INTERVIEW ~ An Infatuation by Joe Cosentino ~ Audiobook Release ~ #Interview #NarratorInterview
✨ NARRATOR INTERVIEW ✨
An Interview by Joe Cosentino with
Audio Book Performer Brian Cheney
for the Release of the Audio Book of
An Infatuation by Joe Cosentino,
published by Dreamspinner Press
Joe: Brian, congratulations on the release of our audio book of An Infatuation.
Brian: I’m infatuated with this audio book. (smile)
Joe: Me too. You have performed the audio books of my last eight Nicky and Noah mysteries. 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 An Infatuation, published by Dreamspinner Press?
Brian: Since our first collaboration together (Drama Christmas), I “got” your humor and comedic timing instantly. It’s like I’m in your head, and you wrote these books for me to narrate them!
Joe: Wow, what a heady feeling (smile). An Infatuation is loosely based on my high school years and high school reunion. Did you relate to this story on a personal level?
Brian: I think we all can relate to having a high school crush. I was a band geek and theater kid, and boy did I have some crushes!
Joe: Readers have said the novella made them laugh one minute and cry the next, all the while feeling incredibly romantic. The story really changed people’s lives and received a Rainbow Book Award Honorable Mention. It was also voted Second Place (I try harder) Favorite MM Romance Book of the Year in Divine Magazine’s Reader Poll. How did you balance the romance, humor, and drama when performing this novella?
Brian: Of course you did, and it’s so well deserved. I think it all comes down to honesty. As an actor, I always try to find the honesty and authenticity when it comes to character intent and storytelling. Your writing makes that so easy!
Joe: Since An Infatuation began as a one-act play before I adapted it into a novella, did that color the way you approached the audio book?
Brian: As I read, I see it all in my mind’s eye and watch it play out like a movie or a play. I think it was even easier for me to do that with this book for that very reason!
Joe: I’ve written a screenplay for a film version of An Infatuation. Who do you see playing Harold, Mario, Stuart, Barbara, and Hannah?
Brian: Let’s make it a one-man show starring me! HA!
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 An Infatuation?
Brian: Thank you! When I read and watch the scenes play out in my head, I trust my gut and use my imagination based on your descriptions of the characters.
Joe: Which was your favorite character to perform?
Brian: I love Harold.
Joe: Which character was the most difficult to perform?
Brian: Because of Mario’s complex nature, he was the trickiest.
Joe: What got you started in the audiobook industry?
Brian: My love for audiobooks! Jim Dale is my hero!
Joe: Where do you record your audiobooks?
Brian: I have a lovely home studio, where I do all of my narrations.
Joe: What’s next for you in my audio book world?
Brian: Hopefully another one of your books, Joe!
Joe: Thank you, Brian. Here’s a hint for the readers. It will be a perfect gift. I can’t wait for our next collaboration!
An Infatuation Audiobook
AN INFATUATION by Joe Cosentino
the first In My Heart novella
published by Dreamspinner Press
Series: In My Heart (book 1)
Formats: E-book and Audiobook
ASIN: B00SZ9618S
Release Date: eBook/February 4, 2015 & Audiobook/June 17, 2024
Cover Artist: Christy Caughie
Heat Level: 2
Length: 106 Pages / 3 Hours 53 Minutes
Language: English
Genres/Tropes: MM Romance, Contemporary, Humor, Lost Love
Divine Magazine Readers’ Choice Award 2nd Place for Best LGBT Romance!
Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention Best Contemporary Romance
🛒 Purchase Links
Listen to a sample on Amazon or Audible
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Blurb
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.
Praise for An Infatuation
“Author Joe Cosentino brought just the right amount of humor, angst and honesty to make this short but sweet coming of age story a success.”—MM Good Book Reviews
“Joe Cosentino proves there’s more than one way to a happy ending in An Infatuation, a story of first love and heartbreak delivered in a fresh and funny voice.”—The Novel Approach
“Don’t miss this one friends, it is a heartfelt story magical in the telling! Thanks Joe for putting your heart on the page for us to savor!”—Bike Book Reviews
“It’s unusual for me to get sucked into a book in the first chapter but it grabbed me early and I read the whole thing in one day.”—Nautical Star Books
“I recommend this book to anyone reminiscing about that one that got away.”—LoveBytes Reviews
“I think you will be left breathless with the reality and emotion behind An Infatuation.”—Diverse Reader
“There were times I laughed and then there were times I cried…unforgettable.”—Multitaskingmomma Reviews
“I really loved this book and having an ending that made me laugh and cry at the same time is testament to the brilliant writing.”—BooksLaidBareBoys
“Like an onion, Joe Cosentino’s stories have layers. I would really recommend them. This is a Bittersweet novel, but it has laughs-a-plenty despite the sad and ugly lurking beneath the veneer. A truly fabulous read.”—Boy Meets Boy Reviews
“The author executed his storyline with a marvelous precision that would be the envy of many authors. He draws the readers into the lives of his characters, they become real and in turn, their emotions becomes yours…If you can only afford to buy one more book this year, buy this one.”—Three Books Over the Rainbow Reviews
“The story kept me turning the pages and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish…I love that Harold found what he was looking for in life and in a partner and love that he has his HEA. Great read.”—Up All Night, Sleep All Day
“just the right dose of humor, honesty, and of course, sweet romance”—Readers’ Favorite
“The writing is superb and highly original. I don’t want to give too much of the plot away, but it made me chuckle, laugh out loud, say ‘awww’, and cry. The humour and light-hearted approach to such a heart-breaking story worked perfectly and stopped me from becoming a blubbering mess. At the same time, the story has a happy ending. It has you thinking about love, commitment and being true to yourself, and cleverly interweaves moral and political issues.”—Sinfully Gay Romance Book Reviews
“An Infatuation is a terrific story combining coming-of-age with reconciling the past. What stood out to me immediately (and what made it my kind of story) was that it was funny in such an authentic way.”—AM Leibowitz
About the Author
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 currently a happily married college theatre professor/department chair residing in New York State.
Find Joe Cosentino on the Web
About the Narrator
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 Drama Christmas (the 11th Nicky and Noah mystery novel) by Joe Cosentino, Drama Pan (the 12th Nicky and Noah mystery novel) by Joe Cosentino, All the King’s Men by Scott Leddy, Swarm by Guy Morris, The Last Ark by Guy Morris, and Pressure by Barry Napier.
Find Brian Cheney on the Web
