Rock Hard Lumberjack

Rock Hard #2

by Rye Hart

He left the MMA ring - vowing never to turn back. He shut the door to society – until she walked in - and turned everything around.

HUGH MADDOX
I’ve had enough of the crap that goes along with being a pro MMA fighter.
After what happened that night - I can’t stop replaying every damn minute in my mind. I vowed to leave the hell hole I built for myself and never turn back.
Living in the woods in a reclusive cabin was just what I needed.
I had been doing just fine for years.

Then in walked Sam . . .

Poor little spoiled city girl.
Run home to daddy before you get hurt little lady.
She was the last thing I needed in my life – at least that’s what my brain told me but my lower half had . . . conflicting feelings.

I take pride in my ability to restrain myself – but her presence has me - pushing my boundaries.

SAM WASHINGTON
After catching my a## hole of a boyfriend with another girl – I had enough and was ready for an escape.

Taking a story at work that would send me deep into the woods may have been a rash move – but then again it landed me into the arms of the sexiest specimen I’ve ever laid my eyes on.

Mysterious. Rugged. And oozing with sex appeal.
His touch ignites a passion in me that I never even knew existed.
While my ex couldn’t find a G spot if it hit him in the face, I have no doubt that Hugh knows just how to use the wood he’s packing.

The only problem is I know the secret he has kept locked up for years and I don’t think he wants anyone to find out.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Sports

205 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 21, 2017

About the author

Rye Hart. Own Your Naughty.

Rye Hart writes about powerfully sexy women and the hot alpha bad boys who love them. You will not find any cheating here. Rye's books are packed with hot passionate love and happy ever after endings.

Personal Note from The Author:
Rye Hart here! Thank you for supporting a new indie romance author. Anything you can do, whether it be writing a review, or even simply telling a fellow reader that you enjoyed my book means the world!

Join me in the fun by subscribing to my Naughty Girl Newsletter.

Subscribe to my newsletter, and get my Bad Boy Romance series FREE: http://bit.ly/RYEHART

Like my Face Book page to join the naughty girl community: http://bit.ly/RYEHARTFACEBOOK

I want to wow you in every way. If you have any feedback just shoot me an email here: Rye@RyeHartBooks.com

Until next time, stay naughty!
XOXO
Rye Hart

Reviews

[Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam Washington recently found out her boyfriend of the last year had been cheating on her, she is bored with her job & is not particularly enthused with life at the moment. She know she was settling with Owen, her now ex-boyfriend, but he was what was in front of her at the time. Her boss decides to give her an assignment covering a story about a new animal sanctuary in Washington State. She also wants her to check out some rumors about an ex-MMA fighter living in the same area. Hugh Maddox was at the top of his profession when he left NYC a couple of years ago to live in the wilds of the Washington Canadian Border area. He was the MMA champion in his weight division when a horrible accident occurred & he decided that he longer wanted to have anything to do with professional fighting. He has lived a solitude life trying to forget what made him run away in the first place. When Hugh sees Sam walking towards his cabin for the first time, he reacts like any man would who hasn’t been with a women in a while, he wants to jump her. But when he realizes she is there for him, he wants nothing but for her to leave. Sam manages to get an invite to stay once it starts to rain really hard. Sam thinks Hugh is familiar but cannot figure out who he is. Hugh is distracted by Sam’s presence in his house because it has been a long time since he has hung with a woman & he is attracted to Sam. Hugh decides to tell Sam his story including the dark secret he has kept from everyone. He just hopes it will not push her away. Will Sam be able to deal with Hugh’s secret? Will Hugh find some peace by finally sharing his past? Is this the start of a relationship for Sam & Hugh?

This charming little romance is both fun & sexy. Our main characters get an opportunity to see each other through the eyes of the other when they open up to each other. By sharing the pain from their pasts they each are able to start to heal & move forward to face the challenges that lie ahead. Love happens fast for these two & it is sweet how they are able to be there for each other. It kind of makes me want to go out find my own ax toting lumberjack or maybe to get the hubby to play dress-up….. LOL.. This book is meant for mature readers.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book.

[Jen_C · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Kill-Me-Now stars.

Recommended ONLY for history buffs who also enjoy literature name-dropping interspersed with attempted poetics, F-bombs and insta-love.

If editing issues or realism are important to you, skip this one (see below).

Hugh puts an arm under my knees and princess carries me out of the room, up the stairs, down the hall, and tosses me onto his bed.

Note: Exactly how do you "princess carry"?

But damaged goods is more than she deserves.

Note: ??? He says he is damaged goods. Is he too good for her?

