"Drama Dance" by Joe Cosentino Now on Audiobook

 Interview with Nicky Abbondanza

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an audiobook copy of  any of the previous audiobooks in the Nicky and Noah mystery series.

Nicky Abbondanza is the leading character in Drama Dance, the eighth Nicky and Noah mystery novel by Joe Cosentino. It is now available as an audiobook performed by Griswold Addams.

Hi, Nicky. Congratulations on the audiobook release of the eighth novel in your award-winning and popular Nicky and Noah gay cozy mystery series. This is Griswold Addams’s fifth audiobook in your series. He is truly your voice. He not only sounds like you, but Griswold Addams seems to perform an unending supply of wildly comic and entertaining character voices.

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Nicky: And I’d have it no other way. Griswold sounds so much like me, I think I’m hearing an echo. He’s a true thespian (no pun intended) like me.

The audiobook brings the sights, sounds, and smells of your story to vivid life.

Nicky: I’m glad I wear deodorant. 

The novels in your series have been called “laugh out loud funny,” “sexy shenanigans,” “brilliant brain teasers,” “sweet romances,” and “a combination of Murder She Wrote, The Hardy Boys, Hart to Hart, and a British farce.” 

Nicky: Stop, I’m getting a big head. Well, if you read the series, you know I’ve already got one (pun intended). Actually, I share the success of our series with the love of my life, my husband and theatre professor colleague, Noah Oliver.


Why are your books called gay cozy mysteries?

Nicky: Because readers get cozy with Noah and me. Our books include romance, humor, mystery, adventure, and quaint and lovable characters in uncanny situations. The settings are warm and cozy with lots of hot cocoa by the fireplace. The clues and red herrings are there for the perfect whodunit, so are the plot twists and turns and a surprise ending to keep the pages turning faster than an anti-gay politician running out of a gay bar in November.

No matter what is thrown in our path, Noah and I always end up on top. Many of the novels take place in Vermont, a cozy state with green pastures, white church steeples, glowing lakes, and friendly and accepting people. Treemeadow College (named after its gay founders, couple Tree and Meadow) is the perfect setting for a cozy mystery with its white Edwardian buildings, low white stone fences, lake and mountain views, and cherry wood offices with tall leather chairs and fireplaces.

For anyone unfortunate enough not to have read them, tell us a bit about the first seven novels in the series. 

Nicky: In Drama Queen (Divine Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Award for Favorite LGBT Mystery, Humorous, and Contemporary Novel of the Year), college theatre professors are dropping like stage curtains at Treemeadow College, and college theatre professors Noah and I have to use our theatre skills, including impersonating other people, to figure out whodunit while I direct the school play.

In Drama Muscle (Rainbow Award Honorable Mention), Noah and I don our gay Holmes and Watson personas again to find out why bodybuilding students and professors at Treemeadow are dropping faster than barbells in my bodybuilding competition.

In Drama Cruise, it is summer on a ten-day cruise from San Francisco to Alaska and back. Noah and I must figure out why college theatre professors are dropping like life rafts as I direct a murder mystery dinner theatre show onboard ship starring Noah and other college theatre professors from across the U.S. Complicating matters are our both sets of wacky parents who want to embark on all the activities on and off the boat with us.

In Drama Luau, I am directing the luau show at the Maui Mist Resort, and Noah and I need to figure out why muscular Hawaiian hula dancers are dropping like grass skirts. Our department head/best friend Martin and his husband, Ruben, are along for the bumpy tropical ride.

In Drama Detective, I’m directing and ultimately co-starring with my husband Noah as Holmes and Watson in a new musical Sherlock Holmes play at Treemeadow College prior to Broadway. Martin and Ruben, their sassy office assistant Shayla, my brother Tony, and our son Taavi are also in the cast. Of course, dead bodies begin falling over like hammy actors at a curtain call. Once again Noah and I use our drama skills to figure out who is lowering the street lamps on the actors before we get half-baked on Baker Street.

In Drama Fraternity, I’m directing Tight End Scream Queen, a slasher movie filmed at Treemeadow College’s football fraternity house, co-starring Noah, our son Taavi, Martin, and Shayla. Rounding out the cast are members of Treemeadow’s Christian football players’ fraternity along with two hunky screen stars. When the quarterback, jammer, wide receiver, and more begin fading out with their scenes, Noah and I once again need to use our drama skills to figure out who is sending young hunky actors to the cutting room floor before we hit the final reel.

