Her Mountain Man Protector

Journey's Close, Alaska #1

by Gia Bailey

Cain
I came to the woods to be alone. I came to the woods to die. I deserved that much.
But then, I saw her, hurt and desperate. Needing help. I couldn’t leave her.
I came to the woods to be alone, but instead, I found her, and I’m keeping her.
She’s light and hope, where I am only darkness and regret, but when she looks at me, I know that I will do whatever it takes to make her mine.
I don’t care about her past.
I don’t care about her demons.
I’ll slay them all to protect her.
She’s afraid they’ll catch up to her.
Let them come.
She’s not alone anymore… and she never will be again.
Let them come.


Violet
I came to the woods to escape.
I ran there with the last energy I could muster and ran straight into a wild-looking mountain man.
He saved me and asked for nothing in return.
Huge and bearded, tattooed and brutish… I could have been afraid of him, but I’d only known Cain hours before I knew he was nothing like the other man in my life. The one who had made me afraid.
Cain healed me and cared for me, with his burly strength and bad memories, he’s the alpha male who stole my heart in moments.
I want something again for the first time in forever… I want Cain.
But my past isn’t done with me yet…
I can’t let Cain be hurt for my sins.


Welcome to Journey's Close, Alaska, a small town, full of sexy alpha males and second chances.

A standalone romance in a four-book series, where all the characters are interconnected with each getting their own happy ending. Insta love with real emotion all in a binge-able, bite-sized story.

A short, steamy romance with heart.
Steamy Romance - High Heat - High Emotion - No cheating - No cliffhangers - HEA guaranteed

Genres: Romance, Novella, Contemporary

63 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 3, 2021

About the author

Gia Bailey loves to write steamy, sweet, short romances to keep her warm during the cold Scottish nights. All her heroes, from mountain men to billionaires, are possessive, obsessive alpha males, who go OTT for the women they fall for. And the heroines? Shy, sweet, smart, ambitious, and everything in between, these ladies always get their happy endings.

When not writing, she lives with her own burly Russian mountain man and all-knowing four year old, and enjoys baking, reading, jumping in muddle puddles (it’s Scotland, so there are lots), and inventing elaborate dreamworlds to play in. After all, life’s too short for anything other than a HEA.

Steamy Romance - High Heat - High Emotion - No cheating - No cliffhangers - HEA guaranteed

Keep up with Gia by following her, on Facebook, or join her mailing list here:
http://eepurl.com/hp6N79

Reviews

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

“She was hurt and cold and I’d found her. I’d saved her. Finders keepers.”

I really enjoyed the story of mountain man Cain and survivor Violet. It was a quick read but it still didn’t feel overly rushed. I’m happy that I stumbled upon this series and can’t wait to read about the rest of the hot Mountain Men in Journey’s Close.

[Granger McGringot · Rating 4 out of 5]

What are the odds of two people, who battle with a ghost from the past, met in the middle of nowhere under weird circumstances. They saved each other without knowing; complemented each other.

The story was short but had a thorough background story. Both MCs had their own ghost and difficulties. I liked how the story unfolds bits by bits; and told us how they both healing and helping each other in their own way. Sweet short swooning instalove story.

No virgin
No condoms
No drama/angst
No cheating, No OW, OM was h's abusive ex
Possible trigger: domestic violence, though mentioned in passing
HEA, Epilogue
Overall score: 3.5 mountain man stars

[Rebecca Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cain was a military man who moved to the Alaskan wilderness after he got out. Feeling guilty after being the only survivor from his unit, he feels like he doesn't belong with other people. For four years he was alone until he heard a voice calling for help. He finds a beautiful young woman stuck in the bog and frees her. Her name is Violet and she said that she was out camping and hiking but her unpreparedness makes him know she is hiding the truth. As he spends more and more time with Violet, he falls in love and is ready to save her again.