Is he discarding me in front of me?



Examples:

The first time Owen and I had sex—... I thought to myself: Is this it? Can that really be what all the romance novels are about? What caused the Peloponnesian War and the siege of Troy? This is why Romeo and Juliet died? This is why Lacey is always glowing and looking for her next conquest? Owen had always seemed to be enjoying himself. During, I mean. But he enjoyed sex the same way he enjoyed coins and ramen noodles: with gravitas and decorum.

“It’s you !” she says. “It’s him!” she says, turning to the guy with the cameras, who is now a nice shade of spectral white. From the look of him you would think I’m a cannibal come to collect his glossy pelt."

I start giggling, punctuating my gasps with little yips of laughter as I get closer and closer.

“He cheated? A guy with a coin collection cheated on you? And he actually found someone to cheat with?”

I gasp at the sensation. She works me like some sort of aquatic sex toy. Damn, this woman is good.

Hugh doesn’t slow down. I expect him to come by now too, but he’s still revving hard. I can’t seem to open my eyes and I feel like I could vanish in this very moment. Hugh pounds away, his hands tight on my ass, and even though my eyes are closed, everything becomes extremely bright inside of my head as my body bucks, almost rejecting his c**k, almost trying to escape him. I have no control over any of it, not even my scream, as I come a third time.

"I’m not sure how long we are there in the water, enmeshed , giving ourselves to each other, healing our pasts. But when we finish it feels almost like a post-coital resurrection."

[Sara MacRae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

This was a tough one for me to rate very high, and after reading through all the other reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, I almost feel guilty, as if I’ve missed something. I really enjoyed author Rye Hart’s first book, even though it could have been a bit more tightly threaded storyline-wise, but the potential was there, and I think Hart has the raw talent to write a whole bunch of good stuff.

In this book, there are (for me) several inconsistencies (i.e. Jarom and Sam arrived by plane, retrieved their rental car – likely stowing their luggage therein – then started traversing through the woods, but when Hugh and Sam ended up in his cabin, he took her suitcase up the stairs to his room…she was carrying her suitcase through the woods?), but it’s a novella meant to entertain and whisk the reader away to enjoy a non-intense, romantic, and sexy story with a HEA. I was somewhat befuddled by Lacey’s visit seemingly thrown in as a wrench to screw up the rapport built up between Hugh and Sam, especially since he seemed to easily get over his subsequent anger with Sam about what he overheard her shouting to Lacey. The number of years – was he living in the woods/left his career two years, many years, or a few years ago? If you can disregard these sorts of things, the story is easy to follow from start to finish.

All that said, Sam is a likable and enjoyable character – independent, smart, and the good listener that Hugh needs – and emotionally wise in how she counsels him, and those scenes are well-scripted though quick to the chase. Hugh’s admissions – both about Andrew and then his feelings about Sam – were sad but understandable, and sweet and endearing, respectively.

As mentioned I enjoyed Hart’s first book a bit more than this one, but this was a cute, short, and non-agonizing read – two fun characters who hit it off, fall in love, and embrace their HEA.

I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader copy and provided a review.

[Iso · Rating 1 out of 5]

i hated so many things about this i don’t even know where to start

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

He is out in the middle of nowhere, trying to keep what little privacy and secrets he is hiding to himself. That is until during a stormy night he sees a woman in his woods. That woman is being handled by some guy who doesn't have a clue. So Hugh is going to play rescuer. But in his mind after seeing her, that is ok with him. When he gets her to his cabin out of the rain, he realizes he doesn't like the being all alone part anymore. But she is hiding something too.

She is stuck on an assignment out in the middle of a wooded nowhere when just Sam's luck the storm is in coming....and she is stuck in the middle of nowhere with one of the best photographer but most horrible drooley weirdo from work. Great, just a a strike of lightning lights up the wooded area Sam swears she sees something. When Jarom (drool man) puts his hands on her and acts very possessive, Sam is sure she saw something, and that something happens to be one beautiful lumberjack man.

Once in the cabin, both of them realize that what they are running from is always with them. They haven't shared their misguided secrets with anyone. It is weird how they both seem to draw that energy from one another, you know the need to tell their secrets. Sam is told by Hugh that when these storms come in they can last for days. Okay, this should not be that hard to deal with, right? Hugh takes his frustrations out on the back porch on a punching bag. It starts off intense and all consuming, all the memories, but the one thing that soothes him is her. She is watching from the window upstairs, after being woken up from the storm. She too has frustrations needing to be taken care of.

