** Tams and Cats top picks for 2016 ** Against the Grain (THIRDS book 5) by @charliecochet | Cat & Tams Reviews & #giveaway @Dreamspinners

Hello everyone, and Happy New Year! 

Cat and I decided to do just one book/audiobook that we enjoyed in 2016 instead of a top 10 or anything along those lines. When it came down to it, we both said THIRDS. Cat has listened to all the Audio's pretty much in the past month, said she couldn't make herself stop and set the iPod down, because the stories were so juicy and enthralling. Myself, I've read all the books in the series at least twice, but my personal favorite that has received much more of my time than any others in the series is book 5, Against the Grain. 

So, we decided to make the THIRDS series our top series for 2016. Just in time for the long awaited release of book 8, Thick & Thin, on February 1st. For the month of January we'll be sharing our reviews for the audios and e-books in this series as well as some fun sneak peaks at book 8, ending with the release review of Thick & Thin on release day. So stay tuned and check back daily for updates and more! 

Against the Grain
THIRDS book 5


Written by: Charlie Cochet
Narrated by: Mark Westfield
Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins
Series: THIRDS, Book 5
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:10-22-15
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC
Whispersync for Voice-ready
Because you own the Kindle edition, get this
audiobook for the reduced price of $1.99.

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.

©2015 Charlie Cochet (P)2015 Dreamspinner Press

Buy links: Dreamspinner | Amazon | Amazon Audio | Audible | iTunes

Cat's Audiobook Review...

"Nail-biting Suspense with a twist"

Overall

Performance

Story

If you could sum up Against the Grain in three words, what would they be?

Didn't expect that!

Who was your favorite character and why?

This time I choose Ash. Not only because it was in his view for the most part, but we saw another side of him. the gentler side of the Lion.

What about Mark Westfield’s performance did you like?

I think his performance grows with each new story. I still especially like the sound effects when they are using phones, coms, bullhorns or talking in echoey buildings. It's really cool!

Any additional comments?

Against the Grain is book five in the Thirds series. You might be able to read/listen as standalone, but I think it's best you go in order.

Against the Grain is Ash and Cael's story, mostly Ash. We still get a lot of Sloane and Dex and the other guys as well, but it's more about Ash, his past, his relationship with Kale and how he deals with it.

I found myself falling a bit for Ash in the story. Once we see why he is like he is and understand him it's hard not to.

There is a mystery and suspense, as usual, this time with quite a twist. I was totally n shock by it all.

If you like mystery/suspense, unusual shifters, cat shifters, a touch of science fiction, special ops, romance, and some hot man-sex, this is for you!

Tams E-book Review...

Ash Keeler and Cael Maddock have been partners and best friends for years, but lately, the mechanics of their relationship is shifting. Cael has been in love with Ash for almost as long as they've been friends, but he's kept those feelings buried, believing his partner to be straight. When Cael's life was threatened on their last mission, he decided not to go down without a fight and admitted his true feelings to Ash. And as luck would have it, the feelings seemed to be mutual. But now Ash is pulling away and closing himself off again. Cael realizes he may forever be pining for a man that is incapable of returning the love, but if he has to wait forever, he will.

Ash is determined to keep Cael out of harm’s way and admitting his feelings for his partner means Ash's enemies could use his love for Cael against him, possibly hurt the Cheetah shifter. That's not all of it though; Ash doesn't know how to handle his constantly changing emotions or how to deal with possible backlash from admitting he is gay. Not to mention the Supervisor over their current case seems to have secrets of her own, secrets that could get them all killed. 

When Ash, Sloane and Hobbs are kidnapped in a hi-jacking gone wrong and Calvin is critically injured; Cael, Dex and the team will stop at nothing, risk everything to ensure the men they love are found. But there is still a danger to Cael, a threat from his past is somehow woven into the twisted mess they are trying to resolve and even if they find their missing team members and bring them home, will Ash and Cael ultimately loose one another regardless? 

I thoroughly enjoyed watching Ash completely out of his element. He is large and in charge and used to being in control in every aspect of his life. But love is this psychotic, insane mix of emotions that you have to bend and flow with, you can't control it, so Ash is having a little trouble with that aspect. It's a constant push and pull between him and Cael, two steps forward, three steps back. And as frustrated as Cael is with it, he actually tells Ash at one point he's so crazy stupid in love with him that he will probably continue to put up with the pain it causes him every time Ash pulls away indefinitely.

There is so much more going on under the surface though, Ash and Cael's relationship drama is just the tip of the sword. The team is starting to wonder who is on the take and who they can trust. Calvin and Hobbs are having issues where those two usually have an unwavering confidence. Then there is the issue with Sloane looing control of his animal, more than once. To say their attention is stretched is an understatement, as they try to prioritize the decision is taken out of their hands with the hi-jacking and subsequent kidnapping.

I love this series and I love that with every question that is answered, another arises. Lots of potential for so many scenarios to play themselves out in the upcoming stories in this series. Personally, I'm anxiously awaiting Calvin and Hobbs story. I can't wait to see how they navigate the rough relationship waters that both Ash and Sloane have succumbed to. If you enjoy deeply intricate plot lines, well woven story lines and kick ass characters with real world problems then this is a must read for you. Lest I forget to mention the oh so sexy collection of alpha males that like to flare their nostrils and pretend they are in charge while their better half has them by the balls. In a fun, sweaty, sexy sort of way. 

SERIES READING ORDER

Hell & High Water (THIRDS, Book 1)
Blood & Thunder (THIRDS Book 2)
Rack & Ruin (THIRDS, Book 3)
Rise & Fall (THIRDS, Book 4)
Against the Grain (THIRDS, Book 5)
Catch a Tiger by the Tail (THIRDS, Book 6)
Smoke & Mirrors (THIRDS, Book 7)
Thick & Thin (THIRDS Book 8)

To read an excerpt from Against the Grain, see the characters as the Author does, listen to the playlist or find out more about the THIRDS universe; Visit THIRDS HQ!

Sign up for Charlie Cochet's newsletter to receive up to date information about the series as well as series exclusives that publish first in the newsletter for subscribers. 

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.

Website: http://www.charliecochet.com

THIRDS HQ: http://www.thirdshq.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/charliecochet

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Email: charlie@charliecochet.com

Visit The Purple Rose Tea House hosted by Charlie Cochet. For M/M Romance guest authors, giveaways, and more!

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