Rebel Heart: A prequel

Aloha Shifters: Pearls of Desire #4.5

by Anna Lowe

Uptown girl meets rough-and-tumble biker — with a shapeshifter twist!
*** Voted a FAVORITE BOOK OF 2018 by PNR Lovers! ***
All Cynthia was planning for the weekend was a quick escape to the countryside where her inner dragon can stretch its wings. She wasn’t counting on a handsome, enigmatic wolf shifter coming along and sweeping her off her feet. Cynthia has always been driven by duty rather than desire. But suddenly, she finds herself making reckless, irresponsible choices and telling herself, Just this once…

A night of sizzling passion ensues, but the question remains. Is Cal to blame for making her throw caution to the wind — or is it destiny?

This short story prequel can be read at any point in the series. It reveals Cynthia’s backstory and sets the stage for her second chance at love, a story told in Rebel Alpha (Aloha Pearls of Desire, Book 5).

Maui just got hotter with this exciting new series of steamy, suspenseful paranormal romance! Book 1: Rebel Dragon
Book 2: Rebel Bear
Book 3: Rebel Lion
Book 4: Rebel Wolf
Book 4.5: Rebel Heart
Book 5: R ebel Alpha ALOHA PEARLS OF DESIRE is a series of sizzling paranormal romances with adult content. No cliff hangers. Each story is a page-turner packed with action, emotion, and romance! If you like Magnum, PI and smoldering hot, alpha shapeshifters, you'll love these books! Each includes strong heroines, alpha heroes, werewolves and shapeshifters, billionaires, military romance, paranormal suspense, action-adventure romance, fantasy romance, and exotic, tropical locales!

Genres: Paranormal, Short Stories, Audiobook, Shapeshifters, Romance, Fantasy, Dragons

63 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 5, 2018

About the author

USA Today and Amazon best-selling author Anna Lowe loves putting the "hero" back into heroine and letting location ignite a passionate romance. She likes a heroine who is independent, intelligent, and imperfect — a woman who's doing just fine on her own. But give the heroine a good man (not to mention a chance to overcome her own inhibitions) and she'll never turn down the chance for adventure, nor shy away from danger.

On any given weekend, you might find her hiking in the mountains or hunched over her laptop, working on her latest story. Either way, the day will end with a chunk of dark chocolate and a good read.

Reviews

[Angela (Angel's Book Nook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebel Heart shows us Cynthia backstory. It gives us a taste of the love she had and lost, but doesn’t show us all of it. Just a reflection on that moment she meet her destiny and embraced passion.

It’s a short story getting us ready for Cynthia’s full novel.

I had a delightful time reading Rebel Heart and looking forward to Cynthia's full story.

Rated: 3.5 Stars

[Megan Riverina Romantics · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ❤❤❤❤
Heat Rating: 🔥🔥🔥
Narrator Performance: 🎧🎧🎧.5

As a prequel part of REBEL HEART: A prequel's purpose is to "set the hook" or "prime the pump" for the next story in the Aloha Shifters: Pearls of Desire series, REBEL ALPHA. I'm here to tell you that it definitely fulfills it's purpose. I'm practically ecstatic at the though of reading/listening to it. I simply NEED to know what happens next. You see, the majority of this short story is a flashback to when the couple in REBEL ALPHA met and then it just stops and leaves the reader hanging. Infuriating LOL!

Cynthia and Cal are from totally different ends of the shifter spectrum. She's basically a dragon princess while he's a roving lone wolf. The two should have never met but when they did neither could deny the insta-lust between them. The story is rather straight forward and predictable but I think that that was intentional on the author's part. These are after all destined mates. And it's a short story so there's only so many words that can be used.

As far as the characters there was more focus on Cynthia. The majority of the story is told from her POV so we get to know her pretty well. I liked her yet also felt a bit sorry for her. The familial and social demands that were put on her were daunting. While I can't completely identify with that it was easily apparent in her thoughts. Lowe did a wonderful job portraying that.

This shorty is New Adult (Cynthia is 21) Paranormal Erotica IMO. It's advertised as a PNR but since there was no HEA/HFN it doesn't quite fully fit in the romance category. Although, it's not true erotica either as Cynthia and Cal are destined mates. It's one of those stories that straddles the two genres which is kinda perfect when you think of it because of the type of prequel it is.

