Rescued by the Lumberjack: Protective Mountain Man gets his Curvy Girl

by Rocklyn Ryder

Six years ago, I showed up in this sleepy mountain town to work for the local logging crew.

Now that I've got some years behind me, I'm ready to make Moonshine Ridge my permanent home, I've got the job, the house, and the desire to build a future here; all I need is the woman who'll build it with me.

I never thought I'd find her clinging to the side of a cliff.

When I look into Phoenix's sky blue eyes, all I see is the future I'm looking for.

I may have rescued Phoenix from a fall that could have ended in tragedy, but when her feet are back on solid ground, will she be the one who rescues my heart?

***

Welcome to Moonshine Ridge and the rugged wilderness surrounding the remote mountain community where the history is long, the local lore is deep, and the men are as wild as the mountains they come from.

Protective, possessive, totally obsessed; the men of Moonshine Ridge will do anything necessary to claim the women they love and give her the happily ever after she deserves.

The Moonshine Ridge books contain a lot of insta-love, some swearing, some steamy scenes, zero cheating, and a lot of swoon-worthy happy endings. They're interconnected with recurring characters but can be read as stand-alones in any order.

61 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 16, 2025

About the author

Rocklyn prefers her romance reads to be short, cute, and dirty; low drama and a little over-the-top: extra points for growly, alpha heroes with beards.

Originally from the farms and ranches of Central California, Rocklyn grew up in the lap of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Those small towns will always be home, but Rocklyn was born to roam.

These days she spends her days exploring America's back roads in her camper trailer, writing steamy happily-ever-afters while looking for internet.

Follow Rocklyn here, on Amazon, find her on social media, or drop by the website (rocklynwrites dot net) and keep in touch when you join the (mostly) weekly newsletter and never miss updates on what's in the works-- and what's working and not in a life full of adventure and shenanigans.

***
And what do I read? Total smut, the kind with over-the-top chemistry that gets characters to lose their minds and their clothes as soon as possible-- they can work out the kinks on the way to happily ever after later!

Reviews

[Lil Ms Reads A LOT · Rating 4 out of 5]

To date, I have read every single one of Rocklyn Ryder's short stories. This is the first one where I truly felt disconnected with the characters and didn't finish the book absolutely loving the story. Don't get me wrong, I love a good short story, the smuttier the better. The chemistry in this book was undeniably explosive. The sexual imagery created by the author was rock solid. The plot was interesting. I just felt like I didn't know the female lead anymore at the end of the book than I did on page one. Sure I knew her first name, that she was curvy, and that she loved to bake and worked at the local coffee shop. Other than that we really didn't learn anything about her. Sadly, without a bit more character development, this couple is just not very memorable. For me as a reader I need to know a little bit more than that about both the male and female lead characters. How did she come to arrive in Moonshine Ridge? Does she have any family of her own? I just felt like I needed to know more about her backstory in order to truly enjoy the story and the smutty bits. Lol Otherwise, the writing was solid. I just needed a little something more with regards to who Phoenix is as a woman. Doesn't have to be a lot--- just something.

Is this author Rocklyn Ryder's best work yet? Not in my opinion.( that would be her book "Bush") It is however a very good read if you're looking for a short, sexy read to help you while away the hours of a hot summer's day.

I'm very much looking forward to reading what the author comes up with next in this series.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one of the author’s new Moonshine Ridge Lumberjacks series and, oh my gosh, I can’t even tell you how glad I am to be back on Moonshine Ridge!! In true Diaz/Jones/Hart/McAllister fashion (speaking of, I absolutely loved hearing about my favorite mountain men and their families!), Adam, our MMC was just as much of a hot, dirty talking mountain man as those born and raised on the mountain even though he was a semi recent newcomer. Phoenix, our FMC, WAS a newcomer…so much so that she didn’t take heed of the warnings circulating around about the Weeping Wilderness and ended up taking a tumble off a cliff in her rush to escape the shadowy WHATEVER it was she glimpsed running through the forest. Thank goodness Adam was in the vicinity with his crew!

I can’t wait for future books to find out just what’s out there that strikes fear in the hearts of grown men, including Adam, our secksy logger, and his crew but for now I’m just celebrating being back on the mountain. LOVED it!!! 5 stars!!

I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back to Moonshine Ridge with another short story about the possessive mountain men. There must be something in the water, because even those men who are not born in the mountains to one of the founding families develop a sense of knowing at first sight exactly who their mate is. So it is with Adam, who has been lumberjacking for a few years on the Ridge. But when he rescues Phoenix, who got spooked while walking through Weeping Wilderness and slipped off a cliff, he knows. I personally could do without the coarse language, but then I am from a totally different culture. Ryder's stories are quick reads with likable characters, instant love and HEAs.

I read a gifted ARC from the author as part of her review crew. This is my unbiased, voluntary and honest review.

[Julianne Macneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this book as part of an arc program. This is the first book in the Moonshine Ridge Lumberjacks series. In this book, Phoenix and Adam. Phoenix was hiking in the woods one day when she heard a noise and fell. Adam works for the logging company and he has made Moonshine Ridge his home. He would love to settle down and have a family, but he doesn't think he will ever meet his soul mate, until he sees her hanging over a cliff. Adam knows Phoenix is who he is meant to be with and when he rescues her, he has to convince her. I liked this book, it was an instant love story. It was a great story to begin a new series. I like the idea of the men settling down with their soul mates after an accidental meeting. Good one.