Violet is on the run from a controlling and abusive husband. Her plan is to lose herself in the wilderness and possibly win her freedom. If her husband finds her, she will not go back. Her trip seems to have some unseen dangers like the bog she fell into. It also has a hot sexy knight to rescue her, Cain. She is very attracted to Cain but she is still trying to keep her distance. She is afraid what her husband will do to them. Cain seems ready to take any chance to have her.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cain had moved to the mountains to escape his demons but they still haunted him every night and no matter how much routine he gave himself day to day being happy to be alive wasnt for men like him, until her. Violet had been hiking up into the mountains when she found her self stuck in the bog, and being rescued by a mountain man! Waking up in a strangers cabin wasnt what Violet had planned but Cain wasnt going to let her leave especially with the poor excuse for camping equipment she was using. Sparks fly between the two but Cain feels he doesnt deserve a light like Violet in his world but Violet craves this new feeling of life when shes around Cain. They soon discover opening up to the secrets that haunt them bring them closer together and Cain vows that he wont let anyone hurt Violet again  but actions speak louder than words. This is a well written steamy insta loving hot mountain man romance. With desires, hot scenes, violence, dramatic scenes and more!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[♡ᓚᘏᗢⲊⲒⲚⲒⲊⲦⲄⲈᗢᘏᓗ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I must admit that I am a little disappointed in this book, first because I had to purchase it to read it because it was not available through KU. But the reasons for the rating are the following. It needed to go through a better editor, there were incorrect words used multiple times throughout and the grammar was lacking. The first bit of the book, the writing was really choppy and did not flow well, it was hard to follow and boring. Both the character were fine but they were not exciting and the emotional connection between them could have been done better. I felt like they were telling me how they felt throughout the book but never showed me. I have already forgotten the sex scenes and I finished the book like 20 minutes ago....This one is not on my read again list and I found it to be too plain to reccommend. I never smiled, laughed, cried or got worried over these characters and that says a lot. Hopefully my next choice is better!

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cain lives alone in the woods of the mountains when he finds Violet. Violet is on the run from her abusive husband and thinks she has finally found a place he won't find her. She ends up getting stuck in a dangerous situation and Cain saves her. He takes her back to his place to recover and Violet ends up staying with him. Violet feels safe with Cain and doesn't want to leave him so she decides to stay as long as he wants her. Cain knows that Violet is the one for him and he'll do whatever he needs to in order to make her feel safe and protected. Will Cain be able to keep her safe from her husband? Can they have a future together?

This is an amazing story that will captive you from beginning to end. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Violet heads off into the forest to escape her abusive past and she’ll put her survival skills to the test as she has no intention of ever coming back out. Cain spent the last 4 years on the mountain alone just like he wants but when he finds Violet with terror in her eyes, he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Cain is drawn to Violet as she soothes the demons that haunt him but Violet can’t let Cain in as she refuses to drag him into her mess. Danger is never far and when Violet’s demons catch up to her, it will be a battle to the death as Violet has no intention of going back to the nightmare she escaped from.

I received an ARC of this book via Book Sprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author thru Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review. This is a short romance story between Cain and Violet. He lives alone and miserable in the Alaskan wilderness. She is trying to find the one place she cannot be found and prepared to die to do it. If Cain would not have been there for her, that would have been the case. He saves Violet and helps her while battling the unwanted feelings she brings on. The last thing she wanted was to have to deal with a man. Their attraction is hard to deny though. Violet has secrets that might come back to cause problems for them both. This was a good start to the series

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nancy Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

HER MOUNTAIN MAN PROTECTOR is a short story of an older man and a younger woman. After he finds her & saves her life, they almost fall instantly in love.

Cain is living alone in an isolated cabin. He had served in the military, and had nothing but nightmares now of the time he served. When he thought he never would be happy to be alive, he hears a woman in distress screaming for help. She is hurt & cold. She had fallen into a bog & was waist deep in muddy cold water. He saves her and takes her to his home to tend to her injuries, and promises to be her protector. Her name is Violet and he tells her to rest easy, that she is now safe with him. Their happiness together will be tested by an evil man from her past. Luckily, the author Gia Bailey, guarantees a sweet HEA.

