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One confirmed bachelor + One curvy woman who is injured and stranded + An unexpected snowstorm and just one bed = A mountain man romance that will have you cuddling in front of the fireplace!

I like my life on King Mountain. Me and the guys do our job, protecting the mountain, running a couple rentals to finance everything (including the secret work we do), and that's it. And no women to complicate my life.

Until Teresa.

Damn city girl shows up to a cabin, claiming to be the granddaughter of the owner. Shows up in impractical pink boots, impractical jeans (that hug her curvy a** and make me want her in my bed). Shows up with a mouth full of sass.

I end up saving her when she hurts her ankle and can't walk.

Of course, I do what any honorable, red-blooded male does. I get her back to her cabin, and then stay with her to make sure she's ok. The more we talk, the more she cracks the walls around my heart. I can't explain why I'm drawn to someone like her, but I know I don't want to let her go. I want her in my arms and in my life.

After a massive storm, we're snowed in. Can't say either of us seem sad about more time together. When I learn about why she's up on the mountain, I ache with need to make her understand she's an incredible woman. Then the power goes out.

That night, there ain't much sleeping going on. I'm overwhelmed by the depth of my need and desire for her. This kind of soul connection can't be real...can it? She's nothing like me, but now I can't imagine my life without her. And that fking terrifies me.

I make a flimsy excuse and head out the next morning, which is the last thing I want to do, but the only thing I can do, despite knowing it hurt her, but I need to figure out what tf is going on in my heart.

When I get it together and realize how much of an idiot I was to leave her like that, I work on a gift for her, showing her both that I see who she is and love her for it, and also something that shows I want her to stay.

But will she give me a second chance?

Rugged Protector is the first in the new series, set in the world of Heartland Heroes. If you like small-town and mountain man romance with a strong sense of community, featuring military veterans, blue collar alpha men, and the curvy women they can't live without, get ready for a series you'll fall in love with, because that's what you'll get with the men who live on King Mountain. Steamy HEAs guaranteed, no cheating, no ex-drama -- always just two people who can't resist each other forging a new and loving future together.

68 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 19, 2024

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Lana Love

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
Profile Image for Brittany (Brit.tea.reads).
1,080 reviews146 followers
March 20, 2024
Teresa came to her grandma's cabin to clear her head after losing her job and breaking up with her boyfriend.

𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏'𝒕 𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒈𝒐. 𝑨𝒏𝒚 𝒈𝒖𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒍𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖.

She meets the oh-so-grumpy, charming Nathan. These two don't hit it off at first, but when she is injured and stranded in the cold, she calls him for help. He comes and rescues her and takes care of her while she is injured. Things quickly heat up between these two, but Nathan isn't sure how he feels about commitment, so he leaves the next day and has Teresa thinking, did she misread the singles? Can these two work it out?

What a sweet and steamy way to start this new series. It's always a good time to read one of Lana Love's books.
I can't wait to read Rugged Savior.
Profile Image for kymagirl.
4,231 reviews60 followers
March 18, 2024
Nathan (H), a confirmed bachelor living on King Mountain, unexpectedly encounters Teresa (h), a curvy city girl seeking solace at her grandmother's cabin after breaking up with her ex and losing her job. Despite their rocky introduction, Nathan saves Teresa when she injures herself and they become snowed in together during a storm. As they spend more time together, Nathan's walls start to crumble, revealing a deepening connection between them, but his fear of commitment threatens their future together. Hot and steamy mountain man, curvy girl romantic quickie with a side of angst.
9,821 reviews40 followers
April 5, 2024
"You opened a door to my heart that I didn't think existed."

