| Title | : | Distraction |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0983522030 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780983522034 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 320 |
| Publication | : | First published June 4, 2012 |
JUSTINE CHARLES, sensible and self-contained, battles an addiction which could destroy her marriage, reputation, and relationship with her daughter.
DIONNE JONES, an aggressive go-getter, takes risks that cut a trail of devastation through her family and business.
KYRA MILLS, struggling single mother, is crippled by debt, bad judgment and destructive choices.
Can two of the long-time friends survive startling revelations involving their partners? And will the other push her obsession to the point of danger?
Distraction Reviews
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I have read a couple of J.L. Campbell's books before, Hardward and Contraband, and I'm always amazed at her ability to create flawed characters who come out likeable. Even though you may want to smack them in the head at times, you end up rooting for them to become the better people you just know they can be. And it is always interesting and fun to take that journey to see if the rise up to your expectations or if they fail.
Distraction plunks readers into the middle of the treacherous paths three close friends (Justine, Kyra and Dionne) are on, and the story is wracked with tension. These three all have issues that are hurtling them to toward potential destruction, and I don't want to spoil the end, so you'll just have to get your own copy and read the jaw-droppers for yourself.
The story is set in Jamaica, and the vivid description of food, scenery and culture, just adds another nuance to the tapestry of female friendship that is often seen in Womens Fiction. And female readers will find that it doesn't matter what color you are or where you live, the bond of friendship witnessed in these pages is tangibly familiar and identifiable, because everyone has flaws, and friends who stick with you despite them are more precious than gold.
This is not exactly an unforgettable book, but if you enjoy Womens Fiction or books that brilliantly feature women of color as just being female rather than "women of color" complete with stereotypes, this story gives you what you've come to love about female-centered books and twists in new flavor and unexpected turns. -
J.L. Campbell is an excellent writer, and proves it in this novel, where she takes some difficult and sometimes taboo themes (adultery, addictions, domestic abuse, sexually transmitted diseases) and writes with beauty and compassion about them. My heart went out to these three women and their lovers and families, who live through an exciting soap opera of problems as this novel develops. Though this is "women's fiction" rather than "romance"--because the romance genre often doesn't dare touch said taboo themes--there is plenty of romantic interest that had me sighing and cheering and feeling bereft as the relationships twisted and changed. Take for example Xavier, a serious distraction to the married Justine: he's tall, gorgeous, patient, understanding, *and* can play guitar and sing. Yeah, I see how she got distracted. Yum!
Best of all was the flavor that the setting lent to the whole story. Campbell excels at sprinkling enough Jamaican dialect and cultural details (foods, plants, gorgeous beaches...) into the novel to make me feel like I got to know the island, without it ever being confusing. Since I've never been to the Caribbean, and wasn't sure what to expect of the culture, that was especially interesting and fun.
From the teaser chapter of the sequel, at the end of this novel, I get the impression there'll be more coming from these characters, for which I'm glad. I want the soap opera to go on! Great beach read, whether you're anywhere near the Caribbean or not. -
DISTRACTION follows the lives of three friends, Justine, Kyra, and Dionne. Justine is cheating on her husband, who has become emotionally cold and secretive with her. Kyra keeps allowing her on-again, off-again boyfriend into her life; he’s a moocher who won’t let her go, even when she finds the real deal in another man. For the sake of business, Dionne has an affair that threatens to ruin her solid family.
This novel deals with friendship, family, motherhood, infidelity, domestic abuse, and sexual abuse issues among these three women. I’ve read other works by Campbell and she always creates such emotionally detailed characters that it’s like taking a glimpse into the lives of real people. This book is no different. DISTRACTION is more character-driven than action-driven; the suspense is there, but it was a slow simmer as I became acquainted with Justine, Kyra, Dionne, and their respective problems. At the end of the book there are a few pages of RETRIBUTION, the sequel. I’m eager to pick up where I left off with these three friends. -
Joy did warn those of us who volunteered to review her book that the subject matter was hard. And it is. I'm giving it three stars because it's not kind of stuff I generally read. The story and writing are fine (though I did get lost a few times in the flash-backs.) It is a strong story, about three strong, smart women. Don't let the Jamaican dialect fool you.
Each of them has huge issues to over-come. Despite the fact that there were many times I didn't like the choices they made, I kept rooting for them, hoping they would work things out and that their lives would settle into some kind of calm.
The food, the plants, and the people will give a white non-West Indian a glimpse into what life can be like as a Jamaican/West Indian woman. And, I am only too familiar with the males Campbell portrays her book, particularly Warren.
