An Interview with Harold High, the leading character in An Infatuation,
by Joe Cosentino, published by Dreamspinner Press,
now an audio book performed by Brian Cheney
Welcome, Harold High. Hi!
I get that a lot.
Since our readers can’t see you, what do you look like?
That’s me on the An Infatuation cover, the one who is wearing clothes.
An Infatuation won the Divine Magazine Readers’ Choice Award for 2nd Place for Best MM Romance!
I’m blushing. And I’m second place so I try harder.
What was so amazing about your life in high school through your high school reunion that Joe Cosentino wrote this cherished novella about it?
I went through the usual challenges most gay kids go through in high school. What got me through was meeting Mario.
He’s next to you on the cover?
Right. It was love at first sight for me while tutoring football star Mario. He had olive-colored skin, dark hair and eyes, and incredible muscles. As they say, opposites attract, and we were sure attracted to each other. Though Mario carried deep inner hurts, his heart was open to me. He protected me from the bullies in school, and we shared our deep secrets with one another. We had the most amazing time together. Joe captures it perfectly in the novella. Unfortunately, homophobia and bullying drove Mario deeper into the closet.
But that wasn’t the end of your story.
Mario and I met up again at our ten-year high school reunion. He was a model, and miserable with his producer wife.
And you’re happily married to businessman Stuart.
Right. When Mario and I met up, the old flames were reignited like a forest fire.
What happens?
To find out what happens you’ll have to read An Infatuation on e-book or in paperback (along with A Shooting Star). When you do, you’ll also read about Stuart (my sweet, caring, list-making husband), Barbara (Mario’s comically egomaniacal wife), and our quirky teachers, principals, and friends.
People who have read An Infatuation say it made them laugh, cry, and feel romantic. They also say it changed their lives forever. The good news is this cherished novella is now also available as an audio book performed by Brian Cheney.
As fans of the novella begged, Joe waited nearly ten years to find the perfect performer to bring An Infatuation to vivid life. Gifted actor, opera singer, and audio book performer Brian Cheney does just that. Brian is more like me than me! He shares Joe’s (and my) sense of humor, pathos, and sensibility. As an incredibly versatile performer, Brian brings each of the characters in my life to crystal clear focus. Listening to the audio book, you’ll feel like the people in my life are in the room with you!
Are you in any of Joe Cosentino’s other thirty-three books?
No, but they’re all terrific. Actually, a character from An Infatuation also appears in Joe’s Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back novel!
How can readers contact you?
Through Joe’s web site. He (and I) love to hear from readers.
AN INFATUATION
by Joe Cosentino
the first In My Heart novella published by Dreamspinner Press
and the Audio Book performed by Brian Cheney
An In My Heart Novella
With his ten-year high school reunion approaching, Harold wonders whether Mario will be as muscular, sexy, and tantalizing as he remembers. As a teenager, it was love at first sight for Harold while tutoring football star Mario, until homophobia and bullying drove Mario deep into the closet. Now they’re both married men. Mario, a model, is miserable with his producer wife, while Harold, a teacher, is perfectly content with his businessman husband, Stuart. When the two meet again, will the old flame reignite, setting Harold’s comfortable life ablaze? How can Harold be happy with Stuart when he is still infatuated with his Adonis, his first love, Mario? Harold faces this seemingly impossible situation with inimitable wit, tenderness, and humor as he attempts to reconcile the past and the future.
A Bittersweet Dreams title: It’s an unfortunate truth: love doesn’t always conquer all. Regardless of its strength, sometimes fate intervenes, tragedy strikes, or forces conspire against it. These stories of romance do not offer a traditional happy ending, but the strong and enduring love will still touch your heart and maybe move you to tears
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.
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 eight 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
Language: English
Genre: MM romance, humor, lost love
Length: 106 pages, 4 hours
Released date: February 6, 2015 & June 17, 2024
Cover Artist: Christy Caughie
Heat Level: 2
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