Mother’s book revisits Taylor Behl case

Janet Pelasara relives the disappearance and death of her only daughter, former VCU freshman Taylor Behl, in her book, “Love You More: The Taylor Behl Story.”

The book, which is set for release tomorrow, focuses on the disappearance and death of Behl and the legal proceedings that followed, but it also offers glimpses of her before she left for VCU, said Pelasara, a resident of Vienna.

According to Pelasara, the book does not spare criticism of the role VCU’S administration and VCU Police played in Behl’s case. Pelasara said her recollection of them in the book is not a “glowing portrait,” adding that she “found them to be unhelpful” during the investigation of her daughter’s disappearance.

Pelasara, 46, said writing the book was a means of therapy to help her deal with the loss of Behl, 17, who was murdered last year by Benjamin Fawley, 39. She said it also gives her the chance to memorialize her daughter and share the teenager’s story with other young women and mothers.

“Taylor was your normal freshman student and had all the fears, dreams, hopes that every other freshman has,” Pelasara said.

Pelasara said recalling memories of her daughter during the writing process proved emotionally difficult for her and the ghostwriter who assisted her. Although the ghostwriter bore the brunt of the writing, she said, he was “incredible” and transcribed her own words for the text.

Christian Campbell, manager of the Virginia Book Company, expects a large audience to pick up Pelasara’s book.

“There’s a lot of students on the campus still who were friends with Taylor. In addition to those people that knew Taylor, there’s a lot of other interest in the book,” he said. “It definitely hits home here.”

Whereas the VCU e2 Bookstore has ordered 50 copies of the book, the Virginia Book Company has ordered 500. The Virginia Book Company rarely sells non-textbooks, but Campbell said the subject matter of “Love You More” warranted the store sell it.

As Pelasara begins to promote her book, Campbell said he hopes to bring her to the store for a book reading or signings.

The VCU Bookstore, meanwhile, is treating “Love You More” like any other book the store sells.

Dan McDonald, assistant director of business services, said the customers will determine the book’s impact.

McDonald, who was contacted by VCU bookstore director Steve Gonzales when the store decided to order the book, said its success depends on “the story that’s told and how well it was written-all the other factors that go into making a book interesting to read and in demand.”

Although “Love You More” is scheduled to hit shelves Tuesday, Campbell and Gonzales both said the book may not appear in their stores until later in the week. Published by Reagan Books, the book lists for $24.95.