NARRATOR INTERVIEW :: The First Noel (Audiobook) by Joe Cosentino #Interview
✨ NARRATOR INTERVIEW ✨
An Interview by Joe Cosentino with Audio Book Performer Brian Cheney
for the Release of the Audio Book of The First Noel by Joe Cosentino,
Bobby and Paolo Holiday Stories Book 3, published by Dreamspinner Press
Joe: Brian, congratulations on the release of our audio book of The First Noel, Bobby and Paolo Holiday Stories Book 3.
Brian: Three times and you’re out (pun intended).
Joe: Good one. You have performed the audio books of my last eight Nicky and Noah mysteries and many of my books published by Dreamspinner Press. What is it that drew you to perform the audio book of my The First Noel?
Brian: You, my friend! I love bringing your wonderful stories to life!
Joe: And I love listening to you! The First Noel is about love, family, the winter holidays, and magic. Did you relate to this story on a personal level?
Brian: Absolutely! The story takes place in one of my favorite cities, Philadelphia! It’s a special place for me. Not only is it the place where I got married, but I’ve also performed with the symphony in Philly’s gorgeous Kimmel Center! Reading the story reminded me how Philly really goes all out for the holidays too! It’s a wonderful location!
Joe: I agree! Readers have said the novella made them laugh one minute and cry the next, all while feeling incredibly romantic. They fell in love with Bobby, Paolo, Geoffrey, Jared, and Noel, and I did too! How did you balance the romance, humor, and drama when performing the audio book of this novella?
Brian: As they say, an actor is only as good as the material he has! I always find it remarkably easy to find that balance when it comes to your writing.
Joe: Gee, thanks! The First Noel is the third Bobby and Paolo Holiday Story, after Bobby and Paolo met and fell in love in Capri, moved to Philadelphia, married, and adopted a son. Did that color the way you approached this audio book?
Brian: Yes, the characters have grown so much since we first met them. I tried to convey that growth in my narration.
Joe: And you did beautifully! Do you think The Bobby and Paolo Holiday Stories would make a good movie?
Brian: Absolutely! It’s very easy to visualize the story based on your writing, and it all played out in my mind’s eye like a lovely holiday movie.
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 First Noel?
Brian: As always, I think that really comes down to you, Joe. Your descriptions of the characters, their mannerisms, and their little character quirks make it easy for me to find voices for each person in the story.
Joe: Which was your favorite character to perform?
Brian: I love Bobby!
Joe: Which character was the most difficult to perform?
Brian: I think it was probably Paolo. It’s a tricky thing to voice an authentic Italian accent and not sound like a vampire! HAHA!
Joe: You did it perfectly, and my heritage is Italian! What’s next for you in my audio book world?
Brian: I’m so excited to be narrating your The Player, Player Piano Mystery Book 1! Everyone, stay tuned for its audio book release in early 2025!
Joe: Thank you, Brian. I can’t wait for our next collaboration! It should be a real player (smile).
The First Noel Audiobook
The First Noel, Bobby & Paolo’s Holiday Stories Book 3,
by Joe Cosentino, published by Dreamspinner Press
now also an audio book performed by Brian Cheney
Series: Bobby & Paolo’s Holiday Stories (book 3)
Formats: E-book and Audiobook
ASIN: B0DHFF6KC1
Release Date: eBook/December 7, 2018 & Audiobook/December 27, 2024
Cover Artist: Adrian Nicholas
Length: 91 Pages / 2 Hours 49 Minutes
Language: English
Genres/Tropes: gay, gay family, Christmas, December, humor, MM romance, Pennsylvania
🛒 Purchase Links
Listen to a sample on Amazon or Audible
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Blurb
Each Christmas has marked a milestone in Bobby and Paolo’s love story. But will this year be their last noel? It’s no surprise Bobby isn’t feeling much holiday spirit—not when he suspects his husband, Paolo, might be interested in his new business associate, the incredibly handsome Noel. On top of that, Bobby’s father is hanging up his Santa suit at the department store due to health issues; and worst of all, Geoffrey’s birth mother, funded by antigay extremists, is threatening their family. She’s trying to take away Bobby and Paolo’s adopted son, but she’ll have to face their supportive friends, family, and pastor before she can tear Geoffrey from the only real home he’s ever known.
With so many challenges in their path, the December grooms will need an extra helping of holiday magic this year. Rumor has it Santa’s on his way to spread some holiday cheer.
Praise for Bobby and Paolo
“I love a Christmas book and I love Joe Cosentino, so really I couldn’t ask for much more from this. As we know, these two men are a really sweet couple. Add in the kid and Bobby and Paolo are pretty much complete. As with any good book though there are problems for these two to overcome. Feelings of insecurity, family issues and threats from the boy’s mother all make for a very trying time for our favorite couple. The author however wraps all these issues up in a beautiful bow in time for the holiday season.”—Books Laid Bare Boys
“Three years after the first Bobby and Paolo story (A Home for the Holidays), much has happened to lawyer Bobby and fashion designer Paolo – from falling in love to getting married to fostering and then adopting Geoffrey, a little boy much in need of a loving home. Their annual Christmas adventures are some of my favorite reads, and this year’s is no exception….I was glued to the pages as plans were made and events unfolded. Not everything is as it seems – but it’s definitely Christmas and a good time for much-needed miracles!”—Rainbow Book Reviews
“I adore Bobby and Paolo…If you like sweet romances with cute kids, a lot of tension with a happy ending, and holiday cheer this is for you!”—TTC Books and More
“The writing was wonderful with a great flow to it, and the characters were lovable and relatable and dealt with everyday issues and problems….This holiday novella is full of twists and turns, and it was a joy to read.”—Optimumm Reviews
“funny, sweet, and entertaining. There was never a boring moment in this book. Overall, Joe Cosentino knows how to grab my attention and keep, as well as melt, my heart in the process.”—Urban Book Reviews
“heartwarming and sweet, and I loved the characters immediately.”—Sarah Hadley Brooks
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 Nicky and Noah mysteries: 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, Drama Merry, Drama Daddy, Drama King;
- the Player Piano Mysteries (Dreamspinner Press): The Player and The Player’s Encore;
- the Jana Lane Mysteries (The Wild Rose Press): Paper Doll, Porcelain Doll, Satin Doll, China Doll, Rag Doll;
- the Cozzi Cove series (NineStar Press): Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back, Moving Forward, Stepping Out, New Beginnings, Happy Endings;
- the In My Heart Anthology (Dreamspinner Press): An Infatuation & A Shooting Star;
- the Tales from Fairyland Anthology (Dreamspinner Press): The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland and Holiday Tales from Fairyland;
- the Bobby and Paolo Holiday Stories Anthology (Dreamspinner Press): A Home for the Holidays, The Perfect Gift, The First Noel;
- and the Found At Last Anthology (Dreamspinner Press): 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 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.
