A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
by JOE COSENTINO
a HEA holiday short novella published by Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Paul Richmond
e-book $3.99 Dreamspinner Press
Author Interview
My interview with Joe Cosentino, author of A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, a holiday novella from Dreamspinner Press.
Welcome back, Joe Cosentino, and happy holidays! Speaking of the holidays, your latest short novella, A Home for the Holidays, is a title ripe for pulling memories out of people. What made you pick that title?
Regardless of whether or not you celebrate the winter holidays, I think all of us are looking for a place to call home. That place is beside the people we love. Bobby and Paolo learn that in my story.
What memories conjure up the holidays for you?
I would love to answer chestnuts roasting on an open fire, sitting at the window seat and watching the snow fall over the lake, sleigh riding down the mountain then cuddling over a hot chocolate mug at the fireplace, and opening lavish gifts under a Christmas tree draped in golden ornaments. In actuality, Like Bobby and Paolo in my story, I come from a large funny Italian family who celebrate the holidays as if they’re lives depended on it. Relatives sit at a long table packed with enough delicious food to feed all of New Jersey—including the governor! My mother asks my father to say Grace. He lifts his wine and offers, “Salute, drink up.” My mother then asks each of us to remove the napkin from the belly of the ceramic Santa on the table in front of him or her, saying, “I made them at the senior center. After I die, I want you all to take these out each Christmas, think of me, and cry buckets.” As platters of savory food are passed from person to person, relatives ask me why my books haven’t been made into movies yet starring Al Pacino. During the scrumptious meal, the dog rests her paws on my legs and begs for food. When I tell my mother I’m allergic, Mom replies, “I don’t know why you don’t like the dog. She likes you!” After dinner, we open more gifts than Macys can house in their warehouse. Everyone has a funny story to tell, and my mother has an opinion on everything from crime (“If anybody messes with my grandchildren, I’ll cut his heart out.”) to the economy (“The problem with the economy is that our neighbors go out to eat and shop for clothes too much.”) to the environment (“The planet is a mess, because nobody cleans as good as I do.”). Then everyone falls asleep in front of the television set.
When you think of the holidays and home, what is the picture that springs to mind and how did that influence your story?
I’d love to answer spiritual reflection (though I do that too), but in reality I think about my Italian family. They certainly influenced this story as Bobby’s parents and Paolo’s grandmother are a great deal like mine—and hysterically funny. My family also pestered me for years to go to Italy, where the story takes place. So one year like Kunta Kinte charting his roots, my spouse and I dipped into our savings—and dipped into the Dramamine, and booked a flight and bus tour from the US to Rome, Naples, Venice, Assisi, Lake Como, Milan, Florence, the Amalphi Coast, Pompeii, Tuscany, and Lake Maggiore. However, there was no site more gorgeous, magical, and romantic than the Island of Capri. My family members were right! It was not to be missed. Upon arriving back in the US, I thanked them. I also realized I had to write a romantic story taking place in Capri, including Capri’s stunning villas, enormous cliffs sitting majestically on the sparkling turquoise water, white sand beaches surrounded by white stone formations, sumptuous food, sensuous people, and the stunning Grotta Azzurra (the Blue Grotto) with its brilliant shades of iridescent sapphire and emerald from the sun’s reflection on the water in the cove.
In my story Bobby, a young, Italian American law student, travels to Capri to meet his quaint Italian relatives. Though they get off to a rocky start, he falls in love with his handsome, muscular, sexy Italian third cousin, Paolo. Bobby is hardworking, and Paolo is hard living. Bobby is a romantic, and Paolo is more concerned about his clothing and social life. Their relationship with highs and lows and some captivating surprises is the core of this HEA novella.
After reading A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, readers have said they’ve taken a little trip to Capri and had the romance of a lifetime—for a lot less money! I hope readers will pick up this short novella bursting with the sights, scents, sounds, tastes, and romance of the magnificent island of Capri! And I love hearing from readers. They can contact me at: http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com.
