The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison

Still on a bit of the serial killer thing, here is another book that caught my attention (that Amazon recommended to me).

Near an isolated mansion lies a beautiful garden.

In this garden grow luscious flowers, shady trees…and a collection of precious “butterflies”—young women who have been kidnapped and intricately tattooed to resemble their namesakes. Overseeing it all is the Gardener, a brutal, twisted man obsessed with capturing and preserving his lovely specimens.

When the garden is discovered, a survivor is brought in for questioning. FBI agents Victor Hanoverian and Brandon Eddison are tasked with piecing together one of the most stomach-churning cases of their careers. But the girl, known only as Maya, proves to be a puzzle herself.

As her story twists and turns, slowly shedding light on life in the Butterfly Garden, Maya reveals old grudges, new saviors, and horrific tales of a man who’d go to any length to hold beauty captive. But the more she shares, the more the agents have to wonder what she’s still hiding...

You can purchase the book here: The Butterfly Garden (The Collector Trilogy Book 1)

This book was very creepy. Nothing too overtly graphic (though there were some graphic parts), but the whole concept was a total creep fest. Maya is a victim of the Gardener a man who collects (kidnaps) beautiful girls and tattoos butterflies onto them. He them preserves them. He keeps them locked up in his garden for YEARS. The crazy thing is that he truly believes that he loves all of them, i mean outside of the rapeyness of it all, he is rather gentle and caring when it comes to their well being and what they like (as far as hobbies are concerned).

You learn all about this garden while Maya is being interrogated by the police. I had a hard time really buying into the fact that they thought she was guilty of anything... even they seemed to have a hard time buying into it, and maybe that was the point. But I found that the more she talked about the garden and her life there, the more I got sucked into it. Maya does talk about her life before being a living butterfly, but that didn't hold my attention as closely as all the rest of it.

I am definitely looking out for the next book in the series. I would give this book a solid four stars. I am glad I read it.

Obsidian (New Species, Book 8) by Laurann Dohner

         I finally got to read this!! I know that I keep repeating how much I love this author and her series, but I love the New Species.

         Dr. Allison Baker is obsessed with saving the comatose New Species male. She has tried everything and there’s only one option left. Alli will break every rule and put her life in danger by tempting 880 to wake, using only her feminine scent and touch. She just has to kidnap him and crawl into bed with him to make it work.
         880 wakes in a different world with a small female who’s been sleeping beside him, caressing him and wrapping her sweet body around his, teasing his senses. He lies silent and still, listening and evaluating each arousing touch, fighting his body’s reaction. Hatred flares when he discovers she’s human, but Mercile stole everything from him so he decides it’s fair to take her in return.
         But things quickly change and he wants her at his side and in his bed. 880 has chosen a new name—Obsidian—the personification of dark and dangerous. He’ll fight them all to keep her and no one will stand in his way of taking a new mate as well.

Click to view on Amazon: Obsidian (New Species Book 8)

         Ok, I loved this book, but I don't know if that was because I liked the story or if I just liked it because I like the idea of the New Species. I mean I know these books are quick reads, but I felt like everything went lightening fast, and that the description didn't properly describe the plot of the book.  The description makes it seem like there was going to be a lot more action than there ended up being.
         Yeah, she wakes him up because he smells her and thinks she is his mate; and, yeah, he falls for her... but he doesn't really do much to keep her. I mean, he does threaten people when they do try and take her, but when push came to shove they took her from him so easily. That frustrated me. I wanted him to kill that dumb ass shrink who said that she was raping and molesting him and everything. I understand that it is wrong to take advantage of a patient's emotional state, but she did everything in her power not to do that. Alli constantly stopped him and told him he needed to rethink things, and that she didn't want to take advantage of him. Obsidian basically coerced her into sleeping with him every time. She was always the one who said no. And then when they were going to sign mate papers, she still said no because she wanted to give him a chance at getting to know life with out her. I don't know about you guys, but I don't really consider that taking advantage of someone. If anything, Obsidian took advantage of Alli. Ugh I hated that doctor, and I looooove having characters to hate.
         Speaking of which... What the hell is up with that girl Kit? I don't remember her in the last book (But I will go back and look) but what the hell. What kind of bitch does something like that. She is a New Species herself, so she knows that once a male imprints a female he has no interest in anyone else, so why the hell did she keep hitting on Obsidian? It pissed me off so much! And to just say that because Alli was human she was no good, right in front of Alli and to Alli's mate (who is a guy who already has issues with humans). If I was there and if I had a gun, I would have shot her. I'm so serious.
         But I did like the book. I think what touches me most about the New Species is their devotion to their loved ones, whether they be friends or mates. Once they become attached to someone they are extremely devoted and protective. I think that is an amazing trait and while Laurann Dohner does seem to vilify humans, I do think that humans could learn a lot from the New Species.

I loved it and give it 5 stars. (wow I am really on a 5 star roll)

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

         I recently watched American Horror Story for the first time (Oh my goodness I am obsessed, I binge watched all the seasons). But after having finished the first season I was having a craving for understanding the mind of a serial killer. And I didn't want it to be Criminal Minds-esque where someone else was analyzing them. I wanted to be in the killer's head, and I wanted to feel something more than fear or disgust. Holy Moly did this book hit the spot. I was scared and grossed out and totally compelled to like the characters. I am a wimp though and struggled with showering by myself after reading it, for fear of someone on the other side of the curtain.

 What if the world's worst serial killer...was your dad?

Jasper "Jazz" Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.

But he's also the son of the world's most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could—from the criminal's point of view.

And now bodies are piling up in Lobo's Nod.

In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret—could he be more like his father than anyone knows?

You can purchase this book here: I Hunt Killers (Jasper Dent)

I mostly read this book during slow hours at work (I know, I am bad). It totally sucked me into the story. Jazz is a teenager who was raised by his serial killer father, to be a serial killer. He is constantly fighting the urge to give in to all that his father filled his head with, and there are graphic details of all the things he stops himself from doing.

He is accompanied by his best friend and girlfriend, both of whom help brighten up what would have other wise been a very very dark story. I really learned to like Jazz, he is prickly and really messed up, but he is a solid character that I looked forward to finding new things about who he was.

This story really makes you think. Really makes you wonder about murder and nature vs. nurture, and when Jazz struggles with it all, you are doing it right along side him. Now, like I said before, I am a major wimp, I am scared of everything, so that being said, this book is not for the faint of heart. It took me a few days to get out of that head space, and not without some serial killer dreams.

I think this was a very well written, and very well researched book. If you like this genre, then this is definitely a much read!

I give it 5 Stars!

Archangel's Heart by Nalini Singh

I know I have reviewed some of the books in this series, but the most recent one just came out and I am DYING. 

One of the most vicious archangels in the world has disappeared. No one knows if Lijuan is dead or has chosen to Sleep the long sleep of an immortal. But with her lands falling into chaos under a rising tide of vampiric bloodlust, a mysterious and ancient order of angels known as the Luminata calls the entire Cadre together to discuss the fate of her territory.

Accompanying her archangelic lover Raphael to the Luminata compound, guild hunter-turned-angel Elena senses that all is not as it seems. Secrets echo from within the stone walls of the compound, and the deeper Elena goes, the uglier the darkness. But neither Raphael nor Elena is ready for the brutal truths hidden within—truths that will change everything Elena thinks she knows about who she is…

Nothing will ever be the same again.

You can purchase it here on Amazon: Archangel's Heart (A Guild Hunter Novel)

So this book was AMAZING. now if anyone knows me at all or if anyone follows my (rare-ish) comments on Goodreads, then you know that I have a major thing for Illium and Aodhan. I just want the two of them to be together forever (who knows if Miz. Singh will give me that though). I was beyond pleased that we got to get to know Aodhan better in this novel. He had always been interesting to me with his horrific past, but I didn't really feel like I got the essence of who he was until this book. You see him through everyone else's eyes up until now, and he is a lot less calm and fragile then you originally think. I really really like him.

That aside, it was lovely revisiting the main pairing of this series Elena and Raphael. They are discovering new abilities and kicking major ass in the process. I love it when Archangels get pissed when someone over steps their bounds. Don't we all wish we could just smite the people who drive us crazy. The Duo go into what qualifies as a religious sect for the angels, and realize that not everything is how it seems.

I wish we could have gotten to know the other Archangels a little better. We know most of them in passing but it would have been interesting to get to know them a bit more.

The only drawback that I found in this one was that since Elena and Raphael's romance is very set in stone, I wanted to see new romance *cough* Illium/Aodhan *cough*.

I still enjoyed myself and I would definitely say that this book was 5 stars!!

Evensong's Heir (Songbirds of Valnon, Book 1) by L.S. Baird

I am not sure if you all remember, but I have a soft spot for feminine men. I love them. I want one. So, that being said the cover of this book really caught my eye. I thought the man of the front was so beautiful that I had to read it, I didn't even know what the book was about, but if that man on the cover was one of the characters, I was all in.

For centuries in the Temple of Valnon, young men have paid a tremendous price to be chosen as Songbirds. Every twelve years, a new Lark and Thrush are castrated for their heavenly voices, but few men have ever been capable of claiming the title of Dove: the holy avatar of Saint Alveron himself. In the six hundred years since the Temple's founding, Willim is only the third to buy the Evensong with his blood. A virtual prisoner of the Temple for the duration of his term, Willim pays little heed to anything but his duty to sing for Valnon. That all changes with the murder of the Songbirds' loyal bodyguard and Willim's rescue by Nicholas Grayson, a sell-sword who brings whispers of Temple scandal and ancient prophecy in his wake.

