to accept for reading and reviewing whatever book you are scheduled for. Please note that it’s possible that the book you’re scheduled to read may contain material you find upsetting or offensive. You are expected to finish the book — that’s only fair. If you can't commit to this, please don’t sign up.

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Round Parameters:

-Three weeks to complete reading the book and post your review.

Read the entire book and write your unbiased and honest review of the book, making every attempt to avoid spoilers if possible, and post it. For what constitutes a book review for this group (and for reviewing tips), please see Book Reviewing.

-After your review is posted, add the link(s) to it to this reading-round thread so the mod can "sign you off" for the round.

When you add your link(s) to this thread, make sure the links are to your own review not the book page. Please shorten the links (always a good practice for any social media). See GROUP TIPS: Finding review links to post them in the group for specific tips.

Additional Notes:

Reviews that state you received a copy "in return" or "in exchange" for a review will probably be removed/disallowed by some retailers. If you wish to add a disclaimer, the following would be more acceptable: "I received a free copy from the author without an obligation to review".

Your Goodreads details and the rounds you participate in may be recorded by moderators on a database. We don’t retain details of email addresses, etc.

If you have questions, please first review How Read/Review Rounds Work (The Rules) and check Questions about Review Rounds for an answer. If you still have questions, please ask before signing up.

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Each author will review one other book in this reading round.

(Person 1 reviews 2. Person 2 reviews 3. Person 3 reviews 1. (And if the round expands to a 4-way or 5-way round, reviewing follows the same pattern, just expanded for the additional participants.))

Please don’t get books or begin reading/reviewing until the moderator has posted that the round has started.

Participants & Book Links (tentative order)
1. Eliza Thorncroft (illustrator (author is Eva Bey)) - Arthur and the Kingswell Trio
2. Amber Daulton - Arresting Mason (Arresting Onyx Book 1): A Steamy Opposites Attract Ex-Con/Good Girl Romantic Suspense
3.
4. Kat Kinney - Light My Pyre
5. (optional expansion, only if needed)

(✓ means the participant is done with their review commitment, ✍︎ means the participant has provided one review link but hasn't yet posted the other link)

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Eliza wrote: "My review of The Ode to Life
Storygraph
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews...
Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Thank you for the review links, Eliza. You're all done with your reviewing commitment for the round.

M.T. wrote: "Thanks! I have corrected the links in the post above.
yes - my book is here, so if it is possible to get a review, that would be great! It is on Kindle Unlimited at the moment, and I have epub file or pdf available to share as well if needed...."

Thank you, M.T. I've added your book to the list.

See the queue in message 2 to see rounds that are coming up.

Kat wrote: "My review. Enjoyed it, Eliza!

GR: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews...
LT: https://www.librarythi..."

Thank you for those review links, Kat. You're done with your reviewing commitment for the round.

(Relocated this misplaced introduction.)

Hope wrote:
HI!!!

I'm Hope Redgrave. An Indie author. My debut novel published in June this year. recently I published another book named Fractured Hearts.

It's nice to meet you all!

Hope wrote: "HI!!!
I'm Hope..."

Hope Redgrave, your post better belongs in the "RWR Club - introduce yourself!" topic and so has been copied to there (https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...).

M.T. wrote: "Hi,
reviews of no 17 here:
amazon
https://amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-revi...
Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
thanks!"

Thank you for those links, M.T. In the future, please shorten links you post here, to remove potentially identifying information (for Amazon, remove "?" and everything after it).

Authors who review from the list can have a book of theirs then added for others to review. Is there a book of yours you'd like added to the list? If so, please reply with your Goodreads book link. Thanks!

M.T. wrote: "Hi everyone,
I’m new here and just getting used to how Goodreads works. I’ve recently published my first book and thought I’d join this group to connect, learn, and support others by reading and r..."

Hello & welcome, M.T.

Thank you all - let’s get this round going!

You have three weeks to read and review.
Start date: Oct. 11, 2025
End date: Nov. 1, 2025

Please post your review no later than NOVEMBER 1, 2025.

As AUTHORS, you’ll send your book file to your reviewer, and as REVIEWERS, you’ll receive a book file to read.

1.__Lynn Helton
You're reviewing The Châtenay Fables: The Festival of Empty Baskets (Eloïse Belleveau).
Seth Hobbs is reviewing your book, so please make sure they have a copy to read.

2.__Eloïse Belleveau
You're reviewing Black Powder, Black Heart: A Dark Flintlock Fantasy Novel (Seth Hobbs).
Lynn Helton is reviewing your book, so please make sure they have a copy to read.

3.__Seth Hobbs
You're reviewing Min: the Cat Who Guards the Castle (Lynn Helton).
Eloïse Belleveau is reviewing your book, so please make sure they have a copy to read.

It's the responsibility of each author to get their book to their reader in a format the reader can manage. Everyone must be able to provide and accept PDF. You may buy or borrow the book you are due to read, if you want, but it’s not required.

Please honor the commitment you’re making to your fellow group members to give an honest review.

