Literary Las Vegas: Michael D. Mercurio

Michael D. Mercurio writes from experience in "A Charleston Yankee." The novel follows Marine Mike Romano into civilian life as an insurance salesman in Charleston, S.C. Selling burial insurance in an impoverished, predominantly black community disenchants Romano and pushes him to get involved in the Civil Rights movement and politics.

Mercurio is a retired insurance and real estate professional and restaurateur who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, earned a degree in philosophy from the College of Charleston and was active in the Civil Rights movement.

In 2002, he and his wife, Gillian M. Mercurio, author of the romantic adventure novel "Kisimba," moved to Las Vegas.

Visit facebook.com/charlestonyankee.

Excerpt:

I managed to say, "At least I know some of the crap I'm up against."

"And what is that?" Jean-Luc asked.

"The money class. The fat cats have all the power, pull all the strings, and make all the fixes. I have to get my own without using a gun or losing my decency." I fixed my gaze on Tom and Jean-Luc. "Let me put a question to both of you. How the hell does anyone in this country — anyone who is honest — make it big when they have nothing to start with and a deck that's stacked against them, especially those in the minorities? I read an article recently that said most people in America will die in the same class they were born to."

"A government of the rich, by the rich, for the rich shall never perish from this Earth," uttered Tom sonorously.