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Sins Duet #2
Dirty Souls
From New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle comes DIRTY SOULS the much-anticipated, nail-biting conclusion to Black Hearts…
Violet McQueen has always been a sensitive soul. Troubled and misunderstood, she never realized her place in the world, nor her true potential…until she met Vicente Bernal.
From birth, Vicente Bernal has always known his place in the world – he’s been groomed to be a ruthless king. Yet for a man whose soul has become morally bankrupt, it’s only through Violet he’s realizing the worth of someone’s heart.
But at what cost?
With a deadly game set in motion taking them from the stark deserts of California to the steamy jungles of Mexico, Violet and Vicente’s forbidden relationship will be put to the test. Boundaries will be pushed, lines will be crossed and souls will get very, very dirty.
Because how do you choose between blood and love when both might get you killed?
NOTE: Dirty Souls is the second and FINAL book in the Sins Duet. You MUST read book #1, BLACK HEARTS, first before this one!
Violet McQueen has always been a sensitive soul. Troubled and misunderstood, she never realized her place in the world, nor her true potential…until she met Vicente Bernal.
From birth, Vicente Bernal has always known his place in the world – he’s been groomed to be a ruthless king. Yet for a man whose soul has become morally bankrupt, it’s only through Violet he’s realizing the worth of someone’s heart.
But at what cost?
With a deadly game set in motion taking them from the stark deserts of California to the steamy jungles of Mexico, Violet and Vicente’s forbidden relationship will be put to the test. Boundaries will be pushed, lines will be crossed and souls will get very, very dirty.
Because how do you choose between blood and love when both might get you killed?
NOTE: Dirty Souls is the second and FINAL book in the Sins Duet. You MUST read book #1, BLACK HEARTS, first before this one!
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 20, 2017
About the author
Karina Halle
114 books18.1k followersKarina Halle is a screenwriter, former music & travel journalist, and the New York Times bestselling author of Grave Matter, Blood Orange, & The Royals Next Door, as well as 80 other romances across all sub-genres, ranging from spicy rom coms to gothic horror and dark fantasy. Needless to say, whatever you're into, she's probably written an HEA for it.
When she's not traveling, she, her husband, and their pup Perry, split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles.
When she's not traveling, she, her husband, and their pup Perry, split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 243 reviews
March 20, 2017
5 Stars!!
Holy sh*t!! What a wild ride this book turned out to be! 'Dirty Souls' is simply amazing! AMAZING!! And, for sure, the favorite book I’ve read by this author so far. It’s dark, raw, gritty and, most of all, intense and twisted. This second installment held me at the edge of my seat the entire f@cking time and I loved…LOVED every minute of it. It’s filled with heart pounding, nail biting, and anxiety inducing moments as well as action, suspense, steam and remarkable well done WTF moments. It’s everything I expected it to be and so much more!
“This isn’t just young love … This is mad love. The kind that’s incurable."
'Dirty Souls' picks up right where the previous installment, 'Black Hearts', ends. Violet McQueen discovers that her parents are not exactly who they say they are. They have secrets and for years they have been keping so much information about their lives from her and her brother. Violet's life changes completely when she meets the enigmatic Hispanic man, Vicente. Vicente sees the real her and intrigues her like no other. Vicente Bernal doesn’t expect to be so drawn to Violet. He wants to use her…in some way, but instead, he becomes infatuated with her…and more.
“I once thought she was my weapon, now I realize she’s everything to me.”
Violet foinds out who Vicente really is - a son of a drug lord. She knows she should be scared, but she’s not. Despite the fact that she knows Vicente is dangerous, she’s drawn to him now more than ever. She’s falling for him hard and she can’t do anything about it. Violet and Vicente decide to run away. Violet needs to escape her family for a while and Vicente wants her with him, since her parents found out about who his father is. They decide it’s time to find out the truth about Violet’s parents’ past, and what they find out shocks Violet to the core.
Violet and Vicente’s plans and lives are turned upside down when they discover that danger lurking everywhere. Vicente knows how fragile Violet is, so he’s determined more than ever to protect her…at any cost. He will do anything for her…ANYTHING, to keep her safe and to show her that he’s more than his father’s son.
"I just need you to know that I love you with every inch of my black heart and dirty soul and I will do everything I can to keep you."
Dayum!! What an enthralling, perfect read! 'Dirty Souls' is intriguing from the very first page to the last. It’s thrilling, intense and holy sh*t…so fantastically written. It’s action-packed, suspenseful and I absolutely loved all the twists and turns. Karina Halle kept me guessing until the end and, of course, the entire time while reading this, I was literally at the edge of my seat. I loved every single aspect of this story – the intensity, the suspense, the action and the steam. The author blended everything perfectly and delivered a captivating read that sucked me in from the very first page.
“The terror is tangible. The guilt, the fucking guilt, is almost worse.”
Once again, the two main characters, Violet and Vicente are simply great. Violet is stronger than ever in this second installment and, I have to say, I loved how she handled EVERYTHING. Her character development is simply stellar here. Vicente is still dangerous and manipulative, but also protective, possessive and caring of Violet. He doesn't think he is capable of love, but Violet shows him what real love is.
The relationship between these two main characters is stronger than ever in this second part. Karina Halle did a wonderful job with this aspect. The all-consuming, dirty, passionate love they have for each other is well done and palpable.
"I love you, my mirlo. I love you to the point of danger. Danger because where you go, I will go. Because I will do everything and anything to keep you with me. This isn't the end of us There will never be an end of us. Ever."
The supporting characters play an important role in this second installment. All of them are interesting, but the one who stood out the most for me was of course, Javier Bernal, who was such a crazy mofo. I lost count of how many times he left me with my mouth hanging open, and, well...I loved it!
All in all, 'Dirty Souls' is a fantastic conclusion to these characters’ story. It’s dark and raw, it’s intense and thrilling and if you have already read and enjoyed the first installment, I guarantee you will love this one as well.
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April 23, 2017
'Black Hearts' left off with a rather ominous vibe that honestly, left me giddy. (I know, I know. I'm kind of messed up like that.) While Violet and Vicente were getting settled in and playing house, Javier was moving in on his son and his new lover. You just knew that whatever was going to happen wasn't going to be good for the young lovers...and I couldn't wait!
In case I haven't said it enough, let me just be clear that Javier Bernal is one of my all-time favorite anti-heroes. He has owned a piece of my heart since the very beginning, despite his despicable ways. I guess that, like him, I'm still stuck in the past where Ellie and him are concerned. I always will be.
I totally understand why Ellie left him. In fact, I probably would've been pissed if she hadn't. After all, I hate a doormat heroine. That being said, after some hardcore groveling I wanted Ellie and Javier to mend their relationship. I still refuse to see the writing on the wall, even as it is clear that Camden and Luisa are here to stay. A girl can dream, I guess.
Now that I've gotten all of that out into the open, I have to admit that I have never been more appalled by Javier's behavior than I was in this book. He has done some pretty terrible things before, but never did he stoop to such a cruel and personal level as he did in this book. (Note: Some of the dead prostitutes from his last dark spell might disagree with me on this point.) The things that he did were beyond forgiveness and shocking, even to him.
While 'Black Hearts' was relatively mild and only hinted at the darkness to come, 'Dirty Souls' is incredibly dark and brutal. Just about every fear that I had for Violet and Vicente at the end of the first book was brought to life. On top of that, this book birthed new horrors that I hadn't even thought of.
Given the history between Javier and Ellie, I couldn't believe that he would go there with his daughter. It was like the last bits of humanity that remained within Javier were being snuffed out in front of my eyes. Yet, at the same time, there were glimpses of remorse that hinted at the remnants of a soul remaining within Javier. It was emotionally painful to watch as he actively worked at destroying what little love remained between him and Ellie through his intentional and callous actions.
I don't want to give too much away, because I think anyone that is a fan of this series should read this. As I'm sure you've already figured out if you've read the first book in the series, Javier has taken Violet and Vicente. He intends to teach his son a lesson and he plans to use Violet to do that. She is also a means to get his long awaited revenge on her mother.
This book was an action-packed, suspenseful and emotional read. I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish. I absolutely devoured this book. That being said, even for a die-hard fan of Javier, like me, his depravity was hard to forgive. His hunger for power has changed him so much over the years, as he's gained and lost everything that he's ever wanted. It was brutal, it was heartbreaking....and I could not have loved it more!
Check out more of my reviews at www.bookaddicthaven.com
In case I haven't said it enough, let me just be clear that Javier Bernal is one of my all-time favorite anti-heroes. He has owned a piece of my heart since the very beginning, despite his despicable ways. I guess that, like him, I'm still stuck in the past where Ellie and him are concerned. I always will be.
I totally understand why Ellie left him. In fact, I probably would've been pissed if she hadn't. After all, I hate a doormat heroine. That being said, after some hardcore groveling I wanted Ellie and Javier to mend their relationship. I still refuse to see the writing on the wall, even as it is clear that Camden and Luisa are here to stay. A girl can dream, I guess.
Now that I've gotten all of that out into the open, I have to admit that I have never been more appalled by Javier's behavior than I was in this book. He has done some pretty terrible things before, but never did he stoop to such a cruel and personal level as he did in this book. (Note: Some of the dead prostitutes from his last dark spell might disagree with me on this point.) The things that he did were beyond forgiveness and shocking, even to him.
While 'Black Hearts' was relatively mild and only hinted at the darkness to come, 'Dirty Souls' is incredibly dark and brutal. Just about every fear that I had for Violet and Vicente at the end of the first book was brought to life. On top of that, this book birthed new horrors that I hadn't even thought of.
Given the history between Javier and Ellie, I couldn't believe that he would go there with his daughter. It was like the last bits of humanity that remained within Javier were being snuffed out in front of my eyes. Yet, at the same time, there were glimpses of remorse that hinted at the remnants of a soul remaining within Javier. It was emotionally painful to watch as he actively worked at destroying what little love remained between him and Ellie through his intentional and callous actions.
I don't want to give too much away, because I think anyone that is a fan of this series should read this. As I'm sure you've already figured out if you've read the first book in the series, Javier has taken Violet and Vicente. He intends to teach his son a lesson and he plans to use Violet to do that. She is also a means to get his long awaited revenge on her mother.
This book was an action-packed, suspenseful and emotional read. I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish. I absolutely devoured this book. That being said, even for a die-hard fan of Javier, like me, his depravity was hard to forgive. His hunger for power has changed him so much over the years, as he's gained and lost everything that he's ever wanted. It was brutal, it was heartbreaking....and I could not have loved it more!
Check out more of my reviews at www.bookaddicthaven.com
March 25, 2017
*****3.75 STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}
I love her with my dark and dangerous heart. I love her with my wicked and dirty soul. I love her enough to raze the world around me to the very ground, just so we can be together. But I know that love, real love, lives on truth. I have to be honest with her. I have to tell her how I found her. I have to tell her who Javier Bernal is to her family.
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I am going to start my review focusing on all the positives about this story. Vicente! I loved him! This guy is one sexy as hell, badass alpha male. I wished each and every scene had him in it. He had my heart racing in a very good way! The steam!! OMG!! Fanning myself and needing to take an ice cold shower after reading some of the hottest sex scenes ever! Karina Halle’s writing style is exquisite and she is definitely not afraid of writing some deliciously naughty schmexy scenes! This story was filled with so much violence and action. It’s sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats!
