Kept by the Lumberjack: Ex-Military Silver Fox Mountain Man, Curvy Girl Small Town Instalove

by Rocklyn Ryder

Years in the service taught me to trust my gut, and my gut tells me that the woman hiding in my barn needs me to keep my mouth shut when a man comes around asking about a girlfriend who might have gotten lost on the hiking trail running near my property line.

One look, and I know I'm keeping the curvy little trespasser, but before I can give her the life she deserves, I'll have to protect her from the people who want her back.

Because it turns out, Natalie isn't running from an ex, she's in a far more dangerous situation-- and the man who came looking for her? He hasn't met his quota, and his time is running out.
***

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.

86 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 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.

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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 5 out of 5]

Clinton Murdock is a sexy, salt and pepper, hard bodied ex-Marine who is the co-owner of Murdock Timber with his two younger brothers. In his mid-fifties and single, he's resigned to the fact that he will most likely never find the love of his life and have a family like his brothers. 
 
Natalie is 31 years old, recently unemployed and about to be homeless. Unsure what to do with her life, she entertains the idea of living the nomad van life for a while. This would give her a place to live and she would just have to find odd jobs to pay for her gas and fuel. While on a forum, she begins talking to Scott, an older, seemingly harmless man who offers for her to hitch along with him across state to where she has found a possible van to purchase. 

While on the road, the journey takes some unexpected turns and the hair on Natalie's arms begin to rise. Is Scott really as harmless as she initially thought him to be? 

Listening to her instincts, Natalie finds herself hiding in Clinton's barn. Clinton's spidey senses have been flaring up all day. Something seems off.  As the day unfolds, he has not only an unwanted visitor but also finds a scared Natalie in his barn. Who knew that he would literally find love in his barn? All it took was one look at Natalie for Clinton to claim her as "his". But first, they both need to face danger head on. Will these two find their happily ever after together? 

Another fun, spicy, and suspenseful short book by author Rocklyn Ryder. This is the second book in which we have been exposed to Harlan and his band of merry assassins. I am hopeful and eager for Harlan and his men to find their HEAs and better halves. 

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

This is the sixth, and possibly, final book in the author’s Moonshine Ridge Lumberjacks series and features Clinton, the oldest and last single sibling in the Murdock clan—the co-owners of the timber company in charge of thinning out the trees in the spooky, Weeping Wilderness.

Clinton’s brothers had all recently settled down with wives of their own but he had long since reconciled himself to living alone on his mountain for the rest of his life… but that was before he discovered the curvy little trespasser hiding in his barn and knew he’d found the one woman for him.

What had she been thinking? Natalie had trusted the man giving her a ride to check out a van that she was planning on converting into a living area so that she could travel around until she found a place that felt like home. Her traveling companion had different plans however, plans that forced her to run and hide in the nearest shelter she could find which turned out to be a barn belonging to the hottest silver fox lumberjack she’d ever seen.

I loved this one, how the author wrapped up the mystery of the women disappearing in the Weeping Wilderness that’s been part of an ongoing theme throughout the entire series. She didn’t actually say there WASN’T any Bigfoot or wolf men in there, as people feared, only that the monsters responsible for abducting women were actually human…who knows, we might still get to meet Bigfoot and his wolfy buddies someday.

This has been an awesome series, short and sweet with hot lumberjacks and tons of steamy goodness. Check it out! 4.5 stars

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

[Lexee Toste · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! We get the final Murdoch brother finding his special woman as she shows up on his property needing help. This one was interesting and entertaining. I enjoyed seeing Clinton and Natalie together. Natalie quickly figures out that she is in trouble and ends up hiding in Clinton's barn. When a guy shows up looking for her and Clinton sees her hiding he figures out pretty quickly that the guy is lying and that she needs help. This story was lighthearted though it has a little bit of the suspense/tension going on with it clear that the guys seem to be traffickers. The story moves quickly but it is short and was to be expected but it doesn't feel overly rushed and flows smoothly. It was an easy one to dive into and I found it very enjoyable. I am definitely looking forward to the spin off with the security/merc group that we get to see again here.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed "KEPT BY THE LUMBERJACK" This story grabs you from the start so much intrigue, mystery, danger, fear, action, steam, emotional turmoil, suspense you won't be able to out down.
Clinton Murdock retired from the service an ex-Matine now running Murdock Timber in Mooshine Ridge with his two brothers finds a scared Natalie in his barn hiding, he'll do anything to protect her from the ones that want to hurt her.
Will Clinton & Natalie find love with one another & survive the man that was after her you must read to see what happens such a delightful read I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Jeanne Mead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie thought she could accept the goodwill offer of a ride to pick up a set of wheels through a travel forum Scott's relative is a moderator of.
The situation became suspicious when detours were taken to visit a favorite hiking site of his.
Alarms went off when she heard additional voices, so she found a place to hide.
The hiding place happened to be Clinton Murdock's barn.
Everything picks up speed from there and it's a wild, intense whirlwind with very steamy moments mixed in.
Frantic page turner for a hot minute that keeps your heart pumping.
Does not disappoint!