Rugged Protector is the first book in the new Heartland Heroes: King Mountain series. If the rest of the series is like this one then sign me up to read them all. I completely enjoyed this OTT, smexy, snow melting hot, and opposites attract between an older rugged mountain man and a curvy and beautiful city girl. Teresa Brooks needs to get away after losing her job and then breaking up with her boyfriend, all in the same week. From her loving grandmother she is offered the family cabin up on King Mountain for a couple of weeks. Teresa may be a city girl with pink UGG boots but she is not going anywhere, even when a big and grumpy man shows up questioning her. Nathan Stewart is the perfect mountain man. He is retired from service and living up on the mountain, taking care of himself and the area. He finds Teresa at the old Brooks cabin and something triggers in him, even as he tries to fight it all the way. With a snowstorm coming and Teresa ending up needing help these two are about to be snowed and generating more heat between them than needed to melt all the snow. But things take a turn when Nathan gets scared and bolts, leaving Teresa to curse not only him but all men. Will Nathan pull his head out of his "you know where" before Teresa goes back to the city? Or will he lose her forever?
1,469 reviews3 followers
March 18, 2024
Teresa came to town to clear her mind after break up and losing her job. While out on a hike she came across a big Mountain man.
Nathan was shocked to see someone at the cabin but stunned by how pretty she was. After seeing her at the cabin and then town at the bar he WA Ted her to know she could call on him if she could count on him if she ever needed him. That came sooner than later. She called him after walking him a d twisted her ankle. She called Nathan who came to her rescued immediately. He then took her to the cabin where he help get her bandaged up and some food. He stayed with her as a,storm was brewing outside. The storm hit hard and he stayed with her and besides the storm outside there was on inside the cabin. The next day it was clear Nathan left her, thinking she didn't really want to be with him. That was so far from the truth. Here's was heart broken again.
Nathan thought he would always be single but when Teresa came into the picture he wanted nothing more to be by her side. He did just that, went right back to her, asked her to stay and be with him forevwr. That's exactly what she did and now her heart is full of happiness.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Curvy Girl Book Nerd   (Jen S).
2,218 reviews26 followers
March 20, 2024
Rugged Protector is Book 1 of the new series Heartland Heroes: The Men of King Mountain. It is a short and steamy, OTT, instalove, curvy girl gets her mountain man romance. Teresa is a sassy, curvy girl who has decided to go to her grandma's cabin on King Mountain after breaking up with her boyfriend and losing her job in the same week. Nathan is a hunky, gruff, possessive ex-military man who lives up on King Mountain. He initially confronts her at the cabin, not knowing who she is, and she tells him to leave. But both are insanely attracted to one another. When he potects her from a belligerent patron at the local bar, then rescues her when she sprains her ankle, she realizes she might have judged him too quickly. He ends up taking her back to her cabin and takes care of her ankle. As they get snowed in, the attraction grows, and things get hot 🔥🥵. But when he leaves after the storm, did she misread him? Will Nathan admit his feelings? Their chemistry was hot 🔥 hot 🔥 hot 🔥 and after a little bit of angst, we got a very happy ending. I'm excited about this series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,106 reviews2 followers
March 25, 2024
Teresa is up at her grandma’s cabin for a couple of weeks. She needs some quiet time to de-stress. She walks down to the local bar and has a beer. There are quite a few people there and of course there is one guy who has had to much to drink and starts harassing her. Nathan comes to her rescue. He also gives her his phone number in the case of an emergency. Walking home in the dark on a path she is not familiar with she falls and twists her ankle and is unable to walk. A major snow storm is approaching quickly. Of course Nathan likes his single life living on the mountain with his military buddies. Teresa is on the mountain to relax and not think about men. Nathan must help her. What happens next will be electrifying and every nerve in their body will be alive. Their mind is telling them something different. A great story with caring, tenderness, passion and love. Great enjoyable read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for RxReads.
244 reviews2 followers
March 28, 2024
Steamy Read!

"Rugged Protector" by Lana Love throws you right into the cozy, snow-covered world of King Mountain. So, we've got Nathan, a rugged mountain man with a heart as big as the mountain he calls home. Then in walks Teresa, our curvy city girl who's had her fair share of rough times lately. Cue the snowstorm, the injury, and the forced togetherness in a cozy cabin scenario. Now, I won't spoil everything, but let's just say sparks fly, and not just from the fireplace.

