Warm Island Breezes and Rum Punch

This week - Week 3 of March Monday Mania - I'm happy to welcome back one of my favorite guest authors, J.L. Campbell. She has a real treat for you, too, in the giveaway department.

J.L. is giving away not one, but TWO BOOKS to this week's lucky winner! That's right. The winner of this week's March Monday Mania will receive one each of J.L. Campbell's DISTRACTION and RETRIBUTION. If I didn't already have these on my Kindle, I might be tempted to enter under an alias :)

All you have to do to be eligible to win is to leave a comment on this post before 9 p.m. Central Standard Time on Thursday, March 21.

The winner will be posted on the Top Ten on Friday, March 22.

:::

Thanks so much for joining me here Under the Tiki Hut. My name is Dionne and I've had a great time sipping Rum Cream and taking in the view. I’m glad you decided to drop by because it was getting a bit lonely here, despite the trappings. In your country, you probably say ‘Good things come to those who wait.’ In Jamaica, we say ‘Patient man ride donkey.’ In short, my wait paid off.

I’m assuming that many of you who’ll stop in are writers. That said, patience is a quality that’s required in large doses in this vocation. It takes ages to write a book (that’s the easy part), edit it and keep revising until you have a manuscript that’s ready to be read by eyes other than yours. I know it doesn't stop there because that’s when the process feels like its just beginning. Anyway, I've never been the most patient of souls, but having been through ‘the process’, I feel I know a thing or three about birthing a book. The author of my story is neurotic in the editing department, so I know what I’m talking about

Which brings me back to patience. I’m not the focus of the book I've been trying to slip in edgewise in this conversation, but I do have a story that would make some of you blush. Don’t ask. Anyway, Distraction belongs in large part to my friend Justine, who finds a happy ending in her love story, Retribution. That girl so deserves some happiness after all the heartache she’s been through.

I've always believed in spreading encouragement, so I leave you with this thought. In the same way that Justine persevered until she regained the relationship of her dreams, so it is with most things in life. Success won’t come overnight, but with hard work and perseverance, our dreams can become reality.

Here’s to your success, and as we say in Jamaica, ‘Walk good’.

Thanks again to Carol for having me here. 





J.L. Campbell is a proud Jamaican, who is always on the hunt for story-making material.
She writes romantic suspense, women's fiction and young adult novels. She is the author of Contraband, Dissolution, Distraction, Don't Get Mad...Get Even, Giving up the Dream and Hardware (written under the pen name Jayda McTyson).
Visit her on the web at http://www.joylcampbell.com

:::

and ... THERE'S A DOUBLE GIVEAWAY!

I'm visiting at Rula Sinara's blog, A Writer's Rush, this week and giving away one copy of IN NAME ONLY. I hope you'll stop by and say hi to be eligible to win!


Good Luck to All

On BOTH Giveaways!





Comments

Manzanita said…
Hey Carol,
Interesting reviews, books to choose.
Another Monday....boy, they fly by fast. Have a good week.
Encouragement is a fine thing to spread. Congratulations, JL!
What a great saying! "Patient man ride donkey." I'll have to remember that.

And such a good point about patience and writing--we can't get so excited about our completed book that we don't go through the rigors of editing.
Stina said…
I'm totally using that Jamaican saying on my kids. I'm always telling them not to become writers. They're too impatient. lol
Encouragement is wonderfully infectious :)
Karen Baldwin said…
Your encouraging words have inspired me today, as my muse is in a slump. Great post!
Melissa said…
Both of those sound good. Best of luck, J.L.
Anonymous said…
Good luck JL with everything. Words of encouragement are a great way to start the week.
Unknown said…
JL is a great writer. Her characters are so dynamic and her plots, touching and real. Whoever gets her books is a lucky reader!
Unknown said…
Joy-- so nice to see you out and about with your books (and fantastic covers!). All the best to you with your sales (waves at Carol).
J.L. Campbell said…
Hi, Guys, Dionne got to the Tiki Hut before I did. Glad you've found some encouragement here. Have a great day.
Rula Sinara said…
Your hard work and success is inspiring, JL! 'Patient man rides donkey'...love that!
Unknown said…
I'm in the middle of two manuscripts, and "ages" certainly describes it. Thanks for the giveaway! :)
Jennifer Shirk said…
Aww. that's so nice and so true.

I'll have a rum cream with you!
Julie Flanders said…
I always love to learn more about Jamaica from JL. Love the donkey saying. That's something I need to remember myself.

Don't enter me in the giveaway, I already have the books on my Kindle and can't wait to read Retribution! :)
Luanne G. Smith said…
"Walk good." I love that. Congrats and all the best!
Carol Kilgore said…
Waving to everyone!

