Q&A
with Joe Cosentino, author of Finding
Giorgio,
the first Found at Last novella, published by
Dreamspinner Press,
now also available as an audio book performed by
Brian Cheney
Joe Cosentino, congratulations on the release of the audio book of Finding Giorgio, the first novella in your Found At Last series, published by Dreamspinner Press, and performed by Brian Cheney.
The audio book is released at last!
What propelled you to write Finding Giorgio?
Actually, I shied away from writing it for years.
Why is that?”
For
many years I’ve wanted to write a story about lovers separated over decades
with a chance to reunite at last. However, I didn’t feel I had the maturity as
a writer and as a man to do it until four years ago.
What finally led you to write it?
On
a significant birthday, I looked myself in the mirror and said, “I’m ready. At
last!” And I was.
Tell everyone the story of Finding Giorgio.
In
Finding Giorgio, Theo Stratis, an
unlucky in love young accountant, registers at his upstate New York LGBTQ+
Center to visit an elderly gay person. Theo is matched with Nolan Downes who
lives in a local nursing home. The young man is charmed by the eccentric
ex-pharmacist and his wisecracking caretaker Tanisha. However, Theo is shocked
at Nolan’s request for him to find the love of Nolan’s youth: Giorgio Roberto.
Upon questioning Nolan, Theo finds out that due to homophobia Giorgio’s parents
had separated Nolan and Giorgio at eighteen after their romantic summer at a
Poconos resort. Nolan had kept Giorgio’s picture and his love for Giorgio in
his heart ever since. Theo is also surprised to meet the gorgeous Jamison
Radames, a medical director, who is visiting the same nursing home. Theo and
Jamison embark on an exciting adventure to find Giorgio. Their search takes
them to an old neighborhood, a veterans’ center, a homeless shelter, and all
the way from New York to Boston. Along the way, Theo and Jamison uncover a
great deal about Giorgio and about themselves. By the end of the novella, two
couples emerge in an emotional climax that will leave you overjoyed but also
tear at your heartstrings.
Would you call Finding Giorgio an MM romance, a mystery, an adventure, a comedy, or
a drama?
All
the above. That’s one of the reasons it’s so special.
What’s another reason?
The story spans many decades in an incredibly emotional yet
realistic way with humor, pathos, and of course romance.
Is the story told through Theo’s
perspective?
Yes, but the other
characters also shine through as full, three-dimensional characters who will
warm your heart.
Do Theo and Jamison fall instantly in love?
Not exactly. The two get
off to a rocky start, but eventually they find their way into each other’s
hearts.
What else is special about this book?
Nolan and his caretaker
Tanisha are quite comical. The story’s locations are gorgeous, including the
Walkway Over the Hudson, upstate New York in fall with its stunning views of
the rippling water, white church steeples, multicolored leaves, and sun-kissed
mountains. I especially like that the story
includes a few older characters, a rarity in MM literature. These characters
are quite fascinating.
Who are the supporting characters in Finding Giorgio?
Theo’s Greek parents and sister, Jamison’s Egyptian/Swedish
parents and sister and her family, Giorgio’s Italian brother, and the various
colorful characters Theo and Jamison meet along the way as they search for
Giorgio.
Who is your favorite character?
Nolan Downes. As an elderly man in failing health, he keeps his
sense of humor, strength, and will. The ex-pharmacist grieves his long-deceased
husband. At the same time, he yearns for the true love that was taken away from
him. Nolan believes if he can reunite with Giorgio, his spirit will be made
whole.
Which character was the hardest
to write?
Some of the members of Giorgio’s family were difficult, since
they didn’t fully understand Giorgio’s struggles and what was in his heart.
Which character is the sexiest?
Definitely Jamison. He is kind, sincere, handsome, muscular,
stalwart, loyal, smart, and successful. In reading the story, you completely
understand why Theo is falling in love with him.
Many of your characters in Finding Giorgio are of various ethnicities and sexual identities. Is that deliberate on your part?
Sure. We live in a diverse world. Literature should reflect
that.
You currently live upstate New York. Did that play a part in selecting your prime locations for Finding Giorgio?
Sure,
as they say, write what you know about. Besides, it’s a gorgeous area with the
best nature has to offer, especially in the fall!
