Arizona wolf pack – Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree

The Wolves of Twin Moon Ranch 6: Desert Roots

Daredevil she-wolf gets a taste of her own medicine with a bad boy who won’t play by the rules.

Daredevil Carly Hawthorne, youngest of the Hawthorne wolf shifter clan, doesn’t believe in true love. At least, that’s what she thinks until bad boy Luke Brandstetter comes along, refusing to play by the rules.

Luke is a man with more wrongs than rights in his past, and his scarred shifter soul yearns to turn over a new leaf. Somehow, he has to prove himself worthy – not just to Carly, but to her powerful pack of wolves. Can he protect his stubborn beauty from encroaching evil and earn a fresh start in life, or is love just another cruel trick of fate?


Dreamer
5.0 out of 5 stars Action, twists, and true love
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2020
A bad boy with a past trying to turn over a new leaf but hitting obstacles at ever turn. With everyone one riding his back and his mate fighting against the pull of love...this man stands tall. Overcoming pride, building his new life in spite of expectations. But is it enough or will her walk away alone once again? A great read you will not want to put down

Teddy bear
5.0 out of 5 stars Abundance!
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2019 Verified Purchase
Oh I wish I could have reviewed each book as I went along.. But I just couldn't. Once I started reading this series and I had the whole set i couldn't stop it was that good. Anna Lowe has done such an awesome job on this series.


Melvena Asa
5.0 out of 5 stars Desert Roots
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2019 Verified Purchase
Exciting and full of surprises. From the very first page until the very last page it will keep you on your toes. Definitely a great book.


Sandy Davidson Scheer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great series
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2019
Liked every well written book in this great series. This one was a good ending with excitement and drama along with a love story where everything seems to go wrong.

The Wolves of Twin Moon Ranch 5: Desert Rose

An unexpected hero comes home — but can he stay?

Axel Waldermann’s days in paradise are numbered, and he knows it. The last thing this reluctant hero needs is temptation in the form of a curvy she-wolf. One step too close, one kiss too many, and he’ll shatter the fragile alliance between his shifter clan and the powerful wolves of Twin Moon pack. But with destiny whispering in his ears and desire pumping through his veins, how can he resist?

Every local girl has her sights set on Axel, the most eligible bachelor in town. So what chance does an unassuming girl like Beth Carter have? When a deadly enemy lures Axel into the fight of his life, Beth will have to test her limits and believe not just in love, but in herself. Can this desert rose become a heroine and win her destined mate?

mcmcmurray
5.0 out of 5 stars Favorite
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2020
This one is my favorite of the series so far one more book and its done sad but I have really enjoyed it there was Times when reading this I would get chills I really enjoyed and hope others do too you have became one of my favourite authors


VaWineLover
5.0 out of 5 stars An unusual kind of shifter
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2020
I read this book as part of a box set. Desert Rose is about a wild boar shifter named Axel Waldermann who is at the Twin Moon Ranch recovering from injuries he got while assisting the wolves fighting a hellhound. He is sure they pack would not like his interest in the pretty little librarian, Beth Carter, but he can't seem to stay away from her. He is worried that his father will show on the ranch demanding that he leave and return to the nomad life he lived before, running and fighting over territory with all and sundry. He craves the peace of Twin Moon Ranch and the love of a shy wolf shifter, but will he ever get to ask her to be his mate?


Cmorris
5.0 out of 5 stars Desert Rose
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2019 Verified Purchase
I loved this story! After reading the one before I had to splurge and buy this one. I've gotten nothing done today but 2 of your fabulous stories! Lol! I loved the storyline of the quiet librarian meets the new guy, who just happens to be the new hero in town. During his recovery she soothed him and he fell in love. I love how they work through their individual shyness. Awesome read. Anna Lowe you never fail to impress me!

michelle pitman
5.0 out of 5 stars Desert Rose
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 3, 2019 Verified Purchase
This is the first book by Anna Lowe I've read, but OMG I thoroughly enjoyed it when I started reading it I naively thought 'oh it's another shifter book' well it is but so much more besides. I like the way the 'wolves' come to the aid of the 'Javelina' even though neither species get on historically. I think perhaps the best bit was the way a 'lowly' librarian finally showed her true grit and fought for her man. I would most definitely recommend this book to other people.

