HAPPY RELEASE DAY to Karina Halle and Bold Tricks!!!!
Read Christine’s 5 STAR review of the books that came before this final installment of The Artists Trilogy – Sins and Needles, On Every Street and Shooting Scars by clicking here.
Enter for a chance to win some amazing giveaways from the publisher using Rafflecopter below. Good luck!!!
Buy links for the entire series can be found below.
5 STARS!!!
Synopsis
The Faster They Live, the Harder They Fall . . .
Raised by con artists, Ellie Watt has a lot of crazy childhood memories-but none crazier than being scarred with acid by the demented crime boss Travis Raines. Now Ellie is a full-grown woman who lives for revenge, and Travis is a full-blown drug lord who kills for pleasure. The sadistic bastard has kidnapped her good friend Gus as well as her mother, whom he’s been holding as prized possessions in his heavily guarded lair. And Ellie has only one chance in hell of getting them out alive-using two dangerous men who love her to death . . .
One is Camden McQueen, a talented tattoo artist who’s made a permanent mark on Ellie’s heart. The other is Javier Bernal, her fiery ex-lover who’s busted more than a few heads in his time. From the crime-ridden streets of Mexico City to the predatory jungles of Honduras, this unlikely trio forms an uneasy alliance in the deadliest game of all-a gun-blazing battle to the finish that will pit enemy against enemy and lover against lover. And Ellie must choose the right man to trust . . . or die.
Excerpt
Ugh. Sharing a room with Javier would be a nightmare at this point, but Camden did have a point. I didn’t trust Javier and knew he was capable of screwing us over at the first opportunity. Staying in separate bedrooms this early in the game would be the perfect opportunity for him to up and leave us. Javier’s alliance only extended to his sister, not to Gus, and the fact that he was even agreeing to help us at all said a lot. Unfortunately, I didn’t know exactly what it said.
“I’m staying with you,” I quickly said to Javier. I didn’t bother putting on an act, smiling or acting coy. He’d see straight through me anyway. He always did.
He raised his brow. “Is that right, angel? And to what do I owe your angelic company?”
“Because you’re both the same,” Camden filled in. He stepped forward and quickly swiped a key out of Javier’s hand. “You’re meant for each other.” He took off for his room, his back straight and proud. My heart both lurched and ached at his words, how badly he was brushing me off, how I’ll he thought of me.
Javier was surprised and loving it. He turned to me, mouth slightly agape. “Wow. Something tells me he was trying to be insulting.”
I couldn’t even fake a smile. “Which one is our room?” I asked, feeling sick as the words came out.
He grinned at me, all snake, no conscience. “Whichever one I choose, angel. Have you got all your belongings?”
Normally I would have brought out everything from the trunk, but there were an awful lot of lives in there, an awful lot of stuff. With me keeping an eye on Javier all night, it was probably safe.
I shook my head. “It’s fine.”
He smiled again, especially as Camden shut the door to room number one.
“Let’s take numero tres, sí?” Javier asked. “More privacy.” He grabbed my hand and led me toward it, though there was nothing gentle or warm in his touch. Just like that, those days were over. I was back to dealing with the spurned Javier, the hunter and the sadist.
He opened the door and flicked on the lights. A few cockroaches skittered underneath the bed, and moths darted to the threadbare light fixture hanging from the ceiling. The room was as run-down as I’d ever seen, and for one twisted second I was glad I wasn’t sleeping there alone. In the next second, though, I was reminded that the company of insects was preferable to his.
He closed the door behind us and put his hand at my neck, holding me there, and leaned into my ear. “Do you want top or bottom?”
I stiffened for a moment then rammed my elbow back into his gut. “Fuck you.”
He let go of me and coughed loudly, still trying to smile. “You should be glad I’m giving you the option, angel.”
“You’re a sick pig.”
He straightened up and shrugged. “It’s what you liked until about, oh, twelve hours ago. Tell me, angel, what is it about that boy that makes you forget who you really are? Is it the tattoos, because you know I have those.” He quickly shed his linen shirt and stood bare-chested before me, the tattoo of his mother’s name on his inner arm. He turned around slowly, making sure I saw the large cross going down his spine. “Or is it those horrible glasses of his? You know, I can look like a fucking idiot if I really wanted to.”
