Check out our interview with Ashley Bennett, the author of "Tentacles & Triathlons."

What was your inspiration behind your most recent book?

Tentacles & Triathlons is the second book in my Leviathan Fitness series. It follows the main character from book one's brother, Reece. From the beginning, I knew I wanted to give him his own story, specifically a redemption arc where he finds love of his own.

What does Reading Rainbow mean to you?

To me, Reading Rainbow means reading across the spectrum of queer identities and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. With the state of the world, these stories are more important than ever.

Why do you feel representation of a variety of people is so important when it comes to writing books?

I believe that everyone deserves to see themself represented in stories, especially in romance. We are all worthy of love, acceptance, and finding our happily ever after.

Tell us a little more about the book and why you decided to write it.

Tentacles & Triathlons is an M/M monster romance set in a queer-normative world. I wanted to write a story that focuses on character growth that isn't centered around queer trauma. While those stories are important, I wanted to write something more upbeat and escapist, highlighting the joy that comes with finding your person.

What can fans expect from your book?

Fans can expect a cozy, spicy story, with lots of tentacles.

What's up next for you in the bookish world?

In September the third book in the series, Mantras & Minotaurs will be released. It is a later-in-life romance between a human and a minotaur. When it comes to the romance genre, later-in-life romances are very underrepresented. I am hoping that we see this subgenre expanded in the future.