Blog Post: Interview & Giveaway — Jake Biondi – Boystown Series

Love Bytes welcomes author Jake Biondi to their blog Jake is answering some questions about his popular and very succesful series Boystown!

Don’t forget to check out the wonderful giveaway Jake brought with him , a paperback copy of season one and two ecopies of season two!

Welcome Jake 🙂

 

What inspired you to write the BOYSTOWN series? I have always been a fan of continuing, serialized dramas, whether they be classics such as the novels of Charles Dickens (which were released in magazines in installments, each of which ended with a cliffhanger to keep readers coming back for more) or more contemporary such as Dallas, Dynasty, and Scandal. I thought it was finally time for a well-written, intriguing drama that had gay characters at its core. And after living in Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood for twenty years, I thought to myself, “What better place to inspire a continuing drama?” Thus, BOYSTOWN story was born.

How do you develop your characters? Every good saga has a family at its core. BOYSTOWN has two — the Mancinis and the Ciancios. Everyone in the books is somehow connected to them. I have to admit that some of the characters have taken on a life all their own. Officer Michael Martinez is one example. I created him simply because I needed a police officer for a brief scene and then, all of a sudden, came up with a huge idea and now he is one of BOYSTOWN’s main and most liked characters. I have also been intrigued by the fans’ responses to certain couples in the series. For example, I never anticipated that so many people would be fans of “Kemmett” (Keith and Emmett). Fans are very vocal about what I did to that couple at the end of “Season One.”  Fans of “Dole” (Derek and Cole) are also very vocal. While most readers like and connect with the character of Cole, some like him with Derek and others don’t. Finally, I was really taken aback by people’s reactions to Justin, who appears on the BOYSTOWN landscape toward the end of “Season One.” Readers really find him appealing and interesting — and want to know everything about him: his sexuality, his motives, his plan. And then there are the Ciancio twins, who are introduced in “Season Two”…

What’s the best thing about being the author of BOYSTOWN? Writing the BOYSTOWN series has been one of the most fantastic experiences of my life. I have enjoyed every moment of the writing and marketing process. But what I have really enjoyed the most about the entire experience has been the interaction with the BOYSTOWN readers. They are, quite simply, the best. I have been so touched and humbled by the outpouring of kindness and support I have received from BOYSTOWN readers since the moment the first episode hit the internet in 2013. People began to email me from all over the country, and beyond, to share with me their thoughts and ideas about the BOYSTOWN characters and story lines. I make it a priority to respond to every email that I receive not only because I value the readers’ feedback, but also because I want my readers to understand that I want them to reach out to me. I want to hear from them — their ideas, their suggestions, their reviews, their feedback. In fact, their comments and ideas actually can and do impact the future of the series because I have written some of their suggestions into the series. In short, by contacting me, the readers can actually impact what happens to their favorite characters.

Do you have a favorite character in your series? I think every author incorporates his personal experiences into his writing. While the characters in BOYSTOWN are fictitious, my experiences with friends and family have certainly influenced them. We all know many people like the characters in BOYSTOWN. I enjoy writing all of the BOYSTOWN characters because they are all so unique and different. And the fans’ responses to certain characters often surprise and motivate me as well.  Of course, I love the series’ core characters that have been around since day one, but the newer characters are close to my heart as well.  Victor DelVecchio, who appears in the newest book, proved to be a really fun character to writer and develop.  I think he’s going to be around for a while.

How long do you intend to keep BOYSTOWN going? I will keep writing BOYSTOWN as long as the fans want me to.   There are already eight books in the series and I’m working on number nine now.  As along as people want to know what’s next for these characters, I’ll keep writing BOYSTOWN.

As the others scrambled, two more gunshots were fired, echoing throughout the room. Blood splattered on the wall and floor as three bodies fell to the ground.” –BOYSTOWN Season One

In the aftermath of the warehouse shootings, lives are forever changed and relationships are forever altered. As the families of the victims work to put the horrific event behind them, they find themselves at the center of an even larger plan for revenge.

Ciancio twins Marco and Gino are as handsome as they are powerful — and they arrive in Boystown with a scheme rooted in the bad history between the Ciancio and Mancini families.

At the same time, Keith Colgan seems hell-bent on getting back the boyfriend he believes was stolen from him, Ben Donovan continues with his plan for Jacqueline Morgan and her son Jesse, and a stranger from the past threatens the future.

It all leads up to a spectacular New Year’s Eve engagement party that no one will ever forget.

