Interview with Theo Stratis, the leading character in Finding Giorgio, Found At Last series book one, by Joe Cosentino, published by Dreamspinner Press, now also available as an audio book performed by Brian Chaney
Theo, congratulations on the release of the audiobook of your story, Finding Giorgio.
Thanks. Now I can say my life is an open audio book.
Since the readers can’t see you, tell them what you look like.
I’m twenty-five with dark hair and eyes, tall, with a stocky build. I come from a long line of comical Greek people.
Who should play you in a movie version of the story?
Colton Haynes.
Finding Giorgio is a story about lovers separated at eighteen years old with the hope of reuniting in their last years—at last.
And you help them to do it.
Right. I meet Jamison Radames, and the two of us embark on an incredible journey.
And you also fall in love with Jamison.
Which is the best part of our adventure.
Tell us about Jamison.
Jamison’s last name, Radames, means hero. It sure fits him. Coming from a Swedish and Egyptian heritage, Jamison is twenty-seven, tall, very muscular, with crystal blue eyes, peaches and cream complexion, a strong nose, and jet-black hair.
Do you and Jamison fall instantly in love?
Not exactly. We get off to a rocky start, but eventually we find our way into each other’s hearts.
Would you call Finding Giorgio a mystery, an MM romance, or an adventure?
All of them. And like all of Joe’s books, it’s also packed with humor and drama. Quite a bang for your buck in a novella.
Tell everyone the story of Finding Giorgio.
In Finding Giorgio, a young accountant, Theo Stratis, that’s me, having been unlucky in love, registers at my upstate New York LGBTQ+ Center to visit an elderly gay person. I’m matched with Nolan Downes who lives in a local nursing home. Upon my first visit, I’m instantly charmed by the eccentric ex-pharmacist and his wisecracking caretaker Tanisha. However, I’m shocked at Nolan’s request for me to find the love of Nolan’s youth: Giorgio Roberto. Upon questioning Nolan, I discover Giorgio’s parents had separated Nolan and Giorgio at eighteen after their romantic summer at a Poconos resort. Nolan had kept Giorgio’s picture and his love for Giorgio in his heart ever since. I’m also surprised to meet the gorgeous Jamison Radames, a medical director, who is visiting the same nursing home. Jamison and I embark on an exciting adventure to find Giorgio. Our search takes us to an old neighborhood, a veterans’ center, a homeless shelter, and all the way from New York to Boston. Along the way, Jamison and I uncover a great deal about Giorgio and about ourselves. By the end of the novella, two couples emerge in an emotional climax that will leave you overjoyed but also tear at your heartstrings.
Besides the current and past love stories, what else is special about this book?
Nolan and his caretaker Tanisha are quite funny. The story’s locations are remarkable, including the Walkway Over the Hudson, upstate New York in fall with its stunning views of the rippling water, white church steeples, multicolored leaves, and sun-kissed mountains.
Who are the supporting characters in Finding Giorgio?
My Greek parents and sister, Jamison’s Egyptian/Swedish parents and sister and her family, Giorgio’s Italian brother, and the various colorful characters Jamison and I meet along the way as we search for Giorgio and we fall in love.
Who is your favorite character?
Nolan Downes. As an elderly man in failing health, he keeps his sense of humor, strength, and will. The ex-pharmacist grieves his long-deceased husband. At the same time, he yearns for the true love that was taken away from him. Nolan believes if he can reunite with Giorgio, his spirit will be made whole. I really like that our story includes a few older characters, a rarity in MM literature. Ours are quite fascinating.
Which character is the sexiest?
Definitely Jamison. He is kind, sincere, handsome, masculine, stalwart, loyal, smart, and successful. In reading the story, you completely understand why I fall in love with him.
Many of the characters in Finding Giorgio are of various ethnicities and sexual identities.
We live in a diverse world. Literature should reflect that.
What was the response of readers and reviewers when the novella was released four years ago?
Amazing! They laughed, cried, fell in love with Jamison and me, and they demanded another Found At Last book. So Joe wrote Finding Armando, which also features Jamison and me. It was released shortly afterward.
And now Finding Giorgio is also available as an audio book. What took so long?
Joe was waiting for the perfect audiobook performer, and he found him in Brian Cheney.
Brian has performed many of Joe’s audio books. What’s Brian’s secret?
An amazing amount of talent, a fantastic sense of humor, perfect comic timing, wonderful acting skills, the ability to perfectly portray different characters, and a soothing and romantic voice. Brian is in touch with all of his emotions, and he is able to bring my stories to vivid life. Listening to him, you feel as if you are there with Jamison and me in the story!
