Guest Review: Surrounded by Woods – Mandy Harbin

When Mikaela Patterson must take on a client with specific requirements that no single women be allowed on his property, she keeps her broken engagement a secret. She doesn’t realize her client and his sons are mountain lion shifters whose instinct to mate with any available woman turns deadly.

Josh Woods is her client’s eldest son, and he is immediately drawn to Mikaela. Knowing his father would never allow an available woman on the property, Josh doesn’t understand his fascination with her. Josh and Mikaela fight their attraction because of their own secrets, but when the truth comes out about Mikaela’s true availability and Josh’s animal instincts, they must be prepared to face the consequences.

Series:  Woods Family #1
Release Date:  July 22, 2011
Publisher:  Amira Press
Source:  Book Monster Promotions
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Reviewer’s Thoughts:

Mikaela Patterson is a heartbroken lawyer determined to keep her pain private and use work to help her cope.  She embarks on a previously agreed upon assignment to help draw up contracts for a family while living and working on their property.  What Mikaela doesn’t know is that  four sexy, hot mountain lion shifters with an inability to contain themselves around unmated women make up the family around which she will be working and staying.

The action begins when Mikaela arrives and doesn’t stop until the very end.  Josh and Mikaela have an instant connection and the sex play begins the first day she arrives.  I liked that–no waiting, game playing, or baiting.  When Mikaela announced she was no longer engaged at the dinner table the author did a masterful job of describing her reaction when four brothers turned to four mountain lions.  It felt just like you were in the room, and the reaction was so realistic I was immediately captivated and laughed out loud at myself.  I had to remind myself that this is a paranormal novel, and I had to continue to remind myself as I read on through this novel.  That’s one of the things I absolutely loved is that I could really invite myself into this story.  The characters were so familiar and easy to identify with that I really felt genuine emotions as I read the story.

Mikaela was absolutely fearless and provoked Josh to mate with her.  I was almost cheering–way to go Mikaela.  Josh was so considerate of Mikaela and so hot.  He really knew his way around a woman’s body..Whew!!!!  They have their happily ever after and but for the fact that there was another book I would have been saddened beyond comprension.

This was an awesome book.  I loved the competitive, loyal, loving nature of Josh and his family.  The brothers helped to defuse situations that could possibly lead to the death of another brother in the name of love.  I also loved how much they adored their father and obeyed him.  Get the entire series.  You won’t be sorry.