Movie Review: Assassin's Creed

**SPOILER ALERT**

Happy Holidays, everyone! Last night, the boys took me out to see a movie at Movie Tavern (and if you haven't been to a Movie Tavern, you totally need to try it). Rogue One was already sold out for the two shows that evening, so we decided on Assassin's Creed.

I've never played the video game, but I've watched some cut scenes, and they're totally cool. I didn't know much of anything about the mythos of the video game, and I'm sort of glad about that, because I went into the film cold. That meant I didn't have any preconceived notions about what the film should be, and could look for a complete story.

Remember "Movies for Guys Who Like Movies?" You'd probably see this one in that lineup. The visuals in this film were really cool, and what I would expect of something based on a video game about assassins, i.e. lots of action, violence, etc. There were spots here and there where the motion capture was clearly CG, rather than a real body, and unnecessarily so, giving the film enough of a surreal look to grab my attention and draw me out of the plot. My ten-year-old had some trouble following the plot here and there, but a quick explanation was enough for him to keep up. And speaking of plot, that brings me to my real negative about the film.

Here There Be Spoilers

Sadly, the plot is rather shoestring, just enough to hang the movie on, and no more. Michael Fassbender plays Cal, a man who has grown up on the wrong side of the tracks and lands in Abstergo Industries, a company who seems to be hoarding criminals for the purposes of putting them in a machine that will somehow lead them to the film's MacGuffin, a device called the Apple of Eden. This Apple supposedly holds the key to ending free will, and the Assassins have sworn to defend it from the nefarious Knights Templar, who want it in order to bend the world to their will. The scientists at Abstergo learn that Cal is a direct descendant of the Assassin last known to have the Apple, and here is where I thought the plot fell apart.

The lead scientist, Dr. Sophia Rikkin, is the daughter of the company's bigshot. She claims to be doing research that will end mankind's propensity for violence, and she thinks the Apple is the key. This anti-violence woman is the first to greet Cal upon his traumatic arrival at Abstergo. She then proceeds to put him into the machine, an uncomfortable and frankly scary device, with zero explanation, and subject him to scary, violent images. I'm not sure how this is supposed to hang together, logically. I certainly doubted it could rid Cal of violence, and I don't know how the writers thought Sophia would think so. Plot logic is important, as is a logical motivation for your characters.

Cal's genetic memories of his ancestor, brought on by this machine, are super cool, though. I really wish they had just done a whole story in the past about Aguilar, instead of hopscotching back and forth between past and present. I know the video game spans different times, but I think they could have done much better at conveying that on film.

Everything comes to a head when the Templars learn where the Apple has hidden all these years, and it's up to the Assassins to stop them from using it. The criminals from Abstergo turn out to be other descendants of Assassins, and that left me wondering why Abstergo kept them around. You'd think they'd have these Assassin descendants killed, since they were of no use to Abstergo, not being actual leads to the Apple. Nope. Let's just hang onto those liabilities, and house and feed them and spend money on them until they turn on us. That makes sense, doesn't it?

There's so much backstory going on in this movie that the characterization suffers. We don't know much about Cal or Sophia, and nothing at all about Cal's fellow inmates of Abstergo. Frankly, in his few lines, Baptiste nearly stole the show in terms of characterization. I would have liked a little more about each of these would-be Assassins, so I could care more about them if they were in danger. Good characters make even a bad film memorable.

The good guys win, of course, and look badass doing it, but when I thought about why I didn't thoroughly love this movie, the answer was simple. In fiction, we are told that flashbacks kill pacing, and that's just what happened here, aside from lack of meaty characterization. It's really too bad. Boiled down, those of us who spent our hard-earned cash to see this movie simply sat around and watched Cal remember stuff.

Conclusion

The story is left wide open for a sequel. I'll watch followups to the film, but maybe wait for video to do so. It's a fun popcorn movie, if you're up for an afternoon of Matrix-like action. Until next time!

RATING: 3 of 5 stars

Guest Author: Becky Lower!

Happy Holidays, and please welcome author Becky Lower, who joins us today with her newest contemporary romance, just released December 7th! LOVE'S IN THE CARDS is a sweet, engaging holiday romance set in the fictional Maine town of Lobster Cove.

