A
Sexy Gay Resort with Lots to Uncover
Joe
Cosentino on writing the popular Cozzi Cove series
with
the release of book three, Cozzi Cove:
Stepping Out, published by NineStar Press
A few years ago my spouse and I stayed at a gay
resort on Key West. OMG! I’d never seen so many good looking gay men at the
check in (or check out) desk, balconies, pool, beach, and in town. Each man
seemed to be mysterious with a secret story waiting to be revealed. After we
got home, I couldn’t get our vacation out of my mind. Who were these men? Where
did they live, work, socialize? What were their relationships like? And did
they find love on their vacations?
So I decided to create a
new series set at a gay resort. Since I had spent my summers as a kid in my
aunt’s bungalow on the New Jersey Shore, I decided that would be the location
in the novels. I wanted the town to have all the things I loved as a kid:
miniature golf, trampolines, salt water taffy shop, a beach, a bay, a seafood
restaurant, and a park. I’ve always loved coves and wanted the resort to be
situated on one. 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. Given my background in show business, I
also knew the series would be humorous, dramatic, full of mystery, and very
romantic.
A series is only as good as
its characters and stories. So I created a captivating hero in Cal Cozzi,
handsome and sexy ex-professional football player. Cal is seen at the cove on
the cover of book 1, Cozzi Cove: Bouncing
Back. Cal’s great grandfather built the eight bungalows on the cove.
Sensing Cal’s sexual orientation, Cal’s father opened Cozzi Cove as a gay
resort. After his parents died in an automobile accent, Cal proudly took over
the ownership of the resort. He lost his first love to cancer, but a gay bashing
led to a surprise relationship with college student Michael Rodgers as noted on
the cover of book two, Cozzi Cove: Moving
Forward. Michael hopes to become a professional photojournalist, and to
marry Cal. However, Cal isn’t so sure he’s ready to jump back into the world of
matrimony.
Cal’s brother George is on
the cover of book three, the current release, Cozzi Cove: Stepping Out. He appeared in Cal’s life as an adult.
George is reunited with his ex, Aaron, in book three, which causes a great deal
of fireworks and secrets revealed.
Taylor, Cal’s comical top
one-percenter sister, drops in from all over the world to check in on her
brothers, and on Cozzi Cove. Book three reveals something shocking about
Taylor. Good thing Taylor’s best friend, Carla Mangione of Carla’s Seafood
Restaurant, is there to pick up the pieces and more.
Bald, tattooed, muscular
Tommy of Tommy Malone’s Bar has had a crush on Cal since childhood. When a
mysterious person from Tommy’s past comes to Cozzi Cove, Cal is forced to do
some serious soul-searching, and Tommy is off on a wild and romantic adventure.
Connor, the houseboy packed with muscles and a roving sponge,
enjoys flirting with the guests and having sex at the cove. In book three,
Connor is the subject of an experiment on nymphomania by a handsome young
college psychology professor with surprising results.
And each summer/novel brings a fascinating array of enticing
guests to Cozzi Cove, including twin college students seeking love and lust
respectively, a virgin gay romance novelist, a gay porn
star, a doubting minister, a handsome merman, the ghost of a past lover, two
gorgeous angels, a sexy vampire, and more, but beware, nothing is what it seems
in the magical paradise called Cozzi Cove.
After book one
Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back (TBR Pile
Favorite Book of the Month/Rainbow Award Honorable Mention) and book two Cozzi Cove: Moving Forward released,
readers and reviewers praised their romantic, humorous, dramatic, mysterious
style, and interwoven captivating stories. When readers begged me for another
Cozzi Cove novel, I wrote book three Cozzi
Cove: Stepping Out. As with the first two books, romance is everywhere on
Cozzi Cove, and surprises abound. Cozzi Cove:
New Beginnings (book four) releases on March 27!
What secrets, humor,
tragedy, mysteries, and passions lie in the magical place called Cozzi Cove?
You’ll have to read the series to find out. And let me know what you think. I love hearing from readers
at: http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com
So grab your Speedos,
suntan lotion, and shades and head back to Cozzi Cove. Cal Cozzi has a bungalow
waiting just for you. I hope to see you there!