Welcome back to BOYSTOWN!

“As the bomb exploded, it filled the area with thick, black smoke and flaming debris. It would be a while before the smoke cleared and hotel security could see the extent of the damage. Everyone hoped it would be the best new year ever.” -BOYSTOWN Season Two

It’s a race against time to save those caught in the New Year’s Eve explosion. The survivors may not be the lucky ones as they struggle to restore normalcy to their lives. As the smoke clears, families are torn apart and lives are permanently altered.

Even more dangerous than the bomb, the Mancini-Ciancio feud heats up as family members fight for control and survival. At the same time, Jesse Morgan faces the fallout from his plan to break up his mother and her husband, Keith Colgan works to keep his past from destroying his future, Rachel Carson begins a plan that may have deadly consequences, and the search for the fourth Mancini brother reveals secrets that threaten to tear relationships apart forever.

It all culminates in a fabulous fundraiser like none that anyone in Boystown has ever experienced.

Welcome home to BOYSTOWN!

“From outside the building, flames could be seen and yells could be heard. In the distance, the sound of fire truck sirens gradually grew louder. As the club windows shattered, fire and smoke emerged, working their way up into the sky. The wind pushed the smoke across nearby blocks quickly and it soon passed over the area where Derek’s bloody body rested on the ground. The moon hung high over the city of Chicago, casting its warm glow on everything beneath it.” -BOYSTOWN Season Three

The horrific night club fire leaves lives and relationships forever scarred. As the flames die down and the smoke clears, survivors struggle to rebuild. At the same time, the race to save Derek Mancini and to bring his shooter to justice begins — while the search to identify the new Mancini brother continues.

More catastrophic than the fire, a special birthday celebration propels lives in dangerous directions. While some work to end the Mancini-Ciancio feud permanently, others use it as motivation to put a life-threatening plan in place. Meanwhile, two couples prepare for their weddings, one couple struggles to survive its secrets, and a new couple forms an alliance that will ultimately destroy several people around them. Plus, the arrival of a new doctor and his son to Boystown impacts the lives of everyone they meet.

It all builds up to a wedding weekend that will leave the lives of Boystown residents in peril.

There’s no place like BOYSTOWN!

“‘They’re in the air. Everything went smoothly. After what I did to that plane, none of them will make it to California alive.’ Ben smiled as he turned around to look back toward the jet, now far away on the horizon. The passengers on board celebrated two upcoming weddings, completely unaware that their rejoicing would be cut short from the doom Ben had unleashed on them. Stars twinkled in the night sky as if welcoming the plane into heaven. The moon cast an eerie glow over the beautiful city beneath it.” -BOYSTOWN Season Four

As rescue crews search for survivors at the site of the fiery plane crash, Logan Pryce is rushed to the hospital in an attempt to save his life. At the same time, Dr. Mateo Martinez works to save the lives of two men and Joyelle Mancini copes with the shocking results of her baby’s paternity test.

While the Mancini and Ciancio families mourn the loss of family members, the past and present collide with the arrival of Camille Ciancio, a woman bent on revenge who wastes no time implementing her plan to destroy to the Mancini family once and for all. The loss of loved ones also brings former lovers together and tears others apart. Plus, the arrival of a stranger to Boystown impacts several residents in ways that alter their lives forever.

Summer in Chicago sizzles with Pride celebrations, the excitement of Market Days, a memorable ground-breaking ceremony, and an unforeseen engagement. It all leads up to a double-wedding event that brings evil schemes to light and plunges the lives of many Boystown residents into peril.

There’s no place like BOYSTOWN!

“The gun fired in one direction and then in another direction soon after, causing quick flashes of light and sound. Blood splattered in every direction. From the pier, three bodies could be seen falling from the deck into the dark waters of the lake. The water disturbed by the bodies splashed high into the air and then calmed as the smoke from the fired guns slowly dissipated into the air. The moonlight danced on the surface of Lake Michigan without a care in the world.” -BOYSTOWN Season Five

While divers search underwater for victims of the yacht shootings, rescue crews search the rubble of the hotel explosion for survivors and detectives search for Cole O’Brien and for Joyelle Mancini’s newborn daughter. Meanwhile, Keith Colgan rushes Michael Martinez to St. Joseph Hospital in a desperate attempt to save his life. Some live and some die, but from the tragedy and devastation, an unlikely hero emerges.