1) How did you get started writing?
 
Like most authors, I've been writing since I could hold a pencil. At age 12, I decided I didn't like Little Joe getting all the ladies on Bonanza when brooding Adam was the real hottie, so I wrote a screenplay and sent it in. Fortunately, the writers, after they quit laughing at my attempt, sent me back a very encouraging rejection letter. I majored in Journalism in college, but news writing wasn't my thing. It took many more years before I found my way back to writing about brooding heroes.

2) What interests or excites you most about your genres?

I like to cleanse my writing palate between books, so I write one historical followed by one contemporary. At least that's the way it's supposed to work, but sometimes deadlines intervene. With the historicals, I love finding an obscure fact in history and weaving it into a story line, building an entire book around it. My contemporaries don't require the same amount of research, but I still like to add something to the story, a rare fact that most people don't know, like the steps you have to go through to build a patio. It excites me when I learn something new, so I hope my readers learn from my books as they enjoy them.

3) Who or what is your favorite inspiration when writing?

My three all-time favorite authors are Nora Roberts, Julia Quinn and Jude Deveraux, although there are a ton of newer authors who are making waves in the romance world. My biggest influencers in my writing are Stephen King, Blake Snyder and Margie Lawson.

4) Tell me about your latest book or work in progress.

My first Lobster Cove book is a novella called Love's In The Cards. Two sisters own a greeting card/gift store in Lobster Cove and are gearing up for the mad Christmas selling season when the book opens. Their shop is chosen from all the shops in which the company has outlets to unveil the mystery artist of the newest line of cards. Then, the romance begins. It's a cute, quick read, perfect for the busy season coming up. I'm also working on another book, also set in Lobster Cove, which incorporates the shop, the sisters, and introduces a cousin to the mix. Each time I get to the polishing stage of a book, I declare it's my favorite book ever, but this time, I mean it. I've tentatively titled it Sweet Caroline, and it's due to the publisher soon.

5) Please share with us the first paragraph of your latest work.

This is from Love's In The Cards:

Penny cringed as her sister, Abbey, sang at the top of her lungs in her off-key voice. Her voice might have been muffled behind the life-size figure she manhandled, but her intention rang out loud and clear. “Hark The Herald Angels sing, something, something, something.” The remaining lyrics were merely hummed, since Abbey had memorized only the first line.

About LOVE'S IN THE CARDS:

Penny Beedle's outlook on Christmas, as her favorite holiday, was destroyed by a messy breakup years earlier and a botched wedding last year—both on Christmas Eve. But since she and her sister now own a greeting card store, and the holidays are their crazy selling season, she has to put on a happy face.

Del Madison has loved Penny since kindergarten. Commissioned by a big greeting card company for a line of Christmas and Valentine's cards, he has to emerge from behind his alter ego and unveil himself to the public. He chooses Penny Beedle's shop for the big reveal. If he plays his cards right, he just might gain Penny as part of his life.

About Becky Lower:

Amazon best-selling author Becky Lower has traveled the country looking for great settings for her novels. She loves to write about two people finding each other and falling in love, amid the backdrop of a great setting, be it on a covered wagon headed west or in present day small town America. Historical and contemporary romances are her specialty. Becky is a PAN member of RWA and is a member of the Historic and Contemporary RWA chapters. She has a degree in English and Journalism from Bowling Green State University, and lives in an eclectic college town in Ohio with her puppy-mill rescue dog, Mary. She loves to hear from her readers.

To learn more about Becky or LOVE'S IN THE CARDS, check out links below. Happy Reading!

Buy LOVE'S IN THE CARDS: https://www.amazon.com/Loves-Cards-Lobster-Becky-Lower-ebook/dp/B01M4J150Z
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Author Joe Cosentino on Mysteries

Good morning, readers! Today, author Joe Cosentino returns to discuss the release of his newest novel, RAG DOLL, and the writing of a genre I particularly love (being a Sherlock Holmes fan), mysteries!

What attracts you to writing mystery novels?

