THIRDS

The World Shifts Behind SMOKE & MIRRORS–Review and Giveaway!

THIRDS-Series-BannerHi there! Today I’m sharing a release day review for the latest book in the M/M alt-world shifter, police romance saga that is THIRDS by Charlie Cochet. I’ve loved all SEVEN books in this series, and SMOKE & MIRRORS is no exception. Want more info on the previous books? Click THIRDS, RACK & RUIN, RISE AND FALL, and AGAINST THE GRAIN.

Smoke & Mirrors (THIRDS, #7)About the book:

Life for Dexter J. Daley has never been easy, but he’s always found a way to pick himself back up with a smile on his face. Taken from his home, and the arms of his boyfriend and THIRDS partner, Sloane Brodie, Dex finds himself in a situation as mysterious and lethal as the Therian interrogating him. Dex learns what he’s secretly believed all along: his parents’ death wasn’t an accident.

Discovering the whole truth about John and Gina Daley’s homicide sets off a series of events that will change Dex and Sloane’s lives forever. As buried secrets rise to the surface and new truths are revealed, Dex and Sloane’s love for each other is put to the test, with more than their relationship on the line. If traversing the waters of murder and secret government agencies wasn’t enough, something inexplicable has been happening to Dex—and nothing will ever be the same.

My Review:
This book is the 7th in a series and really best enjoyed when read in order. THIRDS is set in an alternate world where a disease resulted in an altered human state–Therians are a new race of shifters that exist side-by-side with Humans, and there’s often trouble. Police officers of THIRDS are matched Humans and Therians partnerships, and they are sent out to settle civil, criminal and domestic disputes (think SWAT, but for shifters) that involves shifters.

Dex and Sloane have been partners in THIRDS and partners in love for over a year. They have survived many a tragedy, together, and are now openly living together. Sloane recently “marked” Dex, scratching him with his jaguar claw. This is a very dangerous bargain, because marking results in an open link between their emotions. Dex can feel Sloane at all times, and comes to crave being in Sloane’s presence. Also, the scent of Sloane on Dex is a cause for problems, as other Therians see Dex as a mark to be claimed–a prize to be won. It results in quite a lot of conflict, fending off these would-be mates.

Dex, Sloane and the rest of their THIRDS team have been steadily, covertly, training in TIN–Therian Intelligence Network–physical tactics, and it greatly benefits Dex when he’s kidnapped and needs to escape what is clearly certain death. His torture by a Therian Spook called Wolf sets Dex on a path of discovery about his parents. John and Gina, who were murdered when Dev was only 5, may have been covert operatives, but for whom? Unreliable sources say they helped incorporate Sloane, Ash and other First-Gen Therians into the youth experimentation project that was little more than torture for years on end. It’s more than Slaone can take, thinking that Dex’s mother was somehow involved in his horrible youth–and that’s a big wedge to their otherwise healthy relationship.

It’s also clear that Dex isn’t exactly unchanged after his rescue. The Therians around him are experiencing some odd, and downright baffling, responses to his presence. When Ash buys Dex gummi bears we KNOW there’s something BIG happening–and I liked how both the mystery of Dex’s parents and Dex’s subtle transformation were two intertwined plot-lines. This adds a whole new layer to the THIRDS saga, and still keeps the other relationships intact.

Speaking of relationships, there are two that are brought front-and-center in this book. A reunion and a revelation, and I think readers will be happy with both. Also, sexytimes for Dex and Sloane have never been more molten. Good gravy! And, there’s still that winsome humor to lighten up the dark moments. Lots of seriously good counseling from supporting cast–never thought I’d be saying this, but thank goodness for Ash! I experienced a small trip down memory lane going through Dex’s treasured childhood belongings, as I was a Care Bear Kid back in the 80s, too. This one’s going to bring out the feels in so many unexpected ways; even as I cursed Sloane, I still wanted to love him up. And then smack some sense into him. And then love him up again.
Don’t judge me! I wanted to love Dex up, too!!

The end isn’t a cliffhanger, but it certainly leaves a wide range of possibility for new stories, adventures, and mayhem. Me, and my Cheesy Doodles, can’t wait.

Interested? You can find SMOKE & MIRRORS on Goodreads, Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and AllRomance.

ALSO!!! Dreamspinner Press is having a THIRDS anniversary sale. Get 30% off Books 1 – 6, including paperbacks! Sale ends at 11:59pm (Eastern US time) Sunday, July 10th.

****GIVEAWAY****

Check out Charlie’s THIRDS 2nd Anniversary post for you chance to snag one of the MANY prizes Charlie’s offering!
5 winners: THIRDS agent T-shirt.
5 winners: Destructive Delta tote bag and character cards.
4 winners: THIRDS swag pack (Destructive Delta tote bag, character cards, THIRDS postcards, stickers, bookmarks).
3 winners: THIRDS audiobook of your choice.
3 winners: $10 Amazon Gift Card.
3 winners: Mini Sloanes with character cards and dog tags.
1 winner: THIRDS agent coffee mug with character cards.
1 winner: Star Wars Leia and Han Solo bag with compact mirror.

About the Author:

Charlie_Cochet_by_madison_parker150Charlie 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.

Website | Facebook | Facebook Author Page | Twitter | Pinterest | Tumblr | Instagram | Charlie’s Newsletter

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Friends-to-Lovers: CATCH A TIGER BY THE TAIL–A Review

Hi there! As you may remember, I’m a big fan of Charlie Cohect’s THIRDS series. Shifters, M/M romance, contemporary alternate world, police romance, interspecies dating…those are all hooks to catch me, I swear. For people who haven’t jumped in a read the whole series, CATCH A TIGER BY THE TAIL is a book you can still enjoy, mostly on its own. Want more info on the previous books?  Click THIRDS, RACK & RUIN, RISE AND FALL, and AGAINST THE GRAIN.

