Author Archives: J. L. Campbell

About J. L. Campbell

National Bestselling Author, J.L. Campbell writes in a range of genres. Campbell, who hails from Jamaica, has penned forty books. She is a certified editor, and book coach. When she’s not writing, Campbell adds to her extensive collection of photos detailing Jamaica’s flora and fauna. Visit her on the web at amazon.com/author/jlcampbell or  www.joylcampbell.com

Making Time For Things We Love

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In the last two years, when I was at home for a while, the days seemed to be everlastingly long. Half the time, I couldn’t tell what I’d done with each day. At the same time, all the things I needed to do didn’t seem to get done.

Now, I’m still working from home some days, but they go by so quickly, it’s hard to reconcile the fact that so much time is passing. That brings to mind all the things I enjoy that I don’t do enough of—blogging is one of those things.

As I scrolled through my posts recently, I was reminded of how much I enjoyed the blogging community and that I’ve lost contact with a fair number of people whose company I used to enjoy. Visiting other writers’ blogs was fun and I learned so much about places I was unlikely to visit. Plus, the writing community is filled with so many wonderful people.

These days, most of the writing I do is fiction and rest is for work. Sometimes, at the end of the day I’m so exhausted I can barely think, much less write. More than ever, I’ve been thinking how important it is to make time to do the things we love. Life is so short and goes by in a flash.

I’ve been trying to make more time for reading and I’m hoping I can practice my calligraphy because it has been a while. Gardening seems to be a distant thing in my rearview mirror. It’ll take some doing to switch things up, but I’m game. Life is about living to the fullest and that’s what I am to do.

What are some things you like to do but find you aren’t indulging in them anymore?

Speaking of time, I’d like to introduce you to a character who refuses to acknowledge that her relationship has changed over the years. She has become the woman scorned but has no intention of making that her permanent situation. At least not without a taste of revenge. https://lrd.to/absolution

7 Lessons for 2022

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We’re already into the second month of a new year, but I’m still learning from the stuff I did and didn’t do last year. Here are a few things I’ve come to recognize.

Some things will never get done, no matter how hard I push. Even though I diligently put them on a list, somehow I can’t seem to get those jobs ticked off. I’ve learned that nothing gets done before it is ordained for me to complete it – even if I fight to accept what is.

I can do anything, if I stay focused. Lists work wonderfully well for me, as long as I stick to them and actually look at them once in a while. 2021 taught me that I am a master at slaying impossible deadlines, but I’m aiming to be more focused in 2022.

Knowing when to say ‘Stop!’ Many of us would be amazed at the amount of time we waste aimlessly scrolling through social media sites. After realizing how many minutes I was using up by gawking at things that didn’t concern me, I developed the habit of saying, no more, you’re wasting time! That has been enough to get me to pull back and continue with some productive activity I should have been doing anyhow.

Stop comparing. Besides being a time suck, gazing over the fence can lead to comparison. Gee, Suzy Success is doing so well … and here I am, not even making a dot on this landscape. Comparison will steal contentment every time. I’ve tried over the past year to be more grateful. It is important to realize we’re all on different journeys and that life is a marathon and not a sprint.

Choose friends and associates with care. At times, we get caught in the trap of drifting into relationships that are not always mutually beneficial. Sometimes, it’s only when I’m in the boat and rowing like mad that I realize not everybody is moving those oars in the same direction. I’ve learned that less can be more, and synergy is super important when I’m aiming for my version of success.

And the bonus stuff I learned this year—When God says yes, no man can or will say no. I’ve proven this so many times in one year that it’s unreal and I’m grateful for the many mountains He has moved for me.

Also, even in small things, I can be a source of inspiration for others. When I don’t believe anyone sees what I’m about, a random comment reminds me that while people might not say anything most of the time, they notice what I do.  I also tell people around me to operate with a spirit of excellence. Go beyond what’s expected, even if you’re the only one who knows about it. This way of doing things has rewarded me in amazing ways. I’m sure you can say the same thing as well.

If you haven’t picked up your copy of Unforgettable Courage, be sure to do so. This #0.99 boxed set is a sweet romantic suspense deal you won’t want to miss.

Together, they’re like oil and water, but they can’t stay away from each other.

And if sweet romance is your thing, be sure to pick up this boxed set of fifteen novels at $0.99. Finally Got It Right is sure to satisfy your reading needs.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

7 Must-Dos in 2022

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Around the start of the new year, many of us would have already decided how we’re going to improve ourselves and our lives. We create lists of goals we plan to achieve. But just looking at, or thinking about everything on our plates can be daunting. When we become overwhelmed, we shut down and very little gets done.

