Are You Ready For A Little "Blood & Thunder"? Charlie Cochet Is Here Today With A GRL Giveaway

Hello all! Thank you all for joining me on another stop of the Blood & Thunder Blog Tour! I’m so happy to be here at the fabulous Novel Approach to celebrate the release of book two in the THIRDS series. Today I thought I’d talk about secondary characters, seeing as there are quite a few in the THIRDS series.

When I start a series, I never start out with a plan of which secondary characters will end up with their own book or spin-off. It’s something that happens organically. I like to approach it the same way two people would in real life. Watch them meet other characters, see the attraction develop, and next thing I know, they’re falling for someone. I’m both a plotter and a pantser. So although I plot, I also leave room for natural growth. That’s usually where some characters find their voices, some speaking louder than others.

I always try to make my secondary and supporting character as rounded as possible, especially when you have an ensemble cast like the one in the THIRDS. Dex and Sloane are the main couple and the romance centers around them, but they’re part of a tactical team. I couldn’t have the rest of the team members lingering in the background, popping up when it became convenient. I had to think about the dynamics of Destructive Delta, who everyone was, how long they’d been together, and what sort of bonds they had. It was likely that friendships would form within the team, maybe something more.

A good example of organic growth from a secondary character in the THIRDS is agent Ash Keeler, a lion Therian (shifter). Originally, he started out as Sloane’s best friend. There was no plan to give him a book, because let’s face it, Ash is a jerk. He’s insensitive, foul-mouthed, and ill-tempered. He says and does whatever he wants because he really just doesn’t care what anyone thinks. He’s all but ready to push Dex in front of a moving bus. Ash could be a jerk because he wasn’t the MC. No one had to like him. Of course, that’s when Ash decides he’s a lot more complex than I’m giving him credit for.

While writing the THIRDS series, Ash grew into a character who needed to have his own book, because behind all that growling, hissing, fierceness was a complicated guy who has plenty of fears. Yes, he’s still a jerk. That’s as much a part of him as breathing. But he started showing a different side of him, and that side seemed to always show itself when Dex’s younger brother Cael was around. Cael is the opposite of Ash in every way. He’s part of Recon, a cheetah Therian, and pretty adorable. He’s sweet, nerdy, a techno geek, and share’s some of his adoptive big brother’s quirks. The first time I wrote those two together, I was stunned by Ash’s behavior. Gone was the arrogant jerk, and in his place was a caring, gentle guy. Ash treats Cael differently to everyone else. That much is obvious. Ash is also straight. Or so he states quite often.

Before I’d finished the first draft of Hell & High Water, I knew Ash would be getting his own book, though he would continue to grow throughout Dex and Sloane’s books, just as the rest of the team would. What’s going to happen with Ash and Cael, or as some fans have dubbed “Cash”? You’ll just have to read to find out.

Warning: book contains Cheesy Doodles, karaoke, annoyed lion Therians, broody jaguar Therians, romance, comedy, sexy-times, big bad alphas, drama, explosions, and that one weird guy’s shenanigans.

Genre: M/M Contemporary Paranormal Romance
Series: THIRDS Book Two
Length: 240 pages
Published: Aug 4th, 2014
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 13: 978-1-63216-178-9
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-63216-177-2

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.

Read Chapter One here.

 

Out now from Dreamspinner Press in eBook | Paperback

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Giveaway

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.

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