What I didn’t love about the book, and it’s not to say that most of you will probably not find issues with what bothered and hindered me from giving this a full five stars. I really did not like the heroine, Violet. I found her to be too young and beyond dumb. She was not woman enough for the likes of Vicente. I honestly didn’t see what he loved about her. Maybe if her parents weren’t so much a part of the story, I might have had an easier time viewing her as an adult instead of as a petulant child.
Now, you can read this series without having read the previous books about Violet and Vicente’s parents, but honestly, in my opinion, I don’t think you can get a grasp of the full picture if you didn’t first read about Ellie, Cam, and Javier! You need to understand where all this animosity is coming from - why Violet’s parents are so distraught over her being with Vicente once they learn he is a Bernal. A reader needs to understand Javier’s quest for revenge against Ellie and why he unleashes his wrath upon Violet! I just think if you know the full background, the story becomes more powerful. But having said that, I also wasn’t a fan of all the Ellie and Cam chapters, even though they were pretty short.
Overall, this is a highly entertaining read and if you have seen the reviews, it’s getting much love, so those of you who love Karina’s books will definitely enjoy this one.
Dirty Souls is currently available!
AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/2o0SdDw
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}
I love her with my dark and dangerous heart. I love her with my wicked and dirty soul. I love her enough to raze the world around me to the very ground, just so we can be together. But I know that love, real love, lives on truth. I have to be honest with her. I have to tell her how I found her. I have to tell her who Javier Bernal is to her family.
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I am going to start my review focusing on all the positives about this story. Vicente! I loved him! This guy is one sexy as hell, badass alpha male. I wished each and every scene had him in it. He had my heart racing in a very good way! The steam!! OMG!! Fanning myself and needing to take an ice cold shower after reading some of the hottest sex scenes ever! Karina Halle’s writing style is exquisite and she is definitely not afraid of writing some deliciously naughty schmexy scenes! This story was filled with so much violence and action. It’s sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats!
What I didn’t love about the book, and it’s not to say that most of you will probably not find issues with what bothered and hindered me from giving this a full five stars. I really did not like the heroine, Violet. I found her to be too young and beyond dumb. She was not woman enough for the likes of Vicente. I honestly didn’t see what he loved about her. Maybe if her parents weren’t so much a part of the story, I might have had an easier time viewing her as an adult instead of as a petulant child.
Now, you can read this series without having read the previous books about Violet and Vicente’s parents, but honestly, in my opinion, I don’t think you can get a grasp of the full picture if you didn’t first read about Ellie, Cam, and Javier! You need to understand where all this animosity is coming from - why Violet’s parents are so distraught over her being with Vicente once they learn he is a Bernal. A reader needs to understand Javier’s quest for revenge against Ellie and why he unleashes his wrath upon Violet! I just think if you know the full background, the story becomes more powerful. But having said that, I also wasn’t a fan of all the Ellie and Cam chapters, even though they were pretty short.
Overall, this is a highly entertaining read and if you have seen the reviews, it’s getting much love, so those of you who love Karina’s books will definitely enjoy this one.
Dirty Souls is currently available!
AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/2o0SdDw
February 10, 2019
3 Stars
I'm tired and not in a reviewing mood tonight…
But I will say it took me longer to finish this book than I had expected. That is probably because I'm not in the dark phase at the moment. I liked it but not as much as the first book. I wish it was more focused on Violet and Vincente and less on their parents. Still very enjoyable though.
I'm tired and not in a reviewing mood tonight…
But I will say it took me longer to finish this book than I had expected. That is probably because I'm not in the dark phase at the moment. I liked it but not as much as the first book. I wish it was more focused on Violet and Vincente and less on their parents. Still very enjoyable though.
March 26, 2017
They are some minor spoilers - nothing major
I so wanted to love Dirty Souls, the 2nd book in Karina Halle's Sin's Duet.
I so wanted for this book to be the "turnaround" for me after I read the 1st book, Black Hearts - which I so so not l0ved, make that, not even liked remotely!!!
I've said it before - I absolutely loved The Artists Trilogy and the first 2 books in the Dirty Angels Trilogy...so how could I go wrong with the conclusion to the series!!!
Let me tell you - reading this book - felt as if I was in Purgatory!!! It was excruciating and agonizing turning to the next page!!
Now, you probably asking....why did you bother finishing this book it was so awful!!! If it annoyed you so much!!!
Good question!! One that I keep asking myself??
General: I have read some dark and violent stories with some horrible characters such as in this Duet. I don't mind the darkness but at some point I have to engage with the characters. I have to find something redeemable in them. But in this book, I could not find anything remotely likeable about most of the characters - in particular, the 2 main characters, Vincente Bernal and Violet McQueen
The two main characters:
Vincente Bernal - sorry, but I couldn't get past his violent thoughts and actions. Okay, so he doesn't exactly have the best example of humanity from his family!! But seriously, the way he treats people, such as Violet's family is despicable and unacceptable to me.
Violet McQueen - is this woman "doff" (meaning stupid!!). She flies off into the horizon with a man she barely knows - only that he's the son of a drug cartel leader and despite us being told that she's innocent and introvert, she quickly becomes a sex fiend!!! Never mind that....she let's Vincente use her fone to film her giving him a blowjob in the shower!!!
Has this girl not heard about what can happen on social media and sex tapes??? Is she naive or what!!! And all her angst towards her parents!! Please!!!
Never did these two redeem themselves in my eyes!!!
Pulling my Hair out Moments: I lost count of how many times Vincente used the word Mirlo...Mirlo.........Mirlo...
Chemistry/Romance: Where was the love and romance in this story? Did I miss it??? Was it there but it was just me that didn't see it??? And chemistry!!! Well, if you call sex, sex, sex and more sex, chemistry...then Vincente and Violet had lots of that!!! Love....really!!!!
Secondary Characters: There were more pages "dedicated" the secondary characters than to the main two. Did we have to through the parents of both of their past history!!! And Muerta....hell, I couldn't figure out where this characters fit!!
To be honest, the only characters I liked in this book were Ellie and Camden!!
And lastly about the characters...just when I began liking Javier Bernal ...what happens here......I totally hated him!!! How could the author do this to me!!!!
The Plot: Rambled along with no direction. I struggled to keep up!!! It just dragged on and on and on!!
Epilogue: What was that!!! So now, off the two lovers go into the sunset...but hey, wait, what happens next!!! Is that it!! Oh, I see, the author is probably going to "dish" out the next Trilogy of this series with one of the characters from this book!!! Let's guess...Muerta!!! Please change the name if you do Ms Halle!~!!!
Conclusion: I still love Karina Halle's writing. And I still loved most of the books in this Series. Am I going to read any future spin-off of the series???
No, don't' think so...but hey, one never knows!!!!
Let me end by saying: don't let me stop you from reading this Duet. You may like it. It's that for me...........didn't do it at all!!
Why can't I love this book as much as all my GR friends????
I so wanted to love Dirty Souls, the 2nd book in Karina Halle's Sin's Duet.
I so wanted for this book to be the "turnaround" for me after I read the 1st book, Black Hearts - which I so so not l0ved, make that, not even liked remotely!!!
I've said it before - I absolutely loved The Artists Trilogy and the first 2 books in the Dirty Angels Trilogy...so how could I go wrong with the conclusion to the series!!!
Let me tell you - reading this book - felt as if I was in Purgatory!!! It was excruciating and agonizing turning to the next page!!
Now, you probably asking....why did you bother finishing this book it was so awful!!! If it annoyed you so much!!!
Good question!! One that I keep asking myself??
Let me count some things that exasperated me:
General: I have read some dark and violent stories with some horrible characters such as in this Duet. I don't mind the darkness but at some point I have to engage with the characters. I have to find something redeemable in them. But in this book, I could not find anything remotely likeable about most of the characters - in particular, the 2 main characters, Vincente Bernal and Violet McQueen
The two main characters:
Vincente Bernal - sorry, but I couldn't get past his violent thoughts and actions. Okay, so he doesn't exactly have the best example of humanity from his family!! But seriously, the way he treats people, such as Violet's family is despicable and unacceptable to me.
Violet McQueen - is this woman "doff" (meaning stupid!!). She flies off into the horizon with a man she barely knows - only that he's the son of a drug cartel leader and despite us being told that she's innocent and introvert, she quickly becomes a sex fiend!!! Never mind that....she let's Vincente use her fone to film her giving him a blowjob in the shower!!!
Has this girl not heard about what can happen on social media and sex tapes??? Is she naive or what!!! And all her angst towards her parents!! Please!!!Never did these two redeem themselves in my eyes!!!
Pulling my Hair out Moments: I lost count of how many times Vincente used the word Mirlo...Mirlo.........Mirlo...
OMG...Please stop...enough of Blackbird!!!
Chemistry/Romance: Where was the love and romance in this story? Did I miss it??? Was it there but it was just me that didn't see it??? And chemistry!!! Well, if you call sex, sex, sex and more sex, chemistry...then Vincente and Violet had lots of that!!! Love....really!!!!
Secondary Characters: There were more pages "dedicated" the secondary characters than to the main two. Did we have to through the parents of both of their past history!!! And Muerta....hell, I couldn't figure out where this characters fit!!
To be honest, the only characters I liked in this book were Ellie and Camden!!
And lastly about the characters...just when I began liking Javier Bernal ...what happens here......I totally hated him!!! How could the author do this to me!!!!
The Plot: Rambled along with no direction. I struggled to keep up!!! It just dragged on and on and on!!
Epilogue: What was that!!! So now, off the two lovers go into the sunset...but hey, wait, what happens next!!! Is that it!! Oh, I see, the author is probably going to "dish" out the next Trilogy of this series with one of the characters from this book!!! Let's guess...Muerta!!! Please change the name if you do Ms Halle!~!!!
Conclusion: I still love Karina Halle's writing. And I still loved most of the books in this Series. Am I going to read any future spin-off of the series???
No, don't' think so...but hey, one never knows!!!!
Let me end by saying: don't let me stop you from reading this Duet. You may like it. It's that for me...........didn't do it at all!!
April 12, 2017
~3.5 Dirty Stars~
Dirty Souls is the final book in the Sins Duet. You must read the first book in the duet Black Hearts before diving into Dirty Souls.
Overall, I will never stop reading Ms. Halle's work. She is an exceptional storyteller who creates the most beautifully broken complex characters that will stay with you forever.
***Sins Duet***
*This was a BR with my blog sistas CC and Loyda!
*ARC graciously provided in exchange for an honest review!
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
"We're going to be okay."
Dirty Souls is the final book in the Sins Duet. You must read the first book in the duet Black Hearts before diving into Dirty Souls.
"Good people do bad things."Dirty Souls picks up directly after Black Hearts. Violet McQueen and Vicente Bernal have discovered a wild and crazy love, and as their passion ignited in Black Hearts, it continues to burn like an inferno in this installment. Violet's parents are not who they appeared to be, and as Violet discovers the truth about her family and their past, only more questions continue to present themselves. As Vicente balances his feelings for Violet and his loyalty to his family, doubt begins to creep in and challenge his belief system to his core. Javier (Vicente's father) wants nothing more than for his son to be strong enough to take over the family and he will do anything to break him into submission. With both Vicente and Violet's parents desperate to manipulate and pull the star-crossed lovers apart, it will take everything they have to survive!
"This is about our survival."
