Surrounded by Death: Woods Family Series Prequel

Woods Family #0.5

by Mandy Harbin

His family speaks of his death as a tragic example of why it's too dangerous for the Woods men to be around available women.

Eric Woods is now dead, but was his last night as a living, breathing mountain lion shifter as horrible as his family has always believed?

Experience Eric's last night with Simone--a woman whose need for carnal pleasures far exceeds all rational thought.

Genres: Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Erotica, Romance, Novella, Ebooks

22 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 11, 2012

About the author

Mandy Harbin is a USA Today Best‐selling author who loves creating stories that explore the complexities of everyday relationships...with some kissing thrown in. She also writes young adult romance as M.W. Muse because teens like kissing, too.

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The Bang Shift Series


Tender Tarts


Woods Family Series

Reviews

[Mandy Sickle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surrounded by Death is a quick little prequel in the Woods family series. This story reveals what really happened to Eric and the truth surrounding his last night. I found it interesting to get an insight into what happened because in the first novel he’s mentioned but we don’t get a lot of info as to what happened. It’s a quick little story that centers around one magical night. I enjoyed the glimpse it’s steamy and entertaining. It leads into the series really well. I enjoyed the story but it’s just too quick I wanted more.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Thoughts - 4 out of 5 Unicorns - I really liked it!!!

The cover is very sexy with both beasts ;) Love it!!!

I bought this a week ago because I had to know the story. This is a short story only about 20 pages and a quick read. If you have read book 1, I think you won’t want to miss out on the added information about Eric since he is mentioned a lot, but you aren’t given a whole lot of information. While this happens before book 1, in my opinion you should read it after book 1. I say this because I think sometimes short prequels can taint your real opinion of a series and that you should get a feel for the series first. This is just my opinion.

I completely enjoyed getting more information about Eric though being about death it is sad for the Woods family.

I recommend this story to those who love this series already and want the added information :)

[Laurie Garrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surrounded by Death is the Prequel to Woods Family Series, I would not recommend anyone just jumping into reading this unless they read book one. Eric is already dead when the series stated out and the readers of the series wanted to read his story, so the author did just that, wrote a short story about Eric and his mate’s death. I know some will like this and some won’t but everyone has to remember it’s hard to go back a write a story about an already dead character. I think Mandy did a wonderful job in delivering to us Eric side.

Order of books in this series:
Surrounded by Death (Prequel to Woods Family Series, a short story)
Surrounded by Woods (Book 1)
Surrounded by Pleasure (Book 2)
Surrounded by Temptation (Book 3)
Surrounded by Secrets (Book 4)

[Delta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although Surrounded by Death is labeled a prequel, this short story was written to answer questions by readers of the Woods Family series. It does that; however, I don't think the story would be appreciated as much without having already read at least one book of the series. My recommendation would be to read this prequel after book 1, Surrounded by Woods.

[Cocktails and Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surrounded by Death is a prequel in the Mandy Harbin paranormal romance series involving the woods family, a family of mountain lion shifters. Eric, one of the five Woods sons is lonely after being forced into a life of isolation because of his family's dangerous need to mate any unmated females. He seems to be lonely and isolated. He reaches out to his friend Alex via webcam.

I felt that Alex must have been an incredibly sympathetic friend because he allowed Eric to watch him have sex with his wife Simone. Even further he offered Eric the opportunity to ""spend some time"" with Simone while he was out of town. I thought this was a little far but being that Alex and Simone had an open marriage this was possible.

Eric and Simone have steamy, hot sex multiple times. Mandy Harbin is truly gifted in her ability to give details on the minutest details of their sex acts. Trust me you will need to lower the temperature on your thermostat when you read this. Unfortunately, Simone reveals that she and Alex are divorced and Eric cannot control his ability to mate with her. Since there is no love but a whole lotta lust and distrust between them they fight to the death.

I was really hoping that it worked out for Eric and Simone. I was disappointed but thankfully Ms Harbin has more brothers with more steamy sexy stories to tell. You don't want to miss this book or any in the series. I enjoyed every minute of this short story.

