Group 211 - 18+ - Mod E.M.

[E.M.]

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 explicit material.


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, 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.

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:
E.M. Swift-Hook



Member Links
1. E.M. Swift-Hook
2. Elani Roman
3. Thomas O.
4. Robert Rosado
5. Elena Leman
6. J.P. Willson
7. Laurette Long
8. J.B. Trepagnier
9. Sam Fury
10. Angela Panayotopulos

Book Links
1. Trust a Few
2. Under Her Spell
3. Three Truths and Other Unsettling Tales
4. The Guardians of Unity: The Book of Kailyn
5. Happy Ever(ywhere) After
6. How To Become a Successful (recovering)Alcoholic
7. The Passage of Desire
8. My Cat is the Antichrist-A Dark Paranormal Reverse Harem Romance
9. Basic Yoga for Increasing Energy
10. The Wake Up

[Susan]

Looks like I'm first to raise my hand to participate. I'm totally cool with that.
Jillian's Song by Susan A. Buchanan

[Elani]

So I am not exactly sure, but I am following the leader here. Under Her Spell by Elani Roman

[Elena]

Hello, I would love to join this group with my novel Happy Ever(ywhere) After. I can review on Amazon.

Here's me: Elena Leman
And here's my novel: Happy Ever(ywhere) After

[Ed]

Gritty crime thriller

No conflicts with anyone so far.

[E.M.]

Having had to bump myself from the Out of this World Round, I'll try again here with Trust a Few

Edited to note that I've read Ed before.

[E.M.]

Welcome aboard Elani, Elena and Ed (I'm noticing an alliterative pattern here ;) )

Susan and Aitch - you're both signed up to other rounds :)

[Elena]

:D We're the E-Team.

E.M. wrote: "Welcome aboard Elani, Elena and Ed (I'm noticing an alliterative pattern here ;) )

Susan and Aitch - you're both signed up to other rounds :)"

[E.M.]

Elena wrote: ":D We're the E-Team.

Ha! ;)

[Elani]

I have a question? I have two books a part one and part 2. I only submitted part 1, Under Her Spell. Should I have submitted part 2? Thank you Clouded Hearts: Short Story #2 Prequel to Chroma Chronicles Book Seriesby Elani Roman

[Elani]

E.M. wrote: "Elena wrote: ":D We're the E-Team.

Ha! ;)"

Yes! Love it.

[E.M.]

Elani - You would know that better than I. In general part 1 is best as it is your introduction to the series - unless part 2 is, in your opinion, the better entry to the series. But if so, maybe your part 2 should be your part 1...

[Aitch]

OK thanks, E.M, one at a time is enough for me....a clear sign I'm not into erotica. Lolz, oh the wit!

[Elani]

E.M. wrote: "Elani - You would know that better than I. In general part 1 is best as it is your introduction to the series - unless part 2 is, in your opinion, the better entry to the series. But if so, maybe y..."

Well that is true. Part 1 leads into Part 2. So they should be read in order and then I will have first book out in series soon. Thanks for the response! I will leave Part 1. I'm excited to get some feedback and read some new works of fellow authors.

[Elani]

Aitch wrote: "OK thanks, E.M, one at a time is enough for me....a clear sign I'm not into erotica. Lolz, oh the wit!"

That's funny :)

[E.M.]

BTW - as there seems little demand for an 18+ specific round (the other two rounds I set up at same time as this are both full and overflowing) would anyone who has signed up so far object to me changing this round to another General round to speed the sign-ups?

18+ stuff can still be in a General round... but I'm not seeing too much of that in the books here so far anyway.

[Ed]

I understand your motive in changing to General but at that point I have to withdraw my book.

The last time I submitted a similar book in a General round I was vilified and got poor reviews because of its content. I'd rather have no reviews then misguided bad ones. See you in a future round.

[E.M.]

We will leave it at 18+ then Ed. You seem to think it was something of a done deal and nothing could be further from the truth. I was asking what people felt about it, not imposing my will ;)

[Ed]

Nope, not thinking that at all. I completely understand as I said. If it benefits the group to change it to General so you have more participants that's absolutely fine with me. The book I submitted is very graphic and hard core and will not appeal to General readers (which I have learned from previous experience), so I don't mind dropping out and thereby pave the way for more participants.

[E.M.]

Thanks for the kind offer Ed, but I realise I was actually being unfair to make the suggestion.

The Review Group has these varied rounds for a reason and if this takes longer to fill than others then so be it.

