Cover Reveal - The Pain of Things

Check it out! 😍😍😍 Today's the cover reveal for the third book in the In Medias Res series. I love it. What about you?

Author: J.L. Campbell
Title: The Pain of Things (In Medias Res #3)
Release: April 10, 2020
Buy links: coming soon


BLURB:
Roger Blythe has a reputation for being here today and gone tomorrow. That's fine with Corinne Walker, until he decides to take their relationship to the next level.

Corinne's cycle of dating men who have no chance of touching her heart has kept her sane over the years. Roger's turnaround unsettles her, because just when she considers changing the way she lives, his secret life threatens to destroy everything they're building together.

When her past and future collide, Corinne has two choices. Run away from what could be a repeat of the devastation that has gone before, or stay and fight for what her heart says is right for her.

Sunday Sample - Retribution

Here's an oldie, but goodie. I've switched up the cover of Retribution because it was time. Enjoy this sample ...

Xavier didn’t care if Justine was married. That made her off-limits, which worked for him because his gut told him she’d do even more damage if he opened himself to her a second time. 

He was now as close as he could come to being happy. He needed nothing to add to his wellbeing except a relationship with his son, which might prove ticklish to manage. While he was getting to know Emile, Xavier would find out whatever he needed to know about Justine’s situation.

 He waited a few more seconds then decided that since she didn’t plan to do anything for them to get better acquainted, he had to do it himself.

“So Emile, tell me some of the stuff you like to do.”

“Running, riding my bicycle, swimming, watching TV, drumming.” He took his mother to task with a frown. “But Mommy won’t let me have any drums. She can’t handle the noise with both drums and a guitar.”

Xavier put aside the question he wanted to ask and let his smile spread from within to without. “I teach kids music.”

Emile sat forward, both hands on the table, eyes open to capacity. “Really?”

Xavier nodded, ignoring the ice chips flowing off Justine.

“Cooooool!” Emile’s head snapped toward Justine. “Mom, can I have lessons?”

“I, uh…I’ll think about it.”

Emile slouched, folded his arms, and pouted. “You let Yolanda get lessons, so why can’t I have some too?”

“You don’t stick with anything for long.”

“Mom!” The word stretched into three syllables. “You know I like the drums. Kevin’s father got him a set and the only time I get to practice is at his house. Why can’t I—?”

“That’s enough,” Justine said. A look passed between mother and son, after which Emile pushed back his chair from the table, scrunched down further in the seat and blinked hard a few times.

“It wouldn’t cost you,” Xavier said.

“That’s not the point,” she snapped.

“What is the point, Justine?”

She concentrated on something over his shoulder. “I don’t want…”

“You owe me,” Xavier whispered, leaning forward.

“I don’t owe you anything,” she hissed back.

Xavier licked his lips and prayed for patience. “This can be easy or nasty. Your choice.”

She pulled her hand into a fist, staring at the tablecloth.

He sighed, rubbing his forehead. “You have to deal with this. I’m not going to disappear. Matter of fact, I don’t care what you do, as long as I get to see Emile.”

She winced, as though he’d hit her, but said nothing. He quashed the sympathy stirring inside him. She was selfish and thoughtless. Why should he care about her feelings?

To read more, check out Retribution here on Amazon. 

The Heart of Things

SUNDAY SAMPLE

“I want us to have a baby.”

The sun’s rays slanted across the polished, hardwood flooring in the living area of the suite, heralding the new morning. We’d been up for an hour and ordered room service for breakfast because I needed the privacy of our room for this discussion.

The forkful of fish in Doug’s hand stopped halfway to his mouth, before he rested it on the plate. He squinted and then asked, “What did you say?”

My back stiffened as I answered, keeping a neutral tone. “You heard me.”

Doug looked at the plate as if he wasn’t sure he wanted the rest of the bammies and escoveitched fish, but the golden-brown cassava and the batter-fried fish—heaped with onion and pepper, steeped in vinegar—was a favorite of his. He picked up the cup of coffee next to his hand, sipped, and put it back on the saucer. Then he cleared his throat, but the puzzlement in his gaze was obvious.

This was the first time I’d ever seen him thrown way off balance. I was almost sorry for him.

“That was the last thing I expected you to say.” He waited a beat before asking, “Why?”

With one eyebrow raised, I said, “Why not?”

He sighed, rested his arms on the table, and frowned. “My kids are almost grown and…”

My raised eyebrow reduced his words to a trickle. Monique and Kimone—nineteen and seventeen—were as unalike as chalk and cheese. I didn’t doubt that marrying Doug would mean interesting times ahead.