I really like Lowe's writing. She captured my attention right off with this one and I was mega upset when it ended LOL! Now that's the sign of a good story so you simply must check it out. The audiobook that I listened to is free on bookfunnel so there's no need to wait. You can find it HERE

About The Narrator
Kelsey Osborne has an amazingly pleasant voice. I really liked listening to it. She was so bright and happy. Which was where the problem lies. When it came to the sex scene it was too hard to get into it. She didn't have the right tone to pull it off IMO. It just wasn't sensual and I kinda consider that an epic fail. You just can't have that with this type of story. She was just so good at all the other parts though that I couldn't give here an average rating of 3. Yet I thought that a 4 was too much so I settled on a 3.5.

[Elizabeth Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cynthia, a dragon shifter, got more than she bargained for when she escaped her normal life for a weekend getaway. She's always known she was to do her duty and marry to make more dragon shifters, love not being a factor. And though it wasn't her ideal, it never truly bothered her until she met Cal, the wolf shifter that called to her like no other, awakening things in her dragon neither thought they'd ever be allowed to have.

Cal, despite knowing how different he and Cynthia are, knowing they'll never be together because her parents have other plans for her, can't help but succumb to the passion between them, vowing to savor every minute he has with her before he must let her go.

But how can these two part knowing they're meant to be, that fate has decided their destiny is to be with each other?

Stay tuned for Rebel Alpha where you'll see what happened to Cal and Cynthia after they were forced apart and what the future holds for them.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**

[Franci · Rating 3 out of 5]

#61 of 2020

Hot...

[Ingrid Stephanie Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebel Heart  .. Prequel
Series: Aloha Shifters: Pearls of Desire
A short story prequel to REBEL ALPHA,
Release Date: #AlreadyReleased
Author: Anna Lowe
Reviewer: Ingrid Stephanie Jordan 
Serial: Standalone, No Cliffhanger  
Genre: #WolfShifters #DragonShifter
#5Stars🌟⭐🌟🌟🌟
••••••••••••••
Very, very short but heart rendering. In January will be the Release of Rebel Alpha.
Can't wait for book #5, I need to know!!

🔷️Was I crying NO but my heart is breaking. How did Cynthia Brown a Dragon Shifter have the courage to go on? To cheat destiny? To be without her Mate?

🔷️Cal is a Wolf Shifter a Rebel with No Name, No Clan all alone riding his
Triumph Thruxton on a dark beautiful night when he spots a damsel in distress or is she a Princess?

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh so this is how Cynthia meets her fated mate Cal a wolf shifter. For me this is a preview of the long awaited conclusion of the Pearls of Desire series which I highly recommend.

Cynthia is a dragon shifter who has broken down on the side of the road. Cal is a wolf shifter traveling that same road on his motorcycle. Can a pampered daughter and a rough and tumble young man meet in the middle?

This is a short interlude that can be read alone or as part of the afore mentioned series. I voluntarily read an advance copy and have not been compensated in any way for this opinion.

[Traceys · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick look back into Cynthia's past, when she was a little more wild. Enjoyed it and definitely want to learn more about cal and see a new side to Cynthia.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, a glimpse into Cynthia's past. I already want to know more about Cal.

Well, well, well...if you have read any of Anna Lowe books you know you get a good 50-60% of the way through before we get any steamy moments...this one is not any different. Except it's a short story, so it felt like we got to it very quickly. The story worked so well. It is really an intro to a characters that has been very guarded up to this point.

Cynthia is quickly introduced as someone that wants to be independent from all - she has money but wants to make her way. She does the right thing and has somewhat of a sheltered life.

Cal is a drifter - he seems to be on the run from something - most likely destiny. Everything changes when he meets Cynthia. Within 24 hours he breaks all his rules about women, about staying in one place, about everything.

I can't wait to see how this story continues in Rebel Alpha.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Day Dreaming?

As dragon shifter Cynthia sat rocking on the porch in beautiful Maui, she began to think of 12 years ago when a tall, dark and handsome stranger came to her rescue on a dark lonely night when her car broke down on her way home. She was transported back in time to that very passionate night she had with the wolf shifter Cal, one she has never forgotten as she broke all the rules her family had set upon her. But wait is she daydreaming? A roar of a motorcycle like the one she heard that night is in the horizon.

[Sydney Hopke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally getting Cynthia's backstory, finding out what happened but just a taste mind you. We get to find out who her heart belonged to and who she was, well a little at least. Oh and it's done as a memory and you know what happens when you wake up, well the author does and we have to wait for Cynthia's full story to find out!!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4.5 in Pearls of Desire by Anna Lowe
Cynthia is a bad ass alpha dragon in series but this is the incredibly sweet start to her and Cal her fated mate and love of her life.
Cynthia is from the oldest dragon family and expected to marry well and carry on the family name but after meeting a lone wolf shifter with no name fortune or family her family makes sure she doesn’t stay with him.
Been so looking forward to Cynthia story since meeting her in series and her adorable son Joey.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and fun tease for a future book. 😊

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at Shifter Haven

I don’t even have words for Cynthia’s past story in Rebel Heart. I’m breathless, and anxious to move on to Rebel Alpha right now… for I need the rest of Cynthia and Cal’s story and their future… right now. But not yet.

If there was ever any doubt that Anna Lowe is indeed a master storyteller, dispel that thought right now. We are taken from the warm shores of Maui on a clear night and tumble through time to a crisp fall night, a lonely road and two people meant to meet as we follow Cynthia’s memories of a time gone by, of a man, and of a destiny that neither could deny.

The varied emotions of this short story will grab your heart and not let go. Rebel Heart answers some questions that have been in my mind since the Pearls of Desire began… and now have opened up even more questions that beg for answers. If you have followed either Jewels of Desire or Pearls of Desire do not miss this short prequel story that leads into Cynthia’s story in Rebel Alpha. This is a must read, folks, don’t miss it. Anna – you amaze me, what an awesome lead in to the coming story, I cannot wait.

I own a Kindle edition of Rebel Heart.

[Mary Lou Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

REBEL HEART is the fifth release in the Aloha Shifters: Pearls of Desire series. It is a novella prequel to REBEL ALPHA and should be read prior to that book.

Because this is a prequel, it has a beginning and a middle, but the end is… heart breaking. It is not a cliffhanger, but it does make me cry for more. Beautifully written, this is how a prequel to a second chance is meant to be.

This is the first story I have read from the series, so I walked in blindly. Now I’m blindly walking out wishing for them to find each other again as the prequel implies they will.

Narration: The narrator, Kelsey Osborne, is a delight for the ears. I hope she continues in Rebel Alpha. She reads with dramatic flair and clarity that kept me engaged from beginning to end.

Note: While I received this book as a gifted audiobook copy, my opinions are my own and are given freely.


Title: REBEL HEART
Series: Aloha Shifters: Pearls of Desire #4.5
Category /Genre: Paranormal Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Listenability: NSFW
Received from: Anna Lowe (as a Find-a-way Voices gifted copy)

[Lisa Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES!!!!!

Fantastically delicious as well as seriously sad. Let me explain. In this book we get a glimpse at the younger free spirited Cynthia. It was so much fun getting to know this side of her after reading the the much more cynical sadder Cynthia . It is very exciting to get to know more about her and understand her better. The love scene in this book is so perfect for Cynthia!
The sad part for me is now the waiting for the next book and also the fact that we are saying goodbye to my favorite series.
This series all the way back to the Jewels of the Heart , has been a special series for me. All kinds of relationships between characters have been built that have crossed over in each book. Also if you are a Anna Lowe fan she has even crossed over characters from other series. She has a unique writing talent that makes it exciting as a reader to see characters from previous books or series. If you have not read this series yet do yourself a favor a put it on your list! You won't regret it.

[Sherill · Rating 5 out of 5]

PASSIONATE SIZZLING SHIFTER ROMANCE

REBEL HEART is the prequel to REBEL ALPHA! A beautiful well planned story that pulls you in. I'm a hopeless romantic and could visualize and feel each character's emotions. I did well up with tears while reading too. This is not a happy ending story but the beginning of a story about two amazing characters. Vivid scene descriptions are fabulous. There is sizzling romance and humor too.

Cynthia a dragon shifter is co-alpha to a mixed shifter group in Hawaii. She is intelligent, sweet and when needed fearless. She was young when she met her true mate but her parents had other plans for. Cal a lone wolf-shifter is charming, hot and leaves Cynthia breathless. He is off limits to her; she comes from a high class family.

