Surrounded by Secrets (Woods Family, #4)

by Mandy Harbin

[Cocktails and Books]

Jack Woods is the only remaining single Woods' son but not for long. His neighbor, Lillian Caldwell, is determined to get some sexual healing from this hunk by any means necessary. Lillian has no idea that Jack is a mountain lion shifter. She invites him to her home, they get drunk, and have sex. While having sex Lillian asks Jack to bite her not realizing that this means they will be mated and Jack obliges her. Lillian's character is quite a firecracker. Her lines and cat quips were laugh out loud funny. The author did a great job of displaying her character. I think she was my favorite mate of all.

If you've read the prequel ""Surrounded by Death"" you know that Jack's brother Eric was killed because he mated with a woman that was not in love with him. Knowing that background and with a gentle brief reminder from the author for those that haven't read her previous books reader's immediately perk up. Will Jack be killed or will this relationship work out for him and finally he will have a love of his own? The authors portrays Jack as having a crusty exterior but as with many prickly people he is warm and mushy on the inside.

Thanks to his brother's mate, Ariel, he has a tranquilizer and is able to knock Lillian out when she learns that she is now a shifter and tries to attack him. That was a surprise and I expelled a huge breath of relief. I didn't want to lose another sexy Woods brother. Jack, like his brother, has SKILLS between the sheets. He and Lillian are unable to stay away from each other.

Lillian's father is at home on a return visit and has apparently attacked Mikaela, the mate of another Woods' brother. Jack and the family believe Lillian used him and they set out to track Lillian and get Mikaela back. I was so upset that Jack couldn't see through this plot. I was even more confused because earlier Jack and Lillian were able to read each other's minds. Wouldn't Jack have read her mind if she were going to kidnap Lillian or use him?

This story seemed to be a little disjointed and contradictory. There were also editing errors that required me to reread several sentences because names had been exchanged, words left out, and the flow of the story was kept being interrupted by contradictory details. These didn't keep me from finishing the book or enjoying the story. They were minor irritations and well worth it to see the Woods' brothers discover their heritage and the last brother overcome his problems with self-esteem to seize true love at last.

At last it appears that I have reached the end of the Woods' family series and all the brothers have been mated. Trust me you will want to read them all and you will want to keep them near you just in case you need a quick pick me up. Mandy Harbin is an author to watch she just keeps getting better.

Reviewed by Michelle for Cocktails and Books