Folding my arms, I cocked my head. “So the girls are adults. Your point is?”

He spread his hands while his frown deepened. “That’s just it. What am I going to do with a baby?”

I let my hands fall to the table and pulled my head back while the
bottom fell out of my stomach and my appetite disappeared. “I beg your pardon?”

With another heavy sigh, Doug continued, “All I’m saying is that I’m forty-six years old and…”

My patience ran out and I snapped, “I know how old you are.”

He stared into the cup, while I studied the ring on my finger. I still wasn’t ready to give up my new-found independence after my divorce, but I also knew Doug was serious about wanting to marry me. I hadn’t refused the ring he put on my finger last night and in both our minds that spelled acceptance.

I loved Doug, but we couldn’t have a relationship without give and take.

“Kally.” I looked into his troubled eyes as he spoke. “Have you thought about all the implications?”

My lips twisted and I reminded myself that I needed to be conciliatory rather than combative. “Of course.”

He laid a hand on his chest, which lifted in a deep inhale. “You never said anything.”

My voice turned sharp when I said, “I don’t tell you everything.”

“Yeah, but something this big…” He gazed through the plate glass at the street below, where traffic was already bumper to bumper. With one hand, he rubbed the stubble on his jaw.

Meanwhile, his behavior made me want to wring his neck. Instead, I tried reasoning with him. “Last night you said I could have anything I wanted if I married you. This is what I’m asking.”
Doug’s eyes narrowed as he stroked his moustache. “Khalila, that’s…”

I raised both brows. “Is ‘bribery’ the word you’re looking for?”

“Yes.” He rested both hands on either side of his plate and let out his breath in a gust.


“Call it what you will.” I dragged my fork over the fish on my plate, before adding, “That’s what I want.”

Buy Link - https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Things-Medias-Res-Book-ebook/dp/B07PF2VW8D/

The Heart of Things on The Hive Podcast

Great news!!! 

The Heart of Things is featured on this week’s episode at The Hive. Have a look at the webpage. You can also go ahead and subscribe to the podcast.

https://www.honmagpr.com/the-hive/the-heart-of-things

Apple: https://apple.co/2IsmaIT

Google: http://bit.ly/2Zy39dA

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2FifLhe

Be sure to go on over and listen to the interview and the excerpt from The Heart of Things. 

Gemini Rising ... A Powerful Story From a New Voice

Gemini Rising is a powerful story of one woman fighting adversity, despite terrible odds. We meet sweet Aisha just before she turns ten. Her situation changes with the death of her father, and things grow unimaginably worse when she gets a new ‘guardian’, Angel.

Aisha’s story pulled me in from the opening paragraph and didn’t let me go until the last page. Zephyr, the hero, lives up to his name and is a refreshing wind of change in Aisha’s life. The pacing and suspense kept me hooked as I rooted for Aisha to overcome her circumstances.

Gemini Rising is not for the faint of heart. The ‘hard parts’ are not graphic, but still enough to move you to tears, and there’s hope between these pages. This is easily one of the best books I’ve read this year.
Although this is a debut offering from the author, Scott's style is so powerful, it’s hard to believe this is her first book. 

I’ll be waiting for more from Ms. Scott.

Cover Note: Love, love, love the cover.

Source: Paperback purchase 

Amazon Link:  Gemini Rising

Sunday Sample - The Long Game

Nothing sent me running faster than a woman trying to tie me down in a relationship before we'd been out a half-dozen times. Corinne wasn't demanding, and I liked that.

My thoughts fizzled when the doors opened. I raised one hand to allow what's-her-name to get off ahead of me.

She smiled again and walked alongside me to the front door of the building.

"Catch you tomorrow," I said, as a prelude to parting ways with her.

"Um, my car isn't working and I was wondering … "

I didn't hear anything else, but worked my brain to come up with a way to get out of giving her a ride. "I have to make a stop and I have someone waiting for me."

"I don't live far from here, so I won't take you out of your way."

"Where d'you live?"

She told me her address, which would take me out of my way since the supermarket where I liked to shop lay in the opposite direction. I should have given her an excuse, but I'd feel terrible about leaving her stranded. In any event, she must have planned to go to the bus stop before she ran into me. At times like these, I cursed my father for his insistence on teaching me things that always got me trapped in situations like these.

Be a gentleman, no matter what.

Never leave a lady, or anyone who needs your help, stranded.

The good you do always comes back to you.

Going against what I wanted, I told her to wait in front of the building and brought my van around.