The Wolves of Twin Moon Ranch 4: Desert Heart

This time, he’s playing for keeps.

As oldest daughter of the retired alpha, Tina Hawthorne lives to serve her pack. She’s never been tempted to throw caution to the wind for a man — until Rick Rivera returns. The sweet boy from the adjoining ranch is all grown up, but that doesn’t make the irresistible human any more suitable as a mate. Especially with a dangerous new foe haunting the night and Rick harboring a few secrets — and enemies — of his own.

There’s more than meets the eye on Twin Moon Ranch, home to a pack of shapeshifting wolves willing to battle for life and love.

VaWineLover
5.0 out of 5 stars Could she really mate a human?
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2020Verified Purchase
I read this book as part of a box set, though I also own it separately. Desert Heart is about Tina Hawthorne, sister of the pack alpha Ty Hawthorne. Tina has been in love with the boy at the ranch next door all of her life, but she knows Rick will never be accepted in her pack as her mate. He is human and human males do not usually survive the bite that changes them to wolf. When he returns after having been away pursuing a career in baseball, a career he had asked her to share with him, she knows she will have to be careful to avoid him at all costs. There is too much between them for her to stay away for long, though


mynonie
5.0 out of 5 stars All goes well
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2019Verified Purchase
New shifter 'rule,' introduced in this tale.
A male shifter can mate with a human female and turn her into a shifter, but not the other way round: the male human often dies as he is usually too strong to accept the change.

So here we have a female shifter knowing her fated mate is a strong human man, and she had to say no to his proposal in the past when he left to pursue his career in sports.
She lives with her happily mated brothers, and sees herself as fated to just being a dependable sister.
Then her love returns to the next door ranch

JodyL
5.0 out of 5 stars Second chances
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2018Verified Purchase
Tina had a crush and dated a boy named Rick in highschool. He left to play baseball in the majors. She kept track of him and cut out every article she could find. Rick then comes to the ranch next door to work. Tina is afraid of getting hurt so she usually just keeps to herself. But Rick fires her blood.
Odd things happen and they are led back into each other's arms.
I am crazy about these Twin Moon Ranch characters. This is definitely a must read series. You won't be disappointedJodyL5.0 out of 5 stars Second chances
Reviewed in the United States on

The Wolves of Twin Moon Ranch Book 3: Desert Fate

The only thing that can save her is this lone wolf’s bite.

Kyle Williams is just a lone wolf trying to settle into a new skin. But when the brown-eyed girl from his past turns up, bloodied by a rival male, the instinct to protect overrides everything else—including duty to his pack.

Stefanie Alt is a woman on the run, and fate is hot on her heels. The only one who can help her is the neighborhood bad boy she once knew. But even after one hot night under the desert moon, Stefanie isn’t sure she can trust him—or herself.


mynonie
4.0 out of 5 stars Kyle meets his mate.
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2018Verified Purchase
Maybe you have met some of the others in this series.
This is a stand alone tale where two people who happened to know each other for a while as children, share a fate.
Kyle had been bitten years ago, turned into a werewolf, now he worked as a police officer in the American country side and had shifter friends at the Twin Moon Ranch.
Stef had a good job, selling solar panels, but got attacked by a customer and would soon either die or turn into a wolf herself. Said customer needed to bite her once again and she would become his mate, but she had managed to run away and collapsed in the desert.
Kyle found her; they were attracted to each other, he knew he could give her the second bite and thus make her his mate, but gentleman that he was, wanted her to know the full consequences of being a werewolf and wanted her to chose being mated to him. The original attacker was searching for her and when he turned up, she noticed that he exerted some sort of magical pull on her, so she quickly ran away again.


