Dirty Angels (Dirty Angels #1)

Wow. I've read books about women falling for their captors and I never saw why they would fall for someone who would brutalize them. Dirty angels was different and sooo crazy good. There were so many moments in this book that I had to step away from my kindle just to take a breather. Javier is bad. He kidnaps the reluctant wife (Luisa) of his rival. Salvador. Salvador is evil. Javier is just bad. There are no good guys in this book, but I rooted for bad guy Javier. I think you will too

Trigger Warning: this is not a standard romance. It's extremely extremely graphic with rape, torture, and kidnapping.

It's 7 a.m. I stayed up all night to finish the story and I don't know how to rate this story.
The writing is very good and the story flows really well.
But the story is also depraved, vicious and sickening with oddly tender moments. Some of the things described are stomach churningly and revolting and yet...I stayed up all night reading this. There is a fevered, compulsive quality to the story that drags you along whether you like it or not. It makes you complicit in the depravity. And I am honestly feeling a bit soiled after reading it.

Because the story is told alternatively from the view of the hero, who is legitimately a psychopath, and the heroine who is well on her way to becoming one. But they are both charming psychopaths, that's the trouble. You try to excuse their behavior, but there is honestly no excuse for some of the things. Javiar does.
Luise is great though. She is an extremely strong woman, i just didn't like her turning cold and hard like she did in the end. Off course, the amount of abuse she suffers would do that toc anyone I guess.

And it's not about the redemptive power of love. The bad boy doesn't get transformed, here just makes the good girl very very bad.

For reference to mainstream romance, the closest comparion would be to the newer crop of Anne Stuart heroes, who perilously skirt the line between bad boys to outright bad guys. Javier is a very very bad guy.

I didn't pay too much attention to the description and reviews, but. I wish I did before I started. I don't think I would ever re-read .The author crafted a compelling story, but in the end it's very harsh and too much for my tender sensibilities! I grew up on Heyer after all!

Sweet Jesus in Mexico. Javier and Luisa are smokin! I had to keep my AC kicked up the whole time, and not just because it's hot down here in Louisiana!
Luisa is brave and strong and at the same time you feel so bad for her then want to slap the crap out of her for a few of her decisions.
Javier is hot, a cartel lord, oh and hot. He has a dirty soul but only a semi dirty conscious. He's Javier after all.
This book kept me turning the pages, eager to see what fate was in store for these two broken souls.

For fans of The Artist's Trilogy and especially for fans of Javier, this is the book where he gets the attention he desserves. He is an infamous Drug Cartel Lord. He's feared, respected and he is nasty. There's not much good in Javier, that's for sure. I loved Luisa. She was a fighter...went thru a lot and it didn't break her. It was breaking my heart at times...but she is BADASS! There is a lot of voilence in this book. Be warned. This is about a mexican drug cartel after all. In my opinion, you don't just read this book - you experience it.

This is an amazing book. Very realistic and different from a normal romance. I had switched genres of reading to paranormal romance because I was so tired of the same thing over and over with the typical romances. Girl meets boy, they must have each other, happily ever after, the end. Then I saw a review on facebook of this book and I was intrigued. I am so GREATFUL that I bought this book. It is soooo not the typical romance. I loved every minute of this book and couldn't put it down until I finished it. After reading this I went back and bought The Artist Trilogy series that first introduces Javier. I definitely recommend doing that as well. Even as the "bad" guy I couldn't help rooting for him. Do yourself a huge favor and buy these books. You will not be disappointed!!!!!! GREAT JOB KARINA HALLE!!!!!!!!!!

This is a fascinating story of the drug cartels and the people who run them in Mexico. This is also a story of a beautiful woman who marries a leader of a cartel only to have money to care for her ailing parents. As you would expect, her husband is a monster, tortures and rapes her and shares her with his associates. There is extreme violence, sex, and kidnapping. Want to know what happens to a good person who falls in love with an evil person? This is the book for you.....not me.

