Raging illegal immigration debate sparks civil war in new novel, AMERICA LIBRE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) July 21, 2009 --

New York, NY – The bitter illegal immigration debate raging across the U.S. may have dire consequences according to AMERICA LIBRE, a new novel by Cuban-born author Raul Ramos y Sanchez. In a unique and chillingly-credible cautionary tale, Ramos envisions a near-future when anti-immigrant passions during a lingering recession turn violent and ignite a Hispanic separatist movement, throwing the U.S. Southwest into bloody civil war. Forced to choose sides, decorated ex-Army Ranger Manolo Suarez is lured into the conflict by a beautiful Latina radical. Before long, the father of three finds himself questioning his loyalty to his country – and his wife. Mano’s ideological quandary mirrors the political center of the Latino community, a group being driven away by hatred despite their desire to belong.

With President Obama’s recent vow of a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s immigration system by early next year, the significance of the novel increases. “When I began writing America Libre in 2004, some thought the book’s premise was unrealistic,” the author explained. “An uprising by Hispanics? The idea seemed far-fetched, they said. Today, with the rhetoric over immigration growing more heated each day and hate crimes against Latinos on the rise, the skeptics are no longer so certain.” Ramos believes the novel is a wake-up call to the dangers of extremism – on both sides of this explosive issue.

Along with its timely theme, AMERICA LIBRE has already garnered literary praise as well:

“Thrilling and vibrant. A must-read, no matter where you draw your line in the sand.”
– James Rollins, New York Times best-selling author of THE LAST ORACLE

“A sweeping, intense novel of extremism, fear and consequences.”
– Publishers Weekly

Grand Central Publishing will release AMERICA LIBRE on July 29, 2009. Review copies are available on request.

About Grand Central Publishing

Grand Central Publishing, formerly Warner Books, came into existence in 1970 when Warner Communications acquired the Paperback Library, subsequently publishing paperback reprints editions of such bestsellers as Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird and Umberto Eco's The Name Of The Rose. Today Grand Central Publishing reaches a diverse audience through hardcover, trade paperback and mass market imprints that cater to every kind of reader.

About Raul Ramos y Sanchez
A long-time resident of the U.S. Midwest, Cuban-born Raul Ramos y Sanchez began writing AMERICA LIBRE in 2004 with the input of scholars from Latin America, Spain, and the United States. Besides developing a documentary for public television, Two Americas: The Legacy of our Hemisphere, he is host of MyIimmigrationStory.com — an online forum for the U.S. immigrant community.

Contact:
Linda A. Duggins
Director, Multicultural Publicity
Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue
Room 16-179

New York, NY 10017
212-364-1424
212-364-0941, fax
linda.duggins@hbgusa.com

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