Then it happens, there is a break to their concrete protective barriers. Over some food they start to tell each other the hidden secrets in their lives, the ones who have shaped them for who they are, but more than that they express their feelings about each other, to one another. They are strong feelings and powerful as well. There is a hurtful twist but it is quickly resolved and makes these two enjoy the "revenge" they are able to take, although truthfully they no longer are looking for that fix, no they are too busy concentrating on one another. And concentrate with a bit of "in your face" to the ones who have hurt them, along with their happy ever after.....so good!

[ViolinVixen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam's life is at a crossroads. She just turfed a cheating ex-boyfriend and she's feeling bored and unchallenged with her job as a reporter for a local tabloid. When her editor tells her that she's been assigned to an on location assignment to uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of MMA superstar Hugh Maddox, she is excited for the opportunity. It sounds great, until she finds out that the photographer who spends his days, literally drooling, for her is coming along for the trip.

When they get lost in the backwoods of northern Washington, they're met with an axe-wielding man who lives in a cabin out there in the middle of nowhere. Axe-man scares the life out of Sam's photographer and sends him packing, but offers to give Sam the scoop if she comes inside to wait out the storm. Sam, eager to rid herself of the drooling puppy-man and intrigued by the beautiful, bearded mountain man, follows the stranger to his cabin.

Hugh, having exiled himself to a hermit's lifestyle since tragedy struck his life and career, hadn't been around a woman in a very, very long time. He thought he'd come to accept his life of loneliness, but he's immediately attracted to the gorgeous, feisty reporter. Hugh not only wants her in his bed, but really enjoys her company and conversation. He's a gentle giant who has given up a life of fame and fortune to punish himself for an accident and Sam brings his sweet side to the surface for the first time in a long time.

They keep each other warm during the snowy night and the chemistry between them is electric. Rye Hart knows how to write steamy sex scenes!

Will Sam get the scoop to give her career the boost it so desperately needs? Will Hugh trust Sam enough to open up his soul to share his darkest secrets? When it's time for Sam to head back home, will they say goodbye, or will Hugh consider re-entering the land of the living to give his relationship with Sam a fighting chance?

Steamy quick read with a unique story line and likeable main characters. This is the second book I've read by this author and I look forward to enjoying more of her work in the future.

[Rebecca Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam is a journalist for a tabloid in New York. She is at a lost since she found her boyfriend cheating on her. Her editor gives her an out-of- town assignment to investigate a sighting of an ex-pro MMA fighter living isolated in the woods. She has to bring along a photographer that has had a crush on her.
When Sam goes out in the wood with the photographer, he treats her horribly. Luckily a lumberjack comes by and chases him off. Sam is happy to see that she has found her MMA fighter. A big storm blows up and the lumberjack brings her to his home and honors her request of an interview.
Hugh was a champion MMA fighter until a tragedy stuck. He just walked away from fighting and the city to live peacefully in the woods. When he meets Sam, he realizes that he is also feeling lonely and he misses sex. Sam is a huge temptation. He is even willing to agree to an interview to keep her around longer.
This is great story about two hurt people finding each other. I voluntarily received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Lisa Tetting · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is it with Lumberjacks? I'll tell you what it is. They are sexy with hard bodies and beards. What woman doesn't want a manly beast to take her and provide her more pleasure than she has ever known? I'll wait...

In this tale, Sam is said woman. After her nerdy, coin collecting ex boyfriend cheated on her, she is a little lost and lonely. She really wasn't that into her ex, she just liked the companionship he brought to the table- even if it was passionless.

When she reluctantly receives an assignment to leave the comforts of NYC to go out to Washington state and hunt down a reclusive ex MMA fighter for a tabloid story, her life changes for the better.

Enter the lumberjack. Now in the true sense of the word, Hugh is no lumberjack. He is more of a guy who simply wants to be left alone after a tragedy. He ran away from the big city in search of isolation so he could mourn and get his head together. Years later, he was still living in a modest cabin out in the middle of nowhere. He had become as illusive as big foot. His one regret, there were no women out in the vast land to satisfy his manly needs.

Cue the music and soft lights, because Sam comes barreling into his line of sight out of the blue. He knows she is a reporter, but he is compelled to talk to her; tell his tragic story and spill his secrets. He is instantly attracted to her and promptly gets rid of her overbearing co-worker who has the hots for her.

These two are so cute together. They have immediate chemistry, but what I really enjoyed was the naturally playful banter. Stuck together in a rain storm, they get along like old friends, well friends with benefits. They are both lonely and looking for companionship so the tryst wasn't unexpected.