I had terrible insomnia as a kid. Believe it or not, what finally got me to sleep was reading cozy mystery novels. And I've read hundreds of them. So it was clear to me that my novels would also be page-turning mysteries with clever plot twists, engaging characters, romance, enticing locations, and lots of clues leading to a shocking conclusion. Since coming from a funny, emotional Italian-American family, I also knew humor and romance would play a role in my novels.

Who is your favorite mystery author, and why?

Besides me? Hah. Of course Agatha Christie is the queen of murder mysteries. Armistead Maupin has an amazing flair for writing eccentric, loveable characters with engaging and realistic dialogue. Mary Higgins Clark blends mystery and romance so beautifully.

What advice would you give to other mystery writers?

I love reading and writing stories with engaging characters who I want to spend time with. Just as I did improvisation as an actor, I recommend letting your characters talk to one another and seeing what happens! An outline is simply an outline. Don't be afraid to deviate from it. A writer should create an entire world of suspense above and beyond "who done it." When a reader finishes a book, he/she should be satisfied that the various parts equaled the whole. Finally, don't forget the humor and romance!

Tell us about the Jana Lane mystery series and your latest novel.

As a child, I loved child stars like Shirley Temple, Hayley Mills, and Patty Duke, seeing their movies over and over. So I created a heroine who was the biggest child star ever until she was attacked on the studio lot at eighteen years old. In PAPER DOLL, Jana at thirty-eight lives with her family in a mansion in picturesque Hudson Valley, New York. Her flashbacks from the past become murder attempts in her future. Jana ventures back to Hollywood, which helps her uncover a web of secrets about everyone she loves. She also embarks on a romance with the devilishly handsome son of her old producer, Rocco Cavoto. In PORCELAIN DOLL, Jana makes a comeback film and uncovers who is being murdered on the set and why. Her heart is set aflutter by her incredibly gorgeous co-star, America's heartthrob Jason Apollo. In SATIN DOLL, Jana and family head to Washington, DC, where Jana plays a US senator in a new film, and becomes embroiled in a murder and corruption at the senate chamber. She also embarks on a romance with Chris Bruno, the muscular detective. Jana rubs elbows with senators on both sides of the aisle, a lobbyist, and a Washington reporter. Her husband also goes through a personal crisis. In CHINA DOLL, Jana heads to New York City to star in a Broadway play, enchanted by her gorgeous co-star Peter Stevens, and faced with murder on stage and off.

Now in RAG DOLL, Jana stars in a new television series, The Detective's Wife, opposite Chris Bove, the hunky detective who got away in SATIN DOLL. Guest starring on the show is young ingénue Christa Bianca, a rags to riches story who has flooded the press. Life imitates television as Christa's loved ones are murdered, and Christa and Jana could be next. Once again it's up to Jana to save the day before the lights fade to black.

You've had lots of contacts in the entertainment world. You worked on television as an actor with Holland Taylor (My Mother Was Never a Kid ABC-TV movie), Charles Keating (NBC's Another World), David Paymer (Ruffles Potato Chips commercial), and Jason Robards (Commercial Credit Computer commercial). Did you use any of those experiences in writing about Jana and company's shooting of The Detective's Wife in RAG DOLL?

Definitely! As one reviewer of PAPER DOLL wrote, I used my knowledge of show business to devilish ends. Actually, I used my background in each of the Jana Lane novels, since I know the ins and outs on a movie set, television set, and theatre stage. Thankfully nobody was murdered on my shows. I've been told the television shooting sequences in RAG DOLL are realistic, exciting, and fun to read. I'm sure that's because I know my way around a real television set, and I tried hard to incorporate that knowledge into those scenes.

Jana uses the skills she learned as a child star to solve the crime. How do you remember all of Jana's old movie titles and storylines?

I keep really good notes on Jana's old movies, and on each room in her Hyde Park, New York mansion.

Was it difficult writing a book that takes place in 1985?

Since I was around back then, and the internet is a wonderful research source, I enjoyed writing about the political and social events, music, movies, television shows, and fashion of that era. Jana is right in line with her hair, makeup, and wardrobe.

Which part of the novel did you enjoy writing the most, and why?

I loved writing Jana's banter with Bove. It still makes me laugh. I also get tears in my eyes when reading the story of Christa's rise from impoverished, mocked child (the other children calling her "Rag Doll") to upcoming star.

Everyone in RAG DOLL seems to have a secret. Thank you for revealing them by the book's end.

Yes, each Jana Lane mystery is its own story. Readers get a complete mystery with each novel, as you said, full of revealed secrets.

You play fair in your mysteries, meaning the clues are there, and so are the plot twists and turns, and white knuckle shocking ending.

I don't like mysteries where characters are introduced and the writer arbitrarily picks the murderer at the end. The readers feel cheated. At the end of a mystery, the readers should say, "Of course! How did I not see that?" I agree about the ending. It still makes my heart race when I read it—and I'm still surprised.

Do you have another mystery series besides the Jana Lane mysteries?

Yes, 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 Readers' Choice Award for Best Mystery, Best Crime, Best Humorous, Best Contemporary 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 (Rainbow Award Honorable Mention) 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 (releasing December 1) 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.

I also have an M/M series with lots of mysterious elements, Rainbow Award Honorable Mention COZZI COVE: BOUNCING BACK, COZZI COVE: MOVING FORWARD, and COZZI COVE: STEPPING OUT (releasing in January) taking place on the Jersey Shore and published by NineStar Press.

You're certainly prolific! What are you writing now?

I've taken a break to do interviews like this one, which I really enjoy!

Thanks for joining me today. How can your readers contact you or find your book?

I love hearing from readers. They can contact me at: http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com

Find RAG DOLL at:

The Wild Rose Press: http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/4671-rag-doll.html
The Wild Rose Press (Paperback): http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/paperback-books/4753-rag-doll-paperback.html
Amazon: http://myBook.to/Rag_Doll
AllRomance EBooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-ragdoll-2126977-367.html
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rag-doll-joe-cosentino/1124742578?ean=2940156928002

About Joe Cosentino

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

Web site: http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JoeCosentinoauthor
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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4071647.Joe_Cosentino
Amazon: Author.to/JoeCosentino

An excerpt of RAG DOLL by Joe Cosentino, published by The Wild Rose Press:

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."

Christmas Tree 2016

This year was my son's turn to decide the Christmas tree theme, and my patriotic boy chose red, white, and blue for the theme, so we did a "God Bless America" tree. He chose the ornaments to go on it, and the arrangement of them. I think he did a pretty good job, don't you?

Romance: The Great Equalizer

A Lack of Balance

I've noticed a sad trend lately, and it only appears to be on the upswing. Since the Nineties, more and more popular media are jumping on the bandwagon of misandry. From sitcoms to commercials to popular films, we are given examples where the male character bumbles along beside a much wittier female lead.

I've blogged about this before, but the explosion of films where men are maligned has pushed me over the edge of tolerance for it.  I recently watched "Ghostbusters" (the new one, circa 2016) and was mortified to find that, once again, Hollywood has presented the public with a story where men are marginalized to the extent of pointlessness. The men in this film are either hopeless bad guys, irritants, or witless eye candy. The script could have done so much with Chris Hemsworth, who has scads of talent, but it left him to hobble around as a constant joke. The original "Ghostbusters" had Bill Murray portraying a womanizing layabout, but we at least had the satisfaction of seeing him step up to the plate by the end.

Instead of fostering a gender balance, Hollywood has somehow decided that in order to empower women, it must now belittle men. I was embarrassed for my gender as we watched the female characters in the film ogle his character while shaking their heads at his stupidity. Switch genders in this film. If all the leads were male, and that poor, dumb, attractive secretary was female, women everywhere would be in an uproar.

What does this kind of movie say to my nine-year-old son who watched it with me - that he is only worth what he looks like on the outside, and that it's okay not to strive for a more meaningful part in society? What does it say to women - that it's okay to drool over a man and ridicule him if he isn't brilliant? Come on, Hollywood: stop pandering and start telling a story that requires real work!