As Camille Ciancio gets closer to solving the mystery of the body found beneath the Mancini winery, members of the Mancini family scramble to keep their secret buried. Camille continues to manipulate Mateo Martinez, this time to finally get her hands on the elusive key that her brother left behind. At the same time, Keith struggles to keep his past from resurfacing and Jensen Stone finds himself at the center of a trial that could cost him his friends, his relationship, and his freedom.

Preparations for the Halloween gala rekindle passion between former lovers and tear other couples apart. Cardinal Franco Armani and Max Taylor form an unlikely and unholy alliance that impacts the lives of several people around them — and Boystown’s newest resident, Ethan Anderson, finds himself at the center of the war between the Ciancios and the Mancinis. Everything culminates in a costume party that brings about two marriage proposals, a frantic rescue mission, sinister schemes, a deadly crash, and a shocking revelation that rocks Boystown to its core.

There’s no place like BOYSTOWN!

The seventh book in Jake Biondi’s popular BOYSTOWN series.

“Bright sunshine sparkled on the fresh layer of snow that coated the ground of the cemetery. Dressed in black overcoats, friends and family members of the deceased, many of whom had attended the burial of another loved one just days earlier, stood in rows like soldiers as they watched the flower-covered casket slowly being lowered into the ground. Those closest to the grave gently tossed additional roses onto the casket as it made its descent. A priest, dressed in white, stood solemnly at the head of the grave offering a final blessing for the Mancini brother being laid to rest. Saying goodbye can be one of the most difficult events in a person’s life.” –BOYSTOWN Season Seven

The shocking deaths of two beloved Boystown residents bring heartache and uncertainty to the lives of all who knew them. As family and friends grieve, the search begins for Joyelle Mancini and her daughter, who find themselves in the captivity of a madman. In the meantime, Aiden Carmichael continues his plan to destroy the Ciancio and Mancini families.

During the height of the holiday season, two strangers descend upon Boystown. The dashing Victor DelVecchio and the sexy Brad Ward arrive in Chicago just as several couples come to crossroads in their relationships. While some vow to move forward together and others choose to move in different directions individually, Victor and Brad have plans of their own which will permanently impact the Boystown landscape.

As Christmas approaches, a startling murder leaves a killer on the loose. With the arrival of the worst blizzard in Chicago history, someone struggles to keep his true identity from his friends, an evil plan tears apart one of Boystown’s most prominent couples, and several unforeseen events result in life-threatening situations for members of the Ciancio and Mancini families.

There’s no place like BOYSTOWN!

Author of the popular BOYSTOWN series

Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, Jake Biondi fell in love with “The Windy City” at an early age.  He left the Chicago area for four years to attend the University of Notre Dame, from which he graduated with degrees in English and Business.  He was awarded the university’s prestigious William Mitchell Award for Playwriting.  Upon graduating from Notre Dame, Biondi returned to Chicago where he attended and graduated from the Loyola University Chicago School of Law.   He has been living in Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood for over 20 years.

While studying literature, Biondi became a huge fan of Charles Dickens whose novels were originally released in installments, each ending in a cliffhanger to keep readers coming back for more.  Because of his love of those novels as well as television dramas such as Dynasty, Knots Landing, Dallas, and Revenge, Jake Biondi decided to create a serialized saga for contemporary audiences.  Thus, the BOYSTOWN series was born.

Jake Biondi began BOYSTOWN in June of 2013 as an online story and intended to release one “episode” online per month, each ending in a cliffhanger. The story became so popular — and the online reading audience grew so quickly — that people from all over the country began to email him demanding to know what happened to their favorite characters and wanting the episodes to be released faster.  They also had suggestions for future storylines.  Excited by and grateful for his readers’ responses to BOYSTOWN, Biondi began to write and release installments more quickly.

In November of 2013, Biondi moved BOYSTOWN offline and published the first ten installments in book form as BOYSTOWN Season One.  The book became an international hit, with fans all over the globe clamoring for more.  BOYSTOWN Season Two was published in July of 2014. Season Three was released on May 1, 2015, Season Four was released on November 13, 2015, Season Five was released on June 1, 2016, Season Six was released on December 16, 2016, Season Seven was released on July 7, 2017, and Season Eight was released on February 14, 2018.

Because of the popularity of the book series, fans have suggested that BOYSTOWN be turned into a television series.  Biondi recently completed the TV scripts for the first season of BOYSTOWN and hopes to bring the series to television in the very near future.