RetiredHsMom
5.0 out of 5 stars The series gets better with each story I read.
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2017Verified Purchase
While Cody is still my favorite hero, Kyle is definitely nipping at his heels. Pun intended. Stefanie, his love interest, was an easy character to connect with and I loved how she refused to back down. Her childhood connection with Kyle simply made their being mates a no brainer for me.

I loved the ending of the book and how they got the old bull…err, I mean alpha out of Arizona. Best part of the book, imo

How is the author's writing? Good
Is there violence? Yes
Is there sexual content? Yes
How is the story narrated? Third person
How would you describe the plot of this book? Some twists

leopard wolf
5.0 out of 5 stars If only they talked....and if they listened it would help!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 8, 2018Verified Purchase
I love the way that this book is about what happens when you don't communicate. Especially when you have a newly turned shewolf come back into your life and you cannot seem to find the words or the gumption to get her to be your mate.
I loved the soul searching that goes on as Kyle agonises about weather or not Stef realises that she's his mate....not to mention the turmoil Stef is in as she believes that her future is to be Dons mate.
Oh if only they blinking talked to each other! And their pack mates.
I loved this book and the way the Twin Moon Ranch is growing.
A great book that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The Wolves of Twin Moon Ranch 2: Desert Blood

She’s on the run…into the arms of forbidden love.

Heather Luth knows nothing about the paranormal world until one awful night changes everything. Now she’s on the run — straight into the arms of forbidden love. Her mind knows better than to fall for a werewolf’s sunny smile and mesmerizing voice, but her heart — and destiny — have other ideas.

On the surface, Cody Hawthorne is warm, witty, and fun, but beneath his carefree facade, Heather sees a real man struggling to break free. Day by day, Heather and Cody grow closer and closer, unable to resist their simmering passion — while day by day, a serial murderer closes in on his prey. Duty fights desire; fear wrestles trust as the human world clashes with the paranormal in a tale of forbidden love.

tammy ramey
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome para romance!
Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2015 Verified Purchase
sometimes when you read a lot of paranormal romance it can seem like there is nothing more out there that you have not already seen. i can honestly say that Anna Lowe is that something new. this is the first book that i have read from this author and i adored it. the undercurrents that ran thru the "pack" and the hilarious commentary from the "classroom, had me laughing out loud, a lot!

i was grabbed and pulled into the story from the first page. i found myself intrigued and fascinated by the story and the characters were a joy to get to know and watch them grow into their own. i also found myself rooting for the heroine/hero and booing the "villain(s)", and then on the next page laughing out loud at something else. it was a truly wonderful book.

If you like: 1) paranormal books with the most amazing world building in them. 2)the against all odds romance,then grab this book and dig in for the duration. go ahead and hibernate with it for awhile, i can guarantee once you start reading you won't want to put it down any more than a chocoholic would give up his/her Godiva. LOL!

this is also not one of those books that you can figure out who will do what in the first few chapters but it kept me guessing right up to the last page. i find myself hoping to hear more about these characters in a future book as well as some of the secondary characters that need their story told. I can hardly wait to read the rest of the series.


RetiredHsMom
4.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoyed this sequel!
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2017 Verified Purchase
Overall: 4 Stars
Performance: 4 Stars
Story: 4 Stars

I really enjoyed this sequel and the two main characters in this story. I loved Cody from the first book and Heather was easy to like as well. I loved Cody’s easy-going personality compared to Ty’s. I also understood why he choose to be the comedian. I disliked how negatively Ty and his father judged him. As for Heather, I absolutely loved her spirit and willingness to fight for herself. No wilting flower here. Her innate understanding of Cody was wonderful. I like how fiercely she was willing to defend him when needed.

