Dirty Angels

Dirty Angels #1

by Karina Halle

An enemies-to-lovers dark mafia romance between a ruthless drug lord and the fiery woman he kidnaps, from the NYT bestselling author of Blood Orange and Sins & Needles.

For Luisa Chavez, a twenty-three-year-old former beauty queen, a better life has always been just out of her reach. Sure, she’s had men at her feet since she was a young teenager but she’s never had the one thing she’s craved – security. Having grown up in near poverty, her waitressing job in Cabo San Lucas can barely let her take care of herself, let alone her ailing parents. Every day is another unwanted advance, every day is a struggle to survive.

When Salvador Reyes, the depraved leader of a major Mexican cartel, takes an interest in her, Luisa is presented with an opportunity she can’t afford to pass up. She’ll become Salvador’s wife and exchange her freedom and body for a life of riches – riches she can bestow upon her deserving parents. But Luisa quickly finds out that even the finest wines and jewels can’t undo the ugliness in her marriage, nor the never-ending violence that threatens her every move.

Soon, Luisa is looking for an escape, a way out of the carefully controlled life she’s leading. She finally gets her wish in the worst way possible.

As it is, being the wife of Salvador makes her an ideal target for rival cartels and there’s one particular man who needs Luisa as part of his cartel’s expansion. One particular man whose quest for power has destroyed lives, slit throats and gotten him out of an American prison. One particular man who will stop at nothing until he gets what he wants.

That man is Javier Bernal. And he wants Luisa. He wants to take her, keep her, ruin her.

Unless she ruins him first.

Some men were born to create empires, some women were meant to be queen.

CW: Please refer to the inside of the book for numerous triggers. This is a dark mafia romance and reader discretion is advised.

Dirty Angels can be read as a standalone but it is part of a series:

#1 Dirty Angels (Javier + Luisa)
#2 Dirty Deeds (Derek + Alana)
#3 Dirty Promises (Javier + Luisa)

Genres: Dark, Romance, Dark Romance, New Adult, Contemporary, Abuse, Adult

309 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 15, 2014

About the author

Karina 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.

Reviews

[Persephone's Pomegranate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would you think less of me if I admitted that one of my fictional husbands is a drug lord?

Go ahead, judge away; I'm judging myself too.

I first picked up this book years ago when I thought Karina Halle was the coolest and edgiest author ever, and I was hooked on her work. I stopped reading her books for several reasons that I won't elaborate on, but I felt compelled to revisit a few of my favorites to determine if they still resonate. I thought I was done with bad boys, both in real life and in fiction, but it seems that's not the case. Javier Bernal remains one of my favorite villains, and I would still, to quote Katniss, "volunteer as tribute" for him.

Before the book begins, there's an author's note that I found very valuable. Karina Halle mentions that this book addresses numerous sensitive subjects that may not be suitable for all readers. She noted that she read several books on cartels to accurately portray this world, which I truly appreciated. Mafia and cartel romance is a popular subgenre filled with authors lacking knowledge about this world.

I entered this book with no misconceptions about Javier Bernal. I was aware that he wasn't a good man and that none of these characters were virtuous. Karina Halle never tries to depict him as a heroic romantic figure. I appreciate that. I can like a villain and even root for him, provided it's evident that he is indeed a villain and won't suddenly become a good person by the story's conclusion. What frustrates me is when authors attempt to gaslight me into believing their despicable heroes are actually good men beneath their violent facades.

It's fair to say that Javier ranks among Karina's favorite heroes, given his frequent appearances in her novels. He is first introduced in The Artists Trilogy, a series I haven't read but am familiar with some of its plot points. He also appears in the prequel titled On Every Street, which tells the doomed love story between him and the heroine of The Artists Trilogy, a book I have read and thoroughly enjoyed. The Dirty Angels Trilogy serves as a sort of sequel to The Artists Trilogy, focusing on Javier and the woman he kidnaps to extort her husband.

SPOILERS

Luisa Chavez is fleeing from her abusive husband when she is abducted by a rival cartel.

When I was younger and we didn’t have enough money for toys, I would make up stories instead. I always liked the darker ones, the scarier ones, the ones with the villains and the ugliest creatures—those were the most like real life. Fairytales and happily-ever-afters were for people in other countries.

Luisa, a 23-year-old former beauty queen, works at a bar. She is the only source of income for her sick parents. Her father suffers from Alzheimer's, and her mother is blind. She finds it challenging to provide them with the necessary care. One day, Mexico's most notorious drug lord, Salvador Reyes, walks into her bar and is instantly captivated by her. After several visits, Salvador proposes marriage. Although Luisa is terrified of him, she knows she cannot refuse; no woman can say "no" to a drug lord and expect to survive. Driven by fear and the hope of improving her parents’ lives, Luisa reluctantly accepts his proposal.

Immediately following the wedding, Salvador begins to abuse her. Luisa is raped and beaten. After enduring months of mistreatment, she finally finds a chance to escape during a gathering at their home. Unbeknownst to her, another drug lord has been waiting for the right moment to seize her. As Luisa flees her home, she is abducted and delivered to this ruthless man, known for his brutality.

“Look at me, Luisa Reyes.”
Chavez, I thought to myself. I will always be Luisa Chavez.
“Darling, aren’t you curious to know where you are?”

I want to clarify, even though it may be considered a spoiler, that Javier never rapes or hits Luisa. I would never endorse a book featuring a protagonist who is a rapist. However, he is not a good person and engages in other actions towards her that could make some readers uneasy. As I previously stated, Luisa experienced severe abuse from her husband. Although it wasn't shown in graphic detail, the mere mention of these incidents might trigger some readers.

A transformation occurs in Luisa during her kidnapping. She discovers a reservoir of inner strength she was previously unaware of. I appreciated that she never begged for mercy from Javier or his men, and, for the most part, she managed to conceal her fear from them. I respected her resilience in fighting back and maintaining her dignity as much as possible under those circumstances.

I would be the one who would win in the end. I could beat Javier Bernal at his own twisted game.

This is a slow burn. I absolutely detest insta love and insta sex. Fortunately, this book features neither. I was happy for my girl Luisa when she experienced her first orgasm. Javier, despite being a bit of a psycho, knows how to please a woman without expecting anything in return. Now you see why he's my fictional husband.

My upcoming re-read is my favorite book by Karina Halle, Black Hearts, which is a spin-off from The Artists Trilogy/Dirty Angels.

“Luisa,” I said carefully, looking into her shining, desperate eyes. “You can’t save me.”
“I don’t want to save you,” she said, bringing her face closer to mine. “I want to join you.”


My DA playlist:

Melanie Martinez - Mad Hatter
Melanie Martinez - Carousel
Kyla La Grange - Vampire Smile
Lana Del Rey - Million Dollar Man
Lana Del Rey - Money Power Glory
Florence & The Machine - What Kind Of Man
Damien Rice - 9 Crimes

[~IreneOust~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 "ELLIE WHO?" STARS!



Yes, I went there, OK? I don't want to be one of those people who compares characters but I have to say it took a very special woman to make Javier WANT to say 'FUCK IT' to all of his dreams and aspirations and that woman is Luisa. Thank fucking Christ!

This book was like a tumbler of fine Scotch ... it needed to be savoured and savour this book I did! I loved the slow burn of this story. Just goes to show you that one doesn't have to be shooting down helicopters from a moving vehicle *cue eye-roll* in order to appear badass. One just has to be Javier Bernal.

I very much apprecated dual POV Karina gave us in this book. LOVED being in Javier's head and really enjoyed getting to know Luisa via her inner monologue. I really love the pairing - talk about two characters that are perfect for one another!

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

It's not a secret that I've been a die-hard fan of Javier's since the very beginning and I've been anxiously awaiting to get my hands on this book ever since I DNFed Bold Tricks. Guess what ... Karina didn't disappoint! What a great start to what promises to be an awesome series. I am very much looking forward to Alana's story now and really hope book 3 will belong to Este - I'd love to see him eat his own words.

Last but not least, even though the warning in the blurb states that this book is dark, I didn't find it that dark. However, it does contain subject matter that some may find offensive/disturbing so don't take that warning lightly.

Cheers!



Favorite quotes:

"It was better to be dirty. It was better to take what you could. It was better to embrace your lustful, needful, animalistic side because that was the side that lived."

"It was so intimate being able to gaze into his hypnotic eyes while he made me feel so alive and electric."

"I loved watching Javier lose all control because of me. The power felt incredible."

"Rubbing a clit to completion and sawing off someone’s foot seemed to use all the same muscles."

"Sex needed to be a little rough and crude to balance out the elegance. A touch of tasteful violence goes a long way."

“Aw, shit,” he said, straightening himself in his chair.
“You’re not like a relative of hers or something?”
I cocked my head. “No. Though she does carry my name.”
“It’s on her back,” I told him. “Where I carved it.”

[Emily May · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd never been the type of girl to fear the dark - when I was young, I loved for my father to tell me scary and thrilling stories. But now they were no longer stories, they were real.

Warning: Listen to what the author says in the blurb. I read the words "dark" and "violence" and "crazy" but I didn't absorb the full meaning of them until I was met with some of the vivid depictions of torture and rape in this book. I like the darkness in Halle's stories but believe me when I say this is undoubtedly the darkest one yet with many possible triggers. You should note that before picking it up.

But I am so glad I did! I can't contain my excitement anymore so I'm just going to say:

JAVIER IS BACKKKKK!!!!

And badder than ever, I might add. This is definitely what I've been missing. I was a little disappointed by the ending of the Sins & Needles trilogy because of the way I thought Javier's complex character was... dismantled, it seemed, to spin the plot in a certain direction. But let's not worry, because all that is behind us - new and exciting things are happening now!

I honestly find Javier Bernal to be one of the most interesting characters ever to grace the pages of a romance novel. He is technically a villain, but a complex, well-developed one that has so many layers of humanity lurking beneath the surface that it's hard not to be fascinated by him (whilst hating him a little bit too). He has such a powerful connection with the reader... we feel intense anger towards him when he's doing something evil, and intense pity for him when he gets hurt. I love the kind of character that can inspire such emotional turmoil.

And I honestly don't know how Halle has made me so damn interested in the politics of drug cartels in Mexico. I don't know if this in any way resembles the reality - probably doesn't - but I was hanging on every word, totally addicted to this shady world of power struggles and backstabbing. This sounds melodramatic, I know, but there were a couple of moments in this novel when my jaw literally dropped. She makes it so compelling, weaving intricate character development into such a dark setting. Amazing.

Like I said, this has to be Halle's darkest novel yet, which I personally didn't mind but feel others should be aware of. The story is about a Mexican girl called Luisa who marries Salvador - a powerful drug lord - to help provide for her ailing parents. Salvador subjects her to cruel abuse and rapes her almost every day, some of these scenes are not skimmed over either and might cause distress to certain readers. Similarly, there is a graphic description of torture that was incredibly unsettling. Despite my high rating, please don't read if you feel you'll be upset by this.

Anyway, Luisa is kidnapped and held ransom by Javier Bernal and his men in order to get Salvador to comply with their demands. While she is Javier's prisoner, something neither Luisa or Javier expected begins to develop between the two of them. Javier was ripped apart inside when Ellie broke his heart at the end of Bold Tricks and he now wants to punish all women for the hurt inside him (being in his mind is not exactly a pleasant place to be). Luisa has only ever known how to be the victim of powerful men who wish to use her for their own benefit... and she's sick of it. When this strange pair come together, however, it seems like they might have found exactly what they needed in the most unlikely of places.

Dark and disturbing as it was, I enjoyed this book a lot. I'm now even more excited for the companion novel (which is not about this pair, but about Javier's sister). I can't wait!

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[Karina Halle]

Apparently this is the most dark and disturbing book I've ever written. Definitely the kinkiest (in my own experience).

If that's good enough for Javier, it's good enough for me.

(that said, please take heed of the warnings - THIS book is NOT for everyone and I mean that).

[Amy | Foxy Blogs · Rating 5 out of 5]

FREE-> http://amzn.to/1UDOu8O
Book $.99->http://amzn.to/1hyVWUC
8/12/2015

FORGET CANDY CRUSH THIS IS MY BOOK CRUSH

Seriously, ladies, this book is why we read about dirty men. Javier is a leader in the Mexican cartel where he makes the rules.

As I was reading DIRTY ANGELS I kept thinking back to the quote that followed the warning at the beginning of the book:

As far as the women are concerned, there is a saying: "If I want you, I will have you, for better or worse. If I can't have you one way, I'll have you another way. And if I can't have you, no one will have you, that will be the end of you, and there you will be buried. Simple." -El Sicario

*shivers* Luisa, a former beauty queen, is caught in the middle of two feuding cartels. She's married to the leader of the largest cartel. A wicked man who has no regard for women as human beings. Through a series of events Luisa ends up in the hands of Javier who is looking to gain some power from her husband. As a pawn in their battle, Luisa, proves she is no doormat in this war. When you play with the Mexican cartel...you win, or you die.

"Because life is a game and we're all just trading cards. We play the right hand to get ahead. Death stops the game."

Karina Halle writes books like they were made to be on the big screen. A blockbuster no doubt. The story grips you from the first few pages and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. This blockbuster is the most epic, action packed, love story with a Romeo and Juliet twist in the Mexican drug cartel. Dirty Angels is one of my favorite books, so far, for 2014!

If loving, Javier, is wrong than I don't want to be right!

A devil and an angel.

*********************************************************
Dirty Angels series is a spin off of The Artist Trilogy series. Each series can be read as a standalone series. No prior background knowledge is needed to read Dirty Angels.

Timeline between the two series:
{#1 TAT} Sins & Needles | My review
{#2 TAT} Shooting Scars | My review
{#3 TAT} Bold Tricks | My review
{#1 DA} Dirty Angels
{#2 DA} Dirty Deeds
{#3 DA} Dirty Promises

SERIES:

А Romantic suspense trilogy of standalone novels, each related to the other but can be read out of order, each released approx two months apart. No cliffhangers.

Release date: June 15, 2014
Pre-order | order ➜ http://amzn.to/1jblmjS
**Special pre-order price of $.99 - valid until after release day, June 15th, when the price will go up to $3.99.**

***Thank you, Karina Halle, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.***

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

☆4.5 Stars☆



“My darling. You’re going to be my undoing.”

I’ve had love for Javier since On Every Street. He’s ruthless, cunning, driven, and it’s pretty fucking hot. What can I say, I’m a sucker for the bad guy. Elle wasn’t the girl for him, he needed someone who could accept him and his darkness. Has Javi finally found his queen?

“Luisa,” I said carefully, looking into her shining , desperate eyes. “You can’t save me.” She smiled, letting out a caustic laugh. “I don’t want to save you,” she said, bringing her face closer to mine. “I want to join you.”

Luisa Chavez has spent her adult life caring for her parents, who are both disabled. With little money, she is constantly struggling to provide. But when the notorious Salvador Reyes, a drug cartel leader, sets his eyes on the former beauty queen, he makes her an offer can’t refuse. She will become his wife and in exchange she will have respect, money, and finally be able to give her parents the care they deserve. Luisa quickly learns that the price may be too high. Salvador is not a good man, and Luisa finds herself looking for a way out.

The life of Luisa Chavez was really and truly over. There was only Luisa Reyes now. And she was about to live a life of pain.

When the opportunity to escape presents itself, she sees her chance and takes it, only to land in the hands of an equally dangerous man. The one and only Javier Bernal. Javier is looking to expand his business, and believes that by kidnapping the wife of Mr. Reyes, he can obtain a new drug route, by offering a trade.

“Because life is a game and we’re all just trading cards. We play the right hand to get ahead.”

Javier wants to break Luisa. But she surprises him. She is more than a pretty face - she is strong, resilient and intelligent. During her stay, she manages to get under Javier’s skin, in ways he had not expected. Will he be able to follow through with his plans?

“Whatever fucked up … feelings I was having for Luisa weren’t real; they couldn’t be. Feelings never got you anywhere, only instinct did. And my instinct was telling me to run, to distance myself, to get ready to pull the plug on her because either way, even with my name on her back, she wasn’t mine.

The reader is given Javier and Luisa’s POVs, and the book deals with some pretty dark situations. I really enjoyed their story. I was captivated from the start. It was gritty, brutal, honest, and surprisingly humorous at times. Javier's story didn't disappoint.

After all, a kingdom was only as good as its ruler, and a king and queen could do more damage together than a king alone.


Pre-release fangirling

***WARNING*** This book deals with drug cartels and as such it contains a lot of sex and violence and some violent sex. It can get pretty ugly, pretty dark and pretty crazy. There is drug use, abuse, a bit of torture and dubious consent. The hero is not a hero and the villains...well, they're even worse. If this sort of thing bothers you, please do not read. This ain't no cupcake farting unicorn kind of book***



Oh Javier, I can't wait to see what you have been up too!!

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-4.5 stars!!!



I love Karina Halle’s writing. Her characters are unique, gritty and engaging. Javier Bernal has always been a favorite of mine. Even though I rooted for Camden in most of The Artists Trilogy, I still had love for Javier throughout the books. Although Dirty Angels can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading The Artist’s Trilogy before reading this. You’ll get a better understanding of Javier. Who he is, where he’s come from and what he’s been through.



Javier is building an empire. He’s a powerful cartel leader in the drug world in Mexico. Money isn’t the most important thing to him. He wants power. To get that power, he has to do some questionable things. Javier isn’t a normal hero. In fact, he might not be a hero at all…

Luisa Chavez is a good girl. She waitresses at a bar to support her sick parents, and there she meets a man named Salvador Reyes. She knows Salvador is no good, but when he proposes marriage, she can’t say no. She needs the money to provide for her parents. Salvador is the biggest drug leader in Mexico. Everyone knows who he is. Being the wife of Salvador is not a dream come true… in fact, it’s the exact opposite.

The life of Luisa Chavez was really and truly over. There was only Luisa Reyes now. And she was about to live a life of pain.


Luisa wants nothing more than to get away from Sal and his cruelty. What she never expects is to be kidnapped by Javier’s men while trying to escape Sal.



Luisa has so much strength. The things she endures, her body, her mind, her spirit… she never breaks. She stays strong and doesn’t give in. Her only weakness is the love she has for her parents. She is not willing to sacrifice her own wellbeing for their lives and health. She is the epitome of a kick ass heroine. Javier might have just met his match with this one…

“It’s not easy to have confidence in who you are, to say fuck it, the world thinks I am a monster because I am a monster. And I don’t care.”

Javier knows exactly what he is. He never denies it. He’s not a hero, he might even be a villain. Javier is powerful, charming, sexy, deceitful and gives you more conflicting feelings than you’ll know what to do with. I’ve always found Javier rough around the edges, but still redeemable. I always knew he was capable of love, about caring about something or someone more than himself. I loved the many sides of him we got to see come out in DA.



Has Javier finally met someone who can keep up with him, keep him on his toes and accept him for who he is? They both feel something for each other, that much is obvious, but this situation is crazy complicated. There is no way to cross that line. To do it would be to give up everything Javier’s worked so hard for…

“You can never run away from yourself, you’ll just go in a circle. There is no escape from this life because this is your life and you are what you are. And there is nothing wrong with that.”

Dirty Angels will keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s fast paced, unpredictable and suspensful. It’s not a pretty, feel good story. It’s dirty, gritty and intense. It’s dark and includes many scenes of torture and brutality. It’s not a story I would classify as a romance. Not really. But there is some love mixed up in there. Karina Halle turns up the heat in this one. I loved getting more Javier and look forward to continuing this series.

[Lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gruesome romantic suspense at its best!



Dirty Angels starts with a bang. Right after dark and thrilling prologue, I knew this wasn’t your ordinary romantic suspense story. Dirty Angels is gritty, harsh and suspenseful novel which will satisfy all lovers of provocative stories with edge!

Luisa has difficult life. With both sick parents to take care of, her wage is barely enough to survive. Having no other choice, she marries powerful but cruel cartel leader Salvador to secure good care for her parents. But there are other powerful and dangerous people who long to get rid of Salvador. And Luisa appears to be the best instrument to achieve that...

Javier Bernal. Everyone’s favourite villain. Ruthless drug lord and psychotic twisted killer. Gifted speaker and intense lover. Finally, we got direct insight into his head and could see the ways his mind works. He may be dangerous psycho, but there is no denying that he is one of the most fascinating characters I have ever read about. And Javier feels. Oh boy does he feels. He is just that good of a player to mask it all. I never thought I would admit this after reading The Artists Trilogy, but Javier does have some humanity after all and he kind of grew on me throughout this novel. Kudos to Karina Halle for making me feel like that.

What about our heroine? I had a lot of respect for Luisa. I loved that she was mentally strong, never giving up, fighting for her life and freedom. She was really smart, not some naive immature girl believing in fairytales and fantasies. Life taught her hard lessons and made her tough. But is she tough enough for life among drug cartel leaders? Wicked enough to survive messed up game between Javier and Salvador, the two most dangerous men in Mexico?



Dirty Angels is story about nice girl going bad.

Dirty Angels shows us what anger does to people, how wrongdoings can change person irrevocably.

Dirty Angels takes us into the darkest recesses of the human minds and shows us how true monsters look like.

Don’t look for sweet romance in this story. You will find violence, possessiveness and intense, powerful feelings in this novel. You will find raw, animalistic and explosive sex. But never candy-like, fairytale kind of love. However, I never missed it. Actually, it would be totally out of place in the story like this one. So make sure to read disclaimer in the blurb prior to reading this book. I would hate if you went to this story unprepared and ruined this thrilling reading experience for yourself.



*ARC provided by author as an exchange for honest review*

MORE REVIEWS ON MY BLOG Reading Is My Breathing

[Lady Vigilante (Feifei) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3 stars!



I can’t believe I’m saying this but I didn’t enjoy the book as much as I thought I would.

I really think this is just me though because most readers seem to love the book and I guess I just got over-excited and my expectations skyrocketed. I was bored for the first 65% of the story and it wasn’t until a rather gory torture scene surfaced that the book finally caught my attention.

Ok, now that I think about it, what happened to Javier, the badass motherfucker from the Artists trilogy??? He turned into such a sentimental, touchy-feely lover here….I actually thought this book was more romantic than dark, twisted, or suspenseful. I also don’t get how they developed feelings for each other so fast. I didn’t really see a process or development, it was more like “ok, Luisa it is then because she talks back and is strong and gorgeous.” Out of all the scenes, I thought the torture scene stood out the most (in the sense of Javier retaining control over his minions) but even then it was done for Luisa, not necessarily for the benefit of his cartel. Sal is a great antagonist but I felt like the only times I got to see him were in parts that the author felt necessary to add in some conflict for the sake of it, not because it’s a natural and progressive part of the story flow.

IMO, labeling this book as a standalone is kind of misleading. I’ve read the Artists trilogy but for those that haven’t? I feel like those readers are missing out on Javier’s past and the fact that his past with Ellie comes up multiple times in this book makes me feel like those readers lack knowing a vital part of Javier that can only be learned from that trilogy. So if it were me, I’d definitely recommend reading the Artists trilogy first…

I wish I had more fangirly, positive things to add here, but I don’t. Nothing was really memorable. Fair amounts of action, suspense, and steamy scenes are present. Idk…is it kind of obvious from my review that I sound glum? Cuz that’s how I felt when I read this book. Moving on...

[Pavlina Read more sleep less blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

+5 DIRTY STARS

This book was perfection! I was hooked from the first moment! The prologue was so captivating that I couldn't put it down! This book was different from Karina's other books, it was a dark romance and it has a lot of dark elements!

The story begins with Luisa, a poor girl who has bad luck in her life, she wants to help her family by marrying one of the Mexico's largest drug cartel lord.Things didn't go well with her marriage and she wants to escape...
So one day she decides to run..
But she finds another danger...when she kidnapped by the rival cartel leader Javier Bernal...

"I didn't have to see to know who had taken me.
The man I'd heard so much about.
The man I was taught to fear."



Honestly Javier wasn't my favorite character from The Artist Trilogy, however I was intrigued when I saw that Karina wrote a book about him! And now that I finished the book I'm so impressed! Karina has a way with her characters that she makes you love them and become hooked with them...
Would you believe that I will fell in love with Javier???
Yes, yes you heard me! I'm in love!

Javier, OMG after this book I can say that I'm so in love with him! I loved being in his mind and knowing what he was thinking! I always wanted to know his thoughts...I loved that he was kinky and the brutality he had! Also he was charming and funny! Luisa is definitely one of my favorite heroines! She is sweet and so strong! She wasn't afraid to speak up! The character development and how the relationship building was amazing! They were from different worlds..she was innocent and poor..he was dirty and wealthy..but their passion helped bond them..



Like all Karina's books I felt like I was a part of the story!If you like dark romace and you're a fan of Karina's work you'll absolutely loved it!I higly recommend it!
Thank you so much Karina for giving me an ARC!!

[Georgia ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Rule the Kingdom Stars

"You need confidence in yourself, to never question who you are."



There are sweet romances.
About kittens and puppies, sunshine and hearts.

There are darker romances.
About vampires and werewolves, creatures that go bump into the night.

There are uncomfortable romances.
About BDSM, masters and bondage and weird dungeon situations.

And then there are Dirty Angels...



It's sweet, like revenge.
It's dark, like a human soul.
It's uncomfortable, like life.
And it's unique because it's a Karina Halle book!

Luisa Chavez sacrificed herself for her parents. She became a narco wife and she sold herself to the highest bidder. What follows is a routine of abuse.

Javier Bernal once gambled with his heart and lost. Ruthless and dangerous he is building a kingdom and his bargaining chip? His rival's trophy wife, that kindles his fire, awakens his senses and makes a place in his chest cavity he thought empty ache.

But life in a Mexican cartel, means violence, blood, deception and despair. Will they make it out alive? Will they give into these strange feelings?



This isn't a story for fainthearted damsels in distress. It's filthy and unapologetic. Even innocent Luisa to survive has to abandon all her inhibitions and get down and dirty. Javier now makes sense and with his other half of his shattered soul you can't help but root for him.



Well-written, fast paced and strong-willed this villain romance stole a piece of my heart that I mistakenly thought that Javier didn't deserve.





Anxious for the release...
UPDATE with HUGE news!!!!

That man is Javier Bernal. And he wants Luisa. He wants to take her, keep her, ruin her.

Original reaction to the new series...



A NEW KARINA HALLE BOOK???

[Kim Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time fave books! LOVE!



A spot has been reserved on my 6 Star Best of the Best shelf & I'm already calling this the Best Book of the Year!

Karina Halle

"I have a lot of respect for beautiful things, you know. They are usually the most dangerous.”

This book is a beautiful thing! Dirty and Deadly and Seductive and Sensual. Gushing! Am I gushing? I feel like I'm not capable of anything but flowery flattery and obsessive fangirling.

My coherent thought was all sucked away by the magnificence that is Javier Bernal. My King. He is undeniably, one of the most intriguing characters I have ever read. I have found a new love for this incredible enigma of a man. I adore his codes of morality ... always following his own set of rules ... adamant about keeping promises ... all while running a drug cartel, kidnapping, torturing & killing.

"I was caught between beauty and depravity."

But let's not ignore the Queen of the story. Luisa Reyes Chavez is also an incredibly amazing character. She had me hooked to this story just as much as our man Javi did. She is Strong and Bold and also a little Dirty. I loved her transformation throughout this book, as she came to know and understand herself.

"I was but a woman in a man’s game – but if I could have that rare chance to be part of the game, I felt like nothing would be able to stop me."

I feel that after this book, nothing can stop Karina Halle. I have loved all of her work, but this one ... WOW ... I'm sure it's her best work yet. I am In Love ... with the characters ... this book ... and the magnificence of KH!

Karina Halle

**Thank you to Karina Halle for the advance copy! I'm honoured <3**

Release day is June 15
Join in the obsessive fangirl conversation & release day buddy read
***KH's Dirty Angels***

[Jennifer Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Good or bad, there is great power in knowing who you are and owning it."



Kidnapping plots are one of my favorite type of story lines (I know I’m crazy) and Karina Halle did a great job with all the conflicting feelings on both the captor and the captive’s part in Dirty Angels. The story is told in alternating povs which gives a reader all the sides to this very tricky situation.

Luisa Chavez is a former Mexican beauty queen. Her looks are completely alluring and sadly gift her with the attention of Salvatore Reyes, a ruthless drug cartel leader. Whether or not she had agreeably said yes to his proposal I found irrelevant because a no would never be accepted (possibly immediate death) and so our Luisa to protect her ailing parents says yes to a life with a monster.

”Salvatore Reyes makes bad men look good.”

Married for only a few months and the abuse is so extreme that Luisa makes a run for it… right into Javier Bernal's men! Yes our Javier Bernal, the one some hate from Sins and Needles while others, like me couldn’t get enough of.

Javier Bernal wears his cruelty, humor, his code of honor, his arrogance like a crown without apology.

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Javier sets out to hold Luisa for ransom in exchange for a drug route. Little does Javier know, Salvatore is a man of no attachments and is utterly terrifying.

Javier finds so much in his attempt to break Luisa, she is a woman of great strength and intelligence. She takes on harsh realities with a clear mind as well as her desire to put her family before herself. Of course the beauty that has won her a crown added into the mix and makes Javier drawn to every aspect, every inch of Luisa Reyes.

“I will break you.”
“Then do your worst. And you will see that the worst has already been done.”

When push comes to shove Javier is faced with executing Luisa, returning her and/or keeping her as his own. Javier’s men have his ear, they fear Javier’s feelings will but their cartel in jeopardy the same way they did with Ellie.

Overall, this was one kick ass story. Karina Halle delivered the steam, the action, the gore and the glory!

” And that’s when I knew, with nothing but a smile, my Luisa, my queen had broken me.”

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★☆ 4.5 Stars!

"My darling. You're going to be my undoing."

Well, *almost* perfect... KH (and Javier!) certainly did not disappoint!

Admittedly, I was one of those people who, despite being very intrigued by Javier's charming ways, still remained 100% Team Camden throughout The Artists Trilogy. Now though, after finally having caught of Javier Bernal's dirty mind, I might have to revise my opinion... Though, I have to say, Luisa is a much, much better match for him so it's probably best Ellie chose Camden so eventually everything is as it should be and I'm really glad Karina decided to give Javier his own story with his own kick-ass leading lady.



Luisa Reyes is a 23 year old former beauty queen and the unfortunate wife of Salvador Reyes, the depraved leader of a major Mexican cartel. She's always held out hope for a better life, free of poverty and the constant struggle to survive. So when Reyes offered to provide her with all the money she and her parents could want or need in exchange for her body and obedience, it was an offer she couldn't refuse.

"Fantasies were for young girls who had no idea how the real world worked."

Leaving behind her waitressing job and her loving parents in Cabo San Lucas, she went to live with the vile but ultra-powerful Reyes. Little did she know, her worst nightmare was yet to come in the form of her husband's largest rival and enemy, Javier Bernal. Will being captivated by a man like him really be her worst nightmare or will it be her ultimate salvation?



Javier Bernal is the leading man of one of Mexico's most notorious, dangerous cartels. He's enigmatic, mysterious, powerful and charming when he wants to be. If you've read The Artists Trilogy, you know what happened to make him bitter when it comes to love. He's hesitant to let anyone get too close to him and even though he's intrigued by the beautiful fragile looking, yet fierce Luisa, he's determined to keep his distance from her.

"I have a lot of respect for beautiful things, you know. They are usually the most dangerous."

Like I said before, Javier has always piqued my interest, but it wasn't until now that I've read his story that I can fully appreciate the complexity of his character and the dangerously alluring edge he has to him. The fact that the story was written from dual POV also helped with understanding both characters and the evolution they went through throughout the story.

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

Javier and Luisa's story is one with many bumps along the road; Karina does not spare us the gory details of what goes around in the world of a Mexican cartel leader. But that's exactly what I appreciate most about Karina Halle's work and the no-nonsense, realistic way she creates her characters and storyline. Once again, she's created a thrilling, suspenseful, original and sexy read that kept me hooked from start to finish! Already looking forward to the next part in the Dirty Angels series.

Can be read as a standalone - with no cliffhanger.

[✦❋Arianna✦❋ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!!



Karina Halle delivered a very intriguing first installment in this series that kept me from the start on the edge of my seat for one reason or another. 'Dirty Angels' was dark, gritty, suspenseful and so very thrilling. Needless to say I was hooked from the prologue!

"Good or bad, there is great power in knowing who you are and owning it."

Luisa Chavez has always been a good daughter all her life caring for her parents who are both disabled. Luisa is used to live in poverty and she’s used to hard working. Being the only provider for her family, she is struggling with everything, so when a well-known, dangerous drug cartel leader, Salvador Reyes, makes her an offer – to be his wife in exchange for money and respect-, she reluctantly accepts. Soon after she finds out how cruel and sadistic Salvador can be, her live becoming slowly a living hell. She wants to be free again, she wants to escape and she tries, but she doesn’t succeed because she is kidnapped by Javier Bernal.

“There is so much power and influence in money and drugs that it makes me wonder why anyone would bother going straight.”

Javier Bernal is a dangerous man, a powerful cartel leader who wants to build his empire. He wants power, he loves power and he will do anything to have it. Anything! Javier wants to hurt Luisa, to make her cry and bleed, he wants to destroy her, but Luisa is strong willing to do anything to show Javier that she’s not afraid, wanting to beat him at his own twisted game.

“She needed to appreciate the art of violence, the beauty in fear, the fragility of her own life.”

As time passes, Javier becomes more and more intrigued by his captive. Her attitude astounds him, being captivated not only by her strong character, but also by her beauty.

“Why do you want to break me so badly?” (…)
“Because I want to destroy beautiful things before they can destroy me.”

I really enjoyed this one! It was for sure my kind of read! The plot was well developed, intriguing and like I mentioned above it kept me at the edge of my seat right up to the end…What I really liked was its unpredictability. I didn’t know what to expect, what Javier will do, how he will react and so on…

Both Luisa and Javier were well portrayed. Luisa was that kind of heroine I love to read about in these kind of books. She was strong and despite everything she endured she never broke. She speaks her mind and I loved the fact that she wasn’t that naïve heroine you usually meet in a dark read. She was smart and in some way manipulative at times and also mature which I really liked. Javier was cunning and manipulative, cruel and sadistic at times, but not too much to be hated. I have to be a little crazy, but I really liked how he follows his own set of rules. He was a very charming anti-hero that many readers will love to hate. The way the Luisa and Javier fond safety in each other, later as the story unfolded saving each other in some insane, twisted way was fantastically done. However, to be honest I would have liked their relationship to be a little more developed.

