Award-winning
bestselling author Joe Cosentino did an author interview with us for the
release of PORCELAIN DOLL, the second Jana Lane mystery, published by The Wild
Rose Press. He interviewed his sexy young congressman character, Sancho Ramirez,
for the release of SATIN DOLL, the third Jana Lane mystery. Joe is back with us
today interviewing his heroine Jana Lane for the release of CHINA DOLL, the
fourth Jana Lane mystery.
Joe: Hi Jana. It’s funny to interview
you since I know you so well.
Jana: Nobody knows me like you do.
Joe: Jana, you were America’s most
famous child star with movies like Daddy’s
Girl, Jungle Girl, School Spy, The Littlest Farmer, The
Cowgirl and Bandit, Girl Detective,
Pink Ballerina, The Cutest Scientist, and many more. Then at middle age, you made a
film comeback in the steamy His Obsession and Madame Senator—for which you won a well-deserved Academy Award! You
are still gorgeous at forty-one with your petite figure, layered blonde hair,
crystal blue eyes, and porcelain skin. Do you have a beauty regime?
Jana: I work out in my home gym each
day in my Hyde Park, New York estate to music like “Maniac,” “What a Feeling,” “Gloria,”
and “Cover Me.”
Joe: And your clothes are in perfect
1984 fashion with chic business suits and dresses, shoulder pads, lace gloves,
leggings, and scrunchies.
Jana: You should know.
Joe: I had to do a lot of research on
that period since I’m too young to remember the 1980’s.
Jana: You are certainly a storyteller,
Joe.
Joe: Back to the interview. Tell the
readers about your popular mystery romance series.
Jana: In PAPER DOLL at thirty-eight I live
with my family in a mansion in picturesque Hudson Valley, New York. My
flashbacks from the past become murder attempts in my future. So I venture back
to Hollywood, which helps me uncover a web of secrets about everyone I love.
Joe: And you also embark on a romance
with the devilishly handsome son of your old producer, Rocco Cavoto. But you
stay true to your husband Brian.
Jana: You can’t blame a girl for
checking out the produce.
Joe: You sure do a lot of checking in
this series.
Jana: Moving on, in PORCELAIN DOLL I
make a comeback film and uncover who is being murdered on the set and why.
Joe: And your heart is set aflutter by
your co-star, America’s heartthrob Jason Apollo.
Jana: Who is also one of the suspects.
Joe: The other suspects include your
James Dean type young co-star, your older John Wayne type co-star, your
children’s Eve Harrington type nanny, the film’s gossipy makeup and hair
artist, a local reverend trying to stop the film’s production, and Jason’s pushy
agent. SATIN DOLL is next.
Jana: In SATIN DOLL my family and I
head to Washington, DC, where I play a US senator in a new film, and become
embroiled in murder and corruption at the senate chamber.
Joe: And you embark on a romantic
flirtation with Chris Bruno, the muscular detective. You sure get around.
Jana: I go wherever you tell me to go.
I also rub elbows with senators on both sides of the aisle, a lobbyist, and a
Washington reporter.
Joe: And the reviews have been
amazing.
Jana: I know! They like me. They
really like me! Here are a few of my favorites:
“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.” Danielle Urban, Universal
Creativity Inc.
“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
“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
"Mr.
Cosentino has produced a masterpiece of mystery (Paper Doll)" "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
Joe: Tell them about your current
release, CHINA DOLL.
Jana: In CHINA DOLL I head to New York
City to star in a Broadway mystery.
Joe: And become enchanted by your
co-star Peter Stevens. Here we go again.
Jana: I admit I am taken in by Peter’s
matinee idol good looks, charm, and talent. But when bodies start dropping like
stage curtains, and the local detective is more interested in going to musical
theatre than solving the crime, it’s up to me to once again use the skills I
learned as a child star to solve the case.
Joe: And what a group! Tell them about
the suspects.
Jana: The play is produced and written
by the same producer (Stanley Rothman) and author (Katrina Wright) who produced
and wrote my first Broadway play when I was five years old, Sweet Nothings. I co-starred with the
aging but still gorgeous and mysterious Savannah Stevens, who is also co-starring
in China Doll.