She climbed in and being who I was, my gaze went to her legs, where her skirt was hiked up to mid-thigh. Her legs reminded me of rich, dark chocolate and before I could blink, I'd come up with a compliment that was sure to soften her up.

But I never said a word.

Since I wasn't looking for any trouble, I stuck my eyeballs back inside my head and focused on the cars ahead of me.

"So is it true you have more women than you know what to do with?"

Frowning, I took my eyes off the road which was bumper-to-bumper with traffic. "What did you say?"

"You have a reputation. I was checking to see if everything I hear is true."

"Why would you believe any of that?"

"You're a good-looking guy and the rumor is that you're never out with the same woman more than a couple of times."

Laughing, I glanced at her. "That's far from accurate."

"So you're saying there is at least a grain of truth in there somewhere?"

"I'm not saying anything. I might incriminate myself."

"And here I was, beginning to think you were salvageable."

I didn’t say anything, but I was disgusted. Why did people form opinions based on hearsay and little else? Yes, I stayed busy with women, but I did the best I could to keep my private life out of the office.

My annoyance had more to do with her words sounding like something Ayisha would say than anything else. The woman at my side had pushed me back into the weekend without trying and now I was teed off and couldn't wait to get rid of her.

Read more of Vance and Ayisha's story at lrd.to/long-game

Sunday Sample - The Long Game

Here's today's #SundaySample️ from The Long Game. Get a glimpse of how things work between friends who become lovers. Did you enter the giveaway at Black Love Books? You have a limited time, so if not, go here ==> https://www.blacklovebooks.com/the-long-game-giveaway/ 

Excerpt:

When we stopped in front of my house and switched off the engine, a peaceful silence descended over the van. 

I pulled in a deep breath and turned my head toward Vance, who took my hand in his, lifted it to his lips and kissed my skin. Our eyes met in the darkness and something indescribably sweet passed between us.

He shifted toward me and his breath brushed my lips. I sighed as our skin touched and my eyes closed. A low growl came from Vance's throat and vibrated through my mouth.

Everything about the kiss was sensual and yet it wasn't. The demanding swirl of his tongue against mine primed me for more and took me to a place where only Vance could transport me. It was a sweet interlude, a sensory overload and a meeting of souls.

When I'd taken from him until I was dizzy, my eyes opened and I murmured. "We forgot to collect Kiki."

"She'll be okay 'til morning."

"Mom is going to say this is turning into a habit every time we go out."

"Aunt Alice is cool. She loves Cookie. Forget the damn dog."

His mouth covered mine again and with each second our kiss changed. It shifted from familiar and drugging to needy and urgent. Moments later we moved apart, our breathing ragged.

We looked at each other and laughter poured from us at the same time. We scrambled from the car, threw the lock on the grille open and rushed into the house. Our urge to make love was as vital as our need for food and air.

lrd.to/long-game

#IWSG Business & The Writing Blahs

I’m not sure where the time goes, but today heralds the April version of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! On this day we release our neuroses to the world and also offer encouragement to those who are feeling insecure about their writing. If you’d like to join the group, click here to sign up. While you’re at it, visit someone you haven’t visited with before and leave them some encouragement.

Captain Alex’s awesome co-hosts for today are Olga Godim,Chemist Ken, Renee Scattergood, and Tamara Narayan!

For IWSG News, here goes …

The IWSG Anthology, Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime, comes out on May 1. Click on this link to hop over to the book’s page and pre-order your copy today!

The IWSG Goodreads Group will be discussing Save the Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need by Blake Snyder on May 23. Be sure to participate. 

The optional discussion for today is - When your writing life is a bit cloudy or filled with rain, what do you do to dig down and keep on writing? 

We all slow down at some point or another in our writing. At times, it can be hard to figure out why we do what we do especially when we hit a roadblock or the journey doesn’t seem worth it. I’m not recommending this for everybody, but one solution that works for me is to step away from writing for a bit.

There’s life, which never stops churning, there are good books (as evidenced by the hundreds of them on my kindle) and there is also the opportunity for a brainstorming session to keep the creative juices flowing. Most of all though, when the way seems cloudy, I remember the reason I started writing – for the love of it. That’s usually enough to refocus my energy and keep me going.

How do you combat the blahs? What’s your solution for keeping them away? What’s the first thing you do when doubt, discouragement, and fear show up?