[Elani]

This is my first time in a review group with rounds. So I didn't have an opinion either way. But I see the last consensus is the group will remain 18+. I hope others will join soon. I'm not sure why there'd be any reason that Young Adult or Adult authors wouldn't sign up? Personally I like the idea of reading several different genres. All though I write scifi, fantasy and romance, I've been told that I don't write the norm for my genre. So I am looking forward to get feedback from authors that write in different genres also. I am excited to be able to give feedback as well.

[E.M.]

Thanks, Elani!

[Kat]

Just following the discussion (I'm currently assigned to another group) and I definitely love the option of there still being 18+ groups or Romance groups around for the reasons already stated above. Thanks for having reading rounds. They're awesome!

[E.M.]

Thanks Kat!

[Laurette]

Hi everyone, I'll jump into the discussion and say I think the idea of 18+ is fine, it's a category that is fairly elastic 'including but by no means limited to horror and erotica' and authors would have to be comfortable with reading 'explicit' material', I think a discussion about what constitutes 'explicit' would probably run to several pages! I've certainly stepped out of my comfort zone on quite a few occasions and been happily impressed, I notice this has been the reaction with other reviewers to, and I'd add that in my view this is a beneficial spin-off from the group , widening our reading horizons so to speak ;-) So long as we all agree to keep open minds there shouldn't be a problem. I'd be happy to add my novella (157 pages) 'The Passage of Desire' if you think it would fit.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
E. M. you'd have to put me as Number 6, though, as you couldn't review me (I've reviewed you) but other wise no clashes!

[Thomas]

I'd like to join. My book, Three Truths and Other Unsettling Tales is a short story horror collection.

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

[Emma]

History lesson!
I originally split the group into 3 types of rounds, general, clean, and 18+ as the more explicit books were getting blasted in the the general rounds. The group only had general rounds back when I took over as admin mod.
Some people who later happily found a safe space in 'clean' found it upsetting to have to review explicit material and universally gave out one stars. In addition, they objected to having to admit they read such material in public and 18+ authors got a flurry of 'I'd never chose to read this but I had to' reviews, which helps no one. This is understandable for writers of religious or children's fiction.
I did a one of 'celebration' of out 5 year anniversary with genre rounds and they were so popular, they stayed.

[E.M.]

Thanks, Emma. Hmm.. good point, we've not had a 'clean' round in a while... I should set one up to go with this one!

[Elena]

Hi Guys, what about "18+ and Others" or "18+ and General"? Or any other title that would warn people that the books here may contain explicit scenes but it's also okay to post titles that don't. That way people will have no excuse to bash steamier reads but feel encouraged to add their clean titles too.

Tbh, I have an impression that this "18+" title sometimes scares people off. It certainly did intimidate me. My book contains sex, but it's rather mellow, emotional sex. I would definitely not consider my story 18+. I actually asked in my first 18+ round if it was okay to add my novel cuz I thought, "Shit, what if people expect some really hardcore level of kinkiness and gore and my book will not deliver?" I wasn't worried about what I would read (I enjoy erotica and tolerate violence) but rather--would 18+ reviewers be satisfied with my story? Maybe that's the case of all those people who decide NOT to sign up for this group.

That's just an idea to speed up the process. Thoughts?

[Kat]

I wonder if the reason the 18+ rounds fill up more slowly is that people who would rather not read 18+ content wait for another round. And *personally* I don't mind if it takes a romance or 18+ round a little longer to fill if it winds up with people who are comfortable reading those sorts of books and willing to review in an unbiased way. I agree it's problematic when books are getting dinged for content typical for their genre, whether that's steamy romance or horror. I wouldn't read a thriller and 1-star it for being "too thrilling" so maybe it's good to wait for group who's eager and ready to read the books before them?

[Robert]

How long before this group officially begins, my book releases next Thursday, will it begin by then or do you think it may begin shortly there after?

[E.M.]

As soon as your book has a Goodreads link, you can sign up Robert. Whether that will be in time for this round or not, I truly don't know. But there will be more rounds in the future if you do miss this one.

[Robert]

E.M. wrote: "As soon as your book has a Goodreads link, you can sign up Robert. Whether that will be in time for this round or not, I truly don't know. But there will be more rounds in the future if you do miss..."

ok got it, i will keep my eyes peeled on the forum daily and hope i can squeeze into this group. Thank you. =)

[Elani]

Elena wrote: "Hi Guys, what about "18+ and Others" or "18+ and General"? Or any other title that would warn people that the books here may contain explicit scenes but it's also okay to post titles that don't. Th..."

I agree, I thought about my stories not having gritty enough sex scenes. I have a good friend, she is like a sister to me and she writes erotica and steamy romances. She gave me some good insight. She told me the way I write its more along the PG, spectrum of that sort of writing. People that enjoy more hardcore, graphic detail in sex scenes will read PG sex scene type stories, but it is difficult to have a PG reader, go the other way.

