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Hardcover Book Details
  • 04/2015
  • 9780988190634
  • 316 pages
  • $28.99
Edward Cozza
Author
Near Somewhere
Edward Cozza, author
Near Somewhere WINNER-2015 Beverly Hills Book Awards-Best New Fiction (Foreword by Chef Dean Fearing) Feeling void of connection,Townes has hit the wall in his life. He has his dog, and he has his band partner Zeeder. but he needs more. His endless travel is making his nerves unravel. He needs someone to share his life with, to tell him he is all right, tell him he isn’t going to fall apart. He just needs to rearrange, get out the novel he has been writing, and the universe will talk care of the rest. That is when three women enter his life and his complications take on an entirely different tone.  The return of characters(from previous novel Nowhere Yet), Annie and Kat, who both take a liking to Townes, but are themselves struggling with their own internal forces. Add to the mix: a despicable person from Annie’s past,Towne’s closest friend Zeeder, with no traceable past, a famous actress with a mystical sense, a high spirited wine maker, a mentoring bartender, and the connections begin in ernest, but not without complication. Trouble lurks from Annie’s past which could prove to be dangerous for all.  Southern California, New York, Dallas and the California Wine country serve as the backdrop for people connecting with each other, and Townes doing everything he can to keep from throwing his briefcase in the river and walking away.  Near Somewhere is the second installment of the series by author Edward Cozza, that began with IPPY Gold Medal and 3 Beverly Hills Book Awards winner for his debut novel Nowhere Yet.
Plot/Idea: 3 out of 10
Originality: 4 out of 10
Prose: 4 out of 10
Character/Execution: 4 out of 10
Overall: 3.75 out of 10

Assessment:

Cozza's tsunami of dialogue engulfs the hackneyed plot of Townes Mantle, a business consultant/musician/writer stuck in a rut and forming a romantic relationship. Mantle's mostly self-focused reflections pale compared to the offbeat zaniness of best friend and fellow musician Zeeder, but the torrent of talk sometimes becomes contrived snappiness. Stereotypical father confessor-type bartenders and casual friends offer little beyond platitudinal insights. An attempt to infuse tension via villainous Clement lags, while Mantle's linkup with actress Ashley and ultimate success are unconvincing.

Date Submitted: July 14, 2016

News
04/22/2015
Author Receives National Recognition

April 2015    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Edward Cozza/ecwriter@me.com

Through the THIRD ANNUAL BEVERLY HILLS INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS®

Encinitas, CA -- The THIRD ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL Beverly Hills International Book Awards® recognized Near Somewhere in the category of New Fiction as a WINNER. Near Somewhere was also a Finalist for General  Fiction, and a Finalist for Fiction Cover.

The competition is judged by experts from all aspects of the book industry, including publishers, writers, editors, book cover designers and professional copywriters. They select award winners and finalists based on overall excellence.

Near Somewhere, with Foreword by Chef Dean Fearing, is the second installment of a series of contemporary fiction, that began with IPPY Gold Medal, and Beverly Hills Book Awards winner for debut novel Nowhere Yet. In Near Somewhere, Townes has hit the wall in his life and doesn't feel connection. A life of endless travel is rapidly shredding his nerves. Annie, Kat and Ashley enter his life and the complications take on a different tone. Add to the mix: a despicable person that won’t go away. Towne’s friend with no traceable past. A famous actress with a mystical sense. A high spirited wine maker, a mentoring bartender, and the connections begin in ernest, but not without complication. Southern California, New York, Dallas & California Wine country serve as backdrop for people connecting with each other, and Townes doing everything he can to keep from throwing his briefcase in the river and walking away.

"We are so proud to announce the winners in this, our third year," said awards sponsor Ellen Reid. 

For more information please visit:

bhbookawards.com

edwardcozza.com

03/21/2015
Encinitas Author Enjoying The "Wow" Things

Rancho Santa Fe Review/Encinitas Advocate

By Lois Alter Mark 6 A.M.MARCH 21, 2015

Since his first book, “Nowhere Yet,” came out in 2012, Edward Cozza’s life has been filled with what he likes to call “wow” things.

