Julie Bozza

I'm going to be one of the few who didn't like this book, mainly stemming from how this did not encompass the qualities of how I like my romance.

Now I know not every book has to have hearts and flowers or epic love, and I know that not every book has to be erotic or titillating - but I honestly could not quite wrap my head around, nor fully understand, the "grand love" depicted here, for it left me feeling mostly frustrated and sad.

This is mainly a murder mystery where two G-men, Special Agent Fletcher Ash and forensic pathologist Albert Sterne, try to catch an elusive serial killer over the course of several years. While they work together, their relationship evolves and grows more and more complex.

As a warning, there was nothing overt when it came to these two. Rather, it focused on the immense genius of Albert and the dogged determination of Fletcher, as they work case after case of various murdered victims. Fletcher is the only one who sees beyond the hard mask Albert presents to the world. It goes from admiration of Albert's skills, to a confounding friendship that slowly evolves into a codependent relationship - a relationship that Albert refuses to acknowledge. He doesn't need emotions, melodrama, or intimacy; he doesn't want it, nor does he think he deserves it, and damn Fletcher for putting him in such a position! In turn, this was understandably aggravating, as Fletcher tries to get Albert to concede more and more, and Fletcher must grapple with how much he'll compromise to be happy and to keep Albert in his life. Equal weight was put on the sadistic serial killer, and it became a procedural in and amongst the convoluted dance between these two men.

Maybe it's that very dance that many readers loved and appreciated. However, I often wanted to throttle Albert for his resistance in letting his barriers down, and I scratched my head at Fletcher's subjecting himself to such torture. Albert's need and want was not lacking, but the need for control often won out.

I get the conundrum of why someone is just it for the other; sometimes it's just unexplainable. Alas, I didn't quite understand the push/pull of these two, and despite the rare, sweet gesture, I couldn't really rejoice in Albert and Fletcher's win. If you want realism (for I know every relationship is far from perfect), then this is probably right up your alley. For me, I read to escape, and this left me with too little, too late, regarding their supposed HEA.… (altro)

A beautifully written romance story that made me laugh, cheer and tear. Ms Bozza writes a character that is so wonderfully human and real that you know them and love them. I have never given any thought about large age differences between partners. You simply fall in love and act upon it. I thought Hilary took the difference in age to the extreme although most of it was because of insecurity. The search for the truth about Thaddeus was intriguing and meshed perfectly with Tom and Hilary's love. The garden was also the ultimate example of age making no difference and the way both men worked at it was perfect.… (altro)

Ms Bozza has the gift of weaving the beauty of nature and Earth knowledge together with an intense love affair to create an exquisite and very touching romance story. Her characters are flawed by past experiences but they shine with life and almost jump of the page to have a cup of tea with you. Taken alone, the story of the butterflies would have been interesting as would have been the romance between David and Nicholas but when intertwined in the Australian Outback they became magical. The Apothecary's Garden is still my favorite but this wonderful story of love and nature deserves reading also. You wont be disappointed.… (altro)

This story picked up right where book one of this remarkable trilogy ended. Ms Bozza spun a tale of cultural differences and adventure in The Butterfly Hunter. In this book, she wove a story of romance and the celebration of the love between Nicholas and Dave. Set back in the U. K., the huge Goring clan launches the two men off on their married life together. I liked the way that Ms Bozza gave us a look into the aboriginal mystic side of life in Butterfly Hunter and this time gave us a look at the Celtic mystical side of life with the circle of stones and the hand fasting. It was all these small pieces of England melding with Australia through David and Nicholas that made this story a heart warming read. I cannot wait for the third book in this remarkable trilogy.… (altro)