I first discovered Charlie Cochrane's writing with her story Aftermath in the historical m/m anthology SPEAK ITS NAME. I was immediately taken with the combination of understated charm and intense emotion she brings to her characterizations. Then, for a little while I kept hearing that Charlie had other books out but I couldn't find them in ebook editions. So I was delighted to discover recently that she has a whole series of novels out from Samhain, the Cambridge Fellows Mystery series, which feature the adventures of Orlando Coppersmith and Jonty Stewart, Cambridge scholars, amateur sleuths, and soulmates. They're delightful. Before I even finished the first one, I'd ordered the second.
So it gives me particular pleasure to introduce to you Charlie Cochrane, who is joining us today to talk about her latest release, book four of the Cambridge Fellows Mysteries, LESSONS IN POWER:
Cambridge, 1907
After settling in their new home, Cambridge dons Orlando Coppersmith and Jonty Stewart are looking forward to nothing more exciting than teaching their students and playing rugby. Their plans change when a friend asks their help to clear an old flame who stands accused of murder.
Doing the right thing means Jonty and Orlando must leave the sheltering walls of St. Bride’s to enter a labyrinth of suspects and suspicions, lies and anguish. Their investigation raises ghosts from Jonty’s past when the murder victim turns out to be one of the men who sexually abused him at school. The trauma forces Jonty to withdraw behind a wall of painful memories. And Orlando fears he may forever lose the intimacy of his best friend and lover.
When another one of Jonty’s abusers is found dead, police suspicion falls on the Cambridge fellows themselves. Finding this murderer becomes a race to solve the crime…before it destroys Jonty’s fragile state of mind.
Be sure to click the link at the bottom of the post to read an excerpt from LESSONS IN POWER.
And now, the interview:
What gave you the idea for this story?
It seemed like the natural next part of Jonty and Orlando’s relationship, for them to deal with the awful things which happened to Jonty at school. The abuse he suffered – and the hatred he feels for his abusers – has hovered over his life like a black cloud and he and Orlando are never going to be able to really be happy together until Jonty can find some sort of ‘closure’.
I also wanted to use characters from other books who had proved popular, like Matthew Ainslie and Jonty’s amazing parents (who are always a great source of comic relief). Oh, and I was determined to get the lads playing rugby against each other, too.
Why do you write?
It started because I’d run out of suitable fanfic to read in my fandom and I thought “I’ll try my hand at it.” Then it became a really enjoyable hobby (and one I started to get paid a bit for, once I went pro). Now I carry on because I enjoy it so much – I don’t feel I have to write every day (I tend not to if we’re on holiday) but I’m always picking up ideas to use when we get home.
Who has inspired you, and how?
Loads of authors – Austen, Sayers, O’Brian, Jerome K Jerome to name but a few – who’ve taught me that serious writing doesn’t have to be boring and that humour works well in romance, mysteries and adventure stories. I’m grateful to Lee Rowan for nudging me and nudging me into trying to get published. And I have many sporting heroes, particularly paralympians, who remind me never to give up and aim for the stars.
What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
Ooh, that’s difficult. A whole tin of condensed milk and a spoon would be pretty good but I’ve not done that for a while. Watching lots of rugby on the TV, especially when it’s a Heineken Cup weekend and I can rack up seven or eight matches (part or whole) over four days is a wonderful indulgence. Why do I do it? The games are exciting and the men are scorchingly hot. Simples. *g*
If there were one misconception about m/m that you could clear up forever, what would it be?
That it has to be sexually explicit. There’s plenty of well written, non-explicit romantic books around (not just mine, Tamara Allen’s ‘Whistling in the Dark’ is a brilliant example). Some of them even have covers which you wouldn’t mind your maiden aunt seeing.
Who is your favorite character, and why?
Among my characters, I love Jonty Stewart from the Cambridge Fellows books because he’s worked his way through troubles with an unquenchable spirit and a cheerful smile on his face. He’s also got an impish sense of humour and is drop dead gorgeous.
Among other people’s characters I love Tom Pullings and William Reade from the Patrick O’Brian books and Sutton and Jack from Tamara Allen’s ‘Whistling in the Dark’. All of them heroic, dashing males, who’ve fought for their country and suffered physical and/or emotional wounds.
Do you now write, or have you ever written, fanfic? If so, what fandoms, pairings, etc?
I have. I started off writing Age of Sail fanfic (Hornblower, Master and Commander) which is where I met lee Rowan, before she was published. If it hadn’t been for that I would never have tried my hand at pro-writing.