For 2022, I’ve decided to do things a little differently, starting with the fact that I didn’t do any kind of graphic to share how many books I published in 2021. If I had, I’d have been comparing it to the larger number I produced the year before and you know how that goes …

We women tend not to take good care of our mental health. Fact is, if we’re not in optimal shape, we can’t take care of others. Here are my suggestions for making life just a little easier on ourselves.

  1. Don’t assume a task is going to be hard to do before you get started. Worrying about it builds up a lot of anxiety that’s often a waste of time once you get started and everything flows together smoothly.
  2. Stop worrying about things that may never happen. Ninety-nine per cent of the issues we worry about never become reality. Don’t buy trouble. Live in the now. Even if you have challenges, remember they don’t last forever.
  3. Enjoy the present moment. Life is short and when we’re old and can’t do the things we used to, that’s when we’ll look back and see how much time we wasted. Time and energy used up thinking about challenges that didn’t happen cannot be restored.
  4. Whatever is on your heart to do, do it now. Whether it’s a course in baking bread, crocheting, or writing a memoir or novel. Today’s the right time. Just. Do. It. Visualize what you want, then chase after it as if someone is trying to take that dream away from you.
  5. Rest. That’s it. Get enough sleep to give your body the chance to repair itself. Our brains and bodies and will not operate at the level they’re meant to if we keep cheating on sleep.  
  6. Read every day. Aside from learning new things, the written word (especially in the form of fiction) can take you away from your current circumstances and transport you to places you may have only heard about. Be an armchair explorer. It doesn’t cost you much.
  7. Nothing is as important as your peace of mind. Preserve it with everything in you. As best as you can, stay away from toxic people who suck the joy out of you. Pray. Meditate. Preserve your peace. Strive to be happy.

Go forth and enjoy your year!

For today only, my romantic suspense novel Grudge, is free to download at lrd.to/grudge

Corra Bingham is on an island vacation, recovering from a bad break-up, when she realizes she’s being stalked. Against her wishes, a determined police office, Phillip Denham, takes her under his wing. Using his skills as a detective, he races to find answers that will prevent Corra from ending up on a slab in the morgue.

Download here

Download your copy today! lrd.to/grudge

Jamaican Christmas Traditions

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In Jamaica, we have no snow or anything that resembles it, but the weather does get a little cooler at Christmastime and we start feeling what we call “Christmas Breeze” by late November.

Jamaicans love to party, so the festivities start with office parties and move into friend and family gatherings as it gets closer to Christmas. Like any other nation, we have a host of traditions, but I’m going to share five of them with you today.

Household Cleaning

While some folks like spring cleaning, all Jamaicans do a general cleaning before putting up Christmas decorations. Some still take this tradition to the extreme and stay up late putting the house to rights on Christmas Eve. These people wake up exhausted on Christmas morning, which is no fun.


Drawing “Sorrel”

Sorrel is a deep burgundy drink that comes from a herbaceous plant in the Polygonaceae family. The petals of the plant are reaped and steeped in hot water to release the flavor and color. The drink is sweetened with sugar and rum and spiced with pimento seeds. It’s slightly tangy and takes a little getting used to, but sorrel is one of the staples at this time of the year. While it’s available year round, most Jamaicans only indulge at this part of the year.

Sorrel drink and sorrel petals

Jonkanoo

We don’t see this much anymore (and with good reason, I’d say) but Jonkanoo “characters” dress up in scary costumes and frighten the bejeezus out of kids. It’s part of the legacy of slavery and among the “actors” there is the devil and the horse head. This makes me wonder if it was a way of keeping children in order and determining who’d been good or bad leading up to Christmas. Needless to say, no child I know ever liked this part of the festive traditions.

Grand Market

On Christmas Eve, street vendors have a legal right to ignore vending zones and fill certain streets in each town with their wares. All of this takes place under the guidance of the parish councils, but on this one night, they are allowed to sell their goods into Christmas morning. Kids love Grand Market as parents get to do last-minute shopping and may give in to requests to buy this or that toy in the last-minute rush.

The Christmas Feast

Most people who don’t go to church in any other season, go at Christmas and Easter. The rest of the day is spent preparing the ham, rice and peas, vegetables, and a variety of meats. Earlier in the month, the decision is made on which family member will host in the current year and every relative descends on that house to eat up a storm.

These are some of the activities that take place in this part of the world. Of course, there is the exchange of gifts and people are kinder and gentler than at any other time of year. Would that we’d continue this sentiment all year long!

Have you ever been to the tropics at Christmastime?


I’ve had a wonderful relationship with sweet romance and managed to combine that with my writing. The Vet’s Christmas Pet is $0.99 and as the title hints, it’s all about that season and romance. Be sure to have a look-see and maybe add it to your TBR list. lrd.to/TVCPABB

  • A sweet Christmas Romance …