by Joe Cosentino

Q&A with Nicky Abbondanza, the leading character in Drama Runway, the 10th Nicky and Noah mystery novel by Joe Cosentino now an audiobook performed by Caleb A Meacham

Hello, Nicky. Congratulations on the release of the 10th audiobook in your award-winning and popular Nicky and Noah gay cozy mystery series.

Thank you. It’s nice to get out of your head for a while, Joe. Readers, let me tell you, it’s a wacky place. [smile] Being in an audio book gives me lots more head space (no pun intended).

What do you think about Caleb A Meacham’s performance in your latest audio book?

Like me, Caleb is an amazingly talented actor. He sounds more like me than me! As you know, the Nicky and Noah mysteries are loaded with humor, mystery, romance, clues, red herrings, and a shocking but happy ending (pun intended). Caleb performed each character differently and perfectly, exactly as they really speak. I marveled at how he created over twenty different and wildly entertaining voices with such perfect comic timing. It takes a great actor to know a great actor. [smile]

Since the readers can’t see you. What do you look like?

I’m tall, with dark hair, green eyes, a Roman nose, and gym body thanks to the gym at Treemeadow College. Oh, I also have a really big asset. You Nicky and Noah fans get the point—literally. Oh, and I’m a one-man man, and that man is Noah Oliver.

Tell everyone about Drama Runway, your latest audio book.

It’s all about me! I’m on loan from the Theatre Department, directing a fashion show for the Fashion Department at Treemeadow College—founded by gay lovers Tree and Meadow. The plan is to showcase the new black leather line by famous fashion designer Ulla Ultimate of Ultimate Fashion (FU for short). The visiting professor’s rebellious son, Treemeadow fashion student Cory Ultimate, is featured as one of the models. The other hot and hunky male student models are feuding exes Shane Buff and Julio Bonero, and picked upon plus-size (Try saying that three times fast at a microphone) model Cosmo Capra. As rehearsals for the show begin, I’m happier than an anti-gay politician in a public men’s room after dark. However, I find out quickly the runway is a dangerous place as sexy male models drop faster than their leather chaps. Noah and I need to use our drama skills to figure out who is taking the term “a cut male model” literally before my hubby and I end up steamed in the wardrobe steamer.

Why did you pick a fashion show as the setting for book ten?

You picked it, Joe! As usual, I had no choice but to come along for the ride. And what a ride it was! The anticipation in the air, flashing lights, pounding music, enticing runway, gorgeous models, captivating clothes, and revealing costume malfunctions.

And all your favorite people are back!

To keep peace in the family (and arsenic out of my oatmeal), I cast my handsome husband, Associate Professor of Acting Noah Oliver, and our adopted son, Taavi, as models in the show. Of course, my best friends, Theatre Department Head Martin Anderson and his long suffering spouse Ruben, are producers, with office assistant Shayla Johnson on hand to supply sassy remarks (Try saying that three times fast and not spraying someone’s face). My best sparring partner, Detective Manuello, and Noah’s and my both sets of riotous parents are also along for the fun.

Does a reader need to have read or listened to the first nine books before reading or listening to book ten?

No. Each book is a separate mystery. However, I recommend reading them in order to watch Nicky and Noah’s personal lives unfold: Drama Queen (Divine Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Award for Favorite LGBT Mystery, Humorous, and Contemporary Novel of the Year), Drama Muscle (Rainbow Award Honorable Mention), Drama Cruise, Drama Luau, Drama Detective (Rainbow Award Honorable Mention), Drama Fraternity, Drama Castle (Rainbow Award Honorable Mention), Drama Dance (Rainbow Award Honorable Mention), Drama Faerie, and now Drama Runway (Rainbow Award Honorable Mention).

Who are the new characters/suspects/victims for book ten?

Added to the colorful cast of regular characters are Lila Hekekia, a fashion design student screaming for “religious freedom” as she eyes Ulla’s show for herself. Lila’s pursuit takes a spin when she finds out her current squeeze, Associate Professor of Fashion Design Tyler Greenway, had a questionable past with Ulla. Accident-prone fashion student, Johnny Riley, has a secret known only to muscular stage managing student, Hoss Packer. Businessman Miles Jeffrey has been hired by Ulla to find a husband for Cory, in hopes that her son will finally settle down. Miles finds it to be a difficult task given Cory’s penchant for throwing himself at the other male models. As passions and tempers explode, once again Noah, our friends, and mostly me use our theatrical skills to trap the murderer in a shocking climax—no pun intended.

Who was your favorite new character in Drama Runway?

Johnny Riley, with each of his fingers bandaged from sewing in the shop, is an absolute hoot. His romance with muscular Hoss Packer, the student stage manager, is quite touching (pun intended) as well. Johnny’s personal secret isn’t revealed until later in the book. It’s a doozy!

Which new character do you like the least in book ten?

Lila Hekekia is riotously funny as the student crying “religious discrimination” whenever she doesn’t get something she wants. Like so many evangelicals today, she practices quite the opposite of what she preaches, and she is shocked when others—like me—stand up to her bigotry.

Which new character was the hardest to understand?

