Black Hearts (Sins Duet Book 1)

***4 ‘I’m becoming the charade’ Stars

I’m going to start off by stating that I did not read The Artists trilogy nor The Dirty Angels trilogy, I have them, but we all know how real the whole “So many books, so little time” thing is, but I will admit that I really want to now and will hopefully get there one day, but until then...

Holy. H*ll. Black Hearts is all kinds of dark smexy romance mixed with a good dose of mystery and suspense. So many secrets, so many lies and so many little games in play that I the anticipation of what would come next and by whose wickedly devious mind, kept me turning the pages.

Keeping this unspoilery as possible is gonna be damn hard, but here goes nothing. Vicente is smoking hot and devious, which comes as no surprise to anyone considering who his papa is. He sees himself as a cut above and in many ways he is and yet despite all he thinks he knows, he doesn’t know it all. I do love me a devious and morally sideways mind and Vicente fits the bill and yet there is a bit of gooey goodness in him, but only a bit.

Violet is an enigma in the sense that she doesn’t even really know who she is. She’s set herself apart from everyone for various reasons and yet has a backbone of steel, if she should ever need it. I liked Violet, I did. She has a lot of layers, many of which she has never explored, but I loved the way she looked at the world. It wasn’t with rose colored glasses, she saw the light and dark and loved them both.

Vicente and Violet’s romance gets hot and heavy quickly, though there is no insta-love, but as things progress and despite the uneven terrain it’s being built on, they both find that the other has that something that they both never knew they needed. So seeing their relationship develop and the shifts in perception they have based on their time together had me cringing because I knew the devastation that would come once the truth was revealed and yet that dark, twisted part of me couldn’t wait to see it and see what they would do.

This my first time reading a Karina Halle dark romance and dear lord did I love it! The characters are well written and intriguing and holy h$ll are the sex scenes all kinds are dark, smexy goodness. But it was all the little intrigues that were woven into the fabric of this story that kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. I had my suspicions on a couple of things and I couldn’t help but do a whole “Ha! I knew it!” punch in the air thing when one thing I guessed at was revealed. As I said in the beginning I haven’t read either trilogies that this one is a spinoff of but I wasn’t lost, I simply want to read them even more now. Ms. Halle does a great job at giving you the important pieces without interrupting the flow of Vicente and Violet’s story. There is a cliffy of a sort, it is a duet so it’s to be expected, and it was done perfectly and makes me wish I had Dirty Souls sitting on my Kindle to read right now! But, alas, that isn’t the case so I will be practicing patience as I wait for it to eventually appear.

~ Copy provided by the author & voluntarily reviewed~

Karina Halle is one of my top ten favorite authors and she is on my auto-buy list.I fell in love with her writing in the EIT series and she still continues to enthrall me with her stories.
Blackhearts is a part of a standalone duet that focuses on Violet McQueen and Vincente Bernal, the second generation of McQueens and Bernals.It's a spin off from the Artists and Dirty Angels trilogies, and you don't really need to read them to enjoy this one, but reading those books would probably give you a better idea of the background and make the experience even more exciting!

Violet McQueen is a sweet,unassuming photography student with a great set of parents.She just doesn't know the full history behind her parents' lives and the secrets that they've been keeping from her.
Vincente Bernal is the heir to the cartel, and has already faced a lot in his life.But he isn't really sure whether the path that awaits him is the one that he really wants to follow.When he finds a fallen thread from is father's past he is eager to explore it and learn more about his old man.So he comes to the States.
And when Violet and Vincente meet it's explosive!But, the dangerous kind!And when you play with fire you inevitably end up getting burnt.Its the extent of the burn which will decide the future.

Violet was so different from Ellie.Sheltered and sweet but still fiercely independent. Vincente was just like Javier and I loved the magnetic draw that he has.Violet feels it and we as the readers feel it too!The chemistry between them was off-the-charts and I loved ow their relationship developed.
The darker undertones and the events had me even more invested, and you know it's going to be tragic, but you can't help but pray for something that at least resembles a HEA.
I loved seeing Ellie,Camden and Javier back in this novel again!
And as KH novels go, they always end up surprising you, so I can't even guess she has up her sleeve for the next book.The cliffy at the end has me all up in knots!But I'm super glad that the next book is coming out soon!Can't wait to read more!

Karina completely BLEW ME AWAY with this book!!! Karina has always been one of my all-time favorite authors, but I've only read her contemporary romance. I was EXTREMELY excited to read Black Hearts for something different.