The kids were great for the humorous aspect of the story. It was easy to fall in love with them especially the class clown, Timmy. He’s a little charmer. I was glad that Heather took a special interest in him.

Ms. Lowe did an excellent job of weaving the love story with humor, mystery and suspense. I appreciated that the characters in this story didn’t have quite as much internal dialogue as the first story. That helped the story actually flow better. I can’t wait to read the next one.

(originally posted on Audible.com)


Uncaged Book Reviews
VINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 stars great romance
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2019
This is the 2nd book in this series, and I think I liked it even better than the first one. Anna Lowe is an author that I can count on consistently for a good read. This book is a quicker read and even though it’s forbidden for Cody to fall in love with a human, resisting Heather is not going to happen for him. But the danger ramps up when a serial killer is on the loose and now seems to be targeting Heather.

Great read, and I’m looking forward to the next one. Get out the tissue boxes for a couple great moments that will steal your heart. 4.5 Stars

Kristin
5.0 out of 5 stars Suspenseful paranormal romance
Reviewed in Canada on March 7, 2018Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this book. The characters capture your attention right from the beginning. They are all quite unique and well developed people with needs, good characteristics and not so good ones. In short, very real. Throw in a serial killer with lots of suspense and a budding romance that isn't supposed to happen, ever, and you have an edge of your seat thriller. I am so glad I read this and plan to read the rest of this series.

The Wolves of Twin Moon Ranch 1: Desert Moon

Lana Dixon knows well enough to steer clear of alpha males, but Ty Hawthorne is as impossible to avoid as the sizzling Arizona sun. Her inner wolf just won’t give up on the alpha who’s tall, dark, and more than a little dangerous. One midnight romp under the full moon is enough for Lana to know she’ll risk her life for him — but what about her pride?

Ty puts duty above everything — even the overwhelming instinct that says Lana’s the one. She’s the Juliet to his Romeo: forbidden. And with a pack of poaching rogues closing in, it’s hardly the time to yield to his desires. Or is love just what this lonely alpha needs to set his spirit free?


Dreamer
5.0 out of 5 stars Hot, hot, hot
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2020Verified Purchase
This story is totally mesmerising. Strong character, beautiful scenes, the whole package. Sultry but definitely one of my favorite books this far. I can't wait to ready more in this series.


Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Good story
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2019
Met Ty in Desert Hunt prequel, he was suppose to be Rat's mate but he was looking for another. He's been searching for her after he caught her scent for years. Now he's finally found her and he has to decide what he's willing to do


Josie Contessa
4.0 out of 5 stars Howl at the moon
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2019Verified Purchase
Felt like I was missing something, but was able to pick up the thread and enjoy the story. A good romance with some sexy steam. The underlying threat portion of the story was okay, but they seemed to just fall a little short. However, the characters and Twin Moon ranch is intriguing enough that I am interested in reading more of this series.

#Deception #BlueMoonSaloon5

Nothing is more dangerous than forbidden love.

She stared at him then shook her head. “Isn’t it wrong for me to want you after what I did?”
“You did what you were forced to do. And wrong?” He took her by the shoulders. “You didn’t do anything. Hate is wrong. Love… Love is right.”
“Love?”
He nodded firmly. “God, Summer. From the second I met you, I wanted you. I still want you. For forever, I mean.”
She bit her lip. “I knew it before I even saw you. Even before you stepped in the door, I knew.”
“So why fight it? Don’t you feel it, too?”
“I feel it,” she murmured, but she still looked so sad. As if she was determined to deny herself happiness for the rest of her life.
Lowe, Anna. Deception (Blue Moon Saloon Book 5) . Twin Moon Press. Kindle Edition.

She-wolf Summer Smith is desperate to make up for a past she can’t deny — and the best way to accomplish that is to take on a deadly mission for her new pack. She’ll sacrifice anything to clear her name and protect the people she loves. With the future of shifters across the Southwest resting in her hands, it’s the worst possible time to fall in love — with a bear, no less.

