In My Bedroom

In My Bedroom was a pleasant diversion from the African American fiction I typically read. This wasn't a cliff-hanging "who-dun-it" mystery or suspense. Nor was it some steamy romance novel. The premise of this book centers around incest and abuse. Rayne Holland, an award-winning filmmaker, has her life changed forever after her husband Paul and her adorable littl girl Desiree are killed in a car crash. Rayne is the only survivor. Severe trauma and an attempted suicidide eventually have her confined to Cedar Grove, a mental facility. It is here that Rayne meets 2 people that would be main forces in her strive for strength and recovery. Dr. Pauline Dennis determines that although Rayne traumatically lost her family, there is a deeper secret she's been harboring since childhood that has caused Rayne's mental breakdown. Unfortunately Dr. Pauline knows personally how this "secret" can effect one's live forever unless it's brought to surface and confronted. At the facility, Rayne also meets Robert. His father is also a resident of Cedar Grove. Over time they develope a special, true friend connection. There is another main character, Gayle, Rayne's best friend from childhood. Gayle loves Rayne but always was jealous of her effortless beauty and success. Not even Gayle is aware of the secrets Rayne has kept since childhood. The bedroom is not only the place where the main characters experience all that is painfull, it is also a metephor for a dark place where their lives are altered forever. All praises to Donna Hill. She has been added to my favorite authors list.

Langston Hughes once said, " Stealing from the night, a few desperate hours of pleasure...stealing from death, a few desperate days of life." This is the mood engrossed throughout "In My Bedroom" by Donna Hill, as Rayne Holland, a beautiful married woman in her thirties who seems to have it all, struggles with inner turmoil and denial each day as she tries to forget the disturbing memories and truth of the darkest secrets of her past. Each day leads to an emotional nervous breakdown on top of the sudden, and tragic death of her family. Rayne's painful memories force her to blame herself for the death of Paul, her dashing husband who any woman would crave, and Desiree, her daughter whom she loved more than life itself. Her severe emotional state renders her best friend, Gayle, to comfort her despite the fact that she once slept with Paul. Perplexing emotions brew between Rayne, her doctor, and Gayle leaving everyone to wonder what she is agonizing over the most. Finally, the truth comes out, and it is shocking, unsuspecting and frightening as Rayne fights real shadows that appear behind the doors of her bedroom. When readers find out what painful secrets Rayne is harboring, it is a fight from start to finish for Rayne to try relive again from within. This book is a must read for women who have harbored the same "Shadows" as Rayne and kept them behind closed doors. In My Bed Room is a masterpiece, beautifully written and Donna Hill's most compelling work to date. The care taken to develop this story has placed Donna on the list of Living Legendary Icons. to read Donna's work is to discover real writing talent.

What a fabulous read. This was a story within a story. From beginning to end you know you're for a treat. Beautifully written and richly woven a true Donna trait. I hated for this book to end and look forward to knowing what happens to Rayne, Gayle and Robert in the form of a pt.2 book. This book digs deep and leaves you hungry for so much more. If you haven't read this one yet, you're in for an awesome treat you'll savor long after you put this one down. BRAVO DONNA!!!

Donna Hill has attacked the sexual abuse issue head first. A lot of families are in denial and many need to use this book as a model that help is just a phone call away.Rayne is a beautiful, talented film maker on the rise. But one night after an awards ceremony, her daughter and husband are killed in a car crash and she is the only survivor. She retreats into a deep shell and Dr. Pauline Dennis, Rayne's psychologist, slowly encourages her to open up. But by getting her to open up, Dr.Dennis relives demons of her own. And crosses the boundaries of patient/client to protect Rayne from her controlling father.With the help of Gayle, Rayne's best friend, Dr. Dennis helps her to live again and that her issues need to be confronted. With strength, courage, and determination, Rayne confronts her father and begins the healing process. Anita Shari PetersonTalented Tenth Reviewer

You will not want to miss this book! I was skeptical about reading this book at first. I read some mainstream but I consider myself a diehard romantic. I am so glad that I didn't follow my first instinct. This book was awesome. I literally could not put it down! The emotional roller coaster ride I was on lasted five hours. It left me with a feeling of having lived this character's life through her eyes. It was as if I could feel everything the characters in the story were feeling. The feelings of fear of the unknown, loss of innocence and of a loved one, mistrust of those closest to you and then redemption and salvation. This book is definitely a keeper. Miss Hill has written a book that will make you open your eyes to see that the grass is not always greener in the yard next door. This book is a must read! You will not be disappointed.