Reviewed by Michelle for Cocktails and Books

[Christi Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review:
This book is a novella and is the prequel for the entire series. You don't have to read it to enjoy the other books, but it definitely enhances the story line of what these guys are going through. This is not an HEA story, but it is a great story to read to understand the Woods family dilemma when it comes to unmated women. Eric's death and the events around it have colored every single thing about the Woods men's lives ever since then. This is a very short novella, but it's definitely worth the read for the overall story line of the series.

[Kyra Dunst · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just a teaser story to introduce the dangers for single women in the Woods Family Series, but it was very well written. In the short story, we learn that single women are in danger of being forcefully mated and changed into mountain lions if they come too near the undated males in the Woods family. Eric, the youngest son, finds out why this is bad the hard way. The scene was erotic, and the characters were compelling enough to convince me to read the first book. I would read more from this author.

[Sandy S · Rating 3 out of 5]

REVIEW: Surrounded by Death is the prequel novella in Mandy Harbin’s erotic paranormal ‘Woods Family’ series.

The Wood’s family is a family of all male mountain lion shifters who know what it is to lose control. To keep themselves and the female population protected from harm and the Woods’ males, Eric and the others have secluded themselves on the family tree farm. But when Eric’s best friend’s wife announces their divorce, Eric’s lion sees only one thing-mate. And the ensuing battle to claim the female results in the death of two former best friends.

Surrounded By Death is a very quick read-basically one short chapter in length but explains some of the background about the lion shifter’s need to mate. The premise focuses on the male mountain lion shifter’s inability to control his mating instinct and is willing to mate with every available female. To keep the women safe, the men have secluded themselves from the human population. Mandy Harbin pulls no punches with the sexual and graphic nature of her storylines, introducing the reader to her writing style within the first few sentences.

[Rute Sobreira · Rating 3 out of 5]

ENGLISH
Overall opinion: I enjoyed the authors’ idea for this serie.
Cover: Ok.
Edit: No so great, seams that it was not revised... pity.
Target audience: +18
Writing: Ok, It was not great, I found several typos, and errors, but not so many that would keep me from reading all the books.
Steaminess: Hot.
Page turner: Yes.
Plot: A fantasy world. There is a family of mountain lion shape shifters, with 5 sons. This book is quiet small, like a very small novela just to explain what happenned to the dead brother.
Characters: It is hard to form an opinion, it all happens so fast.
Series: Yes, 0.5 (1 of 5)
Recommend: Yes
Rating: 3 OK

Reviews:
Surrounded by Death (Woods Family, #0.5) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Surrounded by Woods (Woods Family, #1) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Surrounded by Pleasure (Woods Family, #2) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Surrounded by Temptation (Woods Family, #3) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Surrounded by Secrets (Woods Family, #4) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

his book is a prequel novella to a series. Fast paced and sexually graphic.

Eric is a shifter who has an intense urge to mate and claim any "untaken" woman, just like the rest of his brothers, which consequently requires him and his family to remain on their sprawling estate for good. He maintains friendships he had prior to puberty (when he was then required to remain home bound due to his urges) and chats with them via web cam. One of those friends is married. Eric's friend, along with his friend's wife, and Eric mutually enjoy watching each other engage in sexual acts on the web cam. When Eric's friend's job causes him to leave for lengthy periods of time, his wife comes to visit Eric for some no-strings sexual release. Things always heat up quickly and without hang ups...just Eric's style.

What happens next is traumatizing yet presents an opportunity.

No spoilers here...you have to read the book!

I love this author's style of writing and characters. Can't wait to read more of the series.

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short introduction to the Woods family that was released after other books in the saga, but explains the information needed to understand motivation of the remaining brothers. A quick, tight and sexy read that is 6 parts sex, one part death and one part questions in the aftermath: the author has whetted your appetite for more.

In a 22 page story, there really isn’t a ton of time for characterization although we do get a glimpse at the remove that the Woods boys are subject to, and the difficulties this remove causes. Certainly an interesting introduction to the series, that creates interest in finding out about the others in the family and perhaps discovering why their dual nature is such a secret, even within the family.

