Cozzi
Cove: New Beginnings,
the fourth novel in the Cozzi Cove beach series
by
Joe Cosentino, published by NineStar Press
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.
Praise
for COZZI COVE: STEPPING OUT:
“But
it’s not just about the Cozzi’s and the webs they weave, it’s
also about the Guests that check-in and check-out. But they never
check out of our hearts. We as readers, remember every one of
them – they are the real beauty of Cozzi Cove together with this
author’s amazing talent – he makes these OTT characters stay with
us, his characterization is just phenomenal and therefore great fun
to read, I never chuckle as much as I do as when I’m reading a
Cosentino.” Three Books Over the Rainbow
“The
surprise of the whole book though is Tommy finally finding who he has
been looking for and the story behind the love found and lost and
then found again definitely blew me away….a great read” Gay Book
Reviews
“Tons
of action, drama, love, and secrets to keep readers
hooked….beautifully written and highly engaging….Humor, mystery,
and romance…Cozzi Cove: Stepping Out is indeed a must read for all.
I highly recommend it.” Urban Book Reviews
“I
love this series and hope it continues, after all, every year comes
with a summer and Cozzi Cove will always be open for business.”
Books Laid Bare Boys
“Loved,
loved, loved it! The Cozzi Cove stories have a great mix of drama,
angst, romance, and sex. There is something for everyone.” TTC
Books and More
“The
stories of Cal and Michael, George and Aaron, and Taylor and Carla
are brilliant and are cleverly described alongside those of the
guests. I loved this book, and the wonderful feel good factor it
evoked. For me, it’s the best of the series so far. The characters
are, again, perfect for the stories that unwind slowly and are then
wound up again into ideal conclusions. The ending ties up all the
residents and guests’ stories but leaves enough open for more.
Cozzi Cove, where dreams really do come true.” OptimuMM Book
Reviews
Praise
for COZZI COVE: MOVING FORWARD:
“Cozzi
Cove: Moving Forward delivers a strong cast of characters and a few
surprising denouements to individual story lines that will bring a
smile to your face and perhaps even a heartfelt sigh.” GGR Reviews
“Who
knew that 7 bungalows set surrounding a beautiful cove, could hold so
many secrets, love and intrigue?” “The humour, whether subtle or
not-so-subtle was superb, the timing delivered with perfection, Joe
Cosentino is a natural comedian and another reason why I love reading
his books. He is also very clever, he weaved moral messages
throughout the entire storyline,” “Great fun entwined with
the Cosentino romantic magic that brings his books alive, I loved
it."
Three Books Over the Rainbow
“visiting
Cozzi Cove is like coming home or revisiting a beloved holiday
destination. I know everyone, by now, who is a permanent fixture and
I sincerely hope that Cosentino continues this series forever. As
before, the characters are a hoot. They’re a mixture of funny,
quirky, sad, lonely individuals who come together to make a riotously
brilliant cast.” Divine Magazine
“Oh,
Cozzi Cove, you are fast becoming a favorite vacation destination
with your action and excitement! Joe Cosentino once again wins his
way into your heart and soul with this fun, flirtatious romance.
Love, laughter and smoldering intimacy await all who dare to
venture to the clear blue waters of the Cove.” 3 Chicks After Dark
“I
absolutely love this series and loved all of the romance that happens
at Cozzi Cove. You don’t just have one romance you have seven
(really eight when you count Cal & Michael).” “I love an
author that can inject humor in just the right places. Joe Cosentino
is fast becoming a must read author for me.” “I can’t wait to
read more from Cozzi Cove.” Inked Rainbow Reads
“The
beautiful scenery and all around magical quality of Cozzi Cove is
hard to resist….This is a fun, often lighthearted story, whose
sweet sexy vibe makes for a great escape.” Coffeetime Romance
Yet
again the author entices you in with a fantastic storyline and
well-rounded characters.
You
could almost feel the sea breeze and smell the salt in the air. This
is definitely where you need to be if you want to find love.....”
Books Laid Bare Boys
“As
with book one, book two contains an interwoven set of awesome,
emotional and often funny tales about the guests and residents of
Cozzi Cove. All the characters need the magic that Cozzi Cove weaves
around people’s lives and its healing touch, but will they all get
what they need? By the time the guests are ready to check out at the
end of the week, everything will have changed for them and for some
of the residents too. As with book one, I became deeply immersed in
these stories and didn’t want the book to end so thank goodness
there’s a book three” OptimuMM Book Reviews
Praise
for COZZI COVE: BOUNCING BACK: Book of the Month at The TBR Pile,
Rainbow Award Honorable Mention, 3rd
Place Best Fiction Book of 2016 on Urban Book Reviews
“I
loved this story. It carries you through the full range of emotions,
from joy to sadness, from happiness to anger. The characters
are beautifully written.” “I look forward to a return visit to
the Cove.” TBR Pile
“Heartbreaking
and heartwarming, sweet beginnings for some, sour endings for others,
emotions jumping off the page as you turn eagerly to read more,
welcome to Cozzi Cove. The author measured his scales to perfection
in delivering the perfect balance of love, laughter and tears in this
sexy, fun filled holiday romance entwined with some sadness. Summer
magic waved it's wand at all who visited and stayed at Cozzi Cove and
I was one of those who wanted to stay.” Three Books Over the
Rainbow
“In
true Joe Cosentino style, this book is packed full of drama! This
cast of characters will have you laughing out loud one minute before
ripping your heart out the next.” Joyfully Jay
“If
you like a lot of angst, some humor, love, sadness (be sure to have a
couple of boxes of tissue handy), and some hot sensual man-sex, I
highly, highly recommend this book. I loved all of the Joe
Cosentino’s books, but I think this is my favorite to date! I am
ready for book 2!” Cathy Brockman Romance & MM Good Book
Reviews
“Joe
Cosentino has the amazing ability to combine heartwarming, feel good
moments with droll, sometimes biting humor, along with insights into
the frailties and peccadillos of being human.” “Cozzi Cove:
Bouncing Back is the very finest in literary fiction with a romance
theme, yet it’s more than just that—it’s about human
connections and empathy and finding a way out of the fear and inertia
faced by so many. It’s also about courage and strength, about
respect and coming to terms with all that life has to offer, and it’s
about letting go. I loved this book and look forward to the next in
the series. This is a highly recommended read, well-deserving of Five
Stars.” GGR Reviews
“This
book is extremely well written and all the stories are equally
compelling and cleverly crafted. There are moments when, just as you
think you know what’s going on, the truth emerges and turns out to
be something quite different….Cal’s guests are an amusing and
heart wrenching mixed bag of people, all of whom I found irresistible
in their own way….So many wonderful, poignant and often funny
stories are told here….It’s a real roller coaster of a ride
that’s finished off perfectly as the guests spend their last day at
Cozzi Cove then check out to move on with their lives.” OptimuMM
Book Reviews
“Another
brilliantly written book by this author. He makes you want to take
your own vacation in Cozzi Cove. You could feel all the emotion and
love flowing from the pages.” Books Laid Bare Boys
Bestselling
author Joe Cosentino won Divine Magazine’s Readers Poll of 2015 for
Best LGBT Mystery Novel, Best LGBT Humorous Novel, and Best LGBT
Contemporary Novel of the Year. He wrote the Cozzi Cove beach series:
Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back
(TBR Pile Book of the Month/Rainbow Award Honorable Mention),
Cozzi Cove: Moving Forward,
Cozzi Cove: Stepping Out, and Cozzi
Cove: New Beginnings
(NineStar Press); the Nicky and Noah mysteries: Drama
Queen (Divine Magazine’s
Readers’ Favorite),
Drama Muscle
(Rainbow Award Honorable Mention), and Drama
Cruise (Lethe Press); the
Dreamspinner Press novellas: In
My Heart/An Infatuation
& A
Shooting Star (Rainbow
Award Honorable Mention), A
Home for the Holidays, and
The Naked Prince and Other
Tales from Fairyland; and
the Jana Lane mysteries: Paper
Doll, Porcelain
Doll, Satin
Doll, China Doll, and 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. Joe was voted 2nd
Place Favorite LGBT Author of the Year in Divine Magazine’s
Readers’ Choice Awards!
