Series Tour with Author Q&A ➜ The Code One Club (3 book series) Sapphic Romance by Author Alison Naomi Holt

There’s a difference between choosing a connection and being pulled into it. The Code One Club series by Alison Naomi Holt follows sapphic relationships that begin in that second space, where control doesn’t hold the way it used to.

Synopsis:

Within the Code One Club world, lives intersect in ways that reveal more than what’s visible on the surface. These stories are built on contrast, where privilege and hardship, control and vulnerability, and fear and trust exist side by side, shaping connections that are anything but simple.

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 lives collide, what begins as circumstance becomes something deeper and far more dangerous. Their connection forces both women to confront who they are beneath the roles they’ve built.

Whiskey-Colored Eyes centers on 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 possibility of trying again.

In Melt for Me, Alléandra Alfieri is powerful, feared, and emotionally locked down, while Maren Tempest is bold, unpredictable, and impossible to ignore. When their worlds collide, the connection ignites quickly, bringing intensity as control is challenged and completely undone.

Excerpt:

Whiskey-Colored Eyes

Chapter 1

The retirement party had only been going for about an hour, but the guest of honor, Assistant Chief Jude Lorcan, was already trying to decide when she could sneak out without her friends being any the wiser. If it had been any other Assistant Chief, the party would have been held at one of the upscale, five-star resorts scattered around the outskirts of the city. The attendees would have been other commanders, the Mayor, the City Manager, and members of the City Council. Quite often, the movers and shakers of the business elite attended when someone in the upper ranks of the police department decided to leave. That is, if they could network to their advantage at the party. 

Not so with Jude. She’d clawed and scraped her way up the ladder the old-fashioned way, often pissing off her fellow commanders and government officials along the way. She was an anomaly among her peers, someone beloved by the troops and warily watched by those in power within the department and the city. She stood up for her people, from the newest recruit to the craggy old detectives who’d probably die at their desks eating the greasiest burger they could find. 

The chief had tried to stage the party at an appropriate venue commensurate with her status as one of three Assistant Chiefs in the department. Jude had categorically rejected the idea, knowing the rank and file wouldn’t come if it were held in a place they considered snobbish or selfimportant. No, Jude had flat-out refused to attend unless the party was held at the local lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police. 

The room was packed with well-wishers, almost all from the front-line officers and detectives she’d either served with over the years or who had served under her in her various command roles. The exceptions were the Chief and one of Jude’s best friends, Assistant Chief Peggy Marks. Round tables with grey-brown tablecloths and plastic folding chairs were full of people laughing and joking at each other’s expense, something that would never have happened with the ruling elite. 

She sipped her Moscow Mule and glanced around the room. The walls were plain, white-washed brick, stained from years of cops leaning against them as they chatted with their friends after their shifts, during family birthdays, or even at some weddings. One whole wall was dedicated to cops, many of them her friends who’d lost their lives in the line of duty. 

She raised her glass to one in particular, the newest addition to the fifteen framed photos lined up in three straight lines of five officers each. Lieutenant Marla Asher stared out at her from behind a piece of glass. The left side of her face was masked by the reflection of one of three rustic wagon wheel chandeliers hanging from fissured ceiling tiles stained yellow from roof leaks or enthusiastically shaken beers. 

The reflection didn’t matter, though. Jude knew every inch of that face, from the slightly crooked nose a drug dealer had given her when she’d tracked him to his lair to the blue, almost grey eyes that missed nothing and sparkled with a bottomless supply of humor and good cheer. 

The ever-present stone of grief sank into Jude’s belly, and she quickly turned away, tamping down the urge to run and never look back. 

Author Q&A 

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

Control meets survival. Grief meets possibility. Power meets something far more dangerous

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