If the review is one that has been assigned from the PR Admin., the reviewer has two weeks to read and produce the review. Many of the books received for review are time sensitive in that books are set to be released at a certain time. Reviews are to be done so that they can be posted a month ahead of the release date when possible.

The review should be formatted in a six (6)-paragraph style and be composed of the following paragraph elements:

1. Use the first paragraph of the review to get into the character of the hero/heroine (whoever comes first in importance). It should include a synopsis of the character, his/her surroundings, and his/her outlook on her/himself.

2. The second paragraph is used to describe the dilemma as he/she sees it...the view that he/she has into her/his circumstances and usually without an idea of who is really important, or what will really happen.

3. The third for the other primary character, following the pattern of the first paragraph.

4. The fourth for his/her reaction to the situation as they see it, following the pattern set up for the first character as well.

5. The fifth should mention the author, the plot summary but only as far as the outline of the basic conflicts, and the possible resolutions. Nothing should be concrete, and it is the reviewer’s responsibility to tantalize the reader and stir the interest. DO NOT include spoilers.

6. The summary wrap up and the opinion and recommendation...etc. should follow in the sixth and last paragraph. This should also include reminders of the book title, when the book will be out, the author, and the publishing house where it can be found.

7. The review should consist of no less than 900-1200 words*, and can be submitted in rough form for approval. NOTE: When submitting final copy, however, it is the reviewer’s responsibility to be sure that all is checked for spelling and punctuation, and be ready for publication on site.

8. All reviews are understood as being copyright** of the author, but in some cases, RaH will be sending the review to the book’s author for use on her/his site, and in that case, the reviewer will be given proper credit. This is in accordance with the US Copyright Laws.

ALL reviewers for Romance at Heart will use the following form in order that we may achieve and maintain a cohesive, professional appearance, and the reviewer may be given proper credit:

Reviewer: (Signature may be used at the end of the review)
Title:
Author:

Published in (Month/year) by (Publisher)
Genre:
IBSN:
Related Books: (this may be eliminated if there are no related books)
Other books by (author): (if the list is lengthy, the most recent handful of books can be listed)

(The body of the review goes here...)
And at the end of the review, an individual signature closing may be placed for the reviewer.
Using mine as an Example:
Yours in good reading,
~Rose!~

In setting these guidelines, it is hoped, here at Romance at Heart Magazine, you will find the reviews will be of the greatest interest to readers, and of the highest quality. We expect respect for the authors hard work, and give thanks to those who have accepted the task of reviewing for us. It is not always an easy job to be objective, but it is greatly appreciated.

~~Please remember, Romance at Heart Magazine is about interviews, promotions, and reviewing books, not trashing authors~~

If you have any questions, you may reach me at rose@romanceatheart.com or at usrose@myway.com and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

*In the case of shorter stories, such as those in the categories of ~fast reads~ like Ellora’s Cave Quickies©, the review may be between 300-800 words. This is true for books of 10K to 30K in length.

**Concerning natural copyright:

By submitting the said review to Romance at Heart, you are allowing the site, and the Author of the book reviewed to make use of the material written under Section 106 of the 1976 Copyright Act. There need to be no further permission, given, but the reviewer does retain copyright of the material.

Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States (title 17, U.S. Code) to the authors of “original works of authorship,” including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. This protection is available to both published and unpublished works.

Copyright protection subsists from the time the work is created in fixed form. The copyright in the work of authorship immediately becomes the property of the author who created the work. Only the author or those deriving their rights through the author can rightfully claim copyright.

In the case of works made for hire, the employer and not the employee is considered to be the author. Section 101 of the copyright law defines a "work made for hire" as:

· (1) a work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment
· (2) a work specially ordered or commissioned for use
The works produced for Romance at Heart are technically works for hire, but under the above stated guidelines, the reviewer retains credit for the work submitted.