The Room-Mating Season by: Rona Jaffe

Review: An overall enjoyable read, and almost enlightening.  Seeing these very different women, in their twenties, all sharing a one bedroom in New York City in the sixties was captivating.  The differences between then and now is eye opening.  It was a great look into the past and really made me appreciate the present. The author brings the characters through the decades so the reader can watch them develop.  

       Although they all grow and mature one of the roommates story line is just sad and repetitive.  It was nice when she got her happy ending although it was long over due and she was in her golden years when it happened.  Personally, I felt that was a life lesson to be learned and hopefully other female readers will learn from her mistakes. It was hard to imagine that this girl would not take any control over her life.  It was enraging at times. 

Synopsis:  Its the sixties and four single women in their twenties all move in together. They are all so different yet all looking for the same thing, a man.  They each search for love in different ways with extremely different results.  After a tragedy pulls them together they stay friends for the rest of their lives. 

Rating: 7

The Beach House by: James Patterson

Review:  This James Patterson novel takes a different approach to the traditional crime story.  The victim's family and friends team up to deal out justice to the people responsible for more cruel acts than just murder. In this novel there are only minor twists as the main character researches what really happened to his brother. The scheme launched near the end makes this story mild compared to Patterson's other work but still unique.  The characters you can relate to and really appreciate overall make this book a quick exciting read.  

Synopsis: When Jack Mullen hears that his brother drowned while working valet service for a rich beach party he realizes something isn't right.  He teams up with his old friends from high school and charismatic grandfather to find out the truth.  When Jack and his friends start to get close is when the threats begin and Jack knows that his brother didn't simply drown.  Jack soon realizes that money can cover up just about anything.  However the Mullen's and their friends won't be silenced; they take matters into their own hands and decide to deal out justice regardless of the consequences.

Rating: 7

Live to Tell by: Lisa Gardner

Review:  Another fast paced thriller, with an original idea involving psychotic children.  Every story line in this mystery were chilling.  This was not her scariest work, but it was a little unnerving right before bed.  DD Warren is not my favorite character but the detailed stories make her bearable.  The characters pull you in and make you experience their fear and anguish, everyone except DD that is.

Synopsis:  An entire family is found massacred; it looks like a straightforward case until another family meets the same fate.  One thing ties these murders together, and it's lead detective DD Warren's job to find out.  

   Danielle, an RN on pediatric psych ward finds herself reliving her own tragic family nightmare. 

   Victoria is a single mom raising a very disturbed child.  One day 8 year old Evan is a happy, lovable child next he is a soulless, brutal monster set on attacking his mother.  

Rating: 8