FABULOUS READ that I loved from start to finish. There is nothing in this story that disappointed me. I do look forward to Rebel Alpha; because you can't hide from your destiny. {This is a pre-release review done by my own choice.} Without hesitation, I recommend this read.

[Alisha Rowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally posted at https://bit.ly/460z6Ad.











Cynthia came home so her dragon could stretch it's wings, but when her car breaks down and a wolf shifter gives her a ride her plans become much more exciting.

This is a prequal. I hope beyond hope they get a book. This book was very 'love them and leave them'. Leaves you begging for the HEA you have been denied. The series is on my TBR so fingers crossed when we get there.

This book starts as a flash back and her saying she is lonely so we know going in that she gets hurt. Still I had hopes it was where it flashes back before picking up in the present and continuing from there to the HEA.

One can hope that is what happens when their book actually begins. Till then the writing style is good and the reader is drawn into the story from page 1. I enjoyed the characters and the bad boy/rich girl set up. I can't really say much more than this without giving away everything within the story.

[Bernadette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short novella giving a brief introduction to how and when Cynthia met her fated mate Cal, a lone wolf shifter who chanced upon her at the side of the road when her beaten up car broke down. We learn that Cynthia is the only child of a very prestigious dragon shifter family who has her life mapped out for her whereby she is currently in college, where she is learning the skills needed to run her family business eventually. She expects to be married off at some point in the future when she will have children and expects to live a rather dull and uneventful life.

Cal, for his part, had rules that he lived by which included not stopping at the side of a road in the middle of nowhere to help a lone female whose car has broken down. He comes from the wrong side of the track and in normal circumstances, he and Cynthia would never have met but she’s his fated mate and destiny has a habit of doing the unexpected. I can’t wait to read their story.

[Amber Daulton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is number 4.5, a prequel to book 5 in the Aloha Shifters: Pearls of Desire series. As a wealthy young woman from one of the main dragon-shifter families, Cynthia is trapped under her parents’ thumb and societal mandates. Then one night her car breaks down and a biker stops to help her. There’s just one problem—he’s a wolf-shifter.
Cal comes from a tougher, different world than what Cynthia is accustomed to, but they have an instant connection since they’re fated mates. Even though dragons and wolves aren’t supposed to mix, they can’t stay away from each other.
This story ends on a cliffhanger with unanswered questions. I’m not upset with the cliffhanger since this short story is a prequel, but I really wanted to know what drove Cal and Cynthia apart for twelve years. Was it her parents? His wolf clan, if he even has one?
Their romance continues in their main book, Rebel Alpha, which I’d love to read.
3 Stars

[Mimirureviewbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebel Heart is book 4.5 ( a Prequel to book 5) in the Amazing Aloha Shifters: Pearls of Desire Series written by the talented Anna Lowe. Rebel Heart is a fast paced paranormal romance short story about an uptown girl that meets a rough and tumble biker with a shape shifter twist! Cynthia Brown is a Dragon Shifter, only child of an old and respected dragon clans on the East Coast. Cal is a wolf biker. They met when her car broke down and offers her a ride home. This book takes place a decade before Cynthia comes to the beautiful tropical island of Maui. NO Spoilers, Get your copy today! I cannot wait for book 5 but sad that it would be the end of this awesome series. If you are a fan of paranormal romances, then this series is for you.
I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily giving my honest review.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dragon And A Wolf Shifter Fall In Love
Cynthia broke down never could she have expected her “knight in shining armour “to be a wolf shifter Cal he was everything she’d ever wanted, caring, strong, handsome and so totally sure of himself he simply bowled both her and her dragon over.
He would be her first and only love he was able to bring down her pre-conceived barriers enabling her to have fun, reckless and she loved every moment she shared he made her feel so special and she knew there would and could never be another Cal. Share a night that was a moment very few will ever know
Together they share a night that was a moment very few will ever know, this was a truly wonderful prequel and I cannot wait to read the next book in this wonderful Aloha Shifters……
I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the great writing.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a charming prequel to Cynthia’s story. We have only known her to be prim, proper and bit uptight in the earlier novels in this series, but this story is a great intro to the potential for another side of her through her first meeting with her Fated Mate. Anna Lowe has a gift for giving a unique character and voice to the animal nature of each Shifter and it was amusing and charming to hear Cynthia’s dragon is flirty and a vamp, as opposed to the person who she has become in the present time. I also love the author’s gift of using fragrances as unique identifiers for each character. I am now eagerly awaiting Cynthia’s full story in the conclusion to the Pearls of Desire series. Loved it!