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/JoeCosen
Amazon:
Author.to/JoeCosentino
Publisher:
Nine Star Press
Language:
English
Cover
Design: Natasha Snow
Length:
55,600 words, 174 pages
ISBN-13:
978-1-945952-77-7
Release
date: March 27, 2017
An
excerpt from Cozzi
Cove: New Beginnings:
The sun rose like an
erupting volcano filling the sky with shafts of violet, magenta, and
gold, which ultimately turned to clear blue. Cal Cozzi stood on the
white sand and gazed at the old lighthouse in the distance. At
thirty-three, he was in the prime of his life, with thick auburn
hair, clear green eyes, and a trim athletic build. Life was good, and
as he smiled at the foamy waves teasing the craggy shore, Cal basked
in the morning sun and in the beauty of his home.
Cal’s great-grandfather,
Calvin Cozzi I, had built the resort at Cozzi Cove and had had a big
hand in the development of the town of Cozzi. It had always been home
for Cal, and proved to be a solid oasis when as a young man his
football and later restaurant careers failed, and nine years ago when
his parents died in a car accident. He’d especially felt its
comfort when he later lost his husband of five years to cancer. Like
the bay water rejuvenated by the golden rays of each sunrise, Cal had
put his life back together by managing Cozzi Cove and marrying
Michael Rodgers.
It had only been a year
since the greatest day of Cal’s life, the triple wedding on the
cove sands, attended by family and friends. Cal and Michael had been
joined by two other couples in exchanging their vows: Cal’s brother
George and his longtime boyfriend, Aaron; and Cal’s sister Taylor
and her longtime friend, Carla. Though the Cozzi family was growing
in numbers, Cal and Michael had wanted to start their own family
right away. They did the happy dance on the sand when Carla offered
to act as surrogate for their baby. With Carla’s due date fast
approaching, excitement, like the scent of the sea, filled the air at
Cozzi Cove.
Michael, clad in a T-shirt
and shorts like Cal, appeared at the front doorway of the main
bungalow. His stocky build, caramel-colored skin, exotic eyes, and
warm smile still caused Cal’s heart to beat faster.
“I’m hungry.”
“Then you’d better make
breakfast.” Cal enjoyed playing with Michael.
Michael liked it too. “If
you make blueberry buckwheat pancakes, I’ll give you a massage.”
“You massaged something
pretty well last night.”
They shared a knowing smile.
Michael said, “I know how
to get you inside.”
“How?”
“The guests will be
arriving soon.”
At these words, Cal hurried
inside the glass-enclosed porch, scooped the twenty-two-year-old into
his arms, squeezed Michael’s bubble butt, and gave him a good
morning kiss. Then Cal went through the living room, passing the
doorway to their front bedroom, and into the kitchen, glancing
through the entrances to the rear bedroom and bathroom on the way.
Cal was glad his brother’s renovations of the bungalows had kept
his great-grandfather’s layout while expanding the rooms, including
cathedral ceilings lined with white pine beams. As he gazed at the
white wicker and oak furniture laden with flower-print cushions, Cal
was thankful his great-grandfather’s heavy nautical-themed
furniture had found a home in a local museum. He smiled proudly at
his own additions: the prints on the walls depicting lighthouses,
seashells, and rocky beaches.
As usual, Michael leaned on
the granite-topped island while Cal made breakfast. “Aren’t you
going to put more blueberries in the batter?”
Cal raised the mixing spoon.
“Do you want to make these yourself?”
“I prefer to critique.”
Cal mixed the buckwheat
flour, buttermilk, egg, honey, coconut oil, and blueberries in a
large bowl. “Your college degree is in photojournalism, not the
culinary arts.”
“A lot of good it did me.”
“Your degree?”
Michael nodded and his soft
chestnut bedhead fell into place. “Four years of college to be a
bartender.”
“You’re only a bartender
while Tommy is in New York City.”
“Yeah, and when Tommy
comes back from visiting Blue, it’s bartender’s assistant time
again for me.”
Cal poured the batter in
circular mounds on the warm oiled skillet. “What about that gay
magazine?”
“It was one freelance
job!”
“Something else will turn
up.”
“Tell that to my resume on
the web. It’s beginning to feel like a wallflower at a party.”
“It takes time.
Photojournalism is a specialty field.”
Michael pouted. That turned
Cal on every time. He wrapped his arms around Michael and squeezed
him into his chest. After a few wet kisses, Cal said, “You can
always help me around Cozzi Cove.”
“I thought you hired a new
houseboy when Connor and his husband opened their bed and breakfast
in town.”
“I’m interviewing him
this morning.” Cal smelled the pancakes starting to burn. He
grabbed the spatula and quickly flipped them.
Michael licked his lips.
“You flipped me over like that last night.”
“And you loved it.”
They kissed again.
Cal felt Michael’s
erection pressing against his own. “I’d better concentrate on
these pancakes.” He slapped Michael’s backside. “Instead of
these
cakes.”
“That’s not what you
said last night.”
Cal giggled and served the
pancakes. They sat at the white oak kitchen table, feeding each other
and intermittently licking maple syrup off each other’s chins.
Just as they were finishing
breakfast, Carla Mangione lumbered through the back kitchen door and
announced, “If this watermelon doesn’t come out of the patch
soon, I’m going to kill someone.”
“Hey, you’re talking
about our
watermelon!” Cal replied as he got up to help her to the table. He
put pancakes on a plate as Michael went to pour juice and milk for
her.
“It won’t be soon enough
for me.” Carla rubbed her enormous stomach; she was only
thirty-five, but these days looked more like fifty-five. “I never
knew you could get varicose veins on your stomach.”
“And I’m sure yours are
beautiful.” Cal served Carla breakfast, kissed the top of her dark
hair, and took a seat across from her at the table.
Carla leaned forward to
massage her lower back. “I must be the biggest pregnant woman
ever.”
“That’s because you’re
carrying our big, beautiful baby,” Michael said, joining them.
After taking a sip of juice,
Carla gagged. “Why does everything taste like fish or liverwurst?”
“Maybe our baby is the
antichrist,” Cal offered.
Carla took a bite of the
pancakes. “What kind of huge genes do you two guys have?”
“Don’t blame us.” Cal
put his arm around Michael. “It must have been the egg-donor.”
“She must have donated
ostrich eggs.” Carla pushed her plate away.
Michael pushed it back in
front of her. “Eat up, honey. You’re having breakfast for two.”
She looked down at her
enormous stomach. “Really? Do you think?”
Cal finished his juice.
“Whatever happened to, ‘As your dear old friend and
sister-in-law, it would be my honor to help you and Michael bring a
child into this world. I can’t think of anyone who’d make better
parents’?”
“That was before I gained
forty pounds and my back started aching constantly—before my
breasts swelled up like helium balloons and my ankles expanded faster
than a conservative politician’s pocket after meeting with a Super
PAC.”
Cal fed her another piece of
pancake. “But isn’t it all worth it to bring a new life into the
world?”
Carla groaned. “I used to
get offended when people said God was a man. Now I’m sure of it. No
woman would put another woman through this.”
“Did you do your exercises
this morning?” Michael asked.
Carla laughed. “I stopped
being able to see my toes weeks ago.”
“Have you been meditating
with your crystals?” Michael sounded like a teacher with a lazy
student.
“I think I threw them at
your pictures when the baby kicked me like a Radio City Rockette.
Meanwhile, you two were no doubt going at it last night like a
running back and a wide receiver.”
“A tight end, please,”
Michael said as he handed Carla her glass of milk.
“If I get any more milk in
me, my breasts will explode.” She took a sip and swallowed as if
drinking fish oil laced with liquid soap.
Cal asked, “Have you been
taking your prenatal vitamins?”
Carla nodded. “Maybe
that’s why this kid has been jumping around inside me like a
Mexican hat dancer. Do either of you have any Mexican blood?”
“African and
Scandinavian,” Michael replied.
“Scottish and Italian,”
Cal said.
“Well, maybe he was doing
a tribal dance and the tarantella.” Carla flicked back her long
dark hair. “While I was lying awake in bed, I did the baby’s
astrology and numerology charts.”