I found J.L.'s post inspiring, too.

I told my dogs about the donkey. They said I could ride the donkey...they wanted to chase the squirrel.

In truth, they've never seen a donkey. So how could they know :)
L. Diane Wolfe said…
Persistent and consistent. You can't steer a parked car - meaning you won't going anywhere if you don't move.
M Pax said…
Joy is a great writer. I really enjoy her stories.

Happy Monday, Joy & Carol.
hibilala said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Helena said…
I like "walk good." Now I've got to check out your books, Dionne, which also sound very good.
J.L. Campbell said…
Right about now, I need me some patience to ride that donkey. It's been one of those days where the minutes go and if feels as if you don't get much done.

Rula, thanks so much.

Raquel, I know what it is to be straddling two horses. Not fun.

Jennifer, rum cream hits the spot every time.

Julie, for me right now, I'm struggling with patience. The need to get everything done now is not helping me. I've yet to read yours, but not to worry, I'll get there. I'm on a blogger buddy book-reading spree.

Diane, so true. Consistency is key.

Mary, thanks!

Helena, Dionne is one of those characters you love or hate.
~Sia McKye~ said…
Patient Man ride donkey--very true and he has some tough skin--on his butt at least, lol! Donkeys aren't the most comfortable to ride. :-)

Both of your books look good, Ma'am. I really like the story line to Retribution. But I want to read both!
Very interesting, I love to read books when I find the time.......no that should be when I make the time.
DWei said…
All of these giveaways and I can't really participate in any. Too much studying and other work to do. :(
I am a reader not a writer and an obsessional one at that. Just the same I should probably not visit here on Mondays because I am filled with lust - each and every week. Another book, or in this case two, to set my fingers atwitching... And where books are concerned I have less than no will power - so I will be back.
Shelley Munro said…
Patience isn't always easy :)
All the best with your books. It's great to meet you.
J.L. Campbell said…
Thanks, Sia. When they came up with this saying, I think donkeys were the transportation mode of choice. :)

Jo-Anne, the time I make is on the bus to and from work. Otherwise, my reading suffers.

DWei, hope you get through your studies.

TEC, now that's some level of love you have for books.

Thanks, Shelley, nice to meet you too!
Emily R. King said…
I could always use more patience. Great post, JL!

Hi Carol!
Joy is an amazing writer and a go-getter!
Oh, how I'd love to sip on a creamy cocktail under the tiki hut, holding a copy of Distraction or Retribution! Sounds delightful!

Hi Carol! *waving*
Carol Kilgore said…
Hi, all!

I just got here after spending much more time that I would have liked with the tax guy. Thank goodness that's now done until next year.

Ready to party!
J.L. Campbell said…
Hi, Emily, good to 'see' you.

Hey, Michelle! Good of you to stop in.

Carol, thanks again for having me. Glad you got through your tax filing okay.
Congratulations JL! Awesome post and giveaway!

Hi Carol!

~Nas~
congrats JL!
Ah yes, hard work and perseverance. Two qualities crucial to success.
Anonymous said…
It's great seeing Dionne here. Retribution is waiting for me on my Kindle.
Southpaw said…
Congrats. I love hearing, 'er reading, about how it pays off...
Ah yes, the importance of patience, hard work, and perseverance. Wonderful to see J.L. here! : )
J.L. who knew, I love Rum Cream too. Actually, I love everything Jamaica!
Love your protagonist, Dionne! Two Books? That is kewl.

Hi, Carol!

J.L. who knew, I love Rum Cream too. Actually, I love everything Jamaica!
Love your protagonist, Dionne! Two Books? That is kewl.

Hi, Carol!

Nas said…
Great character interview. Loved meeting your character JL.

Congratulations!
J.L. Campbell said…
Thanks, Nas. Hey, Linda, I believe in those things.

Medeia, hope you enjoy.

Hi, Southpaw *waves like crazy*

Cynthia, I must come see what you're up to. It's been crazy-busy for me lately.

Hey, Joylene, Rum Cream does hit the spot every time. Glad to find a fan of Jamaica anytime.

EAW, thanks for stopping in!
Carol Kilgore said…
Thanks for stopping by, everyone. I've never had a rum cream, but it's about that time of day now :)
J.L. Campbell said…
Thanks so much for hosting my character and me. I'll be dropping round to visit your pals.
Wonderful reviews Carol!!

P.S. you had me at rum punch
DWei said…
Even if my comment somehow gets chosen, give it to someone else! I won't have time to read it I'm afraid. :(
Hi Carol and Joy, no need to include me in the giveaway, I'm blessed to have these two wonderful books on my Kindle.

One of the Jamaican pearls of wisdom I've come across is 'soon come'. It really covers a multitude of situations.

.