RELEASE DAY REVIEW: 'Cozzi Cove: New Beginnings' by Joe Cosentino
Title: Cozzi Cove - New Beginnings
Series: Cozzi Cove #4
Author: Joe Cosentino
Published: March 27, 2017
Publisher: NineStar Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance; Erotic Romance
Length: 174 Pages
Tags: M/M; Gay; Bisexual; M/M/M; Menage; May/December; GFY; Disorder: Narcolepsy; HFN
About Cozzi Cove: New Beginnings
Welcome back to the romantic and magical place called Cozzi Cove, seven guest bungalows on the New Jersey Shore.
This summer, Cal and his new husband, Michael, along with sister, Taylor, and her wife, Carla, prepare for the first in the next generation of Cozzis. To add to the action: Cal finds his great-grandfather’s diary, exposing a shocking surprise; Michael and Taylor weigh new job opportunities that could take them far away from Cozzi Cove; red-letter Christian and new houseboy, Billy Dean, gets his wish when meeting Jesus and John at the cove; summer guest, Nijad, can’t decide which sibling he prefers—Annabel or Andrew; and Jonathan, an occult enthusiast, encounters a sexy vampire.
As usual, nothing is as it seems when romance blossoms once again at Cozzi Cove. What secrets, mysteries, and passions lie waiting to unfold? Find out in Book Four of the Cozzi Cove series.
4 HEART READ
REVIEW: Joe Consentino's Cozzi Cove: New Beginnings, is like naughty cotton candy. Reading is one of life’s desserts, and normally I'd prefer something substantive, like brownies. But who can resist spun sugar?
This standalone edition in the Cozzi Cove series follows five bonds, each unlikely in its own way.
At the core is Cal Cozzi, the great grandson of the town’s founder, and owner of Cozzi Cove, the mystically idyllic same-sex summer resort where wishes appear to come true. Cal and husband Michael are expecting a baby boy, due soon. Michael, who grew up on the edges of town, doesn't feel the same sense of belonging at the cove, especially since he's been unable to find a photojournalism job.
Carrying their baby is Carla, married to Taylor, Cal's sister. Jet-setting Taylor is a money manager for the wealthy, whose constant travels create conflict. Will the pregnancy, or a newly discovered journal by Cozzi's founder, lend perspective?
The first guest is Malcolm, an ex-employee of Cozzi Cove, now a successful magazine editor. As a teen, Malcolm had coveted Cal, who never noticed. Is Malcolm genuinely interested in Michael's photos, or is it a ploy to separate Michael from Cal, as retribution?
Guests Andrew and Annabel are flight attendants and twins. They pique the interest of bi travel agent, Nijad. But the twins’ have a secret. Will it nix Nijad's chance with both of them?
Middle-aged Jonathan Harper, a paranormal aficionado, is enthralled by his peer, actor Vlad. Vlad plays Dracula at the local horror show convention. And Jonathan is sure Vlad shows quasi superpowers, proving he’s a true descendant of Count Dracula. But isn't Vlad straight?
The most entertaining configuration includes Billy Dean, a "red-line Christian." This is someone who believes Jesus' reported words literally, but interprets the rest of the bible. Billy Dean may be literal, but liberal, and attracted to men. Having landed a football scholarship come fall, he takes the job as summer houseboy, expecting to keep his virginity.
When he falls asleep on the beach, awakening to two men in loincloths emerging from the ocean (who turn out to be "Jesus and John,") he’s convinced they are the biblical figures. The couple teach him about bliss, until he realizes they’re the men in Bungalow #2. Oops.
As I rode my gym bike and giggled at this scene, as well as Billy Dean's many aphorisms, all my gym mates had smiles. It’s quite the book that can lighten the day of those who aren’t reading it! Who wouldn’t chortle at “It's already hotter than a fart on a griddle." or "I'm ready as a dog at a clumsy man's barbecue."
Like a soap opera, Cosentino checks sequentially on different bonds, whetting readers' appetite for the next installment.
While owners and guests interact, the soothing bay waters wind their mystery, smoothing rough edges, until ridiculous combinations seem like intuitive relationships.
And Cosentino takes time for social commentary. He uses the founder’s journal to contrast gay men’s struggles, then and now.
When Billy Dean worries about damnation for giving up his virginity before marriage, he’s asked a question. “You seem to be a kind, well-meaning, and gentle spirit. Why create a world in your mind of punishment and retribution?”
There are different types of four heart reads. This was never meant to be the Great American Novel. But if you want a summer themed read to take a nasty taste from your mouth, go to Cosentino's romance amusement park, and let him spin you some sugar with Cozzi Cove: New Beginnings.
A copy of Cozzi Cove: New Beginnings was provided to Kimmers’ Erotic Book Banter, by IndiGo Marketing & Design, at no cost and with no expectations in return. We offer our fair and honest opinion on behalf of our readers.
Meet the Author
Joe Cosentino was voted favorite LGBT mystery, humorous, and contemporary author of the year by the readers of Divine Magazine for Drama Queen, the first Nicky and Noah mystery (Lethe Press). The other Nicky and Noah mysteries are: Drama Muscle (Rainbow Award Honorable Mention), Drama Cruise, Drama Luau, Drama Detective. He is also the author of the Cozzi Cove series: Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back (Rainbow Award Honorable Mention/TBR Pile Favorite Book of the Month), Cozzi Cove: Moving Forward, Cozzi Cove: Stepping Out, Cozzi Cove: New Beginnings (NineStar Press); the Dreamspinner Press novellas: In My Heart/An Infatuation & A Shooting Star (Rainbow Award Honorable Mention), The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland (Open Skye Book Reviews Favorite Audiobook of the Month), A Home for the Holidays; and the Jana Lane mysteries: Paper Doll, Porcelain Doll, Satin Doll, China Doll, Rag Doll (The Wild Rose Press). He has appeared in principal acting roles in film, television, and theatre, opposite stars such as Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Holland Taylor, and Jason Robards. Joe is currently Head of the Department/Professor at a college in upstate New York, and is happily married.
For more from Joe be sure and visit his website.