Michael asked, “How can
you do that without knowing his birthdate?”
Carla glared at him. “I
decided if he doesn’t come out of me by the end of the week, I’m
pulling my nephew out with tongs.”
“What did the charts
show?” Cal didn’t believe in the occult, but he was thankful to
get Carla’s mind off her discomfort.
Carla smiled. “He’s
going to be kind, strong, fair, honest, and quite successful.”
“Of course he is. He’s
our son.” Cal kissed Michael’s cheek.
“Let’s hope he’s kind
enough to make an appearance soon.” Carla ate more of her
breakfast.
Michael asked, “How is
Dotty doing running the restaurant during your maternity leave?”
“Fine.” Carla sat back.
“I should never go back.”
Cal grinned. “You wouldn’t
leave Carla’s.”
“You’re right.” She
winked at Cal. “That restaurant is as much a part of me as Cozzi
Cove is a part of you.”
A month ago, complaining
more than a right-wing politician at a Planned Parenthood meeting,
Carla had moved into Bungalow One so that Cal and Michael could help
take care of her. She had also insisted that she wanted to have their
baby at Cozzi Cove, assisted by a midwife, and not in a hospital. It
had seemed the perfect solution; however, since sound carried between
the two bungalows, it meant inadvertently sharing their more intimate
moments.
Michael seemed miles away.
“What’s wrong?” Cal
asked.
Michael shrugged, his head
hanging down.
Carla said, “Don’t be
shy, Michael. You know I’m family now. I married Cal’s sister.
Remember? You were there, marrying this guy.”
Since Michael wasn’t
talking, Cal asked Carla, “When is
my dear sister coming for a visit?”
Carla sighed. “Taylor said
she’d be here after her business meetings in Paris and Rome, but
before her meetings in Washington, DC and New York.”
“What does that mean?”
Cal asked.
“It means Taylor and the
conservative big-money boys are making sure the top one percent stay
that way.” She turned to Michael. “You’re not off the hook so
easily about your pouting. What’s up?”
“A lot, last night.”
Michael patted Cal’s crotch.
Cal put his arm around his
husband. “We know something’s wrong, Michael. Spill it.”
“And feel free to spill my
milk while you’re at it,” Carla said, pushing away her glass.
Michael pushed it back in
front of her. “I wasn’t going to say anything.”
“But?” Cal asked.
Michael rested his chin on
his hand. “Cozzi Cove has been in your family for generations, like
Carla’s Seafood Restaurant has been in Carla’s.”
“So?” Cal asked again.
“So you both belong here.
I’m just a guy who fell in love with the man I tried to gay bash.”
Cal took his hand. “Michael,
you’re my husband. Cozzi Cove is as much your home as it is mine.”
“It doesn’t feel that
way.”
Carla groaned. “Did my
wife say something obnoxious to you the last time she visited?”
“Taylor said lots of
obnoxious things to me the last time she visited, but that’s not
it.”
“Then what is
it, Michael?” Cal asked.
Michael bit his lower lip.
“I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone. And I can’t think
of a place I’d like living more than Cozzi Cove. But this is your
land, your inheritance, and your soul. Sometimes I feel like an
outsider.”
At that moment, there was a
knock at the front door. “That must be my new houseboy,” Cal
said, getting to his feet.
Carla leaned on the table
and pushed herself off the chair. “I don’t want anyone seeing me
like this. I’m going back to my bungalow.”
“Take this for the road,”
Michael said, handing her the glass of milk.
She downed the milk in one
gulp and cringed. “If I don’t come out of my bungalow in a week’s
time, send in the bulldozer.” Carla left out the back kitchen door.
Cal paused at the kitchen
entry, looking on as Michael cleared the table and started stacking
the dishwasher. “We’ll talk about this later,” he said.
“It’s fine, really.”
Unconvinced, Cal left for
the living room.
Giveaway:
Post a comment about why you think the beach is a romantic and
special place. The one that breaks our waves the most will win a gift
e-book of Cozzi
Cove: Bouncing Back,
the first Cozzi Cove novel, by Joe Cosentino, published by NineStar
Press. http://myBook.to/Cozzi_Cove_BB
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