Joe: Rounding out the cast are
Rothman’s granddaughter Bella, your nephew Brad, and your youngest son B.J. And
the play is directed by Katrina’s new husband, the young studly Tony Cuccioli.
Jana: Also in the cast are Sally Chen
a recent Tony Award winning actress, and Tate Moonglow a transplant from
Off-Broadway.
Joe: Who is your favorite character in
CHINA DOLL? And why?
Jana: Besides Peter, I really enjoyed
Gary Royale, B.J.’s over anxious new nanny, and of course the Broadway musical
buff Detective Douglas was great fun. Who is yours?
Joe: You are of course! And your
agent, Simon. I want to play him in the TV series. Hear that, producers! I also
love how your youngest son, B.J., takes so well to the stage in the novel.
Jana: Like mother like son—and
grandfather and uncle.
Joe: With her gorgeous violet eyes, do
you think Savannah Stevens is based on Elizabeth Taylor?
Jana: Savannah is a smart, strong,
talented woman like Elizabeth Taylor, however, she doesn’t have anywhere near
as many husbands or such a troubled life. But as is the case with all of the
characters in CHINA DOLL, a major secret is revealed about Savannah. Do you
think Katrina Wright, the highly successful mystery writer, is supposed to be
Agatha Christie?
Joe: They are both very successful,
older female writers, but Agatha Christie wrote many novels and a few plays,
Katrina has written many many plays and no novels. Also unlike Agatha Christie,
Katrina has a young stud husband who just happens to get the job as director of
Katrina’s play—to the producer’s (Stanley Rothman’s) chagrin.
Jana: Since you were an actor, like me,
did you use your acting background to write CHINA DOLL?
Joe: I wrote, directed, and acted in a
number of plays including playing opposite some pretty big stars as noted in my
biography. I used those experiences many times in CHINA DOLL when writing about
the role of the playwright, director, stage manager, producer, actors,
designers, and technicians. I know first-hand what it’s like to do a read
through, a blocking rehearsal, rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances,
and I believe the novel is better for it. Though thankfully nobody was murdered
in any of my plays.
Jana: I wish my life were as calm.
Joe: In the novel, Katrina and Stanley
use their religious beliefs as a weapon to try to fire one of the cast members.
I’m so proud of you Jana for defending Tate.
Jana: I’m a Christian who tries to
love her neighbor as herself, not judge others, and help victims of
discrimination. I stand up to Katrina and Stanley because I believe that the freedom
to worship as you choose is far different from the freedom to discriminate
against others.
Joe: That’s my girl.
Jana: Though China Doll is a fictitious play, I like how you were able to place our
theatre between the marquees of real shows playing at the time: Hurlyburly starring William Hurt and
Christopher Walken and The Rink
starring Chita Rivera and Liza Minelli. And how New York City is prominently
featured in the novel with its luxury hotels, Central Park, Washington Square
Park, Little Italy, and of course the theatre district. As is the still new
AIDS epidemic and the devastation it caused when ignored by our political
representatives, as once again I sponsor a benefit for AIDS research.
Joe: Which scene in the novel did you each
enjoy the most? And why?
Jana: I loved the only scene I’m not
in, the hospital scene. It’s so touching. And I enjoyed our lunch at New York
City’s most famous theatre district restaurant, and our carriage ride. And
always the white-knuckle surprise ending.
Joe: Thanks. Will you be jealous if I
tell the readers about my other mystery series?
Jana: Go for it.
Joe: They are the Nicky and Noah comedy
mysteries published by Lethe Press. Each novel is loaded
with wacky humor and romance in a fast-paced whodunit. Since
I am a college theatre professor/department head, and theatre departments are
havens of mystery, secrets, romance, and high humor; the series takes place at
an Edwardian style New England college. In DRAMA QUEEN (Divine Magazine’s
Favorite Mystery Novel of 2015) theatre college professors are dropping like
stage curtains. With the inept local detectives, it is up to Directing
professor, Nicky Abbondanza to use his theatre skills (including playing other
people) to solve the murders, while he directs a murder mystery onstage.