Burly bear shifter Drew Kovacs hasn’t traveled to the Southwest to look for trouble, and he sure isn’t looking for love. But the second he lays eyes on the she-wolf with a mesmerizing smile and haunted eyes, he knows she’s the one. There’s just one problem — Summer is about to plunge head-first into danger, and he sure as hell won’t let her go alone. But he can’t show up and blow her undercover mission, either. Unless…

Wonderful!! What a great way to wrap up a storyline! Each couple in this series have been so interesting. I can’t wait to see what else the author comes up with!

Deception on Goodreads

Desert Wolf: Complete Collection (Wolves of Twin Moon Ranch 1.1 – 1.4)

In this Collection
Desert Wolf: Friend or Foe Lana Dixon may have won her destined mate’s heart, but that was in Arizona. Now, she’s bringing her desert wolf home to meet her family — the sworn enemies of his pack. How far will they push her mate to prove himself worthy? And is their relationship ready for the test?
Desert Wolf 2: Strangers in the Night Nothing has ever scared this big, bad alpha as much as his mate’s pregnancy, especially when their quiet weekend getaway doesn’t go exactly according to plan. A whimsical and sexy tale of hope, fear, and undying love, featuring the wolves you love and a whole new shifter species that bursts onto the scene.
Desert Wolf 3: Chance Encounters What happens when two become three? Find out in this short story, when alpha wolf Ty Hawthorne stays home to watch the baby while his mate Lana goes for a girls’ night out – wolf style. What could possibly go wrong under the desert moon?
Desert Wolf 4: A Very Close Shave Alpha wolf Ty Hawthorne isn’t sure he’ll ever get a break from the constant demands of leading his pack. Not with a vampire on the loose and a brother falling head over heels into forbidden love. But when the right woman comes along with a naughty smile and a sizzling hot plan, duty takes a back seat to desire, if only for one scorching afternoon.
Lowe, Anna. Desert Wolf: Complete Collection: 4 Twin Moon Ranch Short Stories (The Wolves of Twin Moon Ranch) (Kindle Locations 89-104). Twin Moon Press. Kindle Edition.

This is an absolutely great look at everyday life on Twin Moon Ranch. This is the kind of story I have a tendency to create in my mind after I finish a book. All of these short stories take place after Desert Moon and before Desert Blood.

Now I have to admit, that I am changing how I write these reviews. You see, I have the great delight of getting to read an ARC copy of all of these. I have this set of 4 somewhere on my PC as individual books. I’ve given you a link to the Complete Collection because to my way of thinking, it’s more enjoyable to read these short ones all together!

So from this point forward, I’ll make sure to give you my opinion of these books as well as the description! Please enjoy!

Desert Wolf: Complete Collection on Goodreads

Desert Roots (Wolves of Twin Moon Ranch #6)

This bad boy won’t play by her rules.

This bad boy won’t play by the rules. Daredevil Carly Hawthorne, youngest of the Hawthorne wolf shifter clan, doesn’t believe in true love. At least, that’s what she thinks until bad boy Luke Brandstetter comes along, refusing to play by the rules. Luke is a man with more wrongs than rights in his past, and his scarred shifter soul yearns to turn over a new leaf. Somehow, he has to prove himself worthy — not just to Carly, but to her powerful pack of wolves. Can he protect his stubborn beauty from encroaching evil and earn a fresh start in life, or is love just another cruel trick of fate?
Lowe, Anna. Desert Roots (The Wolves of Twin Moon Ranch Book 6) . Twin Moon Press. Kindle Edition.

Carly Hawthorne was the daughter of one Alpha and the youngest sister of another. Her whole life had been spent bouncing from her father’s ranch in Arizona and her crazy mother’s pack in California. Neither place felt like home. Somehow she just never fit in with the people there.