I’ve also dabbled in Torchwood fic and still produce the occasional piece, which helps keep the creative juices flowing. I’ve always specialized in AU or crossover stories for my fandoms – I think I might be the only person to have written Jeeves & Wooster/Torchwood crossover. (Very Good, Ianto: 1/2, 2/2 Charlie let me link provided I explain her other stuff is not as loopy. That's okay. We don't mind a little loopy around here, do we?)
Please click the link below for an excerpt from LESSONS IN POWER.
“Jonty?” Orlando didn’t usually knock, making do with barging into his friend’s room unannounced, hoping to catch him unawares. On this occasion he not only tapped at the door, but tentatively poked his head around it.
“Hello, sweetheart. Come in and stop making a draught.”
Orlando shut the door carefully behind him then wandered across to the huge brass bed, where Jonty lay looking like a schoolboy in his striped pyjamas and with his hair all fluffed up from being washed. It was a sight which filled him with thoughts even more tender than those he’d entered the room with. Orlando ruffled his locks. “Feeling better?”
“Much, thank you. Have you been chin-wagging with Mama?”
Orlando nodded. “A pleasant way to pass the time.” He sought refuge in bland words, hoping his friend wouldn’t come up with any probing questions just yet.
“And would it be pleasant to pass some time in my bed?” Jonty reached out his hand to finger Orlando’s tie. “I have a hankering to lie with my lover which won’t be easily gainsaid.”
“I think I would like that above all things.” Orlando started undressing, as brazen as he’d been the afternoon when he’d got drunk and insisted on using Jonty’s bath. That now seemed long ago, an age of great innocence when they knew very little about each other. They knew much more now—hardly anything was kept secret and that only because it didn’t really matter in the greater scheme of their lives.
The innocence had now long gone—Orlando couldn’t believe what he’d been just a year or so ago. Twenty-seven and a virgin. Twenty-seven and never been kissed. Twenty-seven and likely to remain untouched until he died a dried-up death in a chair in St. Bride’s Senior Common Room. Then Jonty Stewart came on the scene and all that had changed. Thank heaven he had.
Orlando wandered through the bathroom which connected their two bedrooms, found his pyjamas, slipped them on, then returned to find Jonty snuggled down, book and reading glasses discarded. Orlando slid between the soft linen sheets, drawing Jonty to him. “I’d hoped it was all over, you know.”
“Hmm?”
“This business with the thunder. I always hoped that somehow I could overcome it with my affection for you. ‘Perfect love casteth out fear’ and all that.”
“Well it should do, Orlando, but somehow it’s not as easy as it seems. We do have perfect love for each other and I’d regard myself as blessed above all men ‘were it not that I have bad dreams.’” Jonty shuddered, as if he were shaking off memories as easily as he could shake off his jacket.
“Do you? Nightmares?”
“No, clown.” Jonty pinched his lover’s backside. “I was quoting your pal Hamlet. It isn’t the land of nod, wherever I go when the storms come. I don’t feel distressed or see visions, I just visit somewhere else. Very odd.”
“I think you go there to protect yourself, in case you remember anything.” Orlando smoothed his lover’s hair, admiring the golden tones, the hints of auburn the firelight threw up.
“You could well be right. I don’t want to remember the gruesome details, thank you.” Jonty snuggled onto his lover’s chest. “Want to make new memories with you. I think we should somehow wangle it one night, you know, make love while a storm is at its height. That might just get rid of all the trouble. If I could keep here for long enough to take an active part.”
Orlando held him tighter, kissed his brow. “I suppose I could pinch you or something. Shame there’s not been a storm since we got the house—being there would make it easier.”
“There’ll be plenty in the spring. We just need to plan things. You’ll like that, working out your military strategy.” Jonty giggled and launched an assault on his lover’s collarbone.
“Seems you’ve got a strategy worked out.” Orlando responded by caressing Stewart’s back, little, tender movements which always brought contentment to them both.
“Sort of. It’s been a long time since we shared the last favours, my love. I’ve been skittish for too long.”
The business with Jardine had become an ever-present menace, as if those who’d committed such outrages on Jonty had somehow found access to his bedroom and were standing gloating, spoiling even the most innocent of pleasures.
Orlando had been frustrated yet endeavoured to understand—he had to be patient, the worst thing to do would be rushing or forcing things. None of this logical reasoning had helped. Now the lowering clouds of unease seemed to have lifted and the sunshine of affection warmed him beyond measure. “If you’re sure, I’m ready.”
“You always are, Dr. Coppersmith. Since you discovered the delights of the flesh you’ve become quite a hedonist. Just imagine if I’d taken up that post in Ireland, you’d never have known any of this.”
Orlando swallowed hard, hating to be reminded of how close he’d been to not having Jonty by him. “Don’t remind me of that. Small turning points, that’s what life consists of. One little decision and the whole world changes.”
“It does. As it did for us.” Jonty reached up to kiss him. “Come on, I want you to lie with me. Been far too long.”
Orlando didn’t reply. Lips and hands could talk for him, kisses saying yes as loudly as tender touches did. Jonty’s skin was warmer than expected beneath his boyish pyjamas, and wafts of something lovely, which might have been lavender soap, assailed Orlando’s senses as he undid any buttons which had survived his first assault. To feel Jonty’s chest against his own, downy skin on smooth, was a necessary part of their lovemaking for him, a sign that they were indeed one, and not meant to be split asunder.
He still wasn’t sure how far Jonty wanted to pursue this. There was hesitancy in his touch, some slight tentativeness which didn’t usually grace their bed. He gently caressed the small of his lover’s back and was pleased to find that, at least for the moment, his hands were allowed to carry on.
Jonty twisted in his lover’s arms, using his powerful muscles to turn Orlando, give himself the dominance. He stretched over his lover, a protective canopy against the cold, the world, anything which might disturb them this night. Orlando burrowed into the security, enjoying the unusual sensation of being looked after. He preferred to be the protective one, guarding his most treasured possession, but Ariadne Peters’s words had stuck with him. He knew he shouldn’t always be the protector.
Tender kisses on the side of his neck made him tingle, firm strokes on his lower back made the sensation spread. However far Jonty wanted to go, he was ready, more than ready. He inched his fingers from the smooth skin of Jonty’s lower back down towards their target, a movement which normally brought delighted acquiescence, manoeuvering of body and legs to allow access. Not this time.
“What’s wrong?” Orlando spoke into his lover’s hair. Jonty had tensed—he was trying to hide it, but Orlando knew.
“I can’t. I’m sorry.” Jonty pulled away, rolling onto his back and staring at the ceiling.
“Is it this wretched thunder?” Orlando laid a tentative hand on his lover’s arm. A protective, comforting gesture, with no hint of desire.
“No. Yes. It’s everything.” Jonty crossed his arms over his face, shaking off Orlando’s hand in the process. “I’m back there, in my mind. A boy of thirteen in a cold room praying for a fire alarm to sound, or anything that would make it stop.”
“Dear God.” Orlando knew this had happened before, but never with him—all he could do was wait for Jonty to come out of the slough of despond.
“Put off the light and go to sleep, sweetheart. I don’t think I’ll be able to get off for a while.”
“Should I stay here? I’ll do whatever you think best.”
“Please, if you could bear it. I’ll be fine, soon. Just tonight…I couldn’t do it tonight.” Jonty turned, pulling the covers over his head.
“Of course.” Orlando didn’t attempt to touch his friend. For the moment they were beyond words or contact. There was a chance, more than a chance, that it would be a long time before doing it became a viable option again.
Jessica
Wishing Steve (and you) all the best. Kidney stones are no joke.
Thanks for letting me be here - I've had such fun. (And I do like some chocolate - very dark and very expensive so it's an occasional treat, but I can live without it.)
Hugs
Charlie
Posted by: Charlie Cochrane | December 05, 2009 at 07:23 AM
I'm thrilled to see such a lively turnout for Charlie's AS. Please excuse my belated welcome, everyone. Was awoken at 5 am this morning by my husband, Steve, who needed to be taken to the emergency room. He has kidney stones, the poor man. He's feeling much better now, thank goodness, and we're both home again, but it was a long day in the ER.
George, your experience with Nuke fic is a fangirl's dream come true! OMG! That is so cool!
And yeah, re: fanfic. I've been trying for years to highlight the connections between fanfiction, m/m, fantasy, and science fiction as a positive, with varied success. I'll tell you this, scratch a female sf or fantasy author, and you'll find an m/m or slash writer. I wish more of them would be open about it. Yet we carry on.
Hugs everyone!
P.S. Charlie, I'm shocked, shocked I tell you, that you don't like chocolate. Well I suppose it can be overlooked, as long as you keep writing these wonderful books. (Guess what I read on my kindle during the long hours in the hospital today?)
Posted by: Jessica Freely | December 04, 2009 at 08:58 PM
Lee
Onlie begetter and all that. 'Nuff said.
