Today I am so pleased to welcome Joe Cosentino to Joyfully Jay. Joe has come to talk to us about his latest release, Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back. He is sharing a character interview and an excerpt and has brought along a giveaway too! Please join me in giving Joe a big welcome!

An Interview with Chuck Caliber from COZZI COVE: BOUNCING BACK

I am speaking today with Chuck Caliber from Joe Cosentino’s new novel Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back Hi, Chuck. Thanks for joining us.

Thanks. I’ve never been inside a blog site before.

 

What do you think?

It beats living inside a novel.

 

I guess it would. Since our readers can’t see you, what do you look like?

I’m pushing forty, average height, dark hair and eyes, olive-colored skin, and I’m very muscular since I’m a gym rat. Want to join me?

 

Maybe another time. How did you get into Joe Cosentino’s latest novel, COZZI COVE: BOUNCING BACK from NineStar Press?

I hope I don’t sound big-headed (though I’ve been told I’m the size of a police officer’s nightstick), but Joe thought it would be fun to have a famous gay porn star in the novel. So I was born. My films include The Bound and the Beautiful and Hoary Potter and His Magic Wand. I’m staying in Bungalow Four.

 

How do you like being a porn star?

I used to love it, hot sex with all those hot guys. But now that I’m getting older, I’m having second thoughts. That’s why I’m vacationing at Cozzi Cove, to reassess my life.

 

What is Cozzi Cove?

Cozzi Cove, like the town of Cozzi, was built by Cal Cozzi’s great-grandfather. It’s a string of seven guest bungalows and the main bungalow (where Cal lives) on the New Jersey Shore open for the summer. Each bungalow is furnished with hand-carved nautical furnishings by Cal’s great-grandfather, and has an amazing view of the bay and lighthouse in the distance. Since his son was gay, Cal’s father ran it as a gay resort. After Cal’s parents died in an automobile accident, Cal took over the running of Cozzi Cove.

 

You think I would find a lover there?

No doubt! It’s a romantic and magical place. And I’ll warn you, everything isn’t always what it seems in Cozzi Cove. Actually, nothing is. Take it from one who knows.

 

That sounds intriguing. Is Cozzi Cove near an ocean beach?

The main beach and boardwalk are only a mile away. The town has a park, Carla’s Seafood Restaurant, Tommy Malone’s bar, a miniature golf course, the trampoline emporium, a diner, and a salt water taffy shop.

 

I think I’d like to come to Cozzi Cove. Who runs it with Cal?

There’s Cal’s sister Taylor, Carla who runs the local seafood restaurant, and Tommy who owns the local bar. Tommy is hot for Cal, and Carla is hot for Taylor. Oh, and Connor, a ginger college student who works for Cal and is hot for me—and for all the guests.

 

Who are the other guests this summer at Cozzi Cove?

There are two brothers who are college students, Mario and Harold (from Joe’s hit novella, An Infatuation). They look alike, but they couldn’t be more different. Mario is searching for love, and Harold is searching for lust. A wealthy older couple, Josh and Greg, try to play matchmakers for their handsome son Christopher. Player Tim and shy Mark seem to be hitting it off. Oh, I can’t forget Sean Guile, a famous romance novelist who happens to be a virgin. Computer game designer Arthur is in the end bungalow. He keeps saying he sees a merman in the cove. And there’s an unexpected guest when a gay bashing turns into something quite unexpected. Like everybody else in Cozzi Cove, each guest has a secret. One you’ll want to uncover. But my lips are sealed. Well, let’s just say, I’m not talking.

 

How long will Cozzi Cove stay open?

Hopefully for a long time. At least through next summer for Cozzi Cove: Moving Forward (releasing April 18 from NineStar Press) when there are a whole new set of guys as guests.

 

Will you be back in that book?

I’m afraid not, but take it from me, the guests are amazing and their stories are terrific.

 

Do you get it on with any of the guests in COZZI COVE: BOUNCING BACK?

I’m sworn to secrecy, but let’s just say you won’t be disappointed. I wasn’t. I also had a life-changing revelation about myself, my career, and the people I love.

 

Who would you like to play you in the movie or TV version of Cozzi Cove?

Zeb Atlas. And Joe wants to play Sean Guile.

 

How did you and Cozzi Cove come into Joe Cosentino’s head?

As a kid Joe spent his summers with his family at his aunt and uncle’s bungalow on the New Jersey shore. He created Cozzi Cove with that in mind. And I helped him along.

 

Are you Joe’s alter ego?

Joe has written a lot of great books, so I have lots of company in his head. Read them all—but read about me at Cozzi Cove first!

 

Tell us about Joe’s other releases.

