Marise Fleurisca’s debut novel, Wish You Were Here is an achingly beautiful account of the process of international adoption. 

A young mother, single and alone, gives her child up for adoption.  Terrified of raising a child and not having the financial resources to do so, she gives her baby to a Russian orphanage. 

Lana Lovelace is the child who grows up with a feeling of total isolation.  She knows that she may never know the mother who gave her away or why, but she hopes that one day she may find her mother or be adopted by a mother and father and belong to a family. 

Seen through the eyes of a child, Fleurisca takes a sensitive subject and transforms into an endearing tale of loss, hope, and finding one’s way home. 

Will Lana find her new family?  Will she find any clues to her past and can she forgive her mother and find closure for herself?   Can this child have her happy ending?

This gem of a first novel is written with astounding insight and explores the complicated territory of a child’s heart and emotions with compassion, clarity and brilliant narration.

About the Author

Marise Fleurisca is a business analyst and writer.  Ms. Fleurisca is currently writing the sequel to Wish You Were Here and has written a number of children’s books.  She lives in Carol Stream, Illinois.