Blurb
Bobby McGrath’s Christmas trip to the beautiful Italian Island of Capri to meet his eccentric, extended family offers stunning views—none more stunning than his third cousin, Paolo Mascobello, a real stocking stuffer. As the two young men embark on a relationship, Bobby, a driven law student, learns to relax and bask under the old Italian moon, and Paolo realizes there’s more to life than a frolic on the beach. For the two to find everlasting amore, Paulo must overcome his fear of commitment and learn to follow his dreams, and Bobby must get his wish for happily ever after. “Reading this little holiday treat is like taking a romantic trip to gorgeous Capri, Italy!”
About the Author
Amazon Bestselling author Joe Cosentino wrote An Infatuation, A Shooting Star, A Home for the Holidays (Dreamspinner Press),Drama Queen the first Nicky and Noah mystery (Lethe Press), Paper Doll the first Jana Lane mystery (Whiskey Creek Press), andThe Nutcracker and the Mouse King (Eldridge Plays and Musicals). 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, Charles Keating, and Jason Robards. His one-act plays, Infatuation and Neighbor, were performed in New York City. He wrote The Perils of Pauline educational film (Prentice Hall Publishers). Joe is currently Head of the Department/Professor at a college in upstate New York, and is happily married. His upcoming releases in 2016 are The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland (Dreamspinner Press short stories novella), Porcelain Doll the second Jana Lane mystery (Wild Rose Press), and Drama Muscle the second Nicky and Noah mystery (Lethe Press).
Book Details:
ebook
Expected publication: December 2nd 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781634765367
edition languageEnglish
Words: 15,000
Giveaway
Giveaway: Joe Cosentino is the author of two other hit novellas from Dreamspinner Press: AN INFATUATION and A SHOOTING STAR. Leave a comment below about your holiday plans. The one that we think hits it home the most for us will receive your choice of an AN INFATUATION or A SHOOTING STAR e-book from the author. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Happy holidays!
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Praise for Joe Cosentino’s In My Heart novellas, AN INFATUATION & A SHOOTING STAR, from Dreamspinner Press:
“unbelievably beautiful” “a masterpiece” Lovebytes Reviews
“as Joe Cosentino proves time and time again, with his wonderful writing and storytelling ability, love will prevail, and you will smile from ear to ear.” Kathy Mac Reviews
“a master class in how to write short fiction (or any fiction). Joe Cosentino has provided a work that will leave you thinking and wanting to savor and re-read it again and again.” GGR Reviews
“Like an onion, Joe Cosentino’s stories have layers.” “For those readers looking for something a little bit different – dare I say unique? For those readers who like to laugh. For those readers who appreciate the nuances of people and the way each character is different. For those readers who want to read a damn good story – check out this author. I’m glad I did.” “A truly fabulous read.” Boy Meets Boy Reviews
“This story just blew me away.” Cathy Brockman Romance/MM Good Book Reviews
“From the beginning I was enthralled and couldn’t wait to finish the book.” Inked Rainbow Reads
“really grabs you and tugs at your emotions” “unique and enjoyable.” Nautical Star Books
“It turned out exactly how I wanted it to.” BFD Book Blog
“This is polished prose at its best. Intelligent writing, a thought-provoking plot and characters befitting the theater genre” “one of my favorite reads this year.” Love’s Last Refuge Reviews
“Don’t miss this one friends, it is a heartfelt story magical in the telling! Thanks Joe for putting your heart on the page for us to savor!”
Bike Book Reviews
“It’s unusual for me to get sucked into a book in the first chapter but it grabbed me early and I read the whole thing in one day”.
Nautical Star Books
“There were times I laughed and then there were times I cried…unforgettable.” Multitaskingmomma Reviews
“I really loved this book and having an ending that made me laugh and cry at the same time is testament to the brilliant writing.” BooksLaidBareBoys
“The author executed his storyline with a marvelous precision that would be the envy of many authors. He draws the readers into the lives of his characters, they become real and in turn, their emotions becomes yours.” “If you can only afford to buy one more book this year, buy this one.” Three Books Over the Rainbow Reviews
Dusty has finally landed a job he thinks he’ll be able to keep long-term, even with his broken brain and bum knee. He didn’t anticipate that cleaning a dance studio would reawaken his yearning to dance—even though he is no longer capable—or that meeting the studio’s director would rouse his dormant libido. Or his sleeping heart.
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