COZZI COVE: STEPPING OUT
the third novel in the Cozzi Cove
series
by JOE COSENTINO, published by NineStar
Press
http://ninestarpress.com/product/cozzi-cove-stepping-out/
It’s time for another summer
of sun, sand, suntan lotion, sandals, and Speedos on Cozzi Cove at the New
Jersey Shore. Cal Cozzi’s seven bungalows are once again open for love. This
summer, sexy Cal welcomes back his brother and sister, who are confronted with
people from their pasts. Connor, the maid packed with muscle and mayhem,
becomes the subject of a handsome young psychologist’s study on human
sexuality. Tommy, the strapping, bald and tattooed local bartender, is captivated
with guest Cory Magnum, a police officer with a secret. Another guest, Bill, a
disbelieving pastor, is inspired by a vision of two sexy male angels on the
cove. And Cal and Michael reach a plateau in their relationship. What secrets,
humor, tragedies, mysteries, and passions lie waiting to unfold in this magical
place called Cozzi Cove?
Praise for
COZZI COVE: MOVING FORWARD, the second Cozzi Cove novel:
“Cozzi Cove: Moving Forward delivers a strong
cast of characters and a few surprising denouements to individual story lines
that will bring a smile to your face and perhaps even a heartfelt sigh.” GGR
Reviews
“Who knew that 7 bungalows set
surrounding a beautiful cove, could hold so many secrets, love and intrigue?”
“The humour, whether subtle or not-so-subtle was superb, the timing delivered
with perfection, Joe Cosentino is a natural comedian and another reason why I
love reading his books. He is also very clever, he weaved moral messages
throughout the entire storyline,” “Great fun entwined with the Cosentino
romantic magic that brings his books alive, I loved it." Three Books Over
the Rainbow
“visiting
Cozzi Cove is like coming home or revisiting a beloved holiday destination. I
know everyone, by now, who is a permanent fixture and I sincerely hope that
Cosentino continues this series forever. As before, the characters are a hoot.
They’re a mixture of funny, quirky, sad, lonely individuals who come together to
make a riotously brilliant cast.” Divine Magazine
“Oh, Cozzi Cove, you are fast
becoming a favorite vacation destination with your action and excitement! Joe
Cosentino once again wins his way into your heart and soul with this fun,
flirtatious romance. Love, laughter and smoldering intimacy await all who
dare to venture to the clear blue waters of the Cove.” 3 Chicks After Dark
“I absolutely
love this series and loved all of the romance that happens at Cozzi Cove. You
don’t just have one romance you have seven (really eight when you count Cal
& Michael).” “I love an author that
can inject humor in just the right places. Joe Cosentino is fast becoming a
must read author for me.” “I can’t wait to read more from Cozzi Cove.” Inked
Rainbow Reads
“Imagine a beautiful
getaway where the hot, sexy, and wealthy gay men go...it's a place where
there's never a dull moment. Every page of this new title brings readers
nothing but excitement, intrigue, and an intensity that will burn away the
night's quiet. Most novels offer readers one journey in which readers travel
upon, however, readers are brought not one but several journeys that will leave
them breathless and hooked. As with all of Joe Cosentino's novels, humor comes
in abundance and fits in perfectly with all of this stunning characters.” “Joe
sweeps his readers into his characters’ lives by creating realistic characters
with real issues. It's easy to get lost in it all. The book automatically
captures your heart from page one and forever holds it. After reading the story,
readers will be begging for the next grand adventure. Funny, heart melting, and
swoon worthy, readers will finish reading this in one sitting. I loved reading
this riveting tale, and I highly recommend it to readers everywhere.” Urban
Book Reviews
“The beautiful scenery and all
around magical quality of Cozzi Cove is hard to resist…This is a fun, often
lighthearted story, whose sweet sexy vibe makes for a great escape.” Coffeetime
Romance
Praise for
COZZI COVE: BOUNCING BACK, the first Cozzi Cove novel (Rainbow Award Honorable
Mention/TBR Pile Favorite Book of the Month):
“I loved
this story. It carries you through the full range of emotions, from joy to
sadness, from happiness to anger. The characters are beautifully written.”