An Infatuation is loosely based on Joe’s high school years and ten-year high school reunion, and A Shooting Star is loosely based on his college years. They did so well as ebook novellas, Dreamspinner Press published them together in paperback. An Infatuation won Second Place in Divine Magazine’s Readers’ Poll of 2015 for Best LGBT Romance Novel. A Home for the Holidays is Joe’s holiday short novella also from Dreamspinner Press, about an American law student who, as Joe did, takes a trip to the romantic and gorgeous island of Capri, Italy, where he embarks on a relationship with his captivating third cousin. The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland from Dreamspinner Press is Joe’s gay take on his favorite beloved fairytales like Cinderella, Goldie Locks and the Three Bears, Pinocchio, Jack and the Beanstalk, and The Snow Queen.

Joe’s Nicky and Noah mystery series from Lethe Press are farcical, gay, cozy, who-dun-its. In Drama Queen theatre college professors are dropping like stage curtains. With the inept local detective more interested in getting into Nicky’s pants than solving the murders, it is up to well-endowed Directing professor, Nicky Abbondanza to use his theatre skills (including playing other people) to solve the case, while he directs a murder mystery onstage. Complicating matters is Nicky’s intense crush on Assistant Professor of Acting, gorgeous Noah Oliver, the prime suspect in the murder. Drama Queen (Divine Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Award for Best Mystery, Best Crime, Best Humorous, Best Contemporary novel of 2015) is available as an ebook, paperback, and audiobook performed by Michael Gilboe. In Drama Muscle Nicky and Noah have to use their theatre skills to find out why musclemen are dropping like weights in the Physical Education department while Nicky directs the Student Bodybuilding Competition. In Drama Cruise (releasing in 2017), Nicky and Noah go on a cruise to Alaska, and discover why college theatre professors are going overboard like lifeboats while Nicky directs a murder mystery dinner theatre show onboard ship.

In the Jana Lane mysteries, with straight leading characters and gay supporting characters, Jana Lane was the biggest child star ever until she was attacked on the studio lot at eighteen years old. In Paper Doll (Whiskey Creek Press), Jana at thirty-eight lives with her family in a mansion in picturesque Hudson Valley, New York. Her flashbacks from the past become murder attempts in her future. Jana ventures back to Hollywood, which helps her uncover a web of secrets about everyone she loves. She also embarks on a romance with the devilishly handsome son of her old producer, Rocco Cavoto. In Porcelain Doll (The Wild Rose Press), Jana makes a comeback film and uncovers who is being murdered on the set and why. Her heart is set aflutter by her incredibly gorgeous co-star, Jason Apollo. In Satin Doll (The Wild Rose Press), Jana and family head to Washington, DC, where Jana plays a US senator in a new film, and becomes embroiled in a murder and corruption at the senate chamber. She also embarks on a romance with Chris Bruno, the muscular detective. In China Doll (releasing from The Wild Rose Press), Jana heads to New York City to star in a Broadway play, enchanted by her gorgeous co-star Peter Stevens, and faced with murder on stage and off. Since the novels take place in the 1980’s, Jana’s best friends are gay, and Jana is somewhat of a gay activist, the AIDS epidemic is a large part of the novels.

But enough about Joe’s other books, COZZI COVE has me in it! Joe loves to hear from readers at: http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com. Though he enjoys spending time with me, it gives him a break to hear what readers have to say—hopefully about me! So grab your Speedos, beach towel, and shades and head over to Cozzi Cove. I’ll be waiting with a big smile, suntan lotion, and open muscular arms. I hope to see you there!


Excerpt

Sean Guile came out of Bungalow Three wearing a long terrycloth robe, large sunglasses, and a huge beach hat. He lay on a lounge chair at the water’s edge with his laptop, working on his next novel. An enormous bag rested at his side. The sound of the seagulls, smell of the sea air, and sight of the white sand leading to the aqua water surrounded by the stoic rocks helped him work.

Shortly afterward, the resident of Bungalow Four came out wearing gym shorts, sunglasses, and a baseball cap. He spread out a towel and lay on it, and then applied suntan lotion to his incredibly muscular body. The lotion made his skin shine like bronze in the early afternoon sun. He turned to Sean. “Can you put some on my back?”

Sean did a double take. “Me?”

“There are only two of us out here.” He held up the suntan lotion.

Sean reached inside his bag and put on thin rubber gloves. Then he took the lotion and rubbed it into the man’s V-shaped back, releasing the scent of coconut.

“What’s with the rubber gloves?” the man asked.

“I use them to collect seashells.”

“I’m not a seashell.”

“It’s force of habit.”

“Are you a marine biologist?”

Even with the rubber separating them, Sean enjoyed touching the rippling muscles on the man’s back. “I’m Sean Guile.”

The man’s mouth dropped open. “The romance novelist?”

Sean loved being recognized. “That’s me.”

“I’m John Johnson.”

“Nice to meet you, and rub lotion on you, John.” Sean thought there was something very familiar about the man, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. One thing he knew for sure—the man’s name was not John Johnson.

John smiled. “I’ve thought about writing. What got you started?”

Sean gave John back his lotion. “I was working in an office. Bored out of my mind, so I wrote my first novel.”

