Group 359. General - Mod. Loralee

[Loralee, Admin]

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 a 'General' round.

All fiction/ non-fiction accepted. This means you may be required to read anything from a book about tax returns to horror/erotica and everything in between.

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. Please note the Review Group will back any reviewer's right to express their opinion about a book, but personal comments about a fellow author are against both Review Group and Goodreads policy.

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.

12. You state here what authors already on the list have reviewed you, and which ones you have reviewed. (If you can't remember, go to your or another author's profile, click the middle link under the picture, and type the name of the author you're wondering about in "search and add books".) If you have more than one pen name, LET US KNOW! I will do what I can to help you avoid reciprocal reviews, but ultimately, it is on you to avoid reciprocal reviews!

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.

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: Loralee Evans

Member Links
1.David Alyn Gordon
2.Amanda Stuntz
3.G.J. Griffiths
4.Neil M. Campbell
5.Loralee Evans
6. S.D. Brown
7. Balroop Singh
8. Geoff Sease
9. J.A. Freely
10. Rik Ty

Book Links
1.Jigsaw
2.Witch's War
3.Seeking Truth at Ardwick House
4. Hypochondriac Gambler
5.Ephraim's Garden
6. Saving Bigfoot Valley
7. Hues of Hope
8. When We Push Through Sound
9. A Quick Spin Around the Galaxy
10. Fragmented Sky

In order to participate in this round, your setting for 'Who Can Send Me Private Messages' needs to be 'anyone'.
Please follow this link to check - and if necessary change - your privacy setting.
https://www.goodreads.com/user/edit?t...

[Rik]

I'd like to join with
Thrill Kings fragmented sky
Fragmented Sky
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JX4FCLU
Good reads Profile
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Fragmented Sky on GR
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Thank you

[Loralee, Admin]

Welcome, Rik!

[K.T.]

Hi Loralee,

I'm not sure if you can fit me in or not. I'd like to join with Unfathomable Chance (Or for two of them the second book Unfathomable Plan). David, Amanda, and G.J. have read my books, so I'd have to go after them. I've read a different of your books, and Rik's offered book (so he'd have to offer another one). Hopefully I can squeeze in neatly in the #5 spot.

Thanks!
K.T.

[Amanda]

Thanks for the add Loralee. The order works good for me, no other conflicts at the moment.

[Loralee, Admin]

K.T., unfortunately, everyone on the list so far, aside from myself, has reviewed me. I have to stay in Rik's blind spot because of that reason. So I'm afraid I can't fit you in, this round.

Check back in a week or two. Hopefully there will be a new round or two opening up.

[S.D.]

I'd like to join with my middle grade love; Saving Big foot Valley for readers 9-12.

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

[G.J.]

Thanks for the message, Loralee :-)
The list looks good to me thus far. Crossed fingers it can stay that way!
Best wishes, GJ

[Balroop]

I'll like to join with my book
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
My books have been reviewed by Loralee, Neil and G.J
I have reviewed books of David and Amanda

[K.T.]

Loralee wrote: "K.T., unfortunately, everyone on the list so far, aside from myself, has reviewed me. I have to stay in Rik's blind spot because of that reason. So I'm afraid I can't fit you in, this round.

Check..."

I see, thanks for trying!

[S.D.]

GJ has reviewed me
I have reviewed Balroop
David has reviewed me
Neil has reviewed me
Loralee, you have reviewed me

[Geoff]

Loralee,
I would like to join your group with When We Push Through Sound. This will be my first review with your group. I'm excited for the opportunity.

Thank you,
Geoff

[David]

Thanks Loralee. Take care.

[Tim]

I would like to submit 'Empire: Judgment,' the sixth book of my dark fantasy 'Empire' series for review in this round.

I have reviewed Rik Ty but see no other conflicts at this point.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVNKL7XT

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

[J.A.]

Hi! I'd like to join with my book - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... Quick Spin Around the Galaxy:

No conflicts at all.

Thank you!

[Tim]

I have previously reviewed JAs 'Quick Spin around the Galaxy.'

[Loralee, Admin]

Tim, it appears that you have also reviewed Balroop as well. I have also reviewed you, and I cannot move Balroop. Unfortunately, that means that I won't be able to fit you in at this time.

Please continue to check back though every few days, as new review rounds open regularly.

Welcome, S.D., Balroop, Geoff, and J.A.

Everyone on the list: Please read the instructions below.

[Loralee, Admin]

EVERYONE on the list, please follow these instructions. DO NOT rely on memory as that has created problems in the past.

Please check and see if you have reviewed any of the 4 people above you. (The list wraps so 10 is above 1).

To check this, follow these steps:

1. Go to your profile.
2. Click on the middle link under your picture.
3. In the box that says "Search and add books" type the name of one of the 4 authors above you, then click the magnifying glass icon.
4. Repeat with the other 3 names.
If it says "You have no books matching "author's name" for each author then you have not reviewed them before.

Then please check to see if any of the 4 people below you have reviewed you. (Again the list wraps, so 1 is below 10.)

