A warm Love Bytes welcome to author Joe Cosentino who is joining us today to share news on his new audio release for Drama Merry narrated by Brian Cheney.
Joe answers some question and brought a wonderful giveaway for our readers.
Welcome Joe 🙂
Q&A with Joe Cosentino, author of Drama Merry,
the 16th Nicky and Noah mystery/comedy/romance novel
now also an audio book performed by Brian Cheney
Joe Cosentino, congratulations on the release of the sixteenth audio book in your award-winning and popular Nicky and Noah gay cozy comedy mystery series, Drama Merry.
Thank you. I’ll admit I’m feeling very merry about it.
You’ve written five Jana Lane mysteries, two Player Piano mysteries, five Cozzi Cove books, and sixteen Nicky and Noah mysteries. Why so many Nicky and Noah mysteries?
Nicky and Noah keep begging me for more. So do the readers. Plus, the books are so much fun to write. I often laugh out loud when writing them. Each novel has humor, quirky characters, sweet romance, cozy settings, plot twists and turns, a show business background, and a shocking whodunit ending. I even continue to shock my husband, which makes me very merry.
Why do you think the Nicky and Noah mystery series has lasted over a decade now?
I haven’t found any other cozy MM comedy mystery romance series set in the world of academia and theatre. Also, nobody else has my warped sense of humor.
Why did you pick Robin Hood as the show within a novel for the sixteenth novel?
Who doesn’t love Robin Hood with his adorable hat, tight green tunic, and of course the bulging tights? It’s no wonder the Merry Men were so merry. And during these times when billionaires don’t pay taxes, taking from the rich and giving to poor makes a load of sense to me. I’ve watched and rewatched Erroll Flynn as Robin Hood in the classic movie. And I equally adore the newer movies: The Adventures of Robin Hood, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, Robin and Marian, The Bandit of Sherwood Forest, Robin of Locksley, and of course the hilarious Robin Hood, Men in Tights.
Tell us about Drama Merry, the 16th Nicky and Noah mystery novel.
The sweet (pun intended) sixteenth Nicky and Noah mystery novel has Nicky, Noah, and their theatrical troupe back at Treemeadow College staging an original musical production of Robin Hood entitled, Why the Merry Men Are So Merry. Murder and hilarity ensue as the five Very Merry Men chorus members are murdered.
It’s great to see our favorite characters back.
Of course! In my very merry version, Robin Hood (Noah) and the Sheriff of Nottingham (Nicky) begin as adversaries and end up as lovers. Wouldn’t it be nice if feuding world leaders would do that? Also in my play within the novel, Maid Marian is played by Nicky’s best pal and department chair Martin Anderson. Martin’s long-suffering husband, Ruben, is Friar Tuck (a drag queen). Nicky and Noah’s son, Taavi, is Will Scarlet, and his wife Sloane, a transexual, plays Maude Lindsey. Martin and Ruben’s son, Ty, is minstrel Alan-a-Dale, and bumbling Detective Manuello comes along for the ride as (not so little) Little John. Even Nicky and Noah’s dog, Asterisk, and his husband, Tag, are cast as Merry Stud and Tail-wagger. The rest of the cast members are hunky newcomers to the series, so there are plenty of victims and suspects—not to mention sweet romance. As Nicky would say, if you read this novel, you’ll have more fun than a conservative politician taking away people’s medical insurance.
Who are the new characters/suspects in book sixteen?
Things heat up pretty quickly between the assistant professors playing Merry Men David of Doncaster and Arthur a Bland: exotic and muscular Count Choreo and adorably stocky Pierce Falsetto. The same holds true for the theatre majors cast as Merry Men Gilbert Whitehead and Reynold Greenleaf: lean city boy Bass Jazzy and incredibly hunky country boy Spin Vibrato.
Why should people listen to the audio book?
The audio book really brings the story to life. Brian Cheney does an amazing job creating the voices and emotions of over twenty characters! He also sings beautifully! When listening to the audio book, you’ll feel as if you are right there with the characters.
What makes the Nicky and Noah mystery series so special?
It’s a gay cozy mystery comedy series, meaning the setting is warm and cozy, the clues and murders (and laughs) come fast and furious, and there are enough plot twists and turns and a surprise ending to keep the pages turning (as Nicky would say) faster than the Proud Boys storming the Capitol at the insurrection. At the center is the touching relationship between Professor of Play Directing Nicky Abbondanza and Associate Professor of Acting Noah Oliver. We watch them go from courting to marrying to adopting a child, all the while head over heels in love with each other (as we fall in love with them). Reviewers called the series “hysterically funny farce,” “Murder She Wrote meets Hart to Hart meets The Hardy Boys,” and “captivating whodunits.” One reviewer wrote they are the funniest books she’s ever read! Another said I’m “a master storyteller.” Who am I to argue?
How are the novels cozy?
Many of them, like this one, take place in Vermont, a cozy state with green pastures, white church steeples, glowing lakes, and friendly and accepting people. Fictitious 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 the titles of the novels in the series.
The Nicky and Noah mysteries are: Drama Queen, Drama Muscle, Drama Cruise, Drama Luau, Drama Detective, Drama Fraternity, Drama Castle, Drama Dance, Drama Faerie, Drama Runway, Drama Christmas, Drama Pan, Drama TV, Drama Oz, Drama Prince, and now Drama Merry. Drama Daddy and Drama King will also be available as audio books soon.
Many of your characters are of various ethnicities and sexual identities. Is that deliberate on your part?
Absolutely. We live in a diverse world. A story taking place at a college and/or in the world of theatre would be unbelievable if everyone were the same.
I’m sure you’ve been told that the books would make a terrific TV series.
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! I’ve written a teleplay of the first novel and treatments for the remaining novels!
How would you cast the TV series?
Here’s my 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 Luke Macfarlane as Nicky’s brother Tony. Or Luke Macfarlane as any character!
How can your readers get their hands on the Drama Merry audio book, and how can they contact you?
The purchase links are below, as are my contact links, including my web site. I love to hear from readers! So do Nicky and Noah. I tell them everything!
Thank you, Joe, for interviewing today.
It was my pleasure. As a past professional actor and college theatre professor/department chair, I know first-hand the hysterically funny antics, sweet romance, and captivating mystery in the worlds of theatre and academia. The Nicky and Noah mysteries are full of them! I know you’ll laugh, cry, feel romantic, and love delving into this crackling new audio book (as Nicky would say) with more plot twists and turns than a QAnon member finding out liberals don’t really eat dead babies. I’m more excited (as Nicky would say) than an anti-gay politician tapping his foot in a public men’s room to share this sixteenth audio book in the series with you. So don your tunic and tights, wave your arrow, and meet me in Sherwood Forest! I promise you a happy ending!
And I love to hear from readers. So drop me a line via my web site. I’ll share it with Nicky and Noah!
Merry Men Sing and Dance in Tights in the Audio Book Release of Drama Merry, the 16th Nicky and Noah mystery novel, by Joe Cosentino, performed by Brian Cheney
Don’t you just adore musical theatre? What better way to tell a story than with performers in colorful costumes engaging in heightened dialogue, melodious tunes, and creative dancing in front of elaborate sets? The orchestra swells with catchy tunes. The energy between the actors onstage and the audience in the theatre house is electrifying. There is nothing better than “another opening, another show” as handsome chorus boys sing, “you’re the top.”
I’m also a huge Robin Hood fan, supporting Robin’s motto of merry men in tights living in the wilderness and helping the poor.
So when it came time to write the sweet (pun intended) sixteenth Nicky and Noah mystery novel, I decided Nicky, Noah, and their theatrical troupe at Treemeadow College would stage an original musical production of Robin Hood entitled, Why the Merry Men Are So Merry. In my very merry version, Robin Hood (Noah) and the Sheriff of Nottingham (Nicky) begin as adversaries and end up as lovers. Wouldn’t it be nice if feuding world leaders would do that? Also in my play within the novel, Maid Marian is played by Nicky’s best pal and department chair Martin Anderson. Martin’s long-suffering husband, Ruben, is Friar Tuck (a drag queen). Nicky and Noah’s son, Taavi, is Will Scarlet, and his wife Sloane, a transexual, plays Maude Lindsey. Martin and Ruben’s son, Ty, is minstrel Alan-a-Dale, and bumbling Detective Manuello comes along for the ride as (not so little) Little John. The rest of the cast members are newcomers to the series, so there are plenty of victims and suspects—not to mention sweet romance.
The story is so alive and vibrant, I couldn’t wait for the audio book release, which is finally here! This is my sixth Nicky and Noah mystery audio book collaboration with opera singer and actor Brian Cheney. Brian really brings the stories to life. Brian does an amazing job creating the voices and emotions of over twenty characters in each audio book! He also sings beautifully! Not to mention, but I will, that Brian understands my wacky sense of humor, and he has the perfect comic timing for this series. When listening to the audio book, you’ll feel as if you are right there in the story with Nicky, Noah, and the other characters.
