[Note from Frolic: Today we welcome author Melissa Foster to the site! She’s talking sweet, loving alpha-heroes in a world of alpha-holes. Take it away, Melissa!]
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. That’s what makes writing them so fun. In a writing world where readers are begging for heroes that are more of the “jerk” variety, I’ve stuck to writing strong, sexy, loyal and loving alpha males that can be gruff, broody, and ornery, but who are also charming and seductive, and always loving towards their heroine. Why? Because life is hard enough. I enjoy writing stories that give hope, and if I can’t fall in love with my heroes, how can I expect readers to?
When I craft a story, I draw on real life circumstances for my hero and heroine to overcome. Sometimes their issues are about finding and creating a path to whatever it is they want—a new career, reconnecting with family, having a second chance at love. Other times I draw upon darker themes such as homelessness, domestic abuse, drugs, cancer, trouble at work, loss of a job, etc. Those situations are difficult enough, without trying to learn to love a hero who is pushing the heroine away, and remember, it’s often the hero who is going through those issues. I prefer to create characters who work together to find their stable ground rather than working against each other, and heroes who want to walk beside their heroine on their journey, not control the way in which they take it.
To me, those are the qualities that make a strong hero. I love a man who can think outside the box. A man who will go to the ends of the earth for his heroine, family, and friends. I also love creating gruff, tough, and ornery heroes who you think will never find a woman if they don’t ease up. That doesn’t mean that every hero is going to instantly fall in love with their heroine, but it also doesn’t mean that I will allow him to have other women in his bed while he figures things out. Nope. Not on my pages ☺
Take a look at Jace Stone (Taming my Whiskey) and Bullet Whiskey (Driving Whiskey Wild). They are about as tough as men come. But that doesn’t mean that they are pushovers. It means that they know there’s a time and a place to be an asshole, and it’s not toward the people they love.
Jace Stone, who readers may have met in Slope of Love (The Remingtons) or Whisper of Love (The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor), is co-owner of Silver-Stone Cycles who goes where he pleases and isn’t looking to be tied down, especially by the one woman who could bring him to his knees. He is extremely strong-willed, as is his equally as strong-willed heroine, Dixie Whiskey. Jace puts his all into work, and Dixie refuses to be second fiddle. The struggle between their heads and their hearts is real. Jace definitely isn’t perfect, but he’s hero that I can root for. He’s a hero that I would want on my side, and I hope you will, too.
About the Author:
Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented, the perfect beach reads for contemporary romance and women’s fiction lovers who enjoy reading about loyal, wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines with complex relatable issues.
Melissa also writes sweet romance under the pen name, Addison Cole.
Melissa enjoys chatting with readers and book clubs. Send her an email invitation to your next event!
Connect with Melissa:
Taming my Whiskey by Melissa Foster, out now!
Buckle up for a wild ride as Dixie Whiskey finds forever love in TAMING MY WHISKEY, a funny, sexy, and emotionally riveting standalone romance by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster. The perfect love story for those who enjoy fiercely loyal and insanely sexy alpha heroes, smart, sassy heroines, strong family bonds, bikers, babies, and more!
In TAMING MY WHISKEY…
Being the princess of the Dark Knights motorcycle club doesn’t come with a white knight or a fairy-tale castle, and that’s okay, because Dixie Whiskey has never needed a man to slay her dragons or make her whole. Even so, after watching each of her brothers fall in love, she’d sure like a shot at her own happily ever after. But with the Dark Knights watching over her and the only man she’s ever wanted out of reach, she’s not holding her breath.
As the launch of Silver-Stone Cycles’ biggest line approaches, Jace Stone is left needing a favor from the one woman who holds the power to take him to his knees. He knows when it comes to sinfully gorgeous and sharp-tongued Dixie Whiskey, he must stay on his toes and keep his walls firmly in place. But Jace needs her for his business—and Jace Stone always gets what he wants.
When the tall, gruff, and darkly handsome biker presents an opportunity that any other woman might see as the chance of a lifetime, Dixie turns him down flat. But Jace is determined, and he pulls out all the stops—sending Dixie’s overprotective brothers up in arms. Rebellious Dixie takes a stand—going after the freedom, and the man, she’s always wanted. One scorching kiss leads to an undeniable connection, but Jace isn’t looking to be tied down, and Dixie refuses to play second fiddle. Can two untamable hearts find forever love in each other’s arms?
