It’s Joe Cosentino back talking about the Jana Lane mysteries! In the second Jana Lane mystery, PORCELAIN DOLL (The Wild Rose Press), 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. The other suspects include Jana’s James Dean type young co-star, her older John Wayne type co-star, her children’s Eve Harrington type nanny, the film’s gossipy makeup and hair artist, a local reverend trying to stop the film’s production, and Jason’s agent. I find it fascinating how, as in all the Jana Lane romance mysteries, Jana uses the skills she learned as a child star to solve the murder mystery.
As an actor I know what goes on behind the scenes on a movie set, which helped me a great deal in writing the novel. Again the spine-tingling, shocking ending still makes my jaw drop. The reviews were amazing! Here are two:
“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.” –Danielle Urban Universal Creativity Inc.
“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
Do you like romance mysteries set in the world of show business? Post a comment below about it. As I mentioned above, at the end of the day ONE reader who posts the comment on the blog that tickles my inner child star the most will win an e-book of PAPER DOLL!
Since the series takes place in the 1980’s I had to remember back to those wild and decadent times and do a bit of research to jog my memory. I had great fun including in the novels songs by Olivia Newton John, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Fleetwood Mac, Kool and the Gang, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, and Donna Summer. The layered hair, shoulder pads, blue mascara, lace gloves, and parachute pants were also a hoot to write about. I loved that period! I was also able to include Karen Carpenter’s death, the still new AIDS epidemic and the devastation it caused when ignored by our political representatives, and dangerous proposed legislation by conservatives like the Protect the Children Act, which was a disguise to try to make gay people second class citizens.
Are the 1980’s a favorite time for you? Post a comment below and tell me why. As I mentioned above, at the end of the day ONE reader who posts the comment on the blog that tickles my inner child star the most will win an e-book of PAPER DOLL!
Here’s how you can purchase PORCELAIN DOLL:
Purchase from The Wild Rose Press here
Purchase from Barnes & Noble here
I’ll be back soon to tell you about the third Jana Lane mystery!
2 COMMENTS
Trix
9 years agoI grew up in the ’80s, and I definitely miss the music (I’ve been liking a lot of old-school New Wave lately) and TV shows (I have the weird urge to watch SQUARE PEGS all of a sudden). Even the huge hair has me feeling nostalgic today…it didn’t age well, but people were willing to commit to a look, at least…
JoeCosen
9 years ago AUTHORYou’ll love the Jana Lane mystery series, Trix! Each of the five novels is set in the 1980’s, where the fashion, makeup, hairstyles, music, films, and events are highlighted.