Catch a Tiger by the Tail (THIRDS, #6)About the book:
Calvin Summers and Ethan Hobbs have been best friends since childhood, but somewhere along the line, their friendship evolved into something more. With the Therian Youth Center bombing, Calvin realizes just how short life can be and no longer keeps his feelings for his best friend a secret. Unfortunately, change is difficult for Ethan; most days he does well to deal with his Selective Mutism and Social Anxiety. Calvin’s confession adds a new struggle for Ethan, one he fears might cost him the friendship that’s been his whole world for as long as he can remember.

As partners and Defense Agents at the THIRDS, being on Destructive Delta is tough at the best of times, but between call-outs and life-threatening situations, Calvin and Ethan not only face traversing the challenges of their job, but also working toward a future as more than friends.

My Review:
This book is set in the THIRDS world which is contemporary America with a twist; fifty years ago there was a virus that caused some of the population to evolve into animal shifters. These people are called Therians, and after much civil unrest there is some level of peace between Humans and Therians. THIRDS is the Human/Therian defense organization that keeps the peace and apprehends rogue Therians, as they are very strong, and THIRDS squadrons are made up of equal numbers of humans and Therians.

Calvin and Hobbs are two twenty-fiveish best friends who are also in love with one another. Ethan Hobbs is a large tiger Therian who has Selective Mutism and crippling social anxiety. He is the youngest of three sons, and his father suffers a Therian-virus-related pain disorder. Watching his father suffer seemed to trigger Ethan’s mutism. Some of his own family haven’t heard his voice aloud in twenty years…

Calvin is human, and one of the only people that Ethan is able to regularly speak with, and even then only in close company, and still–only sometimes. They are partners in THIRDS and live together. Calvin has always loved Ethan, as a best friend, and later as a lover, but never told Ethan until recently–when Ethan was critically injured on a mission. It’s been several months, and Ethan’s not sure what to do. He returns Calvin’s feelings, but he struggles to convey his love, being hampered by both his mutism and his anxiety. It was so poignant to be in Ethan’s head, feeling his exasperation with himself, and wishing he could be a better (loving) partner to Cal. His eyes are opened in a new way while they sort things out–Ethan gets the full scope of the suffering Cal has endured by remaining his steadfast friend–some of which was intense bullying by humans at their low-income, low-quality high school.

Cal is a great guy, and partner, to Ethan, and makes his needs and wants, as normal and small as they may seem, known. It is Ethan who commits himself to bridging the gap. Working tirelessly, Ethan begins to expand his group of people with whom he can speak. It was so rewarding for him, and the reader, to observe these progressions. I think this book will certainly appeal to readers who have special needs persons in their lives, as the communication issues Ethan has mirror, to a degree, those present in many kids and adults on the autism spectrum. I loved having such a window into Ethan’s condition.

The setting of working with THIRDS is interesting always on account of the police aspect. There danger is ever-present, and there is bloodshed in this book. People very close to both Ethan and Hobbs get injured and bad guys must be found. Also, loving must (and does!!) happen. While a new reader to the series may not know the full backstory on every character, there is certainly enough in this book to portray Calving and Ethan’s love story and to pique interest for further reading. I’m looking forward to the next one!

Interested? You can find CATCH A TIGER BY THE TAIL on Goodreads, Dreamspinner Press (eBook or paperback), All Romance eBooks, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

BDPB About the Author

Charlie_Cochet_by_madison_parker150Charlie 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.

Website | Facebook | Facebook Author Page | Twitter | Pinterest | Tumblr | Instagram | Charlie’s Newsletter

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Taking Love AGAINST THE GRAIN–A Review

Hi there! I’m so excited to get back to my THIRDS fixation. I started this series about a year ago with HELL AND HIGH WATER, then BLOOD AND THUNDER, RACK AND RUIN and I had savored every minute of RISE AND FALL, but it was a while before I got AGAINST THE GRAIN into my hands!

How I missed my sexy shifters! This series follows a squad of THIRDS police agents made up of humans and Therians–who have the power to shift at will into ferocious animals. The first four books of the series focused on the relationship between human Dexter J Daley and his partner and commander, a jaguar Therian Names Sloane Brodie. This fifth book is filled with the love story between lion Therian Ash Keeler (Sloane’s best friend) and cheetah Therian Cael Maddox(Dex’s adopted brother. And it is SOOOOO good.

Against the Grain (THIRDS #5)About the Book:
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.

My Review:
This books is best enjoyed after reading the previous books in the series. When this book opens, Cael and Ash are still healing from wounds sustained in the previous story. That said, they are finally developing the bonds that Cael has long hoped to build. Sure, they had been the closest of friends, and definitely affectionate, but it had never gone past the occasional tender kiss, or cuddling. Cael wants more, and Ash wants more, but Ash has a long history of self-loathing.

As a child, Ash had feelings for another boy, and a series of tragic incidences chased him far from his love and all the people he held dear. He grew up in a testing facility for cast off Therians, alongside Sloane Brodie. Ash survived the emotional and physical testing to later join THIRDS as one of the first agents in the program. He’s kept his heart held tight, but now he’s thinking there’s one person who would keep it safe: Cael.

This is a definite hurt/comfort story, with both Ash and Cael working toward the kind of relationship they have always desired. In the background we have another diabolical plot hatching–one which had first come to light in BLOOD AND THUNDER but the full extent is only now being revealed. Someone has been developing a drug to control Therians in their animal form–creating drones with ultimate killing capability and no consciousness or conscience to stop them. Ash and Sloane are among the targeted, due to their history as Therian test subjects. It’s a dangerous and covert business, getting control of the drug before it’s used, and might put Cael in specific danger, as well.

I really enjoyed the cafeul relationship building. Just because Ash and Cael have been close for several years, Ash is stunned to learn of Cael’s tragic pre-THIRDS history. Ash knows he needs to tread carefully, but it’s not that long before he recognizes that he can’t be the man Cael needs without taking chances on love. There’s a lot of vulnerability here, and super sweet steps toward coupledom. I think THIRDS fans will be well-satisfied.

