Rise & Fall

THIRDS, Book 4

By: Charlie Cochet

Narrated by: Mark Westfield

Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's Summary

THIRDS, Book 4 - Sequel to Rack & Ruin

After an attack by the Coalition leaves THIRDS Team Leader Sloane Brodie critically injured, agent Dexter J. Daley swears to make Beck Hogan pay for what he's done. But Dex's plans for retribution are short-lived. With Ash still on leave with his own injuries, Sloane in the hospital, and Destructive Delta in the Coalition's crosshairs, Lieutenant Sparks isn't taking any chances. Dex's team is pulled from the case, with the investigation handed to Team Leader Sebastian Hobbs. Dex refuses to stand by while another team goes after Hogan, and decides to put his old HPF detective skills to work to find Hogan before Theta Destructive, no matter the cost.

With a lengthy and painful recovery ahead of him, the last thing Sloane needs is his partner out scouring the city, especially when the lies - however well-intentioned - begin to spiral out of control. Sloane is all too familiar with the desire to retaliate, but some things are more important, like the man who's pledged to stand beside him. As Dex starts down a dark path, it's up to Sloane to show him what's at stake, and finally put a name to what's in his heart.

©2015 Charlie Cochet (P)2015 Dreamspinner Press

Fantastic Series with Fantastic Narration

Wow. Just wow. This book is sooooo full of good feels.

Sloane and Dex are so wonderfully gushy and sweet in this book. Their relationship is definitely cemented by the end.

We get a peek into the mystery that is Hobbs and an amazingly sexy and funny scene between him and Calvin.

Ash is looking like less and less of a hard ass and more and more like the love of Cael’s life.

All of the relationship stuff is amazing. The dialog, like always is hysterical. The spying done is both naughty and funny. The danger… well this isn’t really that “tense” of a book.

The biggest “hurdle” in this story is Dex trying to avenge Sloane’s attack. Predictably, Sloane doesn’t want him involved, and in fact, the team has been ordered to stand down. But… Dex is determined to capture the culprit himself, in Sloane’s name.

I kinda wanted to shake Dex, and totally understood Sloane’s feelings about it. I liked, however, that this was the first time we saw Dex as the guy who might screw up the relationship, and Sloane was doing everything “right” for a change.

All in all this totally appealed to my every romantic sensibility and tickled my funny bone.

I can’t wait for the next installment and I really hope Calvin and Hobbs get their own book ☺



Audio

I really enjoy Mark Westfiled’s narrations. He does a great job differentiating the different and myriad characters. He adds extra touches like altering his voice for telecom and intercom communications. I love even his female characters and his accents are wonderful!

5 of 5 stars

Getting Better and BETTER!

This is book four in a series that sort of sneaked up on me. I am ex Special Forces Marine Corps and a homosexual man.
The first book was just a fluke that sat in my Audible library for over a year. I finally got around to hearing it during a rock climbing self challenge. I am man enough to say that I actually cried a few times while listening.
Here is the thing. Charlie has a way of understanding guys like us somehow. I can't imagine how, but she almost has a complete handle on it. The sex in the books is extremely tame as compared to man on man in real life, but she makes the tender stuff sound really nice.
The love of my life was a Black Hawk pilot an Air Force Fly Boy and now we have our lives together and love the hell out of each other each and every day going on eleven years now. We got married, really married two years ago.... What a trip!
THANK YOU CHARLIE AND THANKS TO THE AMAZING NARRATOR WHO SOUNDS LIKE A MAN AND BRINGS ALL THE LAUGHTER, ANGER, HEARTACHE AND LOVE TO EACH CHARACTER'S VOICE AND PAINTS A SERIOUSLY COOL MOVIE USING CHARLIE'S WORDS. YOU BOTH MAKE GREAT PARTNERS AND MORE GUYS IN AND GETTING OUT OF THE MILITARY SHOULD TELL YOU HOW IMPORTANT YOUR WORK IS TO US. PEOPLE IN THE US WOULD FALL OVER IF THEY KNEW THE STAGGERING NUMBER OF HOMOSEXUAL MEN RISK THEIR LIVES EVERYDAY TO KEEP AMERICA FREE.
ONCE THAT SCALP REDUCTED ORANGE BLIMP MONSTER IS OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE, OUR COUNTRY CAN GET BACK ON THE ROAD TO BEING RESPECTED IN THE WORLD ONCE AGAIN.

SERIOUSLY KILLER BOOKS CHARLIE COCHET! CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR THE NEXT ONE, WHICH I WILL START IN 5 MINUTES! OOOORAAAAH!
DIEGO

Reminds me ofFriends--but the Special Ops version

This book starts with an anxious Dex sitting vigil at the bedside of his team leader Sloane, though it becomes apparent very quickly to the hospital staff that their bond is deeper than professional.