AMAZING...Even more amazing if you have read the artist trilogy, but it is not necessary to do so. Karina Halle has a talent like no other; she creates characters that are slightly damaged but likeable and relateable. Javier is just sexy as hell in a real twisted kind of way and can't help but hope he gets everything he wants. Luisa had such inner strength to be able to overcome a situation that would have broken most. And I can't wait to read the next installment; looking forward to getting to know other characters better and also getting a peak at how Javier is doing.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND anything Karina Halle!!!!

Dirty Angels , by Karina Halle
YES, YES, YES!! That’s the kind of book I want from Karina Halle. This was PERFECTION for me. Highly enjoyable, fantastic writing, great story line and characters. I was NEVER bored, it was believable and entertaining and oh so HOT! This right here is exactly what I want, need and expect from Karina Halle and she nailed it with this one! And I even got MY Javier <3 back who is happier than me right now?

I love this author! This series hands down is original and refreshing. I fell in love with Javier in On Every Street. I wasn't to happy with him in the last book of Sins and Needles, but I hated knowing his character ended up in jail. I wanted more. Thank you for bringing him back to life. I loved him in this book, and while I was mad at Luisa for leaving and didn't quite understand her motive for going back, I loved the ending. Then when I read the excerpts for the next book I said she did it again. I am looking forward to reading Dirty Deeds . Oh and thank you so much for not having a cliff hanger !

I absolutely LOVE Karina Halle and Sins and Needles is by far my favorite series of all time! But this book just didn't do it for me.
It wasn't the drugs, the violence or anything like that. In Karina's world you come to expect it and need it because it is what helps set the story. But this was just...different.
I was really excited to read about Javier (that nasty, dirty boy we hate to love but can't help ourselves), but this isn't what I was expecting.
I will always be a fan of Karina Halle, but this book won't get re-read anytime soon.

I loved the chemistry between Louisa and Javier. I liked the pace of of the story but I do have to wonder why Javier didn't just go get her parents to begin with since that seemed to be her main reasoning for returning. In that sense the plot point seemed a little forced. Although I do understand that Javier is a proud man so maybe he couldn't bring himself to act sooner but it would seem that his pride over someone degrading his queen would trump his own stubbornness to retrieve her. All and all I did enjoy the story as I usually do with karina's books.

The author describes Javier Bernal as a crazy sexy psycho and it fits him to a T.
Luisa Chavez will do anything to take care of her parents. She sold herself to the devil and is then stolen by his enemy, Javier. Trying to use her to get new territory for his cartel, the only thing he gets is a need for more Luisa. Risking it all, Javier fights for his queen.

Absolutely, freaking amazing.
You have one dark and twisted side hidden inside that head of yours Karina. And we so absolutely love you for it!!
The writing, storytelling, fight scenes, love scenes...wowza!
I despised Javier in the other books and rooted for the other guy. Who knew I'd be rooting for him to be the hero in this one?! Albeit a very messed up, sadistic hero along with Luisa. That girl becomes bad ass and more twisted than a tightly spun rope.

The 5 star rating is because of the excitement, thrill, drama, sex, violence & overall genius of Karina Halle's writing! She has a knack to hold the readers interest, keep the reader engrossed in what will happen next. It was difficult to put Dirty Angels down even thou there were other priorities in my live. Once there was a spare minute the reading commenced. The excitement & thrill of what would happen next was always there to pull you back into the novel. The violence was a welcomed action because of when it was presented by Karina Halle in the story. It was like you wanted something to happen to these bad guys & the violence was generally geared toward the vicious men who deserved to be hurt as they liked to hurt others! I cannot say enough about the excitement & involvement one feels when reading one of Karina Halle's novels! Keep up the exceptional writing girl, you are a superb author.......