I narrowed my eyes, keeping far away from him like wary prey. “He sees the good in me.”
He laughed. “The good. Of course. The good. So, is that why you’re spending the night with me? Because I looked into that boy’s eyes tonight and there was no good in there left for you.”
My gaze locked with his, a war without further words. His eyes shone yellow-green in the light, looking more inhuman by the moment. Deep in his insanity, he was making some sense. That’s what I hated most about Javier, that there was always a kernel of truth to his words, a truth that made you fall for the lies.
I sucked back my breath and nodded at the sagging bed. “You better get a good night’s sleep.” Then I grabbed one of the pillows and the top sheet and brought it over to the thin Mexican rug that ran along the foot of it.
“You’re serious?” he asked as I started making my bed on the floor.
“Good night,” I told him, lying down on top of the sheet. I didn’t trust the cleanliness of the floor and it was too hot to have a sheet on top of me anyway. I rolled over so I was facing away from him. He was still standing near the bed.
“Come now,” Javier said. “Sharing a bed with me isn’t that bad. You’ve been doing it for the last week. Is the inevitable sex too distracting?”
I ground my teeth together but didn’t say a word.
Suddenly he dropped to the ground on top of me, flipping me over so I was on my back, pinning both of my arms to the ground, his face just inches from mine. Wild strands of his hair partially obscured his feverish eyes.
“I’ll scream,” I said hoarsely, fear pulsing through my veins.
He grinned. “You know I love that.”
Christine’s Review
I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this final installment of The Artists Trilogy! I was nervous as hell to start it because I didn’t know what would happen, who Ellie would end up with and if there would be a happily ever after for all. Well I have to say that Karina Halle did not disappoint and this was my absolute FAVORITE of the entire series! This book was filled with such love, intensity, danger and action that I was on the edge of my seat throughout. Karina has a way with her story telling that gets you right in on the action that you feel that you are IN it and I LOVED every second! It was so descriptive and vivid in my mind and a complete change from what I have been reading lately. It was completely AMAZING!
Bold Tricks picks up where Shooting Scars left off and Javier has just saved Ellie and Camden. They are on the run from Travis but have to formulate a plan to not only get Javier’s sister and protect her but to also rescue Gus and Ellie’s mom. Ellie feels a lot of remorse for how she treated Camden and seeing it through her thoughts and through her eyes makes my heart ache for her. With books 1 and 2, I didn’t know who Ellie would pick as I truly liked both Javier and Camden, both very different but both holding a piece of my heart. The choice will be pretty obvious as the book progresses and I will admit that my heart was totally content. The sex, as in previous books, was HOT and with the combination of these characters thrilling journey and the romance, this is a series that will satisfy many readers.
I don’t want to give anything away about this book as I firmly believe that everyone HAS TO experience it for themselves but I felt very happy with the closure I received from this book. A lot of truths came out, there was a lot of healing for the broken souls whose journey we have followed since book 1 and there was an epilogue that put a satisfied smile on my face. I loved seeing the future, the epilogue was complete perfection and I could feel the love just seeping out of my kindle.
Thank you Ms. Hale for an amazing series – I truly enjoyed every moment and this is a series that I have placed in my top favorites. This is something that I will NEVER EVER forget! I look forward to reading more from you! <3
About the Author
The daughter of a Norwegian Viking and a Finnish Moomin, Karina Halle grew up in Vancouver, Canada with trolls and eternal darkness on the brain. This soon turned into a love of all things that go bump in the night and a rather sadistic appreciation for freaking people out. Like many of the flawed characters she writes, Karina never knew where to find herself and has dabbled in acting, make-up artistry, film production, screenwriting, photography, travel writing and music journalism. She eventually found herself in the pages of the very novels she wrote (if only she had looked there to begin with).
Karina holds a screenwriting degree from Vancouver Film School and a Bachelor of Journalism from TRU. Her travel writing, music reviews/interviews and photography have appeared in publications such as Consequence of Sound, Mxdwn and GoNomad Travel Guides. She currently splits her time between her apartment in downtown Vancouver and her sailboat, where a book and a bottle of wine are always at hand. She’s hard at work on her next novel.