Interested? You can find AGAINST THE GRAIN on Goodreads, Dreamspinner Press (eBook & Paperback) All Romance eBooks, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

Charlie CochetAbout the Author:
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 Historical to Fantasy, Contemporary to Science Fiction, there’s bound to be plenty of mischief for her heroes to find themselves in, and plenty of romance, too!

Currently residing in South Florida, Charlie looks forward to migrating to a land where the weather includes seasons other than hot, hotter, and boy, it’s hot! 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.

Website | THIRDS HQ | Facebook | Facebook Author Page | Twitter | Pinterest | Tumblr | Instagram | Charlie’s Newsletter | Email: charlie@charliecochet.com

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends!

Love & Deception in RISE & FALL–Review, Excerpt and Giveaway

Hi all! Today I’m SO eager to share the latest installment of Charlie Cochet’s THIRD series. I’ve blogged about HELL & HIGH WATER and BLOOD & THUNDER and RACK & RUIN so I’m all in on this M/M Romance/Police/Shifter series. If I HAD a guilty pleasure this series might be it; but, since I feel no guilt, it’s really all about the pleasure….

Rise & Fall 

(THIRDS Series, Book #4) by Charlie Cochet 
About the book: 
After an attack by the Coalition leaves THIRDS Team Leader Sloane Brodie critically injured, agent Dexter J. Daley swears to make Beck Hogan pay for what he’s done. But Dex’s plans for retribution are short-lived. With Ash still on leave with his own injuries, Sloane in the hospital, and Destructive Delta in the Coalition’s crosshairs, Lieutenant Sparks isn’t taking any chances. Dex’s team is pulled from the case, with the investigation handed to Team Leader Sebastian Hobbs. Dex refuses to stand by while another team goes after Hogan, and decides to put his old HPF detective skills to work to find Hogan before Theta Destructive, no matter the cost.

With a lengthy and painful recovery ahead of him, the last thing Sloane needs is his partner out scouring the city, especially when the lies—however well intentioned—begin to spiral out of control. Sloane is all too familiar with the desire to retaliate, but some things are more important, like the man who’s pledged to stand beside him. As Dex starts down a dark path, it’s up to Sloane to show him what’s at stake, and finally put a name to what’s in his heart.

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Available for purchase at

   

How about a little taste?

Dex sorted out all of Sloane’s pillows, fluffing them up and arranging them before bringing the tray over. Once Sloane was settled, Dex placed the tray over his lap and kissed him, tasting a faint hint of minty freshness. Sloane stared down at the tray.

“Is it okay?” Dex asked. Had he forgotten something? “Eggs Benedict and pancakes are your favorite, right?”

Sloane nodded.

“What’s wrong?”

“You made heart-shaped pancakes.”

Dex held back a smile. “Are they too unmanly? Should I have made them grenade-shaped? I’m sure Letty’s got a mold for those.”

Sloane chuckled. “No, hearts are fine. It’s real sweet. Thank you.”

Dex sat down on the edge of the bed beside him. He ran his fingers through Sloane’s hair feeling guilty for having left him on his own last night. Sloane could take care of himself, even if he was injured, but his partner was drugged up and obviously feeling a little out of it, considering his reaction to the heart-shaped pancakes. Maybe it was time he took care of his partner like he’d promised he would.

“Why don’t you eat your breakfast while I shower, and we’ll watch a movie or something together?”

Sloane gave him a wide smile. “I’d like that.”

Dex left Sloane to his breakfast and went off to shower as quickly as he could. Showering wasn’t as much fun without his partner. As he lathered himself up, a naughty thought occurred to him. He’d also promised he’d make his partner purr. Finishing up, he could barely hold back his smile or the heat spreading through him. Easy there, Daley. Don’t get yourself worked up yet. He dressed in his comfy cotton pajama bottoms and a loose faded Back to the Future T-shirt before heading out into the bedroom.

Sloane was smiling, his plate devoid of any evidence food had ever been on there. Wow, his partner had been hungry. Really hungry. Starving. Sort of like after…“Please tell me you didn’t.”

Dex removed the tray and put it on the floor against the wall. He pulled the blanket back and tried to lift Sloane’s T-shirt, but his partner slapped his hand away. “Sloane, let me see, damn it.” He grabbed Sloane’s wrist with one hand and managed to pull up the cotton shirt, cursing under his breath at the tiny beads of blood seeping through the bandage. “For fuck’s sake, did you try to shift?” When Sloane looked away, Dex had his answer. No wonder his partner was out of it. It wasn’t just the meds. Sloane hadn’t recuperated from postshift. Dex opened the minifridge and found it empty.“When?” He slammed the fridge door shut.

“Last night. After you called,” Sloane mumbled.

“Last night?” Dex put a hand to his head. Veggies and hummus were all well and good for Sloane’s Human side, but not for the Felid inside him. He needed meat, protein, and more than the packet of sliced chicken Dex had left him in the fridge. “Fuck. Sloane, you know you’re not supposed to attempt shifting. The doctor said so, and it’s in the packet. To make matters worse, you do it when there’s no one here to perform postshift trauma care? With no access to the right foods? What were you thinking?”

“I’m thinking I need to fucking heal, and if that’s the quickest way to do it, then it’s a risk I’m willing to take!”

Sloane’s ferocity surprised Dex, and he took a step back. His partner’s pupils were dilated and his fangs slightly elongated. Fuck, what the hell was going on? It was like Sloane was having trouble controlling his feral side. Dex could see it. He could see the Felid inside Sloane staring back at him from behind glowing amber eyes. Could the meds be doing this? The recovery packet the doctor had given them specifically instructed Sloane to not shift while he was healing, especially while on his meds.

