In My Heart is available now at
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and (An Infatuation) All Romance eBooks & (A Shooting Star) All Romance eBooks!
About In My Heart
A Shooting Star: On the eve of the best night of his life, winning an Academy Award, Jonathan Bello thinks back to his one great love, David Star. Flipping back the pages of time, Jonathan recalls his handsome, muscular, and charismatic college roommate. Since Jonathan was a freshman and David a senior in the Theatre Department, David took Jonathan under his wing and molded him, not only as an actor but as a lover. With every wonderful new adventure, David left his joyful mark on anyone with whom they came in contact, but Jonathan soon uncovered David’s dark past, leading to a shocking event. Undaunted, Jonathan celebrates the captivating man who will always hold a special place in his heart.
An Infatuation: With his ten-year high school reunion approaching, Harold wonders whether Mario will be as muscular, sexy, and tantalizing as he remembers. As a teenager, it was love at first sight for Harold while tutoring football star Mario, until homophobia and bullying drove Mario deep into the closet. Now they’re both married men. Mario, a model, is miserable with his producer wife, while Harold, a teacher, is perfectly content with his businessman husband, Stuart. When the two meet again, will the old flame reignite, setting Harold’s comfortable life ablaze? How can Harold be happy with Stuart when he is still infatuated with his Adonis, his first love, Mario? Harold faces this seemingly impossible situation with inimitable wit, tenderness, and humor as he attempts to reconcile the past and the future.
Exclusive Interview
Exclusive Interview
I’ve always been a storyteller.
I remember starring in full blown musicals with my sister and my friends in a neighbor’s garage for our unsuspecting families. We had sets, costumes, props, lighting, and our hammy selves. After majoring in theatre in college (no big surprise there), I acted on stage and screen with stars like Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Holland Taylor, Jason Robards, and Nathan Lane. It eventually occurred to me that acting is storytelling in the same way that writing is storytelling, so I decided to give playwriting a try. When I told my mother I wanted to write fiction, she said, “Don’t you have anything better to do?” I wonder if Shakespeare’s mother said that?
I remember starring in full blown musicals with my sister and my friends in a neighbor’s garage for our unsuspecting families. We had sets, costumes, props, lighting, and our hammy selves. After majoring in theatre in college (no big surprise there), I acted on stage and screen with stars like Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Holland Taylor, Jason Robards, and Nathan Lane. It eventually occurred to me that acting is storytelling in the same way that writing is storytelling, so I decided to give playwriting a try. When I told my mother I wanted to write fiction, she said, “Don’t you have anything better to do?” I wonder if Shakespeare’s mother said that?
Tell us a little bit about your In My Heart anthology.
My e-book novellas from 2015, AN INFATUATION (Divine Magazine Readers’ Choice Award for 2nd Place for Favorite LGBT Romance) and A SHOOTING STAR did so well that Dreamspinner Press just published them as a paperback anthology.
In AN INFATUATION, loosely based on my high school years and ten-year high school reunion, it was love at first sight for Harold while tutoring football star Mario, until homophobia and bullying drove Mario deep into the closet. Now they’re both married men. Mario, a model, is miserable with his producer wife, while Harold, a teacher, is perfectly content with his businessman husband, Stuart. When the two meet again at their ten-year high school reunion, the old flame reignites. Harold faces this seemingly impossible situation with inimitable wit, tenderness, and humor as he attempts to reconcile the past and the future.
In A SHOOTING STAR, loosely based on my years as a college theatre major, new college theatre major Jonathan meets the gorgeous, muscular, tantalizing, and mysterious upper classroom and theatre department star aptly named David Star. As David grooms Jonathan for college life and for stardom, Jonathan falls deeply in love with him. This leads Jonathan on an inner and outer journey, where he learns some shocking secrets about David, and about himself. As a remembrance story, the novella begins with Jonathan having just received the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Film, as he thinks back to the person who was responsible for his win.
Who is the leading character and story in An Infatuation based on?
While the situation is fictitious, Harold is based on me, so it’s a no-brainer! Actually, I really admire Harold’s resilience, honesty, intelligence, wit, and ability to keep going in trying situations. His heart may be broken, but his spirit always stays intact. Harold’s devotion to his spouse, Stuart, is admirable, as is his honesty about his teenage infatuation with Mario. I love that the story spans twenty years so we see Harold (and Mario) develop and mature.
Which one of your characters in An Infatuation did you enjoy writing the most? And why?
Stuart was great fun to write, because he is based on my spouse who is totally organized and a real list maker, but also sweet, creative, and caring. He creates an itinerary for our trips in ten minute time blocks!