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Natalie gets into trouble with her road trip parter Scott, she hides out in Clinton’s barn to get away. Clinton realizes Natalie is in trouble and from first sight, she is his and will do whatever it takes to protect her. Good thing he has connections because she will need all the help she can get.
A great short steamy read with suspense and great characters. No drama and some action kept me flipping the pages and now all the brothers have their HEA.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As expected with a fast read novella, this instalove romance is over the top in how quickly Nicole goes from hiding out in a barn to being between the sheets with Clinton. If you can ignore how quickly Nicole became so trusting a second time, it is an exciting read as Clinton races to save her. It has enough details to make this age gap romance interesting and wanting a Clinton for your very own.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moonshine Ridge Lumberjacks book 6

Clinton found Natalie in a pile of hay hiding from a man that claimed she was his girlfriend. Natalie was terrified and Clinton took her in to protect her and lost his heart. I was so glad to read the 6th book in the Moonshine Ridge Lumberjack series but also sad that the series is ending. I am looking forward to read a new series with Harlan and his crew of Ghosts.

[Tripip · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is not long but there is plenty of action! Both suspense and romantic. I liked the characters although Natalie does come across as a bit of a bimbo – who travels with a near stranger?? Clinton is a sexy, protective, older (20years older) silver fox who comes to Natalie’s rescue. I read this is one sitting as it kept my attention and didn’t let go!

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

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author always delivers and this book is a great addition to the series. There's action, danger, some real bad guys, and some real heroes to save the day. There's also deliciously growly alpha protectiveness, swoony, lusty possessiveness, and smoking-hot smexiness. I love the way these mountain men know when they've found their match and don't hesitate to let her know. There's plenty of story packed into the pages, never a dull moment, and a perfect HEA.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last of the Murdock brothers finds his woman. As with his brothers, she was in danger and he had to keep her safe. Love at first sight, more steam than story, but enough character development to make it all work. The mystery of the disappearing women is uncovered, leading into the next series.
Enjoyable short fast read.

I was gifted with an advanced reader's copy as part of the author's review team. This is my unbiased, voluntary and honest review.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent short story about a young woman trying to find where and how she wants to live. Natalie caught a ride and now’s in danger. Clinton’s a lumberjack with his house and small farm who decides to help her. Theres danger, mystery, older man/younger woman and more. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by Ms Ryder.

[Country Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natalie is in danger and she runs right down the mountain and finds Clinton Murdock’s property where she takes shelter in his barn. From the moment Clinton Murdock finds Natalie his heart goes from lonely to filled with an insta love we all dream about. But danger isn’t done with Natalie yet!
Who doesn’t love a sexy mountain man, suspense and love?
"Thank you for writing this story.”

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie got in a van with a semi stranger…

Natalie is not the brightest. She did get in a van with a semi stranger who then set her up for a ‘napping or worse. She manages to avoid it by seeking shelter with Clinton, a silver lumberjack who lose property she passed (it’s the only one for mikes around). Clinton decides to keep the much younger girl and keep her safe from the goons.

[Linnette Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mountain Man Rescue

She is being trafficked and doesn’t realize, she escapes and hides finding her dream partner. When the evil comes back he moves heaven and earth to get her back. Instant chemistry, scary moments and the most loving ones after the rescue. .oved this book!

[Robin Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finders Keepers

He found her in a haystack where she was hiding from human traffickers. Then she ended up kidnapped by them. What followed was a rip roaring rescue op. Another instalove story full of action, adventure, danger all ending in a HEA.

[Moriah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

Silver fox, mountain man, ex-military... Clinton is there for Natalie when she needs him the most. When it's between life or death, he'll go to any length to get her back. Loved their story.

[Melissa Ledet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick Read

Love Clinton and Natalie's book. Love how they meet and how Clinton protects her before he even talked to her. Loved their ending.

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

Loved it.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review for a honest review in my own words on a book I read. Clinton Murdock Is one sexy man who has the protective gene so when he finds a women in his barn hiding he knows he's going to protect her. Fantastic