Goodreads Description:
Ellie Watt is used to starting over. The daughter of a grifting team, Ellie spent her childhood being used as a pawn in her parents' latest scam. Now she’s much older, wiser and ready to give her con artist life a rest. But returning to the dry desert town of Palm Valley, California means one more temptation than she bargained for – Camden McQueen. Once known as the high school weirdo, Camden is bigger and badder than the boy he used to be and a talented tattoo artist with his own thriving business. Ellie’s counting on Camden still being in love with her but what she’s not counting on is how easily unrequited love can turn into obsession over time. When Camden discovers Ellie’s plan to con him, he makes her a deal she doesn’t dare refuse, but her freedom comes with a price and it’s one that takes both Ellie and Camden down a dangerous road.
**The Artists Trilogy is a dark and sexy contemporary ride about three flawed individuals caught in a world where it's so easy to justify the bad things we do. This is a pure adult read (Not YA or NA)
This is the 1st book in the trilogy. It is followed by the novella On Every Street (released in March 2013) and the sequel Shooting Scars (released in May 2013). The third and final book in the series will also be released in 2013.***
What did I think?
Well I fell in love with Halle's writing when I first read Darkhouse. She hasn't let me down since. I am totally addicted to her Experiment In Terror series and amd such a hardcore fan, I knew this one would kick my ass.
It totally kicked my ass lol. This is a completely different world that Halle takes you to. I loved every second of it. This book is really non stop and had my heart racing so many times it was like I was there. Karina Halle has the innate ability to captivate and entrance with her world building and her fabulous writing. She always creates these fantastic worlds with these memorable characters that you love even though they truly are damaged goods.
I always love Halle's characters because they are so damaged. I love the damage and the darkness because....really....don't we all have a little bit of that in all of us? That's what makes here characters so memorable and all of them are my favorites.
I'll start off with Ellie. Ellie is very complex and pretty hardcore. I've never read a character that has such baggage with her. Even though she had all that baggage and extra darkness with her, you still feel for her. Yes, she is a bad girl but for the most part she has best interest at heart. Kind of ;-)
Camden....Oh sweet Jesus Camden... What can I say here that can do him justice? I have no idea really. He is one of those epic characters that just....stick with you. Camden is also pretty messed up. I loved him because of it. But he's also a pretty big bad ass. But damn if he doesn't say the sweetest things. Tall, dark, sexy and effed up. Such a fantastical combination!
Now for the story....holy crap what a wild ride! The party just does. not. stop. I had such a hard time putting this down. Seriously. Every page I turned, I just wanted to keep going and not stop. This story is so unlike anything I've ever read. It's gritty, dark, sexy and so beautiful all in one. There really aren't enough words to express how much I truly adored this book. It has gone down as one of my all-time favorites. I cannot wait to read the next in the series.
I don't want to give too much away but let me just say that if you are looking for an action-packed, suspenseful, sexy book, then pick this up. I will warn you though, Karina has been known to leave with a cliffhanger ;-)
Favorite Quote/Scene:
Camden continued looking at her with fervent intesity. It started to make her a little bit uncomforatble and she wiped her hands on her jeans. "You've never shown me your scars." The girl swallowed hard. "And I'm not about to." "Can it be so bad?" he whispered. "How can someone as pretty as you have anything that would make her less?"
I'm telling you....pick this up NOW!! AMAZON|BARNES & NOBLE