Which of the two stories was hardest to write?
The homophobic characters were difficult. I just can’t wrap my head around why some people care about others’ sexuality. Don’t these people realize that when one group is demonized and denied their rights, we all suffer?
Is Mario based on anyone?
Mario is a combination of many supposedly straight, perfect guys who gay guys so easily become infatuated with every day. I love that the story spans twenty years so we see Harold (and Mario) develop and mature in their special relationship. I also love that Harold and Mario come full circle at their high school reunion.
Tell us more about the main characters in A Shooting Star.
Like Harold in AN INFATUATION, Jonathan in A SHOOTING STAR is loosely based on me, though I haven’t won an Academy Award—yet. He is ingenuous, funny, warm, gullible, and has an open heart. As is the case with Stuart in AN INFATUATION, Barry, Jonathan’s loyal scene partner in A SHOOTING STAR, is loosely based on my spouse. He is adorable and so incredibly likeable. Similar to Mario in AN INFATUATION, David in SHOOTING STAR is a combination of a number of young men I met as a theatre major in college and as a young actor. They were gay, bi, closet-gay, or straight. Each was handsome, muscular, charismatic, sensuous, and almost other-worldly like Greek gods. Though they appeared to hold the world in the palm of their strong hands, they each had a secret weakness. The acting professor, the hysterically hypochondriac Professor Katzer, is a lampooned version of an acting professor I had in college who has since passed away.
Is A Shooting Star the first time you have written about college life?
No, my Nicky and Noah mystery series from Lethe Press takes place at Treemeadow College, a fictitious white stone Edwardian New England college. Though the novel is a farcical, gay, who-dun-it, I again was able to think back to my college days and incorporate some of the people and happenings from days gone by. I was also able to use some scenarios, though grossly exaggerated, from my current stint as a college theatre professor/department head.
In DRAMA QUEEN (Divine Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Award for Best Mystery, Best Crime, Best Humorous, Best Contemporary novel of 2015) 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. 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 (not released yet), 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.
Do you have other novellas from Dreamspinner Press?
Dreamspinner Press published A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS loosely based on my trip to the amazing, magical, gorgeous, romantic Island of Capri in Italy, and my gay take on my favorite fairytales, THE NAKED PRINCE AND OTHER TALES FROM FAIRYLAND.
Do you write heterosexual fiction as well?
I have a mystery series, the Jana Lane mysteries, with straight leading characters and gay supporting characters. In PAPER DOLL (Whiskey Creek Press), ex-child star 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 (just released from 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 (coming from 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 (coming 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. I am currently writing RAGDOLL, where Jana stars in a TV mystery and again life imitates art.
As a college professor and department head, how do you find the time to write?
I write at night after my spouse has gone to bed. I have a beautiful cherry wood study with a fireplace, huge desk, bookcases, and window seat like Martin Anderson, the department head in my Nicky and Noah mysteries.
What is your writing process?
I generally jump up from bed at 3am with a great idea and jot down notes on the pad on my night table. If I can read them the next day, I write a plot summary and biography for each character. Sometimes I write an outline and other times I wing it. I show the second draft to my spouse for his notes. The third draft goes to the publisher.
Is it difficult plotting the clues in a mystery?
It’s an incredible amount of work and also fun planning the clues, red herrings, plot twists and turns, and surprise but justifiable ending. I also keep in mind that a good mystery also includes strong characters, romance, comedy, drama, and interesting locations.
What advice would you give other authors?
I love reading and writing stories with engaging characters who I want to spend time with. Just as I did improvisation as an actor, I recommend letting your characters talk to one another and seeing what happens! An outline is simply an outline. Don’t be afraid to deviate from it. When a reader finishes a book, he/she should be satisfied that the various parts equaled the whole, rather than the author pulling an ending out of the hat. Finally, while a sad ending is fine, don’t forget the humor! I also love shocks and surprises along the way.
How can your readers get in touch with you?
I love hearing from readers. They can contact me through my Website.
Congratulations again, Joe! Thanks for joining us here on my blog!
Read Excerpts
An Infatuation
One Friday afternoon I accidentally ran into my hero in the
boy's locker room. I’d had enough of the big guys banging me into gym lockers,
pushing me into cold showers, and hanging me from the gym ropes. So I was on my
way to give Mr. Adoni a note from Dr. Dlorah excusing me from gym class for the
remainder of the school year (due to my highly contagious disease being studied
by my doctor in Guatemala, where he could not be reached for the next year).
The locker room smelled of
an odd combination of soap, cologne, sweat, and desire. Mario was getting ready
for football practice, standing at his gym locker without a combination lock on
it. Nobody would dare to break into it (Except for me that one time I smelled
his jock strap. Okay maybe it was a few times, but not more than ten.). Mario
slid his T-shirt (red today) over his thick, black hair and threw it on the
nearby bench. No longer harnessed by cotton, his arm, back, chest, and neck
muscles swelled to full size. I was half hidden behind the adjoining row of
lockers, wearing my usual green and blue flannel shirt and brown corduroy
pants. Mario, who wasn’t looking in my direction, said something really
beautiful to me that I will never forget. “Hi.”
“Did you just? Oh. Hi.
Hello. Good afternoon. Nice to see you. I mean, change with you.” I looked down
at the floor (but cheated a bit) as Mario kicked off his boots, slipped off his
jeans then threw them in the lucky locker. His red underpants (briefs) revealed
ample manhood. This is better than the
newspaper’s underwear ads!
“Good gym class today with
Mr. Adonis, I mean, Mr. Adoni.” Did I
just say that? “Harold High.”
“Hi.”
“High.” How can I get my pulse down to 260?
“Hi.” Mario reached into
his locker for his sweat clothes.
Shouldn’t people be doing that for you? “Oh, my last name is High.
Like a kite.” How can I stop my arms from
waving like an airport flagger on speed?
“Mario Ginetti. Like
nothin’ else imaginable.” Mario smiled, revealing a row of perfectly white
teeth, and held the sweat clothes in his hands as if he was mortal.
“I know. I watch your body
play.” Why can’t I stop talking? “I
mean, I watch you play … football … on the field … in your football outfit.” I feel like Michelangelo with his David!
As Mario put on his sweats,
I continued to sweat.
“I'm voting for your body …
I mean I'm voting for you for
president of your … our … the student
body.” I need my jaw wired shut. “I’m
your lab partner in Chemistry class. Ms. Hungry’s class … I mean Ms. Hunsley’s
class.”
His olive-colored face
glistened as Mario’s face registered recognition—of me! “I thought I knew you from somewheres. Hey, thanks for doing
the lab reports.”
“It’s my honor … I mean my
pleasure. It’s fine. If you need help putting up posters for your campaign, I
can … ”
Having just tied the laces
of his sneakers, Mario stood absolutely still. He looked at me as if he was
staring into my heart and somehow knew what I was feeling. “I gotta take a
wicked piss.”
Can I watch?
“Thanks for helping me out,
Buddy.” He slammed the locker door and left.
He called me, Buddy! My heart was as soft and silly as putty that Mario
held in the palm of his hand like his soap on a rope.
A Shooting Star
As an Italian-American, I
subscribed to my mother’s theory that if someone doesn’t want you to see
something, he will hide it in a locked vault covered with cement. So I inadvertently took a quick look at my
roommate’s things on the other side of the room. He was incredibly neat.
Numerous theater textbooks and play scripts lined his bookshelf in alphabetical
order. The bulletin board above his desk displayed artistically arranged
programs from various comedy, drama, and musical college productions listing
the same male lead in each show: “David Star”.
“Do you always look at
other people’s things?”
I nearly got whiplash as he
entered the room.
Stammering like a kid
caught masturbating by his parents, I said, “I… w-was… ad-m-miring y-your…
r-room.”
Though it was a fall
September day, he took off his scarf (violet) and rested it on a tall coat-rack,
which held scarves in various colors like a department store window display. He
was taller than me, with a chiseled, handsome face, and straight, shiny black
hair, which fell down his thick neck. I admired his perfectly sculpted muscles,
housed in a turquoise designer dress shirt. But what captivated me the most
were his piercing crystal-blue eyes—and the enormous bulge in his skin-tight,
designer beige pants.
“What’s your name?”
“Johnny Falabella.”
He looked at me like a
surgeon examining a tumor. “No, it’s not.”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s Jonathan Bello.” He
opened a bureau drawer, pulled out a bottle of hair gel, and tossed it to me.
“You should gel your hair.” He opened his closet, revealing a multitude of
color-coordinated shirts and slacks, and lay some on my bed. “And you can wear
these.”
I looked at his perfectly
pressed designer clothes. “Where did you get all these things?”
“They were gifts, mostly.”
“You must have some
generous friends…. Sorry, I don’t know your name.”
“I’m David Star.” He took a bow.
Looking back at his play
programs, I said, “You must have starred in every play at the college over the
last three years.”
“Guilty as charged.”
“What happened to your last
roommate?”
