A Co Armagh man has written his debut novel to highlight Northern Ireland's LGBTQ+ history against the backdrop of The Troubles.
Patrick Mone felt compelled to write 'A Petrol Bomb of Love' chronicling a gay relationship in 1980s Belfast to shed a light on how far the country has come in inclusivity.
The 34-year-old first conceived the idea as a screenplay when he returned to education as a mature student to pursue his love of screen production.
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Speaking to Belfast Live, Patrick said that despite being a "rebellious teenager" after leaving school with no formal qualifications, his story is one of passion and determination.
He said: "My inspiration for the novel is fundamentally the belief that the power of love compounds human resilience and determination. It can drive people to succeed through adversity, particularly those in society who have been marginalised or even persecuted for simply being different.
"Love can often appear in the most surprising of circumstances (and in the most unusual ways) and I felt compelled to share that message of hope at a time when there was so much despair and uncertainty and this novel gave me the opportunity to do that."
After travelling and working abroad, Patrick has settled back in Northern Ireland after marrying his husband David in Spain in July 2022.
Chronicling the love between Will and Conor, 'A Petrol Bomb of Love' shares a story of powerful yet illegal love and how breaking free from the shackles of tradition is easier said than done.
"A Petrol Bomb of Love is an Illicit love story, set amidst the Northern Ireland Troubles. It is a bittersweet novel which corroborates - everything comes at a cost," he continued.
"The poignancy of A Petrol Bomb of Love not only takes the reader by surprise but ensures that it is a novel that lingers long after its last page.
"I hope readers find themselves entranced with the couple’s determination to make their love work (regardless of being on opposite sides of the religious divide), and in spite of the draconian laws of the time and the harrowing troubles against which the story is set."
Patrick added that 'A Petrol Bomb of Love' will have you "laughing out loud, shedding a tear and reflecting on how lucky we are that society is now more inclusive and liberal."
He also revealed that a sequel is already in the pipeline for fans of Conor and Will's love story.
For more information about his novel, see here.
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