“Okay, take it easy. It’s me.” Dex held his hands up in front of him and swallowed hard, aware of the telltale signs. “There’s no hurry for you to heal, Sloane. It’s okay.”

“It’s not okay,” Sloane snarled, his fingers flexing against the sheets and his nails starting to grow.

Fuck. Oh fuck.

“Sloane, you need to breathe. Calm down.” Dex slowly edged away from the bed. Why was this happening? Sloane had never lost his grip on his Felid side. Not to mention he’d yet to fully recover from his first attempt. “Please, Sloane. Your body’s not healed from the first try. Who knows what a second attempt will do?”

There was no reply from Sloane. He was gritting his teeth, his face red, and his muscles straining.

“Sloane, you need to stop.”

“I can’t.” Sloane lowered his head, his fierce gaze on Dex.

“Why?”

“To protect you!”

Dex gasped as Sloane let out a roar, his body starting to shift. What the hell was Dex supposed to do? He’d never faced a Therian who’d lost control of his Human side, much less an Apex predator. Quickly, he backed up against the far wall, cringing as Sloane’s cries of agony filled the room. Sloane tore at his clothes, pulling his T-shirt and pajama bottoms off before his mass shifted, bones popped, and fur pierced his skin. Dex reached into his pocket and with shaky hands placed a call.

A gruff voice answered. “What do you want?”

“Ash, you have to help me.” The panic in his voice must have been clear, because Ash’s tone instantly transformed from its usual gruffness to concern.

“What’s going on, Dex? Talk to me.”

“It’s Sloane. He’s shifting, but it’s not… not normal. He tried last night but couldn’t complete the transformation. Then we got into an argument, and it’s like he’s lost it. I don’t think he’s in control. How is that possible?”

“Hide.”

“What?”

“Hide somewhere he can’t get to you. I’m on my way. I’ve still got my key to your place.”

Ash hung up, and Dex shoved his phone in his pocket. Where the fuck was he supposed to hide? When he moved his gaze to the bed, he stilled. There was no time for hiding. The huge black jaguar lay in the center of the bed, his tail thumping against the headboard. He sniffed the sheets, then the air before his gaze landed on Dex.

Wow! I can tell you, reading that passage had my heart racing!

My Review:
OMG. I’ve just… Well… Where to start?

*takes a deep breath* *remembers how Dex had to be assertive to win Sloane* *channels her inner Dex*

Okay. This is the fourth book in the THIRDS series. And at the end of the previous one, Sloane Brodie was injured by a car bomb explosion. It was (perhaps) fatal and we waited on pins and needles, praying alongside Dex, his partner in their job–and in bed (though THIS is a down-low issue)–to hope that his heart (and Sloane) will make it through the night.

I’m not spoiling this part. I will say that it is tense, and the feels are heart-wrecking.

Ash has been left to care for/tail Dex as Dex begins the revenge mission to end all revenge missions. Beck Hogan, chief of the Ikelos Coalition and person responsible for Sloane’s injuries, is Dex’s target–but Dex doesn’t know that he is Beck’s target. He and Cael are the prime targets for Ikelos operatives who consider Therian THIRDS operatives to be traitors to their race–and knowing that Cael is precious to Ash, who had recently infiltrated then double-crossed the Coalition.

Problem with Dex’s vengeance plan? Destructive Delta is put on leave. With Ash and Sloane severely injured, they can’t go on patrol, and the brass is determined to keep the unit on ice until Hogan is in custody, or dead.

Dex works on the side, however, setting up a shadow office and calling in favors from Delta and Alpha agents–all to take Hogan out. It’s dangerous, from a real life and a professional standpoint. There are set-ups and double crosses, and Hogan gets the best of Dex time and again.

Plus, Dex’s really walking a very very thin line of dishonesty–one that could very well cost him his job, and Sloane.

The pace never lets up. There is loving that THIRDS fans have been clamoring for (cough, cough CALVIN & HOBBS!!!) and Cael and Ash reach an understanding, if nothing else.

The intricate web of this world is being tightened and the relationships are becoming strong, more open, and trust is a conscious element within the Destructive Delta group. Plus, all the side characters are more fleshed out, filling roles as POV characters and humor elements.

I didn’t read this book, I inhaled it. Can’t wait for the next chapter in this series.

About the Author
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 Historical to Fantasy, Contemporary to Science Fiction, there’s bound to be plenty of mischief for her heroes to find themselves in, and plenty of romance, too!
Currently residing in South Florida, Charlie looks forward to migrating to a land where the weather includes seasons other than hot, hotter, and boy, it’s hot! 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.  You can find Charlie at
                  
Giveaway
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a $25 Amazon GC and a THIRDS swag pack.
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RISE & FALL (Book 4 of the THIRDS series) Cover Reveal, Excerpt and Giveaway!

Hello all! Welcome to the Rise & Fall (THIRDS, Book 4) cover reveal! I’m super excited to share with you the cover for the latest THIRDS book by the fabulous L.C. Chase! There’s also a giveaway, and Rise & Fall is now available for preorder!

Rise&Fall500

The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

thirdsdivider500

Book Details

Title: Rise & Fall (THIRDS, Book #4)
Author: Charlie Cochet
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: L.C. Chase
ISBN eBook: 9781632167699
ISBN Paperback: 9781632167682
Length: 236 Pages
Genre: M/M Romance, Shifters, Paranormal,
Science Fiction, Mystery/Suspense

Blurb

After an attack by the Coalition leaves THIRDS Team Leader Sloane Brodie critically injured, agent Dexter J. Daley swears to make Beck Hogan pay for what he’s done. But Dex’s plans for retribution are short-lived. With Ash still on leave with his own injuries, Sloane in the hospital, and Destructive Delta in the Coalition’s crosshairs, Lieutenant Sparks isn’t taking any chances. Dex’s team is pulled from the case, with the investigation handed to Team Leader Sebastian Hobbs. Dex refuses to stand by while another team goes after Hogan, and decides to put his old HPF detective skills to work to find Hogan before Theta Destructive, no matter the cost.

With a lengthy and painful recovery ahead of him, the last thing Sloane needs is his partner out scouring the city, especially when the lies—however well intentioned—begin to spiral out of control. Sloane is all too familiar with the desire to retaliate, but some things are more important, like the man who’s pledged to stand beside him. As Dex starts down a dark path, it’s up to Sloane to show him what’s at stake, and finally put a name to what’s in his heart.

Preorder links

Dreampisnner Press eBook | Dreamspinner Press Paperback

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Release Day
February 2nd, 2015

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpt:

“YOU’RE GOING to get us fucking killed!”

Dex ignored Ash and hit the gas, speeding after the ambulance heading up route 9A toward NY Presbyterian Hospital, its wailing siren and flashing lights an unyielding reminder of what he stood to lose. The ambulance had left before them, but Dex was in his Challenger with its own THIRDS installed lights flickering and sending out a warning to everyone around him to get the hell out of his way.

When Ash finally released Dex from his iron grip, Dex had stood on the sidewalk in front of his house, amidst the smoke and burning car parts unable to believe what had happened. He’d been at a loss, watching the chaos unfold as emergency teams and THIRDS agents flooded the scene. Orders had been shouted, the area evacuated, blue and black THIRDS tape marking off his personal disaster zone. And then a bright orange beacon parked near the end of the block gave him clarity.

Dex maneuvered through four lanes of traffic, changing gears and working the pedals. No one knew how to drive his baby like he did, and nothing on God’s green earth was going to make him lose that ambulance. Not with Sloane in the back of it fighting for his life.

Sloane….

No matter how hard Dex tried, his head kept replaying the scene like a goddamn looped video: Dex bolting for the front door, not caring what might be on the other side—getting to Sloane had been all that mattered. He has to be okay. Please God, let him be okay.

Clouds of thick black smoke. The sidewalk in front of his house looking like a war zone, littered with debris and pieces of twisted car parts. The trees on fire. Dex tackled to the ground, the breath stolen from his lungs. Ash on him keeping him safe. Bullets flying. Sloane under a piece of mangled door. Screeching sirens and uniformed bodies rushing in. Blood everywhere. Sloane unmoving. A jagged piece of metal sticking out of his side. Blood, so much blood.

It should have been me.
“Fuck! Mother fucking asshole son of a bitch!” Dex slammed his hand against the steering wheel before swerving around some bastard going the speed limit. He was losing his shit. It was fast approaching much like the yellow—soon to be red—light ahead of him, yet he was helpless to stop it. The Challenger flew past the red, missing an oncoming taxi by inches.

“Enough!” Ash snapped at him. “You’re gonna get us fucking killed! Keep your shit together and get us to the fucking hospital in one goddamn piece, or I swear to Christ I will fucking knock your ass out and drive us there myself.”

Dex wanted to tell Ash where he could stick his threats, but he didn’t. He heard Ash suck in a sharp breath, and Dex eased his foot off the accelerator just enough to keep the ambulance’s flashing lights in sight a few cars ahead. Ash held on to the passenger door with one hand, his other pressed against his side to ease the pain along with the slow trickle of blood seeping through his torn stitches. Stitches he’d torn saving Dex.

“Sorry,” Dex said through his teeth. They were almost at the hospital, which meant more traffic. “Sorry for being an asshole and for what I’m about to do. Hold on.” He hit the gas pedal again, and the engine thundered as he raced forward. After a couple of close calls, they got to the hospital before the ambulance. He skidded into valet parking, put the Challenger in park, jumped out, and tossed the keys to the valet guy. Ignoring his teammate’s bitching, Dex called out over his shoulder for Ash to take care of it. The ambulance arrived seconds later, and Dex ran up to it, watching with his heart in his throat as the backdoors swung open and the EMTs rushed out. The gurney swiftly emerged with Sloane strapped down on his uninjured side, an oxygen mask covering his nose and mouth, and the jagged metal piece jutting out from the right side of his torso. Removing it without surgery was clearly out of the question.

Dex followed the EMTs as they rushed Sloane through the huge open glass doorway into the hospital, shouting out codes and medical jargon Dex couldn’t make out. One of the EMTs said something about the THIRDS, and a Therian nurse behind the desk snatched up a phone and rambled something off. Within seconds, a handful of Therian doctors and nurses came running, joining the EMTs as they stole Sloane away into a wide, brightly lit corridor. Dex attempted to follow only to have his path blocked by two male Therian nurses.

“He’s my partner,” Dex pleaded, trying to get around them.

“I’m sorry, sir, but you can’t go in there.”

“The hell I can’t. He’s my partner!” Dex grabbed one of the nurses when a pair of beefy arms wrapped around Dex’s waist, lifting him off his feet and away. “Fuck off, Ash! Get off!” He couldn’t leave Sloane in there all alone. Sloane hated hospitals as it was. What if he woke up and freaked out? What if he didn’t know where he was? What if something happened and Dex wasn’t there? He couldn’t lose Sloane now. It wasn’t Sloane’s time. They hadn’t had enough time!

“You’re not the only one who needs him.”

Dex stilled. It wasn’t so much Ash’s words, but the subtle desperation behind them. Ash put him down, and Dex turned, the look on Ash’s dirt-smudged face taking the fight out of Dex. He’d never seen the gruff agent looking so helpless, and despite clearly having his own fears, Ash met his gaze.

“He’s all the family I’ve got. Just let them do their job. It’s the best we can do for him.”

Dex swallowed hard and nodded. He had to get a hold of himself. It was only when Ash winced that Dex remembered the guy was slowly bleeding out. “Shit, Ash. Come on. We need to get you fixed up.”

“I’m fine,” Ash muttered, wiping the sweat from his beaded brow.

“Yeah, you look fine.” Dex refused to give in to his teammate’s stubbornness. He called over a nurse who took one look at Ash and ran off to get assistance. Ash continued to argue when Dex spotted his dad marching their way. Tony stopped beside them, his gaze dropping to Ash’s hand against his bleeding side before he barked out an order.

“Keeler, get your ass in there and get those stitches seen to.”

Ash looked like he wanted to argue but knew better. With a resigned sigh, he headed for the anxious looking nurses. As soon as Ash disappeared, Tony put a hand to Dex’s shoulder, concern in his deep brown eyes. It was too much for Dex right now.

“Hey. I’m going to take a walk. Call me if anything happens.”

Thankfully, his dad knew him well and gave him a nod. He removed his hand from Dex’s shoulder and let him go. Right now, Tony had to be his sergeant. Anything else would break Dex’s tremulous hold on his emotions. He walked off to gather his strength. He was going to need it.

About the Author

Charlie_Cochet_by_madison_parker150Charlie 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 Historical to Fantasy, Contemporary to Science Fiction, there’s bound to be plenty of mischief for her heroes to find themselves in, and plenty of romance, too!

Currently residing in South Florida, Charlie looks forward to migrating to a land where the weather includes seasons other than hot, hotter, and boy, it’s hot! 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.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | THIRDS HQ | Tumblr | Pinterest
Email: charlie@charliecochet.com

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They Were Brought to RACK & RUIN–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing my review of Charlie Cochet’s RACK & RUIN, the third book in her THIRDS series. (Ha!) Anywho, I’m a devoted fan of this yummy M/M, paranormal, police, shifter series. You may recall I reviewed the first two books…HELL & HIGH WATER and BLOOD & THUNDER and found them thoroughly awesome. There’s police activity, and M/M lovin’ and shifting, and a whole lot of plot that is only helped by the romance and humorous antics of Dexter J Daley, human member of the Destructive Delta THIRDS team and main character of the books.

Rack & Ruin (THIRDS, #3)About the book:
New York City’s streets are more dangerous than ever with the leaderless Order of Adrasteia and the Ikelos Coalition, a newly immerged Therian group, at war. Innocent civilians are caught in the crossfire and although the THIRDS round up more and more members of the Order in the hopes of keeping the volatile group from reorganizing, the members of the Coalition continue to escape and wreak havoc in the name of vigilante justice.

Worse yet, someone inside the THIRDS has been feeding the Coalition information. It’s up to Destructive Delta to draw out the mole and put an end to the war before anyone else gets hurt. But to get the job done, the team will have to work through the aftereffects of the Therian Youth Center bombing. A skirmish with Coalition members leads Agent Dexter J. Daley to a shocking discovery and suddenly it becomes clear that the random violence isn’t so random. There’s more going on than Dex and Sloane originally believed, and their fiery partnership is put to the test. As the case takes an explosive turn, Dex and Sloane are in danger of losing more than their relationship.

My Review:
Here’s the thing: this book is gooooood. But the end made me FREAK the F@CK OUT.

Dex and Sloane are having a covert relationship. Which makes for lots of fun stealth hook-ups. About the relationships: Sloane and Ash are both Therian shifters who actually grew up together in the pre-THIRDS program. They suffered a lot, as the Powers That Be examined them, learned how the Therians worked, how they shifted, and taught them to control the beast within. It was terrifying, and Sloane is scared that Dex will leave him if he knows the truth about his history.

Thing is, Dex couldn’t care less. Well, that’s not entirely true. He cares about Sloane being happy. If Sloane’s past makes Sloane pensive, or angry, closed off, well then Dex cares. But details about Sloane’s mistakes as a scared child? Pfft. Nada worries.

Can I say I love Dex? I may be a human woman, and therefore thoroughly unattractive to this fictional gay man, but I swoon for him, nonetheless. He is just so fun, and flirty and intriguing. I guess that’s why everyone (excepting Ash) adores him. #GuiltyAsCharged

In this episode we also have Cael, Dex’s foster brother, revealing his deep affection for Ash–and Ash being a bigger total D-bag than usual. Which is saying a lot because Ash is a D-bag all the time.  Okay, I do love Ash, too, because I understand that he’s been broken, but it takes a good bit of love to consider that his turn-coatery is actually much more than it appears. And, his repulsion of Cael’s affection is for Cael’s own good. Mostly because loving Ash is more difficult and painful than hugging a Saguaro cactus.

The plain truth is, rogue Therians are executing humans who did a whole lot of Therian killing in the big skirmishes years ago, and it’s up to Dex, Sloane and Destructive Delta crew to ride point on the capture. This is made more complicated by the revelation that a mole exists within THIRDS and all the opportunities to apprehend the offenders result in chasing smoke on the wind.

This thoroughly realized action-adventure-shifter-police procedural-gay-romance is sure to satisfy the most genre-confused among us. And, I’m so eager for the next novel in the series I’m having trouble holding back the begging to Ms. Cochet. Good thing she throws out short THIRDS vignettes every Thursday on her blog. It’s like a weekly hit of my fave fictional drug, which softens the withdrawal symptoms just enough to manage.

Back to my post-book freak out… here’s how I felt when I ended the book:  SLOANE!!!!

Interested? You can find RACK & RUIN on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Dreamspinner Press. In fact it’s on sale at Dreamspinner (25% off) through today–as are all the books in the THIRDS series.

CCochet100Charlie 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 Historical to Fantasy, Contemporary to Science Fiction, there’s bound to be plenty of mischief for her heroes to find themselves in, and plenty of romance, too!

Currently residing in South Florida, Charlie looks forward to migrating to a land where the weather includes seasons other than hot, hotter, and boy, it’s hot! 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.

Website | Facebook | Facebook Author Page | Twitter | Goodreads | Tumblr | Instagram | Pinterest | THIRDS HQ | Newsletter
Email: charlie@charliecochet.com

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Get Captivated by Charlie Cochet’s THIRDS–Reviews and Blog Tour

Hi all, Today I’m reviewing a new M/M police/urban fantasy/paranormal/shifter romance series by Charlie Cochet. Sorry for all the tags, but I almost can’t classify this genre-bending phenom. And, frankly, neither can anyone else–it’s been nominated for six (maybe more) different awards from Goodreads includeing Best M/M Romance Series, Best Police, Best Sci-Fi, etc.  There’s criminals, and terrorists, and prejudice and family ties, and head-spinning sexy, sexy men, and goofballs.

What else can I tell you? Well, at the heart of these stories, is a boy standing in front of a boy, asking him to love him…and that just melts me! 😉

There are three books released in this planned series of eight, and I’ve finished two: HELL AND HIGH WATER and BLOOD AND THUNDER. RACK AND RUIN was released last week and it’s getting high praise from fans. It’s in my TBR and I’ll likely start it nearer to Thanksgiving, so expect a review update. Right now, Charlie Cochet is having blog tour for RACK AND RUIN, which is outstanding. It’s a series of character vignettes touring the “press” through the THIRDS command center. Check it out and see why Charlie Cochet’s humorous writing is driving fans insane for each book in the THIRDS series. (Oh, and there’s a giveaway, too!)

Hell & High Water (THIRDS, #1)About Hell and High Water (Book 1):
When homicide detective Dexter J. Daley’s testimony helps send his partner away for murder, the consequences—and the media frenzy—aren’t far behind. He soon finds himself sans boyfriend, sans friends, and, after an unpleasant encounter in a parking garage after the trial, he’s lucky he doesn’t find himself sans teeth. Dex fears he’ll get transferred from the Human Police Force’s Sixth Precinct, or worse, get dismissed. Instead, his adoptive father—a sergeant at the Therian-Human Intelligence Recon Defense Squadron otherwise known as the THIRDS—pulls a few strings, and Dex gets recruited as a Defense Agent.

Dex is determined to get his life back on track and eager to get started in his new job. But his first meeting with Team Leader Sloane Brodie, who also happens to be his new jaguar Therian partner, turns disastrous. When the team is called to investigate the murders of three HumaniTherian activists, it soon becomes clear to Dex that getting his partner and the rest of the tightknit team to accept him will be a lot harder than catching the killer—and every bit as dangerous.

My Review:
This book is set in an alternate contemporary reality where shifters are fully out in society. “Therians” resulted from genetic mutations due to a virus and the anti-viral treatment of it. They are into their third generation of procreation and have governmental rights. The action takes place in NYC and THIRDS is the joint police force comprised of equal numbers of humans and Therians.

Dex Daley is a detective on the Human Police Force who has just testified against his human partner for killing a Therian in cold blood. The rest of the HPF is out for Dex’s blood, and he’s been beaten more than once before he gets a “promotion”. Yep. Dex Daley’s going to THIRDS, he’s to be the replacement partner for Agent Sloane Brodie, a jaguar Therian with a seriously bad attitude.

Dex is a jokester, and uber-friendly human, always willing to reach out and charm the pants of anyone (mostly men) who he contacts. His boyfriend fled after the trial, and he’s not feeling a lot of lot from the Destructive Delta crew to which he’s been assigned. It helps that his adoptive brother, Cael, and adoptive father, Sgt Maddox, are on the Delta team, but Dex works his own magic inserting himself. See, all the Deltas were pretty broken up losing their teammate, Gabe, but Brodie took it worst because Gabe was his lover and he feels it a betrayal to accept any replacement for him.

Of course, Brodie also knows that if he refuses another partner he’ll be reprimanded. So he makes life tough for Dex–who basically turns the tables time and again, working his hardest and proving himself. He’s smart, and funny and charming and so unlike Gabe, but there’s an attraction, one which makes Brodie furious. Dex does help Brodie blow off steam (read: smexytimes) and they engage in a down-low affair.

Meanwhile, several upstanding HumaniTherian supporters (people who fight for equal Therian rights) are killed, and all the evidence points to a jaguar Therian. Brodie is not under suspicion, per se, but he’s not comfortable with all the scrutiny. He’s faced a good deal of prejudice in the press and from humans–particularly from Gabe’s brother Isaac. Isaac, for his part, seems interested in Dex, and wants to ruin Brodie–which leads to a whole plot arc regarding tolerance and prejudice.

In fact, the book is whole lot on cooperation and clashes within the Delta squad. Dex is finally accepted, but Brodie’s not sure what to do with his feelings toward Dex–and he might not have a lot of time to figure it all out once the heat gets too hot searching for the murderer, and the terrorists come out to play.

This is a fast-paced shifter M/M romance that has a lot of great characters and a well-planned story. Dex is hysterical–a perfect blend of whimsy and intelligence. His antics are well placed to diffuse the tension and also get his Delta squad to lighten up. He’s a great match for the taciturn Brodie, who is so Type A I wondered if he arranged his sock drawer by color. Watching Dex melt Brodie’s reserve was so fun. I really enjoyed this.

Interested? You can find HELL AND HIGH WATER on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Dreamspinner Press.

Blood & Thunder (THIRDS, #2)About Blood and Thunder (Book 2):
When a series of bombs go off in a Therian youth center, injuring members of THIRDS Team Destructive Delta, and causing a rift between agents Dexter J. Daley and Sloane Brodie, peace seems unattainable. Especially when a new and frightening group, the Order of Adrasteia, appears to always be a step ahead. With panic and intolerance spreading and streets becoming littered with the Order’s propaganda, hostility between Humans and Therians grows daily. Dex and Sloane, along with the rest of the team, are determined to take down the Order and restore peace, not to mention settle a personal score. But the deeper the team investigates the bombings, the more they believe there’s a more sinister motive than a desire to shed blood and spread chaos.