[Barbara Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam is a lumberjack and is ready to settle down. He just needs to find his perfect woman. He and his bosses are marking dead trees, deep in the forest. On his way back to his truck he hears a woman crying for help.
Phoenix is the new baker in town, she has been taking hikes in her own. She is spooked and losing her footing on the trail and falls to a rock ledge. She knows she is in trouble and has no hope of helping herself.
This is a cute short read, as soon as Adam sees Phoenix he knows she is the one for him. He feels like fate just delivered her up to him.
Adam is older, a brute of a man and just what young, innocent Phoenix needs

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed "RESCUED BY THE LUMBERJACK" Another interesting, intriguing, delightful Moonshine Ridge romance with great charscters.
Phoenix took a fall off a cliff hanging on for dear life when she's rescued by a hunk of a Lumberjack named Adam.
Phoenix isn't sure about staying in a small town but Adam fell for at first sight can he use their attraction to one another to get her stay he thinks she's the one for him.
Will Adam & Pheonix get their HEA a must read to see how it all plays out I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’re back to Moonshine Ridge, a few years later with the next group who need their HEA, starting with Adam, a lumberjack and Phoenix who just moved to the Ridge.
Once again, when you know….you know….and these two don’t waste time when Adam rescues Phoenix from the side of a cliff. Short, steamy, no mess, no fuss and for a short read, it packs a punch and will leave you smiling from ear to ear.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

MTN. RIDGE LUMBERJACKS BOOK 1

Phoenix loves hiking and her favorite is in the parts of the mountains where the scariest folklore exists. But she is'nt superstitious. But she hears something and when she looks back it moved. Phoenix is running and then turns around and slips over the edge. She is all alone when she hears some one singing, and she calls out, Adam hears her and looks over the edge and loses his heart.
Love seeing Moonshine Ridge again!!!

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contemporary Lumberjack story as man rescues woman. The characters are well developed and interesting. Phoenix is unsure about living in a small town. So he has his work cut out for him but he’s planning to use their attraction. It’s a short story but generates steamy scenes with beautiful mountain backgrounds. I look forward to reading more books by Ms Ryder.

[Jeanne Mead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going for a quick after work hike turned into a landslide of life altering events for Phoenix who had to keep from panicking after a fast tumble left her stranded.
Lumberjack Adam was headed down the mountain when he heard a call for help and found what he's been searching for - over the edge of a ravine.
Insta romance with a dash of suspense at its hottest!

[Moriah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

Phoenix loves spending time outdoors in the part of the woods where it smells so good. Folklore is big in certain areas, so when she thinks she sees something, she runs. Adam is there to save her when she falls off the edge of a cliff and claims her before he even gets her back up on land. These two were perfect for each other. Loved them.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved rescued by the lumberjack which was Adam and Phoenix’ story. It was a steamy and addictive read. Loved the characters. I received an early copy of the book. And voluntarily leaving this review.

[Robin Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pulling up his Girl

He pulled her up out of the ravine when he heard her cries for help. Pulled her up and into his arms and he never let her go. A quick and sweet story of instalove and forever. Together they got their HEA.

[Rhonda Cave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!!

Quick short read but very spicy. Like they say,when you know, you know. Adam and Phoenix are a love at first sight. I love that. Adam rescues Phoenix from a ledge that she slid down on the side of a mountain.

[Tripip · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and steamy read. Not much meat to the story so perfect to while away an hour or two.

I received a free copy from the author. This is my unbiased review.

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Instant fun..

Adam is a mountain man, lumberjack who is ready to settle down. With Phoenix, the literal damsel in distress.
And it’s on!
Recommend.

[Melissa Ledet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick Read

Phoenix and Adam's story is an instant love connection between the two of them when he rescues her from a cliff. Love the connection between the two of them.

[sheryl blaszczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story

Oh what a story. It was so hot and the story was great. Loved this couple. I guess when you know you know

[dianna fifield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woww

Another hot mountain man and a curvey gal! Meeting each sparks fly and the heat between them is enough to set the whole mountain in flames!

[Linnette Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Rescue

This couple is really good together and was so fun to read. Good conversation, awesome location and a sweet town. I really enjoyed reading!

[Zondra.Hallyahoo.Com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Della Veilleux · Rating 5 out of 5]

hot hot hot

Holy Hanna what a hot read, short and sweet. Beginning to end, perfect. Keep the books coming girl, a will always read.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review for a honest review in my own words on a book I read. This story is so cute I enjoyed the characters.

[Lexee Toste · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one! It was entertaining and easy to read. It was a fun getting to know Adam and Phoenix through this story. Adam moved up to Moonshine Ridge years ago and works for the logging company and is ready to settle down and make this his permanent home, he just needs the right woman. After work one day, Adam hears Phoenix yell out and rescues her from the side of a cliff. There is immediate chemistry between them and sexual chemistry as he takes her home to take care of her. This is definitely a short, quick read and so things move fast with some instalove and high chemistry. This was a lighthearted, low angst story that I enjoyed.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.