"Do you know what you're capable of?"Told in multiple POV, Dirty Souls was not at all what I expected. Although I thoroughly enjoy the writing style of Ms. Halle, and the plot was action packed, gritty and smoking hot, I just could not connect with the characters. I was hopeful for Vicente and Violet to find happiness together and yet, I found myself distracted by the presence of the McQueens and the Bernals. As I am such a huge fan of The Artists Trilogy, I struggled with the way Javier, Luisa, Camden, and Ellie were acting. When you become so attached to a group of characters, it's hard to see them transform and act in a way that you would not expect them to act. Obviously, the characters have a life of their own, and I am happy that they are living on, but for me, I will happily imagine things turning out a different way. I suppose I am in the minority here and I found great difficulty in verbalizing my feelings about this read because I do care so much! Bottom line, if you haven't read The Artists Trilogy, then you will probably enjoy this duet. The writing style is flawless with plenty of action, intrigue, and romance to keep you on the edge of your seat the entire read. However, be forewarned if you are a fan of the McQueens or the Bernals from the younger years you might walk away disappointed and maybe even a little sad.
Overall, I will never stop reading Ms. Halle's work. She is an exceptional storyteller who creates the most beautifully broken complex characters that will stay with you forever.
***Sins Duet***
*This was a BR with my blog sistas CC and Loyda!
*ARC graciously provided in exchange for an honest review!
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
March 24, 2017
5 “cray cray” stars!
“When I look back at my reflection, I hardly recognize the girl staring back at me. She’s not a girl at all. She’s a woman. A wild one.”
^^^crazy in an epically good way
***First off, Dirty Souls is a continuation to Black Hearts so you must read that book first!!!! Otherwise you can read this duet on its own without reading anything before it!!***
I’m not usually a fan of dark romance, but Karina Halle has me hooked!
Dirty Souls picks up right where Black Hearts left off (so if you haven’t read Black Hearts yet stop reading this review now and go and read it). Violet and Vicente met and fell for each in the first book, and in the second hidden truths about them, and the sins of their parents come to light in Dirty Souls.
Now Vicente and Violet are caught up in a whirlwind of dangerous and insane events, and neither one of them knows if they will make it out alive.
“Your parents kept all of this a secret because they were trying to protect you.”
There’s a reason Karina Halle is one of my favorite authors, you know the special ones where you’ll read anything they write no matter what genre? It’s because she always delivers a book I can sink my teeth into, one where I fall into the story seamlessly and never have trouble getting into. I mentioned above I don’t usually like dark romance, but Halle writes it so it’s fucked up crazy and yet I don’t feel sick to my stomach or repulsed by what I am reading. I want more. Her dark romances seem to lack rules and makes her free with the plot.
Violet is such an interesting character, because she’s hard and soft at the same time. She feels things deeply, more deeply than others, and yet she can still pull herself together and do what needs to be done.
Vicente is more arrogant and intrepid than I usually like in my heroes, but strangely it just works in this book. His confidence is the perfect counterpoint for Violet and it gives her strength when she feels weak.
Even though I never finished or read some of the books attached to this (again these can be read as a standalone, I did it myself), I felt as if this book really came full circle. With the parts about the parents you can tell that what passed meant closure in their lives. And while this book completes the duet, there’s a part of me that wants to read more of this world, more about this couple and their love.
At its heart, Dirty Souls is a story of family and the journey one takes to find out who they are, who they will become.
“Vicente and I are the only things to exist. Two broken and brave people sitting on the throne of the world.”
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
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“When I look back at my reflection, I hardly recognize the girl staring back at me. She’s not a girl at all. She’s a woman. A wild one.”
^^^crazy in an epically good way
***First off, Dirty Souls is a continuation to Black Hearts so you must read that book first!!!! Otherwise you can read this duet on its own without reading anything before it!!***
I’m not usually a fan of dark romance, but Karina Halle has me hooked!
Dirty Souls picks up right where Black Hearts left off (so if you haven’t read Black Hearts yet stop reading this review now and go and read it). Violet and Vicente met and fell for each in the first book, and in the second hidden truths about them, and the sins of their parents come to light in Dirty Souls.
Now Vicente and Violet are caught up in a whirlwind of dangerous and insane events, and neither one of them knows if they will make it out alive.
“Your parents kept all of this a secret because they were trying to protect you.”
There’s a reason Karina Halle is one of my favorite authors, you know the special ones where you’ll read anything they write no matter what genre? It’s because she always delivers a book I can sink my teeth into, one where I fall into the story seamlessly and never have trouble getting into. I mentioned above I don’t usually like dark romance, but Halle writes it so it’s fucked up crazy and yet I don’t feel sick to my stomach or repulsed by what I am reading. I want more. Her dark romances seem to lack rules and makes her free with the plot.
Violet is such an interesting character, because she’s hard and soft at the same time. She feels things deeply, more deeply than others, and yet she can still pull herself together and do what needs to be done.
Vicente is more arrogant and intrepid than I usually like in my heroes, but strangely it just works in this book. His confidence is the perfect counterpoint for Violet and it gives her strength when she feels weak.
Even though I never finished or read some of the books attached to this (again these can be read as a standalone, I did it myself), I felt as if this book really came full circle. With the parts about the parents you can tell that what passed meant closure in their lives. And while this book completes the duet, there’s a part of me that wants to read more of this world, more about this couple and their love.
At its heart, Dirty Souls is a story of family and the journey one takes to find out who they are, who they will become.
“Vicente and I are the only things to exist. Two broken and brave people sitting on the throne of the world.”
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
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March 20, 2017
DIRTY SOULS, the sequel and conclusion to BLACK HEARTS in the SIN'S DUET is finally here!! This starts right where Black Hearts finished off. This is not a standalone it is best to read in order.
BLACK SOULS: From New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle comes DIRTY SOULS the much-anticipated, nail-biting conclusion to Black Hearts…Black Souls is spoken in multiple POVs (Violet, Vincente, Javier, Ellie)
When the truth was finally revealed about Vincent in ‘Black Hearts’ Violet realised her intuition was spot on, his money doesn’t come from a successful avocado import/export company but rather he’s the son of a ruthless infamous man by the name of Javier Barnal.
Once upon a time, a sensitive young soul fell in love with a man she shouldn’t have. He was hard lines and knifes and dirty smoke rising from the ground.
Vincente Barnal, Violet’s forbidden fruit, the man she has been falling in love with is a drug lord, with a deadly game set in motion will these two get their happily ever after?
It just took one girl. One fucking girl. That I will do everything to protect.
Slowly piece by painstakingly piece Violet slowly puts all the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle together one piece at a time. All the lies and deadly secrets will finally be revealed.
My morals may be flawed. I may be able to kill some people without remorse. I may have problems in running drugs into America and around the world, drugs that ruin hundreds of thousands of lives. I may dip in and out of the grey area with ease. But I am not my father. 
Just when Vincente gets the courage to tell Violet everything about his past, the unthinkable happens.
Chased down, guns blazing, kidnapped, a fast and furious ride down the unforgiving roads of Mexico. Violet paying in blood for the sins of her mother, one man hell bent on vengeance.
How far will one mother go to save her child?
Black Souls takes us on a crazy high octane joyride through the stark deserts of California to the steamy jungles of Mexico, a deadly game of cat and mouse with sit on the edge of your seat action. Black Hearts was only the build up, Black Souls is a fast paced adrenaline junkies dream, this had me sitting on the edge of my seat biting my nails to the quick. My heart beating out of rhythm, my fingers working extra fast to move those pages as my eyes devoured every single sentence written in record speed. Once started I could not put this down.
I love her with my dark and dangerous heart. I love her with my wicked and dirty soul. I love her enough to raze the world around me to the very ground, just so we can be together. My review won't do this book the justice it deserves, this had everything I could've ever asked for, the dark, the grit, the nail biting scenes, the feels came at me full throttle, I loved this book and can not wait to see what this author brings us in the future.
March 21, 2017
4.5 STARS
Review @ Vanilla & Spice Books
Disclaimer: If you haven't read Black Hearts - STOP READING RIGHT NOW ;) This is not a standalone.
In this installment we pick up we left off in Black Hearts. Violet just learned who Vicente really is, they are headed towards her parents' past to find answers. She feels a little bit guilty about how she left things with her mother. Vicente's conscience battles with his selfishness to keep Violet in the dark about his role in the events that came to pass.
When faced with the reality of Camden's and Ellie's past transgressions things start to get really downhill. And yet, they haven't faced the biggest challenge yet: mastermind and father of one Vicente Bernal: Javier, druglord and total wackjob.
This was such a fun and wild ride. While the first 20% were focused on Vicente's and Violet's relationship what came after was one obstacle and showdown chasing the next for our hero and heroine.
We get a good view into the depth of Javier's character and his insane perception of love and let me tell you, this guy is sick. I have no idea how he can be a (anti-)hero but I definitely need to know now. He is the real villain and steels the show from our main characters in some scenes.
Sometimes Javier feels like a toddler who stomps his foot because he can't bend all people, and the McQueen family and his son in particular, to his will. Why else would he hold a grudge for 20+ years and can't let go of what Ellie did to him (after he cheated on her and apparently on Luisa as well). How can he think he can steel and harden his son by hurting what means the most to Vicente without turning him against him? He definitely left me speechless and sputtering. But there are also short glimpses of him that make me see that there are tiny specks of light on his black heart.
Vicente's and Violet's relationship develops fast but it's plausible with all the things they go through and the bond grows only stronger when faced with the menace that is his father. Their love burns hot and intense.
I was a bit surprised at how easy Violet let him get away for lying to her but I suppose the situation required it. Vicente is insanely protective of Violet, dangerous and manipulative and while he isn't as experienced at the game as his father he still one-ups him at some point.
We also see Violet grow into the strong woman she is supposed to be. She is the boss of her man and he lets her when the situation allows it.
We also get some chapters with Ellie's POV which serve to enhance the experience - I just bought The Sins & Needles trilogy so I'll definitely read why Javier has such a hard-on for revenge.
This installment is fast paced and action focused. You'll sit and hold your breath and just let it happen. I'd like to see the faces of people who read this. It must be quite a show of a multitude of facial expressions! Karina Halle isn't one of my favorite authors for nothing. This was certainly a worthy conclusion of an epic love story.
Review @ Vanilla & Spice Books
"I just need you to know that I love you with every inch of my black heart and dirty soul and I will do everything I can to keep you."
Disclaimer: If you haven't read Black Hearts - STOP READING RIGHT NOW ;) This is not a standalone.
In this installment we pick up we left off in Black Hearts. Violet just learned who Vicente really is, they are headed towards her parents' past to find answers. She feels a little bit guilty about how she left things with her mother. Vicente's conscience battles with his selfishness to keep Violet in the dark about his role in the events that came to pass.
When faced with the reality of Camden's and Ellie's past transgressions things start to get really downhill. And yet, they haven't faced the biggest challenge yet: mastermind and father of one Vicente Bernal: Javier, druglord and total wackjob.
This was such a fun and wild ride. While the first 20% were focused on Vicente's and Violet's relationship what came after was one obstacle and showdown chasing the next for our hero and heroine.
We get a good view into the depth of Javier's character and his insane perception of love and let me tell you, this guy is sick. I have no idea how he can be a (anti-)hero but I definitely need to know now. He is the real villain and steels the show from our main characters in some scenes.
Sometimes Javier feels like a toddler who stomps his foot because he can't bend all people, and the McQueen family and his son in particular, to his will. Why else would he hold a grudge for 20+ years and can't let go of what Ellie did to him (after he cheated on her and apparently on Luisa as well). How can he think he can steel and harden his son by hurting what means the most to Vicente without turning him against him? He definitely left me speechless and sputtering. But there are also short glimpses of him that make me see that there are tiny specks of light on his black heart.