Romance to the Rescue

One of the reasons I love writing the romances I do is the equality between the sexes. Romance writers know what Hollywood seems to have forgotten: that it takes balance to build a strong relationship, and anything less is not worth fighting for. Balance between a hero and heroine is what makes a powerful story. Each brings something to the relationship, helping to form a solid whole that is greater than its parts. There is no ridicule, no "I am better than you." The hero may be strong. He may be an alpha male to the core. He may say he needs no one, but eventually he finds himself seeking out the heroine for her own strengths. The heroine can be strong in her own right, able to lead a corporation or captain a military unit, but she still comes to rely on the hero for his strengths to augment her own. A relationship that lacks such give-and-take will never last. I keep waiting for Hollywood to get this into their heads and write me a comedy where the hero and heroine stand on equal footing.

Until then, I'll do some writing of my own.

Guest Author Joe Cosentino on Audiobooks

Today, I welcome back Joe Cosentino, author of the five popular Jana Lane mystery novels. Joe brings us a special treat, his first Jana Lane mystery, PAPER DOLL, now released for audiobook! Good to have you again, Joe!

Thank you for being such a gracious host, and even serving cyberspace tea.

After writing five Jana Lane mystery romance novels (RAG DOLL releasing November 16), you just released the audiobook of the first novel, PAPER DOLL. Please tell us about this decision.

Audiobooks are slowly becoming more and more popular. PAPER DOLL has been out as an ebook and paperback for nearly two years. I wanted to reach the listeners who prefer an audio experience. Also, until the TV series happens (I can dream), an audiobook is the next best thing. By the way, if the Jana Lane Mysteries are on TV, I want to play Jana’s comical old-world agent, Simon Huckby. Make me an offer, TV producers!

Tell us about the process of creating an audiobook, and how it differs from print publication. Were you given input on the reader?

When writing a book, I generally wake up at 3:00 AM with an idea for a shocking twist ending. The next day, if I can read the notes I wrote on my night table, I write an outline, character biographies, clue list, red herring list, and markers for the plot twists and turns. Then I let the characters talk to each other in my head. They say the most amazing things. After the first draft, my spouse gives me notes. The second draft goes to the publisher for an ebook and paperback. Audiobooks are generally created after the publication of a book. The book is posted on Audible.com requesting narrators/producers to audition. The author receives the auditions, generally the first five minutes of the novel, electronically via Audible. After listening and selecting a narrator/producer, the author makes an offer to the preferred narrator/producer. In the case of PAPER DOLL, ten seconds into Charissa Clark Howe’s audition, I knew she was Jana Lane. I asked her if she would audition again with some of the other characters’ lines, especially the male characters. Charissa nailed every character perfectly. I was thrilled when she accepted my offer to do the audiobook.

That's fantastic! Were you given input on the voices, etc.?

The author has to approve the first ten minutes, and eventually the entire audiobook, before it can be listed for sale. So the author generally asks for corrections regarding text accuracy, character voices, and pronunciations if/when necessary.

What is the storyline of PAPER DOLL?

PAPER DOLL is the fictitious story of Jana Lane, America’s most famous child star until she was attacked on the studio lot at eighteen years old. Now a thirty-eight-year-old beauty and mother of two living in a mansion in picturesque Hudson Valley, New York, Jana’s flashbacks from her past turn into murder attempts in her present. Jana visits the California movie studio she once called home. This sends her on a whirlwind of visits with former and current movie studio personnel. It also leads to a romance with the son of her old producer—Rocco Cavoto—the devilishly handsome filmmaker who is planning Jana’s comeback both professionally and personally. Jana uncovers a web of secrets about everyone she loves, including the person who destroyed her past and threatens to snuff out her future.

It sounds like, once again, you used your background as a professional actor in creating this story.

I sure did. I love it when readers tell me that my insider knowledge of the world of show business comes through in the Jana Lane mysteries. I love it even more when they write about how much they love Jana’s strength and courage, the humor in the novels, and how they didn’t figure out the endings.

Did the storyline present any difficulties in terms of creating the audiobook?

The story takes place in 1980 with flashbacks to 1960, during the Hollywood studio system. I had a great deal of fun with the clothes, makeup, hair, music, and attitudes of those wonderful eras. Charissa did a great job making it quite clear when we were in 1980 or in 1960. Her clear diction enables the listener to hear and understand each word. The quirky characters like Jana’s agent, biggest fan, hammy has-been actor father, jealous sister, gay best friend, and more gave Charissa the opportunity to play unique and wonderful personalities. Charissa also did a fine job highlighting the clues, red herring, plot twists and turns, and powerful confrontation between Jana and the murderer ending in a shocking conclusion.