[Jennine · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE ON TWO WHEEL'S GIVES THE DRAGON HER WINGS.

I also, like other readers, had a tear or two in my eye as those last words broke my heart. I knew before l started reading, that this story of Cynthia's past would be a humdinger. I read slowly and savored each word, each description, colour, smell and emotion. I felt Cynthia's freedom and knew in my bones that the near future would bring bitter and heartbreaking turmoil. Cal, he came to life for me, big, generous, soft and fell head over heels for the forbidden fruit. Ah... that bad boy image. I'm sold! If you've read Anna lowes books you don't need any convincing. The rest of you should start with book1. These stories are gems. Recommended read 🤓💥💥💥💥💥

[Cindy Caron · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! Anna Lowe, you stun me with your ability to take what should be a simple tale and twist it up, (as well as my gut), making it something that not only you want to read, but giving it a life that you need to continue reading. Having read the previous books in this series, we knew there was a sad tale to Cynthia's story, but this sheds a whole new light on her! My heart hurts for her! We can only hope that eventually, destiny will find it in her heart to give her a second chance! I can't wait to read the rest of her story!
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily giving my honest opinion.

[Kathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Glimpse into Co-Alpha Cynthia’s backstory!!

Dragon-shifter Cynthia grew up the only child of one of the oldest, most venerated dragon clans on the East Coast. Over-protected and smothered she breaks loose a bit when her car breaks down and wolf-shifter Cal on a motorcycle is the one to rescue her. Her dragon sends her exciting images of the two of them, and apparently his wolf is able to receive those images too.

I’m anxiously awaiting the next book in the series to get “the rest of the story” about Cynthia and Cal. Love this shifter series!!

*** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book ***

[Barbara Ewt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cynthia is a dragon from a wealth family. Cal is a wolf and is a bad boy and a rebel. They meet on the side of the road when Cynthia's car breaks down. Cal comes along on his motorcycle and offers her a ride home since it is very dark out. He has a strong pull to her and must keep her safe. Cynthia accepts his offer even though she knows her family would not approve. She trusts Cal and knows he is her mate. Cal was only passing through but agrees to stay longer and they agree to meet secretly the next night a 10:00. Over ten years later she is a widow with a small child and wonders about Cal. All she has is the memory of that one night together.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another excellent steamy shifter romance by an excellent shifter romance author! This is a prequel to the Rebel Alpha book and I can hardly wait! Cynthia met Cal before she married, had a son, and her husband gave up his life for his wife and son. Now she is a lonely widow. Been there, done that! Her introduction to romantic sex was fast and short. Now she pines for her fated mate and he shows up! Can hardly wait for this romance! I received a gifted copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review. I honestly love this story and this series! Cynthia and Cal are fated mates of a Rebel Heart!

[Linda Levine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cynthia has always been quite a mysterious character. She keeps her secret.

This backstory helps you understand her better and I look forward to reading the last book in the series that focuses on her. She seems so sad in the series and I wanted to know more about what caused her to be so distant. It definitely surprised me to learn about her past and it made me feel closer to her.

I recommend you read the whole series in order. The authors' other series books often tie together but can be read as standalones. I like that you get to visit with familiar characters throughout the different series.

I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received.

[Leopardwolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cynthia's story

Well some of it because we all know Anna Lowe and we all know she loves to just hint at things. Well this book is enough to have me sink my teeth into Cynthia's story and to scream blooming murder when I don't get the answers I want! Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
I loved every Anna Lowe books and her Aloha Shifters Pearls of Desire series has to be her best yet in my opinion. She sure does know how to yank my chain though!
Here we find out why Cynthia is as she is. But as this is a prequel we don't find all the answers. I guess we'll have to get Rebel Alpha to find out all the answers.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick read that is giving us an insight to Rebel Alpha.
Cynthia was going home for a few week because she thought she
needed to let her dragon out.
On her way back home her car broke down and this is how she met
Cal.
Cynthia and Cal had one night together .
Cynthia is setting on a porch 12 years later and remember that night.
Basically that is giving us a look into Cynthia and Cal story.
This quick read finishes up on a cliffhanger.
If Rebel Alphanis anything like this interdiction of the book I can’t
wait to get my hands on it.