Chasing Anya

by J.L. Campbell

Been there. Done that. Feisty and independent, Anya Davies lives by her own rules. The one thing she’s hell-bent on avoiding is a conventional relationship, thanks to her abusive ex who refuses to stay in the past. The second complication in her life is a secret that condemns her to constant guilt and a solitary life. A series of near misses and escalating threats are a third and worrying factor. Only a special man would understand or live with Anya’s challenges and demands. Casual sex...so not having that. Enter Christophe Mondesir. Two years ago, Anya dumped him without explanation. An accidental meeting shoots Anya back on Christophe’s radar. He refuses to be denied and plans to breach the fortress Anya has built around her heart—if she’ll commit to more than a casual liaison. He’s also determined to find out what she’s hiding. That’s if the stalker who’s after Anya doesn’t end her life first.

277 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 30, 2013

About the author

J.L. Campbell is fascinated with Jamaican flora and has hundreds of photos in her collection. She writes contemporary and sweet romance, romantic suspense, women's fiction, as well as new and young adult novels.

Campbell, who features Jamaican culture in her stories, has written over forty books. She is also a certified editor.

Feel free to join her mailing list for news and updates https://sendfox.com/lp/1rk5gx or connect with her on social media.

Reviews

[Geri Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going After What You Want! 💜😘💜

After being sent away the first time, Christophe is back and is determined to chase Anya until she’s his! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about this couple! There were issues on both sides that they each had to work through! Man, talk about drama, mystery and intrigue...they were all in this story! If you haven’t read this series, you’re missing out! I’m on my way to read Taming Celeste now! I highly recommend this book and series! Kudos, Joy!! 💜👏🏽💜

[Georgiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Anya

This was a touching and heart​ warming story. Depression and Suicide are some of the leading course of death in this day and age. Thank you for bringing it to the forefront in your book J.L. Campbell. This hit close to home for me and a few family members. Outstanding writing . Everyone should read this book..

[Shelia McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book

I enjoyed reading this book I'm glad that they finally got together and she got the help that she needed.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is essentially a romance, it’s far, far more. The setting is Jamaica so to begin with there is a wonderful backdrop evocatively portrayed by the author. I loved the way that Anya uses the Jamaican patois when she’s with her family. It’s just enough to give a real flavor to the book. On the other hand, I found Christophe’s Creole a bit much at times. It is annoying rather than endearing that he uses this knowing that Anya doesn’t understand it. The character of Anya is so realistic, at times I felt like I was reading a biography. Having done something in her past which prevents her from moving on, she is determined to stay away from love. Unable to forgive herself, she won’t allow anyone to get near her until a chance encounter with Christophe, whom she dumped without explanation two years ago, brings him back into her life.
I really fell for Christophe (creole aside that is), as he’s everything a girl wants in a lover. Not only is he good-looking but he’s also kind, considerate and refuses to give up on Anya. Just when the reader wonders if he’s too good to be true, we discover that he has secrets of his own.
Anya’s sister is spoilt, selfish and lazy and the animosity between the two will resonate with anyone who has been in a similar position. It’s hard to see how their relationship can be saved but when both Anya and her sister are attacked and it seems there is someone out to do them both real harm, by trusting each other, can they solve the mystery and escape the death threat?
This book is extremely well constructed with a dark edge. For me, this lifts it out of the run of the mill romances.

[D.E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chasing Anya is a romance novel set in Jamaica by Jayda McTyson. Anya Davies is the independent heroine who is hell-bent on avoiding emotional entanglements. Christophe Mondesir, on the other hand, is determined to get Anya back in his life and keep her there. Anya is hiding a secret, which she thinks precludes her from thinking she’s worth Christophe’s time. Christophe has problems of his own to contend with as well. Will these two complicated characters finally accept each other?

McTyson’s novel is a quick, easy read. I enjoyed Anya’s character. Her fight with depression and keeping her secret from Christophe elevated the novel from a simple clichéd romance into an interesting story. The ‘mystery’ of the stalker was a bit obvious but nonetheless the stalker and resulting tension added a further dimension to this romance novel. It was fun to read a novel set in a different location. The accents and various dialects added color to the story. I could imagine the characters speaking in their exotic accents in this glamorous locale.

Although I enjoyed Christophe’s character, I felt he overcame his issues rather quickly – especially considering how long he had held onto his anger and fear. Anya’s relationship with her sister, despite being acrimonious for years, was exceptionally quick to change as well.

I recommend this novel for romance readers looking for a more serious story set in a glamorous location.

