Guarded by the Lumberjack: Ex-military silver fox mountain man, Curvy Girl small town Instalove

by Rocklyn Ryder

After giving twenty years of my life to the US Navy, I retired, happy to still be in one piece.

Now I'm back home, helping my brothers run our family timber company in the small mountain town where we grew up.

Tyler was a kid in my command; fifteen years my junior, cocky, smart, and in love with his girl back home.

I haven't thought about him in years-- until Penny shows up on my doorstep one night; widowed, in danger, with nowhere else to go.

With my history with the SEAL team, I'm more than qualified to keep her safe, but when Penny's soft curves and longing looks start to distract me, I start wondering if I'm qualified to be more than just her bodyguard.

70 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 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 5 out of 5]

Once a Navy SEAL, always a Navy SEAL. Calvin Murdock may be retired from the military and in his 50's, but he still has what it takes to protect his family if needed. Currently a co-owner of Murdoch Timber with his brothers, Calvin is no longer interested in working in a career in the protection industry. He enjoys living in Moonshine Ridge and leading a more simple life. That is until a woman shows up in his garage late one night, requesting his help. 
Penny is the widow of Tyler, one of Calvin's soldiers that used to be under his command while in the Navy. Finding herself in danger with no one believing her, she looks up Calvin, seeking his assistance and protection. Calvin takes one look at her gorgeous, curvy, feminine figure and haunting eyes and swears that he will protect her with his life-- in addition to making her his for life. 
When trouble comes knocking on his door, will Calvin be able to keep Penny safe? If they manage to survive, will she return back to her home and forget all about him afterward? 
"Guarded by the Lumberjack" is the 5th book in the Moonshine Ridge Lumberjack series. This book has everything that I look for in a longer book and was incredibly shocked to find in a story this short. The plot was full of romantic suspense. Well developed, with twists and turns, keeping me easily engrossed from one page to the next. The main characters were likeable and intriguing. I found myself truly invested in whether they will receive their HEA together or not. I was thoroughly entertained by this book and inhaled its pages in a single setting. I was actually disappointed when it ended. This book is a quick read and well worth the investment of my time and money. Bravo! 

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The lumberjack in the title is Calvin Murdock, the youngest of the Murdock brothers, all ex-military, owner's of Murdock Lumber. Even though they are all in their fifties and believe that they are past the time for  a wife and family, being lumberjacks they are in great physical shape, aside from the skills they learned in the military. After his older brother, Calvin, rescued a woman on the mountain and made her his wife, Calvin finds he is jealous and wonders if there is a woman for him. And she shows up at his door, looking for help from someone who is stalking her and the police, the FBI, even her friend don't believe her. They think it is still grief from the lose of her husband, who had been one of Calvin's men in the Navy. After all the ways her husband had praised him, she believes he is her only hope. And one look at her and he knows that she is his and he will protect her from whoever has been giving her grief. Another great short story in the series.

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

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book five in the author’s Moonshine Ridge Lumberjacks series and features another of the Murdock brothers who own a lot of the timber on Moonshine Ridge.

Calvin Murdock may have retired from the Navy before returning to Moonshine Ridge to help his brothers run their timber business but don’t let his retired status fool you, when the pretty Penny came to him asking for help, this former SEAL was more than capable of cleaning up the nut jobs terrorizing one of his men’s widow!

Penny and Calvin were perfect together in this age gap, former military romance proving age is just a number ‘cause let me tell you, not only does Calvin still have it, he still knows how to use it too! And I agree with Penny, I like me some salt with my pepper too and Calvin is smokin’! 5 stars!!

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

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "GUARDED BY THE LUMBERJACK" This was a very interesting, intriguing, intense filled drama with twists, danger, steam, you won't be able to put down.
Calvin Murdock retired Navy Seal now co-owner of Murdock Timber along with his brothers in Moonshine Ridge & he's happy with his quieter lifestyle.
Penny Cook was having some trouble & needed Calvin Murdocks help, her deceased husband Tyler worked under Calvin in the Seals he's the only one she feels can help her with what she's dealing with.
Cal is very attracted to Penny on sight & is determined to help her if they survive the danger surrounding them will they maybe get a HEA will she return to her home or stay in Moonshine Ridge a must read you so won't be disappointed.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great short steamy read with added suspense in the Moonshine Ridge series with Calvin and Penny. Penny has come to see Calvin as he is the only one who she believes will help her. She’s never met him but her husband, who passed years ago, spoke highly of the man, as Calvin was his commanding officer. Penny has picked up a stalker who has escalated and when she explains to Calvin all that has happened, he vows to protect her.
The attraction is instant, the danger is real and with the help of Calvin’s buddies, the two find a safe place to hide and among all the chaos, they form a bond that is unbreakable.
The story had me flipping the pages and can’t wait for the next one.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*

[Lexee Toste · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one and found it entertaining. This one has a little more suspense to it with Penny being stalked and coming to Calvin Murdock (her dead husband's old commander) for help since no one else is believing her. Calvin immediately believes her that there is something/someone that has her seriously spooked and he is very drawn to her as well. I enjoyed watching them get to know each other and falling for each other as Calvin works on tracking her stalker and figuring out who it is. The story was engaging and entertaining and still has a lighthearted feel to it with it having just a touch more suspense and action/protection. I enjoyed getting to see Cal protect her and use his skills from the military to ferret out the information and keep her safe. I enjoyed the intro we get to the old contacts Calvin calls in and the security/rescue business they have. I'm excited that they are getting their own series. This one was fun and I'm excited for the last brother.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent novella of instant-love between a lumberjack and a woman on the run. Willow’s being stalked but no one believes her. So she travels to her deceased husband’s Commander, Calvin for help. Cal likes her the moment he sees her and definitely decides to help her. There’s some action, steamy romance, and mystery. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by Ms Ryder.

[Jeanne Mead · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is not to love? Broody, hunky ex-Navy Seal timber company owner Calvin helps younger widow Penny find out who her creepy stalker is.
Can't get enough of these rugged intense mountain men who are honorable and protective to their muscular core.
The mystery continues as to what is lurking in that forest.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moonshine Ridge Lumberjacks book 5

This book and series is Great, Each Character is well written for each book and believable. Penny is scared, some one is stalking her and no one believes her, not even the police. Her last hope is finding Calvin Murdock, and hopefully he will believe her and help. What Calvin and Penny didn't see coming was Attraction.

[Linnette Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Wonderfully Perfect

She’s widowed and needs protection. He was someone her husband trusted in the service..Hopeful he’ll help her. They have instant attraction and face danger together. When he realizes he wants to keep her he will stop at nothing. Love the happy ending!

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guarded by the Lumberjack is a good book to read, if you are looking for something quick and easy. It is an instalove romance with plenty of suspense and action that makes it a fast read. It may be short, but doesn't lack any necessary details.

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

No where to turn.

With no where to turn, Penny seeks out Calvin Murdock. He was her husbands CO. Now a widow, Penny is getting vague threats and crashes into Calvin during a storm. In his fifties, he’s much older than the widowed Penny and he’s definitely keeping her.

[Moriah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

Loved Penny and Calvin. She went to him when she needed help and had no one else to turn to. What neither of them expected was for both of their lives to change forever. They had chemistry from the very beginning, they were perfect together.

[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. When penny cook needed help she only knew one man Calvin murdox that may be able to help. I loved this story and how protective he is. Awsome story.