Vicente's and Violet's relationship develops fast but it's plausible with all the things they go through and the bond grows only stronger when faced with the menace that is his father. Their love burns hot and intense.
"Violet, you're under my skin. You're in my bones. You're in the sun, the moon, the light in my dark."
I was a bit surprised at how easy Violet let him get away for lying to her but I suppose the situation required it. Vicente is insanely protective of Violet, dangerous and manipulative and while he isn't as experienced at the game as his father he still one-ups him at some point.
We also see Violet grow into the strong woman she is supposed to be. She is the boss of her man and he lets her when the situation allows it.
We also get some chapters with Ellie's POV which serve to enhance the experience - I just bought The Sins & Needles trilogy so I'll definitely read why Javier has such a hard-on for revenge.
This installment is fast paced and action focused. You'll sit and hold your breath and just let it happen. I'd like to see the faces of people who read this. It must be quite a show of a multitude of facial expressions! Karina Halle isn't one of my favorite authors for nothing. This was certainly a worthy conclusion of an epic love story.
March 20, 2017
★★★★ 4.5 Stars ★★★★
Dirty Souls is the continuation of Vicente and Violet's forbidden love affair, and HOLY SHIT, what a ride!!
The first 40% or so was great, we got to join them on their journey to Palm Valley to escape their parents, Violet is still trying to come to terms with the secrets that have been kept from her all her life, and Vicente has no choice but to help the woman he has fallen madly in love with to find some answers about her past.
However, there is danger abound and although Vicente has vowed to protect Violet from anything and anyone, he clearly underestimated his father - Javier Bernal wants revenge and he is a man on a mission.
My heart was beating out of my chest for the second half of this book! So many OMG moments that had my jaw dropping, I was so excited to read on and find out what in holy hell was going to happen next. Just when I thought Halle had taken us to the extreme, there was another twist that I did not see coming.
Truly, this book was such a fantastic conclusion - my adrenaline was off the charts!
Top rec for lovers of dark and sexy reads.
Dirty Souls is a romantic suspense, and the second of a duet, told from dual POV. Black Hearts is part 1
ARC gratefully received
Images featured in this review were created by me using stock images either purchased from deposit photo or from free stock sites.
Dirty Souls is the continuation of Vicente and Violet's forbidden love affair, and HOLY SHIT, what a ride!!
The first 40% or so was great, we got to join them on their journey to Palm Valley to escape their parents, Violet is still trying to come to terms with the secrets that have been kept from her all her life, and Vicente has no choice but to help the woman he has fallen madly in love with to find some answers about her past.
"For this beautiful slice in time, Vicente and I are the only things to exist.
Two broken and brave people sitting on the throne of the world."
However, there is danger abound and although Vicente has vowed to protect Violet from anything and anyone, he clearly underestimated his father - Javier Bernal wants revenge and he is a man on a mission.
My heart was beating out of my chest for the second half of this book! So many OMG moments that had my jaw dropping, I was so excited to read on and find out what in holy hell was going to happen next. Just when I thought Halle had taken us to the extreme, there was another twist that I did not see coming.
Truly, this book was such a fantastic conclusion - my adrenaline was off the charts!
Top rec for lovers of dark and sexy reads.
Dirty Souls is a romantic suspense, and the second of a duet, told from dual POV. Black Hearts is part 1
ARC gratefully received
Images featured in this review were created by me using stock images either purchased from deposit photo or from free stock sites.
April 7, 2017
I had a hard time rating this one. Part of me was so mad through out this story, that at times I wondered if I wanted to finish it...of course...I HAD to finish though!!! Then I decided it at least deserves four stars because the author got me to FEEL...and feel very passionate about what was happening during the story, that it didn't deserve to be knocked down in the rating because of my opinions!!! I know this is sounding clear as mud...but I can't tell you anything that has happened...I don't want to spoil anything. What I will say, is this one is dark. Actually, the Sins Duet is definitely dark, and it follows the same families in Karina Halle's other series.
Now that I'm finished, I really don't know what to say!! I did enjoy Violet and Vicente's story of falling in love...although; like his father..Vicente did some things to Violet's family that ticked me off. I did end up forgiving him though...however...what Javier did....I won't ever EVER forgive that. I think he should be slaughtered for what he did. Quite frankly, I'm disappointed that there wasn't at least a shred of good to be found in Javier..I was satisfied with how we had left Javier in his series...but now...after Vicente's series...I feel Javier is totally ruined for me. I don't find an ounce of like for that guy. He went way over board, and for that I blame the author!!! LOL
Anyway, as you have probably noticed, I am feeling very strongly for events that have happened in this..and quite frankly I know I'm not making any sense! My head is all over the place about this particular story. I will say, that if you are familiar with the Bernal Family, and the McQueen family; then you must read this..as it is about the children now...and I have a weakness for stories that continue on with the generations. You can still read this duet if you haven't read the others; but I think it just adds to the enjoyment more if you have all of the history.
Even with all of my hate, I will await more stories...I love Karina Halle's writing, and I am dying to have a book about Violet's brother, Ben!!! Hey, the guy supposedly takes after his stud of a dad; Camden McQueen!!! What is not to love?! So, I sit here and wait!!!
Now that I'm finished, I really don't know what to say!! I did enjoy Violet and Vicente's story of falling in love...although; like his father..Vicente did some things to Violet's family that ticked me off. I did end up forgiving him though...however...what Javier did....I won't ever EVER forgive that. I think he should be slaughtered for what he did. Quite frankly, I'm disappointed that there wasn't at least a shred of good to be found in Javier..I was satisfied with how we had left Javier in his series...but now...after Vicente's series...I feel Javier is totally ruined for me. I don't find an ounce of like for that guy. He went way over board, and for that I blame the author!!! LOL
Anyway, as you have probably noticed, I am feeling very strongly for events that have happened in this..and quite frankly I know I'm not making any sense! My head is all over the place about this particular story. I will say, that if you are familiar with the Bernal Family, and the McQueen family; then you must read this..as it is about the children now...and I have a weakness for stories that continue on with the generations. You can still read this duet if you haven't read the others; but I think it just adds to the enjoyment more if you have all of the history.
Even with all of my hate, I will await more stories...I love Karina Halle's writing, and I am dying to have a book about Violet's brother, Ben!!! Hey, the guy supposedly takes after his stud of a dad; Camden McQueen!!! What is not to love?! So, I sit here and wait!!!
March 20, 2017
5 Brilliant Stars ❤❤❤❤❤
"You do crazy things for love,don't you?"
I'm speechless,what a wild ride!Karina Halle delivers a dark,hot, epic love story, packed with action and suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat!!I had so many feeling while I was reading it!Most of the time I was anxious for what will happen next!!
"I'm a terribly possessive man over you."
"I once thought she was my weapon,now I realize she's everything to me."
Vicente and Violet were amazing.I fell even more in love with both of them!They are intense,passionate and hot!Their love is so strong!I couldn't believe I would say this but in this one Javier was crazy!!!OMG he was insane!!!!
If you've never read a book by Karina and you love dark books I would say this series are perfect!!!Karina is the dark queen!!And this was another brilliant story!!!
"Violet,you're under my skin.You're in my bones.You're in the sun,the moon,the light in my dark."
"You do crazy things for love,don't you?"
I'm speechless,what a wild ride!Karina Halle delivers a dark,hot, epic love story, packed with action and suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat!!I had so many feeling while I was reading it!Most of the time I was anxious for what will happen next!!
"I'm a terribly possessive man over you."
"I once thought she was my weapon,now I realize she's everything to me."
Vicente and Violet were amazing.I fell even more in love with both of them!They are intense,passionate and hot!Their love is so strong!I couldn't believe I would say this but in this one Javier was crazy!!!OMG he was insane!!!!
If you've never read a book by Karina and you love dark books I would say this series are perfect!!!Karina is the dark queen!!And this was another brilliant story!!!
"Violet,you're under my skin.You're in my bones.You're in the sun,the moon,the light in my dark."
March 25, 2017
FOUR POINT FIVE STARS
Dirty Souls is the continuation of Black Hearts so if you plan to read this duet you might get tipped off in this review on where the story leads readers too.
“She’s our daughter! She’s with his son. How the fuck is any of this going to be okay?”
Let's do a little catch up from the previous book. The son of Javier, Vicente, and the daughter of his former lover (Ellie), Violet are in love and looking towards their future together. Javier, on the other hand, wants revenge on Ellie and is willing to kill two birds with one stone. He's going to break his son in order to toughen him up and he's going to crush Ellie to get back at her for past debts. Javier's whole diabolical plan revolves around Violet. She's going to be the stone that accomplishes the two things. By him hurting Violet he's essentially hurting both Vicente and Ellie.
Dirty Souls is the heart-racing conclusion to Vicente & Violet's love story. The lie, cheat, steal premise leads to high-speed chases, shootouts, and attempted kidnapping. Among other things that will have you on the edge of your seat.
DIRTY SOULS is the second book in the duet series set in California & Mexico. This duet series can be read as a standalone series. If you want to find out about the parents of Violet & Vicente you can read their series: Artists Trilogy and Dirty Angels. Black Hearts and Dirty Souls are set 20 years in the future and our the children of the characters from Artists Trilogy and Dirty Angels.
edit made by the author
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦
RELEASE DATE: March 19, 2017
Pre-order | order: http://amzn.to/2nSUAXY
**Complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.**
Follow Foxy Blogs at: Blog ♥ Twitter ♥ Instagram ♥ Facebook
Dirty Souls is the continuation of Black Hearts so if you plan to read this duet you might get tipped off in this review on where the story leads readers too.
“She’s our daughter! She’s with his son. How the fuck is any of this going to be okay?”
Let's do a little catch up from the previous book. The son of Javier, Vicente, and the daughter of his former lover (Ellie), Violet are in love and looking towards their future together. Javier, on the other hand, wants revenge on Ellie and is willing to kill two birds with one stone. He's going to break his son in order to toughen him up and he's going to crush Ellie to get back at her for past debts. Javier's whole diabolical plan revolves around Violet. She's going to be the stone that accomplishes the two things. By him hurting Violet he's essentially hurting both Vicente and Ellie.
Dirty Souls is the heart-racing conclusion to Vicente & Violet's love story. The lie, cheat, steal premise leads to high-speed chases, shootouts, and attempted kidnapping. Among other things that will have you on the edge of your seat.
DIRTY SOULS is the second book in the duet series set in California & Mexico. This duet series can be read as a standalone series. If you want to find out about the parents of Violet & Vicente you can read their series: Artists Trilogy and Dirty Angels. Black Hearts and Dirty Souls are set 20 years in the future and our the children of the characters from Artists Trilogy and Dirty Angels.
edit made by the author
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦
RELEASE DATE: March 19, 2017
Pre-order | order: http://amzn.to/2nSUAXY
**Complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.**
Follow Foxy Blogs at: Blog ♥ Twitter ♥ Instagram ♥ Facebook
March 24, 2017
*4 / 4.5 Stars*
OH HOW I LOVED THIS BOOK!
It's been a while I've read a dark read that I didn't totally hate. But I ate this story up. There was never a dull moment, was action packed, and I am in love with Violet and Vincente's love. In all honesty, I wasn't quite sure I believed it in book 1, but Karina totally sold me in this second installment.
