You know, it was so refreshing to change things up from what I normally read. This was fun, light and sexy and exactly what I needed.

 

**Originally posted @ ReadingDiva's Blog - Rating 4.5 of 5


REVIEW: I don’t usually follow a certain criteria when I read books, nor I tend to read books in a series one right after the other. This is perhaps the 2nd time I do that since I have been reading and there is a good reason behind it. The Artists Trilogy is one of those series that leaves you craving for more. I wasn’t 100% sold on the trilogy when I read the first book (Sins & Needles), but now that I have read the 2nd book I am happy to see how much this trilogy has to offer.

Shooting Scars is book 2 in the trilogy and this time around I was overwhelmed by the quality of this installment. This series has turned out to be exquisitely addictive. The story as well as the characters have develop greatly this time around, the plot and the characters’ voice and presence feel stronger and with more purpose. The drama, angst and conflicts are non stop.

While I wasn’t entirely supportive of Ellie Watt on the first book, now I am enamored with her as a character. In her attempt to redeem herself after all the things she has done as a con artist and after having hurt Camden so deeply – Ellie goes back with Javier thinking that her sacrifice will give Camden a chance to reunite with his son and ex-wife. One can’t exactly say that Ellie is the selfless heroine who has put everyone else’s needs before her, not at all. She has been selfish & reckless. I think the author depicts Ellie exactly as her characters requires it. She doesn’t take away from the crude reality of Ellie’s life, she emphasizes the connection and history that exist between her and Javier and also explores the dark and deep needs that exist between them. It brings out the what if of life, making her question her true motives behind her selfless act to give up on her love for Camden. What I enjoyed the most on this installment is how well we get to know her emotions, not because she still suffers and hurts for Camden but because we also get to explore how her mind works.

The attraction between Ellie and Javier & Ellie and Camden isn’t necessarily an attraction made from love, but an attraction that seem to exist in the deepest and darkest part of the heart, one that requires more than just love. The confessions and actions that follow the capture of Ellie help us understand the close connection and the thin line that exist between love and hate & between need and obsession. The author manages to create a contrast between these characters while clearly exposing the derailed & dysfunctional passion that exist between them, showing us that their need for each other can only be measured by the intensity of their desired.

Shooting Scars has it all, passion, deceit, sex, love and never ending action, with a roller-coaster of emotions that add amazing twist and turns to a story that seems to catch every aspect of human nature. This story is captivating, there is so much more to it than a story one redemption and second chances. The complexity and always evolving characters add to the story the necessary suspense to make this a page turner. If you love anti-heroes & villains, then you are going to love Javier. I am a fan of anti-heroes & villains, for me Javier deserves happiness as much as any other character. I think we have yet to see to what extend his love and need for Ellie goes, and for Camden to demonstrate how far is he willing to go for the woman he loves.

Sins & Needles ✰✰✰✰
On Every Street ✰✰✰✰✰
Shooting Scars ✰✰✰✰
Bold Tricks ✰✰✰✰✰

Was I obsessed with these characters? Not particularly.

Was I obsessed with the romance or who will she choose?  Not particularly.

Was I obsessed with the story?  YES.

This series as a whole is completely compelling, and I have no idea why.

If asked about the characters separately I would say meh, but holy hannah put them all together and what a blender full of betrayal and drama. I feel like that doge meme.  So wow.  Much drama.  Lies.  Mentally I processed these things but never felt a lot of emotion behind them.

Can't explain it but I devoured this series and yet I still feel very ambivalent about it.
Anyway, read it in order and don't even think about just dipping your toe in, you must read all the books to get to the end of the cliffhangers.

And yes, I will be reading the authors "Dirty Angels" series.  I read the synopsis of all the books and of course Halle is using characters that were in this series.  So of course I must read and find out what happens to them.  I really feel like Halle will improve.

  
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Karina Halle simply blows my mind with her writing!!I could not put the book down!!



I absolutely loved On Every Street.It sucked me in completely!
This is the story of how young Ellie goes back to Mississippi for revenge, but falls in love instead. Before heading to her revenge mission, she goes to Gus first.He's an ex-LAPD and a family friend and he trains her in becoming a good con artist.
He teaches her everything he knows. You can tell that he loves her like his own daughter.
I loved that Ellie had a father figure she could always count on apart from Uncle Jim. Gus gave her the best advises and I loved the scenes where she would turn to him.
After her training with Gus, young Ellie sets out to con in the real world.



She's very inexperienced and young, but vengeance is a great motivator. To take revenge, she decides to seduce a man who can get her close to the person she's after and this quy is Javier..
Javier and Ellie have this insta-lust/insta-love thing going on. Javier immediately feels possessive over Ellie and claims her as his woman the second time they go on a date.



At first I like Javier a lot...he was sexy and very nice...but in the middle of the book I find him obsessed and I think he is psycho... I didnt like him...