[Kanani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm new to this author, but I fully intend to remedy that. The is a wonderfully well-written story. The characters are caring, protective and honest with each other. They both believe they're broken from previous hardships or events in life, but they each happen to be exactly what the other needed. The love and affection for one another is heart-warming.Cain is honorable, loyal and tender. Violet is sensitive, thoughtful and timid. Their passion and desire is palpable. With a suspenseful storyline and interesting twists and turns, this is definitely a "to be read"!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

When out chopping wood Cain hears a cry for help and finds Violet stuck in mud.
Ex-military man Cain lives in a cabin in the woods full of guilt and regrets. Out chopping wood he hears a cry for help and finds Violet up to her waist in mud and water unable to get herself free. Using a branch he pulls her free and takes her back to his cabin gets her dry tends her wounds and puts her in his bed. An entertaining mountain man story the length idea for a for a short read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Violet is on the run from an abusive husband, hoping that this time she can get away when she gets lost and trapped in the Mountains. Cain has moved to a place that he can run from his past and demons, when one day he hears a cry for help. Violet and Cain's tale is one that you will find yourself on the edge of you chair as the struggle with the pull they feel for each other, while fighting with the past. You will find danger, suspense love and passion weaved into a beautiful tale.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

✔Great short story.
✔Drama, danger, & romance.
✔Loveable characters
-Violet is damsel in distress running into the forest to save her life.
-Cain is a scarred ex-military man who falls smitten with Violet. He truly thinks he doesn't deserve her.

This short story would make a fantastic full length novel.

Characters = 4/5
Plot = 4/5
Romance = 4/5
Mystery = 3/5
Action =  5/5
Darkness = 3/5
Humor = 0/5
Stars =  4 ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Would I recommend this book = Yes
Would I read future books by this author = Yes

[Anna M_82 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this mountain man romance about Violet and Cain. They have both escaped to the mountains for their own reasons but find each other when Violet is in need of saving. This book was wonderfully written. I really enjoyed it. The characters were awesome and their story was so good that I wasn’t ready for it to be over. Excellent book!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this work quite a bit. I enjoyed meeting the characters and watching them grow over the course of the story. I am looking forward to meeting the other characters in the next installments and more from this author.

I give this a four out of five stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore Cain and Violet. They are both trying to escape and ran into each other and just fit. There was something so endearingly sweet about gruffy Cain. And I just wanted to hug Violet and see her come into her own. They drew me in and I fell for them as fast as they fell for each other.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jill K. Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Escape to the mountains...

A short, quick read, with more action that typical for a short story. The climax was half expected, and half unexpected which was nice. I was a little frustrated with Violet in that she expected Cain to share all his secrets without sharing hers, but in the end... love won the day.

[Iva Krazalkovičová · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so love this book.. full of alpha male who goes after what his ...and what he wants.
I realy enjoy it..and hope, there will be more to follow

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has given us a wonderful story that pulls us into the lives of Cain and Violet and does not let go. Each of them have headed into the mountains to die, but for different reasons. Will they be able to save each other?

[Tabatha Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t ever resist a big protective mountain man. This is a perfect, sweet instalove. Cain may have rescued Violet from certain death when she fell into a bog in the Alaskan wilderness but she saved him too from self inflicted punishment and solitude. These two needed each other.

[Terri Zumbrook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cain and Violet

I enjoyed the novella because Cain was a troubled recluse who rescued Violet, and then she rescued him from the memories that haunted him. He was her hero twice and was someone she could finally trust.

[Maranda Prigmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

A good start to a new series for me. I enjoyed diving into the little town of Journeys Close. Meeting Cain and Violet. It was full of romance and a hint of suspense. Both characters have secrets. Can they find love in the throws of an Alaskan wilderness?

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cain and Violet

Can lives an isolated life deep in the Alaskan mountains. The last thing he expects is to hear someone shouting for help. After saving Violet from a certain death, he decides to keep her but Violet is running from someone that's not ready to let her go. Solid read. Recommended

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Safe

Violet meets Cain when he saves her as she is attempting to camp in the wilderness. When he takes her home she can't help but be cautious because of who she's hiding from. As Cain shows he may be big and burly but he has a heart of gold and will do anything to keep her safe.

[Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! Both characters were sweethearts who had a rough path in life. Together they find love and redemption. Great story.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was romantic, there was danger in suspense, just a great read.

[Karla Riendeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Protection

A beautiful story about two hurting hearts that find each other. I absolutely love when characters get what’s coming to them, in a big way. Be it good or bad.💖💖

[Katrina True · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much love!!!

This almost reminds me of a hallmark love story! This book was amazing, quick, sweet, and so heartfelt o loved it!!!!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read

This book was well written and I absolutely loved this story. Poor Violet she went through hell because of the evil man.

[Sage · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10