August 19, 2013

Review: Shooting Scars (The Artists Trilogy #2) by Karina Halle ★★★★★

The USA Today Bestseller!!

A Dangerous Kind of Love . . .

When Ellie Watt offered herself to her thuggish former lover Javier to save Camden's life, she never imagined the twisted game Javier had planned for her. Trapped by him and his entourage of killers, Ellie is forced to commit a dangerous, heinous crime-or Javier will kill Camden. Now ex-con artist Ellie must find a way to stay ahead of the game . . . before it destroys her and the only man she ever loved.
Camden McQueen can't forget Ellie Watt. Seeking revenge and pursued by the authorities for a crime he didn't commit, the talented tattoo artist does things he never thought himself capable of to save Ellie. As Camden straddles the line between love and retribution, he vows to do everything in his power to get her back. But if Camden unleashes his dark side, will Ellie still love him?

Review:

So, I'm a bit late posting this review because, frankly, I'm at a loss for words. Well, you know, except for these ones. And Janice already did such a stellar job with hers for the blog, that my inferiority complex kicked in and left me quivering in the corner. So, if it's all the same to you, try not to think of this so much as my review, but more like a rambling set of probably pointless observations.

What, just like all your other reviews?

I heard that!

Ahem.

Soooo much happened in Shooting Scars, and a lot of it was stuff I really didn't want to happen if I'm being honest. And yet, it didn't seem to lessen my enjoyment of the book because in some weird, twisted way I feel like I understand every action, every mistake, every wrong choice Ellie made. I also get the frantic desperation that was driving Camden throughout the book. The knowledge that he's crossing lines he never would have crossed before Ellie (B.E), but that he's unable not to cross now because the alternative is giving up on her - something he'll never do, no matter what.

The only person I don't understand in Shooting Scars is Javier and that's because HE'S A RAVING PSYCHO! And a sociopath, and a cold-blooded murderer, and a liar, and a cheater and...and...if I understood how his mind worked, I'd be worried. But what I do understand about him, is why Ellie is so confused. Being around any ex can be weird, but an ex with their history? Their all-consuming, grossly unhealthy intensity? And with Ellie's already rock bottom self-esteem (something she'd been working so hard on in Sins & Needles!) getting another knock, well... I understand is all. Me no like! But me understand.

Me started talking like Cookie Monster.

I really don't understand all the love Javier is getting. At first, I thought people were joking... Like "Yeah, we're on Team Javier, lolz". But apparently, they're deadly serious. Which is apt.

Oh, well, each to their own psycho, I guess. I'll take mine with extra nerd glasses, rock hard abs and tattoos, and less of the stabbity murder death kill.

Thanks.

I'll leave you now with a picture of my babycakes. Mr Camden - Knight in shining G.T.O - McQueen.

Lynsey out.