Ulla’s son Cory is wild, wicked, and wonton. (Try saying that three times fast while eating a fortune cookie.) However, he is acting out in hopes of gaining his mother’s attention, and ultimately her love. Their dynamic is quite layered and interesting. Kudos to you Joe, but mostly to me.

Which new character in book ten was the sexiest?

Ulla’s assistant, Miles Jeffrey, is secure in his own gorgeous skin. He knows what he wants, and ultimately (pun intended) how to get it. But he’s not sexier than me.

What makes this series so special?

Try saying that three times fast while eating peanut butter. Me, of course! I’m great looking, funny, sexy, and a heck of an amateur detective. The Nicky and Noah mysteries is a gay cozy mystery comedy series, meaning the setting is warm and cozy, the clues and murders (and laughs) come fast and furious, and there are enough plot twists and turns and a surprise ending to keep the pages turning. At the center is the touching relationship between Professor of Play Directing Nicky Abbondanza (that’s me) and Associate Professor of Acting Noah Oliver. You watch us go from courting to marrying to adopting a child, all the while head over heels in love with each other (as you fall in love with us). Reviewers called the series “hysterically funny farce,” “Murder She Wrote meets Hart to Hart meets The Hardy Boys,” and “captivating whodunits.” One reviewer wrote they are the funniest books she’s ever read! Another said you’re “a master storyteller,” Joe. She didn’t mention that I tell you everything to write.

How are the novels cozy?

Many of them take place in Vermont, a cozy state with green pastures, white church steeples, glowing lakes, and friendly and accepting people. Fictitious Treemeadow College, named after its gay founders, couple Tree and Meadow, is the perfect setting for a cozy mystery with its white Edwardian buildings, low white stone fences, lake and mountain views, and cherry wood offices with tall leather chairs and fireplaces. Plus, I’m a cozy kind of guy. I like to cuddle.

Why do you think there aren’t many other gay cozy mystery series out there?

Most MM novels are erotica, young adult, dark thrillers, or supernatural. While that’s fine, I think we’re missing a whole spectrum of fiction. In the case of the Nicky and Noah mysteries, they include romance, humor, mystery, adventure, and quaint and lovable characters in uncanny situations. The settings are warm and cozy with lots of hot cocoa by the fireplace. The clues and red herrings are there for the perfect whodunit. So are the plot twists and turns and a surprise ending to keep the pages turning faster than a conservative politician removing environmental regulations. No matter what is thrown in our path, Noah and I always end up on top. At least I end up on top, which is just fine with Noah.

When you appeared in Drama Queen, did you envision this as a series?

Totally. Though each book has its own complete story and ending, you wrote the first three books together. When they were so popular, you kept writing—with me whispering into your ear.

I’ve been told the books would make a terrific TV series. Who would you like to play you?

Here’s my cast wish list: Matt Bomer as me, Neil Patrick Harris as Noah, Rosie O’Donnell and Bruce Willis as Noah’s parents, Valerie Bertinelli and Jay Leno as my parents, you as Martin Anderson (nepotism!), Nathan Lane as Martin’s husband Ruben, Wanda Sykes as Martin’s office assistant Shayla, and Joe Manganiello as my brother, Tony.

How can your readers get their hands on the new audio book of Drama Runway, and how can they contact you?

The purchase links are below. Readers can contact me through your website. I love to hear from readers! So does Noah!

Thank you, Nicky, for interviewing today.

It is my joy and pleasure to share the audio book of my tenth novel in the series. So take your seats, everyone. The runway lights are flashing, the music is pulsating, and the models are ready to enter. Curtain up on the ultimate in fashion, and of course hilarity, romance, and murder, Nicky and Noah style!

Drama Runway (the 10th Nicky and Noah mystery)
a comedy/mystery/romance novel by Joe Cosentino

Purchase Links:
Amazon: Drama Runway
Smashwords: Drama Runway
Barnes and Noble: Drama Runway by Joe Cosentino
Kobo: Drama Runway, a Nicky and Noah Mystery

The audiobook performed by Caleb A Meacham, hear a sample at:
Audible: Drama Runway

It’s spring break at Treemeadow College, and theatre professor Nicky Abbondanza is directing a runway show for the Fashion Department. Joining him are his spouse, theatre professor Noah Oliver, their son Taavi, and their best friend and department head, Martin Anderson. The show, designed by visiting professor Ulla Ultimate, is bound to be the ultimate event of the season. And bound it is with designs featuring black leather and chains. When sexy male models drop faster than their leather chaps, Nicky and Noah will need to use their drama skills to figure out who is taking the term “a cut male model” literally before Nicky and Noah end up steamed in the wardrobe steamer.

You will be applauding and shouting Bravo for Joe Cosentino’s fast-paced, sidesplittingly funny, edge-of-your-seat entertaining tenth novel in this delightful series. Take your seats. The runway is lighting up with hunky models, volatile designers, bitter exes, newfound lovers, and murder! Rainbow Award Honorable Mention!

Connect with Joe:
Web site: http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoeCosentinoauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeCosen
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4071647.Joe_CosentinoAmazon: Author.to/JoeCosentino

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Also listen to our new mystery podcast where mystery short stories and first chapters are read by actors! They are also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify. An episode featuring one of Joe Cosentino’s Player Piano mysteries went up earlier this year. You can find the episode here or listen in the player below.

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