Review Group discussion

GROUP 7 - moderator Anne Carlisle

START DATE: 12 January 2013

END DATE: 06 April 2013

Please remember the commitment you are making to your fellow group members. If you don’t think you can manage to do 4 book reviews between these dates, then please let me know now. You will be put into a later group that will be more suitable for you. If you pull out after the start date for any reason it is the other members who will be faced with the problem of finding a replacement or missing out on reviews through no fault of their own. Please don’t ask the moderators to chase after replacements as we just don’t have the time.

It is the responsibility of the author to get their book to their reviewer in a format the reviewer can manage. When the file is received, please post a link to the book in this thread so that the author has confirmation that reviewing of the correct book has started.

There are no set dates for the start of each round. You can each work at your own pace, within the limits of the round deadlines. All reviews must be posted by 06 April 2013.

When you have posted your review on GR please post a link to your review in this thread.

All reviews of 3, 4 or 5 stars must be posted to GR, Amazon .com and Amazon.co.uk.

If the rating is 1 or 2 stars, the review must be posted to GR but the author should be asked if they want the review to go to Amazon or not.

Postings to any other sites are by agreement by both author and reviewer.

DON’T FORGET TO POST THE LINK TO THE BOOK(S) YOU WILL BE PUTTING FORWARD FOR REVIEWING AS I REQUESTED IN MY PM TO YOU. FAILURE TO DO SO BY THE GROUP START DATE MAY RESULT IN YOU LOSING YOUR PLACE TO ANOTHER MEMBER.

In the next post are the listings for the 4 review rounds, the who reviews who stuff. You don’t have to put forward the same book for every round, but you can only ask for one review per round.

Happy reviewing, everyone :)

Member links:


Leonardo Noto http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
A. McLean Swanson http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Kathryn O'Halloran http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Meinos Kaen http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Kanwarpreet Grewal http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
K.A. Krisko http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Eric Dulin http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/15...
Steven Drachman http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Marise Ghorayeb http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Zrinka Jelic http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...


The four rounds you have signed up for:

Round 1 end 02-Feb-12
Round 2 end 23-Feb-12
Round 3 end 16-Mar-12
Round 4 end 06-Apr-12


ROUND 1
Leonardo Noto reviews A. McLean Swanson
A. McLean Swanson reviews Kathryn O'Halloran
Kathryn O'Halloran reviews Meinos Kaen
Meinos Kaen reviews Kanwarpreet Grewal
Kanwarpreet Grewal reviews K.A. Krisko
K.A. Krisko reviews Eric Dulin
Eric Dulin reviews Steven Drachman
Steven Drachman reviews Marise Ghorayeb
Marise Ghorayeb reviews Zrinka Jelic
Zrinka Jelic reviews Leonardo Noto

ROUND 2
Leonardo Noto reviews Kathryn O'Halloran
A. McLean Swanson reviews Meinos Kaen
Kathryn O'Halloran reviews Kanwarpreet Grewal
Meinos Kaen reviews K.A. Krisko
Kanwarpreet Grewal reviews Eric Dulin
K.A. Krisko reviews Steven Drachman
Eric Dulin reviews Marise Ghorayeb
Steven Drachman reviews Zrinka Jelic
Marise Ghorayeb reviews Leonardo Noto
Zrinka Jelic reviews A. McLean Swanson

ROUND 3
Leonardo Noto reviews Meinos Kaen
A. McLean Swanson reviews Kanwarpreet Grewal
Kathryn O'Halloran reviews K.A. Krisko
Meinos Kaen reviews Eric Dulin
Kanwarpreet Grewal reviews Steven Drachman
K.A. Krisko reviews Marise Ghorayeb
Eric Dulin reviews Zrinka Jelic
Steven Drachman reviews Leonardo Noto
Marise Ghorayeb reviews A. McLean Swanson
Zrinka Jelic reviews Kathryn O'Halloran

ROUND 4
Leonardo Noto reviews Kanwarpreet Grewal
A. McLean Swanson reviews K.A. Krisko
Kathryn O'Halloran reviews Eric Dulin
Meinos Kaen reviews Steven Drachman
Kanwarpreet Grewal reviews Marise Ghorayeb
K.A. Krisko reviews Zrinka Jelic
Eric Dulin reviews Leonardo Noto
Steven Drachman reviews A. McLean Swanson
Marise Ghorayeb reviews Kathryn O'Halloran
Zrinka Jelic reviews Meinos Kaen

The trial with STEVEN & changes to group

As you all know, I recently balloted the members of this group about allowing (or not) a trial with regard to relaxing group membership rules. Steven pleaded his case to be allowed to review on behalf of his friend, Garrett Gilchrist. Steven is an author himself but is prepared to forego reviews of his own book in this Group, instead putting forward Garrett’s book, Cratchit. Of those votes I had there were only two votes against allowing the trial to proceed, so we’ll see how it goes. Feedback to any of the mods about the trial will be useful in deciding if this situation should be allowed as standard, or only in exceptional circumstances, or never again.

