An Interview by Joe Cosentino with Audio Book Performer Brian Cheney
for the Release of the Audio Book of The Perfect Gift by Joe Cosentino,
Bobby and Paolo Holiday Stories Book 2, published by Dreamspinner Press
Joe: Brian, congratulations on the release of our audio book of The Perfect Gift, Bobby and Paolo Holiday Stories Book 2.
Brian: We’re second so we try harder. (smile)
Joe: You have performed the audio books of my last eight Nicky and Noah mysteries and An Infatuation. What is it that you like about my writing? (And please take as much time as you need-smile) that led you to perform the audio book of my The Perfect Gift, published by Dreamspinner Press?
Brian: I love your writing style! I really get your pacing, humor, and overall masterful storytelling. The Perfect Gift is such a lovely marriage of all that you have to offer as an author. It really was such a pleasure to do the audio book.
Joe: The Perfect Gift is about love, marriage, family, and the December holiday. Did you relate to this story on a personal level?
Brian: Absolutely! The story takes place in Philadelphia, and it just so happens that I got married in Philly too! I could visualize everything you described so beautifully, and it was so much fun bringing it all to life. The holiday season in Philly is a special time, and I loved how you highlighted all of the wonderful places to experience there.
Joe: Readers have said the novella made them laugh one minute and cry the next, all the while feeling incredibly romantic. They fell in love with Bobby and Paolo, and I did too! How did you balance the romance, humor, and drama when performing this novella?
Brian: I just focused on staying true and honest with the wonderful material.
Joe: The Perfect Gift is the second Bobby and Paolo Holiday Story, after Bobby and Paolo met and fell in love in Capri, Italy. Did that color the way you approached the audio book?
Brian: Yes, I think there’s something really special about new love that is turning into deeper and lasting love. I think you did an excellent job showcasing that in this book.
Joe: If The Perfect Gift were made into a movie, who do you see playing Bobby and Paolo?
Brian: How about this….a young Cary Grant as Bobby and a young Antonio Banderas as Paolo?
Joe: You are an incredibly talented actor, opera singer, and audio book performer. You seem to have a hundred different voices in you! How did you come up with the diverse and entertaining voices for the characters in The Perfect Gift?
Brian: That’s my favorite part of audio book performing! I just take your cue when it comes to each character’s description and the way they talk. You make it really easy for me!
Joe: Which was your favorite character to perform?
Brian: I really enjoyed Bobby’s Mom and sisters! They were a riot.
Joe: Which character was the most difficult to perform?
Brian: The most challenging for me was Paolo. I tried my best to keep him honest and real with his Italian accent.
Joe: What’s next for you in my audio book world?
Brian: I’m so excited to be narrating your Finding Georgio, Found at Last Book 1! I can’t wait!
Joe: Thank you, Brian. I also can’t wait for our next collaboration!
The Perfect Gift
(Bobby and Paolo’s Holiday Stories, Book 2)
by Joe Cosentino, published by Dreamspinner Press
Cover Art: Paul Richmond
Length: 122 pages & 3 hours
Amazon
Audio book performed by Brian Cheney:
Back in America after finding A Home for the Holidays and each other in Capri, new couple Bobby McGrath and Paolo Mascobello are ready to tie the knot during the winter holidays. Their families, friends, and pastor offer more advice than sages on speed. So, young lawyer Bobby and fashion designer Paolo are caught in the matrimonial holiday circus. Will a shocking turn of events somehow lead to the perfect wedding for the December grooms?
The following Christmas, Bobby and Paolo aren’t feeling the holiday spirit. They have a nice apartment, designer clothes, entertaining and supportive friends and family, but little time for each other. While out shopping in their quaint local holiday village, Bobby and Paolo encounter Gregory, an adorable seven-year-old who changes their lives forever, offering them a true holiday miracle… if they’re willing to accept it.
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 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
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