And last, but not least, I've been busy as usual and had a book release in March. This one was a departure from the norm for me, but I had some awesome editors and my wonderful publisher, Garden Avenue Press, that made the publishing process a breeze. Here's my latest book baby! The Thick of Things falls into the category of women's fiction, but with strong romantic elements. It is a tale of love, devastating loss, and second changes. If you want to find out more, check here.

Thanks for stopping in. See you on the rounds!

Discombobulated Much? #SundaySample

Here's hoping you're having a wonderful Easter Sunday. My Sunday Sample today is from - you guessed it - The Thick of Things. Enjoy!

I was a little of everything—embarrassed, confused, speechless. How could he be so sure I was what he wanted? 

No matter what he thought, I had too much going on to be adding a relationship to the list.

“What are you afraid of, Khalila?”

My name on his tongue was a caress that scattered my thoughts. 

“It’s not that I’m afraid of anything.” I pulled my hand out of his and drank the rest of the water while gathering my thoughts. “My divorce isn’t final yet and…” 

My mind settled on Amir, who I didn’t want to think about now. Softly, I sighed. “It’s too early to be thinking about a relationship with anybody.”

“We’ve gone way past the point of thinking about what’s happening between us. I’m not asking you to marry me, but I’m interested in you.” His voice softened and I had to concentrate to hear his words. “Give me the chance to show you that what we did wasn’t only about sex.”

I didn’t know what to say, so I held my silence.

His gaze was analytical and he didn’t seem to expect a response. The longer he looked at me, the more my heart rate accelerated. It was ridiculous that at my age any man could get this kind of response from me.

“I hope that wasn’t all it was for you,” he said.

It took me a few seconds to catch up with him, but I didn’t answer. I was too busy trying not to squirm at the image of him on top of me in his bed.

After reading his watch, Douglas smiled. Why, I didn’t know, but it was a genuine gesture that made 

me want to respond in the same way.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

Nodding, I got out of my seat.

Douglas didn’t crowd me, but let me walk ahead of him. As I wove through the tables, I greeted a few members of the working team, who would also be leaving the hotel today.

Once we were out of the restaurant, Douglas touched my arm and directed me toward the elevator.

“Aren’t you leaving today?” I asked.

“Yes, I’m just making sure you get to where you’re going.”

Putting a smile in my voice, I said, “I’m not likely to get lost on my way upstairs.”

“I didn’t think so.” He laughed and eased both hands into the pockets of his shorts. “I’m simply doing what any decent man would do.”

My cheeky grin conveyed gratefulness and understanding. “Carry on, then.”

​He nodded and in silence, we walked to the elevator. When it was a few floors away, he faced me. “I want to ask one favor of you.”

“What’s that?”

“Answer your phone when I call, okay?”

He stepped in close, kissed my cheek and then brushed his lips across mine.

I sucked in my breath and opened my mouth, wanting more of him, but he stepped back.

The elevator opened and he urged me forward with a gentle hand to my back.

​I walked inside, asking myself what kind of game Douglas was playing. Why would he start something he couldn’t finish, not to mention leave me hot and bothered?

As the doors closed, our gazes locked and I swore that man knew exactly what he was doing and the state he’d left me in.

Sitting Here in Limbo ...

It's been a week since release day, but I'd be remiss if I didn't share a little something from the book. Here's a bird's eye view into Khalila's headspace.

Since Douglas had already paid the bill, we left the rustic wooden gazebo and headed for the parking lot, hand in hand. It felt good to spend time with him this way. Douglas listened keenly whenever I spoke, as if everything I said mattered. I liked that. 

He opened the car he’d rented and helped me get in. As he sat and switched on the engine, he asked, “What about the things we talked about the other day. The stuff you wanted to do?” 

I slid him a glance, grateful he couldn’t look directly at me because I was guilty of not following through on what I told him I would do. “I…I’ve been checking out some recipes and putting some stuff together.”

“If it’s something you're passionate about, and you believe you have the resources to do it, why not get on with it?”

“I plan to…the divorce distracted me.” 

Sad to say, I had done nothing since we talked about my plans. As I looked at Douglas again, I wanted something different from the status quo. I’d been stuck in limbo so long, I’d lost direction. 

Now that I’d met Douglas, I wanted to rediscover the woman I’d been before I lost myself and who better to do that with than someone who knew who he was and what he wanted. 

 If you want to find out more about these two, follow this link.

Book Blitz - The Thick of Things

Today is the book blitz for The Thick of Things, my latest book which has been published by Garden Avenue Press. It is my hope that readers enjoy the story and share with other readers. Thanks for dropping in!