“He went to LA over the
summer break and started auditioning. He got cast in a new TV sitcom. I hope it
takes off. It’s called Cosby.”
“At the orientation
session, they said freshmen are housed with other freshmen. How did I get a
senior for a roommate?”
His eyes twinkled. “Just
lucky I guess.”
“Do you think it was some
kind of an administrative error or something?”
“Or something.” He added
matter-of-factly, “I asked for a freshman roommate.”
What people are saying about the stories in In My Heart
Praise for An Infatuation
"The author executed his storyline with a marvelous precision that would be the envy of many authors. He draws the readers into the lives of his characters, they become real and in turn, their emotions becomes yours." "If you can only afford to buy one more book this year, buy this one.” Three Books Over the Rainbow Reviews
"I really loved this book and having an ending that made me laugh and cry at the same time is testament to the brilliant writing." BooksLaidBareBoys
“I think you will be left breathless with the reality and emotion behind An Infatuation.” Diverse Reader
“Don't miss this one friends, it is a heartfelt story magical in the telling! Thanks Joe for putting your heart on the page for us to savor!” Bike Book Reviews
“Author Joe Cosentino brought just the right amount of humor, angst and honesty to make this short but sweet coming of age story a success.” MM Good Book Reviews
“Joe Cosentino proves there’s more than one way to a happy ending in An Infatuation, a story of first love and heartbreak delivered in a fresh and funny voice.” The Novel Approach
“It’s unusual for me to get sucked into a book in the first chapter but it grabbed me early and I read the whole thing in one day”. Nautical Star Books
“I recommend this book to anyone reminiscing about that one that got away.” LoveBytes Reviews
“There were times I laughed and then there were times I cried…unforgettable.” Multitaskingmomma Reviews
“Like an onion, Joe Cosentino's stories have layers. I would really recommend them. This is a Bittersweet novel, but it has laughs-a-plenty despite the sad and ugly lurking beneath the veneer. A truly fabulous read.” Boy Meets Boy Reviews
“The story kept me turning the pages and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.” “I love that Harold found what he was looking for in life and in a partner and love that he has his HEA. Great read.” Up All Night, Sleep All Day
“just the right dose of humor, honesty, and of course, sweet romance” Readers’ Favorite
Praise for A Shooting Star
“unbelievably beautiful” “a masterpiece” Lovebytes Reviews
“heart-wrenchingly beautiful, that no words I possess in my vocabulary would do it justice” “Again Joe Cosentino drew me into his wonderful world of part fact/part fiction/loosely based on his own experiences world – a world as a reader I love to enter, time and time again.” Three Books over the Rainbow
“A Shooting Star could easily function as a master class in how to write short fiction (or any fiction). Joe Cosentino has provided a work that will leave you thinking and wanting to savor and re-read it again and again.” GGR Reviews
"This is a bittersweet love story, so don’t be surprised if you find tears running down your face when a shining and burning star is extinguished too soon. But, as Joe Cosentino proves time and time again, with his wonderful writing and storytelling ability, love will prevail, and you will smile from ear to ear." Kathy Mac Reviews
“For those readers looking for something a little bit different - dare I say unique? For those readers who like to laugh. For those readers who appreciate the nuances of people and the way each character is different. For those readers who want to read a damn good story - check out this author. I'm glad I did.” Boy Meets Boy Reviews
“Cosentino has another winning heartbreaker with A Shooting Star.” Prism Book Alliance.
“Yes, it is a bittersweet story but it is one that still has hope and love.” Hearts on Fire Reviews
“This story just blew me away.” “If you like something different from time to time, a bittersweet story, actors, college men, and a very sweet romance I highly recommend this.” Cathy Brockman Romance/MM Good Book Reviews
“From the beginning I was enthralled and couldn’t wait to finish the book.” Inked Rainbow Reads
“really grabs you and tugs at your emotions” “unique and enjoyable.” Nautical Star Books
“a sophisticated, enthralling and suspenseful tale with a gothic vibe and a multi-layered execution that will have you sitting up and taking notice. This is polished prose at its best. Intelligent writing, a thought-provoking plot and characters befitting the theater genre make A Shooting Star one of my favorite reads this year.” Love’s Last Refuge Reviews
“a beautifully written story, full of life, love, heartbreak, tragedy, and maybe most importantly, triumph.” Readers’ Favorite
"The author executed his storyline with a marvelous precision that would be the envy of many authors. He draws the readers into the lives of his characters, they become real and in turn, their emotions becomes yours." "If you can only afford to buy one more book this year, buy this one.” Three Books Over the Rainbow Reviews
"I really loved this book and having an ending that made me laugh and cry at the same time is testament to the brilliant writing." BooksLaidBareBoys
“I think you will be left breathless with the reality and emotion behind An Infatuation.” Diverse Reader
“Don't miss this one friends, it is a heartfelt story magical in the telling! Thanks Joe for putting your heart on the page for us to savor!” Bike Book Reviews
“Author Joe Cosentino brought just the right amount of humor, angst and honesty to make this short but sweet coming of age story a success.” MM Good Book Reviews
“Joe Cosentino proves there’s more than one way to a happy ending in An Infatuation, a story of first love and heartbreak delivered in a fresh and funny voice.” The Novel Approach
“It’s unusual for me to get sucked into a book in the first chapter but it grabbed me early and I read the whole thing in one day”. Nautical Star Books
“I recommend this book to anyone reminiscing about that one that got away.” LoveBytes Reviews
“There were times I laughed and then there were times I cried…unforgettable.” Multitaskingmomma Reviews
“Like an onion, Joe Cosentino's stories have layers. I would really recommend them. This is a Bittersweet novel, but it has laughs-a-plenty despite the sad and ugly lurking beneath the veneer. A truly fabulous read.” Boy Meets Boy Reviews
“The story kept me turning the pages and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.” “I love that Harold found what he was looking for in life and in a partner and love that he has his HEA. Great read.” Up All Night, Sleep All Day
“just the right dose of humor, honesty, and of course, sweet romance” Readers’ Favorite
Praise for A Shooting Star
“unbelievably beautiful” “a masterpiece” Lovebytes Reviews
“heart-wrenchingly beautiful, that no words I possess in my vocabulary would do it justice” “Again Joe Cosentino drew me into his wonderful world of part fact/part fiction/loosely based on his own experiences world – a world as a reader I love to enter, time and time again.” Three Books over the Rainbow
“A Shooting Star could easily function as a master class in how to write short fiction (or any fiction). Joe Cosentino has provided a work that will leave you thinking and wanting to savor and re-read it again and again.” GGR Reviews
"This is a bittersweet love story, so don’t be surprised if you find tears running down your face when a shining and burning star is extinguished too soon. But, as Joe Cosentino proves time and time again, with his wonderful writing and storytelling ability, love will prevail, and you will smile from ear to ear." Kathy Mac Reviews
“For those readers looking for something a little bit different - dare I say unique? For those readers who like to laugh. For those readers who appreciate the nuances of people and the way each character is different. For those readers who want to read a damn good story - check out this author. I'm glad I did.” Boy Meets Boy Reviews
“Cosentino has another winning heartbreaker with A Shooting Star.” Prism Book Alliance.
“Yes, it is a bittersweet story but it is one that still has hope and love.” Hearts on Fire Reviews
“This story just blew me away.” “If you like something different from time to time, a bittersweet story, actors, college men, and a very sweet romance I highly recommend this.” Cathy Brockman Romance/MM Good Book Reviews
“From the beginning I was enthralled and couldn’t wait to finish the book.” Inked Rainbow Reads
“really grabs you and tugs at your emotions” “unique and enjoyable.” Nautical Star Books
“a sophisticated, enthralling and suspenseful tale with a gothic vibe and a multi-layered execution that will have you sitting up and taking notice. This is polished prose at its best. Intelligent writing, a thought-provoking plot and characters befitting the theater genre make A Shooting Star one of my favorite reads this year.” Love’s Last Refuge Reviews
“a beautifully written story, full of life, love, heartbreak, tragedy, and maybe most importantly, triumph.” Readers’ Favorite
Bestselling author, Joe Cosentino, wrote An Infatuation, A Shooting Star, A Home for the Holidays, The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland (Dreamspinner Press), Drama Queen and Drama Muscle Nicky and Noah mysteries (Lethe Press), Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back (NineStar 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, Charles Keating, and Jason Robards. His one-act plays, Infatuation and Neighbor, were performed in New York City. He also wrote The Perils of Pauline educational film (Prentice Hall Publishers).
Joe is a professor and currently the head of a department at a college in upstate New York, and is happily married. His upcoming releases are Satin Doll & China Doll Jana Lane mysteries (Wild Rose Press), Drama Cruise Nicky and Noah mystery (Lethe Press), and Cozzi Cove: Moving Forward (NineStar Press). Joe was also 2nd Place reader-voted Best MM Author of 2015 in Divine Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
Great interview, Aisling.Thank you, Joe, for the peek behind your curtain. :)
ReplyDeleteLovelyy blog you have here
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