Giveaway and Cover Reveal: Michael Rupured’s “Happy Independence Day”

Please help me in welcoming the wonderful Michael Rupured to my blog today! Michael is revealing the gorgeous cover to his upcoming release, Happy Independence Day, from Dreamspinner Press! Read all the way through the post for a chance to win a signed copy of the prequel to this book, After Christmas Eve! -Shira

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Thanks, Shira, 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.

HappyIndependenceDayFS

Blurb: 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:

Paperback: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5311

Ebook: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5310

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The Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village is the setting for much of the action in Happy Independence Day. What happened at the Stonewall Inn on the night of June 28, 1969 to cause the uprising?

Police raids of gay bars were common, but usually took place early in the evening on a weeknight when the bars weren’t crowded. The local police precinct had provided plenty of advance notice about a pro forma raid at the Stonewall Inn on Tuesday night. The following Friday, as part of Mayor John Lindsay’s campaign for reelection, the New York City Division of Public Morals launched a surprise raid on the packed-to-capacity Stonewall Inn. Because of delays, the Friday night raid didn’t begin until just after midnight. The police removed the liquor, retained both jukeboxes as evidence, and ripped out the bars and wooden seating that lined the walls, angering an estimated 200 patrons who watched as they waited to have IDs checked.

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 made the Stonewall Inn a magnet for homosexuals?

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).

 

9 comments

  1. Jill P - Reply

    Not sure which questions you want answered but Stonewall Inn was a bar in the Village catering to the gay community. It was owned by the mafia and on June 28 1969 while the police were trying to shut it down they were stopped by patrons and other members of the area. The police called it a riot and came down hard on the area. The incident is the spark for the whole Pride movement. Each year in NYC Pride week centers around June 28th. Is this enough?? Can’t wait to read this book 🙂
    jasdarts at hotmail dot com

  2. Michael Rupured - Reply

    I thought I knew all about the Stonewall Riots, until I did the research for this book. Lots of fascinating details I tried to include in my fictionalized account. Thanks for hopping along on the tour!

  3. Sara Testarossa - Reply

    I saw your post on Tali’s blog too, so I’m following the whole blog tour! Will be answering the questions everywhere.

    What is the Stonewall Inn?
    A gay bar! And honestly, a bit of a dive. But for gay people in NYC, it was a haven and a home.

    What was the legal environment in 1969 for NYC homosexuals?
    It sucked. Seriously. There were laws persecuting homosexuals such as one preventing them from even being in bars, or having their own bars. Police and criminals targeted homosexuals. The mayor was cracking down on things he considered vices, making things especially tense.

    Who owned the Stonewall Inn?
    New York City’s own Mafia

    What made the Stonewall Inn a magnet for homosexuals?
    The Mafia ran it and made it a haven for homosexuals, paying authorities to look the other way even though it was illegal to have a gay bar.

    Who/what started the Stonewall riots?
    Police raided the bar and basically started tearing it apart, which understandably pissed off the patrons.

    How long did the Stonewall Uprising last?
    Technically, it was several days of riots and police brutality – from Saturday, June 28th, to Wednesday, June 2

  4. Mike - Reply

    Congratulations again! Stonewall is an important part of our collective history, and it pains me to see how many people in the younger generations don’t know anything about it. Hopefully your book can enlighten a few of them.

    perfectatlying at gmail dot com

  5. JenCW - Reply

    I can’t imagine standing in line to get into a place only to see the police go in and raid it. It must have been fascinating to research. Thanks for the fun blog tour and giveaway!

    jczlapin(at)gmail(dot)com

  6. Ardent Ereader - Reply

    Hi Michael, i have your first book and have added your other 2 to my TBR list! I am enjoying following along with your book tour. I am on vacay in Mexico with iffy wifi so wont be able to answer your quiz questions 🙁 . Love your book cover.

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