J. L. Campbell is a frequent visitor to my comment section and may be at yours as well. Joy hails from Jamaica which sounds like absolute paradise when she tells about it. Joy also writes books and she's here today to tell you about her latest which is called Distraction. She also has a contest going on. But enough of me--let's hear directly from the author herself.
You paying attention?
Yes, you.
Not only have I hijacked Arlee’s blog, I’m going to whisk you off to Jamaica. Okay, well, not really. Today, I’m gonna detour and talk about writing and friendship. All good stuff. That said, thanks to Arlee for giving me squatter’s rights on this blog.
I’ve found Arlee to be eclectic in his approach to blogging. Check out the sidebar and you’ll find he writes a variety of blogs. I’m like that in terms of my writing. My first book (still unpublished) is young adult fiction, the second action/adventure/romance, and for a while, I stuck with writing romantic suspense. In case you’re wondering, yes, I do have more manuscripts languishing on my hard drive and yes, I cover at least one other genre somewhere in there.
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The book I’m touring is about three female friends, who land in a world of trouble because of the choices they make. Distraction is women’s fiction, with one of the strongest themes being friendship. The characters are distinct in their tastes and approach to life, and one particular aspect of their friendship amazes me. We all have our own rules by which we live and yet we find it possible to get along with people who have belief systems and moral values that oppose ours. Ages ago, some wise person who understood human nature, summed up our differences in the phrase variety is the spice of life. I’m fond of saying that the world is an interesting place because we’re all so different.
To find out more about my characters, their friendship and how they end up in a pickle in Distraction, download a complimentary prequel A Baker’s Dozen: Thirteen Steps to Distraction. Leave a comment on this post and you’ll be entered to win an e-copy of Distraction. At the end of this Friendship tour, there’ll be a main prize of a Distraction note pad & pen and a $10 Amazon gift card. The second prize is a paperback copy of Distraction. Sign up for that at the Rafflecopter here.
Arlee, thanks again for hosting my girls and me.
J.L. Campbell is a proud Jamaican and the author of Contraband, Distraction, Dissolution, Don’t Get Mad…Get Even, Giving up the Dream and Hardware (pen name Jayda McTyson). Campbell is always on the lookout for story making material, loves company and can usually be found lollygagging on her blog at http://thecharacterdepot. blogspot.com Link with her on Facebook or through her Twitter handle @JL_Campbell.
http://www.joylcampbell.com/
I'm pretty surprised to hear that your books are unpublished J.L. because just by simply reading this piece, it's clear to see that you're an intelligent writer with a great flair for words. Great guest blog post, I'm infinitely envious of where you come from in all honestly, Jamaica seems like paradise on earth to me and both of your books sound like interesting must reads.
ReplyDeleteArlee,
ReplyDeleteThanks much for letting me take over today.
Yeamie, thanks for sharing your thoughts and some kind words. I get sidetracked a lot and so I'm not always writing at the pace I should. I've promised myself that I need to set some timelines for the novels that need dusting off and editing. Like everywhere else Jamaica has its good and bad. Too often though, we islanders don't appreciate the slice of heaven we've been given.
I like writing in various styles and genres and age groups too - lots of fun!
ReplyDelete(Don't enter me in the draw as my copy of Distraction is waiting for me on my Kindle! :))
You go girl! But you don't have to enter my name as I already have an ecopy of your book!
ReplyDeleteJemi,
ReplyDeleteI find that writing in other genres keeps things interesting and I've learned so much more about writing by straying into all these areas.
Thanks Bish! Appreciate your support.
You rock, girl! Not only do I love Jamaica, but I love how you write. There's a copy of Distraction on my Kindle, so don't enter me. (The winner's in for a real treat.)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new release. I love stories about strong women and these ladies sound incredible. Good luck with the tour and I wish you nothing but good things and huge successes.
ReplyDeleteStories about friendship are the best. Accepting your friends' differences is so important for a lasting relationship.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kittie and Melissa! I appreciate your good wishes.
ReplyDeleteSusan, so true. The longest lasting friendships are partly based on acceptance. Thanks for stopping in.
As our writing, so are our friendships. Different. Thanks to Arlee for hosting and giving you squatter's rights.
ReplyDeleteI kind of felt really bad about the man in the first chapter of Distraction who has erectile dysfunction. Being in the woman's head like that and seeing the narrator's vocal frustration really is a punch to the gut of men. I wanted to say, "Poor guy. Women probably have no idea just how awful an affliction that is for a man."
ReplyDeleteHi, Lee, Hi, J.L.
ReplyDeleteThanks for featuring J.L. today Lee.
I wish you all the best with your book, J.L. and thanks for the prequel download. I'll look forward to reading it.
I always enjoy wonderful chemistry between characters, and your novel sounds like it's steeped with it.
I think my TBR pile is going to collapse even if it is virtual...
ReplyDeleteI like what I read and want to read all.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited about your tour.
ReplyDeletePeaches, yes, I think that's why this world is so interesting. 'Cause we're all so different.
ReplyDelete@Mike - We can only guess at how frustrating it must be for a man with this condition. I had a male friend tell me the other day that if that hits him, he'd most likely tell his wife to do what she had to do. I didn't believe him.
Hi, Michael, our paths haven't crossed in a while. I'll hop over to your blog in a while. Thanks for stopping in.
Andrew - I laughed out loud at your comment. Not something I should be doing when I'm in a quiet office.
Jeanette, thanks. That tells me I've made a goods start.
Me too, Clarissa. I'm learning things as I go. Mostly to be prepared. Let's just say I could have done better in that department. :)
Joy, glad to come on by and see what you shared. "Variety is the spice of life" is true in so many ways. Imagine the bland - or overly chaotic - way the world would be if everyone was just like us. I guess that's also why having friends who're a little different makes that spice a little nice.
ReplyDeleteWishing you the very best with Distraction.
So true how we're all the same, yet different. I enjoy Friendship stories, and I already have Distraction on my Kindle, so don't enter me in the contest.
ReplyDeleteGreat to spend this time in Jamaica with you both! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the premise of your book, J.L. Three friends is a great foundation for a story. So much potential relationship conflict!
I wish you everything of the best with the book, Joy!
ReplyDeleteThe triangular-relationship concept sounds great... three different points of view... plenty of opportunity for lots of excitement and conflict.
True that, Angela. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteNo worries, Carol. Appreciate the visit.
Emily, they do go through some interesting times.
Thanks, Michelle, the ladies do have their fair share of conflicts.
I'm going to download my copy, if I haven't already. :) I downloaded so many the last couple of weeks, I need to go figure out what I have. LOL
ReplyDeleteI can't stay with one genre. I love all sorts of stories.
I love stories with friendship as one of the main themes. In a lot of fiction these days, relationships seem to be either romantic or antagonistic--or become that way.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the book, JL!
ReplyDeleteCiara, I'm like you. I've downloaded a LOT of books lately. My last few have been by other writers/bloggers.
ReplyDeleteTGE - Yes, friendship stories do hit the stop. There women are more supportive than antagonistic though. Based on the excitement in their lives, they need support more than anything else. :)
Thanks so much, Alex.
Congratulations again, Joy! I just downloaded A Baker's Dozen - can't wait!
ReplyDeleteHave fun with it!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on all your success, Joy! I love the cover for A Baker's Dozen. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on everything! You really are a talented writer and deserve the best!
ReplyDeleteHi J.L., long time no see. You are officially and accomplished writer. Best wishes to you and your continued success!
ReplyDeleteI love your work J.L.! I'm a sparadic commenter on her blog but she pops by mine often. Distraction is very interesting and I love that it features black women and that it's set in my country of Jamaica.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your tour and congrats on your latest book.
Oh and thanks for letting her stop by Arlee!
Enjoyed your hijack! Love the people of Jamaica, but never visited yet. Love your attitude about variety and the spice of life. Arlee sure is eclectic, but people love him that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new release. Good luck with the tour! both your books look like a fantastic read :)Off to get my copies now.
ReplyDeleteSiv Maria's blog, Been there, done that...
I love the women on your cover. Each one has such an expressive face. Great to see your prequel, too! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteRula, thanks! Wearing a big grin here 'cause I designed the cover.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words, Tracie.
Stephen, yeah, I guess I can call myself a writer. :)
Sheena, thanks so much for dropping in. Distraction took me a while to get done, but it was quite a story to write.
Bucksaver, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Hope you make it to Jamaica some day.
Thanks so much, Maria. Hope you enjoy!
Hey, Lee. Weird thing is, it wasn't my first choice, but they've come to represent the women well.
your writing sounds lovely--i adore to read stories about women's relationships
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lynn. Women do have some interesting tales to tell.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!! Friendship is such a great theme. Although I'm biased, I love the idea of exploring a friendship between three women.
ReplyDeleteCynthia, it was certainly an interesting ride with these ladies.
ReplyDeleteArlee, thanks ever so much for hosting me. It's been a blast.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy J.L.'s writing.
ReplyDeleteI've dabbled in various genres. It's a stretch for the imagination and our skills.
I love stories about friendships. Distraction is on my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteMedeia, my thoughts exactly. I do like a challenge.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lynda. Beware, these ladies do get themselves in some sticky situations. ;)
Thanks,Joy, for a very successful hijacking of my blog. We owe a special thanks to all who stopped in to visit this post. Our readers are the best!
ReplyDeleteLee
I definitely agree with you there, Arlee. Thanks again for having me.
ReplyDelete