*I received a free copy of this novel from the author in return for an honest review.*

[Janice Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chasing Anya is an interesting read that deals with a serious topic, in a realistic manner. J. L. Campbell brought this story alive with a lead character that could’ve possibly been any of us. Anya has serious issues that needed to be dealt with. Honestly, I was extremely frustrated with her behavior quite a bit. Yet, I had to realize that her circumstances were very real to many other women out there. Moreover, I felt bad for her love interest, Christophe and wondered why he didn’t just give up, due to Anya’s sometimes childish conduct.

I appreciate the fact that this book was not just a romance book. When you think about life, we all carry baggage from past hurts and relationships. This load can be so damaging and, sadly, many of us never take the time to confront the things that have damaged us in the past. Therefore, Chasing Anya provides a wonderful lesson about confronting those past hurts in order to move ahead in a positive manner.

The author drew on her Jamaican heritage to loop me into this read, as well. I enjoyed the splashing of Jamaican sayings, Patois language, and references to various locations. I lived on the Island for a year and a half, and have visited quite often. It brought a smile to my face to be reintroduced to its culture once more.

Kudos to J. L. Campbell. I would surely recommend this book to others that are interested in the mixture of culture and real life romance.

(I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review).

[Jenny Zimmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great romance story that captured my attention from beginning to end. I did have some trouble with the Jamaican language and words that were used though, but I think that I got the gist of it. Anya did get on my nerves slightly at the beginning but she did make up for it in the end. The plot of the story was remarkable. I can somewhat see Anya's point of view but still chances need to be given. It's a recommended great romance story that will have you addicted and wanting to read more, just to see if your conclusions are correct.

I received an e-ARC copy of this book, for a blog tour, in return for an honest review.

[reneeNaDaCherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chasing Anya (Island Adventure Romance Book 2)

Christophe Mondesir has his hands full wooing Anya Davies. Her painful secret of physical/mental abuse causes distrust in love. But Christophe has had his share of pain as well in dealing with his family issues. Will this reunion prove to be the catalyst for a second chance at happiness? Take this emotional journey and find out what it takes to overcome life experiences that mold who we are today.

A very good storyline set in a fictional island called Xantrope and this writer's descriptions and her words open your imagination. Loved it.

[Haven Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this book a 5 star review for its originality. Chasing Anya was an enjoyable read even though there were words I had to translate to understand what was being said. It was still an important part of the storyline to stay true to the Jamaican language. I liked the way the author knew her way around the islands of Jamaica. The plot was intriguing and the twists and turns keep the reader turning pages quickly. This is a story I have never delved into before and was very impressed with the writing.

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though she had a horrible and abusive relationship with Andrew years ago, Anya is still a wounded woman. She also has to contend with an irresponsible sister, a strident client, and a secret that is tearing her apart. Even more burdensome, she’s being stalked and threatened by a mystery person. All of this may destroy her relationship with Christophe, a caring and sensual man who cares for her deeply, although he has painful secrets of his own. The author pulled me into the story with her characters and all of their conflicts. It’s always a pleasure to read this author’s work.

[Patricia Sroka · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story behind the characters was dynamic but the story itself ran a bit slow for me. The female character was a little wishy washy. She had real trauma in her life but she was slow to come to terms with it. She allowed her ex too much interference and wasn't giving her love interest a chance. I am surprised he hung in as long as he did. I still enjoyed the story and the underlying problems caused by her past trauma. I felt the writing was still good and I did enjoy the book and I will continue on to read the next book in this series.

[Philomena Callan Cheekypee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really lovely romantic story that gripped me throughout. Anya is a pretty strong character that needs to overcome her past so she can enjoy some happiness. You will need to read this story to see what happens. Would love to see what happens next but I did like the way this book ended.
I found this quite a refreshing story as it was based in Jamaica. ... Although the lingo did have me thinking!!!!
Received in return for an honest review.

[Wanda Hartzenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, this is a romance book with an edge.
What I did not like -- the dialogue. It was at times hard to read and follow.
Also since it is a about real relationships which makes for first person narrative and frequent jumps in point of view.

What I did like -- this is about real relationships. Real people in real lives. I actually loved this facet of the book.

If romance was my passion I am sure I would have loved the book more.

Try it, see for yourself.

WaAr

[Mary Kincaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Anya is a romance about the personal issues people often have to overcome to make a relationship work. The characters are well developed. I enjoyed the local elements in the story and the dialogue. The language added to the effect of good story telling.

[Robin Bruon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read enjoyed every minute.