The Code One Club tour

Sometimes love asks the most from the people least willing to give it. The Code One Club series by Alison Naomi Holt centers sapphic stories where trust is hard-won and connection arrives at the worst possible time.

 

Synopsis:

Power, loss, and emotional distance shape the relationships within The Code One Club series, where connection is rarely simple and never without consequence. These stories follow women who have built their lives around control or survival, and the moments when that control begins to shift.

In The Inheritance, Phyla McGuire is powerful, controlled, and emotionally untouchable, while Ash Redux is a former Army K9 handler navigating life on the streets while battling PTSD. When their worlds collide, what begins as circumstance becomes something deeper and far more dangerous, forcing both women to confront the distance they rely on.

Whiskey-Colored Eyes follows Jude Lorcan, a grieving widow rebuilding her life step by step, and Dr. Noémi Boudon, who is confident, refined, and quietly searching for something real. Their connection unfolds slowly, shaped by hesitation, grief, and the courage it takes to try again.

In Melt for Me, Alléandra Alfieri has built a life on control and emotional distance, while Maren Tempest brings unpredictability and intensity into that space. When they collide, control is challenged and completely undone, creating a connection that neither woman can ignore.

 

Author Interview

What’s a detail, theme, or clue in your book that most readers might miss on the first read but you secretly hope someone notices?

In all three books in the Code One Club series, there is the idea of looking beyond first impressions—beyond clothes and the masks people wear. Whether someone’s dressed in rags or designer clothes, there’s usually something deeper going on beneath the surface. I hope readers pick up on those little moments where the real person shines through, beyond the masks and first impressions. It’s all about finding common ground and seeing the wonderful person hiding inside. If you catch those small clues, you’re really getting what these stories are all about.

 

When did this story or idea “click” into place for you—was there a single moment you knew you had to write it?

I don’t usually have the whole story figured out before I start writing. For me, it’s more about sitting down, typing that first word, and letting the characters show up and take the lead. When I spend time reading within a genre, I usually find myself wanting to write in it, too. I’ve always wanted to write sapphic romance, so this series felt like a natural next step for me. I just follow wherever the characters take me and write down what they’re up to—it’s like they tell me the story as it unfolds.

 

Which character or real-life person surprised you the most while writing this book, and why?

The ice queen, Phyla McGuire, surprised me the most. There’s a depth to her that really delighted me. Sure, she’s cold on the surface, but those moments when her humanity peeked through came at the most unexpected times. I loved watching her get caught off guard—when she’d take a stutter step, or hesitate, or blink in confusion because of something Ash said or did. Phyla didn’t become a powerful business mogul by letting her emotions show, yet Ash constantly keeps her off balance. It was wonderful to watch, and I often found myself smiling at Phyla’s reactions.

 

If your book had a soundtrack, what three songs would be on it, and what scenes or moments would they pair with? 

For this, instead of doing the first book, I chose the third because so much of Melt For Me is about dancing and music. I’m happy to do it for The Inheritance, too, if you want, although that might be a bit more difficult.

If Melt For Me had a soundtrack, the first and obvious song would be “Blue Danube” by Johann Strauss II. It’s the perfect match for the night of ballroom dancing, where Allé and Mar share a magical moment. As I wrote in the book, “If viewed from above, the dancers would resemble animated decorations on a wedding cake, spinning, turning, and moving with such coordination that it became a magical sight.”

The second song would be the upbeat, jazzy “Catalina Island” by Brian Setzer, played by a lively jazz band. It perfectly captures the moment when Allegra Saint-Germaine leads Mar into a high-energy West Coast Swing. Before long, they’re both laughing out loud, swept up in the fun and excitement of the dance. The scene is an unforgettable burst of energy that breaks the tension and maybe even catches Allé’s attention, sparking a little jealousy and prompting her to leave the business networking crowd to come dance with Mar.

The third song would be Tchaikovsky’s “Andante Cantabile”, a perfect melody for a romantic evening. As Allé says, “A beautiful song for a beautiful woman,” she pulls Mar in close and leads her into a slow, intimate dance—capturing the tenderness and deepening connection between them in that moment.

 

What’s one belief, question, or emotional truth you hope readers carry with them long after they finish your book?

I hope readers walk away from The Inheritance understanding that everyone—rich or poor—can carry emotional wounds. But no matter how damaged someone might feel, there’s always hope to be found through a genuine connection with someone special. The story is a reminder not to judge by appearances and, most importantly, to never lose hope in the possibility of healing and love. Oh, and the belief that there’s someone out there for everyone, so don’t lose hope.