What I loved about this book is the whole opposites-attract thing going on. Nathan's all gruff and tough, while Teresa brings sass and curves to the table. But underneath it all, you can feel that connection brewing. Sure, there's some drama, and some miscommunication, but hey, what's a romance without a bit of angst, right? Overall, it's a steamy, feel-good read that'll leave you wishing for your own rugged protector up in the mountains.
2,178 reviews16 followers
March 20, 2024
I loved Rugged Protector: A BBW & Mountain Man SHORT Romance Book 1 of Heartland Heroes: The Men of King Mountain. Teresa is at her grandmothers cabin to escape forma bit, she wasn’t expecting Nathan the grumpy mountain man. She’s attracted to him but he’s rude. Nathan is protective of his friends and the stranger maybe brought out the worst in him. When he sees someone bothering Teresa he saves her, when she gets hurt later, he saves her. He’s a protector and now she sees that. They have a great chemistry together, can Teresa trust Nathan after he runs out on her? I loved the storyline and the characters. Short and sweet story. I would definitely recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,162 reviews4 followers
March 21, 2024
This wonder book has all of the feels! I found myself cheering on Nathan and Teresa in spite of their differences. Teresa is a bright, sunny city girl taking some time out for herself after a breakup and losing her job. Nathan is a burly, grumpy mountain man.
I loved watching the sparks fly between them and the hard choices that they both had to make. Nathan never thought that he would find himself in love. Teresa had given up on men and never thought that she would find someone that makes her heart beat.
Lana Love is one of my favorite authors for a reason! She can turn anything into a love story and leaves you feeling satisfied!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
24 reviews1 follower
March 23, 2024
Teresa has had a rough few weeks and went to her grandmas cabin to think things through. While out walking, she runs into Natha e,who thinks she’s a tourist that is lost. He is pretty grumpy with her and she is sassy right back at him. They both think about the other. Teresa is at the local bar and runs into a drunk local who can’t take no for an answer. Nathan steps in and saves her. She endsri up walking home and twisting her ankle on the way. She calls Nathan and he comes and brings her back to her cabin. They get snowed in. Sparks fly and the next morning, Nathan gets cold feet and walks out. He realizes he was an idiot and goes back to ask her forgiveness.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,222 reviews14 followers
April 2, 2024
Lana Love kicks off her new Heartland Heroes: The Men of King Mountain series with the quick steamy romance Rugged Protector. After a breakup and losing her job, Teresa retreats to her grandmother's cabin in the mountains for a re-set, swearing off men. Then she meets neighbour Nathan who quickly gets under her skin. The feeling is completely mutual for Nathan who sees pink Ugg boots and instantly writes Teresa off as a visiting city girl. But when he comes to her rescue, both quickly discover their first impressions might have been off. An entertaining, steamy and swoony mountain man romance well worth a read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,427 reviews48 followers
March 20, 2024
This was such a fun read that takes a mountain man, Nathan, and throws him in a city gal's shadow. Teresa has no idea why this guy is walking through her Gma's property but he certainly doesn't get to give her a hard time about her being there. These two find that despite their initial animosity, they are deeply attracted to each other and a well timed storm has them stuck together where their chemistry gets to come to a boil ;P Expect to get sucked into this entertaining story that brings two people together, one recovering from a break up and the other incredibly sure being single is best, as they find they really just can't stay away from each other :D
Profile Image for Joyce M. H..
1,307 reviews17 followers
March 21, 2024
This is the 1st book in the “Heartland Heroes King Mountain Series.” This is an entertaining short fast-paced easy read, some drama, small town romance, military veteran, curvy woman, steamy romance, great characters and a great plot. This is the journey Nathan and Teresa. Nathan and Teresa meet while Teresa is at grandmother’s cabin. Teresa has just broken up with her ex and to top it off she also lost her job. When a snowstorm leaves Teresa and Nathan trapped together in close proximity the two find themselves enjoying their time together.

Is there an HEA in store for Nathan and Teresa?

I received an ARC via Booksprout and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
1,552 reviews7 followers
March 20, 2024
Rugged Protector: A BBW & Mountain Man SHORT Romance (Book 1 of Heartland Heroes: The Men of King Mountain) by Lana Love. Their meet-cute wasn’t too cute but the attraction is definitely undeniable. And when they find themselves stranded due to storm and spend more time together, they can no longer deny their feelings and before you know it- things really heat up. And he is determined to show her what real love is. Nathan and Teresa make a good couple and I enjoyed their fast-paced romance. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Michelle.
9,326 reviews24 followers
March 29, 2024
Nathan is a grumpy, single, mountain man living on King Mountain and Teresa is a curvy, city girl. Even though these two don't have a great meet sparks fly from the start. Rugged Protector is book one and a great start to the Heartland Heroes: King Mountain series. The writing is good, the characters are likable and this mountain man romance has sparks, steam, some drama and angst, and a happily ever after. I look forward to reading the rest of this fun series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
3,165 reviews8 followers
April 1, 2024
Teresa comes up to King Mountain to get away after breaking up with her ex. She is staying at her grandmother's cabin. While out on a walk she runs into a mountain man Stanger who claims she is trespassing. She conforms that she owns the land. He goes away only to come to her rescue later when she falls and sprains her ankle. They get stuck together in the storm and get together. What will happen? Can they help each other out with their feelings for the other? Great short story with a HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,843 reviews5 followers
April 4, 2024
Teresa went to stay in her grandma’s mountain cabin after she lost her job and broke up with her boyfriend. She meets her grumpy neighbour, Nathan, and he doesn’t make a good first impression. Neither can stop thinking about the other. When Teresa is injured she calls Nathan for help and they end up snowed in together. Sweet, steamy story with amazing chemistry, a loving, caring, protective hero, a little misunderstanding and a wonderful HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 20, 2024
I really enjoyed reading this book, I thought it was a great new Lana Love read.

This was a really good Mountain Man romance, I loved the storyline and I was so invested the whole read but I really did enjoy the characters as well.