I'm convinced that size must be partly genetic - five in our house, all eat about the same, three skinny, two plump.
Charlie
Posted by: Charliecochrane | December 04, 2009 at 04:26 PM
Mara
Oh honey, you keep the choccy (I'm not keen unless it's the really dark stuff) and I'll spread the condensed milk on brown bread and eat it.
Of course I mentioned the WITD boys. I re-read it this week and loved it all over again. Did you know it's up for awards at REC? Someone nominated it. Someone who likes condensed milk, I think.
Charlie
Posted by: Charliecochrane | December 04, 2009 at 04:21 PM
JL
Hear, hear! I've had books out of the library which were so dull I wondered how they'd ever got contracted.
You can have all my chocolate. I find the stuff uninteresting.
Charlie
Posted by: Charliecochrane | December 04, 2009 at 04:11 PM
I could handle a few tablespoons of condensed milk, but a whole can? Must be great to have slim genes.
This is such a lovely series - and I'm so glad other people are getting the chance to read it!
Posted by: lee rowan | December 04, 2009 at 02:10 PM
That scene with Jonty and Orlando sends a cold little chill up my back every time I read it. Want to wrap Jonty in a coccoon safe from the past.
Condensed milk? With nothing else in it? Not even chocolate? Really? That's almost as disgusting as my husband's fondness for zoute drops.
I came here to throw buns, as invited, but since you are so kind to mention Whistling, I can't. Let me send you a big box of Godiva instead. You can melt it into the condensed milk. :D:D
Mara
Posted by: Mara | December 04, 2009 at 01:30 PM
Ew. Condensed milk? Ick. :(
Give me chocolate any day!
Mmm, it annoys me no end (as a fellow ex-fanficcer) that people assume just because some of it is dreadful that all of it is. I've seen plenty of published works I'd cheerfully burn too, but I don't advocate closing down the publishing industry! (Obviously) ;D
Posted by: Jl Merrow | December 04, 2009 at 01:27 PM
ZA
You're such a star. I remember that first blog. Eaten my words, haven't I? (I've a story coming out next year which features a rugby player, too. I succumbed.)
Charlie
Posted by: Charliecochrane | December 04, 2009 at 11:59 AM
George
Fanfic is a great way for writers to cut their teeth. You have a relatively safe environment, you can learn your trade and, as long as the people who comment are honest with you, you can grow as a writer.
Thank you for the publicity – perhaps I should employ you! (And thanks for sharing the Noah/Luke story. That’s not a series that’s made it over here, yet.)
1# What's next? More Cambridge? Another series like Cambridge? Or something completely different? (and plllleeeezzzzzzeeeeee don't tell me it won't be m/m as I am liable to do great harm to some poor, defenseless, inanimate object.)
There’s seven Cambridge books in total under contract and I’d like to write an eighth, set in 1919. I have a contemporary novella coming out (set in an all male production of Chicago) and some ideas on development. No other series planned. Yet.
2# Have you always wrote historical stories?
Mainly. I like the feeling of ‘other worldliness’.
3# Is there something you think you might want to try, yet lack the courage?
In writing? No. In life? I wish I could swim.
4# Are there romance conventions in the UK similar to our Spring Fling (by Romantic Times) or RomantiCon (by Ellora's Cave Publishing) where there are writing workshops and readers get to meet their favorite romance author?
Not that I’ve been to, yet. The Romantic Novellists’ Association is inclusive so maybe, one day I’ll get to their big ‘do’.
5# Out of all the writing/craft rules or story elements, is there one (or more) that you struggle with?
I get sidetracked and include things not relevant to the story. My editor shoots me.
Charlie
Posted by: Charliecochrane | December 04, 2009 at 11:57 AM
My DEAR, DEAR Charlie Cochrane! You know I've been in this right from the first, first word, first blog about not EVER writing rugby players in love. (ahem, I guess you were simply referring to professional rugby players) There is no way to describe how much I love those Lessons books! Thank you so much, every one has been a true delight.
ZAM
Posted by: Za Maxfield | December 04, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Jeanne
It's never the worng time of day to think about sportsmen. Or condensed milk.
Charlie
Posted by: Charliecochrane | December 04, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Kate
JKJ can do very little wrong as far as I'm concerned. Such a sly sense of humour.
Charlie
Posted by: Charliecochrane | December 04, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Hi Charlie!
I think I love you even more!
(though I had to raise my eyebrow at the condensed milk thing..., that I don't get at all. Must be a full-blooded British thing that my half blood can't grasp.)
What made me excited about this interview? Well, besides the release of the book tomorrow - yeah - I too, started out in fan fic!
Mine was Star Trek (classic) with the whole Kirk/Spock thing. I did that in the 70/80s (before the internet, the stories were published in fanzines and sold at conventions and through the mail.)- then stopped writing for 15 years.
In 2006/07, I became inspired by a gay love story shown on the American Soap, As The World Turns (the characters/actors are wonderful, but sadly under used.) The fan demand for stories was great - and I needed to start my rusty writing skills back up, so I wrote Nuke (Luke and Noah) fanfic for almost a year and a half.
The actors (Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann) had been reading some of my stories (they are published on Van's message board). I've had the pleasure of hooking up with them several times in the last three years in NYC(including going out to eat, dancing, drinking, playing darts, charity baseball games and watching Van in off Broadway productions. I've also attended a three day cruise with them a couple times with other fans)
Anyway, the last time I saw them, they (along with Tyler, Vans real life boyfriend and another cast member/friend Billy who has read the stuff and says he's jealous I don't write about his character) sat my butt down at a tavern and said - "Go fulfill your dream. You're good enough. Trust us."
(Van is already fulfilling his dream of acting and Broadway, Tyler is fulfilling his dream dancing in some major Broadway productions, Jake is acting until he can break through as a screen writer and Billy is doing his dream of playing in a band - he and Jake act and occasionally model so they don't starve while waiting for their moment.)
So - my last posted fan fic was in Oct 2008. I have been seriously pursuing my writing and having a ball doing it.
I brought the subject of fan fic up, because so many authors (published and unpublished) editors and publishers tend not to take fan fic writing accomplishments seriously.
It's like fan fic is the red-headed step child of the genre world, and it RANKS on my nerves when people snub it. So, when ever I hear of an author who comes from the humble beginnings of fan fiction, I become giddy!
(It's funny, as this topic was raised in another website a couple of days ago. I wrote a piece on the positive support of fan fiction and received good reader response to my mail box.
The post is on Goodreads - where I'm a member of the "James Mason British Literary Club." (Didn't know I was a classic literature lover, did you?) A guest author made the comment she had done Supernatural fan fic, before striking out on her own.
Someone asked what fan fic was and another author snubbed their nose at it "I choose to write my own original ideas."
Well la-de-da to you too!
Oh, by the way, at the same book club, in a thread marked, "Who is your Favorite British Author?" - I gave you press!
I admitted that you dethroned Sir Author Canon Doyle in my life with your incredibly brilliant Cambridge Fellows Mysteries. Some people looked it up and are highly interested.
Anyway, I didn't come here to talk about me - I wanted to ask my favorite author in the whole wide world...
1# What's next? More Cambridge? Another series like Cambridge? Or something completely different? (and plllleeeezzzzzzeeeeee don't tell me it won't be m/m as I am liable to do great harm to some poor, defenseless, inanimate object.)
2# Have you always wrote historical stories?
3# Is there something you think you might want to try, yet lack the courage?
4# Are there romance conventions in the UK similar to our Spring Fling (by Romantic Times) or RomantiCon (by Ellora's Cave Publishing) where there are writing workshops and readers get to meet their favorite romance author?
5# Out of all the writing/craft rules or story elements, is there one (or more) that you struggle with?
I didn't mean to go on so - let me close for now before think of anything else to bother you with! Thank you for a lovely interview - I always enjoy learning more about you, cuz I think you are the cats pajamas!
Posted by: George Allwynn | December 04, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Rugby and all those sports similiar to American football are soooo much more fun to watch. The men get sweaty, the uniforms cling, the sweat drips, the men get dirty, they lift up their shirts and wipe their sweat...dang, too early in the day to think thoughts like sweaty, dirty men in clingy shorts and shirts...
thanks, Charlie
Posted by: Jeanne Barrack | December 04, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Sounds like fun! I love reading stuff set in the early 20th century.
Posted by: twitter.com/victoriajanssen | December 04, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Ooh, Jerome K Jerome! Now that's a name you don't see pop up very often. I went to school in the town where he was born and couldn't escape quotations from 'Three Men in a Boat'.
I bought 'Lessons In Power' the other day. Trust me to do things backwards, I haven't read the others in the series yet but the blurb for this one really caught my attention!
Posted by: Kate | December 04, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Thanks for letting me come and play; this was such fun to do.
Charlie (who's now yearning for condensed milk!)
Posted by: Charliecochrane | December 04, 2009 at 09:22 AM