The Scarecrow & George C by Mia Kerick
ABOUT THE BOOK
Publication date: June 3, 2019
Genres: Contemporary, LGBTQ+,
High school senior Van Liss is barely human. He thinks of himself as a scarecrow—ragged and unnerving, stuck, and destined to spend his life cold and alone. If he ever had feelings, they were stomped out long ago by his selfish mother and her lecherous boyfriend. All he’s been left with is bitter contempt, to which he clings.
With a rough exterior long used to keep the world at bay, Van spooks George Curaco, the handsome new fry cook at the diner where he works. But George C senses there is more to the untouchable Van and refuses to stop staring, fascinated by his eccentricity. When Van learns that George C is even more cold, alone, and frightened than himself, Van welcomes him to his empty home. And ends up finding his heart.
Their road to trust is rocky and, at times, even dangerous. And looming evil threatens to keep them apart forever.
Fair warning: You may want to strap in. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.
*All proceeds of this book go to charity: True Colors United.
“True Colors United implements innovative solutions to youth homelessness that focus on the unique experiences of LGBTQ young people.”
MY REVIEW
The cover drew me to this fantastic book which I now see so masterfully captures Van’s sad and fearful eyes. Then from page 1, I was sucked into the story with no turning back.
I just don’t understand why he can’t see how frightening I am. You can see it, can’t you? …I’m a damned cold human being, at home, at school, and here at my part-time job.
Donovan Liss (Van) is a character you will never forget. He thinks his loneliness is disguised through his scarecrow fashion, his dark persona and sarcastic and catty comments at his co-workers and his family, but that fry cook, George C., seems to see through Van’s facade.
I’m a gay, homeless adult teenager. I have no family to speak of. I have a low-level fry cook job only because Nikki took pity on me when she found me sleeping on the bench on the sidewalk in front of her apartment building.
But let’s not forget the unforgettable George C. Another lonely young man running from his past believing no one will forgive him or love him for what he’s done. Van has given him a place to stay, but George C. can’t keep his secret forever.
How can I express how much I LOVE this book? It’s a wonderful love story between two lost souls who give each other peace and understanding. It’s also about finding friendship in the most unexpected places and forgiving those who have wronged us.
I couldn’t put this book down! Mia Kerick is an in-your-face writer who has her characters interact with the reader so one experiences the emotions and environment directly. Enough said. I’m her newest fan, and I’m adding another favorite book to my 2019 review list!
I want to say kudos to Ms. Kerick for donating her book proceeds to True Colors United. A great way to donate to a good cause as well as celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month! Her award-winning books speak for themselves.
Thank you to the author, NineStar Press, and Xpresso Book Tours for giving me the opportunity to review this book with no expectations of a positive review given.
A tour-wide giveaway (INTL) for a $10 Amazon gift card.
BUY THE BOOK
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mia Kerick is the mother of four exceptional children—one in law school, another a professional dancer, a third studying at Mia’s alma mater, Boston College, and her lone son, heading off to college. (Yes, the nest is finally empty.) She has published more than twenty books of LGBTQ romance when not editing National Honor Society essays, offering opinions on college and law school applications, helping to create dance bios, and reviewing scholarship essays. Her husband of twenty-five years has been told by many that he has the patience of Job, but don’t ask Mia about this, as it’s a sensitive subject.
Mia focuses her stories on the emotional growth of troubled people in complex relationships. She has a great affinity for the tortured hero in literature, and as a teen, Mia filled spiral-bound notebooks with tales of tortured heroes and stuffed them under her mattress for safekeeping. She is thankful to her wonderful publishers for providing her with an alternate place to stash her stories.
Her books have been featured in Kirkus Reviews magazine, and have won Rainbow Awards for Best Transgender Contemporary Romance and Best YA Lesbian Fiction, a Reader Views’ Book by Book Publicity Literary Award, the Jack Eadon Award for Best Book in Contemporary Drama, an Indie Fab Award, and a Royal Dragonfly Award for Cultural Diversity, a Story Monsters Purple Dragonfly Award for Young Adult e-book Fiction, among other awards.
Mia Kerick is a social liberal and cheers for each and every victory made in the name of human rights. Her only major regret: never having taken typing or computer class in school, destining her to a life consumed with two-fingered pecking and constant prayer to the Gods of Technology. Contact Mia at miakerick@gmail.com or visit at http://www.miakerickya.com to see what is going on in Mia’s world.
Website / Facebook / Goodreads / Twitter