Have to say I was disappointed in this latest book from Karina Halle. I loved her Sins and Needles trilogy and got this latest book based on her others. But, it was so repetitive with no surprises. I did enjoy the humor and personality from Javier and Este.........that was a highlight. Stories of the Mexican cartel are an eye-opener, for sure, if what is printed here is even half true. Nasty stuff. I think I just expected more based on KH's other novels.

This book definitely lived up to the hype! When this book came out I kept seeing Facebook post after Facebook post recommending this book. I finally decided after much debate to give this book a try and was not disappointed. The heroine in the story, Luisa, endures so much in this book, but she never breaks. She has a fire that burns so bright it's no wonder she catches hold of Javier and wants to join at his side in this crazy world. Overall, it was a great story and I look forward to reading more from this author!

I surprised myself deciding to pick this book up, and I was even more surprised when I found myself enjoying the twisted and dark subject matter. I've read Halle's The Pact and The Offer, which are contemporary romances and I enjoyed her writing voice and style, so it was out of curiosity to read her other books that aren't as light and fluffy. I am looking forward to the other books in this series.

Karina Halle is pure genius. Dirty Angels was so hard to put down. I took my time reading it tho. I went away for a week with my 3 kids left my husband at home to work and every night when the kids went to bed out came the book ?
I'm so glad I had quiet time to read. I felt like I was there with Javier. I didn't find the book too full on and found Karina did difficult scenarios with class and dignity. I can't give you any spoilers but pick up the book NOW! READ it and you will LOVE it.
#javier4ever

“He wore a mask of elegance and indifference, his unusually handsome features taking on the appearance of a sculpture. But I had no idea what the artist was trying to say: Here’s a man in denial? Here’s a man without a soul? Here’s a man who will build empires and legacies, whose pride shaped the land? Or here is a man who for once in his life, doesn’t know who he is?”

The first time I felt the pull of Javier Bernal was in "On Every Street." If you haven't read that or any of the other books in the Artists Trilogy, you don't have to read them to read this book but you'll probably want to. It isn't easy to make a character like Javier someone a reader would empathize with, but somehow Karina Halle is able to do that. Javier is the first person to say that he has no soul, but he's someone that you want to see succeed even through his actions are far from excusable. Javier Bernal is an utterly fascinating creature that will keep you guessing the whole time, and that is just one of the things that makes this book a must-read.

Dirty Angels is a dark, gritty, Russian roulette game of palpable suspense. It is not for anyone who doesn't like sex or violence. It is not for anyone who wants fairytales and rainbows. If you're able to keep an open mind, enjoy a well-told story, intriguing characters and don't mind questioning what is right and wrong, this book is for you.

You could tell Karina did her homework!!The storyline was gritty,raw and felt very real.Although it was intense,dark and deep,there was a certain lightness ,an ethereal quality to the budding relationship between Louisa and Javier,that allowed you to avoid being dragged down by the evil.Extremely well done!

Javier Bernal from Karina’s The Artists Trilogy gets his own story. Oh what a story it is!! I ask myself many times, How can I love him and he is so bad?

Raw, gritty, dark, and not your typical love story. I LOVED it!! As with all the Karina Halle novels I have read, I felt as if I was an in person spectator watching all this unfold. This one had me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

This is not your typical feel good kind of romance. I wasn't sure what it would be but what it became was better than I could've imagined. It was dark, gritty and emotional. Both Javier and Luisa made some mistakes in this book, in fact, they were pretty ugly. But you also have to understand their background. And if you understand that, believe me, you will love it.

I have been looking forward to Javier getting his own book and it definitely did not disappoint. It grabbed you from the start and kept your attention through out the entire book. I was team Javier all through out the the artist trilogy. All in all this book was amazing. It would be helpful to read the artist trilogy first but not nessasary. Look forward to reading more from Karina!

This is probably my favorite in this genre by Karina Halle...the connection with Javier is a little disturbing but at the same time you just cannot get enough. He is the villain of the story, yet his character will suck you in and you just cant help but fall in love with him. Luisa starts out as the victim in the series...running from an abusive husband and gets nabbed by yet another who is out for blood. Luisa's character shows that strength in women some of us wished we had but dont have the balls to show. Javier does a number on her and she never breaks. She does the opposite. Twisted or not, I loved it!

I have read all of the Artist Trilogy and absolutely loved them. Javier was a love/hate for me. The guy was a ruthless drug boss and cold hearted killer and yet he had a soft side too for the ones he loved. I felt that in this book he was too soft? I just felt there was something lacking in this book? Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed reading it. I just felt it lacked a bit of oomph.

This book...holy hell this book.
In the Artist Trilogy books you get to know Javier and either you love him or hate him. I have to admit I was one of those who wasn't very fond of him.
I dove head first into Dirty Angels ready to hate him even more; but that wasn't the case.
In this book you will learn to love the black heart of the golden eyed Javier Bernal.

I was really mad at Karina Halle after reading the Sins and Needles trilogy. She made me fall hard for Javier Bernal in those books and then she snatched away my hopes and dreams of Javier's happy ending. I felt so unresolved after that series... wondering why on earth this author would introduce us to such an enigmatic, charming psychopath only to refuse him the girl, deny his redemption, deny the reader his resolution. I get it now.

Javier did some incredibly despicable things in On Every Street... things that many readers could not get past. I am a reader that loves a jerk... loves a character who seems unforgivable, irredeemable, who seriously surpasses the line of "yes, he can come back from this" by miles and miles... but yet he eventually finds his way. So when Javier never redeemed himself in the Sins books, in many ways he only got worse as time went on through that series, I was really just dumbfounded. I couldn't understand how we never found peace with his character. Looking back, I can appreciate what Karina Halle did with Javier. I waited for him to show remorse, show he held some goodness in his soul. Cliché as it may be, I expected that the light would prevail. Karina Halle didn't give that to me, because that was not Javier. Javier was not remorseful, he wasn't good. She didn't absolve him of his sins because he wasn't seeking redemption. She stayed true to his character... I just didn't know it until now.

"It's not easy to have confidence in who you are, to say #@$% it, the world thinks I am a monster because I am a monster. And I don't care."

Told in alternating first person points of view, we are brought directly into the mind of the madman, as well as getting the painful first-hand perspective of Luisa, the wife of rival cartel leader, Salvador Reyes. Readers left searching for some understanding into Javier's darkness will find that in this book. Every question you have, and so many you never thought to ask, are answered. That doesn't mean Javier has found the light and is suddenly the absolved hero we're been seeking. I understand him more, maybe even empathize with him to an extent. But at the end of the day, this is still Javier Bernal. He still angers me, frustrates me, seem impenetrable, soulless much of the time. He's still a Mexican caveman, wanting to serve up a decapitated head on a stick to prove he kept a promise. He's a lot of things, things we expected and things we never saw coming. And he just may have found his match.

"Perhaps it was because I was so beyond saving. Either way, she saw who I was and all my filth and she wanted to roll around in it with me."

Readers easily affected by sensitive subjects should heed the author's warning in the blurb. This story is dark. The level of brutality, depravity, torture, evil in this story is sometimes nauseating, impossible to wrap my mind around. With that said, it's likely that the depths of the violence and cruelty depicted in this story are completely authentic considering the vast amount of research conducted by this author. There are no rainbows and puppies within the Mexican drug cartel. There is only the battle for who is worse, who is more evil, whose soul is darker. For many readers, Javier was the worst of the worst. Turns out, he's not.

"To live and die in Mexico," he said, getting to his feet. "That is the way."

The dynamic between Javier and Luisa is a hostile, painful, fragile one. The level of distrust between the two makes for exorbitant amounts of sexual tension, intense dialogue and a completely unpredictable plot. What Luisa has been through her entire life and continues to deal with in Javier's custody is beyond comprehension. But she is strong. She survives. She fights. She's my favorite kind of heroine, because she's the kind we rarely see. My heart hurt throughout this book... watching them deny their mutual attraction because the laws of the cartel make it impossible for them to succumb to it, seeing him hurt her both physically and emotionally because the rules say he must... feeling his shame, her hopelessness, his internal struggle, her resignation. This entire story had my stomach in knots, my heart in my throat, and tears in my eyes.

"Because I want to destroy beautiful things before they can destroy me."

I'm not sure what it says about me as a reader that Dirty Angels is my very favorite kind of story. The kind of story where the hero is not a hero at all. He's a heartless, irredeemable bastard who goes so far over the edge into his treachery and villainy, it's unlikely he can ever come back from it. The kind where the heroine exists in a life of such desperation and ugliness, that all the choices she makes for her life consist of deciding what is, literally, the lesser of two evils. The unpredictable kind, the kind where this constant feeling of foreboding exists, leaving the reader wondering until the very last page how this can possibly end well for anyone. Karina Halle once again blows my mind with her superb writing and story telling. The dialogue in this book is perfection. Her beautiful prose in such a dark, ugly story is the perfect demonstration of her remarkable talent. This is, in my opinion, Karina Halle's best writing to date... which should speak volumes considering how phenomenal her writing has always been.

This was a different type of read. Yes, there was steamy sex, drama and alpha males, but this was a different storyline. Thank goodness for that, I get tired of seeing something written about rock stars or motorcycle gangs. This was realistic, although I do not live in this type of atmosphere, I know that it happens, I know that it is real.This author brought to life what living in Mexico is truly like.

It is amazing when an author can have you falling for such an evil and despicable human being like Javier Bernal. I was so excited that the sins & needles series wasn't the end of us having more of Javier. I loved to read that he landed back on top of his empire after Ellie and that this story proved his heart wasn't completely black. I can't wait to read Dirty Deeds. 5+++++ stars!!!!!

Karina Halle has done it again with her saucy, dark and dirty novel Dirty Angels. She never ceases to amaze me on all levels. As we ( who read the Artist Trilogy) already knew Javier was a gritty and handsome devil who now needed a new "Angel" to replace his Eden. Be careful what you wish for. She pulled me in all directions and when I dream at night I still see and hear Javi in my head. I cannot wait for her next triumph.

I first met Javier Bernal in Sins & Needles by Karina Halle. I got to know him much better in the subsequent books that followed in that series. My opinion of him changed with each new book, but one thing never changed. Love or hate him, Javier was devastatingly charming and sexy as hell.

Dirty Angels was just the story Javier needed. It fits him like his expensive tailored suits. It's like the man himself. Dangerously seductive and powerful, Dirty Angels sucks you in with no warning and no apologies. Hold on to your panties, because this time Javier is in charge and taking no prisoners - unless you count Luisa Chavez. ;)

Let me introduce those of you who haven't met Javier yet. You don't have to be familiar with him to read Dirty Angels. Javier Bernal is a drug lord from Mexico. He is disarmingly handsome with golden eyes that will draw you in. He's only loved one woman and she broke his heart. His only love now is the cartel he has built and the power that comes with it.

Luisa Chavez is a former beauty queen in Mexico. She is quiet and works hard as a waitress to take care of her ailing parents. She doesn't use her beauty as a way to get what she wants. Luisa has a strong sense of self and knows that nothing in life is given for free. The day Salvadore Reyes sits down at a table in the bar where she works is the beginning of the end of that Luisa Chavez. The woman that will be born out of that fateful day is someone Luisa never thought she would become.

Dirty Angels comes with a warning. It has violent scenes typical of those involved with dangerous drug cartels. It contains abuse, murder, acts of torture and attempted rape. It's not your typical love story. But make no mistake. It is a love story..one with sexy antiheros and a fierce love borne out of very unconvential circumstances. And it is freaking phenomenal!

Here's why this book is so terrific. Halle doesn't try to make us like the characters. She doesn't dress the wolves up in sheep's clothing. They are what they are. Bad people who do bad things in the name of money and power. Karina Halle doesn't compromise Javier's character. Instead, she uses her brilliant story telling to make you love the man while detesting his life.

The other thing that really stuck with me is the transformation of Luisa. She literally changes from page to page. With every vicious attack on her body and mind, Luisa finds a strength she never knew she had. As her freedom is taken from her both physically, mentally and emotionally, she learns that she ultimately controls her fate. I can't tell you how many times I hig -fived Luisa mentally during this book. Her strength, courage, endurance and ultimate acceptance of who she was meant to be was the most powerful part of this whole story.

Dirty Angels is the kind of book I search for. One that changes the way I think. It forces me out of the black and white and into the gray area of life. It's that book where Prince Charming rules the underworld and carries a big effing gun.

I give Dirty Angels a huge 5+ Hookers rating. I would give it many more if I could! A must read today kind of book!

Awesome read. Awesome to revisit Javiar and watch him, in his own way fall for a girl.

There are twists and turns. And while there is a disclaimer in the beginning of the book, the dirt is well . . . expected. This is the Mexican cartel! Don't think there won't be some nastiness.

Luisa is a girl to love . . .

I loved the Sinners series and I knew Karina wouldn't disappoint in this book. I saw a glimpse into Javier's background in the Sinners series and was intrigued to see how he would handle his way of falling in love. I was definitely not let down. This story captured Javier perfectly. It was hot, beautiful and amazing writing. Can't wait for the next book.

Holy Smokin Dark And Dirty!!! If this is what dark and dirty is, then I want to reside in the Dark and roll around in the Dirty, preferably with Javier Bernal!!!

I can't believe this is the first book I've read by Karina Halle, I have definitely been missing out. Now that I've discovered her amazing, kick-butt writing I will be searching out all books written by her.

This book takes you inside the Mexican drug cartel with the ever so dark and dirty, drug lord Javier Bernal, he has worked hard, done unspeakable things to get to the top of his empire. In order for his cartel to rein supreme he must take down his rival, Salvador Reyes. If you want to take out the king of the cartels you start by capturing his queen, new wife Luisa Chavez Reyes. Luisa has known hardships her entire life, has always worked hard for very little, always trying to provide for her aging parents, always sacrificing herself and she makes the ultimate sacrifice when she marries the Devil, that is Salvador Reyes. Javier and Luisa are brought together as captor and captive, one has a hardened heart the other has a selfless soul. Will this unlikely pair clash against each other or will their true selves be discovered thru the other?

"She brought me peace. I brought her fire."

I never imagined that I would enjoy a story created about the Mexican drug cartel, but I more than enjoyed it, I was captivated by this book and the author. This is the darkest book I've read and I am most definitely hooked. I can't wait for Dirty Deeds and more of this exciting series!

I was so nervous about reading this book after reading The Artist Trilogy! I really did not think I would enjoy reading this book because as far as I couldn't picture Javier with anyone but Ellie but I must say that I absolutely without a doubt loved this book and I really need more of these 2 characters!

I LOVED this book!! It gritty, it was fast paced, it was dark, it was sexy!! I loved Luisa and Javier. I can't believe this has been sitting on my kindle for so long unread. This had intrigue and drama and was a wonderful book to read and so different from her other books which I have also read and adored.

Karina Halle can do no wrong! Seriously! This book may be a little tough to take for some and honestly, I had to put it down a few times myself. I will say, there are some deeply disturbing scenes. If you have triggers, stay away from this book. I loved this book. I love Javier. I love Luisa.

THIS IS NOT YOUR MOTHER'S ROMANCE.

Well, unless you are my daughter...then it is so you're mama's romance.

If you can't handle violently gory death, don't read Dirty Angels.

If you don't want to read about immoral, depraved, degenerate drug lords, don't read Dirty Angels.

If you can't relate to a young woman making the worst decisions with the best intentions, don't read Dirty Angels.

If you expect all your romances to end in happily ever after - I'll love you until the end of time - mushiness, don't read Dirty Angels.

THIS IS NOT YOUR MOTHER'S ROMANCE.

This is Javier Bernal. He does not do soul searching, heart shattering, epic love stories. He does dark, gritty, bloody, grab you by the balls and never let go, exciting love stories.

Javier is the same guy he was in the Artist Trilogy. If you loved him then, you'll love him more now. If you hated him then, you'll probably not hate him anymore. You may turn to the beautiful dark side that some of us have been living in all along. **Note: you do NOT need to read The Artist Trilogy to read Dirty Angels**

He is not soulless, though he may not believe that. It's there. Black and shriveled maybe, but there. Luisa in her determination breaths a little life into it. Just as 'someone else' had in the past.

Javier needed a woman that would see his evil ways as part of him as a whole, a piece of the puzzle that makes him who he is. Someone that could stand up to him as well as stand by him.

That is exactly what Halle gave him.

Not at first, mind you. Luisa comes from extremely humble beginnings. She is not part of the cartel world until an opportunity to care for the people she loves in a manner she feels they deserves, presents itself. That opportunity drowns Luisa in a world for violence, torture, abuse and murder.

And Javier, at first, is all too willing to hold her head under water. But sometimes, redemption comes in the form least expected. As does vengeance. It's what Javier and Luisa are willing to do that creates a bond between them. An understanding. A partnership.

As I stated at the beginning, if you're looking for flowers, sunshine and hearts shooting out your eyeballs...this isn't that type of book. It is dangerous, seductive, dramatic and savage.

Karina has written another must read- if you can stomach it! This is the nitty gritty-est love story you could ever read. A beauty queen becomes cartel queen in this TWISTED story. If murder, torture and revenge are in your reading wheel house, GET THIS BOOK!

Heeeeeeeeeeeee’s back! Javier Bernal, the man I loved to hate in ‘The Artists Trilogy’ is back and I dare say he is better than before. I can’t help myself; I am quickly drawn into his web. I remember how humorous he is -- quick witted, charming, and charismatic -- never mind the attentive exceptional lover he is in the bedroom. He makes it so easy to forget how ruthless he can be, how deadly, how dirty, how his goal always justifies his means. Javi has always fascinated me. He’s an enigma, and I want to understand the moral code he lives by.

Enter Luisa Reyes. A very good girl married to a very bad man. Luisa, a former beauty queen has sacrificed her future for the safety of her sickly parents. Growing up, poor Luisa is offered the opportunity to procure an easier life for her parents in exchange for her hand in marriage. Unfortunately for Luisa, her hand is being given (I am using this term lightly) to one of the most ruthless cartel leaders in Mexico. Unfortunately for Luisa, marrying Salvatore Reyes hasn’t kept her safe, not from him, and not from rival cartels. Luisa is a fighter and a survivor, but can she endure being a pawn in a deadly game where her life hangs delicately in the balance?

If you are thinking of reading this book because you love a good romance, this book is not for you. If you have issues with torture, rape, violence, and lawlessness, this book is not for you, either. But if you love gritty, dark, dirty stories with excellent writing and hot-as-hell sex scenes—LOOK NO FURTHER. If you weren’t crazy about Javi in ‘The Artist Trilogy,’ I’ll bet you he’ll have the dark side looking like your kind of place. If you haven’t read the trilogy, I’ll scold you later, but it’s not necessary to read before this one. This book is a stand-alone, and while it is part of a trilogy, it has its own main characters which are different from those in the other books. Karina is, above all, a fantastic storyteller, and this book is not to be missed.