I am thrilled to introduce my readers to my friend and fellow author Alex J. Adams whom I met when I attended Books on the Beach run by the fabulous Lizzie James. Alex and I became friendly and have kept in touch ever since. It is always interesting to discover how other authors found their way into writing. Thank you for your time today, Alex and for sharing your writing journey.
Thank you for inviting me onto your blog today, Val. I guess my journey starts in the height of the pandemic in 2020. As it was for many others, 2020 was a difficult year. I’d always been an avid reader but with more time at home, I began to read more. I read any genre, but more and more, my preference was for gay romance.
A throw away comment in January 2021, where I declared to my work colleagues in a Zoom meeting that I was going to write a book, led me on a journey that has spanned almost four years, fourteen novels and a handful of short stories.
My first story started as a male/female romance, but for some reason, the story didn’t gel. I was hitting block after block; the story just wasn’t working. Never having written anything before, doubts crept in. Could I do this? Could I write and publish a book that people would actually read?
My twenty-year-old son had the answer. “Make it a gay romance, Mum. You’ve read enough of them and its 2021.”
The moment I changed the story, the words flowed and within the space of three days, I’d written over 12,000 words.
Dance With Me was born. The story of Joe and Seb went from strength to strength. It was a story of bisexual reawakening and a slow burning love. It gained momentum and in July 2021 I became a published author. This was to become the first story in a trilogy, each following different characters and despite my earlier misgivings, was well received.
By now, the floodgates had opened and story after story vied for attention in my brain and I made copious notes on a multitude of stories.
Ziggy shouted the loudest and in January 2022, I released the first story in my successful Liverpool Boys series, Saving Ziggy.
Everyone loved him and his story is my bestseller by far.
For the most part, I write contemporary gay romance, often portraying the grittier, more realistic side of life. I cover difficult topics, domestic violence, grooming, sexual assault and I’m a huge advocate in highlighting mental health issues in men. Something I think can be overlooked.
Having two sons that suffer with anxiety and depression, it was important to me to write about these issues.
Of course, my stories always have a happy ever after, because it’s romance, right?
I’ve been lucky to join some collaborations, stretching my writing muscles and delving into the world of the paranormal, which brings us up to date, as my next story to release will be entitled The Demon Bodyguard about a demon, Zeke, and his fated mate, Rory.
Next year will see even more releases and I can’t wait to start writing them. Did anyone say cowboys?
If you’d like to read more of my books, they are all available on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited. You can follow me on all the usual platforms including Instagram and Facebook, where I have an active reader group.
Many thanks to Val for letting me tell my story. Here is the Blurb from Dance with me. I hope your readers will enjoy it.
The Blurb
Joe has twelve weeks and counting until he marries the woman of his dreams. Or is she?
After meeting with Seb, their sexy dance tutor, he's not so sure anymore. This has him questioning his choices. Is marriage to Clare really what he wants?
Is he prepared to give it all up for the man he wants or should he let him go?
Daniel’s death left Seb a mess.
Unable to form any meaningful relationships since, a veil of sadness covers him. And then he meets Joe, with his dimpled smile and two left feet.
Against his better judgement, he’s falling for the very engaged, very straight guy.
Finding Joe was easy, but someone from Seb's past is out to get him, threatening his career and his very future.
Can Joe and Seb overcome their very real problems to get their happy ever after, or will it all come crashing down?
The Author
Alex is an MM author from the NW of England. She's married with three grown-up sons and two Tamaskan dogs, her night time companions when she's writing into the early hours!
She writes gritty, realistic, mainly contemporary romance but always with a happy ever after.
Her tagline? Finding Forever - One Chapter at a Time.
An avid reader, she started writing one lunch break, writing her first book in no time at all. From there, her passion grew and The Nava Dance Studios series was born. Her writing style has changed, a darker feel creeping into her work and while she doesn't profess to be a dark author, she covers some socially dark subjects.
She'd love to move somewhere sunny with a beach view, continuing to write about her perfectly, imperfect men.
Follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Bookbub.
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