To check this, follow these steps:

1. Go to each of the profiles of the 4 authors below you.
2. Click on the middle link under their pictures.
3. In the box that says "Search and add books" type in your name. Then click the magnifying glass icon.
4. Make sure to do this with each of the 4 authors below you.

If each time, the next screen shows "*Author's Name* has no books matching "Your Name" then no one below you has reviewed you.

Once you have check BOTH ABOVE AND BELOW, and you are clear both ways, please come back here and type "Good to go" or some equivalent of that.

[Loralee, Admin]

I have checked for myself, and I am good to go.

[Amanda]

I'm good to go.

[David]

I'm good.

[J.A.]

I'm good to go.

[Rik]

Thank you for the very useful instructions on checking if someone has reviewed you or not! I'm good to go! Thank you!

[S.D.]

I double, double checked and I'm good to go.

[Balroop]

I am good to go.

[Loralee, Admin]

Thanks!

Goeff, G.J., Neil, are you folks good to go?

[Neil]

I'm good to go, thanks

[G.J.]

I'm good to go with other books from S.D. , Balroop and yourself.
G J

[Geoff]

I'm good to go. Thank you.

[Loralee, Admin]

Okay, we’re ready!
START DATE: 15-May-24
END DATE: 7-Aug-24






Round 1 – post your review by 5-June-24
Round 2 – post your review by 26-June-24
Round 3 – post your review by 17-Jun-24
Round 4 – post your review by 7-Aug-24

You will be SENDING your book file to the four people above you, and RECEIVING a book file from the four people below you. Read below, including the instructions further down.


As AUTHORS you SEND your book file to:



359-01__David Alyn Gordon
Rik Ty for round 1
J.A. Freely for round 2
Geoff Sease for round 3
Balroop Singh for round 4

359-02__Amanda Stuntz
David Alyn Gordon for round 1
Rik Ty for round 2
J.A. Freely for round 3
Geoff Sease for round 4


359-03__G.J. Griffiths
Amanda Stuntz for round 1
David Alyn Gordon for round 2
Rik Ty for round 3
J.A. Freely for round 4




359-04__ Neil M. Campbell
G.J. Griffiths for round 1
Amanda Stuntz for round 2
David Alyn Gordon for round 3
Rik Ty for round 4




359-05__ Loralee Evans
Neil M. Campbell for round 1
G.J. Griffiths for round 2
Amanda Stuntz for round 3
David Alyn Gordon for round 4




359-06__S.D. Brown
Loralee Evans for round 1
Neil M. Campbell for round 2
G.J. Griffiths for round 3
Amanda Stuntz for round 4




359-07__ Balroop Singh
S.D. Brown for round 1
Loralee Evans for round 2
Neil M. Campbell for round 3
G.J. Griffiths for round 4


359-08__ Geoff Sease
Balroop Singh for round 1
S.D. Brown for round 2
Loralee Evans for round 3
Neil M. Campbell for round 4




359-09__ J. A. Freely
Geoff Sease for round 1
Balroop Singh for round 2
S.D. Brown for round 3
Loralee Evans for round 4




359-10__ Rik Ty
J.A. Freely for round 1
Geoff Sease for round 2
Balroop Singh for round 3
S.D. Brown for round 4




As REVIEWERS you will RECEIVE books from:


359-01__David Alyn Gordon
Amanda Stuntz for round 1
G.J. Griffiths for round 2
Neil M. Campbell for round 3
Loralee Evans for round 4

359-02__Amanda Stuntz
G.J. Griffiths for round 1
Neil M. Campbell for round 2
Loralee Evans for round 3
S.D. Brown for round 4

359-03__G.J. Griffiths
Neil M. Campbell for round 1
Loralee Evans for round 2
S.D. Brown for round 3
Balroop Singh for round 3

359-04__ Neil M. Campbell
Loralee Evans for round 1
S.D. Brown for round 2
Balroop Singh for round 3
Geoff Sease for round 4

359-05__ Loralee Evans
S.D. Brown for round1
Balroop Singh for round2
Geoff Sease for round3
J.A. Freely for round4

359-06__ S.D. Brown
Balroop Singh for round1
Geoff Sease for round2
J.A. Freely for round3
Rik Ty for round4

359-07__ Balroop Singh
Geoff Sease for round 1
J.A. Freely for round 2
Rik Ty for round 3
David Alyn Gordon for round 4

359-08__ Geoff Sease
J.A. Freely for round 1
Rik Ty for round 2
David Alyn Gordon for round 3
Amanda Stuntz for round 4

359-09__ J.A. Freely
Rik Ty for round 1
David Alyn Gordon for round 2
Amanda Stuntz for round 3
G.J. Griffiths for round 4

359-10__Rik Ty
David Alyn Gordon for round 1
Amanda Stuntz for round 2
G.J. Griffiths for round 3
Neil M. Campbell for round 4


Please remember the commitment you are making to your fellow group members. 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 reads/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 readers in a format the reviewer can manage. Everyone must be able to provide and accept PDF. You may buy or borrow the books you are due to read if you wish, and I’m sure the author will appreciate the verified review, but IT IS NOT COMPULSORY. 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 to GR. We also encourage members to post on Amazon. When you have posted your reviews, please post the links to each of your reviews, not the book page in this thread.
The mod of each round will record whether members have posted reviews on Amazon and for the good of all, members who persistently fail to post reviews or DNF reviews to Amazon, will find mods less than willing to add them to subsequent groups.