Speaking on the title of the group, I do agree that possibly giving it 18+ is a good distinction that catches your attention, not sure what else you could call it? But I think it is up to the reviewers to do due diligence and read the description of the group. I don't think that is fair to judge a book that is considered normal within it's specific genre. I do reviews based on the story telling. Was it a good story.

I joined this group in hopes that there wouldn't be bias, just reviews based on the story content itself. I hope when people read my books they would do so with an open mind, because that is what I do when I read books that I review. Also personally I think by having an open mind when I read something, it helps me to connect to the story. I'm not looking at what else has been written in that genre either. I like to be delightfully surprised and see new points of view.

[J.P.]

Hi E.M. I would like to join this group if possible. I do apologize, my name starts with a 'J' though....sorry. As you are aware, you have indeed reviewed me, and Elena has recently reviewed my other book, but no other issues at this time.
How To Become a Successful (recovering)Alcoholic
J.P. Willson
Of course I am fully aware of all the pertinent obligatory non-disclosure necessities of niceness etc...
Thanks so much....

[E.M.]

Welcome Laurette and J.P.!

[J.P.]

Oddly E.M., I have read and reviewed this book by Laurette, yet she does have many others I would not mind at all reading ...

[Laurette]

Hi E.M. and J.P, Think we have another clash, JP reviewed The Passage of Desire (and a very nice review it was...). There's always Book 2 of the series, 'Hot Basque' if that helps in any way (?)
Have a great weekend everyone!

[E.M.]

It's fine to read a different book. If not it would get very hard indeed to fit people in these rounds. Sadly I have to put J.P. in my 'blind spot' for the round as I have reviewed both his books, so that tends to make it all a bit more constrained.

[J.P.]

E.M. wrote: "It's fine to read a different book. If not it would get very hard indeed to fit people in these rounds. Sadly I have to put J.P. in my 'blind spot' for the round as I have reviewed both his books, ..."
'Hot Basque' it shall be then...

[Laurette]

J.P. wrote: "E.M. wrote: "It's fine to read a different book. If not it would get very hard indeed to fit people in these rounds. Sadly I have to put J.P. in my 'blind spot' for the round as I have reviewed bot..."

Thanks JP! We must both have realised at the same moment i.e. 15h and 1 minute ago!! Hot Basque is fine with me, looks like this round is starting to fill up...

[Elena]

Hear, hear! Maybe the name of this group should be Open-Minded Reads after all. :)

Elani wrote: "Elena wrote: "Hi Guys, what about "18+ and Others" or "18+ and General"? Or any other title that would warn people that the books here may contain explicit scenes but it's also okay to post titles ..."

[Elena]

Hello J.P.! Am I reviewing another book of yours? A sequel to the previous one? I feel like soon I'll know everything about you. :)

J.P. wrote: "Hi E.M. I would like to join this group if possible. I do apologize, my name starts with a 'J' though....sorry. As you are aware, you have indeed reviewed me, and Elena has recently reviewed my oth..."

[Elena]

You're advertising so much, Ed. I can't wait to put my hands (or rather eyes) on it. *giggle* Do stay here!

Ed wrote: "Nope, not thinking that at all. I completely understand as I said. If it benefits the group to change it to General so you have more participants that's absolutely fine with me. The book I submitte..."

[J.P.]

Elena wrote: "Hello J.P.! Am I reviewing another book of yours? A sequel to the previous one? I feel like soon I'll know everything about you. :)

J.P. wrote: "Hi E.M. I would like to join this group if possibl..."
It would seem so at this point Elena. Yes indeed a follow-up to the first, yet by no means the entire story- there is so much more to tell...although you certainly will be ahead of the curve in comparison to most!

[Thomas]

Just curious, is there a reason I wasn't added to the list? Did I do something wrong with my request?

[J.B.]

I'll try joining with My Cat is The Antichrist. It's quite explicit as it is a reverse harem and I was dinged in reviews in a previous 18+ round for another reverse harem book. JP has read me before, but not this book and not this genre. That's my only conflict so far

[J.P.]

J.B. wrote: "I'll try joining with My Cat is The Antichrist. It's quite explicit as it is a reverse harem and I was dinged in reviews in a previous 18+ round for another reverse harem book. JP has read me befo..."

Hi J.B. - been a long time...this one sounds and looks interesting.

[E.M.]

Welcome J.P!

[J.P.]

E.M. wrote: "Welcome J.P!"
Um, E.M. , I think you meant 'J.B.'...
Funny.