Complicating matters is Nicky’s intense crush on Assistant Professor of Acting,
handsome 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.
Jana: And don’t forget your hit MM
romance novels and novellas: IN MY HEART (An Infatuation & A Shooting
Star), A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, and THE NAKED PRINCE AND OTHER TALES FROM
FAIRYLAND (Dreamspinner Press); and the Cozzi Cove beach series: COZZI COVE:
BOUNCING BACK and COZZI COVE: MOVING FORWARD (NineStarPress).
Joe: Thanks, Jana.
Jana: Speaking of novels, what’s
my next mystery?
Joe: RAG DOLL, where you are offered
the leading role in a TV pilot about an amateur sleuth. Again, life imitates
art and you have to use the skills you learned as a child star to figure out the
secrets and capture the murderer. You are also captivated by a very sexy man
from your past.
Jana: That sounds like fun!
Joe: It is! So, everyone, enjoy the
Jana Lane mysteries. And let Jana and I know what you
think at http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com.
CHINA
DOLL, a Jana Lane mystery
by Joe
Cosentino
published
by The Wild Rose Press
Jana
Lane is back on Broadway in 1984—starring in a murder mystery. Life imitates
art when members of the company are murdered. As Jana investigates, it’s clear
she may be the next victim. Complicating matters is Jana’s uncontrollable
infatuation with her leading man, gorgeous and muscular Off-Broadway actor
Peter Stevens. Will Jana find the murderer before the curtain comes down on
her?
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, and China
Doll and the upcoming Rag Doll
(The Wild Rose Press); the Nicky and Noah mysteries: Drama Queen, Drama Muscle, and the upcoming Drama Cruise (Lethe Press); the Cozzi Cove beach series: Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back and Cozzi Cove: Moving Forward (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
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/JoeCosentinoauthor
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/JoeCosen
Excerpts
from China Doll a Jana Lane mystery
by Joe Cosentino, published by Wild Rose Press:
Tall, muscular,
aristocratic-looking with dark hair and blushed cheeks, Peter shook Jana’s
hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Lane.”
Feeling the warmth and
smoothness of his strong hand, Jana felt like a shut-in at a blind date with Mr
America. “It’s Miss Otley…rather Mrs. Lane…Mrs. Otley, but please call me
Peter.” Jana turned the color of her avocado dress.
He seemed to enjoy her
attraction to him. Amazing dimples emerged as Peter said, “I thought I was Peter.”
Jana giggled in spite of
herself. “You are. I’m Nana. I
mean…I’m Jana.”
Peter’s peaches and cream
complexion complimented his white pants, coral T-shirt, and marigold blazer. He
whispered in her ear, and she smelled fresh mint. “I’m nervous too. Everyone’s
thinking I got this role because I’m Savannah Stevens’ son. They’re probably
right.”
I
have to stop gawking at him.
“I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
Peter seemed genuinely
touched. “That means a lot to me, coming from such a fine actress. I hope
you’ll give me a few tips in rehearsals.”
Jana
came face to face with Stanley. “If Tate and Gary go, so do I.”
“Don’t
do it for me, Jana,” Tate and Gary said in unison.
Stanley
grinned. “Listen to your deviant friends, Jana.”
Tate
held Jana’s arm to stifle her from replying to Stanley.
Stanley
glared at Sally Chen. “And if anyone doesn’t like the size of her role, I’ll
accept your resignation.” Then staring at Savannah and Jana, he said, “And if
any of you regrets signing a contract with me for this show, let this be a
business lesson for you. Lawyers enforce contracts.” Stanley clapped his hands
again. “Tony, Tate, and Gary, you are released. Kat, please take a seat in the
house. Jose, back to your stage manager’s console please. Everyone else, please
make a circle around me, and I will lead you in some acting exercises.”
As
everyone moved around Stanley onstage in a state of shocked pandemonium, the
bookcase set piece teetered back and forth then crashed down on top of the
producer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There you have it! Comments? Drop Joe a line, he'll be glad to hear from you!
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