Luke Brandstetter was a bad boy trying very hard to turn over a new leaf. His home pack of North Ridge, CO had been run by a cruel alpha who took what he wanted, mated or not. When he was 14, the alpha tried to take his sister against her will. Refusing him, she responded by killing herself with a shotgun. His father and older brothers tried to challenge the alpha one on one, but they killed during an ambush. That night his mother took him to the pack territory’s border and told him to run and never come back. But that alpha was dead now, killled by a wolf from the Twin Moon pack.

Carly glared at the unwelcome visitor to the ranch. She’d spent the night with him last night, then left before he awoke the nex morning. Now she heard the stunning news that Luke was the wolf that had clawed Kyle Williams in that long ago bar brawl, turning him in the process. Did she really want a man like that?

Luke had stopped at Twin Moon Ranch just to thank a wolf. His intention had been to say thanks, then take his leave and continue onward to North Ridge. They needed to know that there was a rogue wolf headed their way, trying to take over the pack. Finding out the old Alpha from Twin Moon was serving as Alpha made him pause.

As Ty and Cody, Carly’s older brothers, gave Luke every dirty job they could think of, they watched him to see what he would do. Would he take off, or would he fight for that fresh start? But when rogues from California came to the ranch, he had to make a big decision. Was he worthy of Carly, or not?

Desert Roots on Goodreads

Desert Rose (Wolves of Twin Moon Ranch #5)

An unexpected hero comes home.

Six weeks ago, he’d been running along behind his father in the open desert when a scream exploded into his mind. A scream exactly like the one he heard now. He stood stock-still and replayed the memory. Somewhere up north, that’s where it had been. He’d screeched to a halt in a dust cloud, forcing all four hooves to hold perfectly still so he could hear. “What the…?” his father had muttered once he’d turned back. “Shh!” He’d quieted his father so forcefully, the big boar jolted in surprise. “Shh,” Axel added, tilting his head to listen. Where was that voice coming from? He’d winced as another scream ripped through the night. Clear as a bell, even if it was only in his mind. A woman, terrified. A woman he had to protect at all costs. Why, he had no idea. Just that every bone in his body was behind the massive bellow he released into the night. A warning to whatever evil dared threaten her. One second, he’d been stiff as a statue, straining to hear, and the next, he’d thundered off on a new course, running toward the voice. Telling her, I’m coming! Hang on!

Lowe, Anna. Desert Rose (The Wolves of Twin Moon Ranch Book 5) . Twin Moon Press. Kindle Edition.

Beth always thought of herself as just a mousy librarian. Nothing special to look at, a idea that had been rubbed in by Audrey more than once. But after the huge stranger burst into the fight with the hellhound, saving Rick at the cost of serious injuries, she found herself almost compelled to sit and read to him.

Axel felt like he was in paradise. A big javelina shifter, he healed from injuries slower than other Shifters. More accustomed to being alone, the friendly pack around him was a bit of a shock. While he was unconscious, some woman had spent hours reading to him. More than once, it was her voice that kept him from slipping away. Now that he was up and recovering, he wondered if it was just a dream.

Coming back from some training on early literacy, Beth thought she’d just slip into her work at the library. But Aunt Jean drew her into children’s area where several of the children awaited her. As she settled down, she realized they weren’t alone, Axel was there also. In talking to him later, much later!, he let her know that he had heard her call from over 100 miles away. Something only destined mates could do.

Axel’s sojourn in Paradise came to a halt on Christmas Eve when his father and uncle tracked him down. A rival clan of Javelina Shifters was threatening the town where their women lived with the children. As much as Axel wanted to stay with Beth, he couldn’t deny the need to defend his family.

When the three big males find themselves in an ambush, then buried under debris from a rock slide, he makes a desperate call to say good bye to Beth. When she receives the call, can she locate her mate? And will she and her packmates be in time to make a difference in this fight?

Desert Rose on Goodreads