by Karina Halle
#1 The Artist Trilogy
Kindle, 446 pages
Published June 4th 2013 by Forever (first published January 1st 2013)
Bought By Reviewer
Goodreads - Kindle - Barnes & Noble
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.
Crystal L's Thoughts:
So this is where The Artist Trilogy began. Along with my addiction to it. Although On Every Street is a prequel novella, this was the first book published by Halle in the series, so therefore, the first book I read. I won't lie, it was a little slow for me in the beginning. But that didn't last long and I soon found myself flipping pages in a frenzy to see what would happen with Ellie next.
Ellie is a dual natured character. One side of her is a professional con artist. Scamming people out of their money. The other side is the vulnerable girl who desperately wants to have the kind of life that her parent's never provided her. A life where she was safe, had a good stable home, and was loved. A life where she wasn't tortured by one of her parent's marks by having acid poured on her leg, permanently disfiguring her. She has a lot of internal battles going from one side to the other and she's so well written that you feel her pain. Her struggles. Her desire for a better life that's devoid of cons. If only she could break her own habits and step free of it all.
Then there is Camden McQueen. Otherwise known as Cam. Cam was her one true friend growing up... until she made a mockery of him in front of the entire school and essentially broke his heart. Now that she's back where her Uncle and Cam lives, it's fate that throws Cam and Ellie together at a coffee shop. Cam is now a gorgeous inked up and pierced tattoo artist with his own shop in town. Ellie feels horrible for what she did to Cam in high school, but that doesn't stop the con artist in her from sizing up the kind of money she get out of him.
Will she break Cam's heart again... or will Cam break hers? Fair warning, Ellie's psychotic ass ex Javier comes into the picture, and in the gist of things, this book is a wonderful combination of feelings, action, betrayals, and breakneck twists in the story line. You really don't want to miss this book or series!
5 Wine Glass toast for Sins & Needles! Don't miss my next post on Halle's newest release, Shooting Scars!
Sounds like a really good series. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. evamillien at gmail dot com
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