Good morning, y'all (evening, etcetera). Please welcome Michael Rupured to the blog, for a preview of his upcoming novel, Happy Independence Day, and a giveaway.
Hi, Michael!
Thanks, Eden, for allowing me to
show off the cover for my upcoming release from Dreamspinner Press here on your
blog. By far, the most exciting part of the publishing process—at least for
me—is seeing the cover for the first time. For my next novel, to be released
August 20th, artist Christy Caughie created a gorgeous cover. To celebrate, I’m
conducting a giveaway. Keep reading for details.
Terrence Bottom wants to change the
world. A prelaw student at Columbia University majoring in political science,
his interests range from opposing the draft and the war in Vietnam, to civil
rights for gays, to anything to do with Cameron McKenzie. Terrence notices the
rugged blond hanging around the Stonewall Inn, but the handsome man—and rumored
Mafia hustler—rebuffs his smiles and winks.
Cameron McKenzie dropped out of
college and left tiny Paris, Kentucky after the death of the grandmother who
raised him, dreaming of an acting career on Broadway. Although he claims to be
straight, he becomes a prostitute to make ends meet. Now the Mafia is using him
to entrap men for extortion schemes, he is in way over his head, and he can’t
see a way out—at least not a way that doesn’t involve a swim to the bottom of
the Hudson in a pair of cement flippers.
Cameron is left with a choice:
endanger both their lives by telling Terrence everything or walk away from the
only man he ever loved. The Mafia hustler and the student activist want to find
a way to stay together, but first they need to find a way to stay alive.
Preorder here:
The Stonewall Inn on Christopher
Street in Greenwich Village is the setting for much of the action in Happy Independence Day. What made the
Stonewall Inn a magnet for homosexuals?
Despite a high cover charge ($1
during the week and $3 on weekends), pricey watered down drinks, and deplorable
conditions, the Stonewall Inn was a popular gathering place for homosexuals.
Why? As a private club, the Stonewall Inn was the first establishment in New
York where homosexuals could dance together. Two dance floors catered to
different crowds. The jukebox in the front room played mainstream hits and show
tunes for the older set and the jukebox in the backroom played more R&B and
soul for a younger, edgier crowd. Around the time of the 1969 uprising, the
Stonewall Inn was believed to be the biggest and most popular gay bar in the
United States.
GIVEAWAY!!!!
To give you a reason to visit the
other blogs helping me celebrate my new cover, I’ve come up with a Giveaway and
a quiz about the Stonewall Inn and the 1969 uprising that made it famous. Find
the answers on the blogs participating in my cover reveal and giveaway (links
below). Comment on my post on any of the participating blogs by midnight, July
31, 2014 for a chance to win a signed copy of the prequel, After Christmas Eve (U.S. residents only; ebook available for
international winners—one winner per blog).
What is the Stonewall Inn?
What was the legal environment in
1969 for NYC homosexuals?
Who owned the Stonewall Inn?
What happened at the Stonewall Inn
on the night of June 28, 1969 to cause the uprising?
Who/what started the Stonewall
riots?
How long did the Stonewall Uprising
last?
Find out what Michael’s up to by visiting his web
site (http://rupured.com), following him on Twitter (@crotchetyman), or by email
(mrupured@gmail.com).
Congrats!!!! Looks like an interesting read!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Last Nov. I hung out in the Stonewall Inn and chatted with the bar tender who was 20yrs old at the time. He was fascinating and quite charming. He shared with me some of the lines he used to use to pick up men during his break (He assured me they still work!)
Hugs, Z.
Very cool! I tried to stay as true to what happened as possible, but did take a few liberties.
ReplyDelete