Joe Cosentino
on Writing RAG DOLL, the fifth Jana Lane mystery,
published by
The Wild Rose Press
At
3am I jump out of bed with a terrifically shocking ending in my head, jot it
down on the pad on my night table, and go back to sleep. The next evening, I
write an outline full of humor, romance, plot twists and turns, clues, red
herrings, and of course the amazing ending (if I can read my notes from the
prior evening). Next comes a written character biography for each character.
Then the fun part. I let the characters talk in my head and channel their words
as I type into the computer. The second draft goes to my spouse for notes. And
the third draft goes to the publisher’s editor for notes. A mystery novel is
born.
The Jana Lane
mysteries are especially fun since I am able to use my insider knowledge of
film, television, and theatre as a professional actor who has worked opposite
stars like Rosie O’Donnell, Jason Robards, Nathan Lane, Holland Taylor, and
Bruce Willis. Thankfully nobody was murdered on my shows.
Adding to the
enjoyment is the fact that the series takes place in the 1980’s. So I revel in researching
online that wonderful period’s hairstyles, makeup, clothing, music, films,
television shows, historical events, and mores. Finally, my love for humor and
romance are evident in the novels with the quirky but endearing characters in
Jana Lane’s life.
As
a child I loved child stars like Shirley Temple, Hayley Mills, and Patty Duke,
seeing their movies over and over. So I created Jana Lane who was the biggest
child star ever until she was attacked on the studio lot at eighteen years old.
In PAPER DOLL, Jana at thirty-eight lives with her family in a mansion in
picturesque Hudson Valley, New York. Her flashbacks from the past become murder
attempts in her future. Jana ventures back to Hollywood, which helps her
uncover a web of secrets about everyone she loves. She also embarks on a flirtation
with the devilishly handsome son of her old producer, Rocco Cavoto. In
PORCELAIN DOLL, Jana makes a comeback film and uncovers who is being murdered
on the set and why. Her heart is set aflutter by her incredibly gorgeous
co-star, America’s heartthrob Jason Apollo. In SATIN DOLL, Jana and family head
to Washington, DC, where Jana plays a US senator in a new film, and becomes
embroiled in a murder and corruption at the senate chamber. She also becomes
taken with Chris Bruno, the muscular detective. In CHINA DOLL, Jana heads to
New York City to star in a Broadway play, enchanted by her gorgeous co-star
Peter Stevens, and faced with murder on stage and off.
Now in RAG DOLL,
Jana
stars in a new television series, The
Detective’s Wife, opposite Chris Bove, the hunky detective who got away in
SATIN DOLL. Guest starring on the show is young ingénue Christa Bianca, a rags
to riches story who has flooded the press. Life imitates television as
Christa’s loved ones are murdered, and Christa and Jana could be next. Once
again it’s up to Jana to save the day before the lights fade to black.
The suspects
include dominatrix Karen, Bove’s ex-wife who covets Christa’s role, and Herm
the director who is enticed by Karen. There is also Christa’s pushy agent. And
Christa’s uncle who was also guest-starring on the episode. Andrew, Christa’s
controlling manager/husband, and two couples playing bit roles who have a
personal conflict with Christa and Andrew, are all suspect. Not to mention
Jana’s son’s nanny and the girl’s boyfriend, the mysterious prop master with a
secret.
In RAG DOLL, I tried to model some of
the characters after people I’ve met, without being too obvious. Since Jana is
happily married, I walked a fine line in her flirtations with sexy Chris Bove. I loved writing Jana’s banter with Bove. It still makes me
laugh. I also get tears in my eyes when reading the story of Christa’s rise
from impoverished, mocked child (the other children calling her “Rag Doll”) to
upcoming star.
I also didn’t shy away from social
issues as Jana opens the Jana Lane AIDS Foundation. Finally, I was honest about our youth-oriented society, showing guest star on the
series, Crista’s uncle Nicholas Hartford, hoping to ride on his niece’s
coattails back to the top, and the funny, aging gossip television interviewer,
Harriet Hologram. I’ve been told the television shooting sequences in RAG DOLL
are realistic, exciting, and fun to read. I’m sure that’s because I know my way
around a real television set, and I tried hard to incorporate that knowledge
into those scenes.
Everyone in
RAG DOLL has a secret, which Jana uncovers along with the murderer, in the
shocking ending. I don’t like mysteries where characters are introduced and the
writer arbitrarily picks the murderer at the end. The readers feel cheated. At
the end of a mystery, the readers should say, “Of course! How did I not see
that?” The ending of RAG DOLL still makes my heart race when I read it—and I’m
still surprised. And I’ve included plenty of fun and romance along the way.
RAG
DOLL, a Jana Lane mystery
by Joe
Cosentino
published
by The Wild Rose Press
Buy Links:
Wild Rose Press
Digital:
Paperback:
Amazon:
All Romance E Books:
Barnes and Noble:
Murder,
romance, and scandal on and off the set of Jana Lane’s new murder mystery
television show. America’s most famous ex-child star Jana Lane is starring
in The Detective’s Wife, a
murder mystery television show in 1985. Guest starring on the show is
Christa Bianca, a rags-to-riches ingénue who has flooded the entertainment
press. Life imitates television as cast
members are murdered, and once again it’s up to Jana, along with sexy
ex-detective Chris Bove, to save the day before the lights fade to black.
Praise
for CHINA DOLL, a Jana Lane mystery:
“Set on
Broadway in 1984, “China Doll”...combines plenty of drama with a mystery
complex enough to keep the reader guessing. Every member of the cast has not
only some depth but intertwining romance and quirk to spare. The romance
surrounding Jana as she struggles between remaining faithful to her husband and
the feelings that stir around Peter will leave the reader torn until the end.
With a smooth pace, intriguing mystery, and plenty of danger…An excellent read
for lovers of mystery and drama!” Ind’Tale Magazine
“Joe
Cosentino never disappoints...his novels are superb. I find myself addicted to
each story that he writes, and once he writes a new book the characters end up
being added to my all-time favorite lists. There's plenty of action, intrigue,
and murder to go around. A talented writer whose words constantly draw me in
every time. I look forward to the next masterfully woven story in this series.
Jana Lane is definitely a new female sleuth that should be on everyone's
reading list. I highly recommend China
Doll to readers worldwide.” Urban Book Reviews
Praise
for SATIN DOLL, a Jana Lane mystery:
“A book that will captivate any reader! A page
turner that won't let you go! This is one author you can always depend on to
publish a good read!!” Stormy Nights Reviewing
“Joe Cosentino is a brilliant mastermind when
creating the perfect mystery series. In each novel in this intriguing series of
his, Jana Lane Mysteries, readers are blown away by his writing. The instant
readers jump into Joe Cosentino's fictional world, the danger feels real, the
suspense is killing, and the plot moves so fast. Action, lights, camera!” “A fast-paced murder mystery that readers
will easily fall in love with...and one they can't live without. Overall, I
highly recommend this new title in the Jana Lane Mysteries and look forward to
the next best adventure from Joe Cosentino.” Urban Book Reviews
Praise
for PORCELAIN DOLL, a Jana Lane mystery:
“Porcelain Doll is Joe Cosentino at his
finest. We are drawn back to the fashions and attitudes of the 1980's in a
character-driven story full of intrigue and passion." Kirsty Vizard,
Divine Magazine
“Beautifully
written and intensely detailed, Porcelain
Doll is one not to be missed. Flirtatiously decadent with a strong moral
undertone, set in a decade of extraordinary social change this is a story of
its period that is as poignant today as it was then. Joe Cosentino controlled
the emotions that the book encouraged with a deft but delicate touch.