GIVEAWAY
a Rafflecopter giveaway
BUY THE BOOKS HERE!
Book 1 – Sins and Needles
Book .5 – On Every Street
Book 2 – Shooting Scars
Book 3 – Bold Tricks
dimka
haven’t started this series yet. but heard only good things about it! i am finishing EIT so after that i am jumping on this , i hope 🙂
awesome giveaway, tnx for chance to win 🙂
Shelley Newham
Team Camden!
Jamie Ford
I’m Team Camden. My favorite book of the series is Sins&Needles and I love black,square hipster glasses and tattoos ❤️
Bertie Welck
Love all the books, tats, glasses. Thanks for the giveaway
Carrie Raasch
I don’t have a team, but I love square hipster glasses and tattoos!!! Thanks for the chance!
Janice U.
I haven’t read this series, yet. I have heard such wonderful things about it. It is on my TBR pile. Thanks for the giveaway!
Sarah Rosario
I’m Team Javier, yeah i said it i am totally for the psycho. I am a sucker for a wounded man, My favorite is the entire series, can’t have one without the rest. Happy Release Date for Karina!!! yay cant wait
Katherine W
I’m halfway through the first book- already have the second with me biting my nails! I’m totally Team Camden at this point, but we’ll see, I supppose! And Tats all the way!
Jackie P
I haven’t read this series but it sounds Hawt! I like a little tats, a little hipster and don’t mind glasses. Guess I’m not too hard to please!!!
Hang Le
I absolutely love this series and I’m glad to hear you did too – especially after I was a complete fan girl in Vegas about it!
Marisa Joy
What an amazing giveaway! This series is amazing #teamJavier 🙂
black, square hipster glasses or tattoos….or both?!
umm all of the above please! sexy!
Jasmin
Love all the books, tats, glasses. Thanks for the giveaway
Angi
Can’t wait to read this book, I’ve been waiting!
Robin the book nerd
I’m Team Camden. I love both the glasses ans the tattoos. Can’t pick a favorite.
Blacky
I’m team Javier, and the second book is my fav 🙂
Roxy as
I’m Team Camden. My favorite book of the series is Sins&Needles and I love black,square hipster glasses and tattoos
Shelly Broome
Team Javier all the way! Book 2
Shannon
Awesome giveaway!
Shawna
Bold Tricks is my Favorite, I’m Team Camier, and Tattoos AND Glasses are my fav 🙂
Jeanne
I am with Camden, all the books have got to be great and both are pretty sexy!!!
Emily M.
On Every Street was my favorite. I actually cried. BUT I’m still team Camden. I love the glasses and tattoos…it’s such a sexy combo.
Debra Diaz
Team Camden, On Every Street and both!!!!
pam metz
Tatoos
Donna Reynolds
I have not had the time to start this series yet but can’t wait to The cover is beautiful and would love to win Thank you for the amazing chance.
Perava
Team Camden, first book, glasses and tattoos 😀
Yvette S
Team Camden; I’m in the middle of reading Bold Tricks & I honestly wouldn’t be able to choose between Sins & Needles or Shooting Scars…or On Every Street for that matter- I loved them ALL; 5 star reads for me. Lastly glasses and tatts are a sexy combo!
Lauren
I love this series. I read the novella first and was rooting for Javier. But Camden is so sweet. I don’t know who to hope for.
rachel hill
Team Camden….book 1….Tats definitely…:)
sarah jau
’m Team Camden. I love both the glasses ans the tattoos. Can’t pick a favorite
femto femto
Team Camden, first book, glasses and tattoos
Amber
#TeamCamden 4ever! Hipster+Tattoos =panty dropping 😉
Stacy F
I’ve not had the chance to read these books yet but they sound awesome!!! Great giveaway, thanks for the chance 🙂
Melissa St André
#Team Camde; Bold Tricks; Tattoos!
Cassandra T.
Haven’t read the series yet BUT I have heard so many great things that I can’t wait to read it!