I
AM THANKFUL FOR…
by JOE COSENTINO
author
of RAG DOLL, the fifth Jana Lane mystery, published by The Wild Rose Press
As
they say, “Laughter is the best medicine.” This year I am so thankful for the
gift of humor and the people in my life who share it. I am incredibly lucky to
be surrounded by people who bring me joy and make me laugh constantly. For
example, when I realized that my interests are different than the interests of others
in my family, I asked my mother if I was adopted. Mom replied, “Believe me, you
weren’t adopted. It was eighteen hours of the worst pain in my life.” When I
was given a faculty endowed chair at my college, my father said, “You better
bring that chair over here for me to fix it. What can college guys know about
building a chair?” My spouse also cracks me up with lines like, “I couldn’t
love you more if you were ice cream. Well, maybe I could if you were chocolate chip
mint.” My colleagues at my college kid me that if any of them annoy me, I will
kill him/her in my next mystery novel. My theatre students constantly make me
laugh with their remarks. One student, after seeing me in a clip of an old
television film said, “You were really cute back then. What happened?” Through
times of personal sadness and sorrow this year, these people and their gift of
humor have carried me through. I am so thankful for them.
I am also incredibly
thankful for the muse/creativity/freedom of expression and the people in my
life who have encouraged me to express them in my own unique way. I have always
been an entertainer and storyteller. I remember starring in a Nativity play in
my cousin’s garage with my sister and older cousin wrapping sheets around us
and laying me in a box full of straw. That morphed into childhood one-man shows
in my family’s living room, where I sang and danced with a hat and cane. Full scale musicals followed starring my sister and me, including
lavish costumes in a neighbor’s garage. I am so thankful that my parents and
teachers indulged me (rather than committed me-hah). Even more than that, they
encouraged me to connect to my inner star and let it shine for the world to
see. My professors in college did the same as I starred in college mainstage
and classroom productions.
After
college, I became an actor in film, television, and theatre, working opposite
stars like Bruce Willis, Nathan Lane, Rosie O’Donnell, Holland Taylor, and
Jason Robards. Again, I am grateful for the encouragement I received from these
stars to explore my creative gene. My manager further nudged me to give
writing a try. After writing some plays, the audiences’ laughter, tears, and
applause led me to writing novels.
I channeled my
artistic spirit, using my background in show business, to write my first novel,
Paper Doll, the first Jana Lane
mystery romance novel, about an ex-child star making a comeback personally and
professionally. Her frightening flashbacks become murder attempts in her future,
uncovering a web of secrets about everyone she loves and unmasking a murderer. I
am incredibly thankful, not only for that artistic spirit, but for the
countless readers who loved that novel and begged for more Jana Lane mysteries.
After Porcelain Doll, Satin Doll, and China Doll,
where Jana solves murder mysteries on a movie set, while researching for a role
in a film in Washington, DC, and on the Broadway stage; I am again immensely
grateful for the wonderful readers who loved the romance, humor, plot twists
and turns, and shocking endings and begged for another Jana Lane mystery. I am
also thankful for the spirit of creativity that helped me write Rag Doll, the fifth Jana Lane mystery. Kudos
also to Melanie at The Wild Rose Press and so many other The Wild Rose Press
authors, like Angela Hayes, who encouraged me.
As a college
professor/department head, I try to give back by helping my students find their
special talents and believing in them. Even after graduation, I keep in touch
with many of them and offer my advice and support.
I
hope each of you connects with your inner muse, and like me, I pray you have
people around you who support and cheer on your unique talents.
Print ISBN 978-1-5092-
Digital ISBN 978-1-5092- 29
Released: November 16, 2016
Pages: 260
Cover Artist: Debbie Taylor
BLURB
Murder, romance, and
scandal on and off the set of Jana Lane’s new murder mystery television show.
America’s most famous ex-child star Jana Lane is starring in The
Detective’s Wife, a murder mystery television show in 1985. Guest starring
on the show is Christa Bianca, a rags-to-riches ingénue who has flooded the
entertainment press. Life imitates television as cast members are murdered, and once
again it’s up to Jana, along with sexy ex-detective Chris Bove, to save the day
before the lights fade to black.
EXCERPT
EXCERPT
Jana and Bove did the scene again with a thin
piece of gauze over the camera lens aimed at Jana.
Ah, the plight of a middle-aged actress.
Jana
felt even better about that take. Their relationship worked, and the energy
bounced back and forth between them almost effortlessly. Again Jana wondered
what it would be like sharing her days with Bove and kissing Bove in bed before
sleep each night.
Herm’s
call for action brought Jana back to the scene. Bove’s close-up was even better
than the first two takes. It was as if they had been married for years with an
easygoing yet emotional rapport.
“Cut!”
“Good
job, partner.”
Bove
smiled at Jana. “Right back at you.”
As
she started to rise from the bed, Jana spotted Christa in the distance with a
look of horror on her face.
The
young woman screamed as a lighting screen headed straight for her. Stu
Silverman, standing next to Christa, noticed and pushed Christa out of the way
in
the
nick of time. The screen crashed to the floor inches away from Christa’s feet.
Standing on the other side of her, Andrew Bianca took his wife in his arms, and
she
wept
on his shoulder.
Bove whispered to Jana, “Here we go
again.”
Buy Links
The Wild Rose Press
Ebook
Paperback
Amazon
All Romance E books
Barnes
and Noble
Praise
for CHINA DOLL, a Jana Lane mystery:
“Joe Cosentino never
disappoints...his novels are superb. I find myself addicted to each story that
he writes, and once he writes a new book the characters end up being added to
my all-time favorite lists. There's plenty of action, intrigue, and murder to go
around. A talented writer whose words constantly draw me in every time. I look
forward to the next masterfully woven story in this series. Jana Lane is
definitely a new female sleuth that should be on everyone's reading list. I
highly recommend China Doll to readers worldwide.” Urban Book
Reviews
Praise
for SATIN DOLL, a Jana Lane mystery:
“A book that will captivate
any reader! A page turner that won't let you go! This is one author you can
always depend on to publish a good read!!” Stormy Nights Reviewing
“Joe Cosentino is a
brilliant mastermind when creating the perfect mystery series. In each novel in
this intriguing series of his, Jana Lane Mysteries, readers are blown away by
his writing. The instant readers jump into Joe Cosentino's fictional world, the
danger feels real, the suspense is killing, and the plot moves so fast. Action,
lights, camera!” “A fast-paced murder mystery that readers will easily
fall in love with...and one they can't live without. Overall, I highly
recommend this new title in the Jana Lane Mysteries and look forward to the
next best adventure from Joe Cosentino.” Urban Book Reviews
Praise
for PORCELAIN DOLL, a Jana Lane mystery:
“Porcelain Doll is
Joe Cosentino at his finest. We are drawn back to the fashions and attitudes of
the 1980's in a character-driven story full of intrigue and passion."
Kirsty Vizard, Divine Magazine
“Beautifully written and
intensely detailed, Porcelain Doll is one not to be missed.
Flirtatiously decadent with a strong moral undertone, set in a decade of
extraordinary social change this is a story of its period that is as poignant today
as it was then. Joe Cosentino controlled the emotions that the book encouraged
with a deft but delicate touch. Suspenseful and mysterious, Porcelain
Doll is a masterful creation, one that was impossible not to be
affected by.” Carol Fenton, BooksLaidBare Reviews
“Murder, mystery, and
suspense are high inside of this brilliant masterpiece by Joe Cosentino.”
“Every page fills the readers with intrigue.” “Edge of your seat mystery that
lures readers instantly.” “Once you read it, you can't put it down.” Urban Book
Reviews
“Porcelain Doll hooks
from the start with characters behaving badly, all of whom have life-changing
secrets.” “The story includes a nice arc, well-developed characters, and a few
unexpected surprises.” InD’tale Magazine
Praises for
PAPER DOLL, the first Jana Lane mystery:
“Paper Doll is
a superbly crafted mystery with an eclectic cast of characters that will engage
you and elicit some very emotional responses as you are completely caught up in
the events that unfold in these pages. Everyone has secrets and the people
in Paper Doll have them in spades!” Fresh Fiction
“If you like novels that are filled with new and old
Hollywood, and a range of sub-plots, you are going to love this!” Saguaro Moon
Reviews
“I liked that there was
enough evidence for each of the suspects to keep me guessing until the very
end.” Molly Lolly Reviews
“Joe Cosentino knows how to
keep his readers’ interest with every page.” Urban Book Reviews
"Mr. Cosentino has
produced a masterpiece of mystery" "The story gripped me from the
start and there were enough twists and turns, with a bit of romance thrown in
for good measure, to keep hold of me until the end of the book." "Great
book, can’t wait for book 2." Readers’ Favorite
Bestselling author Joe
Cosentino won Divine Magazine’s awards for best mystery novel, best humorous
novel, and best contemporary novel of 2015. He is the author of the Jana Lane
mysteries: Paper Doll, Porcelain Doll, Satin Doll, China
Doll, Rag Doll (The Wild Rose Press); the Nicky and Noah
mysteries: Drama Queen, Drama Muscle, and the upcoming Drama
Cruise and Drama Luau (Lethe Press); the Cozzi Cove
beach series: Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back, Cozzi Cove: Moving
Forward, and the upcoming Cozzi Cove: Stepping Out (NineStar
Press); and the romance novellas: In My Heart anthology (An
Infatuation & A Shooting Star), A Home for the Holidays,
and The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland (Dreamspinner
Press); and The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (Eldridge Plays
and Musicals). As an actor, he has appeared in principal 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. http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com
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Laughter is one of life's very best gifts! Well, laughter and music. And chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate. Enjoyed your post!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Where would we be without the support of those who believe in us! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLaughter is what gets me through some of the tougher times of life. Absolutely loved your post, Joe! Wishing you continued success!
ReplyDeleteLaughter is what gets me through some of the tougher times of life. Absolutely loved your post, Joe! Wishing you continued success!
ReplyDelete