Contraband [Paperback]

J. L. Campbell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2010

As master of his destiny, Paul Weekes does what is necessary to survive. He makes his own fortune, but his luck nosedives when hijackers target his illicit shipments. He has no proof, but suspects the police officer who facilitates his exports off the island of Xantrope has turned on him. To make things worse, Paul's ne'er-do-well cousin is accidentally involved in a gang murder, and a hit is put on him. A budding liaison with the cop's niece adds more complication. Janine refuses to accept Paul's way of life, but inadvertently becomes a victim of his lifestyle. Thrust into kidnapping, double cross and murder, Paul must choose between a relationship with Janine and staying alive long enough to change the course of his future.

Product Details

• Paperback: 262 pages
• Publisher: Nevaeh Publishing, LLC (January 15, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0978789962
• ISBN-13: 978-0978789961
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.6 x 5.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,356,968 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

J.L. Campbell is a proud Jamaican and an award-winning writer, who is always on the lookout for story-making material.

She writes romantic suspense, women's fiction and young adult novels. She is the author of Contraband, Christine's Odyssey, Dissolution, Distraction, Don't Get Mad...Get Even, Giving up the Dream, Retribution and Hardware (written under the pen name Jayda McTyson).

Visit her on the web at http://www.joylcampbell.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Do As I Say, Not As I Do August 29, 2010

By The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Format:Paperback

Most people do whatever is necessary to survive and live a decent life. Paul Weekes is no different in wanting something better after having a hard life growing up. As a result of participating in illegal activities, he has made a fortune and is doing quite well for himself. However, he is getting tired of paying for protection to get his products off the Island of Xantrope. The police officer that has assisted him has turned grimy, greedy and is giving him a hard time because he is unsatisfied with what he is being paid.

Paul, who was raised with his cousin Mark, found himself protecting him as a young boy and as a result continues to do so even though he is now a man. But Paul cannot seem to help his cousin slow his role and stay out of trouble. After finding himself in turmoil with a gang and trying to avoid the hit put on him, they are up against many problems that threaten to bring Paul down. Paul encourages his cousin to shape up, but his own actions aren't exactly reflective of an upstanding citizen.

To complicate matters, Paul is falling for Janine Phipps, whom Mark had a car accident with, leaving her wounded and in the hospital. Unfortunately, she is the niece of the man whom Paul has come to despise, the disgruntled officer.

J L Campbell presents an interesting story, set near Jamaica on the fictitious Island of Xantrope, which is described beautifully and vividly. The story is paced well, and the plot is strong. This author's debut novel will lure you into mystery, romance, kidnapping, suspense and murder, which is just the tip of the iceberg. CONTRABAND is an exciting and interesting read.

Reviewed by RM Jackson
for The RAWSISTAZ (tm) Reviewers

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Gritty realism and an unforgettable cast of characters May 2, 2010

By Tina Hayes VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

"Contraband", the debut novel from J. L. Campbell, is a riveting romantic suspense/thriller. Paul Weeks is a man who has it all: money, power, a beautiful home, a lucrative drug business, and the responsibility of keeping his cousin Mark out of trouble. Janine Phipps enters his life after Mark crashes into her car and leaves Paul to clean up the mess. Turns out the two have a mutual acquaintance, since Janine's uncle, Sergeant Jonas Singh, is the dirty cop who shakes down Paul's marijuana shipments.

Set near Jamaica on the beautiful (though fictitious) island of Xantrope, "Contraband" is fast-paced and addictive, with gritty realism and a cast of characters you won't soon forget. Paul finds himself up to his ears in trouble, and it's up to him to handle it all. A major crime lord sets out to kill Mark in retaliation for his brother's death, Singh tries to extort more money from Paul, and Paul finds himself falling for Janine but knows she'll never approve of his illegal business.

I loved this book and highly recommend it. The author has another book due out later this year, and a sequel to "Contraband" in the works. J. L. Campbell is sure to find herself on the bestseller list.

4.0 out of 5 stars J.L Is A Master Of Her Craft December 28, 2011

By Wendy Ewurum

Format:Paperback

WHO'S WHO?

* Paul is the MC who owns a farm producea and export business that he also uses to camouflage his less legitimate activities.
* Mark is the spoilt younger cousin who Paul raised since the age of twelve when they lost their parents.
* Janine is Paul's love interest and a niece to Paul's nemesis, a sergeant in the police force.

THIS WAS HOT....

* As always J.L's novels are always full of action and suspence. This one was no different. The twists and turns kept the pages turning. I like that in her writing because it means the story never just rabbles along and you never find those doldrums moments where the writer tries to fill up the pages to meet word count. This is one of the things that make her writing so enjoyable.
* I really didn't like Pauls's cousin, Mark at the beginning but I could see him in real life. Some of us have a brother or cousin like that so he is totally credible I enjoyed seeing how J.L took him through certain experiences which made him realise that if he didn't change, he would die a horrible death. Those were life changing and helped mould him into a better person . I can't wait to see what he's become in Taming Celeste.
* The morale issue in this novel for me was how justifiable was it for the main actor to do what he was doing? Exporting a contraband product. Its interesting how as a reader you fell so in love with the character that your ampathy for him skews your judgement. It demonstrates in a way how criminals manage to evade the law for so long as those who are close to them have different experiences with the person they know.
* The relationship that develops between Janine and Paul was really sweet. This elationship helps him get rid of his fears of poverty which in turn enabled him to make sound decisions about the future of his business and personal life.

Overall
I really liked Contraband and as usual J.L did an awesome job writing it. However, the entertainment and suspense factor had less impact than my past experience. All that being said, it is still a worthwhile read and does call for a significant rating.Contraband