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The Heart of Things
After a year-long, Jamaica-Miami romance, Douglas Blythe succeeds in putting a ring on Khalila Skyers's finger. Though gun-shy, Khalila is willing to marry Douglas, under one condition. She wants a baby.
Doug can't go back on his promise to give her anything she wants, but sees trouble on the horizon with two teenage girls, a hectic business schedule, a devious ex-wife, plus a household turned upside down by a baby he doesn't want.
Their commitment to each other is unquestionable, but will this couple's differences bind them together...or force them apart?
Doug can't go back on his promise to give her anything she wants, but sees trouble on the horizon with two teenage girls, a hectic business schedule, a devious ex-wife, plus a household turned upside down by a baby he doesn't want.
Their commitment to each other is unquestionable, but will this couple's differences bind them together...or force them apart?
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2023
32 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
J.L. Campbell
110 books307 followersJ.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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 2, 2019
A great read
This was a great read about a mature couple. I loved the reliable topics that we face from day to day.
This was a great read about a mature couple. I loved the reliable topics that we face from day to day.
March 16, 2023
It’s been over a year since Douglas Blythe and Khalila Skyers have been road-testing their Jamaica-Miami romance. Douglas proposed and Khalila agreed to the marriage, but with one condition—a baby is part of the package deal.
Finally divorced and free to move forward with Douglas, Khalila rekindled her Mojo with the help of Douglas, started her business, and with a new dose of self-discovery and self-esteem was ready to take love and life by the proverbial horn,
Although not thrilled initially, Douglas half-heartedly agreed with the plan to be a daddy again, Two teenage daughters and a bitter ex-wife who seem to think he’s made out of money, do not make for a happy home plus baby. His love for Khalila wouldn’t allow him to deny her anything or allow anyone whatsoever to trample on her happiness.
He’s a promise keeper where Khalila is concerned. However, the nefarious acts of his older daughter and ex-wife threatened to derail their happily ever after.
Their love for and commitment to each other is solid, but, how much can they withstand? Douglas and Khalila are shooting toward forever, but will the powers that bind them survive the force of evil, especially after the death of his ex, which threw his older daughter, Mo’s hatred for Khalila into overdrive?
I love the slow, steady build up to this strong relationship. I could feel throughout that their love was authentic and would weather anything life threw at them.
The brewing romance between Douglas’ brother Roger Blythe and Kahlila’s best friend, Connie Walker, whetted my appetite for more of what J.L. Campbell has to offer.
Looking forward to reading how it unfolds in book 3 of this trilogy.
April 5, 2019
Good Second Book!!!
This is the continuation of Khalila and Douglas' story from The Thick of Things. They have been in a long distance relationship since the first book but Douglas is tired of not being with Khalila full-time and wants to make their relationship permanent. Khalila has something she wants also but Douglas does not want the same thing. Since Douglas has promised to give Khalila anything she wants, he finds himself in quite the conundrum. Mrs. Campbell has included it all in this story; great characters, passion, love, secrets as well as manipulation and drama from both Douglas' ex-wife and his daughter. This book was worth the wait and I definitely recommend it.
This is the continuation of Khalila and Douglas' story from The Thick of Things. They have been in a long distance relationship since the first book but Douglas is tired of not being with Khalila full-time and wants to make their relationship permanent. Khalila has something she wants also but Douglas does not want the same thing. Since Douglas has promised to give Khalila anything she wants, he finds himself in quite the conundrum. Mrs. Campbell has included it all in this story; great characters, passion, love, secrets as well as manipulation and drama from both Douglas' ex-wife and his daughter. This book was worth the wait and I definitely recommend it.
March 21, 2019
Worth The Wait!!
This book was just as good, if not better than “The Thick of Things!” You need to read the first book in order to follow and understand the dynamics of Khalila and Douglas! Throw in an obsessive ex-wife, a confused teenage daughter, and a determined wife who wants a baby, man, oh man! This story was excellent from beginning to end! A must-read, especially if you enjoy reading about mature couples in love! Highly recommended! Well done, J.L. Campbell! 💜👏🏽👏🏽💜
This book was just as good, if not better than “The Thick of Things!” You need to read the first book in order to follow and understand the dynamics of Khalila and Douglas! Throw in an obsessive ex-wife, a confused teenage daughter, and a determined wife who wants a baby, man, oh man! This story was excellent from beginning to end! A must-read, especially if you enjoy reading about mature couples in love! Highly recommended! Well done, J.L. Campbell! 💜👏🏽👏🏽💜
March 21, 2019
This was awesome follow up to “The Thick of Things”. Khalila and Doug continued their romance and married. However, there were ups and downs along their paths, such as Khalila wanted a baby, problems with Doug’s teenage daughters and ex-wife. Just enough drama to keep the story pages turning. Entertaining story a good read.
September 7, 2019
Good reading
Doug wanted Khalila to marry him, but before she answered his proposal she wanted one thing from him a child. He didn’t want another child as he had 2 daughters from a previous marriage. Khalila had to deal with a husband that didn’t want anymore children, a spiteful step daughter and a mean ex-wife. Your going to be in for a treat reading this book
Doug wanted Khalila to marry him, but before she answered his proposal she wanted one thing from him a child. He didn’t want another child as he had 2 daughters from a previous marriage. Khalila had to deal with a husband that didn’t want anymore children, a spiteful step daughter and a mean ex-wife. Your going to be in for a treat reading this book
March 17, 2019
The Heart of things
The wait for this book was well worth it. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. The ups and downs of Khalila wanting a baby to Douglas Struggles with his ex-wife and kids.
The wait for this book was well worth it. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. The ups and downs of Khalila wanting a baby to Douglas Struggles with his ex-wife and kids.
December 27, 2019
Good Read
This is a good series. Khalila was challenging to love because of her issues from her past. But Douglas did not give up on her. I look forward to reading more of J. L. Campbell's books!
This is a good series. Khalila was challenging to love because of her issues from her past. But Douglas did not give up on her. I look forward to reading more of J. L. Campbell's books!
May 7, 2020
I had to skip around in this book
Don't want to give away the story...but some of the issues with the main characters were things that I feel should be resolved before marriage.
Loved the first book "The Thick of Things"
Don't want to give away the story...but some of the issues with the main characters were things that I feel should be resolved before marriage.
Loved the first book "The Thick of Things"
April 24, 2023
This Is What Love Looks Like
First, I want a man just like Douglas to be my life mate! I love this story about life, love, loss, obsession and blended families. Strong friendships are also part of this story. I definitely enjoyed and recommend this book.
First, I want a man just like Douglas to be my life mate! I love this story about life, love, loss, obsession and blended families. Strong friendships are also part of this story. I definitely enjoyed and recommend this book.
March 19, 2025
Each book gets better! That ex-wife and oldest daughter was a mess! I loved Hyacinth, she did not play with her granddaughter! There was an unexpected event that changed their lives. Love this series! Book 3 is calling me.
March 26, 2019
Loved this story
I absolutely loved this story. A determined woman and a forgiving man made a good story. From the start of th story, I knew the heroine would prevail.
I absolutely loved this story. A determined woman and a forgiving man made a good story. From the start of th story, I knew the heroine would prevail.
September 13, 2024
Real Love
This is a real love story. This story is about how two people love each other through the highs and The lows. I recommend reading this atory.
This is a real love story. This story is about how two people love each other through the highs and The lows. I recommend reading this atory.
August 29, 2019
I liked The Thick of Things and thought it had a nice ending so I wasn’t expecting this follow up. However, I was pleasantly surprised and excited to read it.
Khalila and Doug are a year into their romance and while things are progressing, Doug thinks its time for more. He proposes to her and is initially willing to give her anything she wants as long as she says yes to becoming his wife, that is until she says what it is she really wants.
Khalila wants a baby and Doug, with two teenaged daughters, is not in the least bit interested in any more children. They’re clearly on opposite ends of the fence with this one. While they are both trying to figure out how to get the other to see their point of view, they have a lot more to contend with as it pertains to Doug’s ex-wife and his children. His ex-wife is not happy about his new relationship and one of his daughters is adamant about making Khalila’s life miserable.
