Welcome Charlie Cochet today

Welcome to Dawn’s Reading Nook, Charlie. Please let my cabana boys get you a drink and make yourself at home. Comfortable? Great…now let’s get down to business.

So tell us about yourself. What got you interested in writing? Who are your publisher(s)?

Thanks for having me! Well, I like to think of myself as one of those pick ‘n’ mix candy bags, a little bit of everything! I was born in Cuba, grew up in Jersey, spent my teenage years in Miami, my young adult life into my thirties in England, and now I’m back in Miami—for now! Who knows where I’ll end up next. I’ve been writing since I can remember. When I was a little kid, I used to make up my own characters, draw them out, and come up with all kinds of back stories for them. As I grew older, I kept up the drawing and writing. It’s something that’s always been a part of my life. At the moment I’m published with Torquere Press and have a summer release with Dreamspinner Press.  

How did you start your writing career?

I spent some time as a freelance artist, but it was the writing that kept calling to me. Every year, that little voice in my head got stronger, and soon, I had to write. I spent A LOT of time thinking about it and trying to work out what I wanted for myself and my writing. When I finally did, I went for it, and here I am!

Tell us about your favorite character from your books.

Ooh, that’s a tough one. From my three current stories, if I had to choose, I’d say Bruce Shannon. Shhh, don’t tell the other fellas! He’s wonderfully complex, but you would never know by looking at him. Tough, rugged, spends a good deal of time in his own head, grumpy, sarcastic,  and despite his views on humanity, always strives to do the right thing, even if the line between good and bad are a little blurred in his world.

Where do you dream of traveling to and why?

I love places that are rich with history, where you can still find evidence of times long gone. I also love places of tranquility. I’m big on that. I think because we can get so little of it these days.  I also love the snow. Okay, so that’s like, three things. There isn’t one specific place I’ve always dreamed of going, but I think I’d like to stay in a log cabin in some snowy mountains somewhere. Where you can walk out your door with a cup of coffee and just stare off into an endless sea of white. Preferably with a handsome mountain man to make me hot chocolate and keep me from getting eaten by wolves.

Tell us about your current release. What inspired it?

Well, as a romance writer, I couldn’t pass up the chance to write a Valentine’s Day story, but the hero of this story—Bruce, isn’t all that big on the love dovey stuff. When I decided I wanted to write a story about this holiday, Bruce immediately popped into my head, and he already had his own—very opinionated—voice. He told me exactly what he thought about Valentine’s Day. Most of which I can’t repeat here. Let’s just say Bruce isn’t big on grand gestures of undying love.  I wanted to write a story about a rough PI who needed to be shown that maybe, just maybe, love ain’t so bad after all. We’ll see how he gets on with that.

Has someone helped or mentored you in your writing career?

When it comes to my work, I’m quite shy about it. So when I hear from folks that they enjoy my writing, I’m over the moon and start grinning like a loon. I’m still not used to the fact that my work is out there and being read! My best friend has had a huge influence on me, not only as a person, but in my writing career. As a writer, especially a newly published one, a million things go through your head. There are good days and bad days. He’s always been there to offer me just the boost I need, no matter. When I’ve been uncertain, he jumps in with just the right words, but he’s always honest with me. Having that kind of support means a great deal to me.    

Who are some of your favorite authors/books?

It’s probably no surprise, but Raymond Chandler is one of my favorite authors. To me, Philip Marlowe is the quintessential detective, the inspiration for so many of the detectives that followed. Dashiell Hammett is also another favorite. In the M/M genre, there are just too many to name here, but my top two have to be Josh Lanyon and Tamara Allen.  

What was your first sale as an author?

My first sale was When Love Walked In. 

When in the day/night do you write? How long per day?

I write every day, usually in the morning when all is still nice and quiet. Though sometimes the muse decides to take the morning off and shows up the moment my head hits the pillow that night. So I get up and jot everything down, check it’s safe to resume my slumber, and do it all over again the next day! I love writing, and I’m quite serious about turning this into a career, so like any other job, I spend eight hours or more a day on writing, promoting, social networking, and such.

If you could visit any time and place, where and when would it be and why?

Choosing between the 20s and 30s is tough. There was so much going on in those times, good things and bad. I’d love to experience being a scandalous flapper during the 20s in New York! Go to speakeasies and dance the Charleston in a shocking, swishy dress that exposed my calves! *gasp* I think what I’d love most, would be to go to the movies in the 1930s at a theater like the Paramount, or Radio City Music Hall. Get dressed to the nines, hop in a Ford Model A, and paint the town red. I’d go to the Cotton Club, the Savoy, oh, and Coney Island! 

If you could be any shape shifter, what form would you take and why?

As appealing as being some kind of big wildcat would be, I think I’d go with an eagle or a hawk (whichever’s least likely to get eaten), because the idea of being able to just take off and fly anywhere in the world, with nothing but the wind in your face (or uh, beak), and blue skies ahead, is the stuff of dreams, isn’t it? I think the feeling of serenity would be something else.

What else would you like readers to know about you or your work?

I guess that they shouldn’t be daunted by the word ‘historical’. I know some readers are when it comes to this genre. Heck, sometimes when I read certain historical, I am, too! I like to be accurate with my facts, but the history is not the only star of the show, the characters are, and I hope that when readers pick up my stories, they not only find themselves immersed in that world, but drawn in by the characters and what’s happening to them. You’ll find plenty of adventure, romance, and drama. So just have fun!

Who's more fun to write: bad boys or perfect gentlemen and why?

I love writing both, especially when it’s a combination of the two. I have loads of fun writing bad boys who have a soft side, and gentlemen who have a naughty side. In my upcoming release, The Amethyst Cat Caper, Remi is the perfect English gentleman, but oh, he does have quite the wicked side, especially when it comes to Pinkerton’s Detective, Stanley Hawk. He can be sweet and shy one moment, and be ripping Hawk’s clothes off the next. A rather unpredictable chap. Bruce is very much a bad boy, and although he has a soft side, if you blink, you’ll miss it. If you ask him, he’ll deny everything. Jace is more of a gentleman, but he’s got his own little naughty streak in him, usually brought about by Bruce.

If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be and what would you do together?

Wow, that’s a tough one. I know I should pick a character that’s a result of some literary genius, but I’m going to be a total geek here and say Indiana Jones. (Raiders Indy, as he’d be in his late thirties and more my age bracket than Crystal Skull Indy) Lol. Who wouldn’t want to go on all kinds of crazy adventures with a rugged, whip-yielding archeologist? Who, I ask?  

Out of all your books, do you have a favorite one? If not, then which one is closest to your heart?

That’s a tough one and I have to say that there will always be three closest to my heart. The Amethyst Cat Caper because it was my first story accepted by a publisher. When Love Walked In because it was my first release, and The Auspicious Troubles of Chance, because I’d actually started it years ago, and it’s the story that pushed me to make a career out of my writing.

What character out of all your books is the closest to your personality?

I think all my characters have bits of my personality in them--whether it’s good or not so good traits-- even if I don’t realize it myself sometimes. So far, I think the closest to my own personality is Remi—aside the being English part. Oh, and the being wealthy part. (I certainly wouldn’t say no to either!) When Remi first meets someone, he’s quite shy and reserved, but the moment he puts his trust in someone, his confidence allows him to let the crazy out. He likes to tease, have fun, and has a curious streak, which may or may not get him into trouble (I plead the 5^th!). He can also be a bit overdramatic, and has one heck of a temper. That’s kind of like me, too. We can both be drama queens.     

Anything else you would like to add?

Thanks so much for having me! It’s been a real treat, and thanks to everyone for stopping by!

If you want to catch up with me or what I’m working on, you can find me here:

My blog: http://charliecochet.blogspot.com

Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/charliecochet

Facebook: http://facebook.com/charliecochet

Twitter: @charliecochet

Blurb:

Bruce Shannon is a Private Investigator dealing with case after case of missing persons and infidelity. None of which inspire warm, fuzzy feelings during the week of Valentine’s Day. Then again, Bruce isn’t exactly a fuzzy feelings kind of guy, which suits him just fine. He doesn’t need anyone anyhow, only his cat, Mittens. That is, until the handsome Jace Scarret wanders off the streets and into Bruce’s life. Will Jace end up showing Bruce that maybe Valentine’s Day isn’t so lousy after all?

Genre: Historical M/M Romance

Buy Links:

Torquere Press: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_113&products_id=3505

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/When-Love-Walked-In-ebook/dp/B00746WEBQ/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

Excerpt:

The young man's expression soon gave way to wariness as he looked Bruce over. There was a sudden alertness in those slim shoulders and Bruce figured the kid had seen some trouble. Enough to know Bruce looked like the kind of guy to be mixed up in it.

"Relax. I don't know you and no one's payin' me to," Bruce assured him, though for the life of him he didn't know why. He should be escorting the guy out, not making conversation. "What's your name?"

"Jace. Jace Scarret," the young man replied quietly. When he realized he was still holding onto Bruce, he quickly released him. "Sorry."

Damn, that was one smooth voice. No. Nope, he was not about to go down that path.

Mittens jumped onto Jace's lap, purring and rubbing her head against the young man, making Jace smile. And what a smile it was. Despite the beard and shabby state of him, that smile was something else and it certainly seemed to suit him.

Bruce shook his head at his wayward thoughts and his wayward feline. "Mittens, you shameless hussy. Stop twitching your tail for other men."

Jace chuckled and gave Mittens the attention she demanded. "She's real friendly, isn't she?"

"Tell that to all the mugs who ended up pin cushions." Frankly, he was surprised to see Mittens taking a liking to anyone other than him and Joe. Not even Gladys had had the honor. Content with the affection she'd been lavished, Mittens sprang off Jace's lap and cantered over to the apartment door to scratch at it. "Her highness is eager to get indoors."

"I don't blame her," Jace replied with a wistful smile.

Aw hell, how could anyone expect Bruce to kick this poor schmo out on his ear? Better yet, when the hell had he become such a sap?