I am so happy we got some more background information on their parents as well. For someone like me who hasn't read the Sins & Needles and Dirty Angels series, the information on the past helped put some of the puzzle pieces together.
I don't really want to go into plot details, but there was SO much action. I'm talking murder and kidnappings and shootings and if that makes me crazy, so be it, but I love stories like this. ESPECIALLY stories where the action and drama isn't compromised because everything turns out to be so convenient. Not this book!
The ONLY reason I am not giving this 5 stars is because the very last part of this and epilogue were a tad rushed.
Overall this book kept me hooked from page 1. And it's been quite a while since a book has managed to do that. I most definitely recommend this duet for lovers of darker stories!
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"This isn't just young love. This is mad love. The kind that's incurable."
"Once upon a time, a sensitive young soul fell in love with a man she shouldn’t have. Where she was soft edges and feathers and dappled light through green leaves, he was hard lines and knives and dirty smoke rising from the ground."
OH HOW I LOVED THIS BOOK!
It's been a while I've read a dark read that I didn't totally hate. But I ate this story up. There was never a dull moment, was action packed, and I am in love with Violet and Vincente's love. In all honesty, I wasn't quite sure I believed it in book 1, but Karina totally sold me in this second installment.
"I love you to the point of danger. Danger because where you go, I will go. Because I will do everything and anything to keep you with me. This isn’t the end of us. There will never be an end of us. Ever.”
"I love her. Period. Full stop. I love her with my dark and dangerous heart. I love her with my wicked and dirty soul. I love her enough to raze the world around me to the very ground, just so we can be together."
I am so happy we got some more background information on their parents as well. For someone like me who hasn't read the Sins & Needles and Dirty Angels series, the information on the past helped put some of the puzzle pieces together.
I don't really want to go into plot details, but there was SO much action. I'm talking murder and kidnappings and shootings and if that makes me crazy, so be it, but I love stories like this. ESPECIALLY stories where the action and drama isn't compromised because everything turns out to be so convenient. Not this book!
The ONLY reason I am not giving this 5 stars is because the very last part of this and epilogue were a tad rushed.
"I can’t stop loving him now that I’ve started. My heart doesn’t know any other way and it no longer belongs to me. It’s in his hands. Hands that maim and kill but hands I know will fight to keep me."
Overall this book kept me hooked from page 1. And it's been quite a while since a book has managed to do that. I most definitely recommend this duet for lovers of darker stories!
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March 25, 2017
"I love you, my mirlo. I love you to the point of danger. Danger because where you go, I will go. Because I will do everything and anything to keep you with me. This isn’t the end of us. There will never be an end of us. Ever."
Vicente Bernal, you rocked my world! <3
Vicente Bernal, you rocked my world! <3
March 23, 2017
2.75-3 stars
I'm in a minority here so please don't throw rotten tomatoes at me. I really wanted to love this duology, in fact i was so excited to read it because i looove the artist trilogy and dirty angels trilogy but, it turned out to be a disappointment for me.
I was not invested with the main h/h at all because the story was too focus on the parents. I do not care about violet and vicente because I am too busy lamenting over the fact that my idea of the original four's happy lives was wrong. It ruined the HEA of the previous books which makes me really sad. It also ruined the development of some characters especially javier bernal. What was the sense of it all?? It made me hate him because I can't reconcile the fact that luisa is his life but now he is acting like a lunatic over something in the past and destroyed the closure that the reader's had before! He acted like luisa was not enough for him to happy and she was miserable. It cheapens what they had. She deserves better!! Ugh I'm so mad! I'm sorry but this is one of my biggest pet peeves. I hate it when authors add more in a series that already ended and ruin it in the process.
I'm in a minority here so please don't throw rotten tomatoes at me. I really wanted to love this duology, in fact i was so excited to read it because i looove the artist trilogy and dirty angels trilogy but, it turned out to be a disappointment for me.
I was not invested with the main h/h at all because the story was too focus on the parents. I do not care about violet and vicente because I am too busy lamenting over the fact that my idea of the original four's happy lives was wrong. It ruined the HEA of the previous books which makes me really sad. It also ruined the development of some characters especially javier bernal. What was the sense of it all?? It made me hate him because I can't reconcile the fact that luisa is his life but now he is acting like a lunatic over something in the past and destroyed the closure that the reader's had before! He acted like luisa was not enough for him to happy and she was miserable. It cheapens what they had. She deserves better!! Ugh I'm so mad! I'm sorry but this is one of my biggest pet peeves. I hate it when authors add more in a series that already ended and ruin it in the process.
March 24, 2017
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Type: Book 2 of 2 from Sins Duet
POV: Shifting – Multiple
Rating:
Vicente Bernal thought he had it all figured out when he set out on a quest to find out about his father's past. He had never expected for his priority to changed dramatically and led him to a more dangerous path.
Violet McQueen's life was thrown into disarray when she decided to follow her heart without totally comprehending what she signed up for. Slowly but surely, she accepted the darkness seeping into her veins, but it might ended up costing more than what she's willing to pay.
Prior to starting this series, I knew the story would end up with a dilemma between the families. And that's exactly what made this book pulled out various emotions in me.
Compared to book 1 which seems more mellow, book 2 was fast pace and action packed, which I prefer in my reading. There was always something happening that tested the characters' loyalty and morality and it was both exciting and nerve wrecking to see which direction they would go.
However, I felt like Vicente and Violet's story was forced to take a step back when their infamous parents came into the picture. As much as I love the rivalry between the Bernals and the McQueens, the original characters definitely overshadowed the new generation.
Fortunately there was a new character that stole my heart from the beginning. I felt he gave some balance in the dynamics between the generations.
Dirty Souls is a sexy and explosive conclusion to the Sins duet. This series would appeal to fans of romantic suspense and loyal fans of the author's original series, The Artists Trilogy and Dirty Angels Trilogy.
Note 1:
I will always be unapologetically #TeamBernal
Note 2:
This series can be read without prior knowledge of the original series. However, readers might not fully appreciate the dynamics between the families without fully understating their history. Also if you plan to read the originals, do that first because there will be spoilers.
Books in the series:
**Special thanks to my Javigina Twinsie CC for the surrogate (F)BR and for understanding this undying passion for our King lol!
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Type: Book 2 of 2 from Sins Duet
POV: Shifting – Multiple
Rating:
Vicente Bernal thought he had it all figured out when he set out on a quest to find out about his father's past. He had never expected for his priority to changed dramatically and led him to a more dangerous path.
Violet McQueen's life was thrown into disarray when she decided to follow her heart without totally comprehending what she signed up for. Slowly but surely, she accepted the darkness seeping into her veins, but it might ended up costing more than what she's willing to pay.
Prior to starting this series, I knew the story would end up with a dilemma between the families. And that's exactly what made this book pulled out various emotions in me.
I’m starting to realize that inside me there is a dark version of myself, one brought to life by Vicente’s confidence and wickedness.
Compared to book 1 which seems more mellow, book 2 was fast pace and action packed, which I prefer in my reading. There was always something happening that tested the characters' loyalty and morality and it was both exciting and nerve wrecking to see which direction they would go.
“You won’t break me. You won’t break her. But you will break this family in half. And that’s something that will never recover.”
However, I felt like Vicente and Violet's story was forced to take a step back when their infamous parents came into the picture. As much as I love the rivalry between the Bernals and the McQueens, the original characters definitely overshadowed the new generation.
“Don’t take it personally,” he says to me, his words throbbing with the torrential pain, just before I lose consciousness. “It’s just business.”
Fortunately there was a new character that stole my heart from the beginning. I felt he gave some balance in the dynamics between the generations.
Dirty Souls is a sexy and explosive conclusion to the Sins duet. This series would appeal to fans of romantic suspense and loyal fans of the author's original series, The Artists Trilogy and Dirty Angels Trilogy.
Note 1:
I will always be unapologetically #TeamBernal
Note 2:
This series can be read without prior knowledge of the original series. However, readers might not fully appreciate the dynamics between the families without fully understating their history. Also if you plan to read the originals, do that first because there will be spoilers.
Books in the series:
**Special thanks to my Javigina Twinsie CC for the surrogate (F)BR and for understanding this undying passion for our King lol!
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
March 24, 2017
5 Stars!
Violet McQueen realizes her life is full of secrets and lies. Her parents have kept a lot of their past from her growing up. She needs a break from her family, so she leaves San Francisco, & runs off with her boyfriend Vicente Bernal to her parents hometown of Palm Valley, California. She hopes they can uncover some answers. She feels safe with Vicente. Even though she now knows he's the son of a drug lord, he's still the only person she trusts right now. She's falling for Vicente & just wants to be with him.
Vicente is struggling to do the right thing & be the man Violet deserves. He embraces who he is, but still wants to better himself. He doesn't want to put Violet in danger, but can't imagine being separated from her. He's crazy addicted to her & will do anything to keep her safe. He has vowed to always protect her & will keep his promises, or die trying.
Soon Vicente & Violet find themselves in Sinaloa, Mexico at the mercy of Vicente's father Javier. Javier truly believes it's his job as a father to toughen up his son. You must break the boy to create the man. Vicente was raised & groomed to one day be a king. Javier wants to break him to make him a stronger future leader of the cartel. In order to do this he has to understand loss & sacrifice. Vicente's heart is too soft. Javier needs to harden him, because only the strong & ruthless survive in their world.
Javier soon learns he's underestimated his son & what he's capable of. When it comes to Violet, Vicente's heart is calling the shots. He's fallen deeply in love with her, & will do anything to save her. He was taught in his world love gets you killed and makes you weak, but for Vicente, love only makes him stronger. As Vicente realizes he's not even a son to his parents, but just a pawn in their game with the McQueen's he is out for blood.
Violet has become a part of Vicente's world and really learned what she's made of. She's brave, fearless and a fighter. She learns she's capable of bringing out her dark side from within. She's reckless, wild, & when needed she is totally badass & fierce, and lives up to the McQueen name.
I absolutely adored this book! I fell hard for Vicente. The way he loves Violet is beautiful. This was a story of forbidden love. Love's that's put to the test by feuding families where they are made to chose between blood & love. There is tons of action & I was on the edge of my seat throughout. There isn't anything Vicente wouldn't do to be with Violet. God help anyone who tries to stand in the way of Vicente & his Mirlo. I really hope we get a book for Ben McQueen & Marisol Bernal next! :))
-It just took one girl. One fucking girl. That I will do everything to protect.
-I've fallen in love with her. I once thought she was my weapon, now I realize she's everything to me.
-"Violet's part of my family now. And I promise to ruin each and every man who dares to touch a hair on her head."
-I feel the strength of him, his intuition, his protection. He's an anchor to me, the only thing right now that makes any sense at all in this new world.
-I love her with my dark and dangerous heart. I love her with my wicked and dirty soul. I love her enough to raze the world around me to the very ground, just so we can be together.
-"You know that love doesn't make you weak, no matter what he says. You know that love only makes you stronger in the end."
Violet McQueen realizes her life is full of secrets and lies. Her parents have kept a lot of their past from her growing up. She needs a break from her family, so she leaves San Francisco, & runs off with her boyfriend Vicente Bernal to her parents hometown of Palm Valley, California. She hopes they can uncover some answers. She feels safe with Vicente. Even though she now knows he's the son of a drug lord, he's still the only person she trusts right now. She's falling for Vicente & just wants to be with him.
