Guest Blog: Sue Grimshaw, Editor, Random House:, flirt, New Adult, Coming of Age -- pffftttt, it's all romance to me . . .

***Sue Grimshaw is the Category Specialist & Editor at Large∙ Penguin | Random House Publishing Group | BBD - Loveswept, flirt.

Kristan Hoffman, whose novel Twenty-Somewhere, described the New Adult subgenre as:

[T]he transition from teen to adult doesn’t happen overnight . . . . There’s a period of time where adulthood feels like a new pair of shoes. The expectations of independence and self-sufficiency are still new, still being broken in. New Adults are the people who have just begun to walk in those shoes; New Adult fiction is about their blisters and aches. (as found in a recent post on Romance at http://www.romanceatrandom.com/flirt-university-new-adult-history-101-with-ruthie-knox-plus-giveaway/)
 Cute! And, it does depict what authors are writing and readers are reading . . . for the most part.

Some popular authors in this sub-genre include - Tammara Webber (Easy), Jamie McGuire (Beautiful Disaster), Colleen Hoover (Slammed), Abbi Glines (Fallen Too Far), and Cora Carmack (Losing It) - these ladies have carved the way for the rest of us --- to feel our way around and maybe even experiment a tad more in the genre --- because after all, this is a new subgenre and hey, we're readers, we don't always know what we're 'looking' for, we just know what we like - right?

So, who's to say a storyline that introduces readers to a soon-to-be college freshman who’s cashing in on her sweet reputation—and the unlikely guy who turns her life upside-down, isn't going to be a hit with readers - a story much like Cassie Mae's, FRIDAY NIGHT ALIBI - http://www.randomhouse.com/book/231683/friday-night-alibi-by-cassie-mae

Or,

What about this standard coming of age question - What do you do when you’re head over heels for your best friend’s guy? The answer is in SWITCHED - http://www.randomhouse.com/book/231684/switched-by-cassie-mae 

But really, this is a new subgenre, why box ourselves into what the industry thinks we want to read?  Why can't we tell them what we want . . . I want different - not the same 'ole books that are being stuffed down my gullet - yes, I want angst, I want conflict, I want emotion, but I also want different stories -- I DON'T WANT my only options in books to be the same darn story retold fifty-thousand different times!

What about a New Adult spin on Pygmalion, also the inspiration for Pretty Woman, and gives the classic love story its edgiest twist yet?  Lauren Layne did this in her flirt debut, ISN'T SHE LOVELY -- http://www.randomhouse.com/book/232144/isnt-she-lovely-by-lauren-layne
Let me just say, you are going to friggin love this book!

And, what about Tracy Wolff's flirt debut in a back to back series set in Park City, Utah, where a hotshot snowboarder whose over-the-top tricks and reckless moves are thinly veiled attempts to turn his emotional suffering into physical harm. Can 'Z' try to let go of the past—and find a future with the new girl in town?  You'll have to read SHREDDED to find out. http://www.randomhouse.com/book/234848/shredded-by-tracy-wolff ; And don't miss book two, SHATTERED. http://www.randomhouse.com/book/235381/shattered-by-tracy-wolff

Subgenres typically offer selection, don't they?  Who is to say that paranormal new adult isn't something that readers will adore?  Hey, dystopian didn't hurt Suzanne Collins career . . . .

Lori Adams will debut in 2014, introducing flirt's first paranormal new adult, FORBIDDEN http://www.randomhouse.com/book/232242/forbidden-by-lori-adams, the first in a connected series called THE SOULKEEPERS, a series that blends ancient legends and new myths with an enchanting mix of thrills, humor, and high drama.  Tell me this does not rock-your-socks?

BLURB:

"When Sophia St. James learns that she’ll be moving from Los Angeles to a podunk town somewhere in Connecticut for her senior year of high school, she isn’t expecting an otherworldly encounter. But there is more to Haven Hurst than meets the eye: it’s home to a family of Guardian Angels, and she is the only one who can see them in spirit form. Sophia soon realizes she wants to see much more of Michael, an irresistible yet volatile Guardian who seems drawn to her too.

As Michael battles his forbidden desire for the beautiful young newcomer, one of Hell’s most notorious Demon Knights arrives. Handsome and charismatic, Dante has come to claim the reincarnated soul of his lost lover trapped in Sophia. Cursed with the demon of Persuasion living inside him, Dante will use his seductive charms to lure Sophia into a dangerous game that ends with the kiss of death—unless Michael, who has captured Sophia’s heart, can now capture her soul."

But, let's not forget some of the authors that have brought us to this subgenre - one of my favorites is Monica Murphy . . . have you read:

                                                                                                                                                                                      Second Chance Boyfriend **On sale soon!  

Monica's books are heartfelt stories, that tell about second chances, forgiveness and redemption *sigh*

But wait!

Is that soooooooooooooo much different than the romances we're reading today?

*pondering*

I think not -- I challenge you all, stop back on November 23rd to debate this question as I introduce to you Loveswept and all of its angst!

GIVEAWAY:

Now, my question for today's discussion is, what is it about New Adult that you can't seem to get enough of? 

Comment now and earn a chance to be randomly chosen for a $15 EGC to the eTailer of your choice.  Happy Romance!

SueG

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