I was provided an eBook copy from the author for purpose of honest review for the Jeep Diva reviews. I was not compensated for this review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis: "His family speaks of his death as a tragic example of why it’s too dangerous for the Woods men to be around available women.

Eric Woods is now dead, but was his last night as a living, breathing mountain lion shifter as horrible as his family has always believed?

Experience Eric’s last night with Simone--a woman whose need for carnal pleasures for exceeds all rational thought."

My Review: I really appreciated this book, throughout the series there was hints towards Eric and his tragic death. It was nice to get a peak at him. I have to say I really liked both him and Simone and even though you know the book ends tragically you can help but really like both of them. It was short, but I see how that was necessary, but really allows some additional insight into the instincts of the Woods boys.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good introduction to the Woods Family series. In book 1, you read about Eric dying, but without the details. This gives you the details behind what happened to him, who the woman was and how they got into the predicament that led to their deaths, and an intro to book 1 as well. Surprisingly, it made sense...where book 1 made me think things happened too fast, this book story line made more sense in that the relationship did not happen fast, and as a result of a misunderstanding, resulted in Eric claiming Simone. I will say that the "relationship" between Alex, Eric, and Simone is not one I am familiar with, but not necessarily impossible. How any man could share his wife sexually with another man is beyond me. Apparently, it was for them too.

[Snarky Mom · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a very short (22 page) "introduction" to the Woods Family series. It is a very quick, sexy read and is meant to be the basis for the main "conflict" in the following books - that of the lion shifters being "forced" as part of their primal nature to dominate and mate any unattached females. However, it's really in the first book that the author gives a better understanding of this -- and why Eric really died. I think this prequel story fell short of its mark on that. At any rate, you are "introduced" to Eric so that you don't read the rest of the series wondering who the character is. While this could have just as easily been handled with a short prologue to each book, at least it's a way for you to gauge whether the sexuality level of the story works for you.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bittersweet just because you know the poor guy isn't going to make it, but he did go out with a bang. More than one, if memory serves. This gives you a nicely naughty glimpse at the type of sex you can expect from these shifters and sets up for book 1.

This book was a free ARE download I picked up 10/24/12 for the Why Buy the Cow? reading challenge.

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a segue novella into the Woods series, weak on character development, but did its job by introducing the reader to the premise behind the series. Well written erotica, a bit redundant sometimes (repeating the same stuff over, using different words- couldn't figure out if writer was trying to up word count, or just assumed the reader was too dumb to figure it out the first time (I noticed same tendency in the next book).

[D Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am just starting this series, so of course I read the prequel first.

This is a bit of a different take on taking a mate. More different then what I am used to.

It will be interesting to find out what happens in the next 4 books.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a short 2 chapter novella it answers exactly what you wondering about it. What happened with Eric, who was the lady, and what happened to make this all come about... Great intro into The Woods family although a little sad.

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

i have read all books in this series. you want to read them in order…They are all quick reads but different than other shifter stories.from book 1 i was interested in learning more about the family and waiting for next book to come out .

[Hbeebti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good prequel. Really made me want to see what the rest of the series is like. If its anything like this short then I will be very happy.

[Amy Softa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting introduction to a new world to possibly explore. Well written, definitely steamy and it feels similar to other books I enjoy. Will look into reading more in this series.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short prequel to the Woods Brothers series where we find out what happened on the night Eric Woods died.

[Kelly at · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a quick two chapter novella about one of the Wood brothers and how he passed

[BBMoreB ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Hot Sexy Nibble...

[Josette Reuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great intro to the series.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this, this it was short, really short and there was no HEA but it was a nice teaser, looking forward to reading more!

[Belinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting!!

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Downloaded this as it was free. Short and to the point. Will I or won't I buy the rest of this series.

[Mandy Saial · Rating 3 out of 5]

a short prequel to the series of books .

[A. Cook · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 rating. Very short.