Quick "start-up" summary:

-You’re reviewing the book "below" you on the list.

You can choose to buy the book, but you don’t have to. If you do buy, certainly the author will appreciate the verified review on Amazon.

You can choose to read the book through KU, if you’re a subscriber and the book’s available there.

-You need to message the person who will be reviewing you (the person above you on the original list of names) through their Goodreads author page (links provided above) to ask what kind of file they would like or say you can only offer PDF. Don't forget to ask where to send it so they can give you their email.

(Using messaging is recommended for exchanging email addresses to avoid the chance of spammers getting your email addresses from this open forum).

To message someone: on their Goodreads author page, click on the down arrow beside the "Follow Author" button under their picture and it opens a menu which should give you the option to "Send message".

The person who you’re reviewing should be in touch with you in a similar way or post on the thread to say they are getting your book directly from a retailer. If you - as a reviewer - haven't heard from the book's author about a review copy, feel free to message them. You don't have to wait for them to contact you.

-Please make sure you have sent your book - or have been assured by your reviewer they will buy your book or read it through KU - as soon as possible so your reader can start reading.

-For this round, you’re requested to please post your review to Goodreads, and on your own Amazon store and any other Amazon stores you might have access to. Posting a review to other sites is by agreement between both author and reviewer.

-After you’ve posted your reviews, please reply to this thread with the links to your reviews (not the book page) so you can be "signed off" for reviewing.

You can post your Goodreads review link before the Amazon one has been approved. Just please—when the Amazon one comes in—post a separate message. Notifications don’t pop up for edits, so the moderator won't know to go hunting for it.

For GR+Amz Rounds:
The moderator will note whether participants have posted reviews on Amazon. Members who persistently fail to post to Amazon will find mods less than willing to add them to subsequent GR+Amz rounds, as joining these rounds indicates both a capability and a willingness to review on Amazon.

For the good of all, participants in any type of round who persistently fail to post reviews, or DNF reviews, will find mods less than willing to add them to subsequent rounds.

Please let me know ASAP if I missed something that results in you being asked to review someone who’s already reviewed you.

Feel free to ask questions if you need to, either here or via messaging.

Happy reading & reviewing! :)

Thank you all - let’s get this round going!

You have three weeks to read and review.
Start date: Oct. 11, 2025
End date: Nov. 1, 2025

Please post your review no later than NOVEMBER 1, 2025.

Remember, this is a Goodreads+ round, so post your review to Goodreads and one other place, such as BookBub, LibraryThing, IG, Twitter, B&N, FB, Kobo, etc., but NOT Amazon.

As AUTHORS, you’ll send your book file to your reviewer, and as REVIEWERS, you’ll receive a book file to read.

1.__Tajammul Kothari
You're reviewing The Siren's Cursed Kiss (Kat Kinney).
Eliza Thorncroft is reviewing your book, so please make sure they have a copy to read.

2.__Kat Kinney
You're reviewing A Hedgerow Hollows Tale: Squirrel's First Day (Eliza Thorncroft).
Tajammul Kothari is reviewing your book, so please make sure they have a copy to read.

3.__Eliza Thorncroft
You're reviewing An Ode to Life (Tajammul Kothari).
Kat Kinney is reviewing your book, so please make sure they have a copy to read.

It’s the responsibility of each author to get their book to their reader in a format the reader can manage. Everyone must be able to provide and accept PDF. You may buy or borrow the book you are due to read, if you want, but it’s not required.

Please honor the commitment you’re making to your fellow group members to give an honest review.

Quick "start-up" summary:

-You’re reviewing the book "below" you on the list.

You can choose to buy the book, but you don’t have to.

You can choose to read the book through KU, if you’re a subscriber and the book’s available there.

-You need to message the person who will be reviewing you (the person above you on the original list of names) through their Goodreads author page (links provided above) to ask what kind of file they would like or say you can only offer PDF. Don't forget to ask where to send it so they can give you their email.

(Using messaging is recommended for exchanging email addresses to avoid the chance of spammers getting your email addresses from this open forum).

To message someone: on their Goodreads author page, click on the down arrow beside the "Follow Author" button under their picture and it opens a menu which should give you the option to "Send message".

The person who you’re reviewing should be in touch with you in a similar way or post on the thread to say they are getting your book directly from a retailer. If you - as a reviewer - haven't heard from the book's author about a review copy, feel free to message them. You don't have to wait for them to contact you.

-Please make sure you have sent your book - or have been assured by your reviewer they will buy your book or read it through KU - as soon as possible so your reader can start reading.

-For this round, you’re requested to please post your review to Goodreads, and at least one place elsewhere, if possible, such as BookBub, IG, Twitter, B&N, FB, Kobo, etc. (but not Amazon).

-After you’ve posted your reviews, please reply to this thread with the links to your reviews (not the book page) so you can be "signed off" for reviewing.

For the good of all, participants in any type of round who persistently fail to post reviews, or DNF reviews, will find mods less than willing to add them to subsequent rounds.