Let me first start by saying that one needs to suspend belief in order to enjoy each member of the Disruptive Delta (“DD” for short). For instance, for such a “great” soldier, Dex has difficulty following orders. In every installment of this series, there has been serious situations where Dex completely disregards orders to do what he thinks is best. I both enjoy and dislike his maverick ways. As a cast, Team DD remind me of the show Friends. They are fun and entertaining. I love how loyal and trusting they are with each other. In addition, I am amused by the fact that Team DD seems incapable of keeping secrets from each other.

The narrator really does a great job capturing their personality. Dex’s voice sounds jovial, Sloane sounds serious, Ash sounds a tad snippy, Lettie sounds compassionate etc. I don’t know if I would enjoy this books as much on print as I am used the audiobook format.

What I appreciated most about book 4 was the progression in relationships. Cael and Ash’s impasse in the last book was sad and finally we got the acknowledgment of their feelings for each other. Others getting some love action were Calvin and Hobbes, Seb and Austen, even Lou (Dex’s ex-boyfriend).

Even though most of Team DD experienced some resolution in their respective personal lives here, it’s clear that their professional lives hang in the balance. Dex and Cael’s dad has the bat, and I don’t know what he is doing to do to the team…or to Sloane and Ash’s knee caps.

One of the best UF series out there.

The first thing you need to know about THIRDS agent Dexter J. Daley is that he lives to bend the rules. He never does what he’s told. He is loving, unruly, and hilarious.

In Dex’s world, being gay is perfectly normal and accepted, but the two co-existing species, humans and therians, are constantly at war. Humans fear the shapeshifting Therians, and Therians resent being forced to register and get tattoos on their necks. The conflict is always brewing and acts of terrorism from both sides are far too common. Enter Therian-Human Intelligence, Recon, Defense Squadron, also known as the THIRDS, whose only mission is to keep the peace between the two races.

Agents Dexter Daley and Sloane ‘Broody Bear’ Brodie are THIRDS agents. One is human and the other is therian. They are both excellent agents, but personally they’re as different as they can be. They are also partners, on and off work. Dex is a half-glass-full type of person, loveable, extroverted and funny. He is very close to his father and brother and he makes friends with seeming ease. Sloane Brodie is none of the above. Having lost his previous partner and lover, he is very careful with his feelings. It’s always one step forward, two steps back between him and Dex. But he is strong, honest and fair, even when someone doesn’t deserve it.

Rise & Fall is the fourth book in Charlie Cochet’s THIRDS series, and like the three before, it left me completely in awe. This is how everyone should write paranormal fiction, M/M fiction, action, romance… everything. This is how everyone should write. Enough said.

I remember starting this series with a very healthy dose of skepticism. I didn’t need another Cut & Run series, with two amazing, all-powerful agents perfect in everything they do. I wanted strong, but fallible men with a great sense of humor and a romance I could actually enjoy. But Charlie Cochet must have known exactly what her readers crave because she gave us a series that is both amazing and insanely popular.

I can’t say too much about the plot in Rise & Fall for fear of spoiling some important detail from the previous two books, but I can say that this book is the biggest emotional rollercoaster so far. By now, the Destructive Delta agents are all very familiar to us: Ash, Cael, Letty, Hobbs and others have become our close friends. There’s so much going on in this series, plenty of action and danger from all sides, but the characters are what makes it truly stand out, and their weird dynamic is a constant source of amusement.

Mark Westfield narrates the story beautifully. He is the perfect person to bring us Dex’s light-hearted perspective. Every emotion comes through loud and clear in his voice, and although I read this one the second it came out, I couldn’t resist getting the audio when it finally showed up.


I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for excitement, excellent characters and a whole lot of action. Oh, and laughter. Lots and lots of it.

Can't wait for #Five!!!!

Mark Westfield is such a good narrator!!! He us especially good with the female voices. Most male narrators are horrible with their feminine cgaracters. He is awesome. As for the review, if you are a fan, you already know. If not, start with book 1 and fall in love!!!

Watch out...

The stories keep getting better and better. I enjoy how Cochet intertwines all aspects of the story. Though the main characters are Sloan and Dex...whom I love and adore, I can see where Cochet is beginning to fill in some of the other character's stories and how it's a pivotal part of the story. Dex is my man!!!

So much fun!!!

I am so happy these books are a continuous story line. I love investing in characters through many books. Getting to know these guys and their team in depth is very rewarding for me!!! Charlie has a great sense of humor too which adds to the enjoyment!

Rise & Fall

Would you listen to Rise & Fall again? Why?

Yes.

Its fill of action, drama, romance, crazy Dex antics and even crazier revelations that set the tone for future books in the series.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Rise & Fall?

Rise & Fall was an emotional book to read.

For the first time, Sloane is out of commission and his team has to operate without him.

At first, Dex is heartbroken as he doesn't know if Slaone will make it.

After the initial shock wears off and we learn Sloane will be OK, we see a different side of Dex.

Dex is often immature, childish impulsive. It this book he shows us what made him such a good detective and a THIRDS agent!

Dex decide to investigate on his own and bring the people responsible to Sloane's injury.

Dex is like a dog with a bone, he doesn't let go. He puts his life at risk , but worst, he puts his relationship with Sloane on the line.

Dex lies to Sloane about his actions. He leaves Sloane to fend for himself a lot of the time.

It was hard seeing Dex alone for parts of the book. He usually is the heart of the team, and in the first part on Rise & Fall he was on his own, by his own choice.

Luckily, Sloane is smart and knew what Dex was up to. He had Dex followed and protected. He was also patient until he snapped...

We learned a lot of things about Dex in this book and saw Sloane's feral side.

The second part of the book was amazing.

Sloane finally snapped and admitted to Dex he loved him. It was epic!

I loved seeing Slaone strong enough emotionally to admit his feelings.

On top of the action and romance, we also get lots of drama. Something isnt right with Sloane as he suddenly finds it hard to control his felid side.....

Have you listened to any of Mark Westfield’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Mark is an amazing narrator.

The THIRDS series has drama, action, romance etc.

It also has an amazing cast and different characters.

Each character has his own mannerisms, speech pattern and quirks.

Mark narrates them all to perfection.

It makes the audio book an entertaining one.

Most importantly, he makes listening to the audiobook for the second and third times as fresh and entertaining as if its the first time.

Any additional comments?

Wonderful series that gets better with each book!

You'll Get A Rise Out of This

Cochet has created a unique and dangerously sexy world with men who protect and serve, and love with ferocity. Once you start the series, you won't want to stop. But definitely start with book one.

Vengeance!

I'm really enjoying this series! This book picks up shortly after the cliffhanger ending from the last book. Sloane and Ash are in the hospital but looking to make a full recovery, although it was a really close call with Sloane. With Sloane and Ash out of commission while they recover, the team is taken off the case.

Dex takes Sloane to his apartment to heal and it's the perfect opportunity for them to spend time together. But Dex is so consumed by vengeance that he starts sneaking around, lying and putting himself and others in danger. I was afraid how this would turn out because he was being really stupid. Luckily, others picked up on his crazy behavior and called him out on it. He really tested the bonds of his team members and they showed him that they are a family.

This was entertaining and exciting with plenty of smexy times. Dex was a little preoccupied so it didn't have the same level of humor but it was still a great addition to the series. Looking forward to the next one!

Enjoyable Story

This is an interesting story. Well written and with likeable characters. The narration is good as well.

Sooooo good!

AUDIO REVIEW

I'm seriously loving revisiting this series in audio! I loved them when I read them the first time but it's a whole new experience in audio. As with the previous books Mark Westfield delivers fabulous narration. This is the book I fell in love with Ash Keeler, in the previous books Ash was just a bit of an ass but in this book he really shows his true colours and I just adore him.

This book picks up where book 3 ended on a mega cliff hanger! At the end of book 3 Sloan gets blown up in a car explosion meant for Ash. This book follows his recovery and Dex's single minded determination to seek justice, even going against Sparks orders and lying to Sloan.

Their relationship is tested in this book but their love and strength really emerges in this one and it was lovely to listen to. Sloan finally pulls his head out his ass and admits his true depth of feeling for Dex and they even takes it one step further in a particularly intense scent towards the end!

Secondary characters were again amazing. We get to know some of the other characters in this book particularly Seb and Austen who is hilarious. The other couplings in Destructive Delta become more intense in this book and there is one down right hilarious scene involving Hobbs, Calvin, Dex and Lou's converted catering van that was soooo funny in audio.

I'm so excited for book 5! Cael and Ash in audio eeeek!!!

Another winner

If you could sum up Rise & Fall in three words, what would they be?

Brilliant, addictive, compulsory.

What other book might you compare Rise & Fall to, and why?

It's only possible to compare this with the other THIRDS audios and it's just as fabulous as the others.

Have you listened to any of Mark Westfield’s other performances? How does this one compare?

All of his work with the THIRDS books. I look forward to hearing more from him.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

All I can say is " White latex" and the last half dozen pages!

Any additional comments?

These books and audios just can't come fast enough!

Superb

If you could sum up Rise & Fall in three words, what would they be?

Fun, fast, fantastic

Who was your favorite character and why?

cannot choose, love them all, although I would like a Sloane of my own

What about Mark Westfield’s performance did you like?

He's excellent, the feeling of the books are really brought to life, the characterisations and the voices. He communicates the passion, the anger, the regret, and the humour. He's perfect for this series.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, and I have done a number of times!

Any additional comments?

It amazes me that certain other books have achieved acclaim when they are barely literate, but gems such as these are missed. Even if you don't like the sex scenes skip past them the rest of the books are worth it, they stand without the erotica, which can't be said for all m/m books.