An investigative adventure in search of an elderly man’s first love brought Theo and Jamison together. Now they’re called to put their sleuthing skills to use once again and reunite Pocono resort manager Asher with his lost love, Armando. But the hunt through rural Pennsylvania won’t be easy with Jamison’s younger brother locking horns with the resort’s assistant manager and a shocking offer from the sous chef, Grace.
JOE COSENTINO was voted Favorite MM Mystery, Humorous, and Contemporary Author of the Year by the readers of Divine Magazine for Drama Queen, the first Nicky and Noah mystery novel. He is also the author of the remaining Nicky and Noah mysteries: Drama Muscle, Drama Cruise, Drama Luau, Drama Detective, Drama Fraternity, Drama Castle, Drama Dance, Drama Faerie, Drama Runway, Drama Christmas, Drama Pan, Drama TV, Drama Oz, Drama Prince, Drama Merry, Drama Daddy, Drama King; the Player Piano Mysteries: The Player and The Player’s Encore; the Jana Lane Mysteries: Paper Doll, Porcelain Doll, Satin Doll, China Doll, Rag Doll; the Cozzi Cove series: Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back, Moving Forward, Stepping Out, New Beginnings, Happy Endings; the In My Heart Anthology: An Infatuation & A Shooting Star; the Tales from Fairyland Anthology: The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland and Holiday Tales from Fairyland; the Bobby and Paolo Holiday Stories Anthology: A Home for the Holidays, The Perfect Gift, The First Noel; and the Found At Last Anthology: Finding Giorgio and Finding Armando. His books have won numerous Book of the Month awards and Rainbow Award Honorable Mentions. As an actor, Joe appeared in principal roles in film, television, and theatre, opposite stars such as Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Jason Robards, and Holland Taylor. He received his Master of Fine Arts degree from Goddard College, Master’s degree from SUNY New Paltz, and is currently a happily married emeritus college theatre professor residing in New York State. JoeCosentino.weebly.com
"A Perfect Match" with "Watson and Holmes' mixed story. A second book for the series the first being Theo and Jamison in "Finding Giorgio" and Nolan love stories. Now married and now the owners of the resort, they try and help Asher find his past love. Theo hadn't changed as he's a big gossip which Jamison constantly tells him. Funny scenes and humour is not far this in any of this authors books including this one. Ooh Kendall and Phoenix have a huge fire between the dislike snarky comments to each other..lol There was one scene that I'd hmm about, but I sensed something's up with Grace. A story about love and mystery coming together for all in this series.
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE ** Reviewed for Divine Magazine
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Finding Armando (Found At Last, Book 2) by Joe Cosentino ★★★★★ 114 Pages POV: 1st person, past tense, one character POV Content Warning: deals with cancer and grief, DADT, death of a secondary character
Finding Armando is a story of love, friendship, family and a found family that is all woven together like a warm woollen blanket on a winter night.
We were introduced to Theo and Jamison Finding Giorgio, where the ending was bittersweet. Here, we begin less than a year later, with Theo and Jamison passing on the generosity and happiness they've found with each other, by opening a resort that welcomes all. With a new adventure, new business, new staff and new friends, it's the same Theo and Jamison, but happily married and on a new adventure.
The characters were wonderful. Unlike the Cozzi Cove series, there isn't a multi-POV for the couples who find their way to each other, (though I wouldn't have objected!) but rather, Theo – as nosy and wonderfully cheeky as he is – manages to find himself loitering nearby for those pivotal moments. And, I'm glad! I absolutely wanted to see the complete story of Kendall's first foray into love, and how Phoenix handled an outrageous flirt. I needed to see those things, and I'm so happy I did. Kendall was a riot, and Phoenix was a nicely level-headed counter point to his antics.
And, can I also offer some props for the nicely done Military rep? In a book that has a heavy and heartbreaking reminder of DADT and its consequences, it was nice to have that counterbalance of GOOD military men, to showcase the changed times, with Kendall and Phoenix both being military: Navy and Marines, respectively.
As for Asher and Armando, they were stunningly adorable, and their story was both heartbreaking and lovely, because – unlike Nolan and Giorgio, who were at the end of their lives, when they were reunited – they were young enough to mend the bond, heal the pain and move on together into a new future. And, if Theo managed to unite a few more couples along the way, well...crown him The Matchmaking Wonder, because he's good at it, and each moment was short but sweet.
Just like the Cozzi Cove series, each Found At Last novel wraps you up in a familiarity that says “Welcome home” and leaves you with a smile. By the time you turn that last page, you feel good, happy and content. Everyone got their happily ever after, and you spent a pleasant few hours with old friends.
Will there be more? I'm not sure. Finding Armando ends on a perfect note for an ending, but also offers the opportunity for a fresh new start, if Cosentino chooses. Either way, I'll be happy, and you can bet I'll be back for another round if they choose to write more.
