Eventually
I became an actor in film, television, and theatre, working opposite stars like
Bruce Willis, Nathan Lane, Rosie O’Donnell, Holland Taylor, and Jason Robards. Acting
onstage in front of hundreds of people and praying you’ll remember your lines,
won’t bump into the furniture, or your fly won’t fall down also takes quite a
bit of guts. Performing in front of a camera, and crew people racing around
like ants, is equally fearless.
After writing
some plays, I began writing novels. I sent them to publishers, and then I did
the happy dance when four publishers accepted my various books! I knew my
novels would include show business in some way. As an avid mystery reader, it
was clear to me that my novels would also be page-turning mysteries with clever
plot twists, engaging characters, romance, and lots of clues leading to a
surprising conclusion. Since coming from a funny Italian-American family, I
also knew humor would play a role in my novels. Most importantly, I knew
my leading characters would be fearless, like me!
My most
fearless character is Jana Lane in my Jana Lane mystery series published by The
Wild Rose Press. I’ve spent five books with Jana (Paper Doll, Porcelain Doll, Satin Doll, China Doll, and now Rag Doll) and I still marvel at the
fearlessness of the ex-child star, current Academy Award winning actress, and
master sleuth who lives in my favorite time period, the 1980’s. I know you’ll
love her too!
RAG
DOLL, a Jana Lane mystery
by Joe
Cosentino
published
by The Wild Rose Press
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.
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.”
I read a couple of the Jana series and enjoyed them very much. I, too, write for TWRP and did a suspense set in a 1920s silent film studio. The new Jana looks good!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ilona. I loved writing these five novels, and it's terrific to hear so much positive response. Good luck with your series too! Joe Cosentino http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com
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