Please let me know ASAP if I missed something that results in you being asked to review someone who’s already reviewed you.

Feel free to ask questions if you need to, either here or via messaging.

Happy reading & reviewing! :)

Linda wrote: "Here are my reviews for book #7
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.amazon.com/review/R2OKNNK..."

Linda, I appreciate the review, but because I've reviewed your books previously, you cannot review mine here. Like with the rounds and chains, non-reciprocal reviewing applies.

(And I'll make it clearer that's me in the list.)

Ann wrote: "Hi. Can I join this round with my scifi for middle grade? Black Hole Radio. I would have to go into spot 3 as I have read seth's books but not all. and I have no conflicts with Eloise."

Ann, I'm sorry, the round's already in the final check phase. If something doesn't work out there, I'll circle back to see about adding you, but otherwise please watch for new rounds to open.

Certainly Seth and welcome to the round.
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Final Check
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I think we're good on having no one set for a reciprocal review, but before the round can get underway, everyone please do a double-check for reciprocal and other review conflicts to make sure. You can’t be listed to review someone who reviewed you before and vice versa. It’s all about who has already read whom, when positioning the readers in the slots.

Please double-check these things (please don't rely on memory):

1. Have you previously reviewed the person directly above you on the list in message 1 (the list wraps around so the last number is "above" 1.)?

If you have, please post a reply that says so. That way we can fix the list so as to avoid a reciprocal review, which isn’t allowed here.

2. Have you already reviewed the book listed for the person directly below you on the list (the list wraps around so "1." is "below" the last number)?

If you have, post a reply that says so. That way we can fix the list so it shows the correct book for reviewing.

3. Are you an editor, relative, close friend, or from the same household of either the person whose book you'll be reviewing or the person who'll be reviewing your book?

If so, please state any relationship you have with those other members. It’s a more-professional practice to avoid reviews from people in those relationships to the author. And Amazon doesn’t allow this anyway.

Reminder of how to check for reciprocal reviews:
Go to your reviews through your profile (the link is under your portrait), and search for the other author’s name. Check if someone has reviewed you in the same way… through their profile, searching for your name.

If you have no review conflicts, please post a reply with "Ready to start" or similar words.

After everyone has posted that they’re ready, I'll post the official "start the round" message to get the round rolling! :)

Please don’t get books or begin reading/reviewing until that official "start the round" message has been posted. The order can still change before then.

No worries, Kat.

Thank you Tajammul for specifying an alternate book. I've updated the list.

Now just waiting for the final check from Eliza.

Eliza wrote: "They have been so annoying. I just report, block."

Yup, me too.

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Final Check
--------------
I think we're good on having no one set for a reciprocal review, but before the round can get underway, everyone please do a double-check for reciprocal and other review conflicts to make sure. You can’t be listed to review someone who reviewed you before and vice versa. It’s all about who has already read whom, when positioning the readers in the slots.

Please double-check these things (please don't rely on memory):

1. Have you previously reviewed the person directly above you on the list in message 1 (the list wraps around so the last number is "above" 1.)?

If you have, please post a reply that says so. That way we can fix the list so as to avoid a reciprocal review, which isn’t allowed here.

2. Have you already reviewed the book listed for the person directly below you on the list (the list wraps around so "1." is "below" the last number)?

If you have, post a reply that says so. That way we can fix the list so it shows the correct book for reviewing.

3. Are you an editor, relative, close friend, or from the same household of either the person whose book you'll be reviewing or the person who'll be reviewing your book?

If so, please state any relationship you have with those other members. It’s a more-professional practice to avoid reviews from people in those relationships to the author. And Amazon doesn’t allow this anyway.

Reminder of how to check for reciprocal reviews:
Go to your reviews through your profile (the link is under your portrait), and search for the other author’s name. Check if someone has reviewed you in the same way… through their profile, searching for your name.

If you have no review conflicts, please post a reply with "Ready to start" or similar words.

After everyone has posted that they’re ready, I'll post the official "start the round" message to get the round rolling! :)

Please don’t get books or begin reading/reviewing until that official "start the round" message has been posted. The order can still change before then.

Eliza wrote: "Hi Lynn
Can I join group with my childrens book, A Hedgerow Hollows Tale: Squirrel's First Day? I have already reviewed Taj but not Kat's book."

Certainly, Eliza, and welcome to the round. Since Goodreads notifications aren't reliable, please be sure to check back from time to time to report any new conflicts and avoid missing out on anything posted in the round.

I see that Kat has previously reviewed you - that's something that I also need to know when you sign up, please. That information up-front makes it much easier to place people in the round so there aren't conflicts. Thanks!

And it looks like Tajammul has other books, so I think the order works.

Kat wrote: "I would like to join, please, with The Siren's Cursed Kiss or any other book by me. Tajammul has reviewed me in the past, but not this book."

Welcome to the round, Kat. Since Goodreads notifications aren't reliable, please be sure to check back periodically to report any new conflicts and avoid missing out on anything posted in the round.