The freshman fifteen refers to the amount of weight students gain their first year in college. But what about the other stuff they gain?

The ‘freshman fifteen’ is a phrase that refers to the amount of weight students typically gain during their first year in college and away from home. But what about the weight of all of the other stuff college freshmen carry? What about the things they lose? Jillian Ford, a seventeen year old from Richmond, Virginia, is a freshman at fictional State University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina who is not prepared for the social rigors of college life and all that comes with it. She leaves a sheltered, but emotionally vacant home to find herself in the middle of a vicious love triangle when State University’s star basketball player, junior Ahmad Bell, unexpectedly falls for her. Over two semesters—from the fall of 1991 to the spring of 1992—Jillian has to contend with some real life or death issues. Her faith, friendships, priorities, values and love are put to the test again and again in this novel about college life and personal identity. Jillian’s best friend and roommate, Cheryl-Lynn Bassett, along with Ahmad’s ex-girlfriend, Tracy Howard, and a full cast of others make Jillian’s first year at school one to remember for everyone. Read to see if Jillian successfully navigates the chaotic life and stresses of a college freshman or if she succumbs to the unfair pressure of being a “nobody” on the campus’ totem pole. Is she able to handle the drama of her first love under the pressure of knowing that everyone is watching, waiting…and hating? What else does Jillian gain during her freshman year? More importantly, what does she lose? The shocking ending to this tale will have you demanding a sequel to this ambitious story.

M.H. Taylor discovered her passion for storytelling at twelve years old when she wrote her first story for the first boy she ever loved. Everyone who read it was fascinated by it and the four page story quickly passed through dozens of middle school hands, eventually landing in those of her science teacher. Her teacher never read the story (thank God!), but everyone else did and their approval gave M.H. the confidence to do it again. And again. And again . This is her first published novel. M.H. is a native of Richmond, Virginia. She currently lives in Nashville, TN with her husband of twelve years and two energetic and creative sons. About the Designer LaMont Sledge is a Richmond, VA native who has been in the graphics design business for over fifteen years. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he majored in Communication Arts and Design, and minored in Advertising. LaMont believes designing is one of his God given talents. He juggles his duties as a provider for his family comprised of strong and beautiful women -- a wife and two daughters -- with a thriving graphic design business, and a career as the Art Director of a mega church in Richmond, VA.