I thought the characters were very well writing out and I just couldn’t get enough of their personalities and the dynamic they have with each other.

Highly recommended giving this book a read.

10/10.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Amanda Marlowe.
1,831 reviews17 followers
March 16, 2024
Teresa meets Nathan when she's at her grandmother's cabin for a couple of weeks, they don't have a good start! She meets him again at the local bar when he rescues her from a drunk, then she has to call him when she sprains her ankle walking back to her cabin. A blizzard keeps them in the cabin.
Has she met her man? Why did he just go the next day?

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

Another good short story from Lana
Profile Image for Cynthia Khan.
1,780 reviews5 followers
March 16, 2024
This is Book 1 of Heartland Heroes: The Men of King Mountain starring Teresa and Nathan. Can I say way to go girl Teresa and teaching that big old grumpy to love as well as show him he can’t talk to you like that. My heart melted for these two they are just perfect together and I smiled at the end of this love story with its romantic ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Lucy Chesna.
1,034 reviews30 followers
March 18, 2024
This is Book 1 of Heartland Heroes: The Men of King Mountain starring Teresa and Nathan. Nathan started on the wrong foot with Teresa while she was staying at her grandmother's cabin. At the end, Nathan and Teresa connected in a way that scared them. They wanted more and it did when they were stuck in the cabin during a snowstorm. A little drama but a great ending for this story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Didi.
787 reviews
March 19, 2024
Sweet and steamy start the the Heartland Heroes series. A grumpy mountain man and a feisty city girl first meeting causes sparks. Both have commitment phobias but those fade as Nathan saves Teresa and proves the kind of man he is. Will they commit to love? Cute storyline with a bit of angst, snowstorm snuggles, doubts, realizations, forgiveness and solid rock love. HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
18.9k reviews321 followers
March 27, 2024
Finding Someone Special . . .

Teresa and Nathan are about to begin their special adventure. Nathan is part of a group living on King Mountain. When a city gal, Teresa, shows up in her pink boots, tight jeans, and full of sass, Nathan gets his chance to be her hero. She injures her ankle and he carries her to her grandmother's cabin where she is staying. He starts a fire to get her warm and looks for the first aid kit. Fortunately, it is only a sprain, which he wraps, but she should stay off of it for a couple days. Then he makes a warm homemade soup for her lunch. Just chatting with her puts both of them at ease. She asks him to stay, and he says he will sleep on the couch. A snowstorm is howling outside and he is feeling very protective of her. All it takes is for the power to go out, and they find their own comfort together. Will he panic when he can’t deal with the overwhelming feelings he never expected? Will he leave her? And if he does, will he figure it out finally and try to fix any damage to their fledgling relationship?
3,683 reviews20 followers
March 21, 2024
Teresa has had a lot of upheaval in her life, first she broke it off with her boyfriend, then she lost her job. Her grandmother tells her to go her cabin to clear her head. She goes out for a drink, where she meets Nathan. The pair have a lot of chemistry and end being snowed in together.

There is some drama when one of the characters gets scared.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
956 reviews7 followers
March 25, 2024
Teresa is on King’s Mountain staying at her grandmother’s cabin after breaking up with her boyfriend and losing her job! She never expected to meet gorgeous mountain man Nathan and fall for him! Nathan likes his quiet solitude life in the mountain, that is until he meets beautiful Teresa and falls instantly for her! Can they find their happily ever after? Great book that I would definitely recommend!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Maria Leeper.
Author 2 books3 followers
July 26, 2024
Fast mountain read.

Teresa uses her grandmother’s cabin to try and come up with a plan for her life after loosing her job and her boyfriend. In the mountains she encounters a man who stirs her inside. Can she trust again? Will she stay in the mountains or return to the city with her pink boots? This is a very quick read of true love. This is a great summer read. It made me think of snow covered hills.
Profile Image for Michele.
460 reviews3 followers
March 16, 2024
This was a great, short and steamy, mountain man romance. Nathan and Teresa start off on the wrong foot, but boy do those sparks fly between them. The story shows such a sweet side of Nathan. Small amount of drama, but a HEA in the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
6,850 reviews42 followers
March 16, 2024
Teresa is a city girl staying at her grandmas cabin for a few weeks when she crosses paths with Nathan, and they dont have a good start. But when a snow storm traps them together and sparks fly, why does he leave the next day? Has he just made the biggest mistake of his life? could he ever win her back? Well written quick steamy mountain man, city girl romance
536 reviews4 followers
March 16, 2024
What a great entertaining book. Nathan and Teresa first meet while Teresa is at her grandma's cabin after a breakup and losing her job. Nathan works on the mountain and meets Teresa at the bar. Their attraction is immediate and both take a chance on each other. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews

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