What I didn't see coming was her BFF, Lacey showing up out of the blue. Lacey is a wild child who uses men for pleasure. Poor Sam thought Hugh would jilt her for Lacey, but she as mistaken. In fact, the impromptu visit causes a fight, Lacey leaves and Hugh wants Sam gone, but only after he makes one final confession.

That's all you're getting.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insta love

Hero, Hugh  = 4/5
Heroine, Sam = 4/5
Secondary Characters = 3/5
Chemistry = 4/5
Sex = 5/5
Plot = 4/5
Mystery = 2/5
Action =  1/5
Darkness = 1/5
Humor = 1/5
POV = Dual POV
Ending = HEA, No cliffhanger
Stars =  4 ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Author = Rye Hart
Would I recommend this book = Yes
Would I re-read this book = No
Would I read future books by this author = Yes

Hugh runs away to hide from the world when something bad happens to him. Years later, Sam, who is a reporter, finds Hugh to do a story on him. There is an instant connection between the two. Sparks are flying but will that be enough? Can one uproot from their current lives to be with one another?

I enjoyed this read. It was predicitble at times but the chemistry between the two was off the charts. Insta love all the way and it was amazing.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only was this a fun read.....it had me laughing so hard my husband came in the room reading over my shoulder. He came in when Sam was introducing Hugh to Owen 2.0.

Sam has no idea what true attraction was. Her boyfriend cheated on her and now her boss is sending her into the woods to find a story. A story about a MMA fighter who disappeared. Sam is about to see what true attraction is.

After a tragedy Hugh leaves his life behind and is living in seclusion and is doing just find to a gorgeous reporter tracks him down and wants his story.

The story was engaging and had me reading through it pretty quickly. It was fluid and moved at a great pace.

[Rebecca Johns · Rating 5 out of 5]

While there is no actual violence in the book, there is violence talked about in a few scenes, just to give you all a heads up. Sam just wanted to find the truth, Hugh wanted to hide from the truth. It took one chance encounter in the woods, one freak thunderstorm, and a whole lot of love to bring the truth out, and heal his heart. A few steamy sex and love making scenes just make this rock hard lumberjack the perfect book to curl up with on a cold night. Absolutely loved this book. I voluntarily read an advanced review copy of this book.

[Debs · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Rock Hard Lumberjack" was a short story with insta love and likable characters. I am sure it is hard to do in a short story with a lot of substance, but I would have liked to have seen the characters fleshed out a bit more. I needed more feeling of a connection between them besides sex. Hugh and Samantha did get their HEA, although I think it is more geared as a fun quick read for a younger audience. Thank you to the author for gifting me with "Rock Hard Lumberjack" and asking for my honest opinion. This is mine. 3 Stars

[CharmaineW · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
Peace, quiet, tranquility, solitude. That's all ex MMA fighter Hugh Maddox wants. Some peace to ease his memories, his secret. Until one day he sees a woman in the forest. Who is she, what is she doing here. Sam Washington has to do a story about a rumoured animal sanctuary taking place here in Washington State. After her cheating ex Owen, she is glad to get away, even though it is with nerdy Jaron, yuk, a photographer. Hugh frightens Jaron off so now it is just him and Sam alone. There is an instant chemistry in the air and both are wary but now a horrible storm is coming. Hugh and Sam get to know each other in more ways than they thought, surprisingly for them. Opening their hearts, about their fears, wants, needs and secrets they thought they wouldn't reveal. A heartbreaking story at times but Hugh realises he has to move on and with Sam to help him. It was a beautiful emotional sexy story and loved it all.

[Laila Viking · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waw. This book is filled with passion and lust. You almost get sweat on your forehead just from reading it.
This book gets you through a lot of feelings; laughter, sadness, adventure, passion, friendship and of course love.
As usual I had to read this book without putting it down. You just have to read what comes next.
This book makes you laugh but also makes you think about the plot and the truth in it.
The timeline is very short. But maybe sometimes love strikes fast - who knows.
Absolutely worth reading!

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sam was left devastated when she found out her boyfriend was cheating on her. She leaves town to find the famous MMA fighter who vanished off the face of the earth.
When she finds him he is just what she is looking for.
Hugh left town after a friends accident that he felt responsible for. He hasn't been with a woman in many years and Sam is firing up his libido. It doesn't take long before they are setting the sheets on fire.
Quick nice read.

[Fran Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grizzly Adams Heartthrob and the Reporter

Inner Rye tabloid writer, Sam, is sent to Washington to do a story on an MMA fighter who up and quit for no reason and hasn't been seen in years. Hugh had left it all behind when his brother was killed in an underground fight club. Sam and Hugh have instant chemistry, and passionate sex, he willingly opens up to her about why he left and she helps him realize Andrew was not his fault.

