To paraphrase Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast (yes, my life is one giant kids movie/book/story/adventure):
It is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure, that I welcome you today. And now I welcome you to relax, pull up a chair, as the Land of Make Believe proudly presents –
An Interview with Charlie Cochet:
Welcome Charlie. Let’s start by telling people a bit about you.
Hi, Andrew! Thank you so much for having me! I’m Charlie Cochet, an author of M/M Romance with stories across many different genres, from Fantasy to Contemporary. I live in Central Florida with an adorable Doxiepoo named Olly who’s trying to take over the world one chew toy at a time. I love books, movies, music, and coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.
My first Charlie Cochet book was, The Auspicious Troubles of Chance, part of, “The Auspicious Troubles of Love” series. Take a moment to talk about that series.
This series was my first M/M Romance despite not being the first of my stories to be published. It holds a special place in my heart. The series centers around family, but not the one you’re born into. It spans from the early 1800s through to the 1930s across several continents. It’s a historical series set around a group of young men who’ve all found themselves alone, lost, and in pain for who and what they are, yet despite their hardships and heartaches, they’ve persevered, clinging onto hope, and learning to once again put their trust and hearts in the hands of others. The series follows these young men on their heartfelt journey to finding love.
Do you plan to write any more in that series?
There is a third book planned in this series which is at the moment titled The Affectionate Inaccuracies of Bobby Haven, The Auspicious Troubles of Love: Book Three and focuses on the love story between Alexander and Bobby.
You’ve have a Christmas themed series, “North Pole City.” Can we expect a new on this year?
Absolutely! These stories have sort of become like my own little Christmas tradition. LOL. This year we have Loving Blitz, which focuses on Cupid and Blitzen from the Rein Dear Squadron, and I have another two planned.
Okay, so let’s talk “Thirds.” Against the Grain is the fifth and most current book. What this one about?
In this book, we’ve reached a point in our series timeline where the focus shifts to Ash and Cael. It continues where Rise & Fall left off, which is with Sloane and Ash in a very uncomfortable situation, namely facing their pissed off sergeant and his baseball bat Old Betsy. Throughout the book we get to see Ash and Cael they get together, something they’ve been building up to in the last four books alongside Dex and Sloane’s relationship. They both have their demons to battle in this book and they have to face up to their pasts in order to move on. Plus we get some answers to some questions posed in previous books regarding mysterious incidents and individuals.
Who are the main players?
Ash and Cael are at the center of the romance, but we also get to see the other couples on the team, so the rest of Destructive Delta.
Tell us something interesting that’s not in the blurb?
Ash bakes. LOL. Everyone’s very surprised to find that out in the book. Ash loves to bake. He finds it very therapeutic. Also that Cael isn’t as squeaky clean as everyone believed. He’s always so cheerful and sweet that no one realizes he’s hiding a painful past.
What part of the book was the most fun to write and why?
Ash. Writing Ash is always fun because there’s really not a whole lot he can’t say or do. He’s foul-mouthed, foul-tempered, aggressive, in your face, but there’s so much more under the surface, and it was great showing readers that side of him, because with Ash a lot of times what comes out of his mouth isn’t what’s going on in his head, so we get to hear his thoughts as opposed to just the insults or teasing that comes out of his mouth.
What part made you struggle the most?
Finding a balance between their romance and the overall story arc. Some things get wrapped up in this book from the ongoing story arc, but the book is also pretty heavy on the romance. Unlike Dex and Sloane who get six books for their relationship, Ash & Cael only get one. Of course their relationship grows throughout the series, but they only get one POV book, the one where they finally work through their problems to find love with each other. But like I said, there are important key plot elements that have been leading up to this book that also need to be addressed.
Since there is always another story to tell, what are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on a story for the new Dreamspun Desires line which I’m very excited about. There will be more on that soon. Also the next THIRDS book, which is book 7 called Smoke & Mirrors where we return to Dex and Sloane. I have a pretty full schedule between now and early 2017.
What have you read lately that most people haven’t read but should?
I’m super behind on my reading, but the last book I read was Down and Dirty (Cole McGinnis #5). I love Rhys Ford, and there hasn’t been a book of hers I haven’t enjoyed immensely. If you haven’t read the Cole McGinnis series, I highly recommend it!
What’s a fun – non-writing – day for you?
Anything that involves me getting out of my writing cave. LOL. Shopping, going out to eat, catching a movie, hanging out with friends, relaxing, spending time with my Doxiepoo fur-baby, reading, catching up on my favorite TV shows.
Last question is all yours – feel free to talk about anything you want your readers to know about you, your book, anything at all.
I’m super excited to have my first contemporary romance coming out on Aug 19th, Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts. It’s a fun, sweet little novella about a gruff Miami SWAT officer and his geeky brownie-baking neighbor. I had so much fun with it. It also sort of kicks off my break into other genres. Alongside the continuing THIRDS series, I have all kinds of stories coming up, from cozy mysteries, to more contemporary, science fiction, and more! A huge thank you to everyone who’s stopped by!
Thanks for being my guest, Charlie!
Title: Against the Grain
Series: THIRDS, Book 5
Author: Charlie Cochet
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: L.C. Chase
Length: Novel, 216 pages
Release Date: August 3rd, 2015
Blurb: As the fiercest Defense Agent at the THIRDS, Destructive Delta’s Ash Keeler is foul-mouthed and foul-tempered. But his hard-lined approach always yields results, evident by his recent infiltration of the Coalition. Thanks to Ash’s skills and the help of his team, they finally put an end to the murdering extremist group for good, though not before Ash takes a bullet to save teammate Cael Maddock. As a result, Ash’s secrets start to surface, and he can no longer ignore what’s in his heart.
