ANELISSE: A True Story of Child Abuse Paperback – August 18, 2013

OMG, it's stories like this that makes me absolutely abhor a child abuser--hell, any type of abuser for that matter. What Anelisse a/k/a Lissy had to endure with her twin sister and brother, was an absolute downright pitiful damn shame. Her mother definitely doesn't win the "mother of the year" award in my book because it was due to her own neglect that her children were subjected to physical and mental abuse at the hands of their stepfather.What the hell is a child supposed to do, and where does one go when they are being subjected to this type of inappropriate behavior? You may go to a grandparent or other relatives, and that's exactly what Lissy did, but thanks to her own mother's lies and cover-up just to say she has a man/husband in her life, she would make out as if Lissy were lying about what was happening to her, and her relatives chocked it up as fatherly discipline. Hmmm, someone stomping you on the ground and misshaping your face to appear like some alien out of a horror film, doesn't strike ME as fatherly discipline. Ed, the stepfather, gives parenthood a terrible name.As you read, you will feel Lissy's pain and struggles. She had to grow up, literally, overnight to protect her siblings as she felt it was her duty and responsibility to do so. Again, I wanted to kick her mama's ass for real! This is a horrible story, but one I'm so glad Lissy told, and she's finally living a happy life with the help of her very good friends who were and are angels to her.You will root for Lissy and take great pleasure in the ending! I'm so proud of her for having the courage to speak about such a sensitive subject and not keep it a secret, which is what hurts families in the first place. You can read this book in a few hours, and what you read will leave you jaw-dropping! People like her parents deserve a special place in hell, and I hope they rot there!

This Book is a page turner. My heart broke for Lizzy & her Twin & Brother. It is so sad to hear of any child abuse, I was so mad at her Mother when it started out. I am a survivor of Domestic Violence. As much as my ex did everything he did to me over the years. I never would ever let someone put their hands on my child. If you have not been through this at all, you will not understand what I am saying. All I had in my head was how do I get out of this situation. I am happy to say that I did & I am so proud of my children. They would never put there hands on a woman or child. I get so mad when I think of Lizzy Mother telling the step father to take care of her. she would let him beat them all so bad & I cried when I read what he did at the last beating. He almost killed her then they laugh about it. I wanted to jump in the book & recue them. Also the Grand Parents were so good to the children then turned on Lizzie & I no longer liked her at all as you should believe a child first. Yes, they say forgive & you can move on but that is not true in a lot of cases. I do not want to give the book away. But it is definitely a great read. I would really recommend it. My heart goes out to Lizzy & her siblings. I kept on thinking how much more can Lizzy take. No parent should ever let someone put their hands on a child. I do not understand back in the day how people got away with using belts & their hands & what every else they had in their hands at the time.

This was a fantastic first-hand account about a young woman raised in an abusive household. To watch her life change from good to bad to worse and then pulling out of the downward spiral is heart-wrenching. The writing was simple, but poignant and effective for the subject matter. Reading about her experiences--especially her relationship with her siblings and mother--was eye-opening and though it obviously is a painful and deeply traumatic part of her life, her words are very moving and it's obvious that she has come to grips with it. While hard to read at parts, it still maintains a sense of hope and closure about it.However, I wish there had been more to the story that spoke of the aftermath when she finally got out of the situation for good. It dealt with it some, but I would have loved to see more of her transformation from simply a survivor to a thriving person, which from her writing you can tell that she has gotten closure on this. The relationships with her mother and siblings are mentioned in the epilogue, but not enough to give me (as a reader) closure.

The true story of Anelisse made me want to pluck her out of the pages and hug her and tell her that I care! It was a sad account of how she had to survive a mother who did not protect her children from their alcoholic stepfather. She loved her grandparents dearly and was so happy to stay with them as they provided the children with peace and a normal childhood, unlike the wrath they suffered at home. It was until her grandparents refused to believe her of the abuse that she realized she had no one in her life to protect her nor anyone who would listen to her. When she finally left the house, she feared for her siblings who had to take the stepfather's abuse as he had to target someone. The abuse took a toll on everyone involved and it mentally carried on to adulthood. It takes a very strong person to put it all in perspective and be able to forgive so they can move on. Some can and some can't and those who can't have a lifetime of misery. This story is a grim fact of life why some mother's fail to protect their children.

Thank you for sharing your story with us. It was very eye opening and it broke my heart to read what you and your siblings went through, but I'm glad that you're here to tell the story. Can't wait to read the book.

I wish the author could have written without the "F" word, but given the context, I expect she used it rarely in compared to how it was in life.I read the book to better educate myself as to what the abused child/adult encounters. I am grateful I did not suffer abuse, but to be more empathic to those who have, I choose to read the accounts of those who have survived.The book is well written, kept my attention, and clearly laid out the picture of abuse.It is a heart wrenching story that many will be able to relate to, and to those of us who are blessed to not have been abused, will help us realize we have much for which to be thankful.

I downloaded this book last night - and finished it this morning!The story - with no spoilers - was one of the most horrific I have ever read, and I find this again and again with books like this but the authors - in this case, Adriana Bellini - seem to hold unmeasurable writing talent. (I too am a published author and survivor).I can only say to Adriana,that she is a brave, and selfless person.Please read this book - although it is a hard read, (in terms of content, not writing), you will be pleased that you did.I hope to see more books by this author in the future

To live in the here and now as healthily as possible is the message of this book, even tho it's often difficult. Anelisse is a survivor of a horrendous childhood yet, with help from older friends, learns what a good relationship is and manages to forge one with her husband. The list of abuse, lies, etc aside this is a heartwarming book.

I really enjoyed this book, it was a really good read. Quite harrowing what Adriana and her siblings went through. She was a very intelligent and resourceful girl that found the will to survive in a very abusive situation. So glad she's found her soul mate and happiness now!

Fantastic read! Will definitely recommend to Friends and family. ***** loved the happy ending. So pleased they're working through it all!

Fantastic book I enjoyed this book and cryed at the story why do people have kids and not love them I is a book I would tell everyone to read it