Family Bonds

by Charlie Cochet

Hello all! Thank you so much for joining me as I celebrate the release of the fifth book in the THIRDS series, Against the Grain. In this new installment of the THIRDS, we’re continuing where Rise & Fall left off, except this time we’re experiencing events through Ash and Cael’s points of view.

Over the last four books, so much has happened between our foul-mouthed lion Therian agent and the adorable cheetah Therian who captured his heart. Of course with Ash nothing is ever simple or straightforward. At the end of Rise & Fall, Tony shows up at Dekatria with Old Betsy (a beat up Louisville Slugger that’s chased away many an unsuitable suitor), and he intends to get some answers from Sloane and Ash regarding their relationship with his boys.

Now a dad’s work is never done, no matter how old your boys get, or the fact that they’re highly trained government agents. When your dad also happens to be your sergeant, and you’ve been dating one of his trusted agents under his nose, things can get a little intense. Tony fears no man or Therian. He will protect his boys to his very last breath. To understand Tony’s actions, we have to take a look at his past.

Tony’s been through a lot in his life. After his father was killed by police officers, he decided to become one so that he could make a difference from the inside out. Pained by the loss of her husband, Tony’s mom and a good deal of his family turned their backs on him for his decision, unable to understand how he could join the organization that took their loved one. The only one who remained by his side and supported him was his sister Danelle. Tension between him and his family only increased after Tony adopted a Therian child.

The Daley’s were like family to Tony, and John Daley was his best friend and detective partner. After their deaths, Tony adopted their little boy. Not long after, he found a six month old tiny cheetah Therian in a dumpster after a building was burned, leaving no other survivors. Tony adopted Cael, losing his job for it, and getting his name dragged through the mud for being the first Human to adopt a Therian child. He was soon recruited to the THIRDS, but being a THIRDS agent and raising two rambunctious boys was no easy task, even with his sister’s help.

Dex was always getting into some kind of mischief and required constant supervision. Cael was tiny and scared, always following big brother’s lead. As a Therian, Cael was the most vulnerable. As the baby of the family, Dex and Tony have always been very protective, doing their best to shield him from the ugliness of the world and those who would hurt him simply for being a Therian. That overprotectiveness never left even after Cael grew up, and with Cael having suffered from certain events during college, it’s no wonder Tony is wary of any guy looking to be with Cael. Tony might trust Ash, but he fears the two may not be as prepared to be together as they thought.

Throughout the THIRDS book, family is important, but family isn’t always the one you’re born into. Tony, Dex, and Cael have a very strong bond. There’s nothing they wouldn’t do for each other. Abandoned by their biological families, Sloane and Ash turned to each other to help them survive the research facility, their bond one that can never be broken. Destructive Delta is more than just a team. Over the years they’ve formed bonds of friendship, and some partnerships became more. In Against the Grain, we get to see all these bonds tested and strengthened. Although some of them may stumble, there’s always someone there to catch them.

About Against the Grain

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.

Available at:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About Charlie Cochet

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 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.

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As part of this blog tour, Charlie is giving away Against the Grain Swag Pack and $10 Amazon Gift Card!! To enter, just click the link below!

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Please be aware that the only way to enter the giveaway is to click the Rafflecopter link above. Any comments on this post will not count towards entering the giveaway unless otherwise stated but are still welcome anyway.

Don’t forget to check out Susan65’s review of Against the Grain to see what she thought of it!

Good luck!