In Drama Castle, I’m directing a historical film co-starring Noah and Taavi at Conall Castle in Scotland: When the Wind Blows Up Your Kilt It’s Time for A Scotch. Rounding out the cast are members of the mysterious Conall family who own the castle. When hunky men in kilts topple off the drawbridge and into the mote, it’s up to Noah and me to use our acting skills to figure out whodunit before we land in the dungeon.

Which brings us to your current release, Drama Dance? 

Nicky: Now in Drama Dance, I’m directing The Nutcracker ballet at Treemeadow. Muscular dance students and faculty with bountiful dance belts cause more things to rise than the Christmas tree. When cast members drop faster than Christmas balls, Noah and I once again use our drama skills, including impersonating other people, to figure out who is trying to crack the Nutcracker’s nuts, trap the Mouse King, and be cavalier with the Cavalier before Noah and I end up in the Christmas pudding. 

Do you and Noah take on roles in the ballet?

Nicky: I direct and co-star (as the Mouse King) opposite my husband Noah (the Cavalier), son Taavi (Fritz), and best friend and department head Martin (Drosselmeyer). Since it is Treemeadow College after all, there are lots of cracked nuts as characters and the yule tide is definitely gay. Oh, and of course, there are more murders than closet gay politicians hidden in the stalls of public men’s rooms.

Can you give us a run down on some of the other characters?

Nicky: Besides Noah and me, old beloved cast members are back, including my best friends the comically cantankerous Martin and Ruben, Martin’s sassy office assistant Shayla, and Noah’s and my both sets of riotous parents. New characters include Thomas Bighorn, the muscular and gorgeous student cast as the Nutcracker. Everyone at the college wants to be in his Christmas stocking. Thomas’ understudy and ex, Piero Lamas, is just as hunky and makes everyone’s bells jingle. Only Piero’s sister, Caterina (Clara), knows Piero’s secret, and he knows hers. Liz Canton (Clara’s understudy) is an abstinence before marriage advocate with more than holiday gifts hiding in her closet. The dance faculty members playing the other roles, and Otto Dietrich the choreographer with a secret past, have just as many hidden roasted chestnuts in their drawers. 

I’m sure you’ve been told that the books would make a terrific TV series.

Nicky: Many, many times. Rather than Logo showing reruns of Golden Girls around the clock, and Bravo airing so called reality shows, I would love to see them do The Nicky and Noah Mysteries. Come on, TV producers, make your offers! Joe has written a teleplay of the first novel and treatments for the remaining novels! 

How would you cast the TV series?

Nicky: Here’s Joe’s wish list: Matt Bomer as Nicky, Neil Patrick Harris as Noah, Rosie O’Donnell and Bruce Willis as Noah’s parents, Valerie Bertinelli and Jay Leno as Nicky’s parents, me as Martin Anderson (nepotism!), Nathan Lane as Martin’s husband Ruben, Wanda Sykes as Martin’s office assistant Shayla, and Joe Manganiello as Nicky’s brother, Tony. 

How would Noah describe you? And Noah?

Nicky: Noah would say I’m handsome with dark hair and long sideburns, emerald eyes, a Roman nose, muscular, smart, and charming. He’d say I have a never give up attitude and sense of humor in the face of adversity. And that I am genuinely concerned for others. Finally, I’ll do anything to solve a murder mystery. Oh, he’d also say I’m a one-man man, and I’m proud to admit that man is Noah Oliver. 

Noah is gorgeous, blond, blue-eyed, lean, handsome, smart, and devoted to his family and friends. He makes the perfect Watson to my Holmes. (I always thought Holmes and Watson were a gay couple.) Noah also has a large heart and soft spot (no pun intended) for others. Finally, Noah is quite gifted at improvisation, and he creates wild and wonderful characters for our role plays to catch the murderer. He’s also a terrific father to Taavi. 

It’s nice to see an older couple in the series.

