Author Takes Aim at Florida's Unending Array of Corrupt Leaders in Debut Novel
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., Sept. 17, 2010 — If Charlie Crist thinks he has his hands full with the negative campaign ads against his independent Senate candidacy from the Marco Rubio and Kendrick Meek camps, he won't be much happier when he reads the controversial new book, Wilton Manors, from first-time author and Floridian E.J. Bellew. The book's release is due end of October 2010 and is being published by Outskirts Press, Inc.
Like Primary Colors (the 1996 roman a clef from Joe Klein), Wilton Manors and its tale of a closeted Governor (with eyes on the U.S. Senate) and his ties to a crooked campaign contributor (think Scott Rothstein) may be enough to push outgoing Gov. Crist to phone into Clinton's Harlem headquarters and beg for advice.
Wilton Manors may be relying on the timing of its release so close to the November elections for publicity and sales but the merits of the overall storyline, captivating characters and a sparsely written narrative allow the book to stand on its own outside the current election cycle.
The protagonist, Michael Grace, is a former NYPD detective whose career, marriage and role as father to his two young children came to an embarrassing end years ago and now spends most nights drinking heavily at his popular bar in Wilton Manors (Florida's progressive neighborhood located north of downtown Ft. Lauderdale). Where Bellew veers off into his own territory and in the process shows his voice is when he courageously and without any hidden agenda introduces us to a life most readers may be foreign too: our lead character is not only divorced but is a single, gay parent. The ensuing tale of conflict, guilt, shame and remorse between Michael and his remarried ex-wife is well written and at times, touching. But this storyline is secondary to the rousing tale Bellew has crafted as the suicide of a local drag queen sparks the fire that threatens the power structure of Florida politics. Complete with powerful Russian oligarchs, a Ponzi-scheme running power broker, and a sitting governor with an identity crisis, one begins to appreciate the author's genius in capturing such a timely tale replete with factual tidbits and innuendos towards Florida's sordid array of power elites and their greedy ways.
"Allowing the characters to be accessible to all audiences was something I strived for, and in the end I think was able to accomplish," said author E.J. Bellew in a recent interview when asked if the GLBT themes would turn away a larger, more mainstream audience of fiction readers. "Ultimately this book is about acceptance and redemption — those are universal themes and I believe the public will embrace that."
Media Contact:
James Bennett
Smith Media, Inc.
561-291-1900
Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33301
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