If you like gritty, if you want to get a taste of a different culture, then I suggest Distraction. -
APB REVIEW PERSPECTIVE:
If you like drama, deceit, infidelity, secrets, and suspense, then you will want to have this read. It follows the lives of three very close friends and their significant others, for different reasons they all have made and acted on some decisions that could possibly destroy themselves as well as their families.
Each story of Justine, Kyra and Donnie is told from their perspectives as well as how the others viewed their decisions. The friends have a bond that is unbreakable, even though they don't always agree with the decision the other may make, they are still there for each other.
I like how the author began each chapter with a Jamaican quote and its meaning, and throughout the story the characters use the native dialect.
Check out more about Justine is the sequel.......Retribution! -
Reviewed for Urban Reviews
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Wonderful read
I loved this book. I am around the same age as the three friends follow through the book so it was fun to understand their mindset. Though there were three different stories it was easy to follow and switch between characters. It flowed very well. Definitely worth a read. Especially if you’re over Romance novels with characters barely out of college. Looking forward to book two! -
What A Distraction!! 🤭
My, oh, my!! Talk about Distractions! Although some may think this was too much, unfortunately, it mirrors so much of what goes on today! Through it all, the ladies had each other and supported each other, no matter what! I enjoyed this book from beginning throughout the end! Now, I’m continuing on to Dissolution!! Kudos, J.L.!! 💜 -
Very good book
I really enjoyed reading this book I'm glad that they are doing okay now I'm going to finished reading the other books about them -
SPOILER ALERT: READ NO FURTHER IF YOU HATE HEARING PLOT DETAILS. Oh what can I say about "Distraction" that won't make me come across as judgmental because of the subject matter? First off, I want to say that J.L. Campbell (or Joy as some may know her), is a great writer. She has paid meticulous attention to providing what I think is a genuine representation of Jamaican culture in this book. And "Distraction" is a physically beautiful novel, providing Jamaican proverbs at the top of each chapter and a corresponding translation as the accent may be difficult for non-native peoples to understand. Additionally, the book has wonderful prose and in my reading, I don't think I spotted a single error. Also, each chapter is graced with a silhouette of palm trees. How can one not be pleased with palm trees?
"Distraction" is a book that follows the lives of three very interesting but destructive women. Their names are Kyra, Justine, and Dionne. And when I say "destructive" what I mean is this: they are liars, cheats, and victims who make choices that are a little difficult to get through without squirming. I had an impulse to invite them into a room, sit them down, and then stand before them on a soap box to make them accountable for all the things that they are doing while others chanted "preach on brotha!" in the background.
Kyra has trouble with an abusive man named Warren. He's a deadbeat that insists on sucking her dry of all monetary resources, on basically raping her, of trying to sabotage everything in her life, and on top of all that, he's a criminal. He's a pretty dispicable character in just having those qualities. I kind of question why Joy also decided to make him bi-sexual and then use that as a tool to paint another man, Milton, in a really unsavory light (Warren and Milton have been doing it, but more on that in just a bit). And of course, the fact that Milton is hiding a same sex attraction from his wife leads to his impotency in bed (well he's not attracted to girls) and to the willingness to destroy his family's financial security by giving Warren TONS of money for his silence. All this says to me is that in backwards Jamaica, two guys kissing is a fate worse than death. And if this is true, I guess I won't be visiting Jamaica anytime soon DESPITE my love of palm trees and my respect for Usain Bolt.
So Milton's wife is of course, one of the three women named Justine. And by the way, she's an adulterer. So it's not like her lies are any better than Milton's. And then we have Dionne who's also a liar, having an affair with a guy that's basically a stalker by the name of Alex. But she must be attracted to stalkers because her husband has serious trust issues, answering her phone, calling her to make sure he knows where she is, etc. But I guess he has reasons for having trust issues...his wife really is sleeping around. I hate the fact that Clayton is basically clueless. You'd think that at least one man in this book wouldn't be a complete douchebag. But that doesn't happen. Oh and Alex, he's a rapist on top of being a stalker...so yeah.
Did I like "Distraction"? Yes, I did like it. But these characters are not good people. Are they real? Probably. I think there's a huge dose of reality in these books and toward the end, a statement that people still believe WRONGLY that AIDS is a deadly disease. AIDS is not fatal anymore. That may be a news flash for some people, but we have drugs now that do perfectly well in controlling this disease. I have a friend with AIDS, and he's a successful college professor in a happy relationship and has no problems in living a great life.
If "Distraction" is a slice of life of what it is to be Jamaican then all I can say is, "Jamaica needs a better public education system." I would recommend this book to anyone that might be attracted to stories where characters make destructive decisions. For example, if you liked "Closer" with Natalie Portman and Jude Law, then you'll probably like "Distraction." For the record, after I got done with "Closer" I secretly wished that all those characters had gotten crushed under a bus.