What was the response of readers and reviewers when the novella was released four years ago?
Amazing! They laughed, cried, fell
in love with Theo and Jamison, and they demanded another Found at Last book. So
I wrote Finding Armando, which was released shortly afterward.
And now Finding Giorgio is also available as an audio book. What took so long?
I was waiting for the perfect audio
book performer, and I found him in Brian Cheney.
Brian has performed many of your audio books. What’s his secret?
An amazing amount of talent, a
fantastic sense of humor, perfect comic timing, wonderful acting skills, the
ability to perfectly portray different characters, and a soothing and romantic
voice. Brian is in touch with all of his emotions, and he is able to bring my
stories to vivid life. Listening to him, you feel as if you are there in the
story! Brian is also wonderful to work with, and he has become a good friend.
I’m sure you’ve been told that the novella would make a terrific movie. How would you cast it?
Here’s my wish list to name a few: Colton Haynes as Theo, Ezra
Miller as Jamison, Wanda Sykes as Tanisha, Ian McKellan as Giorgio, and me (a
bit of nepotism) playing Nolan—with age makeup of course. Come on, TV
producers, make me an offer!
How can your readers get their
hands on the audio book of Finding
Giorgio?
The purchase links are below.
When will Finding Armando be released as an
audio book?
Brian
and I are working on it now. So stay tuned!
Thank you, Joe, for interviewing today.
My pleasure. I hope
everyone will listen to the audio book of Finding
Giorgio. I’m sure, like me, you will fall in love with Theo, Jamison,
Nolan, and Giorgio and their amazing story. And I love to hear from readers and
listeners via my web site!
Finding
Giorgio
Length: 4 1/2 hours
Language: English
Genre: MM, contemporary, romance, mystery, comedy, adventure
Cover Art: Paul Richmond
Found At Last series
book one, by Joe Cosentino, published by Dreamspinner Press
Now also an audio book performed by BrianCheney
When young
accountant Theo Stratis visits Nolan Downes, an elderly gay man in a local
nursing home, he is surprised by Nolan’s request: find the lost love of his
youth, Giorgio Roberto. Theo is also surprised to meet handsome and successful
Jamison Radames, who is visiting the same nursing home. As Theo and Jamison
embark on an investigative adventure to find Giorgio, they discover a great
deal about themselves and each other. Solving the mystery of what happened to
Giorgio might mean happily ever after for more than just Nolan.
Praise for Joe Cosentino’s Books:
“Joe Cosentino has a
unique and fabulous gift. His writing is flawless…will have you guessing until
the very last page, which makes his books a joy to read. His books are worth
their weight in gold, and if you haven't discovered them yet you are in for a
rare treat.” Divine Magazine
“adventure,
mystery, and romance with every page….Funny, clever, and sweet.” Urban
Book Reviews
Joe Cosentino was voted
Favorite MM Mystery, Humorous, and Contemporary Author of the Year and Second
Place Favorite MM Romance Author of the Year by the readers of Divine
Magazine. His Dreamspinner Press titles are the In My Heart Anthology:
An Infatuation & A Shooting Star, the Tales from Fairyland Anthology:
The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland & Holiday Tales
from Fairyland, the Bobby and Paolo Holiday Stories Anthology: A
Home for the Holidays & The Perfect Gift & The First Noel, the Found
At Last Anthology: Finding Giorgio & Finding Armando, and the
two Player Piano mysteries. He is also the author of the 18 Nicky and Noah
mysteries, 5 Jana Lane mysteries (The Wild Rose Press), and 5 Cozzi Cove novels
(Ninestar Press). His books have won numerous Book of the Month awards and
Rainbow Award Honorable Mentions. As an actor, Joe appeared in principal roles
in film, television, and theatre, opposite stars such as Bruce Willis, Rosie
O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Jason Robards, and Holland Taylor. He received his
Master of Fine Arts degree from Goddard College, Master’s degree from SUNY New
Paltz, and is a happily married emeritus theatre professor residing in New York
State.
Web site: https://joecosentino.weebly.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JoeCosentinoauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeCosen
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4071647.Joe_Cosentino
Amazon: Author.to/JoeCosentino
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/joecosentinoauthor
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