Plagued by ghosts and nightmares, betrayed by a fellow Temple Bird and forced into exile, Willim struggles to unravel the tangled history of his title in the hopes of understanding what it truly means to be Valnon's Dove. With his friends scattered and Valnon poised on the brink of war, Willim's only hope lies in summoning the ancient power of his saint: to Sing Down from Heaven a music that can fell an army in its tracks, or wipe a city from the surface of the earth. But the song of Saint Alveron is as unpredictable as it is powerful. Whether Willim's Song will bring salvation for his city or the destruction of everything he holds dear, only Heaven knows.

Click to View on Amazon: Evensong's Heir (Songbirds of Valnon Book 1)

This was an extremely beautiful book. I couldn't put it down, I was actually reading it in class. The whole concept of this book is that three young boys are selected based on their singing abilities to become the physical embodiment of saints, upon accepting the position the boys are castrated so that they can retain their youthful voices. Now, I am a singer, so this whole concept really interested me. I was curious as to how the author would describe the singing, because it can be a bit difficult to put amazing singing into words. (The author did beautifully).

Now, Willim, he is the dove, and it has been hundreds of years since the last dove was instated, so he is really precious to the temple. He is found wandering and covered in blood in the middle of the street by the sell sword Grayson. Grayson brings him back to the temple, where shit promptly starts to go down. This is an action packed book. And while it is toted as m/m romance, it is more fantasy adventure with a splash of love thrown in. I wanted more of the romance, but didn't even realize that until I was done with the book. I wasn't sitting there while I was reading thinking "Damn, when do they fall in love?" It was more like, I closed the book then thought, "Wait, wasn't that supposed to the a romance?" I am telling you guys, the story sucks you in.

I loved the characters and how you could really see how these boys develop into the songbirds that they are. All the characters were so expertly created I just wanted to meet them in real life. And that last scene in the book, with Willim singing (I'm not giving anything away), man it gave me chills.

After finishing I went straight to see if the next book was out (It's not, boo). But I saw that there is a perfume line based on the books... what what? I want it, I don't even care what the perfume smells like, I just want it. Actually I just took a break to go look at the perfume, and on my next paycheck I will probably buy it. I know I can be a fangirl (And I am in no way ashamed of it) but I really liked this book and so I really want to help support this world that it exists in and the author who created it.

Here is the link to the website: http://www.valnon.org/

I give this a 5 out of 5

Seriously go read it!!

Took Another Break

I am sure that some of you have noticed that I have not been posting in quite a while and I want to apologize. I told myself that I was going to be really good at posting reviews. I told myself that even if I was busy I would post at least 1 review a week, but preferably 3. Well that went out the window when I started cosmetology school. But something was missing and I just need to share how I feel about these books, so I am starting up again. I know, I am like a yo-yo.

I have read a lot of books, and I am going to share them with you now :)

Flames Burn Hotter in Texas Trilogy by Naomi L. Wyatt

I was asked to review this book, but the following review contains entirely my own opinions.

Blush has fought tooth and nail to get out of her dusty old hometown and into the city where things move at a faster pace, evolving in the blink of an eye; a place that would keep up with her ambitions. When she finally returns home to visit her father, she experiences the benefits of a slower pace. Meanwhile, an old romance is rekindled in a way that stirs both her emotions and her sexuality so powerfully that she is now forced to choose between small town life and the high tech playground where she now resides.

 Click to view on Amazon: Flames Burn Hotter in Texas

I love small town romance stories, they just can get under my skin in ways that other romance stories can't. Maybe it is the nostalgia factor, but I just love them. And this is a story that falls right into that category. 

To start off with I want to say that I love the names in this book. Blush is such a unique name and it has such character, I love it... tucking that one away for the next time I need to name something. Cade is also such a hunky name. I think that the root of this story is something that almost anyone can understand: wanting to spread your wings and fly from the nest, try and make it on your own, cut the ties to your home town. It is certainly something that I have felt, and only recently have I grown up enough to really appreciate where I grew up and I think that Blush goes through a similar learning experience in this book, and she gets a hot guy to help her along the way.

I really liked how talented Blush was, I liked how she could just pick up the reins and start solving problems it really added a depth to her character that could have been lost in such an erotica heavy book. As far as the sex goes... it was pretty hot. I loved the scenes between Cade and Blush, sometimes I think they jumped into it a little fast, but then I remind myself that lust is lust, it hits hard and fast, so the speed of the relationship didn't bother me at all. What bothered me a bit was the relationship between Blush and Buck. For a while in the book it seemed like Cade was fading out of the picture and Buck was someone Blush was interested, but that wasn't to hard of an obstacle for me to get over, and I do understand that characters have to overcome challenges in order to grow, and it definitely added another facet to Blush's character.

When I first started this trilogy (it comes as a boxed set) I thought it would just be a fluffy erotica piece, but it showed surprising depth that I found very pleasing.

I give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars! Go check it out!