Addiction, politics, education collide in Les Cochran's latest novel, 'Presidential Affair'

Retired Southeast Missouri University provost Les Cochran says his fictional works are like a teaching seminar, but the subject matter is much juicier than that contained in most college lectures.

The author of "Signature Affair" and "Costly Affair" recently released the trilogy's third book, "Presidential Affair."

The three books, which are described on Cochran's website as the "Love, Lies and Liaisons" trilogy, center around Steve Schilling, a sex addict, who is a brilliant businessman.

Cochran said it was the Tiger Woods sex scandal, news of which broke in 2009, that originally piqued his interest in sex addiction. At the time the Woods story broke, Cochran was about halfway through writing his first book.

He immediately started researching sex addiction and found the subject compelling.

Les Cochran

"I realized that the character I was writing about had some of those same compulsive sexual behavior problems," he said.

At that point, his book took shape, and he saw the potential for future books, because the topic of sex addiction often isn't addressed in fiction.

"Not many authors write about this social problem we have," he said.

What sets sexual addiction apart from other addictions, aside from eating disorders, is that it involves a bodily function that is a natural part of life, which makes it so difficult to overcome, he said.

"Presidential Affair" is set in Washington, D.C., and while it is a work of fiction, readers likely will recognize some nearly real-to-life characters in the book.

During the first two books, the Steve Schilling character developed a reputation for leadership and change in the business world.

In the third book, he's tapped by the president -- in the book, the first woman to be elected to the office -- to come to Washington and help shape a framework for educational reform for public schools in the country.

"It's something I believe strongly in, and, of course, my character believes strongly in," he said.

The fact there is a female president, and Schilling has a propensity for sexual promiscuity, opens the door to all kinds of situations.

"They are working together by day and by night; he's sleeping at the White House," Cochran said.

He said he feels it is his duty to provide some real-life information in the course of the fictional tale, and, to that end, he introduces another character in the book with a sexual addiction, one who is a woman.

"Sex addiction is not a male-only disease," Cochran said.

Schilling's propensity for having affairs extends beyond the president, and his dalliances ultimately lead to an assassination attempt.

All three books are available on Amazon.com. Paperbacks sell for $16, hardcovers are $29, and Kindle editions are $5.99.

The first chapters of the books may be read on Cochran's website, lescochran.com.

Cochran will have a book signing from 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 25 at Katy O'Ferrell's, 300 Broadway in Cape Girardeau.

Those who can't make it to the book signing may purchase an autographed copy on the website, which also carries a 90-second video about each book.

Pertinent address:

300 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo.