Melissa Foster is a New
York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes
sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance 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–perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading
about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.
Who is Bullet Whiskey?
Bullet Whiskey is an enigma. At first, he appears to be a big, tattooed, tough biker dude with a dark, moody personality. Through his actions, it’s obvious that he cares for his family and friends deeply. A Special Forces veteran, Bullet has experienced life and death first hand and he has kept these dark experiences to himself. He struggles with PTSD flashbacks, guilt and believes he is weak. Melissa Foster creates the perfect back story for Bullet and it drew me into the novel. Bullet’s demeanor shouts out—stay away from me…until he meets Finlay Wilson. The perfectly paced opposites attract romance between the couple captivated me.
I really liked Finlay. After her father’s death, she has returned home to start a catering business. Finlay is hired by the Whiskey’s to renovate their kitchen and revamp their bar menu. Finlay is a breath of fresh air at Whiskey’s—she quickly wins everyone over with her smile, cookies and appetizers. She has an open heart and cares for people. And I loved how she fought her attraction to Bullet and that she was afraid of his big dog, his motorcycle and didn’t really understand his connection to the Dark Nights club. Bullet’s patience is tested throughout this story— as he copes with Finlay’s fears and ultimately his own.
Loved the author’s use of imagery and color throughout the novel. Bullet is dark and angry while Finlay dresses in pink, frilly dresses and exudes happiness. Finlay is drawn to Bullet’s tattooed body but at first the animals, words and darkness conveyed by the images scare her. As Finlay and Bullet’s relationship develops she figures out that Bullet’s tattoos tell his story. One of the most poignant scenes occurs towards the end of the novel when Finlay traces the names of Bullet’s fallen brothers on his chest—it brought me to tears.
Bullet and Finlay have experienced tragic loss. Their passion enables them to understand each other on a much deeper level. Melissa Foster is known for her strong male characters. Bullet is a perfect example of a dark alpha male. With the character of Finlay, Ms. Foster is able to bring light, joy and happiness to the brooding Bullet. Finlay brings Bullet peace. The conclusion to this novel is fabulous—heartbreaking, funny and oh so romantic. The grand gesture at the end of the novel was a tear jerker!
Reviewed By Susan Gorman
ARC provided by the publisher
“Do you want to go out with me, Finlay? Or are you playing some sort of game?”
“I don’t know,” she said honestly, throwing her hands up, frustrated with her own confusion. “Yes…Wait, no. Yes…”
He cocked his head with a perplexed expression.
“I’m sorry! I’m really confused. You mess with my head. Or rather, you’ve been messing with my head since the wedding. But that’s not your fault. And now I’m rambling, but I want to be honest with you. The truth is, I’m curious about you. Maybe more than curious,” she said, moving around him so she could pace. “But I don’t know what you expect from women, and I don’t know anything about your biker lifestyle. I don’t think I’m a biker girl. But I don’t really know that. I do know I’m probably not like the women you’re used to, and motorcycles scare me. And sometimes you scare me. Not you, you, but the idea of you, because I’m not sure who you really are. But you also turn me on, which makes it all even more confusing.”
A slow grin spread across his face.
“See? That smile makes my stomach go all sorts of crazy.”
“Call me nuts, but I think that’s a good thing, Fins.”
The endearment also made her insides flutter. But none of that came close to the worries welling up inside her right that second as the big, confident caretaker to all around him stood looking at her like he was hanging on her every word, and the truth came tumbling out. “I haven’t been with a lot of guys, and like I said, I don’t know what you expect. You’re all power and”—she tried to use her hands to emphasize her thoughts, but she ended up looking like she was imitating a bear, with claws extended—“sexuality, like you’re ready to swoop in and devour me. But I’m not sure I can handle being devoured, because it’s been so long since I’ve even kissed a guy that I might have…”
He stepped closer as slow as could be and placed a hand on her hip. She was mesmerized by his gentle approach and the touch of his hand as he brushed her hair over her shoulder, holding her gaze so intensely, she couldn’t speak. His hand slid softly to the nape of her neck, then into her hair, until his long fingers cradled the back of her head. His other arm circled her waist, holding her against him.
“Forgotten how…” she whispered.
He gave her plenty of time to pull away, to tell him no, but her voice was silenced by the throbbing of her heart, the wanting in her head. As he lowered his face toward hers, she went up on her toes, bracing for a fierce, possessive kiss. But his mouth came gently down over hers, drawing a breathy sigh. His lips were warm and soft, his hands hard and hot, and her body was a vibrating mess. His beard scratched her cheeks, sending swirls of desire spiraling through her core. He pressed her tighter against him, angled her head and kissed her harder. His tongue swept across the seam of her lips, and she surrendered to his masterful seduction. His whole body beat against her like a pulse, bringing a surge of lust from some forgotten place inside her. He took the kiss deeper, tasting every dip and swell of her mouth, and a heady sound rumbled in the back of his throat. And oh, how she loved that! She’d never been kissed so thoroughly, been wanted so desperately. She never imagined that the man who was forward motion personified could harness that power and deliver it with such all-consuming passion. She couldn’t resist lifting higher on her toes, clawing at his shoulder, trying to taste more of his sweet and sinful desire. He was right there with her, gripping her waist as he lifted her off her feet, holding her against his hard frame, her legs dangling off the ground as he kissed her breathless.
She was so lost in the slide of their tongues, the purely male, utterly unique taste of him, time failed to exist. They could have been kissing for hours, maybe even days. By the time her feet touched the ground, her noodle legs refused to work. But they didn’t need to. Bullet was still holding her tight, kissing her softer now, his scratchy beard trailing after his lips across her jaw, all the way to her ear.
His warm breath seeped into her skin as he whispered, “I think you remember how to kiss just fine. Go out with me, lollipop. You don’t have to be a biker girl. Just be my girl.”