The writing was solid and I loved that we were able to visit Jamaica and Antigua in this book. You know I am always in support of any novel that takes place, primarily, in the Caribbean.
However, I must admit the way Doug and Khalila handled potentially adding a baby didn’t sit well with me. These two got married despite such a huge looming topic lingering unresolved between them initially. Khalila tried to force his hand which I didn’t agree with and Doug just thought that he could take her mind off of her deepest desires and push it to the side which annoyed me.
While it wasn’t my favorite book, fans of Doug and Khalila will appreciate reading this newest installment and seeing how they once again have to move past quite a bit of heartbreak and outside forces trying to stop them on their quest for happily ever after.
Khalila and Doug are a year into their romance and while things are progressing, Doug thinks its time for more. He proposes to her and is initially willing to give her anything she wants as long as she says yes to becoming his wife, that is until she says what it is she really wants.
Khalila wants a baby and Doug, with two teenaged daughters, is not in the least bit interested in any more children. They’re clearly on opposite ends of the fence with this one. While they are both trying to figure out how to get the other to see their point of view, they have a lot more to contend with as it pertains to Doug’s ex-wife and his children. His ex-wife is not happy about his new relationship and one of his daughters is adamant about making Khalila’s life miserable.
The writing was solid and I loved that we were able to visit Jamaica and Antigua in this book. You know I am always in support of any novel that takes place, primarily, in the Caribbean.
However, I must admit the way Doug and Khalila handled potentially adding a baby didn’t sit well with me. These two got married despite such a huge looming topic lingering unresolved between them initially. Khalila tried to force his hand which I didn’t agree with and Doug just thought that he could take her mind off of her deepest desires and push it to the side which annoyed me.
While it wasn’t my favorite book, fans of Doug and Khalila will appreciate reading this newest installment and seeing how they once again have to move past quite a bit of heartbreak and outside forces trying to stop them on their quest for happily ever after.
April 5, 2019
As always, Jamaica's foremost author, Joy Campbell, gets to the heart of things!
Kahlia has taken on a man - Doug - with baggage - his ex-wife - six years divorced but still causing trouble - and two daughters, one of whom perpetually sucks emotional lemons.
Now, Doug having proposed marriage - perhaps unwisely for him - tells Kahlia that she can ask for anything she wants and he will grant it. Most women will understand why Kahlia asks that they have a baby, especially as the reader learns of her past and the great grief that she has suffered.
Doug spins out - and there the trouble starts.
Joy Campbell is a writer I greatly admire. She has the ability to spin a great yarn, and write it simply but so satisfyingly. Her plots are straight forward, highly effective, easy to understand and the emotions of the characters are well drawn and down to earth. Every woman reading this will want to hug Kahlia and slap Doug! A boot up the bum for Amelia would probably go down well too.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
BTW this book is available on Amazon all over for kindle et al.
Kahlia has taken on a man - Doug - with baggage - his ex-wife - six years divorced but still causing trouble - and two daughters, one of whom perpetually sucks emotional lemons.
Now, Doug having proposed marriage - perhaps unwisely for him - tells Kahlia that she can ask for anything she wants and he will grant it. Most women will understand why Kahlia asks that they have a baby, especially as the reader learns of her past and the great grief that she has suffered.
Doug spins out - and there the trouble starts.
Joy Campbell is a writer I greatly admire. She has the ability to spin a great yarn, and write it simply but so satisfyingly. Her plots are straight forward, highly effective, easy to understand and the emotions of the characters are well drawn and down to earth. Every woman reading this will want to hug Kahlia and slap Doug! A boot up the bum for Amelia would probably go down well too.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
BTW this book is available on Amazon all over for kindle et al.
April 19, 2019
I found it refreshing that Khalil’s and Doug were over 40. It was very realistic and relatable. I didn’t read the first novel but I plan to read it next. This was a very well written book with a complete storyline.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews