Sins & NeedlesAuthor: Karina Halle
Series: The Artists Trilogy #1
Published by: Forever
Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Ellie Watt is used to starting over. The daughter of a grifting team, Ellie spent her childhood being used as a pawn in her parents' latest scam. Now she’s much older, wiser and ready to give her con artist life a rest. But returning to the dry desert town of Palm Valley, California means one more temptation than she bargained for – Camden McQueen.
Once known as the high school weirdo, Camden is bigger and badder than the boy he used to be and a talented tattoo artist with his own thriving business. Ellie’s counting on Camden still being in love with her but what she’s not counting on is how easily unrequited love can turn into obsession over time. When Camden discovers Ellie’s plan to con him, he makes her a deal she doesn’t dare refuse, but her freedom comes with a price and it’s one that takes both Ellie and Camden down a dangerous road.
I have heard from so many people to read Sins & Needles, and I finally did! It sat on my kindle for a long time, but once I started reading, I stayed up until 3A.M. to finish it in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down! It’s over 400 pages long, but I was surprised at how fast it went.
First of all, I want to say that I love how much Karina Halle incorporated such good music in to the story. I love all of the songs that were mentioned, and it really did set a tone for the book and certain situations. As soon as the song that is connected to Ellie’s tattoo is mentioned, man, it pained my heart. It’s not easy to insert a soundtrack so smoothly into a book and have them evoke such emotions, but Halle did an excellent job with it.
Oh, Ellie. How can I love a grifter so much? Oh, that’s right, I have a weakness for the bad girls. There’s more to her, though. She was raised by con artists, and at age 26 she has been through a lot. She’s scammed a lot of people and is tired of always being on the run. Ready to put that life behind her, she goes back to the only home that had any sort of stability. Once she’s there, she runs into an old friend and can’t resist pulling off one more job before ‘retiring’. I know, she sounds like a terrible person, and in a way she is. However, as the story unfolds, we discover all she has endured and why she does what she does. Halle brought so much depth to Ellie, that no matter what you think of Ellie herself, there’s no way you could say that she’s not a great character.
Camden, Camden, Camden … what am I gonna do with this guy? Hot, nerdy, guitar playing, tattoo artist … yeah, I know what I want to do with him! There are feelings I have about him that are hard to explain. I love him, even his darker side, but I don’t want to. But then I do. Curse this treacherous black heart of mine! Seriously though, as the book progresses, we get flashbacks to his and Ellie’s relationship in high school, and it’s very insightful. We begin to understand the tortured side of Ellie and Camden, and it’s not pretty. But, man, do I ever love these two together!
The situation Ellie and Camden find themselves in isn’t child’s play. It’s a dark and dangerous ride they’re on. Honestly, I expected the book to be a little darker. However, I do know my perception of what’s dark can be a bit distorted, so just know that it isn’t some sticky sweet love story. We are taken on a gritty thrill ride with Ellie and Camden that can get pretty intense at times, but also tender and vulnerable. Oh, and I can’t forget hot. It pretty much has it all, weaved into one kickass story. And I just have to say how much I loved the setting. I’m a Cali girl, so I was giddy when cities and towns I’m from and have ties to were mentioned. I know, I’m lame, but I can’t help it.
Sins & Needles really was an addictive read, and I regret not reading it sooner! Thank goodness all the books in the trilogy are already available, because I don’t think I can let very much time pass before reading the next book, especially after that ending. Killer!
Yes, glad you loved it and I got sucked into this one too and inhaled it 🙂
I’m glad all of them are already available.
I have been putting this one off too and I don’t even know why. Now I HAVE to read it soon.
Yes, yes, yes you do!
YAY!!! I’m so thrilled you liked it!! It’s nothing better for a book lover than to find validation of your feeling for a book. I live in Ocean Springs MS. So I know exactly how you felt when you were reading it.
Awesome review girl 🙂
HA that’s cool!
This has been sitting on my kindle forever too (and the sequel!). Well crap, you know how I love those bad girls too. I am going to have to read this one sooner than I thought I think.
Too many great books!!
Yes, you have to! 🙂
This was one that I kept reading until my eyes hurt, couldn’t put it down either. Glad it was a great read for you. I hope to read Shooting Scars soon. 🙂
Heh. Already read it. I just need to read the 3rd book.
Oh my! I’ve had this one sitting on my Kindle unread for a while, too! Shame on me, LOL!
Oh, then you’ve already taken the first step. Now just read it! 🙂
Glad you finally gave this one a go Christy, I’ve been dancing around it for a while myself. I usually have to be in a certain type of mood to pick up these darker, grittier stories and I’m getting in that mood now. I want to know all about Ellie and Camden, and I can’t wait to see what you think of the rest of the series!
Go for it, Jenny! I don’t know if it’s just me, but I didn’t find it that dark. I think I’m desensitized, though. lol.
I have heard so much about the series, and I know I don’t usually read much of “adult” fiction, but I can actually say I own this one, just haven’t gotten to it yet. The reviews made me do it, it just sounds SO good. I’m definitely going to have to check out the playlist though. Also, is it bad that I really like main characters like her? Not just because she’s not a goody two shoes, but multi-layered. I really want to read it right now.
Nope, that’s not bad at all. Those are my favorite kind of characters; they’re easier for me to connect with. 🙂
I will forgive you for being lame. I think you and I bought this at the same time, and I haven’t read it yet either. You promise it isn’t took dark? I am not doing dark right now!
I promise nothing! Seriously, though, I don’t find it all that dark. But that just me, so take it for what it’s worth. 😉
I will have to binge on this series soon out of curiosity more than anything.
Oh, you definitely should! Binge, Braine, binge! 🙂
Dude. The Dead Weather?! *high five* Jack White, FTW!
Well, I know I’ve seen readers go agog over this series so I can understand the pressure. Glad you loved it. I love music in books as well and nerdy, tattooed, guitar-playing bad boy is just the icing on the cake. I’ll most definitely add this to my pile.
I have been DYING to read this series I know I must SOOOOOOOON!! 😉 your review only makes me want to read it MORE!!!!
I used to faithfully read all of Karina’s books, but have gotten so behind. I have this one, but something about it makes me nervous. Silly. I’m so glad you enjoyed Sins & Needles. Great review, Christy!
Alright this book sounds COMPLETELY Amazing! I added it to my TBR, I just love the sound of a nerdy love interest and the dark, dangerous ride they go on. You’ve convinced me, Ellie does sound like a compelling character.
I’ve read the first two books (and the prequel) in this series. I liked them a LOT, but man . . . Javier. He was a bit hard for me take. He was just so friggin’ insane! But then Camden was just about perfection (love those damaged bad boys). I can’t wait to hear what you think about the rest of the series. Maybe you’ll motivate me to finally finish it 😉
Woot!! Yay for finally getting to it! And omg with you on Camden. I LOVED him. Then his dark bits. And gah! I guess my heart is a little blackened too because damn I loved him even more. lol ::snort::
Thanks for the reminder on this one. I have the last book on my pile and had gotten distracted. Will have to grab that soon. I do want to see how this all turns out 🙂
I loved that trilogy, it’s awesome ! And I agree with Anna, Camden is the best, even in his dark aspects 🙂
I have this one just sitting on my kindle as well after hearing so many amazing reviews on it, seems like I am missing out 😀 3 A.M to finish it? Ugh that would probably be me too.
OMG yes, I could not put this down, and I was so happy all the books were out. I binge read them all in one weekend. I totally felt the same way about Camden, I was really drawn to him even though I didn’t feel like I should be, and the more I got to know him, the more I was ok with my feelings about him. Agree with you on the music too, love the way it is incorporated. Speaking of which, are you going to read On Every Street too? Can’t wait to hear what you think of the rest of the series. Wonderful review!