For those of you who haven’t yet ventured to the land of Nicky and Noah (and you should!), it’s a gay cozy mystery comedy series, meaning the setting is warm and cozy, the clues and murders (and laughs) come fast and furious, and there are enough plot twists and turns and a surprise ending to keep the pages turning (as Nicky would say) “faster than the blackmailing of a closet gay politician.” At the center is the touching relationship between Professor of Play Directing Nicky Abbondanza and Associate Professor of Acting Noah Oliver. We watch them go from courting to marrying to adopting a child, all the while head over heels in love with each other (as we fall in love with them). Reviewers called the series “hysterically funny farce,” “Murder She Wrote meets Hart to Hart meets The Hardy Boys,” and “captivating whodunits.” One reviewer wrote they are the funniest books she’s ever read! Another said I’m “a master storyteller.” Who am I to argue?
The premiere novel, Drama Queen, was voted Divine Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Award for Favorite LGBT Mystery, Humorous, and Contemporary Novel of the Year! Subsequent novels won many Rainbow Award Honorable Mentions and Favorite Book of the Month awards: Drama Muscle, Drama Cruise, Drama Luau, Drama Detective, Drama Fraternity, Drama Castle, Drama Dance, Drama Faerie, Drama Runway, Drama Christmas, Drama Pan, Drama TV, Drama Oz, Drama Prince, Drama Merry, Drama Daddy, and Drama King.
As a past professional actor and college theatre professor/department chair, I know first-hand the hysterically funny antics, sweet romance, and captivating mystery in the worlds of theatre and academia. The Nicky and Noah mysteries are full of them! I know you’ll laugh, cry, feel romantic, and love delving into this crackling new audio book with more plot twists and turns than a soap opera during sweeps weeks. So put on your tights, be merry, and head to Sherwood Forest for murder, mayhem, and of course a happy ending (no pun intended)!
And drop me a line via my web site. I’ll share it with Nicky and Noah!
DRAMA MERRY (the 16th Nicky and Noah mystery) audio book
by Joe Cosentino, performed by Brian Cheney
Listen to a sample of the audio book at:
Spring and romance blossom at Treemeadow College when theatre professors Nicky, Noah, and their thespian cohorts stage an original musical adaptation of Robin Hood entitled, Why the Merry Men Are So Merry. Things are very merry indeed until some Merry Men drop like tights after a drag show. Once again, our favorite thespians will need to use their drama skills to catch the killer before their tights are in a knot—around their throats. You will be applauding and shouting Bravo for Joe Cosentino’s fast-paced, side-splittingly funny, edge-of-your-seat entertaining sixteenth novel in this delightful series. It’s a gas! So hurry to your seat. The stage lights are coming up in Sherwood Forest on a Robin in the hood, a sheriff with a bulge in his tights, a not so little Little John, a Friar Tuck drag queen, more Merry Men than in the back room of a family values’ convention, and murder!
Joe Cosentino was voted Favorite MM Mystery, Humorous, and Contemporary Author of the Year by the readers of Divine Magazine for Drama Queen, the first Nicky and Noah mystery novel. He is also the author of the remaining Nicky and Noah mysteries: Drama Muscle, Drama Cruise, Drama Luau, Drama Detective, Drama Fraternity, Drama Castle, Drama Dance, Drama Faerie, Drama Runway, Drama Christmas, Drama Pan, Drama TV, Drama Oz, Drama Prince, Drama Merry, Drama Daddy, Drama King; the Player Piano Mysteries: The Player and The Player’s Encore; the Jana Lane Mysteries: Paper Doll, Porcelain Doll, Satin Doll, China Doll, Rag Doll; the Cozzi Cove series: Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back, Moving Forward, Stepping Out, New Beginnings, Happy Endings; the In My Heart Anthology: An Infatuation & A Shooting Star; the Tales from Fairyland Anthology: The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland and Holiday Tales from Fairyland; the Bobby and Paolo Holiday Stories Anthology: A Home for the Holidays, The Perfect Gift, The First Noel; and the Found At Last Anthology: Finding Giorgio and Finding Armando. 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.
Web site: https://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
Instagram: https://www.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 several Nicky and Noah Mystery novels, 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
Cover Art: Jesús Da Silva
Post a comment on what you love most about Robin Hood and his merry men. The one that sends us to the Sherwood Forest will win an Audible gift code for one of the first three Nicky and Noah mystery audio books: Drama Queen, Drama Muscle, or Drama Cruise.
https://www.audible.com/search?keywords=Nicky+and+Noah+mysteries&ref=a_hp_t1_header_search
This series looks an absolute blast. With all of the Robin Hood, it’s of course taking from the rich to give to the poor. Kind of what we need right now.
I actually love the old “Robin Hood Daffy” cartoon best—the swashbuckling sight gags are priceless!