Review Request Guidelines

Review Request Guidelines: 

Titles reviewed for #CardynBrooksReviews #books are typically written by and about people of color or people whose voices and experiences are usually excluded, distorted or marginalized in mainstream publishing. Works from self-published authors, indie, and small presses get priority consideration. Fun fiction is greatly appreciated. All reviews are absolutely free and honest.  

Reviews for titles that don't meet the above criteria get posted to my Cardyn Brooks Goodreads thread.  

Professionally edited e-ARC pdfs or e-pubs are the preferred submission format. Please make review requests 1 to 3 months before the release date by reaching out to me at CardynBrooksReviews[at]gmail[dot]com with the tile, author name, genre, publisher, a brief one-paragraph synopsis, and the release date. 

Due to the volume of requests and my own full project schedule, if you don’t receive an acceptance notification from me with a follow-up request for the e-ARC or your NetGalley or Edelweiss link within 5 business days that means I’m unable to review your title. 

Profanity used frequently and as every part of speech is likely to make it a DNF.  Erotica and erotic romance with strong elements of emotional intimacy and without BDSM are more likely to get chosen. Whiny, exclamatory angst YA is a no. (Been there and done that phase of life with no desire to revisit it.)   

Assigning starred ratings isn't my favorite way to rank titles, but when obligated to do so: 

5 stars = an exquisite read that blends all the elements of mechanics, narrative pacing, voice, tone, language, character development, and cast of characters into an irresistible amalgam of entertainment and art 

4 stars = a deliciously good read that informs, provokes, and/or inspires as it entertains 

3 stars = an entertaining read 

2 stars = worth reading 

I don't give one-star reviews because anyone who perseveres enough to publish a completed manuscript has earned my respect even if their content didn't work for me. 

0 stars = an enjoyable read that left me with conflicting thoughts and feelings about the content 

All books reviewed or products pictured on my social media posts have been borrowed from the public library, accessed through a free reviewer site, provided for free from an author, publisher, agent or publicist, purchased by me or received through a vendor's customer loyalty program. There's no financial compensation or quid pro quo arrangement involved with any of my reviews or comments unless explicitly stated.   

Reviews written for InD'tale Magazine belong to InD'tale and are composed according to their mandatory guidelines. The criteria for their 5-star rating scale differ from mine. The same is true of reviews written for Romance Daily News and Urban Reviews.  

My pronouns are she/her. My personal biases lean cis-hetero, Christian, middle-class, but I'm constantly working to widen and deepen the scope of my understanding of and respect for all people, places, and philosophies.