Cael Maddock is no stranger to heartache. As a Recon Agent for Destructive Delta, he has successfully maneuvered through the urban jungle that is New York City, picking up his own scars along the way. Yet nothing he’s ever faced has been more of a challenge than the heart of Ash Keeler, his supposedly straight teammate. Being in love isn’t the only danger he and Ash face as wounds reopen and new secrets emerge, forcing them to question old loyalties.
At one point, Ash felt Cael’s leg pressed up against his, and it was ridiculous how happy the tiny gesture made him. If it was even a gesture. Ash swiftly put it off to being an accident, but then a little later, Cael reached over and wiped a thumb over the corner of Ash’s mouth, telling him he had a breadcrumb.
“You should have seen him,” Dex said with a laugh. “He looked so adorable with his cheetah fuzz shaped into spikes, from his head down to his back. Like a little spotted punk rocker.”
Maddock shook his head at Dex. “It took me two hours to wash all the hair spray off your brother’s fur.”
“We were pretending to be Guns N’ Roses,” Cael explained. “Dex was singing ‘Welcome to the Jungle,’ and I was backup sing—er, chirping.”
Ash laughed and playfully bumped Cael’s shoulder. “I’m going to have to agree with Dex. That’s adorable.” Even in his Therian form, Ash thought Cael was the sweetest thing he’d ever laid eyes on. Cael could be in his Therian form among thousands of cheetahs, and Ash would be able to point him out. His little gestures, the heart shape of his nose, or the way he chirped away, as if anyone not in their Therian form might understand him if he tried hard enough.
Dex grabbed Sloane’s arm. “Tell me you recorded that. Doesn’t matter. I have witnesses.” Dex stood and motioned to all of them. “Witnesses! You all heard it. Ash said he agrees with me.”
“Oh, good Lord. We’re never going to hear the end of this,” Maddock sighed, getting up to clear the dishes.
“Do you realize how epic this moment is?” Dex said, helping clear up.
“It’s not really that epic,” Maddock replied.
Dex let out an exaggerated gasp. “Where have you been living? Ash Keeler has agreed with something I, Dexter J. Daley, has said.”
“About your brother being adorable. Not exactly earthshattering. He’s thought that since they met.”
The table fell into silence as they all gaped at Maddock. Well, this was news to Ash. What the hell? Seeming to notice the quiet, or more likely the lack of Dex talking, Maddock looked up.
“What are you, fish? Close your mouths.”
Four mouths promptly closed.
“It’s not rocket science. I’ve known that boy since he joined, and he’s threatened every agent he’s ever met with kicking their ass. Except for Cael.”
Hard to argue with that. It was the truth.
Dex frowned at Ash. “You threatened to kick Hobbs’s ass?”
Ash nodded. “Yep.” Was it his first week of being on the job? He was pretty sure it was the first week.
“Dude, that’s not cool. Hobbs is awesome.”
“He can also be a pain in the ass. Plus when we first met, I didn’t know he had selective mutism. I asked him a question, and he wouldn’t answer me. He’d whisper to Calvin, who’d answer for him. I got pissed off and told him if he didn’t tell me himself, I’d kick his ass.” Ash had never met a tiger Therian as big and insecure as Hobbs. The whole encounter had left him confused. Here was their new demolitions expert, and he couldn’t talk. How the fuck was he going to communicate with his team? Ash wasn’t proud to admit he’d had a shit fit. He understood the THIRDS was about equality and representation when it came to hiring, but he had been genuinely concerned about the safety of his team. Not long after, Ash had seen how wrong he’d been about Hobbs. Not that he’d admitted it.
Dex let out a sound of disgust. “Dude, not cool.”
“I said I didn’t know. I apologized afterward, and that’s saying something.”
Ash got up to help clear the dishes, with Dex going on about how he should really think about using some of those scented candles Rosa had gifted him. Ash proceeded to flip him off.
When Cael stood to help, Ash put a hand to his shoulder.
“Relax, I’ve got this.”
He gave Cael a wink and walked the dirty dishes to the kitchen with Dex yammering on behind him. The guy was like a fucking mosquito buzzing in your ear and trying to suck the life out of you. Ash placed the dishes in the dishwasher, giving grunts and one-word replies. He grabbed the dishes from Dex and put those in as well. He wished he could stick Dex in there. Finally someone up there decided to give him a break, and Dex left the kitchen, singing some stupid song about a lion sleeping tonight or something.
Ash frowned at Maddock. “Does he never shut up? How the hell did you live with this for so long?”
“It’s called patience,” Maddock replied. “Not exactly your forte.”
“Oh, I can be patient. That’s not what’s required when dealing with your oldest. I’d say sedative is more the word you were looking for.”
Maddock laughed. “Just get in there, Keeler.”
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Charlie Cochet is an author by day and artist by night. Always quick to succumb to the whispers of her wayward muse, no star is out of reach when following her passion. From adventurous agents and sexy shifters, to society gentlemen and hardboiled detectives, there’s bound to be plenty of mischief for her heroes to find themselves in, and plenty of romance, too!
Currently residing in Central Florida, Charlie is at the beck and call of a rascally Doxiepoo bent on world domination. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading, drawing, or watching movies. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.
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