“Being honored with three Beverly Hills Book Awards was a ‘wow’ thing,” said the Encinitas author. “Going to New York to receive the IPPY gold medal from the Independent Publishers was a ‘wow’ thing, and having a bourbon with Chef Dean Fearing ­— someone I’ve admired forever — now, that was definitely a ‘wow’ thing.”

To many readers, Cozza’s debut novel was a “wow” thing itself. The story, about old friends and lost loves reuniting during a long weekend in Palm Springs, is reminiscent of “The Big Chill,” and it’s easy to relate to and recognize people you know in the four main characters.

Because those characters remained with their creator long after he finished writing about them, they’re returning in a sequel, “Near Somewhere,” which is scheduled for publication next month.

“The first book started out as a short story and just got longer and longer,” explained Cozza. “So I decided it would be the first of a trilogy. But now that ‘Near Somewhere’ is done, I actually changed the inside cover to ‘Book Two of a Series’ just in case I need more than three. That may mean I am now — still? — out of control.”

Cozza’s self-deprecating humor and enthusiasm have made him a popular speaker, and his standing-room-only appearance at Warwick’s helped propel “Nowhere Yet” into the store’s Top 50 Bestsellers of 2012.

Or it could have been the fact that he writes so passionately about eating and drinking.

“I think food brings an element of realism into a story,” said Cozza. “When I was traveling for business, food and drink were major factors in protecting my sanity. Taking in slices of Americana was important to me, and that usually involved eating.”

“Near Somewhere” by Encinitas writer Edward Cozza continues the story of the characters in “Nowhere Yet.”— Courtesy photo

In fact, food plays such an important role in Cozza’s appreciation for the “finer” things in life that the foreword to his new novel is written by Chef Dean Fearing of the Ritz-Carlton in Dallas, who is often referred to as “the father of Southwestern cooking.”

“I met Dean in Dallas for a ‘Bourbon and Book’ event I was doing, and it means so much that he wrote this for me,” Cozza said. “If you read his splendid cookbook, ‘The Texas Food Bible,’ you realize how important food is in connecting people. Having a room service salad, even a good one, doesn’t help you connect — not to a person or a culture or a true flavor. There’s nothing worse than a table for one.”

Cozza’s characters often congregate around food and drink, just like the author himself. Because traveling for work never allowed much time for sightseeing, Cozza spent much of his free time in restaurants and bars, trying out regional specialties and getting to know the locals. These experiences gave him a deep respect for bartenders who, according to Cozza, “see all, know all.”

As he recalled, “Even if I wasn’t drinking, bartenders often helped save my far-from-home soul. That’s probably why there are always bartenders in my books. I owe them a lot — spiritually, not monetarily. I always pay my tab.”

These days, Cozza gets to travel more for fun and to introduce readers to his books. His next trips are to Cincinnati and New York, both of which, he pointed out, have great local fare. He’s looking forward to feasting on chili in Cincinnati and Italian food in New York.

“The weight-loss program will be on hold for those,” he laughed, “but will be amping up when I get back.”

He’s also hoping to head to Oakland, St. Louis, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Boston, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., and Miami — cities of the only Major League Baseball parks he hasn’t yet visited. Then he’ll start on the Minor League parks.

Travel has become a real joy for Cozza, who is excited to spread his “Unplug and Connect” message. He wrote both of his books by hand in Moleskine journals, and strongly believes that, despite all the high-tech devices — or maybe because of them — our hearts are craving personal connection.

“We need to stay in touch and stay connected,” said Cozza. “I’ve heard from so many readers that they’re being emotionally impacted by being away from the ones they love and care about. Texts and emails just aren’t cutting it.”

Cozza will probably be making many personal connections on his next book tour, and is hoping, along the way, to also check off the eight states left to complete his bucket list item of visiting every state in the country.

“I need to come up with book signings in Hawaii, Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Delaware. If you could help with those, that would be tremendous.”

You can see Cozza in person at a Warwick’s Book Store sponsored event June 2, 2015, 7 PM. 7812 Girard Ave
La Jolla CA 92037. Call (858) 454-0347 for reserved seating

Visit www.edwardcozza.com and follow him on Twitter at @EdwardCozza and Facebook at www.facebook.com/EdwardCozzaWriter.

Formats
Hardcover Book Details
  • 04/2015
  • 9780988190634
  • 316 pages
  • $28.99
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