Bouncing Back is available now at
NineStar Press,
NineStar Press,
About Bouncing Back
On 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?
Why did you write Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back?
My aunt and uncle had a bungalow on the New Jersey Shore. Every summer
my family would stay with them. My sister and I had the time of our lives
playing at the beach, bay, miniature golf course, trampoline emporium, eating
salt water taffy, and dining at our favorite seafood restaurant. All those
places and experiences are in the novel in a fictitious place I call Cozzi
Cove, a gay resort of eight bungalows in a private cove on the Jersey Shore.
After AN INFATUATION was released, countless readers begged me for more
time with one of the characters in it. So that character and his brother are
the first guests at Cozzi Cove.
What is a cove?
A cove is formed when softer rocks are worn
away by the sun and salty water faster than the harder rocks surrounding them. This
creates a gorgeous bay of turquoise water shielded by large rocks in the
distance and smaller rocks near the water’s edge.
Tell us a little about Bouncing Back.
Cal Cozzi opens his string of seven
guest bungalows on Cozzi Cove for the summer. Built by Cal’s great-grandfather,
each bungalow is furnished with hand-carved nautical furnishings, and has a
stunning view of the bay and lighthouse in the distance. The main beach and boardwalk are only a mile
away. Assisting Cal is ginger, muscular Connor, the maid packed with
muscles and a roving sponge. This summer the vacationers are two brothers/college
students who look alike, but couldn’t be more different. Mario is searching for
love, and Harold is searching for lust. A wealthy older couple, Josh and Greg, play
matchmakers for their gorgeous son Christopher. Opposites attract as player Tim
meets shy Mark, and porn star Chuck Caliber connects with Sean, a virgin
romance novelist. Finally 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 for him. Since Cozzi Cove is
a magical place, the novel is full of humor, tragedy, mysteries, and passions.
Everyone has a secret at Cozzi Cove, and nothing is what it seems. Grab your Speedos, suntan lotion, and shades and head to
Cozzi Cove. I hope to see you there!
Tell us about the main characters.
Cal, short for Calvin, is thirty years old,
tall, and muscular. His Italian and Scottish heritage left him with striking auburn
hair and a strong nose. He dabbled as a professional football player then
restaurant owner, but neither was a good fit. After Cal’s parents died in an
automobile accident, he found his calling: managing his family’s seven
bungalows around the rocky cove in the New Jersey shore town named after his
great-grandfather. Sensing Cal’s sexual orientation as a boy, Cal’s
father had turned Cozzi Cove into a gay resort. Cal is honored to follow in his
father’s footsteps.
Lance is twenty-four, short, stocky, African
American with dark hair and dark eyes and amazing dimples. He grew up poor, and
worked hard getting scholarships and maintaining good grades throughout school.
As a second grade teacher, Lance is off during the summers, his favorite time
of year. This leaves him more time to do what he loves most: being with Cal.
Connor,
the college student assisting Cal, is packed with muscles and hormones. He
revels in Cozzi Cove, and in checking out each resident for a possible fling on
the cove.
Tommy,
the bald, muscular, tattooed resident of Cozzi Cove who owns the local bar has
held a torch for Cal since high school. Carla, the owner of the local
restaurant, has a crush on Cal’s top one-percenter sister, Taylor.
The
guests are a conglomeration of interesting characters with amazing stories.
Tell us about the series.
The
second book, COZZI COVE: MOVING FORWARD, is written and set for release by
NineStar Press on April 18.
Who is your favorite author? And why?
Armistead Maupin has an
amazing flair for writing eccentric, loveable characters with engaging and
realistic dialogue.
You mentioned that you envisioned your books becoming films or a television series. Tell us about that.
Many people say my novels read somewhat like screenplays. I’d love to play
Principal Ringwood in AN INFATUATION, Professor Katzer in A SHOOTING STAR,
Theatre Department Head Martin Anderson in the Nicky and Noah mystery series
(DRAMA QUEEN, DRAMA MUSCLE, DRAMA CRUISE), Jana’s agent Simon Huckby in the
Jana Lane mystery series (PAPER DOLL, PORCELAIN DOLL, SATIN DOLL, CHINA DOLL,
RAGDOLL), Mortimer one of Cinder’s dads in THE NAKED PRINCE AND OTHER TALES
FROM FAIRYLAND, and Sean Guile in COZZI COVE: BOUNCING BACK. I’ll be an extra
in A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS just to get back to the gorgeous Island of Capri!
Hear that movie and television producers!
How do you deal with bad reviews?
Most of
my reviews and reader response have been incredibly positive, which fuel my
writing. What a gift it is for a reader to post a positive review on Amazon or
Goodreads, relating how something I’ve written has moved them, made them laugh,
made them cry, think about something new, or changed their life. I can’t think
of anything better. As for the few bad reviews, I don’t read them. As my mother
always told me, if you don’t have something nice to say about somebody, don’t
say anything. I can’t imagine why anyone would continue reading a book after
chapter one if he/she doesn’t like it. Just put it down and read something
else. Why attack a book someone has poured his/her blood, sweat, and tears
into? As the saying goes, just say no.
What is your writing process?
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.
You work with four publishers. How do you find the
right publisher for each book?
You
search the publisher’s web site to see what kinds of books they publish, and
you look for the perfect fit.
How do you promote your books?
I’ve
built up a list of contacts to send review copies and blog posts. I also have
an active Facebook page and Twitter account. My favorite is to do interviews
like this one.
Who is your ideal
reader?
My ideal
reader is a lover of mystery, romance, and Hollywood. Someone who craves being
swept away by a story and becoming part of the novel. My reader loves clues,
suspects, and plotlines that zigzag with numerous surprises leading to a
shocking yet totally justified conclusion. Finally, my reader relishes in
beautiful, lush locations and captivating characters as she/he enters the
portal of my book.
How can readers
contact you?
Thanks for joining us today again, Joe! Best of luck with your books!
Read an Excerpt
As Lance rested in bed and Cal was putting on
jeans, sandals, and a canary polo shirt, they heard Connor enter the living
room and call out to Cal. After giving Lance a kiss on the cheek, Cal
begrudgingly left his lover, shut the front bedroom door after himself, and then
met up with Connor, who was standing next to the living room sofa.
Connor said, “It’s good to be back at work.”
“How were your grades at college this year?”
Connor shrugged his muscular shoulders. “Pretty
average.”
Cal thought, If
average is getting Cs and Ds. “I’m guessing you were quite involved with extracurricular activities.”
“One or two.” He giggled. “Maybe, three.”
Cal had a soft spot for the kid. “You did a nice
job preparing the bungalows yesterday.”
“I aim to please.”
Cal thought the nineteen-year-old looked like an
American flag in cutoff blue jeans that matched his eyes, a T-shirt and
sneakers that matched his red hair, and pale skin with freckles.
“How can I be of service to you today, boss?”
Cal ignored Connor’s obvious double meaning.
“Just the usual routine.” Cal wasn’t immune to
Connor’s charm, but Connor was a kid, and Cal was a one-man man. “Carry their
luggage into the bungalows when the guests arrive. Turn down beds at four p.m.”
He attempted to look sternly at the boy. “… Without you in them.”
“Me come
on to a guest?” Connor feigned surprise.
“Yes, you,
Connor. This is a vacation resort, not the baths.” Cal moved behind his desk.
“After today, make up the rooms late mornings and early afternoons. Leave the
sheets and towels in front of the garage for the laundry pickup. And don’t
forget to sweep out the parking area.”
Connor
saluted. “Aye, aye, Capitán .”
They heard a knock at the front door. Cal shouted,
“It’s open.”
“Is this the office?”
“We’re informal here,” Cal explained. He typed
into his computer, and then motioned for the young man to join him.
“I’m Mario Ginnetti.” He placed a piece of luggage
at his feet. “Is it okay to park in the lot?”
Connor seemed to nearly salivate at Mario’s arms
in his violet short-sleeved shirt. “You can park anywhere you like.”
Ignoring Connor, Cal said, “Yes, that’s the lot
for the bungalows.” Cal handed Mario a key. “You’re in Bungalow One. I’ve got
your credit card, so you’re all set.” He took a map from the topmost desk
drawer. “The ocean beach is open to the public and is only minutes away. You
can swim, surf, snorkel, or go on a glass-bottom boat there.” He pointed to
various black dots on the map. “You’ll want to get some groceries here. Tommy
Malone’s is a good bar, and Carla’s is my favorite seafood restaurant. This
place has killer ice cream, which you can work off here at the gym.”
Connor interjected with, “If you need help finding
anything, just ask me. I’m a native.”
“Or you can come into the office and ask me.” Cal
handed Mario the map and then pointed outside.
“The cove is private property.
You can sit out there all you like. The bay water is calm and warm. As you can
see, the view is amazing.”
Connor added with a grin, “Nude sunbathing is
permitted.”
Mario was visibly trying to take it all in.
“Any questions?” asked Cal.
Mario’s dimples appeared. “Will the weather always
be this nice?”
“From your lips to the sea gods’ ears.” Cal
smiled. “The weather report calls for rain, so that means it’s going to be
sunny all week. Connor will take you to your bungalow.”
Connor looked like the wolf meeting Little Red
Riding Hood as he took Mario’s luggage. “Follow me, Mario.”
About Joe Cosetino
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.
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