Discovering the frightful truth behind the Order’s intent forces Sloane to confront secrets from a past he thought he’d left behind for good, a past that could not only destroy him and his career, but also the reputation of the organization that made him all he is today. Now more than ever, Dex and Sloane need each other, and, along with trust, the strength of their bond will mean the difference between justice and all-out war.

My Review:
As much as HELL AND HIGH WATER is about Dex winning over Sloane, I think BLOOD AND THUNDER is a lot about Sloane learning to love again. And recognizing that the feelings he has toward Dex are, in fact, love.

Sloane Brodie is a First Gen Therian. Life has not been easy. His first shift, at age eleven, was so catastrophic he ended up institutionalized. His only friend from those years is Ash, the lion Therian and general dickhead on Destructive Delta squad. They are close, and Ash has no problems giving Sloane his unfiltered opinion, mainly because Ash only comes unfiltered. In this book we get to see many new burgeoning relationships, and understand the inner workings of this select group of law enforcement agents.

Potential couples to be eyeing: naturally Calvin and his tiger Therian partner, Hobbs. (I KNOW! The jokes are merciless, seriously.) But, there’s also some really, really touchy-feely things happening between Ash–who is straight–and Dex’s step-brother Cael, the sweet and tender cheetah Therian. All of this will likely bear fruit down the pike, but I can’t help wonder who’ll do the chasing…

As for the plot, the THIRDS teams are being led on a merry chase for the terrorist organization, Order of Andrasteia, who longs to see Therians exterminated, if possible. Hunting down the leader is, well, daunting. He is a former Human Police a force detective, and doesn’t make a whole lotta planning errors. In fact, this dude’s set on hurting Sloane most heinously–by ripping Dex away, and letting Sloane suffer the grief of losing another lover.

In the meantime, relationships are getting complicated. Dex only wants Sloane, but can he continue with everything on the down-low? What about when Dex’s ex-boyfriend stumbles onto the scene? And how can Sloane keep Dex to himself when his own Delta team–even the lesbians–would pick the suave and quirky Dex for a one-nighter in Marry, F@ck, Kill? (Poor Ash, he really got nailed in that little game!)

Be prepared for sexy-sexy men, terrorists, tough-love, bombs, ex-boyfriends, vengeance and karaoke music.

The tension is super high throughout. Sloane has lots of secrets about his recruitment to THIRDS that he wants to remain secret, but the Order seems hell-bent on revealing all it can to discredit THIRDS and the Therians, in general. There are some great tender moments, and some that are plain-out hot. While this is a continuing series, there is a complete resolution to the main plot arc. Still you kinda gotta read the series in order. Not that I’m complaining. I’m a Dex-Girl; I gotta see this one through.

Interested? You can find BLOOD AND THUNDER on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Dreamspinner Press.

Rack & Ruin (THIRDS, #3)About RACK AND RUIN (BOOK 3):

New York City’s streets are more dangerous than ever with the leaderless Order of Adrasteia and the Ikelos Coalition, a newly immerged Therian group, at war. Innocent civilians are caught in the crossfire and although the THIRDS round up more and more members of the Order in the hopes of keeping the volatile group from reorganizing, the members of the Coalition continue to escape and wreak havoc in the name of vigilante justice.

Worse yet, someone inside the THIRDS has been feeding the Coalition information. It’s up to Destructive Delta to draw out the mole and put an end to the war before anyone else gets hurt. But to get the job done, the team will have to work through the aftereffects of the Therian Youth Center bombing. A skirmish with Coalition members leads Agent Dexter J. Daley to a shocking discovery and suddenly it becomes clear that the random violence isn’t so random. There’s more going on than Dex and Sloane originally believed, and their fiery partnership is put to the test. As the case takes an explosive turn, Dex and Sloane are in danger of losing more than their relationship.

Interested? You can find RACK AND RUIN on Goodreads, Dreamspinner Press eBook, Dreamspinner Press paperback ,
Amazon, All Romance eBooks, Barnes & Noble.

If you are interested in THIRDS, check out the blog tour now running. It’s jam-packed with extras–fun little vignettes from many members of the THIRDS Destructive Delta squad. Each one shares a bit more of him/her self and you get a real sense of the humor and whimsy of this series. Plus, there’s a $15 GC and book swag giveaway you can enter! (Yes, I’m in it to win it!)

4th Nov – Hearts on Fire Reviews (Invitation from Lieutenant Sparks)
5th Nov – Carly’s Book Reviews (Sergeant Maddock)
6th Nov – The Novel Approach Reviews (Team Leader Sloane Brodie)
7th Nov – Bookwinked (Agent Dexter J. Daley)
10th Nov – It’s About the Book (Chief Medical Examiner Hudson Colbourn)
11th Nov – MM Good Books Reviews (Agent Rosa Santiago)
12th Nov – Joyfully Jay (Exclusive Excerpt)
13th Nov – Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews (Agent Cael Maddock)
14th Nov – TTC Books and More (Agent Ash Keeler)
15th Nov – The Blogger Girls (Agents Calvin Summers and Ethan Hobbs)
17th Nov – Love Bytes (Agent Julietta “Letty” Guerera)
18th Nov – Attention is Arbitrary (SSA Austen Payne)
19th Nov – Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews (Character Interview)
20th Nov – Books Make Me Happy Reviews (Interview)
21st Nov – Prism Book Alliance (Farewell from Destructive Delta)

Charlie CochetAbout the Author:

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 Historical to Fantasy, Contemporary to Science Fiction, there’s bound to be plenty of mischief for her heroes to find themselves in, and plenty of romance, too!

Currently residing in South Florida, Charlie looks forward to migrating to a land where the weather includes seasons other than hot, hotter, and boy, it’s hot! 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.

Website | THIRDS HQ | Facebook | Facebook Author Page | Twitter | Pinterest | Tumblr | Instagram | Charlie’s Newsletter | Email: charlie@charliecochet.com

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends!