Feral Maril & Her Little Brother Carol

Bright but unassuming Marilyn Jones has some grown-up decisions to make, especially after Mama goes to prison for drugs and larceny. With no one to take care of them, Marilyn and her younger, mentally challenged brother, Carol, get tossed into the foster care system. While shuffling from one home to another, Marilyn makes it her mission to find the Tan Man, a mysterious man from her babyhood she believes holds the key to her family's happiness. But Marilyn's quest is halted when her daddy, an ex-con she has never met, is chosen by the courts as the new guardian. Caleb Jones wants something more than a father-daughter relationship. He sends Carol far away, where the boy won't be a hindrance to his plans. Marilyn devises a plan of her to locate her little brother, kidnap him, and run away. Independence, however, often comes at a high price. As Marilyn weathers the unexpected and often brutal storms of her childhood and adolescence, hope becomes her ally as she winds through small southern towns, wrapping herself around an assortment of hearts along the way. With a little help from a caring social worker, a carnival of misfits, her first true love, and even the elusive Tan Man himself, Marilyn will discover that "family" isn't always what we imagine it to be. CIBA Award Finalist. The Letter Review Award Semi-finalist. Santa Fe Literary Review Semi-finalist. "Readers don't just follow Marilyn's journey. They come to love her." ~ D. Donovan, Senior Editor, Midwest Book Review "An original, unpredictable tale seen through the eyes of a child forced to grow up too soon...bittersweet." ~ Readers' Favorite Review "A dazzling piece that delves deep into the themes of survival, the casualties of self-discovery, and the power of familial ties." ~ Prairies Book Review "A remarkable exploration into the resilience of the human spirit." ~ Literary Titan Review