Black Hearts is kind of a spin-off of Karina's The Artists and The Dirty Angels trilogy. This book is about the main couple from both books children. You do not, I repeat DO NOT have to read those books before you read Black Hearts. I haven't and I followed along with this book perfectly. After reading it though, I do REALLY WANT to read all of those books now.

I felt my heart pounding through most of the book. I felt like I was on a rollercoaster ride from all the suspense, secrets, lies, and sexiness. Vicente was a STUD!! I was right there with Violet and her feelings towards him.

I SO CAN'T WAIT for March to read the next book!!!

Fans of Halle's The Artists Trilogy and Dirty Angels trilogy rejoice! We have a book about Violet McQueen and Vicente Bernal!  For those of you who haven't read either of the trilogies, have no fear. This can 100% be read as a stand alone, though there is a second book coming out. When I first heard this book was being released, I was so flipping excited. Javier's son and Camden & Ellie's daughter... I couldn't wait to read it. Karina writes the best gritty and dark tales mixed with steamy scenes and the most delectable anti-heroes. Black Hearts was just what I was looking for. 

Violet McQueen is a student in one of San Francisco's art colleges. She's studying photography and she's passionate about her field. She still lives with her parents because, lets face it, San Fran is a crazy expensive city to stay in! It works for her- Violet's parents are cool. Her dad is a tattoo artist and her mom is an artist as well. What she is missing is a connection. And she finds that one day unexpectedly when a tall, dark, and handsome man walks into her life. 

Vicente Bernal is not visiting Violet's art school by coincidence. He's got his own reasons and plans. Vicente is a prodigy of sorts to his father, Javier. There are certain expectations that are cast upon him. Vicente has his own expectations and plans in mind. And for those plans to come to fruition, he needs Violet. What Vicente doesn't expect is to actually feel something for her... 

I absolutely loved Violet and Vicente together. They are such a forbidden couple and it works so well. It doesn't hurt that they have an intense sexual chemistry. Seriously these two burn the pages together. Vicente is a charming and smooth guy. Violet is likable and relatable.  I loved them as a couple. 

There is so much going on in this story besides the relationship of Vicente and Violet. There are lies, secrets, and truths uncovered on both sides of the families. I loved that this story kept me on my toes. It was unpredictable and highly entertaining. There was just enough action and suspense mixed with the romance and steam. Black Hearts is a captivating and unputdownable read. After that ending, I'm dying to know what happens next! I'm so grateful Karina isn't making us wait long! 

Karina is a very gifted and talented author, who is seamlessly able to write in different genres and I love them all - from travel romance, to contemporary to paranormal to romantic comedy, to dark and gritty and now this delicious romantic suspense.

Black Hearts is book one in the duet that follows the paths of Vincente (the son of one of the most powerful leaders of a Mexican drug cartel) and Violet (the daughter of a tattoo artist and photographer) . On the surface and without knowing their background, it seems to be an unusual pairing but all is not as it seems and this here is why Karina Halle is brilliant. She succinctly gives you all the background you need on who Vincente and Violet are as well as their parents, all the while holding your breath and wondering what it going to happen next.

This book is set in San Francisco and told in dual POV with a couple of chapters interspersed from Javier (Vincente's dad) and Ellie (Violet's mum) and the suspense was right there for me from the first page to the last.

I loved how the author used the ever present fog that San Francisco is shrouded in throughout the book to convey the dark mood and the uncertainty. Both Vincente and Violet discover that things are not as they appear, people aren't who they say they are and what they have believed to be true their whole lives is a lie. So what is the truth and what is a lie? Were those lies that were manufactured over 20 years ago still worth holding onto and not coming clean.

These are the murky waters that these two young lovers need to wade through. The only thing they are certain of is each other.

Ms Halle delivers another great page turner and thank goodness the conclusion is only a month away. Lovers of dark romance and suspense will lover this one.

Note: I loved the Dirty Angels series where I first met Javier (Vincente's father) but I haven't yet read The Artist Trilogy where it all began with Javier and Violets parent Ellie and Camden McQueen and as I said, Karina takes care of it and you don't need to read these previous series' to enjoy this book. To be honest I can say that after reading Black Hearts reading TAT its going to be a priority.

From the moment I saw that the author was releasing this book, I was downright giddy. Or as fellow reviewer, Yaya, might say, annoying.
Ellie’s and Camden’s daughter.
Javier’s son.
Gahhhhhhh!!!
The Artist Trilogy is after all, one of my favorite series’.

So did this book live up to my self-created hype? Mostly. Just give me a chance to explain.
It is not easy to live up to high expectations, and while I was excited with being reunited with some of the characters from the Artist Trilogy, I thought the first part of this story didn’t have the same gritty, heart-racing feel as I had hoped. If fact, it felt more like a typical romance story.
Boy meets girl.
Instant chemistry.
Lots of orgasms.
Dirty sex here and there to keep it interesting.

But as the story progresses, some of those darker, grittier moments I craved, started to come forward. While Vicente, Javier’s son, plays off as a good guy, for the most part, in the end, he is still his father’s son. Within his dreams, you see the turmoil he is facing with living up to his father’s standards, and how Violet, Ellie and Camden’s daughter, may be collateral damage. And it’s important to remember, never to forget about Javier. The man is a master planner. We get several chapters from him, told in the third person, which expose a bigger plan. This is where the story really captured my attention.

This story has two main themes:
Violet’s quest to discover the truth about her parents.
Vicente’s quest to find his life path. Whether that is proving his worth to his father, or escaping the life, I don’t think he’s figured out.
What we know is that each will rely on the other for answers. And those answers may destroy them.

As expected, there is a cliffy with this installment. I expected it, so that didn’t bother me. But the story is just getting at the pace that I was looking for, so of course, I hate that I have to wait for more. Lucky for us readers, the wait won’t be long, with book 2, Dirty Souls, releasing on March 17th.

The Bernals aren't good people. The McQueens aren't either.

Vicente and Violet come from very different worlds... or so they think.

Vicente has grown up in the drug cartel and knows most of his father's truth. He knows that his dad, Javier, isn't a good man. He knows that he is a killer, torturer, and drug lord. He has grown up with these truths, he has been groomed to take over the cartel. But he wants to know more about his father, he wants his full truth, and when he finds the woman that saw the other side of his father, the woman who played him. He wants to know more. What he doesn't expect is to fall for her daughter, Violet.

If Helen of Troy's face could launch a thousand ships, Violet McQueen's face could launch a thousand stories, all filled with lust, heartache, and death.

Violet has grown up in home full of lies. She just doesn't know the extent. Violet has always felt that something was off with her parents. She always knew that there were things that they weren't telling her and her brother Ben. But when a letter comes for her dad with a strange newspaper clipping she begins to question her whole life. What are her parents hiding and why?

Vicente and Violet are not meant to fall in love. Their parent's past are entangled in ways they couldn't imagine. Vicente thinks he knows it all, he thinks he will rise above his father. Violet is searching for answers and has no idea just how close to the truth she is. They are Romeo and Juliet. Two families with history and two children that fall in love despite it all.

I really liked being back in this world that Karina created. Ellie and Camden will always be my favorites. I am curious to see how everything will play out. Will love be enough for Vicente and Violet or will their parent's sins ruin them all?

***Complimentary copy provided in exchange for my HONEST review***

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS - It was wonderful to revisit Javier & Luisa as well as Camden & Ellie, now with grown rebellious children who are quickly unraveling their parent's secrets. Violet is in her second year of photography school but she is unsettled with the domestic life her family lives, especially after opening mail that wasn't for her eyes & finding out hints to her father's secret past. Vicente bites when Javier leads him to Camden & Ellie, not knowing he is in his father's trap, believing that he is uncovering his father's weaknesses & plans to use them against his father. In the process of Vicente coming to San Francisco he meets Violet & she is instantly under his sexual spell - it is like she smells the danger & power coming off of him in waves, and she likes it! Ellie warns her daughter, "Everyone meets a silver-tongued serpent at some point." Vicente opens Violet up sexually to a thrilling world of ties & ropes & bondage and even a little belt action & Violet is alive & awake for the first time ever. "It's like finding a door to a place that you'd only heard about & never believed was real. Vicente is my Narnia." What I assumed would happened didn't, at least not yet, that Vicente would take Violet back to his father for revenge. Vicente's feelings for Violet surprisingly run deep and how could they not with their family history? Now the cliffhanger - Javier has his plan in motion & he hopefully will not break Vicente by using Violet. Violet has proven that she has a backbone of steel & loves power & danger. I can't wait to see Ellie's personality unfold within Violet & for her to take back her life & fight for her & Vicente!

Arc kindly provided for honest Review

First I'd like to say that this book can be read as a standalone. It is a spin off duet of the Sins and Needles Trilogy and the Dirty Angels Trilogy. I personally have only read Sins and Needles Trilogy. And I enjoyed getting to hear more about my favorite characters. This is about the Children from the couples of these two series. A lot of bad blood between them, what could happen when the children fall in love??? Read this Duet and find out

This book is focused on Vicente, son of the ruthless infamous Javiar Barnal. Vicente sets out to California to find a ghost from his fathers past. He want to prove himself to his father. And he feels this is the way to do it, plus he gets a little freedom at the same time.

He meets the daughter of the woman, Violet McQueen. Violet has always felt that her parents have been hiding something from her and her brother their entire life. But it isn't until Vicente comes into her life that these truth and lies start coming to surface. Violet has to step back and wonder if her whole life is a lie. I was on the edge of my seat wondering what could possibly happen next.

These two have a lot of passion together, Violet feels safe with him. Something she hasn't felt much of in her life. She opens herself fully to him. But there is so many lies surrounding them will they survive when the truth finally comes out?

Will History repeat itself?? This book is a roller coaster of a ride, dark and gritty. I couldn't get enough of Vicente. I have been questioning so many things. And I can't wait for the next ride.

If you're in the mood for a dark, sexy, thrilling read this one is for you!

As mentioned in the synopsis, this definitely can be read as a standalone. Both Violet and Vicente are all new characters who are independent of the ones we’ve already met in the Artist Trilogy and the Dirty Angels Series. After reading this Black Hearts, however, I have desperately wanted to go back and (re)read both series. This is how deep these character’s claws have in me. About the new players...

I appreciated Violet’s inquisitive nature and her openness. It felt like Violet was lost - as if she was waiting for something pivotal to happen with her life and Vicente was it. Vicente was more difficult to decipher. There are so many more layers that we still need to uncover. It was great that he didn't expect Violet at all and it is interesting to see how what her role she going to play in his life.

But I loved these two together. I appreciated how Vicente opened her up and made her come to grips with her potential. It seems as if we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg with these two but I imagine Violet accepting Vicente no matter what. Their connection is serious enough that they would do anything to stay in each other's lives.

As soon as I started Black Hearts I couldn’t put it down. Discovering how all the characters intertwined was by far the favorite part for me, second and third would be the intense romance and the suspense. I also loved “hearing” both Ellie and Javier’s voice again.

I enjoyed every single thing about this book. There is a slight cliffhanger but no worries the second isn’t too far behind. Thank you, Karina, for not having us wait that long!

I was beyond thrilled when I learned that we were getting a story about the offspring from my two favourite series - TAT and DA - from this author!

TAT was my first read of Karina's and I feel in love with her. So, visiting Ellie and Camden, as well Javier - YES!! And of course, Vincente and Violet were amazing! This story sucked me right in and never let go. With Vincente, Karina gave us just enough of Javi to love son like father, but also made him his own man. And darn, he was dark and sexy.

Violet on the other hand is made to believe she's too sensitive and can't handle a lot, but she's made of harder stuff. After all, she's the daughter of Ellie and Camden! This is a raw, sexy and dangerous read with some dark moments. V & V together were hot. I loved the way this story took you on a labyrinth of lies, deceit, sex, love and betrayal. I can't wait for the next book in this Duet. I want it now!

I wasn’t expecting the political tone with this read.

I haven’t yet read the books leading up to this one (though Black Hearts can be read as a standalone) so I’m not sure if the prequels have the same underlying political theme. This book takes place in the “not so distant future”. A world where future battles have been fought and the divide in our country is stronger than ever. (At least that’s the feeling I got. I could be way off…)

Whatever the case may be, I did enjoy the little political references in this read. It made it feel like I was reading something deeper than just a steamy romance novel…though there is SO MUCH steam in this one y’all!

Our heroine is a 20 year old photography student. She’s “hyper sensitive” and has just found out that her parents have been lying to her for her entire life about their past. That would be hard for anyone to deal with but it’s especially difficult for our beautiful snowflake, Violet.

Enter Vicente Bernal.

Okay. I need to pause here.

I’m going to confess that I spent the ENTIRE book battling in my head on how to pronounce Vicente. That isn’t the authors fault, but it did pull me out of the story many times. I’ve finished the book and I’m STILL fighting with myself on the pronunciation.

So, Vicente enters the picture none the less. Haha!

He’s dark, exotic, and sexy. He’s also the son of a drug lord so… that’s fun…

Vicente and Violet get down and dirty pretty quickly. And when I say dirty, I mean diiiirty. The love scenes in this book are crazy hot. They have a slight BDSM feel without being totally over the top.

I feel like this is a good book. There are a few things that kept it being an “omgee #MUSTREAD” for me though.

Although the author does a great job and feeding us the backstory, I found myself going back and forth in my head trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. That is usually a good thing when reading suspense, but when you factor in that I was already battling in my head on how to pronounce the book boyfriend’s name, it became a bit too much for me.

I’m looking forward to reading the second book of this duet though. I’m pretty sure that when all the pieces are put together and I can see the whole story I’ll be able to enjoy it a lot more.

I give Black Hearts 3.5 out of 5 Krissy’s Stars.

The second book, Dirty Souls, will release on March 17, 2017.

Xo-K

*I was generously given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

OMFG!!!

I'm absolutely obsessed about this twisty, intense romance. In one sitting I devoured it, pulled almost an allnighter. This hot, dark story about the son of a drug lord and the daughter of an ex-conartist and an ex-money-launderer, who are falling fast, hard and deep in love with each other, even tough the guy came in the heroines live to get near her mother in the first place, was just everything. Damn there were so MANY FEELS! The arrogance, determination and overprotectiveness of Vincente, the hyper-sensibility, boldness and rage of Violet, the anxiety and angst of Ellie, the ruthlessness of Javier, the strongness of Camden and the betrayal of Ben. I felt it all and welcomed it. It was a non-stop up and down of my heartrate. I totally was with them in the story.

The book starts with the introduction of Violet, the main female character in BLACK HEARTS. She's a 20 yrs old student for photography, who always had this that something is off in her family. Kickboxing Violet finds soon that she was right about that.

Than we get to know Vincente, the main male character, the son who wants to step out of the shadow of his father, the king of a mexican drug cartel. Vincente discovers papers about a woman, who once was a con-artist and seems to be the one his father ever honestly loved, except for his mother.
He wants to seek her out and so leaves Mexico to California.

From the moment Violet and Vincente meet they're very attracted to each other. At first it seems that Vincente only wants to play Violet, but soon it's clear that they will become so much more as planned.

For Vincente and Violet the story is told in first person alternating POV's and for their parents it's told like someone reports, also in alternating POV's.
So we find out about what lays in the past, the connection their parents had and the dynamic of their families.
But we also get to know Violet and Vincente better, how they tick, what they feel inside and out, what they want from life, even tough their desires soon change the more they get to learn about each other and all their family secrets.

In some books there's just a special moment when I click with the story and all falls in the right place at the right time and I feel deeply connected with the great whole.
And BLACK HEARTS is one of these rare books.
And when there's a handsome, dangerous, sympathetic, sexy villain and a badass tough heroin......all is just perfect.

There were so many things I like about this book. First the change in both the main characters. Even tough their relationship starts with heated lust, soon their connection intensifies and goes much more deeper.
Second , the revisiting with Ellie, Camden, Javier and Louisa. They're all so dear to me, even tough it's hard to like some of them this time.
But all in all my heart got some work to do with all the emotions.
What I really loved about this book was the authenticity. It provokes each and every feeling out of you. It lets you be angry and in fear, let's you falling in love and experience the stab of betrayal. I was so anxious while Vincente and Violet spend more and more time together. It was like I was were sucked between them, were feeling what they felt.

There's not much out there what is bringing me to the edge of my comfort zone, I like all things dark and gritty.
So it wasn't a problem for me to read about the main characters sexcapades. But to start with all this kinky stuff in a relationship was nearly a disappointment. But in the end I understood and it was the right thing to do.

The most of you know that there is a story before this one, actually there're two. These take place like 20something years in the past.
PLEASE NOTE: BLACK HEARTS and the second book are total standing alone!
YOU DON'T NEED TO THE FORMER BOOKS!!!

I was so excited when I heard Karina Halle writes these books. She's just one of a very few authors who's stories never disappoint and I ALWAYS buy them as soon they're available. And to take a look at Ellie, Camden, Javier and Louisa again......SUPER BONUS POINTS!

Since this is book 1 in a duet, book 2 is coming really soon in March, it has a little cliffy. But let's be real, it's expected in a duet. And believe me, the first ends just perfectly.

I can't wait to purchase the paperback and to put it on my shelf. And hey, who could resist this stunning cover? Have you seen these tiger eyes? GAHHH....SIGH/SWOON!!!

I think it is indeed my favorite book this year so far and Karina Halle delivered what I was hoping for.

If you're loving dark, dangerous, twisted, romantic, intense and perfectly written stories like me, this is a total one-click/insta-buy for you.

This much anticipated book that fans of The Artist Trilogy have been waiting for, I know I was.

The direction was a little difffeom what we are use to in the author's suspenseful writing. A good chunk of the book is how Violet and Vincente meet and eventually fall in love. Althu, I will admit, I wasn't sure about Vincente's motivation.

You get the suspense part more towards the end. Third person POV from Elle and Javiar are mixed in with Violet's and Vincente's.

Yes there's a cliffhanger, but don't worry, the second and final installment is just around the corner. If you haven't read thie The Artist Trilogy, you can read the duet.

Amazing book! Should I love Vicente or hate him? The lies he feeds poor Violet. But is she just as unlikable because of her vulnerability?
Either way, this story was gripping! Argh, I want the next book now! I was so drawn to this that I was awake for longer than I anticipated.
Vicente and Violet fell hard for each other. Consume each other. Understand each other. It's not their fault they were born into dishonest situations. You can't hate them for trying to find the truth. But you can hate them for lying. It's Romeo and Juliet the darker version.
I need to go back and read about their parents. Awesome job!

This is my first book by Karina Halle. Black Hearts is quite a book! I enjoyed it emmensly. This book is a standalone but the characters started in the Sins & Needles series. This is about Vicente Bernal and Violet McQueen. Vincent and Violet's journey is filled with secrets and lies. Their family history alone makes for one shaky foundation, yet without it there would be no story. This story is well written and character development is just plain amazing. It is dark and disturbing as any story about a drug cartel should be. Karina Halle can write! The next part of this duet will be out shortly and I can't wait.

Javier's son, Vincente, hunts down Ellie and her family. He quickly become interested in Violet who is Ellie and Camden's daughter. Violet and Vincente's relationship is like a match to a fire. They burn hot. This book is mostly about the development of their relationship. And lies... So many lies.

"I was raised in a house of lies."

It was interesting to see how Ellie and Javier's lives turned out. My favorite character in this book was still Javier. I love his role in this book.

"The Bernals aren't good people. The McQueens aren't either."

Please please please don't write anything that will make me hate Javier! He scares me but in such a good way. See, I am a litte happy that Ellie is getting what is coming to her for hurting Javier. Maybe there will some Elli and and Javier fans out there that will get somewhat of a happy ending because some of ellie will be with Javier always.That being in the form of Vicente and Violet. Looking firward to part 2 of this arc..But please please please don't let Javier do anything that would make me hate him.. But such is life in the cartel..

Black Heart set my heart racing and my pulse spreading! Then kept me soaring, in a daze, with this mind blowing bender! Full of suspense, secrets and trills. Yet, kept me in full suspense! I just wanted to sin and live in the sultriness of the story and burrow away!! EPIC!!!!
But the journey stole my mind and racked my mental capability. Really that ending???

I missed the part where this was a continuation/spinoff of the Dirty Angels Trilogy. I love this author's novels, including Dirty Angels #1, but any continuation that followed that became absolutely chaotic & messy, to the point it takes away from enjoying what's brewing between the 2 main characters. The connection was hot between Vicente & Violet this one, but then the families history, lies, & need for revenge became the main focus to the point I stopped caring what happens next.

LOVE LOVE LOVE

But then again I always love this lady's books, the way she writes and the amazing characters she comes up with. The next one is already waiting for me on my kindle.

Watch out for Vicente, he'll do you real good ;)

"You're everything I've ever needed, I was famished, starved, for you. For this."

I love Karina Halle's books. The Dirty Angels Trilogy is one of my favorite dark romance series, so I was SUPER excited to get my hands on Black Hearts, which is focusing on Javier & Luisa's son Vicente. I was excited because I also wanted to see what my favorite villain Javier was up to. From the moment I saw the cover, I was in lust with Vicente. People who know me know that I love mafia/cartel romances. Even though the cartel didn't play that major role in this book (it was more in the background), Vicente showed a lot of ruthless characteristics. It was obvious he is like his dad, but in comparison to Javier he isn't completely heartless.

"Violet... your heart is safe with me. You know this now, your heart is safe, as is your mind and your soul and your body. I won't hurt you. I won't let anyone else, either."

There was an immediate attraction the moment Violet and Vicente met. Vicente has this whole smooth bad boy personality going on, which was very attractive. It is almost impossible to resist him. However I did like how Violet handled him. It wasn't insta-love and she didn't play hard to get. Even though there are secrets between them, they stay pretty really with each other, which I really appreciated. Their relationship grew organically and it felt real. I loved getting reunited with previous characters and seeing how they were living their lives. Especially Javier and Luisa, who I obsess about. Javier has turned even more ruthless than he already was. I still love him though.

Violet was shy and nervous, she was definitely unique. There were moments she acted like a teenager which I didn't like, but she did some growing up in this book. I do wish the characters were a bit older, because it sometimes felt as a New Adult book. I do want to mention that Violet was more than capable of handling difficult situations. Both Vicente and Violet's family have a mutual past, and there is bad blood between them. I loved the twist towards the end, I can't wait to see how everything will turn out.

"You're mine, Violet. I don't care how that sounds, but it's all truth. You belong to me."

Karina Halle is one of my favorite authors. Like I mentioned in previous reviews, she can write in every genre she sets her mind to. I have read her Paranormal, Horror, Contemporary, Dark romance novels and loved them all. She did a phenomenal job with this book and she created very intriguing characters with an original plot. Her writing is beautiful and hooks a reader to the story. Also the sex scenes were scorching HOT! Vicente set my Kindle on fire. You definitely want to get to know this dark and sensual man.

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of Black Hearts. It was just...wow.. I've always been a huge fan of Karina's and again I'm reminded why! This book was amazing. I loooooved Vicente. So sexy and so sneaky. It's such a clever dark romance. Can't wait for the next one.

If you are familiar with the characters of this book, then you must be as excited and on cloud nine as I am!!!! If you're not, dont worry, the story sells itself with sexy and dark characters with a mysterious past and an ending that leaves you wanting more. I just know this story will get better, uglier and darker before it ends. Another standing ovation for Karina.
Like father like son, or so they say... Still, I'm forever in love with Javi. Let's just see what Vicente has in hand. March can't come soon enough

Man can she write! Her scenes are sensual to combustible. I was thinking this book was a reprieve from the previous connected books of rare dirty but around 80% man are you filled in on the authors plans. Secrets compounded.

Amazing! I did not go to sleep until finishing this book!!! Loved loved Vicente & Violet. Cannot wait until continuation. It's a stand alone but when a writer is this talented why would't you want to read the other series such As sins and needles and Dirty Angels ? All spectacular books!

Another book that you quickly get sucked in to. Karina's writing draws you in to the story and her vivid descriptions make you feel like you're living in the book, experiencing the story with the characters. A great book full of passion, mystery and intrigue. You get a real sense that both characters are a little lost, fighting what expectations are placed on them by their parents. I'm intrigued to see what happens next.

Karina Halle can write a story.. .. i have come across books that are predictable but when it comes to her .... well just read. In the beginning i was hesitant about reading it because it was the children, Sins and Needles was excellent why do a Duet. Well... i was wrong. Just read the book .. im not giving my synopsis of it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the sequel. As much as I love Karina's writing, I sure hope the next book is not as dark and gruesome as the dirty series. I can't deal with that kind of brutality.

I absolutely loved this book! I was definitely hooked from the very beginning! The characters, the location, and all the feels in this book a amazing! Can't wait for more books from Karina Halle! You won't be disappointed!

Boring... But I usually love the works of this author.
Definitely a let down. I kept trying to continue reading after stopping so so many times and then I just had to give up.
Very weak storyline

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the sequel. As much as I love Karina's writing, I sure hope the next book is not as dark and gruesome as the dirty series. I can't deal with that kind of brutality.

LOVE LOVE LOVE

But then again I always love this lady's books, the way she writes and the amazing characters she comes up with. The next one is already waiting for me on my kindle.

Watch out for Vicente, he'll do you real good ;)

I absolutely loved this book! I was definitely hooked from the very beginning! The characters, the location, and all the feels in this book a amazing! Can't wait for more books from Karina Halle! You won't be disappointed!

Boring... But I usually love the works of this author.
Definitely a let down. I kept trying to continue reading after stopping so so many times and then I just had to give up.
Very weak storyline