I enjoyed the fact the story is told in dual POV. To be honest for some crazy reason I enjoyed Javier’s POV more. Trust me when I say he was a fascinating character. The story is fast-paced, action packed, intense and filled with suspense and also steam and I can totally say it blew my mind. Keep in mind there are many graphic scenes in the story, not really disturbing, but unpleasant to say the least.

Overall, a fantastic, delightful read!

[Alex is The Romance Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something about Karina Halle’s writing that astonishes me every time I read one of her books.

I became a die-hard fan after reading her Artists Trilogy and was excited that Javier Bernal would have his own book. He was a character I wanted to know more about….and in Dirty Angels we certainly do…and nothing that I expected!!

I kept asking myself how it was possible that I was faced with a story filled with darkness, depraved and evil characters, brutality, evil, violence and still managed to find something good and beautiful in it as well!!!!

How could I feel anything but dislike for someone like Javier Bernal? – A drug lord, a killer who likes to torture his enemies by cutting off their hands and feet and then squeezing their heads with a wrench!! Someone who forces a defenseless woman to undress, get down on her knees and proceed to come all over her back!!!! Can anyone be more depraved than that? How could someone like him ever redeem himself? Yet, there was a part inside him that grabbed me…a hope that there was a good soul beneath all that depravity…..

Luiza Chavez’s character development was absolutely amazing. She goes from being a good, caring and moral person to someone almost unrecognizable at the end. What she endures in the hands of depraved men is inconceivable and to see her strength and courage is truly admirable…

Married to a sadist and kidnapped by her husband’s rival drug cartel, led by Javier, she continues being abused, tortured….even having Javier’s name carved on her back with a knife…broken physically but not her spirit…

She would endure pain, rape, violence but she would never give up being free from this depraved world around her….

What I found interesting was that Javier, supposedly the strong and feared drug lord finds himself not in control. With Luiza, he sees a possibility in having someone loving you, despite your flaws and weaknesses….

This is not a sweet and cute love story. It’s a gritty, dark, provocative, unconventional tale that absolutely grabs you from the first page.

And still the author managed to surprise me with the ending of the story……..did I ever expect that??? Not at all!!

You may be shocked, stunned, freaked out, angry, disturbed….you want hearts and all…no you won’t get that here…you will get something more than that!!!
The HEA boundaries are blown away in this story and it’s so worth delving into something so very different and unexpected.

[Vee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have fallen into the Mexican-cartel-romance rabbit hole, and I fear I live here now…Dark, messy, morally unhinged, and confusing right until the end. This book put me through it!

PSA: Our heroine went through a lot at the hands of her husband (not the hero, don’t panic). Most of it was alluded to rather than graphically detailed, which I personally appreciated. Her reasons for enduring it will make more sense as the story unfolds.

More on the heroine…She was resilient in a quiet, deadly kind of way. As a beauty queen, she had a certain composure, but didn’t have the vapid, mirror-obsessed personality that usually comes with that character type. She was outspoken when it mattered, but smart enough to know when silence was the real power move.

She felt unique. I am so tired of “strong” heroines being written as argumentative just for the sake of noise. Constantly snapping, constantly needing the last word. The heroine was better than that. She was strategic. She knew her captors wanted a reaction, and she starved them of it.

The hero was genuinely psychotic with the most twisted moral compass imaginable. Yet against my better judgment…I still liked him. His loyalty to his cartel was unshakable. He was terrifying with his soldiers, but (mostly) soft with her.

However, can we talk about why authors describe men as not ‘conventionally attractive’? Thank you for the suggestion, but my version will look like Danny Ramirez. The hero was described as having big eyes in relation to the rest of his face. Okay…so now I’m imagining Quagmire from Family Guy.

In the same way, if you tell me a man is a “giant,” I’m seeing the Mountain from Game of Thrones, or if you tell me a man is super tall, I’m mentally conjuring up the Slender Man. The mind works in mysterious ways.

I was loving this book right up until the last five chapters, then I started skimming. The choices were confusing, and while it was probably the “right” decision, the self-sacrifice hit when I was already emotional. You know that inevitable plot twist that has to happen, even though you desperately wish it wouldn’t? Yeah… that one.

So officially it’s staying at a 4-star because of how much I loved it… But realistically it’s more of a 3.5. I still had a great time, though.

If you’re hunting for another Mexican cartel read, check out El Malo. Very good, with a secret-identity twist I loved. Honestly, I’m fully sucked into this morally grey mafia/cartel world and can’t escape, so if you have recs, send them my way 🙌🙏

[Christine Wallflower & Dark Romance Junkie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 I'm going to round them off stars

Dirty Angels by Karina Halle had the makings of an epic novel. I've come to the conclusion that it really just wasn't my kind of book. We have Javier Bernal an infamous Drug Cartel Lord. He's feared, respected and his nasty. Here's the thing, since this book is written in dual POV, the character, Javier harped on about how ruthless and cutthroat he was. He had this dark heart and no soul. But as I read on and turned page after page, all I saw was a broken man, lost in his glory days.



From the moment Luisa, stepped into his life every move and decision Javier made was rash and stupid. I have never once come across a character who was so adamant about how he wasn't capable of being in love but so obviously was! He was enamoured from the get go and here's the thing I have no problem with insta-love but come on!



Luisa, probably the strongest character in this whole book is what kept me reading it. When Javier, had completely lost his wits and couldn't make decisions anymore she filled in and did damage control.


***CAREFUL MILD SPOILER***
Javier's men kidnap Luisa from her husbands home in order for Javier to use her as a bargaining chip. Javier wants something of Salvador's and is willing to use Luisa to get it. Here's the thing, this guy was already having soft and squishy feelings about her when he only had a picture of her. I new he wouldn't be able to be as ruthless as he wanted to be.
***END OF MILD SPOILER***

And then we have Esteban and the doctor, two little devils sitting on Javier's shoulders.
A question if I may. Can Javier not make one single decision without these two steam rolling and making him do anything?

