Book 2 in Charlie Cochet's Fallen Rose series really surprised me. Let me stop right here to suggest you go download Book 1 (64 pages), it~ ~ ~
Review:
Book 2 in Charlie Cochet's Fallen Rose series really surprised me. Let me stop right here to suggest you go download Book 1 (64 pages), it's available for free download , so that you'll get the full experience.
So, yeah, this one surprised me. I was reading along, knowing that this was going to be a solid 3 star read when, bam! Right turn, right into 4 stars. This story became bigger, more involved and so much more intertwined in Charlie Cochet's interconnect universe. Oh, how I love when an author does that. If you're a fan of Charlie's or a newbie to her writing I think you'll be in for a surprise too, to find out all the tricks she's got up her sleeves.
THE CHARACTERS
He couldn't afford to be sidetracked, especially by some foolhardy dope.
Julius Knight (Eros) - Golden, gorgeous and living in a gilded cage. Oh, and did I mention he's a prostitute?
More than half a dozen pretty young men lavished their attentions on him, giving him more champagne, clawing at him, caressing him, kissing him. Edward jumped when a hand traveled up his inner thigh. Edward looked up to find Maxfield smiling at him. "Happy Birthday, Edward, and welcome home."
Edward Joseph Clarence Junior - Tall, dark and handsome. Awkward, introverted, and still suffering from the effects of war. Oh, and did I mention he's rich?
Side Characters of Note -
Maxfield - Love him! Albert - Aww. Lawry - Awesome! Terry - Perfect. Ares - Vile. Nathan and Harley - These dicks are the best!!!
THE STORY
A little rags to riches. A little good guy, bad guy. A little action and steamy sex. And a lot of romance and charm.
"Edward, this would probably be a good time for me to inform you of how dangerous it is for you to come between me and cake."
Hesitant Edward is dragged into the debauched Pantheon on his birthday for an evening of fun and frivolity, but is completed swept away by the beauty that is Eros. Their involvement is fraught with dangers and troubles that are both seen and unseen.
Without saying much I'll tell you that this is, at least, two romances in one. And for avid Charlie Cochet readers there are treats sprinkled throughout this book that will be a delight to discover.
THE WRITING
Cochet is the queen of Historical Fanciful Fiction. She charms me away from reality and glides me into her creative worlds where I'm immersed in another era.
This may be a little too good to be true, it swoops and it soars, but it was fun, romantic and it even held a few surprises in a book that I thought wouldn't surprise me at all. I enjoyed the second half more as it introduced a good bit of action and brought in well liked characters from outside of this story, creating a wider, universal feel.
The doors are open to future romances to develop in the series, and I already have my eyes on the couple I want to follow next.
Recommended for historical gay romance lovers.
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I would like to thank Charlie Cochet for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
Dex is more Dex. Ash is more Ash. Sloane is just fucked up. Oh, and Cash!
Charlie Cochet is a trickster! She's lured me into this world with gift~ ~ ~
Dex is more Dex. Ash is more Ash. Sloane is just fucked up. Oh, and Cash!
Charlie Cochet is a trickster! She's lured me into this world with gifts of humor and charming characters, and then she's waylaid me with unexpected anguish. In other words, I love it!
THE CHARACTERS
Sloane could see Dex going into "detective mode" every time he opened a file. It made him once again question whether Dex would be happier in Recon.
Sloane Brodie - As Team Leader, Sloane has to keep everyone safe, but ghosts from his past test his strength and resolve. Sloane broken is crushing.
Wherever his team went, Dex seemed to pick up a fan following. Something about the guy fascinated Humans and Therians alike. Sloane was still trying to work out what it was. Especially since the guy was...well, kinda weird. Then again, crazy had a way of attracting crazy.
Dexter J. Daley (Dex) - No one can push Sloane's buttons like Dex. Even when he's done something right, he's causing friction. Dex in action is thrilling though.
For all the THIRDS' rules on fraternizing, the place was incestuous.
Special Mention - Cael & Ash, Calvin & Hobbs. Or - Cash and Cobbs - respectively.
THE STORY
As the chase for bad-guy Issac continues, Dex makes a hero maneuver against orders that really pisses Sloane off. But why? It was the right thing to do. Sloane decides to be hard headed, Dex decides to keep his head down, and the rest of the world explodes around them.
"Karaoke night!"
The bro-hijinks in this story help to level out the heavier, harder hitting dark parts. I don't think Charlie Cochet can really ever write the "dark" stuff (she's just too kind), but she definitely paints an edgy, seedy picture showing how bad the ugly parts of society can be.
I'm impressed with the balance and contrast achieved here. If you look you'll see that Cochet has created a world parallel to ours in which bigots are Therian (shifter) haters and it brings into high-def just how ugly that sort of hatred really is.
THE WRITING
I knew going into this series that it was supposed to have humor, but I wasn't really sure that Charlie Cochet could pull it off to the level that was hyped. My apologies to Charlie; she has certainly surprised me. Why did I have any doubts? I've always found a certain delight in reading her works. She always brings wonder, excitement and brightness. But this time, she has slammed me with her humorous wit.
In my (rushed) review of book 1, here, I mentioned the monumental world building that was done to give this series a huge presence. In book 2 I think that detail was given over to the development of the characters, Sloane in particular. Yippee for me, 'cus I'm a Sloane girl. The focus has not really been on the shifting, but rather on personalities and struggles and intriguing characteristics.
I think you'll find you'll be hooked by the humor, but will want to stay for the characters' charms. I know I will.
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I would like to thank Charlie Cochet and Dreamspinner Press for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
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Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog: ...more
I hope the beautiful and lovely Charlie Cochet will forgive me for skimping on my review of Hell & Highwater, because it absolutely deserves a fu~ ~ ~
I hope the beautiful and lovely Charlie Cochet will forgive me for skimping on my review of Hell & Highwater, because it absolutely deserves a full review. But life, you know?
So, for Charlie:
[image] You did GOOD!
For everyone else:
[image] I LIKE it a lot!
Hurrrrry quick, run right off and get your hands on this new series. The guys are delicious, the action is intense, and the humor is a great addition to a shifter story. I predict Dex will be an instant classic!
Best of all is the world that Charlie has created for you. You will become completely engrossed in it. Check out the dedicated website, with amazing bonus content, here:
And, Charlie? Don't blame me if you get a lot of this from here on out...
Oh how I love this series. If the first book in the North Pole City Tales, Mending Noel, was ca~ ~ ~
”Jack, please, I’m very fond of your baubles.�
Oh how I love this series. If the first book in the North Pole City Tales, Mending Noel, was candy canes and tinsel, this book was crème and velvet.
Go ahead, read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to the kids, then pick this up and treat yourself to romance - North Pole City style. For MM lovers this series is a Must Read holiday tradition.
THE CHARACTERS
Jack Frost - Jack needs Rudy to keep him warm, but when someone threatens Rudy’s life how can Jack keep from freezing up?
Rudy was only a Christmas elf, while Jack was the Spirit of Winter.
Rudy Rein Dear - Rudy knows how special Jack is, but is Rudy special enough to keep Jack safe? And everyone else safe from Jack.
Luckily for lovers of Mending Noel, Tim and Noel are here too and they are in perfect form.
Ooooh, ooooh, oooh and just wait until you meet Vixen!
THE STORY
How had a humble elf from the snowy plains of Gingerbread Grove ended up with the powerful Prince of Frost?
Jack has been working himself to the bone to finally bring the Mouse King to justice. Which should be more than enough to make his father, the Frost King, proud. Instead, the king seems intent on tearing their relationship apart.
Rudy’s life is threatened by the Mouse King and after Rudy is injured Jack’s cool temper is tested. Rudy will stop at nothing to find a way to keep Jack from having a meltdown.
Most of this book is set in present day North Pole City (lol), but we get to glimpse Jack and Rudy’s early relationship. We also get to see a sumptuous bath scene and lots of magic and action. Plus a gorgeous waltz at the Silver Bells Christmas Ball that will have you swooning.
THE WRITING
Charlie Cochet puts us smack dab in the middle of North Pole City. Her imagery creates a fantasyland of sumptuous delights filled with rich palaces and sparkling ballrooms. Then she surrounds all of this wonder in a love so full and deep that you can’t help but believe.
If you’ve read Mending Noel you will see a distinct difference here. As I said earlier this is richer and not quite as sweet, but have no fear you will be swept away on fluffy snow drifts to a land of enchantment.
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I would like to thank Dreamspinner Press and Charlie Cochet for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Lisa Arbitrary - AttentionIsArbitrary M/M Blog
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