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 an '18 +' round
Books that may contain explicit material. Including but by no means limited to horror and erotica. Books in other genres may be submitted. All authors must be comfortable with reading extreme and explicit material.

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.

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 Kinney


Member Links
1. Nico J. Genes
2. I.M. Redwright
3. Casey Bartsch
4. Alex Canna
5. Laura Koerber
6. Kat Kinney
7. Dave Saari
8. Andrew D. Gracey
9. Chance Chastenet
10. Donnally Miller

Book Links
1. Magnetic Reverie
2. The Sapphire Eruption
3. Behind The Red Curtain
4. The South Tower: An alternate history of 9/11
5. Coyote Summer
6. Dark: A Dark Paranormal Romance
7. Dog Leg Left
8. The Dust and the Dark Places: Part One
9. touching emily
10. The Devil's Workshop

I would like to join, please, with DARK.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

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

Thanks for creating new groups, EM! 😊

Welcome Kat!

Hi E.M., I'd like to join this group with my debut LEVER TEMPLAR:

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

It's a dual timeline historical fiction / contemporary thriller, available on KU or as a MOBI, EPUB, or PDF file. There is no sex but could be considered "adult" due to the medieval violence in the past timeline and "political thriller" type violence in the present. I have already read and reviewed Kat Kinney's DARK.
Thanks - Matt Gianni

Matt has read both my books and I am notoriously slow writing a third one, so we should please be in each other's blind spots :).

I would like to be in this group with Behind the Red Curtain. I've read Lever Templar.

Casey, could I please get your final Amazon review over in group 238? Thanks!

Welcome Matt!

Hi E.M. I see you're the mod for both this group #246 (18+) and group #248 (General). LEVER TEMPLAR has been in General groups before and I have no conflicts with the three already signed up for group #248. So if it would help alleviate clashes, please feel free to switch me into group #248.

I thought I was done there, I'll go look

Casey wrote: "I thought I was done there, I'll go look"

Thanks, Casey, for getting me that last review. You're all good for Round 238!

Matt - I've moved you since you seem to want that and posted to the General thread.

Casey - if you want in on this round now you are free and clear on your last round, please post to say so and please include the Goodreads link to the book you wish to submit to the round. Thanks :)

E.M. wrote: "Matt - I've moved you since you seem to want that and posted to the General thread.

Casey - if you want in on this round now you are free and clear on your last round, please post to say so and pl..."

Thanks, E.M. - Matt

I'd like to join with my novel The Devil's Workshop

yes, please.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Welcome Donnally and Casey.

Hi all,

I would like to join with my book The Dust and The Dark Places Part One. It is a gritty Western thar will fit in well with this theme

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

I have just submitted my final review on Group 236.

Hi,

I'd like to submit my autobiography, UNHINGED

https://www.goodreads.com/author/dash...

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

I've finished my reviews for group 238

Available in PDF and Mobi

Thanks!

Welcome Andrew and Carolyn.

In terms of clashes, I believe Carolyn read Casey in our previous group, correct? It really helps EM if everyone can call out their potential conflicts (who you've read before and who has read you) as soon as you see them pop up in the thread. Otherwise it's like a snarled knot of yarn for her to untangle at the end :).

Thanks for pointing that out Kat.

I will also say that if someone fails to report a clash when they sign up they risk being the one I will remove from the group if things get too tangled.

I understand. I will be more vigilant the next time.

Carolyn wrote: "I understand. I will be more vigilant the next time."

Thanks - It really helps :)

Hi Everyone. New here! I would like to add my 18+ erotic novel set in sleepy Henley. As an erotica author I would love to review similar 18+ books if possible. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Chance wrote: "Hi Everyone. New here! I would like to add my 18+ erotic novel set in sleepy Henley. As an erotica author I would love to review similar 18+ books if possible. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5..."

Chance -I'd love to sign you up for this group, but first, you need to claim your Goodreads author page and sign up from that.

It's pretty easy to do, just scroll to the bottom of this page and under where it says 'Work With Us' click the 'Authors' link. That will walk you through it and the whole thing usually come through in a couple of days.

Look forward to signing you up then :)

Thank you. I did make the application about 2 days ago. I'm waiting for approval! As soon as it comes through I'll let you know.

Hi,

I would like to join this group and this reading round with my book Magnetic Reverie In case there there are people here who have read it, then I can provide the sequel Reverie Girl (I hope that's allowed). I have reviewed in the past Kat's book but I see she have left this group.

Welcome Nico.

Re-added Kat :)

My Author page is approved! What next?

Welcome Chance!

I am currently reviewing Nico J Genes' Magnetic Reverie from another group in the Authors Seeking Reviews section

I'd like to join with Dog Leg Left https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Welcome Dave.

Only two away. We're nearly there :)

Hi, I'd like to join with The South Tower https://www.amazon.com/South-Tower-al...
I've reviewed one of Kat's other books but nothing else on this list.

My updated clashes are now that Nico and Alex have both read me before, but not this book. Thanks!

If you need another person, let me know if I fit! Would love to join with The Wake Up. I've read 2 books by Kat. I've been reviewed by Casey (twice) and Andrew (once).

I could otherwise join Group #249 (thus far from what's listed there, I've read 3 books by S.D. Brown and 2 books by Gene).

Whatever works! :)

Good to see you again, Angela :)

Yep, the only updated clashes from me are that I have read the very good The Wake Up by Angela.

Angela's reviewed mine too.

Welcome Alex and Angela.

Everyone - I need everyone to check they have not reviewed the four people above them 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.

You can check if you have reviewed anyone before by going to your reviews, clicking the 'Author' heading to get them in alphabetical author order, and then checking through to see. You can check if someone has reviewed you in the same way through their profile.

Any issues with these, please post to say so. If both these things check out please post to say you are good to go.

When enough have said they are good, we can start the reading phase.

I'm all good. Really looking forward to reading Alex Canna's book!

I am good for the four above me.

The only clash is the one below. I have read and reviewed Angela's book.

I have these two issues with the current order:

1) Angela has reviewed both of my books. She would need to go into my blind spot.

2) Nico has also read me before, and in the current set up, I am reading her.

EM, if it would help you find a way to squeeze both me and Angela into the group, I would be okay with reading 4 books and only receiving 3 reviews.

My updated clashes are now that Nico and Alex have both read me before, but not this book. Angela has read both my books and needs to be in my blind spot (or the scenario suggested above.)

--Yup, I'm afraid I've read both of Kat's books (p.s. big air hug for trying to squeeze me in! :)), as well as Alex's one book. (Y'all are in for a treat with those.)

--Casey has graciously read both of my books already.

--Andrew has read The Wake Up, but I could provide The Art of War for him instead.

EM, I'd love to stay but if you can't fit me, I could move to Group #249 before it fills.

Angela - I think that makes you a bit too much of a squeeze in :( Do try on #249, maybe less of an issue there.

Everyone - as you were...

E.M. wrote: "Angela - I think that makes you a bit too much of a squeeze in :( Do try on #249, maybe less of an issue there.

Everyone - as you were..."

No worries :)

Current order works for me. No clashes.

I'm going to need to pull out. Sorry about that

Carolyn wrote: "I'm going to need to pull out. Sorry about that"

No worries. Hope all is ok with you and that you can join another round soon.