I give four stars out of five simply because there were parts of this book that clearly irritated me about the characters. But aside from that, it's a great, page-turning if not emotionally frustrating read. And if you like hot but sensual sex scenes, Joy accomplishes that better than just about anyone I've read. her amazing skills made me feel like I was there in the character's skin, enjoying the naughtiness of every single action. -
DISTRACTION by J L Campbell is a quality fiction read which drew me in with it's engaging characters and storyline and didn't let me go till the very end. Set in contemporary Jamaica, it is the story of three smart, gutsy women. Justine, Kyra and Dionne.This trio has passed the twenties and all are mothers and all between 35 and 40. They are, however, experiencing upheavals in their personal lives. How they cope and what they do will leave you spellbound.
Justine, a character with whom I empathised, is in a dead marriage, where her husband just shuts her out. Neglect in marriage is a form of abuse and Justine is truly a sufferer. She falls in love with the larger than life musician Xavier McKellop, but pays a heavy price in guilt. As she watches Xavier playing his guitar at Sunday Mass, she knows she has to end this affair. Dionne is married to a patient and gentle man Clay, but finds him deficient as a provider. Her longing for financial security has her stepping out of her marriage and getting involved with someone else. She soon finds she's bitten off more than she can chew. Kyra has been used and abused by Warren, a born loser. She longs to kick Warren out of her life and start again with a more stable, reliable partner. But Warren won't be dismissed so easily.
No one can help you out of your difficulties but yourself. And perhaps the support of a good friend who will really listen to and empathise with what you're suffering. This isn't so much a novel as an exploration of love and friendship. It's a really interesting study on what women really want out of a relationship with a man. Great sex? Yes, definitely, who would say no to that? But more than that, there is a need for true companionship, support and love. Not just sex, but real, committed love. Not to mention security, both emotional and financial. Yet there are relationships going on which don't have all these components. The truth is, nobody gets everything. It seems to me that these women did a tremendous job of supporting each other and this is the best part of the story. They help each other find their own answers as they struggle through the vicissitudes of life.
If you like quality women's fiction, you'll love this.
I'm very much looking forward to reading further into this story in the follow up volume, RETRIBUTION. -
This novel had a little bit of everything. It told the stories of three best friends. One of the nice features of the book was the Jamaican proverbs at the beginning of each chapter. I also liked how I got the point of view of each of the friends.
Infidelity was rampant in this novel and so was other poor decision-making. I simply couldn’t put it down because I wanted to see how the stories played out.
DIONNE had me on pins and needles with her affair to a man who afforded her the financial wealth she craved.
I was very sympathetic to KYRA's plight, and was so happy when she dropped that zero and found a good man to appreciate her. Even that almost got messed up because of her ex-boyfriend – and I use the term “boyfriend” loosely. What a jerk.
JUSTINE's story made me sad. Campbell switched between present-day and the past for the storyline between Xavier and Justine, and at times it was hard to tell which time period I was in. However, I looked forward to the chapters about this couple the most. There was just so much passion and sensuality in their relationship, and reading about how torn Justine was in her moral dilemma struck me as genuine. The author is writing a follow-up to Justine and Xavier’s story, and I can’t wait to read it. I need closure, and I need them to have a happy ending.
Well done! -
When J.L. Campbell sent me a an e-copy of Distraction I was so excited. Not only had I finally found a local author blogger but I also got a free copy of her novel. J.L. Campbell is the author of books like Contraband, Dissolution and several more. Distraction follows three females who are close friends and have to navigate life in Jamaica while married or in relationships. Readers meet Justine, Dionne and Kyra and the novel lets us see life through both their own perspectives as well as how they view each other. The title is symbolic as to what leads them astray. Each woman has something in their life that shouldn't be there. But the pleasures and immediate gratification cloud their minds or conscience to the later consequences.
Distraction lets readers have a front seat in seeing how abuse, deceit, hate, love, friendship and forgiveness can make or break relationships and marraiges. And people as well. No one is totally innocent and each character whether major or minor is far from perfect. We all have our faults and Distraction doesn't shield us from seeing this in the three women or if we read it even deeper, ourselves. I'm glad I read this book.
Foir more of my review visit:
http://queendsheena.blogspot.com/2012... -
The women in this book are definitely distracted from their families and their work. The strongest relationship in the book is the one between the three friends. These are not the typical novel heroines. They are flawed like we all are; they have trouble making the right decision and suffer for their inability to do the right thing. Nonetheless I found myself liking them and rooting for everything to turn out.
