Is it just me, or did February pass by in a blur (compared to the January that never wanted to end, anyway)?
I hope this week’s blog post finds you well. I will give you all fair warning that I’ve not had a huge amount of interest in spotlights this year so far, so if I skip a week, please bear with me. I will keep hunting down incredible authors, but I know people only have limited spoons, and something has to give!
But enough from me, let’s see what Blake Allwood has to say!
Note from the Author
Thanks, Holly, for the chance to join you today. My next releases all come out this fall. In fact, please keep your eyes out for them.
Under my pen name Adam J. Ridley (fantasy and paranormal romance)
The Haunted Hearts collaboration–this is a shared world with OwnVoice authors. We will begin releasing in September. Mine is about a kid who witnessed the horrible murder of his southern grandmother. The great-grandmother ended up killing the perp, and of course, he’s never left. Don’t worry though, the great-grandmother is a force to be reckoned with and as all good romances do, it ends with an HEA.
Next is Tales of the Tarot. This collaboration takes the major arcana of the Tarot Cards, assigning each to that many authors. I got Wheel of Fortune. I won’t say much other than there are witches, wizards, and unicorns may or may not show up.
Under Blake Allwood
Third is Coming Home under Blake Allwood. This book is the final book in the Coming Home series and is about one of the town’s founding family’s descendants. It’s a hurt/comfort and opposites attract book, and also it’s pretty cool. Even if I do say so myself.
Lastly, Road to Rocktoberfest. It’ll be my third year participating in the collection. If you like rockstar romances, these are sure to please. I haven’t quite figured out my title or even the full plot on this one yet, but I’m 100% sure it’ll be sweet, funny, and a heart tugger, since that’s what these books are all about!
Blake’s Quirky Questions
Holly: What will I always find in your fridge?
Blake Allwood: I’m boring, the most important food in my fridge is the almond milk I use for my morning latte. Coffee is the source of all things good. LOL
Holly: What food(s) fuel your writing?
Blake Allwood: Coffee and chocolate are my go to foods. I’ve had to lighten up on the chocolate, due to trying to lose some of this baby weight. Oh, and by baby weight I mean, “Oh baby, that chocolate tastes so good, I’ll have more.”
Holly: Were you a reader as a child? What was your favorite book/author?
Blake Allwood: Yes! So, interestingly enough, I have two major issues that would logically impede my ability as a reader. I’m ADHD and I’m dyslexic. However, I had a very diligent grandmother who was shoving books into my hands at an early age. Growing up in the middle of nowhere Tennessee also left a lot of time on my hands, so reading became an escape for me.
Holly: Where do you like to write?
Blake Allwood: I’m the definition of what you shouldn’t do as a writer. I tend to write sitting in my recliner. Yes, that’s horrible. No, I’m not willing to change. Even when my hubby built me a lovely adjustable desk. Love him, love it, not going to write anywhere but the comfy recliner. LOL
Holly: Which scene in this book was the most fun to write?
Blake Allwood: In Steel Magnolias, Dolly Parton’s character said, “Laughter through tears, is my favorite emotion.” That’s me. I love all the emotions whether I’m reading or writing a book. I draft fairly fast, and often I miss the opportunities to build up an emotional scene. Luckily, my editors are quick to draw my attention to where I can improve those. So, whether I catch them in the first draft, or fix them when my editors encourage me to do so, I try to build those emotions within my stories.
The scenes that cause me to drip a few tears are the ones that make me the happiest when I’m done writing them. Also, when a reader sends me a message complaining about all the tears, I ALWAYS consider that a win. 😊
Holly: If you’re planning a sequel, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?
Blake Allwood: Unless my book is part of a shared world, and sometimes even when it is, I try to write at least three books in a series. I don’t always accomplish that, such as with my Melody Series. There are only two books in that series, however, I do think my Road to Rocktoberfest is an adjunct of the Melody books, so in a way, even that one applies.
After Midnight, my most recent release is part of a shared world series, Fallen Fairytales. I probably won’t add a sequel to this one, but one never knows, if enough of my readers ask for book two, I’m usually easy to convince.
After Midnight
In the shadows of Denver’s comedy scene, a bartender named Dominique becomes the unexpected star of his own twisted Cinderella tale. Is love strong enough to save him from his wicked stepmother?
After Midnight is an enchanting tale that reimagines the classic Cinderella story as a dark and passionate gay romance. In this modern retelling, Dillon, a talented and aspiring comedian, finds himself drawn to Dominique, a sexy bartender at the local comedy club.
Dominique, whose unfortunate life mimics the story of Cinderella, selflessly cares for his younger stepsisters while facing a treacherous stepmother.
Amidst the glittering lights of the comedy club, Dominique and Dillon’s love slowly grows as they overcome the challenges created by a willful and selfish adversary.
After Midnight is a captivating journey of resilience and the power of love; but is love enough to save Dominique when his hateful stepmother tries to end him once and for all?
Fallen Fairytales is a dark M/M romance, multi-author series. Each book may be read as a standalone, but why not load up your Kindle, kick back, and enjoy sexy men, shenanigans, and deliciously dark fairytale retellings.
*Note: This is a dark romance, and readers sensitive to certain content should make note of the following triggers:
Racism, homophobia, child neglect, kidnapping, false allegations, lawsuits, embarrassment, loss of parent, grief and loss, manipulation by a parent figure, MC close to death.
Blake’s Socials
Linktree:
Website/newsletter: www.blakeallwood.com
Newsletter/Free Novella Tenacious: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/nqco3j8fev
Amazon: Blake Allwood
https://www.amazon.com/Blake-Allwood/e/B07Q3SZNW6…
Amazon: Adam J Ridley
Amazon.com: Adam J. Ridley: books, biography, latest update
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19055696.Blake_Allwood
I hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Holly’s Quirky Questions. A huge thank you to everyone who already purchased the Love and Hope Anthology in support of HM Wolfe. If you haven’t grabbed yours yet you’ll find all the deets below <3
A huge thank you to Blake.
Next week we have BL Jones.
Until then: Find a Spark of Magic Every Day.
Love and Hope
A limited-time anthology to benefit one of our own, H.M. Wolfe.
https://books2read.com/LoveandHope
Twenty-six of your favorite MM authors have come together to donate short stories filled with love and hope for our dear friend. 100% of the proceeds go directly to her to aid in her time of need. While she’s recuperating, we wanted to fill her kindle with love and support in the best way we know how by sharing our words of love and healing.
