Hello everyone! Today I am so excited to welcome back Charlie Cochet to the blog. Charlie is here as part of the Rainbow Con blog tour. She is here to talk to us more about the conference and her writing, and to share an excerpt from The Impetuous Afflictions of Jonathan Wolfe. Charlie has also brought along a super awesome giveaway! So please join me in giving her a big welcome!
Hello all! It’s hard to believe we’re just days away from RainbowCon. I’m so excited! It will be great to see old friends and meet new ones. While I’m there, I’ll be taking part in a few events, including a Q&A and a panel on author marketing. I’ll also be taking part in a roundtable discussion on Historicals with a fab group of fellow authors and readers. We’ll chat about everything from research to characters and why we love writing Historical.
I started off writing mainly historical with the intention of branching out into other genres, which I’ve done. But I still love writing historical. I write mainly in the 1920s and 1930s, my two most favorite time periods. There’s a heck of a lot of research involved, but anyone who’s read my historicals know they’re primarily character driven. I can’t help it. My historicals tend to be light and fun with plenty of emotion. The history is there to provide a feeling, and atmosphere. To bring the reader into that world and sweep them away to another time.
I have two main historical series going on at the moment. The Fallen Rose series takes place in the 1920s during Prohibition. The first book is a free novella called Roses in the Devil’s Garden, centering around two Prohibition agents who happen to be partners and lovers. They fought together in WWI and now they’re fighting a different kind of war on the streets of New York City. The second book is a novel called A Rose by Any Other Name which is due out from Dreamspinner Press this September. It takes place in New York City during the late 1920s and the “pansy craze”– when the LGBT community wasn’t as hidden as people believed it was. There’s a fab video here showing some of the performers and shows of the time.
A Rose by Any Other Name centers around a secret Greek themed cabaret club for wealthy gay men and its main attraction: the Erotes– the god of love: Eros, the god of desire and unrequited Love: Himerus, and the god of yearning: Pothos. Three beautiful young men who are very much of their time. The romance in the story focuses mainly on Eros and the wealthy man who dares to capture his heart.
My other series is The Auspicious Troubles of Love which takes place in the 1930s. The first book The Auspicious Troubles of Chance follows Chauncey Irving through his youth on the streets of New York City in the early 1900s to the French Foreign Legion in the 1920s where he meets Commandant Jacky Valentine and the three “brats” under his wing, one of whom is Jonathan Wolfe. Johnnie is trouble and troubled, and he’s the focus of The Impetuous Afflictions of Jonathan Wolfe.
Excerpt from The Impetuous Afflictions of Jonathan Wolfe. Here Dr. Henry Young—the object of Johnnie’s affection is trying to once again get through to the young man, but Johnnie is being his usual evasive and stubborn self.
“You don’t think after all this time you can confide in me?”
“If there’s one mug I know I can, it’s you.”
“Then why don’t you?” His eyes searched mine, and I could see his insecurity, how desperately he wanted to understand me, to get through to me. Every time I pushed him away, he took it as a failure on his part, as if he was culpable for why I was so balled up to begin with. Knowing I was the cause of his feelings of failure made me hate myself all the more.
“Because it’s you.” I wish I could make him understand, but I didn’t know how. Communication wasn’t my strong suit. Unless it was cussing. I was a real champ at that.
“I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
I put my fingers under his chin and gave him as much of a smile as I could muster. “You’re a smart fella. You’ll figure it out.” He looked ready to keep asking questions, so I found myself once again playing the evasion game. I gave his cheek a kiss, catching him off guard so I could slip away.
“That was quite devious.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at his wretched expression. “It was.”
“You’re not even sorry, are you?”
“Not one little bit.”
Henry snatched up my clothes and hurled them at me. “Get out of my infirmary.”
“Are you upset?” I quickly started to dress. It was best I be prepared in case Henry decided to throw something a great deal heftier at me.
“Why would I be upset? Because the one and only time you’ve kissed me was to get away from me?”
“That’s not the only time I’ve kissed you. What about Christmas? I kissed you then, didn’t I? That was pretty swell.”
Something in Henry’s stance told me he didn’t think it was so swell. “Oh, you mean when the boys tripped us so we would end up under the mistletoe together? Is that the kiss you’re referring to?”
“Yeah. It was nice.”
“Nice. Yes, I suppose it was rather nice. You know who else used to give me nice kisses like that? My Nan.”
I gaped at him. From what I recalled, it had been a pretty steamy kiss. “What kinda grandma did you have?”
“Perhaps all the mulled wine you drank that night has somewhat altered your perception.” My blank expression must have said enough, because he let out a heavy sigh. “You kissed my brow.”
“No I didn’t. Did I?”
“You did. Just before passing out. On the billiard table, might I add.” His eyes narrowed and I instinctively took a step back.
“I did?”
“You did.”
“Hm.” I admitted in my head, things had gone a whole lot different. Judging by the uninspired expression he was giving me, he was speaking the truth. Nice one, Johnnie.
“Well, aren’t you glad our first kiss wasn’t a drunken one?”
“You have a point,” he conceded.
“And in comparison, you have to admit this one was nicer.”
“Stop saying nice!”
“What’s wrong with nice?”
“I don’t want you to kiss me nicely, Jonathan. I want you to bloody ravish me!”
“I….” Didn’t know what to say to that, but my discomfort was put aside when his whole face turned a sharp crimson and his eyes went wide. It was obvious we were no longer alone. Turning, I found Chance and Jacky at the door struggling to keep their composure.
Chance grinned wickedly. “You been borrowing Mrs. Whitmore’s romance novels again, haven’t you, Henry?”
“I, um, yes. I mean no.” He shook his head and cleared his throat. “Forgive me. I lost track of the time. Jacky, how are you today?”
Henry’s refusal to look me in the eye didn’t bode well. “So, should I uh….”
“Get out,” Henry replied through his teeth.
“Right. Sorry.” I put my hands up and spun on my heels, legging it before Henry gave me the mumps or something just on principle.
About the Author
Charlie Cochet is an M/M author by day, artist by night. She is quick to succumb to the whispers of her wayward muse, and no star is out of reach when following her passion. From hardboiled detectives and society gentleman, to angels and elves, 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 dreams of the day where the temperature might be something other than hot, hot, and boy, it’s hot! When Charlie 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.
Find Charlie at:
- Website: www.charliecochet.com
- Email: charlie@charliecochet.com
- Twitter: @charliecochet -or- http://twitter.com/charliecochet
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/charliecochet
- Goodreads:http://goodreads.com/CharlieCochet
Would you like to check out Charlie’s free stories? You cane find them here: http://www.charliecochet.com/free-reads/
Giveaway
The Prizes: 1 lucky winner will win an eBook copy of The Auspicious Troubles of Chance and an eBook copy of The Impetuous Afflictions of Jonathan Wolfe, plus a swag pack containing: a homemade English crest stretch bracelet, homemade teapot post-it holder with pad, notepad, magnets, bookmark, postcard, and mini-disc with Charlie’s free reads.
To Enter: Just leave a comment on this post between now and April 14th 11:59 pm. **Please note that since I’ll be at RainbowCon, your swag pack will be posted as soon as I return.
Contest is open to both US and International readers.
- By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
- Winners will be selected by random number. No purchase necessary to win. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
- If you win, you must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner may be chosen. Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from Joyfully Jay.
- Winners may be announced on the blog following the contest. By entering the contest you are agreeing to allow your name to be posted and promoted as the contest winner by Joyfully Jay.
- Prizes will be distributed following the giveaway either by Joyfully Jay or the person/organization donating the prize.
- By entering you are agreeing to hold Joyfully Jay harmless if the prize or giveaway in some way negatively impacts the winner.
- Readers may only enter once for each contest. Duplicate entries for the same giveaway will be ignored. In the event of technical problems with the blog during the contest, every effort will be made to extend the contest deadline to allow for additional entries.
- Void where prohibited by law.
Writing historicals does take a ton of research–but when you love a time period, it really is a labor of love. What draws you to the 20s and 30s? 🙂
Hi Sarah! I’ve always loved classic Hollywood movies. Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, James Cagney, Fred & Ginger. Everything about those movies called to me. The humor, the glamour, the romance, the larger than life feel to them. I wanted to write stories reminiscent of those old Hollywood films. They went a long way to inspire me.
Everything about those periods just fascinates me. The changes going on in America alone during the 20s and 30s is astounding. Prohibition–the Great Experiment and the way it changed society in the 1920s followed by the country’s attempt to restore order in the 30s. Absolutely love it!
Hi Charlie!
I also started writing historical romance but in the Regency period. Talk about research! The I fell in love with M/M and hardly looked back since! Your book looks grat and I’m looking forward to reading it! Tweeted
Hi Felicia! I love reading Regency romances. The research is phenomenal, but so fascinating at the same time. Thank you so much for dropping by and all the best on your story!
Thanks for the giveaway and the opportunity it provides. the book look liek they will be fun to read.
Thank you so much! And thank you for stopping by! 😀
I was excited to read you have a sequel to Roses in the Devil’s Garden coming out! Thanks for the great giveaway. Hope you have a blast at RainbowCon.
Hi Jen! Yep, this September we get Julius’s book! I’m really excited about it. Thank you so much! I’m sure there will be lots of posts and pics from RainbowCon! 😀
I just recently read Lessons in Love and adored it! It feels like just fell into the past. Your writing is simply magnificent!
Hi Ashley! Lessons in Love was written by the fabulous Charlie Cochrane. Our names are so similar, I know. And we both write historical! lol. But I agree with you! I LOVED Lessons in Love. What an amazing series. I’ve got the whole set, I just need to get around to finishing it! 😀
Thanks for the giveaway. I must admit I have not read many historicals, but the excerpt has peaked my curiosity. Thanks so much for the opportunity. I hope you have a great time at RainbowCon. 🙂
Hi Fay! Thank you so much! Roses in the Devil’s Garden is a free novella if you wanted to give it a go. I also have some short stories that are historical and available for free as well! You can find them here: http://www.charliecochet.com/free-reads/
Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by! 😀
I loved The Auspicious Troubles of Chance and can’t wait to read Johnnie & Henry’s story!!! Thank you so much for the giveaway!
Hi Jill! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed Chance’s story! Thank you so much for stopping by to check out the post! 😀
Unique time frame. I bet it was amazing to research. Visit any great places?
Thank you so much! The 20s and 30s is fascinating to research. I lived a few years in London so for those scenes it was easy to draw on memory with the additional research of what had changed since then. Like me, Johnnie experiences London from an American’s point of view. In the next book, I hope to have more of it take place in London. Thank you so much for stopping by Debra!
Sounds like a great book, would love to get a chance to read it. M8231m05@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Maggie! Thank you for stopping by! 😀
Please count me in. Thanks.
Absolutely! Thank you so much for dropping by, Karl! 😀
Both books sound fantastic. I would love a chance to win them please.
Hi H.B.! Thank you! And thank you so much for taking the time to stop by! 😀
count me in please
Sure thing, Lee! Thank you so much for stopping by! 😀
Count me 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
my e-mail: celeste_257@hotmail.com
My pleasure, Celeste! Thank you so much for stopping by! 😀
Great excerpt & giveaway!
Thank you so much, Rodney! And thank you for dropping by and joining in! 😀