“I look forward to a return visit to the Cove.” TBR Pile
“Heartbreaking
and heartwarming, sweet beginnings for some, sour endings for others, emotions
jumping off the page as you turn eagerly to read more, welcome to Cozzi Cove.
The author measured his scales to perfection in delivering the perfect balance
of love, laughter and tears in this sexy, fun filled holiday romance entwined
with some sadness. Summer magic waved it's wand at all who visited and stayed
at Cozzi Cove and I was one of those who wanted to stay.” Three Books Over the
Rainbow
“In true
Joe Cosentino style, this book is packed full of drama! This cast of characters
will have you laughing out loud one minute before ripping your heart out the
next.” Joyfully Jay
“If you
like a lot of angst, some humor, love, sadness (be sure to have a couple of
boxes of tissue handy), and some hot sensual man-sex, I highly, highly
recommend this book. I loved all of the Joe Cosentino’s books, but I think this
is my favorite to date! I am ready for book 2!” Cathy Brockman Romance & MM
Good Book Reviews
“Joe
Cosentino has the amazing ability to combine heartwarming, feel good moments
with droll, sometimes biting humor, along with insights into the frailties and
peccadillos of being human.” “Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back is the very finest in literary fiction
with a romance theme, yet it’s more than just that—it’s about human connections
and empathy and finding a way out of the fear and inertia faced by so many.
It’s also about courage and strength, about respect and coming to terms with
all that life has to offer, and it’s about letting go. I loved this book
and look forward to the next in the series. This is a highly recommended read,
well-deserving of Five Stars.” GGR Reviews
“readers will
meet a variety of characters that creates a soap opera intrigue, unlike any
other novel read. This story will definitely keep readers guessing with every
page. Only when readers reach the last page does everything become known. It’s
addictive. Cozzi Cove is a
brand new series that will keep Joe Cosentino’s readers on their toes and
begging for more. I laughed, cried, and fell in love with this latest novel.” Urban
Book Reviews
Excerpt
of Cozzi Cove: Stepping Out by Joe
Cosentino, published by NineStar Press:
A soaring golden orb turned
the violet, pink, and tangerine sky into a canvas of blue. Early morning was
Cal Cozzi’s favorite time. Treading water in the cove that had boasted his
family name for generations, Cal felt as if his blood was the bay water, his
flesh was the sand, and his soul was the sun. And Michael Rodgers was his
heart. Michael swam over to him and wrapped his stocky arms around Cal’s neck.
Cal cupped Michael’s firm bottom and squeezed him in closer. As Michael
caressed Cal’s muscled back, they shared a salty wet kiss.
Cal looked up at a seagull
gliding to the lighthouse in the distance. He pondered having the freedom to
fly away from Cozzi Cove, but there was no place he’d rather be than in the
confines of his legacy with the man he loved.
Cal’s great-grandfather,
Calvin Cozzi I, had built everything in the sleepy town on the New Jersey
shore, including the eight bungalows on the cove. This beautiful spot was the
result of sun and salt water wearing away softer rocks more quickly than the
harder rocks surrounding them.
Cal’s legacy was passed down
to him from his great-grandfather through his grandfather, Calvin Cozzi II, and
finally by his father, Calvin Cozzi III. Cal’s father, sensing his son’s sexual
orientation as a boy, had opened Cozzi Cove as a gay resort.
Though Cal had dabbled briefly
as a professional football player, and then as a restaurant owner, neither was
a good fit. It wasn’t until after the unfortunate death of his parents in an
automobile accident that he found his true calling: managing Cozzi Cove. The
previous summer, Cal had been united with his half-brother, George, an
architect, and the two of them had recently completed renovations on the
bungalows, expanding them to add modern amenities while maintaining their
grandfather’s nautical theme.
The tip of his head only
reached Cal’s chin, so Michael had to stretch up to kiss his nose. Cal’s
Italian and Scottish heritage had given him height, auburn hair, emerald-green
eyes, an olive complexion, a strapping build, and a wide nose, which, as noted,
Michael liked to kiss. “Should we be skinny-dipping at the start of a new
summer season?”
“Probably not.” Cal ran a
strong hand through Michael’s chestnut hair and gazed into his exotic eyes.
“What if a guest comes early?”
“He can get his own
boyfriend.” Cal pressed his tongue inside Michael’s welcoming mouth. It felt
warm, and Cal wanted more. As Michael stroked Cal’s broad shoulders and round
pectoral muscles, prominent from working out at Cozzi’s gym, Cal pressed his
nose against Michael’s thick neck and enjoyed the scent of vanilla. Michael’s
African-American and Swedish heritage awarded him smooth golden skin that Cal
loved to caress. Cal thought about the eleven-year difference in their ages,
how they had met when Michael, still in the closet, tried to gay bash him in an
alley, and the year Michael still had left to finish college. It was illogical
and improbable for Cal and Michael to be together, yet it felt incredibly
right. At that moment, he couldn’t be more in love with Michael.
George Valis, wearing a violet
polo shirt and white shorts that accentuated his muscular legs, stepped out of
Bungalow Seven and met them at the cove. “Hey, my ex back in Maine dumped me,
remember? Stop rubbing in your happiness, you two.”
“Have breakfast with us.”
Michael’s dimples appeared. “Cal is making a feast.”
“And Michael is cleaning up
after me.”
“As usual.” George winked at
Michael.
They got out of the water and
put on the terrycloth robes they’d left on a rock at the water’s edge. Cal
smiled at the sight of his brother’s height and eye color, which was exactly
the same as his own. Cal and George shared the same father, with George being
the result of Cal Cozzi II’s infidelity. They had met for the first time last
summer when George looked Cal up, and Cal couldn’t have been happier to have a
brother like George. He mussed George’s dark hair affectionately. “After
breakfast, I’ll pack a lunch for your ride back to Maine.”
Michael’s shoulders slumped.
“Do you have to go?”
Cal put his arm around
Michael, recalling the brother Michael had lost two summers ago to suicide.
“Bungalow Seven is always here for George.”
“Good.” George grinned like a
kid with a secret. “It looks like I’ll be staying for a while longer.”
“Yeah!” Michael gave George a
hug. “Cal will make a special celebration dinner tonight.” He kissed Cal’s
cheek. “My favorite is surf and turf.”
“How about I leave my turf and
throw you in the surf at the main beach instead?” Cal kissed Michael’s neck and
then turned to his younger brother. “What’s up, bro?”
George looked at them and
giggled. “Clearly you two, just before I arrived.”
Cal
moved in and placed George in a playful headlock. “Look, little brother, the
guests will be here soon. If you want breakfast, spill it.”
Bestselling author Joe Cosentino wrote Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back (Rainbow Award Honorable Mention), Cozzi Cove: Moving Forward, Cozzi Cove: Stepping Out, and Cozzi Cove: New Beginnings (NineStar Press); Drama Queen (Divine Magazine Readers’ Favorite LGBT Mystery Novel and Humorous Novel), Drama Muscle (Rainbow Award Honorable Mention), Drama Cruise, Drama Luau, Drama Detective Nicky and Noah mysteries (Lethe Press); In My Heart/An Infatuation & A Shooting Star (Rainbow Award Honorable Mention), The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland (Open Skye Book Reviews Favorite Audiobook of the Month), and A Home for the Holidays (Dreamspinner Press); and Paper Doll, Porcelain Doll, Satin Doll, China Doll, Rag Doll (The Wild Rose Press) Jana Lane mysteries. 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. Joe is currently Head of the Department/Professor at a college in upstate New York, and is happily married. He was voted 2nd Place for Favorite MM Author of the Year in Divine Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards, and his books have received numerous awards.
Web site: http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JoeCosentinoauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeCosen
Amazon: Author.to/JoeCosentino
Giveaway: Post a comment about why
you love the beach. The one that floats our boat the most will win an e-book of
COZZI COVE: BOUNCING BACK, the first novel in Joe Cosentino’s popular Cozzi
Cove series, published by NineStar Press. http://myBook.to/Cozzi_Cove_BB
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