[Kolena Horner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed a free advance copy of this book.
This is the 2nd book from Rye Hart I've read and am fast becoming a big fan! MMA fighter is still fighting his demons, while city girl writer is also trying to escape. Together they find love and help get rid of each others demons. FANTASTIC!

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book and voluntarily decided to review it

This is s great read, excellent storyline, fantastic characters and sizzling sexy scenes, Rye Hart is a great writer abd this book is a complete page turner

[Marcel Corbin · Rating 4 out of 5]

To much vulgarity not necessry, other than that great book looking forward to Luke's take

on giving his brother part of the ranch.
Ben and Luke's reunion , are there any wedding bells between the three?

[Sharon Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!! Rye Hart is becoming one of my favourite authors. Can't wait for her next book

[Yeri (wildflowerreader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay read

I enjoyed it for what it was an okay read. Was surprised by the amount of stories this book contained, it was unexpected.

[Darlene Fessenden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome story about a wrestler, Hugh, who gave it all up to live in a cabin in the woods. His plans changed when Sam stumbled into his life. Another great romance by Rye Hart.

[K. Ryner · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - it was an OK read

[Tonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

[Margie Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, easy read. Hot and fun.

[Angel Ratcliffe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good storyline

I enjoyed reading this story but things moved a bit fast. The first time they were having a serious, sad conversation then immediately into sex. It just didn't make sense to me.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the first book by this author and I couldn't wait to read her next one. I wasn't disappointed.

Hugh ran away from his life and his career when something tragic happened in his life and he blamed himself for it. He has been in a forest by himself for years, with no other human contact unless he goes to town. When he meets Sam things start to change. He still feels that he is to blame for what happens but Sam is there to help him out.

Sam needs to go and do a story. She has to also go with a guy that has a crush on her. She has just seen her boyfriend cheat on her. Her friend gives her a little gift that is way better than he had ever been. Sparks just fly when she meets Hugh. There is just something about him that makes her think that she knows him from somewhere.

I really like that each character trust the other with their stories. Especially Hugh, who has been holding all this inside himself all these years. I hate that we never get to see how the fight goes at the end. It was a great story and one that I would read again.

I voluntarily read an ARC copy of this book.

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam is a woman with a lousy lover who gets cheated on. She is a journalist with talent that gets the assignment of her life by searching the secluded mma fighter gone lumberjack. Hugh is running away from a painful past. At the top of his career he disappears to the mountains, only to be found out by the girl who will turn his life around. Nice story!

[Shelly Celli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and steamy read. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it, especially how Hugh trusts her enough to open up, but also enough to know when she's blowing smoke.

Sam has been stepped on and humiliated by her ex, Owen, cheating on her. Many times before, she's heard her best friend say she believes the old saying, "easiest way to get over someone is to get under someone else"...only, Owen is the only person she's been with and she really was only with him because she was comfortable. Now her job as a journalist is sending her across country to look for a former MMA fighter who's supposedly locked himself away from the world....with the one photographer that has a huge crush on her. Ugh!

Hugh went through a major tragedy and his coping mechanism caused him to run and hide basically. He hasn't been around anyone other than the towns people he sees while getting provisions in the last few years since locking himself away in his old cabin in Washington state. Last thing he expects is Sam and Jarom stumbling onto his property and causing him to want to talk about the past...well Jarom just makes him want to punch him so he's sent away (that was great!). Sam and Hugh spend a few informative (and HOT) days together, until her friend Lacey shows up and some things are said that causes a lot of problems.

Must read to find out what happens to this couple, will Sam get her story? Will they realize they're meant for each Other? And will Hugh forgive himself for everything that happened? I voluntarily received and reviewed an ARC from the author.

[Christi Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Romance - MMA
Stand-Alone: Yes
Part of a Series: No
POV: Alternating Sam/Hugh
Steam Level: I need a shower
4.5/5

This is the second book I've read by Rye Hart. I wasn't sure about reading more after the first book but I'm glad I did. This book was well-written and fast-paced. Once I started it, it went super quick. The chemistry between Hugh and Samantha is explosive and extremely hot. The secondary characters around Sam were hilarious.

I guessed the secret just by reading the book description. However the execution and telling of said secret was excellent. The reminder that big, strong guys still have feelings is definitely needed. Hugh was vulnerable and sensitive without losing any masculinity. This was refreshing to read and well done on the author's part.

I'll definitely continue to read Rye Hart's books and cannot wait for her next book. I received an advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.