Vicente is struggling to do the right thing & be the man Violet deserves. He embraces who he is, but still wants to better himself. He doesn't want to put Violet in danger, but can't imagine being separated from her. He's crazy addicted to her & will do anything to keep her safe. He has vowed to always protect her & will keep his promises, or die trying.
Soon Vicente & Violet find themselves in Sinaloa, Mexico at the mercy of Vicente's father Javier. Javier truly believes it's his job as a father to toughen up his son. You must break the boy to create the man. Vicente was raised & groomed to one day be a king. Javier wants to break him to make him a stronger future leader of the cartel. In order to do this he has to understand loss & sacrifice. Vicente's heart is too soft. Javier needs to harden him, because only the strong & ruthless survive in their world.
Javier soon learns he's underestimated his son & what he's capable of. When it comes to Violet, Vicente's heart is calling the shots. He's fallen deeply in love with her, & will do anything to save her. He was taught in his world love gets you killed and makes you weak, but for Vicente, love only makes him stronger. As Vicente realizes he's not even a son to his parents, but just a pawn in their game with the McQueen's he is out for blood.
Violet has become a part of Vicente's world and really learned what she's made of. She's brave, fearless and a fighter. She learns she's capable of bringing out her dark side from within. She's reckless, wild, & when needed she is totally badass & fierce, and lives up to the McQueen name.
I absolutely adored this book! I fell hard for Vicente. The way he loves Violet is beautiful. This was a story of forbidden love. Love's that's put to the test by feuding families where they are made to chose between blood & love. There is tons of action & I was on the edge of my seat throughout. There isn't anything Vicente wouldn't do to be with Violet. God help anyone who tries to stand in the way of Vicente & his Mirlo. I really hope we get a book for Ben McQueen & Marisol Bernal next! :))
-It just took one girl. One fucking girl. That I will do everything to protect.
-I've fallen in love with her. I once thought she was my weapon, now I realize she's everything to me.
-"Violet's part of my family now. And I promise to ruin each and every man who dares to touch a hair on her head."
-I feel the strength of him, his intuition, his protection. He's an anchor to me, the only thing right now that makes any sense at all in this new world.
-I love her with my dark and dangerous heart. I love her with my wicked and dirty soul. I love her enough to raze the world around me to the very ground, just so we can be together.
-"You know that love doesn't make you weak, no matter what he says. You know that love only makes you stronger in the end."
March 23, 2017
In Dirty Souls, the timeline continues without interruption and it is a wild ride from the first page. As Vicente Bernal and Violet McQueen flee to get answers about the past, there are factions that have different motivations and they will stop at nothing to achieve their end game. During their journey, the truth slowly unfolds but lines remain blurred until the very end.
“I have changed too much. I wonder if this is something I’ll ever be able to wash from my skin.”
With Vicente and Violet pushed to their limits, they learn more about themselves. Violet realizes she has a dark version of herself and knowing Vicente is there to shoulder her softer side keeps her from spinning out of control. Vicente is up against much more than he anticipated and Violet gives him the strength to forge ahead. As such, both characters showed dimensionality and their arcs sustained their development.
“Good people do bad things.”
With all the plot points coming together into an action packed and giant crescendo, these characters are driven to extremes. In addition to Violet and Vicente’s plight, the larger story between the Bernals and the McQueens comes to a head. And, this is where I loved all the dark parts and yet felt conflicted for certain characters regarding the motivation behind the overall plot. For those who are familiar with the backstory (The Artist’s Trilogy and Dirty Angels series), it’s one that evokes much emotion and defines alliances. Since then my team choice hasn’t changed or wavered. So, to be reunited with Javier, Luisa and Ellie, it was a heady combination that put Violet and Vicente in the background for me.
Karina Halle is such a natural storyteller and she pushes boundaries that are intended to make readers question the morality of her characters.
Dirty Souls will take a reader into some depravity but also has themes of love, sacrifice and vengeance. This series will appeal to those who like suspense with shadowy darkness and manipulation.
Sins Duet:
*An ARC was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*
*This was a (F)BR with Crazies Liz and Loyda!
And with my Javigina Twinsie in spirit!
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
April 10, 2017
Dirty Souls is the second installment in Karina Halle's dark romance duology: Sins Duet. The first installment: Black Hearts ended on a "to be continued" and this one picks up right where the first one leaves off. This continuation is definitely deserving of its own book though...Ms. Halle wasn't just out to make a few extra bucks by splitting up the story. Dirty Souls takes the main characters from the setting of Violet's sheltered life in San Francisco and throws them head first into Javier's clutches in Mexico. Our complicated Javier has become quite the villain/madman but a few moments of young Javi shine through now and then which was nice to see.
While Black Hearts primarily develops the romance between these characters, Dirty Souls is chock-full of action and suspense, and is darker than Black Hearts in my opinion due to the extreme events that take place. The next generation of Bernal's and McQueen's are forced to grow by leaps and bounds in this second installment and they are no longer the son and daughter but the man and woman they were destined to become. This duet was such a treat and is a must read for fans of Ms. Halle's The Artists Trilogy as Javier and Ellie have quite the reunion. I'll just let you use your imagination whether that's a good or bad thing...
Thank you so much Ms. Halle for sharing more of this world with us through Sins Duet. It was over all too soon unfortunately but it just prompts me to do a re-read from the very beginning, and that makes me very happy!
My favorite quote:
“Sometimes I think there’s a big black hole in the middle of everyone’s hearts. It’s something we’re born with. We go through our lives trying to find ways to fill it. But we never take a moment to stick our fingers in, to really examine the mess at our core. If we did, if we were brave enough, we would find out who we really are. What we’re really capable of. We would learn there are angels and devils inside each one of us, battling every fucking day. No one is exempt, though they like to pretend they are.”
Dirty Souls fits into Karina Halle's world of dark romance in the following order:
The Artists Trilogy (published 2013)
#0.5-On Every Street
#1-Sins & Needles
#2-Shooting Scars
#3-Bold Tricks
Dirty Angels Trilogy (Spin-off, published 2014-2015)
#1-Dirty Angels
#2-Dirty Deeds
#3-Dirty Promises
Sins Duet (Spin-off, published 2017)
#1-Black Hearts
#2-**Dirty Souls**
Note: In my opinion, this duology can be read apart from the other related series as Ms. Halle provides enough pertinent information to allow everything to make sense. But...if you haven't read Ms. Halle's other stuff, I strongly encourage you to fit them all in to your already overflowing TBR list. The Artists Trilogy prompted me to put Karina Halle on my automatic one-click list and Sins Duet just confirms she should stay there. Check it out!
While Black Hearts primarily develops the romance between these characters, Dirty Souls is chock-full of action and suspense, and is darker than Black Hearts in my opinion due to the extreme events that take place. The next generation of Bernal's and McQueen's are forced to grow by leaps and bounds in this second installment and they are no longer the son and daughter but the man and woman they were destined to become. This duet was such a treat and is a must read for fans of Ms. Halle's The Artists Trilogy as Javier and Ellie have quite the reunion. I'll just let you use your imagination whether that's a good or bad thing...
Thank you so much Ms. Halle for sharing more of this world with us through Sins Duet. It was over all too soon unfortunately but it just prompts me to do a re-read from the very beginning, and that makes me very happy!
My favorite quote:
“Sometimes I think there’s a big black hole in the middle of everyone’s hearts. It’s something we’re born with. We go through our lives trying to find ways to fill it. But we never take a moment to stick our fingers in, to really examine the mess at our core. If we did, if we were brave enough, we would find out who we really are. What we’re really capable of. We would learn there are angels and devils inside each one of us, battling every fucking day. No one is exempt, though they like to pretend they are.”
Dirty Souls fits into Karina Halle's world of dark romance in the following order:
The Artists Trilogy (published 2013)
#0.5-On Every Street
#1-Sins & Needles
#2-Shooting Scars
#3-Bold Tricks
Dirty Angels Trilogy (Spin-off, published 2014-2015)
#1-Dirty Angels
#2-Dirty Deeds
#3-Dirty Promises
Sins Duet (Spin-off, published 2017)
#1-Black Hearts
#2-**Dirty Souls**
Note: In my opinion, this duology can be read apart from the other related series as Ms. Halle provides enough pertinent information to allow everything to make sense. But...if you haven't read Ms. Halle's other stuff, I strongly encourage you to fit them all in to your already overflowing TBR list. The Artists Trilogy prompted me to put Karina Halle on my automatic one-click list and Sins Duet just confirms she should stay there. Check it out!
January 28, 2018
4.5Incompletas STARS
Este libro es como unos tacos al pastor sin limon, delicioso, pero sin ese toque que lo hiciera perfecto.Si ya se todas mis analogías son con comida
Yo pensé que este libro sería el cierre final de estas dos familias que tanto amamos odiar, y odiamos que las amamos.
Pensé que seria épico, pero el final fue muy apresurado, como que Karina al final se arrepintió del rumbo del libro y quiso dejarlo abierto para poder sacar más libros.
Para que tanta insistencia de Javier de controlar a Vicente, si igual tenia la posibilidad de poner como, líder a Marisol.
Para que tanta bronca de Vicente si al final iba a ser lo que quisiera.
Uff, un libro muy bueno, de mis favoritos de los últimos años de Karina, pero igual me quedo debiendo.
Tiene muchisimas cosas buenas.
En reencuentro entre Javier y Ellie, fue tremendo.
Sonreí cuando Javier no acepto su propuesta, de tener sexo a cambio de liberar a Violeta.
Javier en más maldad que personas, y por un momento creí que Javier aceptaría, pero entre toda su locura, muy en el fondo si ama a Luisa.
"I love her with my dark and dangerous heart. I love her with my wicked and dirty soul.”
Este libro es como unos tacos al pastor sin limon, delicioso, pero sin ese toque que lo hiciera perfecto.
Yo pensé que este libro sería el cierre final de estas dos familias que tanto amamos odiar, y odiamos que las amamos.
Pensé que seria épico, pero el final fue muy apresurado, como que Karina al final se arrepintió del rumbo del libro y quiso dejarlo abierto para poder sacar más libros.
Para que tanta insistencia de Javier de controlar a Vicente, si igual tenia la posibilidad de poner como, líder a Marisol.
Para que tanta bronca de Vicente si al final iba a ser lo que quisiera.
Uff, un libro muy bueno, de mis favoritos de los últimos años de Karina, pero igual me quedo debiendo.
Tiene muchisimas cosas buenas.
En reencuentro entre Javier y Ellie, fue tremendo.
Sonreí cuando Javier no acepto su propuesta, de tener sexo a cambio de liberar a Violeta.
Javier en más maldad que personas, y por un momento creí que Javier aceptaría, pero entre toda su locura, muy en el fondo si ama a Luisa.
March 20, 2017
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
"I love her with my dark and dangerous heart. I love her with my wicked and dirty soul."
Dirty Souls is the conclusion to Vicente and Violet's forbidden love story. I was really looking forward to this book because things were about to go down. I didn't know what to expect and was pretty much ready for anything to happen. In dark romances you have to be open-minded and understand why some characters are the way they are and do the things they do. As a huge fan of anti-heroes and villains this book was perfect for me. We see both Violet and Vicente growing as individuals, and we also see the darkness seep into their souls. To survive in the world they live in, they have to transform and have a thicker skin. The author did a really good job in doing that, I especially loved the growth Violet went through. In the first book, she came across as a bit immature, but she really went through a transformation in this book. She was really strong and stood up for herself, and I was really proud of her. The same goes for Vicente, he did things he never thought he would do. But that is the power of LOVE.
"I've never been so proud of anyone before. You are so incredibly brave, so strong, it does something to my heart. It gives it an extra reason to beat."
I really loved all the chapters told from Ellie and Javier POVs. I love those two characters so much and I just needed what happened to happen for closure. Things didn't go as I thought it would, but I was really satisfied with the ending. I do wish there was more growth for Vicente and Violet as a couple. That is something I missed in this book, in my opinion this book was too short for me to fully connect to them as a couple (I was connected 80%). I just needed an extra chapter or three to focus on them as a couple. Besides that I really enjoyed this Duet a lot. It was much darker than the first book and I loved it! It was amazing to reconnect with all the previous characters, especially Javier and Luisa because they are one of my all time favorite dark romance couples. Also the information about possible upcoming books in this world at the end gives me LIFE. I so need for all of them to get their own book.
"I love her with my dark and dangerous heart. I love her with my wicked and dirty soul."
Dirty Souls is the conclusion to Vicente and Violet's forbidden love story. I was really looking forward to this book because things were about to go down. I didn't know what to expect and was pretty much ready for anything to happen. In dark romances you have to be open-minded and understand why some characters are the way they are and do the things they do. As a huge fan of anti-heroes and villains this book was perfect for me. We see both Violet and Vicente growing as individuals, and we also see the darkness seep into their souls. To survive in the world they live in, they have to transform and have a thicker skin. The author did a really good job in doing that, I especially loved the growth Violet went through. In the first book, she came across as a bit immature, but she really went through a transformation in this book. She was really strong and stood up for herself, and I was really proud of her. The same goes for Vicente, he did things he never thought he would do. But that is the power of LOVE.
"I've never been so proud of anyone before. You are so incredibly brave, so strong, it does something to my heart. It gives it an extra reason to beat."
I really loved all the chapters told from Ellie and Javier POVs. I love those two characters so much and I just needed what happened to happen for closure. Things didn't go as I thought it would, but I was really satisfied with the ending. I do wish there was more growth for Vicente and Violet as a couple. That is something I missed in this book, in my opinion this book was too short for me to fully connect to them as a couple (I was connected 80%). I just needed an extra chapter or three to focus on them as a couple. Besides that I really enjoyed this Duet a lot. It was much darker than the first book and I loved it! It was amazing to reconnect with all the previous characters, especially Javier and Luisa because they are one of my all time favorite dark romance couples. Also the information about possible upcoming books in this world at the end gives me LIFE. I so need for all of them to get their own book.
March 27, 2017
The conclusion of Sins Duet is here and OMG it's pretty good!
After all that happened in the first part we all waited for the finale and how the hell is going to go. I send you back to my review of Black Hearts because I wrote quite a lot about the story and the characters there. And there is no way to go without this and spoilers are not my thing.
What I can tell you is that the second part doesn't disappoint, although it is much different. Much darker and as expected much more disturbing. Hard to say that I enjoyed it (you'll know what I want to say as you read this), but great development of the action definitely pulled me in.
Now I can say that I grew to like the characters and I'm happy that Karina Halle plans to write more independent parts, because many secrets can still be discovered and it will be definitely an exciting road.
I may repeat myself, but I envy those who have the time to read the previous books. Fortunately you can read this duo without reading them. And really it doesn't matter, because from which series you wouldn't start, the author hasn't failed me yet and I can safely recommend any of her books.
Definitely for mafia romance fans and not very sensitive to abuse.
***
ARC kindly provided for an honest review. Thank you!
“This is us. This is the edge of danger. This is a love that has changed everything for everyone.”
After all that happened in the first part we all waited for the finale and how the hell is going to go. I send you back to my review of Black Hearts because I wrote quite a lot about the story and the characters there. And there is no way to go without this and spoilers are not my thing.
What I can tell you is that the second part doesn't disappoint, although it is much different. Much darker and as expected much more disturbing. Hard to say that I enjoyed it (you'll know what I want to say as you read this), but great development of the action definitely pulled me in.
“She’s not just my soft Violet, she’s my mirlo, this gorgeous creature I need to claim, to take rough and hard and fast until I can’t remember my name.”
Now I can say that I grew to like the characters and I'm happy that Karina Halle plans to write more independent parts, because many secrets can still be discovered and it will be definitely an exciting road.
I may repeat myself, but I envy those who have the time to read the previous books. Fortunately you can read this duo without reading them. And really it doesn't matter, because from which series you wouldn't start, the author hasn't failed me yet and I can safely recommend any of her books.
Definitely for mafia romance fans and not very sensitive to abuse.
***
ARC kindly provided for an honest review. Thank you!
March 19, 2017
When we closed the book on Ellie Watt, Camden McQueen and Javier Bernal so long ago, we left old wounds to fester, old secrets to slither, old lies to lay in wait. And as with anything suppressed for so long, the eruption of the truth was sure to be explosive. Still, I had no idea what Karina Halle had in store in this duet. This duet is the release of that darkness, the boiling over of old deceit and heartbreak bringing forth a new kind of devastation. Dirty Souls is a lifetime of cons and crimes and lies coming back to haunt two couples by way of their children. And in the same vein of everything that came before it, this story is dark, haunting, intensely passionate, and terrifyingly unpredictable.
For Camden and Ellie McQueen, this is the story of their sins and lies coming home to roost. For Violet and Ben McQueen, this is the unearthing of a family history that's long been locked up tight, forcing them to question everything and everyone they thought they knew. For Vicente Bernal, this is a silent war between the intense love he feels for a woman, the loyalty he feels toward his family, and the desire for his own position of power. For Javier Bernal, this is merely a story of revenge.
Dirty Souls is an action packed, edge-of-your-seat, bullets flying, car chasing, cartel kidnapping, fists flailing suspenseful experience from start to finish. The only thing more dangerous than the unseen perils around every corner is the ill-fated romance that drives this addictive storyline. Violet and Vicente are lovers facing impossible odds, unknown adversaries, and the truth of their own bloodlines threatening to destroy everything in their wake. This book is horrifying, truly. The level of brutality and violence, indifference and cruelty in these pages pushed me to the brink. I think it may have been the hardest book to stomach that I've ever read from Karina Halle. I was on the verge of tears at times, my stomach revolting at the violence and terror on each page. I'd find myself smiling from ear to ear at the perfectly timed humor, and then immediately trying to lift my chin off the floor at the most unexpected "holy shit!" moments.
Throughout the Sins and Needles trilogy, the Dirty Angels series, and through the Sins duet, Karina Halle has brilliantly and masterfully endeared her readers to the villains. We've found ourselves rooting for the murderers, falling in love with the liars, the sinners, wistfully longing for them to fall in love, to survive, to beat the odds while blood is shed, while lives are lost, while family ties are severed all around them. But what do you do, how are you supposed to feel, when all those characters you've come to love go to war with each other? Dirty Souls is that war. It's actually painful to endure this book, it hurts to have the veil cast aside. I loved these characters from the start. All of them. I wasn't under any illusions of just how truly bad they were all along, but I tried to find the good, the vulnerability, the redeeming qualities underneath the treachery. But Dirty Souls exposes these characters in a way that won't allow you to lie to yourself anymore. This is a book that brings everything full circle. It's profoundly sad in many ways, it's utterly terrifying, and everything about it is so brutally wrong and so satisfyingly right.
Black Hearts swept me away, held me captive, a story so ruthless in its savagery, so intense in its romance. Karina Halle takes us back to the cartel, to the sultry danger of Mexico, to the feeling you got when you knew a girl from America likely wouldn't survive the clutches of a Bernal world with both her life and her heart intact. This story is chilling at times, nail biting often, and it's peppered with some of the most blissfully romantic moments I've ever read. And like every book that lead us to this moment, this love story, I loved every single bit of it.
For Camden and Ellie McQueen, this is the story of their sins and lies coming home to roost. For Violet and Ben McQueen, this is the unearthing of a family history that's long been locked up tight, forcing them to question everything and everyone they thought they knew. For Vicente Bernal, this is a silent war between the intense love he feels for a woman, the loyalty he feels toward his family, and the desire for his own position of power. For Javier Bernal, this is merely a story of revenge.
Dirty Souls is an action packed, edge-of-your-seat, bullets flying, car chasing, cartel kidnapping, fists flailing suspenseful experience from start to finish. The only thing more dangerous than the unseen perils around every corner is the ill-fated romance that drives this addictive storyline. Violet and Vicente are lovers facing impossible odds, unknown adversaries, and the truth of their own bloodlines threatening to destroy everything in their wake. This book is horrifying, truly. The level of brutality and violence, indifference and cruelty in these pages pushed me to the brink. I think it may have been the hardest book to stomach that I've ever read from Karina Halle. I was on the verge of tears at times, my stomach revolting at the violence and terror on each page. I'd find myself smiling from ear to ear at the perfectly timed humor, and then immediately trying to lift my chin off the floor at the most unexpected "holy shit!" moments.
Throughout the Sins and Needles trilogy, the Dirty Angels series, and through the Sins duet, Karina Halle has brilliantly and masterfully endeared her readers to the villains. We've found ourselves rooting for the murderers, falling in love with the liars, the sinners, wistfully longing for them to fall in love, to survive, to beat the odds while blood is shed, while lives are lost, while family ties are severed all around them. But what do you do, how are you supposed to feel, when all those characters you've come to love go to war with each other? Dirty Souls is that war. It's actually painful to endure this book, it hurts to have the veil cast aside. I loved these characters from the start. All of them. I wasn't under any illusions of just how truly bad they were all along, but I tried to find the good, the vulnerability, the redeeming qualities underneath the treachery. But Dirty Souls exposes these characters in a way that won't allow you to lie to yourself anymore. This is a book that brings everything full circle. It's profoundly sad in many ways, it's utterly terrifying, and everything about it is so brutally wrong and so satisfyingly right.
Black Hearts swept me away, held me captive, a story so ruthless in its savagery, so intense in its romance. Karina Halle takes us back to the cartel, to the sultry danger of Mexico, to the feeling you got when you knew a girl from America likely wouldn't survive the clutches of a Bernal world with both her life and her heart intact. This story is chilling at times, nail biting often, and it's peppered with some of the most blissfully romantic moments I've ever read. And like every book that lead us to this moment, this love story, I loved every single bit of it.
March 20, 2017
An awesome ending to this fabulous duet! This was one wild ride that tossed me around, had me white knuckled, holding my breath!
My emotions were all over the place with this second book as my thoughts and feelings for some characters went from love to hate, acceptance to pure denial. And the story was intense. So intense as the culmination of the past, present and future collide.
And Vicente and Violet are great characters. I love how both of them have light and dark within them, and we get to see both sides. They both struggle with this, their good and bad, depending on what life throws at them. And damn, these two are hot!
If you love dark reads, suspense and action, and characters that will come alive with each word, you must read this duet! And Karina hints that there may be more. I sure hope so.
**ARC generously provided by author in exchange for an honest review.**
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April 4, 2017
Dirty Souls
Karina Halle
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is the last installment of the Black Hearts Duet.
The story continues where Vicente and Violet ran in to sunset and the quest for the truth begun. Violet has a lot of questions and the answers are just within reach and Vicente will help her get all of it. If it helps Vicente is also intrigued as hell.
Starting when she found out of the real story between her father and her mother. When she finally found out that Ben was her half brother and her mom was Javier's ex.