Three votes weren’t returned, nor have those three members responded to my requests to confirm that they still want group membership. Without that confirmation I felt unable to still grant them places so they have been replaced. If we regain contact I’ll put them in a later group. In the meantime, welcome to Kathryn, Zrinka and Meinos, the first three people to respond to the post about the vacancies.

Finally, apologies for the couple of days' delay. I've been full of head cold and was bound to mess this up if I'd tried it on 01 Jan as planned. If I've still made mistakes don't be shy about letting me know.

Looks like I'm first up with a link to my book.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...

Just to let you know upfront, there are some explicit sex scenes in the book, although I wouldn't class it as erotica - ie. the sex is there to advance the plot, rather than it being a story about sex. But wanted to let people know in case they are listed to review and have issues with that.

Thanks, Kathryn. If anyone does have an issue, it is their responsibility to find a stand-in reviewer. This is the thread that gives details:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

Read message #1 carefully, and consider your options. then let the author and your moderator, Anne, know what you have decided.

Hi, all, below is the link to the book I'll be putting up for review, "Stolen". It is the first book in a fantasy fiction trilogy (Book Two is also out).

It has been tagged as YA, although not by me (it was added to Goodreads by someone else).

I'll be friending group members soon to facilitate communication - thanks in advance!

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...

Alright! Here's the link to my book, and-*checks* OH MY GOD! I GOT MY FIRST REVIEW! O___O Ehm, more of that later. Anyway, here's to Proud Parents Blog.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...

By the way, I was wondering, since the sequel to the book is going to be out in March, if I could submit that for Round 3 and 4, sorta making Ali and Zrinka advance readers.

Hello everyone!

The book I'm submitting is "History of the Timelaws" (YA Fantasy/Sci-Fi heavy on time travel). Here's the link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10...

Quick question, when we post a review on amazon.com doesn't it automatically get copied to amazon.uk? Also wouldn't we need to buy something of the UK site to be able to post directly there?

Hello everyone,

Here my book for review:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...

"Shadows of Lost Time" is a collection of short stories.

However I see a small problem in the review list. In round 1 I review Kathryn O'Halloran and in the second round my book is reviewed by her. I think the review list needs to change to prevent this.

Many apologies for any earlier confusion - I had to rearrange ordering to avoid clashes and I didn't carry it through from one file to the next. The who reviews who message is now amended, hopefully to the correct list now (doh!).

Please, someone, give me my brain back!!!

Meinos wrote: "Alright! Here's the link to my book, and-*checks* OH MY GOD! I GOT MY FIRST REVIEW! O___O Ehm, more of that later. Anyway, here's to Proud Parents Blog.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17......"

Any book you have a link to here on GR can be put forward for any round in your group.

Marise wrote: "Hello everyone!

The book I'm submitting is "History of the Timelaws" (YA Fantasy/Sci-Fi heavy on time travel). Here's the link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10......"

.com to .uk should happen automatically, but it doesn't, and when it does it takes forever. The only way to ensure it is on both sites is to post on both sites. Just do a copy and paste, it will only take a minute or two.

Kanwarpreet wrote: "Hello everyone,

Here my book for review:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...

"Shadows of Lost Time" is a collection of short stories.

However I see a small problem i..."

Sorry, Kanwar, and everyone else - I messed up. Please see message #10 and check (edited) message #2 again.

Jay,

Thank you for fixing this so quickly!

regards
Kanwar

Here's the link to my book. Since I write romance, I should let you know there're some love scenes fully described but nothing over the top Hopefully, my reviewers will find it tasteful.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16...

Marise wrote: "Hello everyone!

The book I'm submitting is "History of the Timelaws" (YA Fantasy/Sci-Fi heavy on time travel). Here's the link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10......"

As far as I know, all reviews on Amazon (US, CND, UK, DE...) get pulled together, in another words, you can see them. The book on let's say UK Amazon may indicate only 1 review but when you scroll down, all of them are there.

I haven't found that with my books, Zrinka. I have some .com reviews that still don't show on .co.uk after a year, and even more on .co.uk that don't show on .com

Okay, I think I've contacted everyone who is either reviewing me or who I am reviewing with the new arrangement! Let's see if I got all that right...

K.A. wrote: "Okay, I think I've contacted everyone who is either reviewing me or who I am reviewing with the new arrangement! Let's see if I got all that right..."

Capital idea, K.A. Mobi or PDF would be preferable, by the way, thanks. Same for your Shadows of Lost time, Kanwarpreet.

Meinos, PM me with a real email so I can send it - I can't attach to a Goodreads message, thanks!

Here is the book I am submitting for review:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...

Here is the book I am submitting for review:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16...

Jay wrote: "I haven't found that with my books, Zrinka. I have some .com reviews that still don't show on .co.uk after a year, and even more on .co.uk that don't show on .com"

I just know my reviews did show up on some books not sure for all. So I may be wrong, but Amazon ways are mysterious at best.

One point I would like to make here about exchanging files: the reviewer should not insist on Amazon gifting. It costs the author the price of their book to do that. If a file is offered by email accept it.

If the author chooses to use the gifting, first ensure both author and reviewer have accounts on the same site or the reviewer won't be able to accept the gift.

If you are self-published you will get some of that cost back - however, if you go through a publisher, even a small publisher like I do, you will only get a few cents back. Some publishers also consider books you gift "review copies" and won't reimburse you even those few cents. One of the problems with going through a publisher and another push for going Indie!

Jay, if you gift a book on Amazon they can (and will) pull the review. I had a review pulled for that reason as far as I can work out.

Apparently a gifted book is considered compensation for a review.

Kathryn wrote: "Jay, if you gift a book on Amazon they can (and will) pull the review. I had a review pulled for that reason as far as I can work out.

Apparently a gifted book is considered compensation for a ..."

Really? I didn't know that. I've actually been gifting review copies because I haven't been confident in the self-made .mobi file I have... oups!

When you gift a book on Amazon, the receiver isn't obligated to actually buy your book. It's pretty much like giving a gift voucher to the value of your book's price. Therefore, financial compensation.

I'm hearing about more and more situations where Amazon will delete reviews without notice. It's hard to know now how to abide by their unwritten rules.

Marise - if you want a good format mobi file send me your Word file and I'll convert for you. Special New Year gift ie one time only offer, not open to anyone else - I haven't got time!!!
jay@jayhoward.info

Jay wrote: "I'm hearing about more and more situations where Amazon will delete reviews without notice. It's hard to know now how to abide by their unwritten rules.

Marise - if you want a good format mobi fil..."

Lol, Thanks Jay, I really appreciate your offer but I know how busy you are and I don't want to steel your time.

Honestly if anyone would be willing to just take a look at the mobi file I made and tell me if it's okay that would be great? (I've been trying to check it myself but my kindle for pc doesn't seem to be working right...)

Yeah, I can do that. I'm in Wales at the moment but I can have a look when I get back next week.

Okay, taking another look at the re-arrangement, things are now really different. I think pretty much everyone I've contacted is wrong/wrong way 'round. I'll start trying again here soon, but I'll be out of town for a few days. Eric, It looks like I need a book from you for Round 1; Kanwar already has mine. Whew! I think I'll just take it Round-by-round from here on out to avoid confusion...

I've just had a message from Ali Isaac. She sends her sincere apologies to the group but is having to deal with an emergency hospitalisation of a family member. I'm going to post for a 'first come, first served' replacement from among the people on the waiting list. I expect to be able to post about her replacement in fairly short order.

My own apologies again to those of you who have been led astray by my incorrect original posting.

Last point - Eric, are you out there? I haven't seen a GR link to your book posted yet.

Here is my book:

Condemned

Thanks, Eric, glad you've recovered from the flu.

Jay wrote: "Yeah, I can do that. I'm in Wales at the moment but I can have a look when I get back next week."

Thank you Jay, that is so sweet of you! I know how crazy busy you are.

Welcome to Leonardo Noto, who has just replaced Ali for this group.

Many thanks for all the messages for Ali - I will be passing them on to her.

A. McLean Swanson Zrinka Jelic

Hi guys and gals,

I'm new to the group and ready to get to work. Here is the link to my book. A. McLean Swanson, if you could private message me with your email address so that we could arrange for me to receive your book, that would be great. I just private messaged Zrinka.

Leonardo Noto

One down :)

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

Thanks, Marise - very quick off the starting blocks! At that rate you'll be nearly finished before the group's officially started lol!

I've received Steven Drachman's submission (Round 2).

I have K.A's book. Will start reading it after I complete my group 4 round 4's book.

Thanks so much, Kanwar.

Thanks, K.A.

K.A. wrote: "I've received Steven Drachman's submission (Round 2)."

So long as the book is published, you can submit it for review here. You don't have to use the same book for each round. But please be clear about which book it is you are sending in to a reviewer for review, if you have more than one.

Meinos wrote: "Alright! Here's the link to my book, and-*checks* OH MY GOD! I GOT MY FIRST REVIEW! O___O Ehm, more of that later. Anyway, here's to Proud Parents Blog.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17......"

Have you received Eric's book for Round 1? I see he posted it here. If not, I suggest PMing him, as he may think it gets picked up here. -Anne

K.A. wrote: "I've received Steven Drachman's submission (Round 2)."

Review of "Intrusive Memory" Posted :)

Warning: Contains Spoilers

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

This is my sign-off from Group 7. I just pitch in and sort out the group membership. You all seem to be well on track now, so I'll leave you in Anne's capable hands. Anne is your moderator for the life of this group and will help if you get really stuck, but please remember to try and sort things out yourselves first.

Happy reviewing, everyone :)

Review of "Intrusive Memory" posted here.

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

Anne wrote: "Have you received Eric's book for Round 1? I see he posted it here. If not, I suggest PMing him, as he may think it gets picked up here. -Anne

K.A. wrote: "I've received Steven Drachman's submis..."

I have pm'ed him but not received an answer. I'll do it again...