In literature, reading stories about characters who have had similar experiences
to me is wonderful. I feel immediately connected with the story and invested in
the protagonist. However, as much as I enjoy the feeling that someone else
“gets” it, I can never stress the immense value of reading stories with
perspectives different from my own. My experiences are by far not the only
experiences out there, and as caught up as I can get in my own world, these
stories do a brilliant job of humbling me and opening my mind again.
In the new adult world, college is a popular experience, but college is
certainly not the only route that people in that age bracket take. I made my
perspective by going straight into college after high school, so one of the best
ways I can connect to people who did other things is by reading stories about
them (second only to actually talking to people who did). I love the vastness of
characters and character paths that new adult books are showing that allow me to
imagine what other twenty-or-so-year-olds are doing.
From being surrounded by a drug world, to being a young mother, and to taking
exotic trips outside the class room, here are three books that offer a different
takes on new adult experiences.
About:
The first full length Gypsy Brothers novel from the smash hit author Lili St
Germain. How much is a life worth? Mariana Rodriguez is the eldest daughter of a
Colombian drug lord. Growing up in Villanueva, Colombia, she has never wanted
for anything. Private schools, a lavish lifestyle, and the safety of the Cartel
that her father works for. At nineteen, she's got her entire life mapped out,
and what a good life it's going to be: graduate from college, move to America
with the love of her life, and finally be free from the stifling grip of the Cartel.
Only, her father messes up. A shipment of cocaine - a very large, very valuable
shipment - is seized by the authorities whilst under his care and he becomes
liable for the debt. Half a million dollars' worth of cocaine. Half a million
dollars he does not have. But he has a daughter, a very smart one, a daughter
who would give up her very existence and offer herself as payment for her
father's sins, to ensure her family survives. But falling in love with the man
who owned her isn't part of the plan ...
About:
In this grippingly emotional New Adult novel from the author of Caged in Winter,
what you want isn’t always what you need…
Jason’s been living (and loving) the rich playboy lifestyle for five years, but
now his parents are pressuring him to get involved in the family business. The
last thing he wants is another obligation, but when his best friend moves out of
state and asks Jason to look after his sister, he can’t just say no.
Tessa had to grow up way too soon. After dealing with the aftermath of her
parents’ deaths, then becoming a teenage mom, she knows the meaning of
responsibility. Which is why, at twenty-two, she’s looking for so much more than
a party boy. She’s looking for someone who can stand by her and her
daughter…forever.
A relationship between them is doomed from the start, but who says they can’t
have a little fun? But as Jason gets closer to Tessa—and her daughter—fun starts
to turn into something else… Something Jason’s not sure he’s ready for.
About:
In the passionate, gut-wrenching sequel to Amber Hart’s Until You Find Me, Raven
and Jospin must fight for each other in a world where love is never safe—and
power is deadly. Raven, a college girl from Michigan, came to the jungles of
Cameroon searching for closure. Falling for Jospin, a handsome, charismatic
hunter with dark secrets of his own, was never part of the plan. But despite
their differences, their attraction is addictive, as exhilarating and wild as
the rain forest itself—and also as dangerous. For the sake of both their lives,
their heated affair must remain a secret. Raven wants justice for her
conservationist father’s death; to help her, Jospin must turn his back on his
own father and the only life he has ever known. Together they risk being hunted
by a band of ruthless poachers, but they take the chance anyway, working to
bring down their enemies between each stolen kiss. But when one slip puts
Raven’s life at stake, Jospin knows he must act. He has captured Raven’s
heart—now can he set her free?
It's an interesting selection of books, and one of them I've heard about before. Since I have the entire Spring and Summer ahead of me, I've put them on my TBR list, and will have to give them a closer look. One out of the 3 I know I'll probably read. Thank you for bringing these books to our attention. It's always a good idea to broaden your horizons a bit, and read something a bit out of your comfort zone once in a while. (Peggy Roberson 12:42pm May 6, 2015)