 

Tell us about a moment during the writing process when the story (or message) took an unexpected turn.

One moment during the writing of The Inheritance that totally caught me off guard was when Ash—the homeless woman who shows up at the meeting in filthy clothes looking like she just survived a tornado—walks out of Phyla’s changing room after a makeover that would make any stylist proud. I honestly didn’t expect Phyla to be attracted to Ash that quickly. I figured the sparks would fly later, not right then and there! But nope, as soon as Ash steps out looking like a million bucks, Phyla can’t help but stare at this sexy, soft butch standing before her. It was like my characters threw me a curveball—and honestly, it made the story way more fun!

 

If your protagonist (or central figure) could give the reader one piece of advice, what would it be?

In The Inheritance, Ash would tell you this: always look for the good in people, whether you’re dealing with a cold ice queen or a homeless person on the street. Treat everyone with kindness, but remember to keep your boundaries strong. Don’t let anyone push you around or take advantage of your kindness. Stand up for yourself and always demand respect, because you deserve to be respected. Never let anyone convince you otherwise.

 

What real-world place, object, or memory helped shape a key element in your book?

What’s shaped my writing the most is growing up in such a diverse family. On one side, there are doctors, lawyers, psychiatrists, engineers, and so on. On the other, farmers, construction workers, and heavy equipment operators. My parents were amazing because they never made me feel like one side was better than the other.

I loved people on both sides, and I disliked the actions of people on both sides. I learned that having loads of money didn’t necessarily make you a good, kind person, but it didn’t automatically make you bad either. On the flip side, some of the most loving people in my life didn’t have two pennies to rub together, but I loved them fiercely. I think that has informed my writing quite a bit.

 

What’s something you had to research, learn, or experience to write this book that genuinely surprised you?

I’ve known a few people who live with PTSD, and after spending 20 years in law enforcement, I probably carry a light form of it myself. Understanding how stress affects people—and myself—was key to shaping Ash’s character and her struggles.

That said, I don’t claim to be an expert on PTSD, and I definitely don’t pretend to know the right way to treat it. What Ash goes through is fiction that lightly reflects real experiences. The counseling scenes are made up too, but they’re grounded in common sense, care, and a genuine desire to help Ash work through her challenges.

I was surprised by how easily my mind understood what Ash was going through. I didn’t research, per se, but Ash’s feelings and reactions all came from deep within my subconscious because I didn’t plan for her to have PTSD. I don’t plan, plot, or create characters before I write. They show up, and they are who they are. They are manifestations of something inside me that wants to come out. I was surprised that I understood her so well and so easily felt what she was feeling.

 

If your book were invited to join a shelf with three other titles, which ones would make you happiest—and what would that shelf say about your story?

I’d love to see all three books in the Code One Club series next to Roslyn Sinclair’s The Lily and the Crown, Milena McKay’s A Whisper of Solace, and Roslyn Sinclair’s Truth and Measure.

That shelf would mean so much to me—it would be a reminder of the writers I truly admire and aspire to. Those authors create unforgettable ice queens, and having my books there too would be a sign that I’ve earned a place among some really incredible storytellers. It’s the kind of goal that keeps me inspired every day.

 

 

Author bio:

Alison Naomi Holt writes bold, emotionally charged sapphic fiction centered on powerful women who refuse to be diminished. A former police officer, she brings grit, realism, and a sharp sense of humor to stories that explore love, resilience, and identity.

Her books often feature commanding “ice queens,” fiercely independent women, and unexpected connections that challenge both. Whether set in high-powered boardrooms, dangerous streets, or intimate emotional landscapes, her stories blend intensity with vulnerability, creating characters who feel as real as they are unforgettable.

Holt is also an advocate for literacy and believes deeply in the transformative power of stories to inspire confidence, connection, and change—especially for women. When she’s not writing, she’s often riding horses or chasing the next story idea demanding to be told.

 

Visit Alison online: 

Website * Facebook * Instagram

 

Amazon: https://bit.ly/4uZqUL5

 

Goodreads: 

THE INHERITANCE: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199901222-the-inheritance

WHISKEY-COLORED EYES: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/212295402-whiskey-colored-eyes

MELT FOR ME: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/246010873-melt-for-me

 

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