Title: Lessons in Love - Book One: A Cambridge Fellows Mystery
Author: Charlie Cochrane
Published in November 2008 by Linden Bay Romance
Genre: Historical Romance - M/M
ISBN Trade paperback: 978-1-60202-148-8
ISBN MS Reader (LIT): 978-1-60202-149-5
Related Books: Lessons in Desire - Book Two: A Cambridge Fellows Mystery is coming soon
Other Books by Charlie: Trilogy No. 111: Speak Its Name, Blitz,
Welcome to the world of 1905 English Education and the hallowed halls of the Cambridge Colleges. It is in this rarified and very conservative atmosphere that Dr. Jonathan Stewart, Jonty to his friends, meets Dr. Orlando Coppersmith, and love blooms. They are a study in the attraction of opposites, yet the shy reticence of Dr. Coppersmith is not a deterrent to the indomitable joie de vivre of Dr. Stewart. It is also here in St. Bride’s College, Cambridge, England, this educational bastion of Male Society that untoward things begin happening. One death, the murder most foul of a young student of Jonty's, and Jonty and Orlando find themselves drawn into the matters much like Holmes and Watson. Lessons in Love is but the first of what (I hope) will me many delicious mysteries. So come on in, all of those who love romance and suspense, and enjoy Charlie Cochrane's world!
This was a first for Jonathan Stewart, newly minted and appointed Doctor to the English fellows at St. Bride's, the first time he came into the Senior Common Room, the first opportunity to relish his position as faculty member. It was a homecoming of sorts, as this was his college, the institution which had found him lacking and less than circumspect in his younger days. It was a dream come true, and yet it was filled with some sadness, regretful memories of the past, but still offered Jonty some hope of a new and better future. He found a pair of chairs empty, and seated himself, prepared to settle into his life and profession as a Fellow at St. Bride's College. There were indiscretions in his past, some even here, but as all must have been forgiven, or not grievous enough to be remembered, Jonty was now Dr. Stewart of the English Department. Jonty was determined to make his time at the college a good one, sore to himself to have care and watch his step. He was a young man of great intelligence, a quick study, and yet the dark honey voice informing him there were customs here, and that he, Jonty, was in his chair, sent a dark thrill down his spine. So, too, did the chocolate brown of the man's eyes, the curly black hair with the unruly nature, and the handsome face of the most glorious man Jonty had seen in a long while.
He was tall, dark and handsome, yet aesthetic, and rather withdrawn, just the opposite of Jonty's own golden lightness. A frown marred his solemn features, but Jonty took note only of the man, not the façade. Here was a creature of great value, someone with whom Jonty might possibly share some time. He was, however, much too dour, to staid, and Jonty knew he was just the man to get Coppersmith to loosen up. He was friend material at the least, and it was with this in mind that he got to his feet, vacated said chair, grinned, and introduced himself. It didn't take him long to realize his first instincts about Dr. Coppersmith were correct. This gorgeous man was definitely and absolutely narrow of mind and focus, but there was a spark there, and Jonty was determined to nurture it to life. He had not too much chance on their first meeting, however, being stunned to find out this stern-faced countenance possessed the very romantic first name of Orlando. The situation was soon to change when they were approached by Dr. Peters, Master of St. Brides, and were congratulated on making each other’s acquaintance. Dr. Coppersmith, having been absent before dinner, missed the traditional time when the faculty were introduced to any and all new members, nodded, then abruptly left, leaving Jonty and Master Peters somewhat surprised and at a loss.
Dr. Orlando Coppersmith had no idea what was on Dr. Jonathan Stewart's mind, but the bright spirits of the golden haired man took Orlando quite by surprise, and set him back several paces mentally. He was truly a bit shy, and having established himself as being a loner early on, he always kept to himself. For the most part, Orlando was left alone, unless of course the topic was mathematics, and he rather liked it that way. He enjoyed his solitude, at least that is what he told himself, but truth be told, he was unsure about any kind of friendships and not used to it being any other way. Dr. Stewart was someone he was not entirely certain he really wanted to know, in spite of the strange attraction. It was that draw, of which he became instantly aware when he looked into the sparkling blue eyes of Jonty Stewart. The man was a distraction, and totally upset the routine he'd established over the past six years of his tenure at St. Bride's, and Orlando didn't know whether to be angry of glad about the situation. It was uncomfortable to say the least, but he was determined to make the best of it for now...
He was tall, only a tad shorter than Orlando, but his exuberance and sturdy build gave him an aura of profound strength, something Orlando found he needed badly in his life. He discovered some similarities in their likes and dislikes fascinating, and before he realized it, Jonty had worked his way into his life, and they were fast friends. It was an odd sensation for him to actually have a friend. It was an entirely new experience for him, even in his youth Orlando hadn't had anyone like Jonty to call friend or even acquaintance. There was not one person in his past he could truly refer to as such, so Orlando found himself treading shaky new ground. It was probabably a shock to the others in the school as well, seeing this very unlikely comradeship spring between this pair of characters of opposite demeanor. After all, it was a shock to Orlando, and he was a party to the odd relationship, and yet there was something more. There was a longing there, a desire for support and Jonty supplied it in quantities Orlando was unused to before. Therefore, when the first murder struck the student body, it was as a team that Orlando and Jonty went to work, and as a team they found something Orlando didn't expect...Love.
Amid the trappings of early twentieth century education, Charlie Cochrane has found a wealth of material to use. In Lessons in Love, the staid rigor of the strict English college life did not allow men of the faculty opportunity for love, marriage, and family. It was a droll existence, because the Colleges were looked upon as a male sanctuary, one where the men of the faculties were bachelors, celibate, and the only lust they knew was for learning. With the new outlook and the coming of age in the new century, some of the schools loosened their grip on enforcing the bachelorhood and celibacy of the professors, the old tenets of an all male and bachelor society were falling by the wayside. St. Bride's, however, was not of the same mind, yet it was here within its hallowed “old school” halls where our Jonathan Stewart met Orlando Coppersmith, the love if his life, turned both their hearts, and changed both their lives for the better. It was here that Jonty and Orlando found a connection, a similarity of feeling, and sharing of some commonality which allowed friendship and more to blossom. Then the pair are drawn into a web of murder and intrigue, all stops are pulled, and Jonty and Orlando are forced to realize that sometimes it is true that love can conquer all.
Ms, Cochrane has brought us a story of love, yes, it is a story of the love between two men, but that doesn’t stop it from being a wonderful tale, a beautiful story, and an exciting mystery. It is enthralling, and deeply satisfying to the romantic soul, to the imagination, and to the heart. Lessons in Love is available now at Linden Bay Romance, and if you truly love romance, this is one you can’t afford to miss. It is tender, exciting, and only the first of what I hope will be many adventures with Jonty and Orlando, and I am very anxious to find out how they get along with their new reputations of being sleuths of excellent credentials, and if they survive all with their love intact. These are men who have a code of their own, honour of the highest quality, and who are able to admit to themselves and each other that feelings can and do run deep, and passion truly can be a blessing shared. Along with this November release of Lessons in Love, stop by the exciting world of Linden Bay romances, and check out other books of Charlie’s, and step into her world of loves that don’t end, and entertaining reads that won’t leave you flat, only thirsting for more!
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
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