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.
The new amazon rules state that authors/publishers are no longer allowed to specifically supply published books in return for reviews on amazon. To comply with this new rule, we no longer insist members review on amazon. However, we are all in the same situation, we want reviews.
When sorting out groups, I prioritise those members who have fully participated in previous groups and don’t have multiple review connections with the other participants.

This is a general round. Anything goes, from fiction to non-fiction, children's to adult, cosy to horror/erotic.

If you are only willing to review your own preferred genre, make sure you join a genre round. 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.
Let’s be honest here – we don’t all like the same things but we all want reviews. 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/...

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 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, amazon.com and amazon.uk. Amazon has recently changed their criteria for reviewers to allow only those people who have spent $50 on amazon. If you are unsure about your amazon reviewer status, try posting a ‘test’ review before signing up.

5. You can provide (and accept) at least PDF files. Many authors can also provide mobi and epub files. You are not expected or required to buy the books you are allocated to review. Some authors borrow books via KU and others provide smashwords coupons. This is their choice. International Copyright laws apply. You cannot sell, or give away material you have received without the author’s express permission.

6. It is up to individuals what disclaimers they place in a review concerning receiving a book in exchange for a review. Note: 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.

7. 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.

8. You have an author profile set up before you join.

9. Your goodreads profile allows people to message you, i.e. your profile is not set to private.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. The new amazon.com review guidelines do not allow for free books to be supplied in return for reviews. Therefore, you are not obliged to review on amazon, just on goodreads. We all want reviews, its 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.

14. Your goodreads details and the rounds you participate in will be recorded by the admin mod on a database. We do not retain details of email addresses etc.

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. Usually places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
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
Chance Maree

Member Links
1.Heather Murray
2.Chrys Cymri
3.Maggie M. Larche
4.Anthony Stancomb
5.Theodore Ashford
6.Garfield Whyte
7.E.M. Swift-Hook
8.A.E. Nasr
9.Felix Long
10.Donte M. McNeal

Book Links
1.Among Friends: Travels in Cuba
2.The Cult of Unicorns
3.Striker Jones: Elementary Economics for Elementary Detectives
4.Under a Croatian Sun - From Grey Britain to a Sunny Isle: One Couple's Dream Comes True
5.Cosmic Dreams: An Adult Coloring Book for Children at Heart
6.Nostalgia from: A City Set Upon a Hill
7.The Fated Sky
8.Miro
9.To Conquer Heaven
10.The Family: The Brotherhood

This one I know I am good for. Please add me. Over Shadowed
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0991566246/...

Don't think they'll be a problem somehow. Welcome aboard.
The book isn't coming up on your author page, probably because you've got it as being authored by K. W. Benton not K.W. Benton.
Just a space in the wrong place.

Emma wrote: "Don't think they'll be a problem somehow. Welcome aboard.
The book isn't coming up on your author page, probably because you've got it as being authored by K. W. Benton not K.W. Benton.
Just a spac..."
Thanks for the heads up. I fixed it. Over Shadowed

Hello again, Emma. Hope I can get on this round.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
My book is a travel memoir about Cuba and Cubans called Among Friends: Travels in Cuba. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
I haven't yet written a review as a Goodreads member.

Thanks.

K.W. I'm just about to start you off in 127, so you're not eligible for this one.

Welcome aboard Heather.

Emma wrote: "K.W. I'm just about to start you off in 127, so you're not eligible for this one.

Welcome aboard Heather."
Okay thanks!

Hi, I've just finished my other round (I'll post the links once I've heard from Amazon) so I'd like to join this one please. I've never reviewed nor been reviewed by Heather.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Chrys Cymri

welcome Chrys.

Hey there, hoping to join in if I can.

The Family: The Brotherhood

Hi Donte, welcome aboard.

Thanks Emma.

Hi, I just finished my rounds for Group 122, so I'd like to jump in on this one!
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
I'd like to add my coloring book, Cosmic Dreams: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Happy New Year Emma.
I'd like to join with my other book.

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

We need to mention that I've reviewed Anthony before, but that was a different book.

Welcome aboard Theodore and Anthony.

And many thanks Chrys for pointing out that clash.

Can people PLEASE check their clashes as they sign up. You have no idea how irritating it is to spend significant time working out an order for everyone to have non-reciprocal reviews then to have someone pipe up and having to do it all over again. I don't have a computer program to do this, its me and a pen.
And lots of crossing out.
And mumbling to myself.
And more crossing out.
Occasionally some swearing.

Hello, I'd like to join with my book, Striker Jones: Elementary Economics for Elementary Detectives.

I have been reviewed before by Chrys, but it was for a different book. Thanks!

Maggie

Welcome Maggie, I can fit you in.

But wow Chrys, you're a popular gal!

What can I say?

Hi Emma,

I am submitting this book. Chrys reviewed it some time ago.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Welcome aboard Garfield.
As you have other books available, Chrys may end up having to review you again, depending on who else signs up.

Emma wrote: "Welcome aboard Garfield.
As you have other books available, Chrys may end up having to review you again, depending on who else signs up."


I'd very much like to review Garfield's book - having gone through the experience myself!

PS I'd very much like to review Heather's book on Cuba, too.

I'll see what I can do, not promising anything though.

Emma wrote: "I'll see what I can do, not promising anything though."
Don't worry as I can read it outside the group.
It must be a nightmare jiggling things around!!

comment re 'jiggling around' deleted.

I really must remember that this isn't an 18+ round...

Emma wrote: "comment re 'jiggling around' deleted.

I really must remember that this isn't an 18+ round..."

While you're technically correct, Emma, here in General, anything goes. What goes on in General, stays in General. Generally.

You mean I can be smutty over here too?

Rubs hands together and cackles with glee.

Emma wrote: "You mean I can be smutty over here too?

Rubs hands together and cackles with glee."

Generalists don't judge.

Gosh - living as I do in a cultural backwater, it seems i have a lot to learn!
I thought the only use of the word was as in the Cambridge English Dictionary
jiggle ˈdʒɪɡ(ə)l/
Meaning to move from side to side or up and down with quick short movements, or to make something do this: If the door won't open, try jiggling the key in the lock. Making short, sudden movements. convulse.verb, gerund or present participle: jiggling
move about quickly from side to side or up and down.

I'm taking the fifth on this one on the grounds the the admin mod needs to portray at least a touch of decorum.

Decorum indeed is what is required of us in such august company!

I remember decorum. My country used to respect it, even if ours was a bit low. Now. Well. We're under siege by those who couldn't find it in a dictionary. Perhaps we need to be ruled by the Brits again. Too late. The Russians have already moved in. So much for ever having decorum again. Do I sound depressed?

You are ruled by a Brit...
The review group today, tomorrow the world! (evil laugh).

Emma wrote: "You are ruled by a Brit...
The review group today, tomorrow the world! (evil laugh)."

I'm over here having to face Jan. 20. Do you really think you can say or do anything to scare me more at this point?

Erm, no, no I don't.
The whole world is watching in fascinated horror. Fingers crossed we've all got it wrong...

Any chance I could 'jiggle' my way into this group with The Fated Sky? As long as I am in slot 7 and am kept well isolated and insulated from Chrys (she has reviewed all the books I have available for the present), I have not encountered anyone else in the group, so far, for reviews.

Jiggle away. Welcome aboard E.M.


N.B. for anyone who wishes to take one of the remaining two slots, you must be able to review Chrys.

Emma wrote: "Jiggle away. Welcome aboard E.M."

*jiggles*

If only the rest of the world could use the English language as said dictionaries stated-(whichever version) Things would indeed not be left up for any individual interpretation as they are, individual perspective and perception etc. But truthfully, what would be the fun in that?
as he "jiggles" his mouse with the dying battery to try to hit post....

J.P. wrote: "If only the rest of the world could use the English language as said dictionaries stated-(whichever version) Things would indeed not be left up for any individual interpretation as they are, indivi..."

I discovered the other day that the word 'nice' originally meant 'stupid' and then became a pretty strong word of approval and now has declined into a bland one. Language being in the mouths of the many, changes all the time - we poor writers just struggle to keep up, I guess ;)

That's so interesting! Lol

I'd like to join with Personal Wisdom. I've reviewed Anthony's wonderful book.

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

Hi Emma, can I get into this round?

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

I've been reviewed by Robert.

Robert, is there any way you could fit into the 18+ or in this world now forming rounds? Unfortunately both are for fiction only, so that might be a problem.

Because of the clashes already present, the only possible slots left in this group means you would have to review Anita again, and she only had one book.
She's already tried 129 and couldn't fit for the same reason.

But... you have priority in this group as you signed in before Anita.

Let me know.

I will bow out and allow Anita my place. Someone else should have the pleasure of reading her book.

Bob

Thanks Bob.

Bob, that's so kind of you! Thank you so much. Now I'm worrying about you finding a spot for nonfiction - hope a new one opens up soon.

Glad to do it--working on a novel.

I see that there's one spot left. (And also that Robert is a very nice person!) I also see many familiar faces/names, so you might not be able to fit me in. But here goes:

People reviewed by me:
I have reviewed Chrys before. But not this book.
I have reviewed Theordore before, but not this book.
I have reviewed Garfield's book before, but I think he has more books I could review.

People who have reviewed my books:
Maggie has reviewed two of my books, but I have another she could review.
E.M. has reviewed one book, but could review another.

If you can fit me in, that would be great, if not, that's okay, too.