Synopsis

GENRE: women's fiction with romantic elements, contemporary romance

BLURB: Life has a way of going awry when you least expect it, and Khalila Skyers learns this lesson the hard way. In one devastating blow after another, she loses her cosy existence. Then Douglas Blythe overtakes her life like a flood, and she’s not equipped to deal with an attraction that seems forbidden and overwhelming. But her body and heart want what they want, and leave her wondering if she ever knew herself at all.  

Douglas is determined to help Khalila move beyond her obsession with the past and reach for love a second time. No matter how long it takes. No matter the distance. He’s going to prove he’s worth the risk. 

Here's what readers are saying ...

Thanks so much for dropping in. If you enjoy women's fiction and romance, be sure to pick up your copy of The Thick of Things and see what readers are talking about. 

Buy Links

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2FZjJtm

B & N: http://bit.ly/2HMCRLN

iBooks: https://apple.co/2pryvCn

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2ptS1ht

Amazon Canada: http://amzn.to/2G8KIWJ

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2pvYA2S

Sample Sunday ... The Thick of Things #NewRelease

The Thick of Things was released this Friday and I'm grateful that people are reading this story, which marinated in my mind for a few years before I ever wrote one word. Life changes make Khalila Skyers gun-shy but Douglas Blythe is just the person she needs to make her take stock, get her mind off her grief, and start living again.

Here's an excerpt from this brand new read ...

Douglas squinted at me, disapproval in his deep-brown eyes and every line that appeared on his forehead. “Why are you so defensive?”

I put a hand to my forehead and let out my breath. “You’re not listening to me. This whole thing doesn’t matter. It’s in the past. Let it go.”

“Not a chance.”

I moved back by a step. “What?”

“I said no.”

Shaking my head, and unable to hold back the laughter trickling from me, I stared at him. “That’s just weird. You can’t tell me no.”

“I already did.”

I shrugged and stood straight. “You know what? It doesn’t even matter. You’re free to do exactly what you want.”

He put both hands in his pockets and stared back at me. “You don’t have to tell me. I know that.”

“Douglas…” I paused to gather my thoughts, feeling foolish that I’d started talking without knowing exactly what I wanted to say. The man staring back at me was that frustrating to deal with.

He raised his eyebrows and assumed an expectant expression. “Yes?”

Stop this.” I lowered my voice as I pleaded. “Please.”

He smiled and swung on the balls of his feet before going motionless. “You don’t get it, do you?”

“What?” I said, moving sideways as a family of four tourists passed us, going toward the elevator.

Only then did it occur to me that we were conspicuous, standing between the corridor and the open space in front of the elevators. I hoped nobody we knew would see us before I got rid of him.

My mind came back to our conversation with a jolt when he said, “Has it crossed your mind that I might actually be interested in you?”

Continue reading Douglas & Khalila's story by getting a copy of the book at any of these outlets.

❖Amazon: https://buff.ly/2IveYcS   
❖B & N: https://buff.ly/2FZgu8t  
❖iBooks: https://buff.ly/2FLewFr
❖Kobo: https://buff.ly/2tSuhJp

Sunday Sample - The Hole In One

What I'm writing right now ... Enjoy!

As we drove out of the parking lot, Kathy tickled Brianna’s tummy and glanced at me. “Tomorrow, I’m going to ask Daddy if I can get someone to refurbish the chairs he has in storage. There’s this huge mahoe desk that … “

While she chatted, I studied her. Well, as much as I could with the steering wheel in my hands. Her hands moved as she talked about where she’d place the furniture and what she’d do for lighting. She glowed as if she’d been sick and had made a miraculous recovery or as if she’d gotten back her mojo. “ … an ad and see what comes of that.”

I missed the first part of what she said, but couldn’t miss her meaning. All of what she was doing would enhance her business, but I had a crappy feeling. I should have been happy for her, but resentment simmered in my bones. 

Since Brianna’s birth, and even before that, I’d done everything I could to ensure Kathy was comfortable. My hours were long but I didn’t mind because I was all about providing what she needed. Things had changed because apparently, what I was doing was no longer enough.

“It’s not about you,” she said.

My gaze flashed between her and peak-hour traffic stretching in front of me. “What?”

 “I said, what I’m doing is not about you and what you do for me.” She stroked my cheek. “It’s about getting back on my feet and doing what I love.”

I grunted but couldn’t find words because I felt like a hater. Her explanation and my resentment made me feel awful. I still didn’t want Kathy working and my feelings weren’t about to change. I’d gotten used to her being at home, taking care of Brianna and me and now she was about to shift things up.