A Roller Coaster Ride Is Short is based on the life of Laura Genender, known online as Taera. She died suddenly in 2008. One of the thousands of comments posted online after her death was "Who was Laura Genender, the woman, the myth, the legend?" Quite a question to ask about a twenty-two year old. Although the book chronicles Laura's life, it is about universal issues. It speaks to anyone who: * Was bullied or has a child being bullied * Is, or has been part of, a dysfunctional family * Has a parent or spouse who is an alcoholic * Has a controlling parent or spouse * Has parents or are parents with different parenting styles that clash * Suffers from depression or is the parent of someone who does * Is involved in a love triangle or is the parent of someone who is Laura lived through the issues above. Despite all this, she was described by her many friends as always smiling, having a wicked sense of humor, being an empathetic person who was always willing to lend a sympathetic shoulder or a helping hand, and successful at accomplishing anything she set her mind to do. She was financially secure and had a career in the traditionally male online game industry where she was considered a rising star. She was making plans for the future up and including the day she died. She died either because she staged a suicide attempt to get the attention of the man she loved and something went terribly wrong, or she intended to commit suicide. As you accompany Laura on her short journey though life, you will laugh and you will cry. You will feel anger and you will feel admiration. You know the ending before you begin. What you don't know is "Why?"