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Favourite Quotes
“Kendall scratched at his bulging bicep. “Are you trying to find Armando for Asher like you located Giorgio for Nolan?” “That’s the plan,” I replied. “How come you never found anybody for me?” Kendall asked. “Have you lost somebody?” “Sure. But it was on purpose.”
“Maybe we should change the name of the resort to Honeymoon Hotel.”
If you’re up to reading a romantic story with a little angst, this is for you. Theo and Jamison are at it again, in helping find a lost love as they encounter more than they bargained for. Newly married and living the life Nolan wanted for them, Theo and Jamison bought a resort and named it after Nolan and Giorgio. The staff is amazing and the resort is doing well. They take a vacation there and start encountering things they didn’t expect. One, was a beautiful little girl named, Selah, and her mother Grace. Another was their manager, Asher, who was pining more and more over his lost love, Armando. And now add Jamison’s brother to the mix and what he truly feels and it’s one thing after another. But Theo is determined to find Armando for Asher. He feels he has to do this and with Jamison’s help, they set about the task. But what they didn’t realize is how many people they were actually going to help in this case. When they helped Nolan find Giorgio, it was more than just that. They helped fix wrongs that should have been fixed years ago. And this time, they did a whole lot more. They helped mend relationships, set up new ones, and find a surprise for themselves in the mean time. It’s been another fulfilling journey for them in this book, as they do something that should have been again, fixed years ago. But stubbornness and bad words cause hard hurts that sometimes can’t heal. And sometimes, they can. Sometimes it just takes seeing things from another perspective, or finally learning the real truth of what happened years ago. It’s another sweet romantic story. With a very happy ending for many people.
Theo and Jamison are back. They have inherited lots of money and a big house from Nolan and bought the island Nolan and Georgio had met and fell in love on. There on a visit to see how the changes they made are doing the meet the manager Asher and find he is missing his first love, Armando. So off they go on an adventure to find Armando. But while on the island the meet Selah a sweet 8-year old that steals their hearts.
I love this story. Joe Cosentino's characters are always fun, and funny. I liked the mix of angst ( not as heavy in this story as it was in Georgio) and humor. The story is faced paced and interesting. I do suggest reading the stories in order so you understand what is going on and the characters better.
If you like amateur sleuths, a bit of mystery, beautiful islands, a touch of angst, lots of humor, cute kids, and a sweet sexy romance this is for you. (most of the sex is off-page)
A great follow-up to "Finding Giorgio," where Theo and Jamison resolve another lost love -- and find a surprise of their own. Joe Cosentino is a master at creating a story that is sweet, heart-warming, funny, and poignant all at the same time. My attention never wavered for a minute.
Everybody loves a happy ending, especially during these troubling times, and unless you have already found that special someone, romance is arguably in short supply.
"Finding Armando," the second volume of author Joe Cosentino's heartwarming "Found at Last" series, gives readers hope that it's only a matter of time before everyone meets — or is reunited with — their soulmate. In the first series entry, "Finding Giorgio," the author introduced Theo and Jamison, visitors at a nursing home who unexpectedly and fortuitously joined forces to find the long-lost love of their mutual elderly friend, Nolan.
Theo and Jamison are now newlyweds and proud owners of a resort in the Poconos, where they decide to take a vacation and are introduced to the manager and assistant manager, Asher and Phoenix. Theo soon learns that the noticeably distracted Asher is still longing for an old flame, Armando, whom he lost touch with when he was dishonorably discharged during Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Ready and willing to investigate further, Theo persuades Jamison to help him track down Armando and reunite him with Asher.
Meanwhile, the couple also makes the acquaintance of Grace, the resort restaurant's sous chef, and her feisty, imaginative daughter Selah. In addition, Jamison's randy brother, Kendall, also pays a visit, where he locks more than just horns with Phoenix.
Aside from Theo and Jamison being extremely likeable, their adoration for each other is seemingly contagious since everyone who crosses paths with them reaps rewards. Selah quickly grows fond of them because they remind her of her late uncle, Kendall starts to rethink his wicked ways after meeting Phoenix, and Asher has newfound hope that Armando has not forgotten about him.
"Finding Armando" is yet another gratifying, quintessential example from Cosentino's inspiring body of work, complete with romantic adventure, endearing interplay, blossoming relationships and titillating sexual tension.
I was a big fan of Finding Giorgio, so of course, when it was announced that a sequel was in the works, I rushed to pre-order! I was not disappointed! A young gay couple just starting out, have made it their mission to rejoin older gay men who lost touch with the loves of their lives. The character development, and new characters create a page-turning excitement and a grand hope for a happy ending. Joe Cosentino finds a way to always give his readers what they want, but always with some tension along the way. One can only wish for more in this well plotted series! Kudos, sir!
2.5 This story was even more predictable than the first one. I also don't like preachy, even if it is against discriminations from churches, adopting agencies or against DADT.