I very much enjoyed the Jamaican setting and colorful proverbs sprinkled throughout this story. My only criticism is that the struggle part of the book went on a bit long, and the reward for getting to the end was too brief. Too many surprise twists were delivered too quickly compared to the long buildup. Having said that, the book still delivers on a lot of levels. It's a book that showcases the strength of friendship despite personal imperfections, and that's a theme that everyone can relate to. -
JL Campbell is one of my favourite authors. She's from Jamaica and all of her books takes us into the Jamaican culture. This book is no exception.
You meet three women in this novel, each with their own sets of DISTRACTIONS, each of them threatening to take over their lives and ruin their families.
Justine is having issues in her marriage, her husband comes home very distant and although Justine knows something is bothering him, she can't get him to open up. So, she starts a relationship with a man she met at church.
One of my favourite things about all of JL's books is that we learn so much about the culture of Jamaica. How woman are treated, how marriage is handled, and we get to see some of the problems that plague this small island.
The ending has an incredible twist and leaves you wondering what will happened to everyone. -
Distraction is the story of three friends, Kyra, Justine, and Dionne. All three women make questionable decisions that could wreck havoc in their lives, and the paths they are on drive the tension in the story. Campbell does an excellent job of writing believable characters who are people we can empathize with, and I felt like I knew all three of the women as I read the book. I think the friendship among the three will strike a chord with female readers who have been through ups and downs with long-time female friends.
The Jamaican setting is fun and interesting, as I always enjoy being able to learn about another country or culture when I am reading. At the end of the book Campbell provides readers with a preview of the Distraction sequel, called Retribution, and I know I will be anxious to check back in with Kyra, Justine, and Dionne when that book is released. -
If you can't travel to Jamaica with a suitcase, traveling in your imagination is the next best thing. Hot and sexy lovers Justine and Xavier steam up the pages, but unfortunately, they happen to be married to other people. Justine's husband Milton is keeping more than a few secrets of his own, some of which involve Kyra's loser boyfriend that she just can't seem to cut loose. Then there's Dionne, who's willing do whatever it takes to get ahead.
These are not "nice" women, these are INTERESTING women, women with complicated lives and children (yes, women can have children AND an interesting life!) and I became fully wrapped up in these women and their stories. Campbell does a great job of including Jamaican proverbs, meals, and other touches that give a taste of the island culture. Yet the friendship dynamic among women seems universal. -
The characterisation in this book is excellent. It's been said in other reviews, but the author has done an amazing job of portraying people who do things that may not be right, but you're still rooting for their lives to take a better course. The three main female characters are all complex and the interplay between them is often hilarious. The Jamaican setting is very evident, which is helped by the colourful proverbs at the start of each chapter. It gives a laid-back feel which contrasts nicely with the high drama and tension. The only thing stopping me giving it five stars is it feels slightly repetitive in places as the characters go through their inner turmoil and hand-wringing, although that is true to real life; bad cycles can be hard to get out of. I'm looking forward to reading the author's other books featuring these women.
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The author was kind enough to gift me a copy of this book. Simply put, I looked it. While I didn't like the actions of the main characters, I was still able to root for them. I was bothered towards the end. After abit of dragging,and being unable to make definitive decisions and stick with them, the characters all of a sudden did just that. It felt as though the author rushed the last few chapters to bring the book to a close, however, not everything was explained in my opinion. Without putting it any spoilers, I will just say that it would have been nice to know why some of the characters behaved as they did. Yet, the very end threw me for a loop. I think my mouth actually hung open when I realized there were be a second book. In case your suffering, yes, I've read it. :
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I really enjoyed the characters in this novel. I found I really couldn't but it down and read it in two sittings. I just had to know what next for each of these ladies. I found the writing very realistic and felt I really knew the characters when it came to an end. I was left wanting more on Justine(aka Tina) and Xavier (aka Xave). I hope the rest of their story will be told.
I found this author when a goodreads friend marked another of her books to read. After reading the excerpts for this novel in that book I immediately went on to purchase and read this novel. I really like this author and her writing style. I will definitely read more from her.
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Difficult subject to read about, but the plotlines had me involved. Overall, the story is actually four-star material. The only reason why I didn't score it as such is that I found it really difficult to resonate with the characters, since I've never been married etc. and therefore the three ladies couldn't really resonate with me.
Still, I'll definitely read more stories from J.L. Campbell. -
Distraction
Distraction is the perfect name for this story. All the characters have their own versions of distractions going on that they can't see what is happening right in front of them. JL keeps you guessing and flipping pages to find out who will come out unscathed in the fast paced drama. -
Oh. My. Word. This story is packed with drama, suspense, betrayal, addiction and secrets. Beneath it all is the story of 3 friends who help each other through thick and thin. I love the author's writing style. This story is a great holiday read.
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I was hooked from the first page! The twist and turns keep me glued to the very end. It had a surprising plot twist...exceptional! Shocker! Great writing by J. L. Campbell. Next....Retribution