“What a coincidence. That’s how I felt when I read the love scenes in your first novel.”

Sean narrowed his eyes. “I’m surprised.”

“That I didn’t like your love scenes?”

“That you can read.” Sean went back to his laptop, infuriated at the reality that everyone is a critic with no regard for the artist’s feelings.

“I hope I didn’t offend you.”

“Why would I be offended? It takes only about six months of blood, sweat, and tears for me to write a novel. And while I enjoy the success, the money isn’t great. I do it for my readers, the ones who actually enjoy what I write.” Sean was on a roll. “If you don’t like my books, don’t read them. But why criticize them? It’s like striking at one of my children.”

John turned to face him, and rested his elbows on his sculpted thighs. “Look, I think you’re a good writer. Your plots and characters are interesting. Your dialogue is believable. And your locations are nicely described. And I’m sure you’re very dedicated. But the sex in your stories doesn’t…ring true for me.”

“How so?”

John took off his cap and scratched his curly dark hair. “They’re pretty boring.”

Sean knew this man from somewhere. He knew him very well. But how? “In what way are my love scenes boring?”

“Okay, remember your book about the cowboy and the oil magnate?”

“Obviously.”

“And the one about the plumber and the intern?”

“Of course.”

“When guys have sex they don’t take their clothes off neatly, climb into bed, and discuss who’s going to do what to whom. They rip off each other’s clothes and go at it like the place is on fire, buddy.”

Sean took off his sunglasses and looked intently at John. “Oh, my God!”

“What?”

“I knew there was something familiar about you. You’re not John Johnson. You’re Chuck Caliber!”


Blurb

Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back by Joe Cosentino, published by NineStar Press, cover art by Arai TanOn Cozzi Cove at the New Jersey shore, handsome Cal Cozzi’s seven bungalows are open for summer and love. Mario and Harold are brothers and college students who happen to look alike, but couldn’t be more different: Mario is searching for love, and Harold is searching for lust. Josh and Greg, a wealthy older couple, are matchmakers for their son, Christopher. When it comes to Connor, the maid, packed with muscles and a roving sponge, anything can happen. Opposites attract as wild Tim with the secret past meets shy Mark, and porn star Chuck Caliber connects with Sean, a virgin romance novelist. And what will happen when computer-game designer Arthur has a midnight sea rendezvous with a merman? Even married Cal faces an emotional upheaval when a gay bashing turns into something quite unexpected. What secrets and passions lie in magical Cozzi Cove?

Buy links:


Bio

Joe Cosentino at Barnes and Noble Booksellers for a book signing for Drama Queen, the first Nicky and Noah mystery, published by Lethe PressAmazon Bestselling author Joe Cosentino wrote Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back (NineStar Press), Drama Queen and Drama Muscle Nicky and Noah mysteries (Lethe Press), An Infatuation, A Shooting Star, A Home for the Holidays, The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland (Dreamspinner Press), Paper Doll (Whiskey Creek Press) and Porcelain Doll (Wild Rose Press) Jana Lane mysteries, and The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (Eldridge Plays and Musicals). He has appeared in principal acting roles in film, television, and theatre, opposite stars such as Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Holland Taylor, and Jason Robards. His one-act plays, Infatuation and Neighbor, were performed in New York City. He wrote The Perils of Pauline educational film (Prentice Hall Publishers). Joe is currently Head of the Department/Professor at a college in upstate New York, and is happily married. His upcoming novels are Cozzi Cove: Moving Forward (Nine Star Press), Drama Cruise Nicky and Noah mystery (Lethe Press), and Satin Doll and China Doll Jana Lane mysteries (Wild Rose Press). Joe was voted 2nd Place for Best MM Author of the Year in Divine Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards for 2015!
Divine Magazine Certificate to Joe Cosentino for 2nd Place in the their Readers' Poll for Favorite LGBT Author of 2015


Giveaway

Joe has brought a copy of An Infatuation to give away to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter (and if you want to talk about whether you enjoy beach vacations, Joe would love to hear it!). The contest ends on Friday, April 8th at 11:59 pm EST.

  • By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
  • Winners will be selected by random number. No purchase necessary to win.  The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
  • If you win, you must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner may be chosen. Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from Joyfully Jay.
  • Winners may be announced on the blog following the contest. By entering the contest you are agreeing to allow your name to be posted and promoted as the contest winner by Joyfully Jay.
  • Prizes will be distributed following the giveaway either by Joyfully Jay or the person/organization donating the prize.
  • All book prizes are in electronic format unless otherwise specified.
  • By entering you are agreeing to hold Joyfully Jay harmless if the prize or giveaway in some way negatively impacts the winner.
  • Readers may only enter once for each contest.  Duplicate entries for the same giveaway will be ignored. In the event of technical problems with the blog during the contest, every effort will be made to extend the contest deadline to allow for additional entries.
  • Void where prohibited by law.
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