Finding Melissa

by Cora Taylor

An exciting suspense-filled novel about a missing child and the ongoing effect on her family. Twelve years after the unexplained mystery of her sister Melissa's disappearance, Clarice Warren still deals with the aftermath. Her dad is gone now, leaving her with a mother who can't forgive her for surviving. She had always thought that her mother's favourite was her little sister - and nothing has changed now. Melissa still gets 100% of her mother's attention even twelve years after her disappearance. Her mother can't give up hope that someday Melissa will come home. Since Clarice can't get her mother's loving attention by being a good daughter - maybe being a "bad girl" is the better approach. In another town, a young girl still has strange dreams that she can't explain - about people who mean nothing to her. She has lived with her Aunt Rosie ever since her parents abandoned her as a baby. She doesn't remember any of her life with her parents - she only remembers feeling "safe" with Aunt Rosie. She has always been isolated and sheltered but now her life is about to she is going to have to learn to be with other people and away from the cocoon of safety she has always known. Maybe that is why the bad dreams have returned.

Genres: Young Adult

184 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2013

About the author

Cora Taylor is a famous author. She has written over fourteen books published in many languages including Japanese and Dutch. Her books are sold in many countries and have won lots of awards.

Cora was born on January 14, 1936 in the TB Sanatorium at Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan. Her mother had tuberculosis (aka TB) and wasn’t allowed to hold her until she was five months old, when she finally left the sanatorium. Cora grew up on her grandmother's farm in Saskatchewan.

Now Cora is a newlywed. She has 8 children and 17 grandchildren.

Her writing studio in Ontario is filled with Coca Cola memorabilia and she loves to watch the
red Cardinal birds out of her window.

Cora has three homes and travels all over the world,
but she bases herself in Edmonton, Alberta.

from
http://www.corataylor.com/About%20Cor...

Reviews

[Elise Ravenclaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well-written novella, that keeps you hooked all along. It is written from the point of view of two sisters. One of them was kidnapped at the age of 2. The other has spent her life living in the shadow of her lost sister. I have read many plots based on kidnappings, and this one is quite different. I enjoyed it.

[Andrea Trenary · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a book I picked up at my local library's book sale. It was a quick fast paced read, but I wouldn't say it was life altering in the least. I'm no better or worse for having read it. Just a nice little story.

Tomorrow I'll walk to one of the Little Free Libraries in my neighborhood and leave it for someone else to come across. Upon looking it up on Goodreads I must say I was really surprised it didn't have at least a few more reviews. Who knows maybe whoever finds it in the Little Free Library will give it a review too and pass it along.

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twelve years after her sister was abducted, Clarise Warren still desperately seeks attention from her Mom, and constantly fights the guilt of keeping a secret. In another town, Leesa’s strange dreams of a family she doesn’t know returns and even her Aunt Rosie cannot explain her past or protect her from a horrific future. Narrated by both girls, this haunting mystery will appeal to girls ages 13 and up.

[Tor Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is easily one of my favorite books. I read it in about five hours. I couldn't put it down. Clarice reminds me so much of myself, and I really felt attached to her. the points of views from three characters was a little confusing at first, but I got used to it pretty fast. It was not hard to figure out the plot of the book, but it was still amazing. I have and will continue to recommend this book to everyone.

[Nattie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book taught me that just because something sounds good, doesn't mean it IS good.

[Rachel Seigel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept but I found the story a bit predictable and the characters were underdeveloped. There were a few suspenseful moments, but overall not much to guess at or really care about.

[Bailey Randolph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I found it fairly predictable, I really loved this book. I couldn't put it down, and was so sad when it was over. A great, quick read. Can't wait to read more by this author.