by Joe Cosentino
Q&A with Theo Stratis and Jamison Radames, the leading characters in Finding Armando, Found At Last series book 2, by Joe Cosentino, published by Dreamspinner Press, now also available as an audio book performed by Brian Cheney.
Theo and Jamison, congratulations on the audio book release of Finding Armando, Found At Last book 2.
Theo: I could have never done it without Jamison.
Jamison: I could have never done it without Theo.
Theo: Now our lives are open audio books.
Jamison: And that’s how we like it!
Since the readers can’t see you, Theo describe Jamison.
Theo: Jamison’s last name, Radames, means hero. It sure fits him. Coming from a Swedish and Egyptian heritage, Jamison is twenty-eight, tall, very muscular, with crystal blue eyes, peaches and cream complexion, a strong nose, and jet-black hair.
And Jamison, how about Theo?
Jamison: Theo is twenty-six, tall, with sexy dark hair and eyes, and a hunky build. His first name means godlike, and his last name, Stratis, means good soldier. Theo is both those things. Theo cares about others deeply, yearns for fairness and justice, and loves with all his heart.
What happened after the release of Finding Giorgio, Found At Last series book 1?
Theo: Our first story, Finding Giorgio, was a novella cherished by so many people. They fell in love with Jamison, as I did.
Jamison: And with Theo, as I did.
Theo: The readers also admired how Jamison and I risked so much to reunite Nolan and Giorgio, who were separated at eighteen years old by their homophobic parents. Thankfully, our story didn’t end there.
Jamison: As the new owners of Nolan Giorgio’s Resort in the Pennsylvania Pocono Mountains, Jamison and I have a new challenge.
Theo: That’s the story of Finding Armando, Found At Last book 2.
Tell everyone the story of Finding Armando.
Theo: Jamison and I embark on a second search, this one for our friend, resort manager Asher’s lost love, Armando, separated from him years ago under the military’s old Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.
Jamison: Complicating matters further, my playboy younger brother, Kendall, pays us a visit on leave from the Navy.
Theo: And a woman in need makes Jamison and me a shocking offer.
Is the second story also told through your perspective, Theo?
Jamison: I’d have it no other way.
Do you two reunite the separated lovers again and find a happily-ever-after ending for yourselves?
Both: Our lips are sealed.
Theo: But I will tell you this second At Last story, like the first one, is full of humor, adventure, drama, surprises, plot twists and turns, and of course sweet romance that will bring a tear to your eyes and warm your heart.
Jamison: Because it’s about us!
Why are the two Found At Last novellas so special?
Theo: Each of the two stories offers a current romance and a past romance that will stay with you for a long time to come.
In Finding Armando, we meet Jamison’s playboy younger brother Kendall and the resort’s conservative assistant manager Phoenix. They seem like an unlikely couple.
Jamison: And theirs is a very rocky road to romance, which makes their storyline exciting, humorous, and very sexy.
What else is special about Finding Armando?
Theo: The story’s location in the Pennsylvania Poconos mountains is gorgeous with its log cabins near stunning lakes surrounded by sun-kissed mountains. I especially like that both At Last stories also include an older gay couple, which you don’t find much in MM literature.
Jamison: And it’s a story about us!
Are your families back in Finding Armando?Jamison: They sure are, and they are as entertaining as ever. I love Theo’s big Greek family, and readers do too!
Theo: Ditto for Jamison’s family!
Who is your favorite character in Finding Armando?
Jamison: Theo.
Theo: Jamison.
Which character is the sexiest?
Theo: Jamison.
Jamison: Theo.
Come on, guys. Which other characters do you admire?
Theo: Jamison’s younger brother Kendall is a bad boy on the brink of becoming a man. Physically he is a younger version of Jamison, however, unlike Jamison he is always on the lookout for fun and frolic. I see the potential in him, and he doesn’t disappoint.
Jamison: I admire the resort manager, our friend gray fox Asher Hillel. In his younger days, Asher was taunted for being Jewish and gay. He was separated from the love of his life in the Navy during the discriminatory Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. Yet he made a success of himself.
What was the response of readers and reviewers when the novella was released four years ago?
Theo: Amazing! They laughed, cried, and fell in love with Jamison and me all over again.
And now Finding Armando is also available as an audio book. What took so long?
Jamison: Joe was waiting for the perfect audio book performer, and he found him in Brian Cheney.
Brian has performed many of Joe’s audio books. What’s Brian’s secret?
Theo: 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.
Jamison: 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 in the story!
I’m sure you’ve been told Finding Armando would make a terrific movie. How would you cast it?
Theo: Here’s my wish list to name a few: Colton Haynes as me, Ezra Miller as Jamison, John Barrowman as Asher, Charlie Carver as Kendall, and Shemar Moore as Phoenix.
Jamison: Come on, TV producers, make Joe an offer!
How can listeners get their hands on the Finding Armando audiobook?
Theo: The purchase links are below.
Thank you, Theo and Jamison, for interviewing today.
Theo: It was our pleasure. I hope everyone will listen to both Found At Last stories at last. I’m sure, like me, you will fall in love with Jamison as we bring together lost lovers from the past.
Jamison: And we love to hear from listeners. So contact us through Joe’s website!
audio book performed by Brian Cheney
audible.com/pd/Finding-Armando-Audiobook
An investigative adventure in search of an elderly man’s first love brought Theo and Jamison together. Now they’re called to put their sleuthing skills to use once again and reunite Pocono resort manager Asher with his lost love, Armando. But the hunt through rural Pennsylvania won’t be easy with Jamison’s younger brother locking horns with the resort’s assistant manager and a shocking offer from the sous chef, Grace.
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.
Comments
Post a Comment