Nicky: Martin Anderson (our department head and best friend) is loyal and supportive of Noah and me. His one up-man-ship with his office assistant Shayla is a riot. I’ll admit that Martin is a bit of a gossip. It’s great when Ruben keeps Martin’s theatricality in line with hysterical barbs. The older couple stay sharp by engaging in their verbal warfare, but it’s all done in deep admiration and respect. Finally, it’s wonderful to see an elderly couple so much in love, and how they can read each other like a book—no pun intended. I hope Noah and I age to become just like them.

Do you like Noah’s parents as much as we’re led to believe in the books?

Nicky: Yes! They’re absolutely hilarious. I love Noah’s mother’s fixation with taking pictures of everything, and his father’s fascination with seeing movies. I also love how Noah’s father is an amateur sleuth like me. As they say, men marry their fathers. My parents’ goal to feed everyone and protect their children is heartwarming, too. Both sets of parents fully embrace their sons and their sons’ family, which is refreshing.

Who was your favorite new character in Drama Dance?

Nicky: Piero Lamas (Nutcracker understudy) is a hunky dance student who is kind, noble, and compassionate. He also carries quite an interesting secret. Nate Owen’s (student stage manager) crush on Piero is incredibly adorable.

Which new character do you like the least in book eight?

Nicky: Anya Dietrich, the Dance Department Head (Sugar Plum Fairy), starts off quite rigid and demanding. However, I had a great deal of fun with her, and Anya certainly gets a big surprise or two by the end of the novel.

Which new character in book eight was the sexiest?

Nicky: Definitely Thomas Bighorse (the Nutcracker), the stallion dance student with the bulging muscles and bulging dance belt that everyone wants as their squeeze (pun intended). 

How can your readers get their hands on the audiobook of Drama Dance, and how can they contact you? 

Nicky: The purchase links are below, as are Joe’s contact links, including his web site. Joe tells me everything, so message me through him. I love to hear from readers! So does Noah!

Thank you, Nicky, for interviewing today.

Nicky: It is my joy and pleasure to share the audiobook of this eighth novel in my series with you. So take your seats. The curtain is going up on Clara, the Nutcracker, the Mouse King, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the Cavalier. And, of course, hilarity, romance, and murder!

Drama Dance

is the eighth Nicky and Noah mystery,

a comedy/mystery/romance novel by Joe Cosentino.

Audiobook performed by Griswold Addams

Theatre professor Nicky Abbondanza is back at Treemeadow College directing their Nutcracker Ballet co-starring his spouse, theatre professor Noah Oliver, their son Taavi, and their best friend and department head, Martin Anderson. With muscular dance students and faculty in the cast, the Christmas tree on stage isn’t the only thing rising. When cast members drop faster than their loaded dance belts, Nicky and Noah will once again need to use their drama skills to figure out who is cracking the Nutcracker’s nuts, trapping the Mouse King, and being cavalier with the Cavalier, before Nicky and Noah end up stuck in the Land of the Sweets. You will be applauding and shouting Bravo for Joe Cosentino’s fast-paced, sidesplittingly funny, edge-of-your-seat entertaining eighth novel in this delightful series. Take your seats. The curtain is going up on the Fairy—Sugar Plum that is, clumsy mice, malfunctioning toys, and murder! 

Click on the below link for a preview:

Audible—Drama Dance

Amazon—Drama Dance

Contact:

Website: 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: Author.to/JoeCosentino

Giveaway: Post a comment about what you love about The Nutcracker Ballet. The one that tickles our tights the most will win a complimentary code for any of the previous audiobooks in the Nicky and Noah mystery series: Audible—Nicky and Noah Mysteries. Be sure to include your email address in your comment so we can contact you. A winner will be chosen March 19, 2022. Only US entries and you must be at least 18 to enter. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Comments

  1. This may be a weird answer, but I love the Mouse/Rat King! My family has an obsession with mice and rats. We love them and think they (mainly rats) make great pets. We're always on the lookout for rodents in books, tv, movies, etc. Even though he's the bad guy, we always cheer for the Mouse King in the Nutcracker. I think someone should write his backstory so he can get a little sympathy. He only wants to rule his own domain....and who's to say he wouldn't be great at it?

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    1. Could you provide your email address for the giveaway?

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