Everything was fucked up really but it gets shittier when Javier wanted Vicente home, especially Violet.
To be honest, I am intrigued with the history behind Ellie and Javier (check out Karina Halle's Bernal Novels).
Their story was so twisted, and dark it reached the depths of my sad being. The sex was explosive, in the desert, in the shower, they are doing it everywhere! Javier was so intense and Violet is just the right amount of crazy. In short, they are perfect for each other, even if Javier was a little overboard with all the torture, Violet was a tough nail.
It was breath stopping action, hot and intense love making but also the right amount of drama.
The ending was unpredictable, I envisioned a different ending where everyone dies but it was totally not that. Karina Hale deserves a place in my favorites shelf.
If I can give more that five stars, this one deserves a ten.
Karina Halle
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is the last installment of the Black Hearts Duet.
The story continues where Vicente and Violet ran in to sunset and the quest for the truth begun. Violet has a lot of questions and the answers are just within reach and Vicente will help her get all of it. If it helps Vicente is also intrigued as hell.
Starting when she found out of the real story between her father and her mother. When she finally found out that Ben was her half brother and her mom was Javier's ex.
Everything was fucked up really but it gets shittier when Javier wanted Vicente home, especially Violet.
To be honest, I am intrigued with the history behind Ellie and Javier (check out Karina Halle's Bernal Novels).
Their story was so twisted, and dark it reached the depths of my sad being. The sex was explosive, in the desert, in the shower, they are doing it everywhere! Javier was so intense and Violet is just the right amount of crazy. In short, they are perfect for each other, even if Javier was a little overboard with all the torture, Violet was a tough nail.
It was breath stopping action, hot and intense love making but also the right amount of drama.
The ending was unpredictable, I envisioned a different ending where everyone dies but it was totally not that. Karina Hale deserves a place in my favorites shelf.
If I can give more that five stars, this one deserves a ten.
April 11, 2017
ARC kindly provided by author.
Karina knows how to write a good dark romance.
Dirty Souls classifies as a romantic suspense, it is a second book in a duet, told from multiple POV's.
You have to read Black Hearts first to fully enjoy this.
In Dirty Souls we continue following Vicente's and Violet's forbidden love, and trust me, it was one hell of a ride.
Karina's writing can keep me awake all night long, and that is something that I am used to.
Apart from creating these amazing sexy alpha males, she is a master when it comes to mafia romance. In the last 50% of the book I was litteraly biting my nails and fliping pages like a lunatic.
It was action packed, suspensful, sexy and it kept me on the edge of my seat.
I loved this conclusion of Vicente's and Violet's story and I higly recommend it to all lovers of dark suspensful romance reads.
Karina knows how to write a good dark romance.
Dirty Souls classifies as a romantic suspense, it is a second book in a duet, told from multiple POV's.
You have to read Black Hearts first to fully enjoy this.
In Dirty Souls we continue following Vicente's and Violet's forbidden love, and trust me, it was one hell of a ride.
Karina's writing can keep me awake all night long, and that is something that I am used to.
Apart from creating these amazing sexy alpha males, she is a master when it comes to mafia romance. In the last 50% of the book I was litteraly biting my nails and fliping pages like a lunatic.
It was action packed, suspensful, sexy and it kept me on the edge of my seat.
I loved this conclusion of Vicente's and Violet's story and I higly recommend it to all lovers of dark suspensful romance reads.
March 21, 2017
Originally posted at Booklovers For Life
After the slightly disappointing first book in the Sins Duet, I was hoping that Dirty Souls would make up for what I didn’t feel in Black Hearts by actually making me grow invested in Vicente and Violet’s star-crossed romance. It didn’t, BUT I will say it was a hell of a conclusion to the McQueens’ and Bernals’ story. It’s nonstop action and insanely hot, filthy sex. It’s a no-holds-barred kind of read, which I admired. If you loved Black Hearts, you will most likely love Dirty Souls just as much!
I need to figure out how to keep this forever. Her, me, the open desert. I don’t fucking need anything else. I may be young but I know enough that sometimes you don’t need the world. You just need that one person to rule the world with.
Violet and Vicente are on the run from their parents. Violet has found out that her whole life and family has been a lie, and Vicente is trying to protect her from the people who want to harm her – his father and his men. But try as they might to make their world just the two of them, reality comes crashing down and both are taken by Javier to Mexico. Can Vicente and Violet’s love withstand the test of time, or will Javier succeed in breaking the both of them?
I love her with my dark and dangerous heart. I love her with my wicked and dirty soul.
I love her enough to raze the world around me to the very ground, just so we can be together.
I enjoyed Vicente and Violet’s characters more in this sequel, mainly because they didn’t feel as naive as they did in the first book. I loved the way they were around each other, but I have to admit I started skimming the sex scenes when I was deeper in the story because, even though they were hot, they started to feel like filler. Still, Karina Halle knows how to write erotic scenes filled with chemistry, but I just grew a little tired of them when there seemed to be too many scenes of them.
We get a lot more of Ellie and Javier’s POVs in this book. I liked the contrast between them and their children, the fact that their children are what they could have been if it weren’t for the lies. But then the book felt like it was focused too much on the parents’ past and story rather than Violet and Vicente’s, which was what I really wanted. That’s one of the main reasons I couldn’t love this series more, because I really wanted more of the main characters rather than their parents. But it was still nice to see beloved characters again, even if one of them (*cough* Javier) become a little unlikable.
The Sins Duet might not be a favorite of mine from Karina Halle, but it’s a dark, gritty read that had me on the edge of my seat. It was a crazy, intense ride, and while I didn’t love it, I’m still glad to have read it. If you love the author, you should definitely check this series out – especially if you love the Artists Trilogy or Dirty Angels series!
Thanks to the author for generously providing me an ARC to review.
Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.
Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/2mcZi38
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March 22, 2017
Who the fuck am I? 4 FIVE STARS in a row. LOL. DAMNNNN I loved this duet. Sins & Needles fans this series will make you all kinds of giddy. I bloody loved it. It was like going back home after a lonnnng vacation.
March 20, 2017
“This isn’t just young love … This is mad love. The kind that’s incurable.”
Damn, this book was a wild ride! Dark, gritty and sexy, totally unexpected and breathtakingly exciting, I struggled to put it down.
4 wild stars
This book picks up right after the end of Black Hearts, following Violet and Vicente on their journey to learn more about Violet’s family history. On their own and crazy for each other, the intensity of their relationship is instantly recaptured and I loved their wild, dirty, all-consuming love for each other.
It’s sexy, it’s intense and it’s all kinds of hot, but there is a deep emotional connection between Violet and Vicente that is undeniable, and I loved watching that develop further as Violet finds the confidence to follow her heart, and Vicente experiences genuine love and something pure for the first time in his life.
But their wild, forbidden relationship is put to the test as they are taken down a path that neither of them expected. Reminiscent of the action and intrigue of The Artists Trilogy, this book takes us deep into the dark and dirty world of a Mexican drug cartel and it’s so intense! Vicente’s ruthless father, Javier Bernal has nefarious plans, and Violet’s parents, Ellie and Camden, are swept up in the action, and the mind games and brutal violence are shocking as the past clashes with the present, and nobody will be left unscarred.
Oh. My. God. This book is INTENSE! So much happens that I wasn’t expecting, and I was shocked and horrified as it all played out. It’s an absolutely thrilling ride and I was never really sure of where it was going to go, and I love the element of surprise that kept me wondering what was going to happen. The action kept me turning pages wildly, but the best part of all of it is the character dynamics – love, hate and brutal betrayal, it creates a fantastic read that had my heart pounding until the very last pages.
But though there’s all sorts of crazy going down, this is first and foremost a romance, and Violet and Vicente are fantastic together. He’s not the kind of hero that every romance fan would swoon over, but their chemistry is crazy and their soul-deep love for each other is beautifully explored – dark, dirty and passionate, I could feel their need for each other, and the swoony moments were gorgeous.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s written in the dual POV of Violet and Vicente, with additional chapters from Ellie and Javier, and I really liked that we got the different perspectives because it gives us a full and informed view of all that is going down. And can I just say a quick word about Javier… .
Raw, gritty, dark, sexy and romantic with hold-your-breath action and lots of twists and turns, this book is a wild ride from start to finish. It’s the kind of writing that Karina does so well, and I was completely immersed in this story.
4 stars.
An Advanced Reader Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Damn, this book was a wild ride! Dark, gritty and sexy, totally unexpected and breathtakingly exciting, I struggled to put it down.
4 wild stars
This book picks up right after the end of Black Hearts, following Violet and Vicente on their journey to learn more about Violet’s family history. On their own and crazy for each other, the intensity of their relationship is instantly recaptured and I loved their wild, dirty, all-consuming love for each other.
I need to figure out how to keep this forever. Her, me the open desert. I don’t fucking need anything else. I may be young but I know enough that sometimes you don’t need the world. You just need that one person to rule the world with.
It’s sexy, it’s intense and it’s all kinds of hot, but there is a deep emotional connection between Violet and Vicente that is undeniable, and I loved watching that develop further as Violet finds the confidence to follow her heart, and Vicente experiences genuine love and something pure for the first time in his life.
“No matter where you are. Violet, you’re under my skin. You’re in my bones. You’re in the sun, the moon, the light in my dark. Your heart beats in the air I breathe and I don’t know how I survived this long in the world without it.”
But their wild, forbidden relationship is put to the test as they are taken down a path that neither of them expected. Reminiscent of the action and intrigue of The Artists Trilogy, this book takes us deep into the dark and dirty world of a Mexican drug cartel and it’s so intense! Vicente’s ruthless father, Javier Bernal has nefarious plans, and Violet’s parents, Ellie and Camden, are swept up in the action, and the mind games and brutal violence are shocking as the past clashes with the present, and nobody will be left unscarred.
This is us. This is the edge of danger. This is a love that has changed everything for everyone.
Oh. My. God. This book is INTENSE! So much happens that I wasn’t expecting, and I was shocked and horrified as it all played out. It’s an absolutely thrilling ride and I was never really sure of where it was going to go, and I love the element of surprise that kept me wondering what was going to happen. The action kept me turning pages wildly, but the best part of all of it is the character dynamics – love, hate and brutal betrayal, it creates a fantastic read that had my heart pounding until the very last pages.
But though there’s all sorts of crazy going down, this is first and foremost a romance, and Violet and Vicente are fantastic together. He’s not the kind of hero that every romance fan would swoon over, but their chemistry is crazy and their soul-deep love for each other is beautifully explored – dark, dirty and passionate, I could feel their need for each other, and the swoony moments were gorgeous.
“I never thought I could love, never believed it would happen for a man like me. Sometimes I wondered if it even existed. But then you stepped into my world and became my world and now it’s all that I know.” He takes in a deep breath, his expression softening. “I love you, my mirlo. I love you to the point of danger. Danger because where you go, I will go. Because I will do everything and anything to keep you with me. This isn’t the end of us. There will never be an end of us. Ever.”
I really enjoyed this book. It’s written in the dual POV of Violet and Vicente, with additional chapters from Ellie and Javier, and I really liked that we got the different perspectives because it gives us a full and informed view of all that is going down. And can I just say a quick word about Javier… .
Raw, gritty, dark, sexy and romantic with hold-your-breath action and lots of twists and turns, this book is a wild ride from start to finish. It’s the kind of writing that Karina does so well, and I was completely immersed in this story.
4 stars.
An Advanced Reader Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
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