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

If I’ve missed something that results in you being asked to review someone who has already reviewed you, please let me know asap.

To exchange book files, my advice is to use PM to give email addresses to each other (save the chance of spammers getting your addies from this open forum).

Setting up and modding these rounds is a labour of love, with a lot of emphasis on the ‘labour’. If you want to show appreciation for all the hard work we admins put in for the group, you could download one of our books as a ‘thank you’.

[Loralee, Admin]

GUIDE FOR THOSE NEW TO THESE ROUNDS.

Quick 'start-up' summary for anyone new who might be scratching their heads. You are reviewing the four books 'below' you on the list.

You can, of course, choose to buy any or all of the books or read the books on KU, if you are a subscriber and the books are available there. If you can buy it adds weight to your review as it gives the 'Verified Purchase' stamp on Amazon.

However, as not everyone can buy, you should PM the four people who will be reviewing you (the four above you on the original list of names) through their Goodreads author pages. Click on the down arrow beside the 'Follow Author' button under their picture and it opens a menu which will allow you to message them.
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.
The four people who you are reviewing should be in touch with you in a similar way.

Please make sure you have exchanged ALL FOUR books - or have been assured by your reviewers they will buy your book or read it through KU - as soon as possible.

Some people read fast and it can be very frustrating to have to wait a long time to get hold of a book you are committed to review.

Remember to post the links to your reviews here so you can be signed off for them.

Please post your review to Goodreads, your own Amazon store and any other Amazon stores you might have access to as well.

I will be modding this round. Please PM me ongoing with any issues. Thanks.

[S.D.]

I have grabbed the books I'm reading off Amazon.

[Loralee, Admin]

Here is my first review of When we Push Through Sound.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R19T26I...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

And thank you so much, S.D.! That's kind of you.

[Loralee, Admin]

Here is my 2nd review, 2 at the Zoo!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R18RB3B...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[S.D.]

Thanks for the review.... :)

[Loralee, Admin]

Here are my reviews of Balroop's book of poetry.
Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/review/R1K7WB1...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Loralee, Admin]

Here is my final review for A Quick Spin Around the Galaxy.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R2FX5ZJ...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[David]

Hi Everyone. Here is my review for A.K.'s book. Take care.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R1VR78A...

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

[Amanda]

My review of Saving bigfoot Valley

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...

[Loralee, Admin]

Thanks, David. Your 1st review is complete!
Thanks, Amanda. Your 1st review is complete!

[Amanda]

Here is my Review of Ephraim's Garden

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...

[Loralee, Admin]

Thanks, Amanda. Your 2nd review is complete!

[Loralee, Admin]

Completed reviews up to this point. (Completed is when both Amazon and Goodreads reviews have come through, and links are posted here.)

Completed Reviews:
1.David Alyn Gordon- 1 review
2.Amanda Stuntz- 2 reviews
3.G.J. Griffiths
4.Neil M. Campbell
5.Loralee Evans-4 reviews
6. S.D. Brown
7. Balroop Singh
8. Geoff Sease
9. J.A. Freely
10. Rik Ty

[Geoff]

Here is my review for A Quick Spin Around the Galaxy:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...

[Balroop]

Here is my first review:
When We Push Through Sound by Geoff Sease
https://www.amazon.com/review/R22UMHN...

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

[Loralee, Admin]

Thanks, Geoff Your 1st review is complete!
Thanks, Balroop. Your 1st review is complete!

[Loralee, Admin]

Completed reviews up to this point. (Completed is when both Amazon and Goodreads reviews have come through, and links are posted here.)

Completed Reviews:
1.David Alyn Gordon- 1 review
2.Amanda Stuntz- 2 reviews
3.G.J. Griffiths
4.Neil M. Campbell
5.Loralee Evans-4 reviews
6. S.D. Brown
7. Balroop Singh- 1 review
8. Geoff Sease- 1 review
9. J.A. Freely
10. Rik Ty

[J.A.]

Hi Loralee-

I've posted my reviews of Rik Ty's Fragmented Sky to:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R3E7OO6...

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Loralee, Admin]

Thanks, J.A. Your 1st review is complete!

[Loralee, Admin]

Completed reviews up to this point. (Completed is when both Amazon and Goodreads reviews have come through, and links are posted here.)

Completed Reviews:
1.David Alyn Gordon- 1 review
2.Amanda Stuntz- 2 reviews
3.G.J. Griffiths
4.Neil M. Campbell
5.Loralee Evans-4 reviews
6. S.D. Brown
7. Balroop Singh- 1 review
8. Geoff Sease- 1 review
9. J.A. Freely- 1 review
10. Rik Ty