Now we need to know: will the other Jana Lane mysteries be made into audiobooks?

I hope so. They are published by The Wild Rose Press. So it is their decision. The other four books would make terrific audiobooks. In PORCELAIN DOLL, Jana makes a comeback film and uncovers who is being murdered on the set and why. Her heart is set aflutter by her incredibly gorgeous co-star, America’s heartthrob Jason Apollo. In SATIN DOLL, Jana and family head to Washington, DC, where Jana plays a U.S. senator in a new film, and becomes embroiled in a murder and corruption at the senate chamber. She also embarks on a flirtation with Chris Bruno, the sexy detective. In CHINA DOLL, Jana heads to New York City to star in a Broadway play, enchanted by her gorgeous co-star Peter Stevens, and faced with murder on stage and off. In RAG DOLL, Jana stars in a TV murder mystery series, and once again life imitates art. She is also reunited with Chris Bruno, the detective who got away.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: To purchase Joe's newest paperback, RAG DOLL, see the following links:

AllRomance Ebooks
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
The Wild Rose Press

To order PAPER DOLL on audiobook, see below!]

Do you have other audiobooks for sale?

The hysterically funny Michael Gilboe narrated my first Nicky and Noah comedy mystery novel, DRAMA QUEEN (Lethe Press), beautifully playing all twenty-two characters. Since Michael is a college theatre professor, like me, he connected with the mystery, secrets, romance, and high humor of this novel set at an Edwardian-style New England college. In DRAMA QUEEN (Divine Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Award for Best Mystery, Best Crime, Best Humorous, Best Contemporary novel of 2015), theatre college professors are dropping like stage curtains. With the inept local detectives, it is up to Directing professor Nicky Abbondanza and Acting professor Noah Oliver to use their theatre skills (including playing other people) to solve the murders, while Nicky directs a murder mystery onstage. Hopefully audiobooks will follow for the other Nicky and Noah mysteries. In DRAMA MUSCLE (Rainbow Award Honorable Mention), 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 (releasing December 1), 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. The fourth book, DRAMA LUAU (not released yet), has Nicky and Noah putting on a luau show as muscular male dancers drop like hula skirts. As the series progresses, Nicky and Noah fall deeper in love, and the readers hopefully fall deeper in love with Nicky and Noah.

Was working with Michael different from working with Charissa?

They were both delightful to work with and totally open to any of my requests for changes in pronunciations. Since Michael had so many characters to create, he welcomed my input on some of the voices. I still laugh when I hear that audiobook, and I’m surprised by the ending when the murderer is revealed!

Do you have any other audiobooks in the works?

Actor Joel Leslie, who has quite a following, is doing my Dreamspinner Press novellas THE NAKED PRINCE AND OTHER TALES FROM FAIRYLAND and A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS (which takes place on the gorgeous and romantic island of Capri in Italy), releasing in November and December respectively. Joel is quite gifted with accents. Again, he was quite open to my requests regarding pronunciations of names.

My other two Dreamspinner Press romance novellas, IN MY HEART/An Infatuation & A Shooting Star (Rainbow Award Honorable Mention), loosely based on my high school and college years, are currently listed on Audible for audition. I’d also love to see my four Cozzi Cove beach romance novels (NineStar Press) as audiobooks, and I hope that will happen soon.

Where do you see the future of audiobooks?

Since people’s lives get more and more active and hurried, I assume the popularity of audiobooks will continue. Hearing a book in your car, while jogging, at the gym, or at work will probably become the norm.

PAPER DOLL has already received many accolades. Fresh Fiction has called it "superbly crafted," and I'm sure you'll have many new readers in this new audio format. Best of luck to you!

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About Joe Cosentino

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, Drama Cruise (Lethe Press); the Cozzi Cove beach series: Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back, Cozzi Cove: Moving Forward, 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). 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. Upcoming novels are Drama Luau and Cozzi Cove: New Beginnings.

Web site: http://www.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: https://www.amazon.com/Joe-Cosentino/e/B00KRPXJP6