Suspenseful and mysterious, Porcelain
Doll is a masterful creation, one that was impossible not to be affected
by.” Carol Fenton, BooksLaidBare Reviews
“Murder, mystery, and suspense are high inside
of this brilliant masterpiece by Joe Cosentino.” “Every page fills the readers
with intrigue.” “Edge of your seat mystery that lures readers instantly.” “Once
you read it, you can't put it down.” Urban Book Reviews
“Porcelain
Doll hooks from the start with characters behaving badly, all of whom have
life-changing secrets.” “The story includes a nice arc, well-developed
characters, and a few unexpected surprises.” InD’tale Magazine
Praises
for PAPER DOLL, the first Jana Lane mystery:
“Paper Doll is a superbly crafted mystery
with an eclectic cast of characters that will engage you and elicit some very
emotional responses as you are completely caught up in the events that unfold
in these pages. Everyone has secrets and the people in Paper Doll have them in spades!” Fresh Fiction
“If you like novels that are filled
with new and old Hollywood, and a range of sub-plots, you are going to love
this!” Saguaro Moon Reviews
“I
liked that there was enough evidence for each of the suspects to keep me
guessing until the very end.” Molly Lolly Reviews
“Joe Cosentino knows how to keep his
readers’ interest with every page.” Urban Book Reviews
"Mr.
Cosentino has produced a masterpiece of mystery" "The story gripped
me from the start and there were enough twists and turns, with a bit of romance
thrown in for good measure, to keep hold of me until the end of the book."
"Great book, can’t wait for book 2." Readers’ Favorite
Print
ISBN 978-1-5092-
Digital
ISBN 978-1-5092- 29
Released:
November 16, 2016
Pages:
260
Cover
Artist: Debbie Taylor
Bestselling
author Joe Cosentino won Divine Magazine’s awards for best mystery novel, best
humorous novel, and best contemporary novel of 2015. He is the author of the
Jana Lane mysteries: Paper Doll, Porcelain
Doll, Satin Doll, China Doll, Rag Doll (The Wild Rose Press); the
Nicky and Noah mysteries: Drama Queen,
Drama Muscle, and the upcoming Drama
Cruise and Drama Luau (Lethe
Press); the Cozzi Cove beach series: Cozzi
Cove: Bouncing Back, Cozzi Cove:
Moving Forward, and the upcoming Cozzi
Cove: Stepping Out (NineStar Press); and the romance novellas: In My Heart anthology (An Infatuation & A Shooting Star), A Home for the Holidays,
and The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland (Dreamspinner Press);
and The Nutcracker and the Mouse King
(Eldridge Plays and Musicals). As an actor, he has appeared in principal 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. http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/JoeCosentinoauthor
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/JoeCosen
An excerpt of RAG DOLL by Joe Cosentino, published
by The Wild Rose Press:
Jana and Bove did the scene again with a thin
piece of gauze over the camera lens aimed at Jana.
Ah, the plight of a middle-aged actress.
Jana
felt even better about that take. Their relationship worked, and the energy
bounced back and forth between them almost effortlessly. Again Jana wondered
what it would be like sharing her days with Bove and kissing Bove in bed before
sleep each night.
Herm’s
call for action brought Jana back to the scene. Bove’s close-up was even better
than the first two takes. It was as if they had been married for years with an
easygoing yet emotional rapport.
“Cut!”
“Good
job, partner.”
Bove
smiled at Jana. “Right back at you.”
As
she started to rise from the bed, Jana spotted Christa in the distance with a
look of horror on her face.
The
young woman screamed as a lighting screen headed straight for her. Stu
Silverman, standing next to Christa, noticed and pushed Christa out of the way
in
the
nick of time. The screen crashed to the floor inches away from Christa’s feet.
Standing on the other side of her, Andrew Bianca took his wife in his arms, and
she
wept
on his shoulder.
Bove whispered to Jana, “Here we go
again.”
Joe will be giving away a digital copy of China Doll to someone who comments.
4 comments:
I wish you the very best, Joe.
Thank you, Sarah! Joe Cosentino http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com
Nice post about "Joe Cosentino's New Mystery Release: RAG DOLL AND A GIVE AWAY"
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