How can listeners get their hands on the audiobook of Finding Giorgio?
The purchase links are below.
When will Finding Armando, Found at Last series book two, be released as an audiobook?
Brian and Joe are working on it now, so stay tuned! Jamison and I have a lot more to share!
Thank you, Theo, for interviewing today.
My pleasure. I hope everyone will listen to my story Finding Giorgio at last. I’m sure, like me, you will fall in love with Jamison, Nolan, and Giorgio, and our amazing story. And I love to hear from readers via Joe’s web site!
Found At Last series book one, by Joe Cosentino, published by Dreamspinner Press
Now also an audio book performed by Brian Cheney: tinyurl.com/2k8zt8xu
When young accountant Theo Stratis visits Nolan Downes, an elderly gay man in a local nursing home, he is surprised by Nolan’s request: find the lost love of his youth, Giorgio Roberto. Theo is also surprised to meet handsome and successful Jamison Radames, who is visiting the same nursing home. As Theo and Jamison embark on an investigative adventure to find Giorgio, they discover a great deal about themselves and each other. Solving the mystery of what happened to Giorgio might mean happily ever after for more than just Nolan.
Praise for Joe Cosentino’s Books:
“Joe Cosentino has a unique and fabulous gift. His writing is flawless…will have you guessing until the very last page, which makes his books a joy to read. His books are worth their weight in gold, and if you haven't discovered them yet you are in for a rare treat.” Divine Magazine
You can click here to purchase this book in print.
Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode goes up next week.
Joe Cosentino was voted Favorite MM Mystery, Humorous, and Contemporary Author of the Year and Second Place Favorite MM Romance Author of the Year by the readers of Divine Magazine. His Dreamspinner Press titles are the In My Heart Anthology: An Infatuation & A Shooting Star, the Tales from Fairyland Anthology: The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland & Holiday Tales from Fairyland, the Bobby and Paolo Holiday Stories Anthology: A Home for the Holidays & The Perfect Gift & The First Noel, the Found At Last Anthology: Finding Giorgio & Finding Armando, and the two Player Piano mysteries. He is also the author of the 18 Nicky and Noah mysteries, 5 Jana Lane mysteries (The Wild Rose Press), and 5 Cozzi Cove novels (Ninestar Press). His books have won numerous Book of the Month awards and Rainbow Award Honorable Mentions. As an actor, Joe appeared in principal roles in film, television, and theatre, opposite stars such as Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Jason Robards, and Holland Taylor. He received his Master of Fine Arts degree from Goddard College, Master’s degree from SUNY New Paltz, and is a happily married emeritus theatre professor residing in New York State.
Website: joecosentino.weebly.com
Facebook: facebook.com/JoeCosentinoauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeCosen
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4071647.Joe_Cosentino
Amazon: Author.to/JoeCosentino
Instagram: instagram.com/joecosentinoauthor
Brian Cheney, hailed by KUSC Los Angeles as the “next great tenor”, protégé of legendary tenor Jerry Hadley, has gained international acclaim for his portrayal of characters such as Radamés in Aida, Don José in Carmen, Mario Cavaradossi in Tosca, Rodolfo in La bohème, the Duke in Rigoletto, and Canio in Pagliacci. “It is tenor Brian Cheney as the brave painter Cavaradossi who really blew me away. Cheney has that terrific tenor sound: the power, richness, and vocal color of a high baritone combined with ringing, awe-inspiring high notes” (Stage and Cinema.) Highlights from last season include Mr. Cheney’s creation of the role of Victor Frankenstein in the world premiere performance of Gregg Kallor’s Frankenstein in New York to critical acclaim and his National Philharmonic debut as the tenor soloist in Leonard Bernstein’s Mass and West Side Story. “Cheney’s ringing tenor voice carried well in the stone catacombs, conveying the fear that the deep bass sound of the monster summoned. And as the section of the sketches went on, Cheney’s voice bloomed to match the action and threats of the creature.” (Operawire) Recent engagements include Radamés in Aida with Virginia Opera, Antonin Scalia in Derrick Wang’s Scalia/Ginsburg with Toledo Opera, and Salute to Vienna performances in Miami, West Palm Beach, Nashville, and New York City (Lincoln Center). In audio books, Mr. Cheney performed eight of Joe Cosentino’s Nicky and Noah Mystery novels, many of Joe Cosentino’s books published by Dreamspinner Press, All the King’s Men by Scott Leddy, Swarm by Guy Morris, The Last Ark by Guy Morris, and Pressure by Barry Napier. www.briancheneytenor.com
Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.
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