Dirty Angels, a story about the demise of a Drug Cartel Lord.

Look I'm not saying there weren't some good moments. But by the time Javier started killing people and cutting them up, it was way too late and I couldn't get past his earlier weakness.

And then that last action packed scene. Where was the DEA, did they all run in the wrong direction, while Javier new immediately where to look? And then they miraculously show up once everything is over?

[Duchess Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

"Sex needed to be a little rough and crude to balance out the elegance. A touch of tasteful violence goes a long way."

First off, I just want to say how much I love Karina's blurb and warning. Basically, don't read this mother effing book if rape/violence/torture will make you hate what you are reading. So there should be no reviews that are gasping, fanning, shocked readers talking about all the crazy that takes place in Dirty Angels. I mean, take it seriously, folks! There is rape, torture, and some pretty extreme violence towards women in here, and much more alluded to.

"Rubbing a clit to completion and sawing off someone's foot seemed to use all the same muscles."

I, for one, am really appreciative of the warning. I went into it knowing wht to expect and enjoyed my experience more for it. I usually don't read something with that kind of disclaimer but it's the creator of DEX FORAY and PERRY PALOMINO, for goodness sakes! I'll read Karina's daily to-do list and rave about it. I'm sure it's brilliant.

Now, I wasn't a huge fan of Javier's in The Artists Trilogy. I'm not a fan of cheaters, and although I can normally be somewhat forgiving, what Javi did to Ellie was so blatant that it was a shock. And then the fact that he is so full of himself and too prideful to ask her forgiveness or even admit to doing anything wrong just completely ruined the romance aspect between Javi and Ellie. So yeah, I was a tiny bit skeered going into a Javi-only story.

However, I have to say that Javi in his own book won me over. He's ruthless, cold blooded, and riding that fine line of bad vs. evil. There's not much good in Javier, that's for certain. And I don't feel like Karina caved to that aspect and made him into a romantic character. Instead, I feel like she brought Luisa to Javier's side more than the reverse. She started out this downtrodden, exhausted, beaten by life young woman, then gets screwed even more by life when she gets involved with the Mexican drug cartels. She's abused in every way imaginable and basically used as a vessel for depraved sexual acts and a sadistic bastard's every whim. That's got to change a woman on every fundamental level she has. What innocence and goodness do you have left after that?

Somehow, though, I felt that Luisa retains a scrap of herself to show Javier when he rips that bag off her head. It's not insta love by any means, but the attraction and the need is obvious.

** Now, this is just an observation from me. I'm living in North Texas, and it's more obvious to me than perhaps people living in the northern US or other countries around the world...but this subject matter is absolutely a reality in Mexico. The country is filled to bursting with drug cartels, and they're virtually unstoppable. It's inhuman, the way these 'people' live their lives. All politics aside, this is definitely a romanticized version of what takes place across the river from Laredo, Texas on a daily basis. It hits pretty close to home for me, so a fictional Javi is still not really a hero at all...he's pretty much a monster in every way. That's all I wanted to say. **

I'm excited that this is not the last that we will see of Javier and Luisa. They will apparently have a part in the next in this series. To be honest, I felt like there was something missing from this story, but I can't put my finger on it. Maybe the fact that so much of what I read is only this particular part of their lives...there's not much background on either of them, aside from what is absolutely pertinent to this story. So while I felt sympathetic for them both to an extent, it was hard to relate to them. And had I Not read the Artists Trilogy, I think I'd have felt even less for Javier.

Still, I'm going with 3.5 stars because I was fully invested in the story while I read it. It didn't blow my mind but I really enjoyed it...it's different from the norm. A bit darker, but I didn't feel like Halle "went there" just to sell books. I felt like she wrote this to explore that part of her mind, to possibly have an outlet for this type of character, and to show that she can write a real, honest to god bad boy and still make us root for him.

Buddy read with Shanna and Steph :D Thanks ladies!!

[Catarina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Javier Stars!

Luisa had a bad life. And I mean, bad.
One day she was presented with one opportunity to have a better life. And that’s how she becomes the wife of Salvador Reyes, one of the biggest drug lords in Mexico.
And she soon finds out that when the opportunity is too good to be truth, is because it probably is.



And when she finally manages to escape she finds herself in the hands of her “husband” biggest rival, the drug lord of another cartel, Javier Bernal.
If you read the Artists Trilogy you know that Javier is no angel. And when Luisa falls in his hands he knows that he could use her as leverage against Salvador.



But as things starts to change messing with all their dark and f*cked up world, could Luisa stop being the pawn… and become a queen?



Rating: 4 Stars.
Storyline: If you’re looking for a feel good kind of romance, you better go away, this isn’t for you. This is dark, gritty, emotional and f*ucked up. In short, another Karina Halle awesomeness. You may not agree with the protagonists actions (both of them), after all they are sinners and criminals. But you have to understand their background and accept that it won’t be a rainbow ride in order to enjoy this book. And if you understand that, believe me, you will love it.
Writing Style: First person. Dual POV. Dark, emotional, completely addictive.
Character Development: Luisa was pretty good. Yeah, there was some attitudes I didn’t completely agree, but I understand where they came from. She was a strong, fierce and despite all, loyal heroine. Javier was another story. I had a “more hate than love” relationship with him since the AT but now, after knowing him way better I’m happy to say that our relationship status switched to “More love than hate”. Because as much as I liked him, believe me, I just wanted to beat him with a broom sometimes!
Steam: Hot.
HEA: Yes.

[Wendy'sThoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

~~~~~~UPDATED ~~~~~~~
5 The Good, The Bad, The Cartel and The Strong Stars * * * * *

I was caught up in the frenzy of the Artist's Trilogy by Karina Halle. All of my friends were on my feed with Sins and Needles updates. Then On Every Street hit and the massive debate of Team Javier vs Team Camden was the topic. Shooting Scars came out and more debate with the highly anticipated Bold Tricks due. I read the trilogy out of order... and because of that...I think there was a real impact on how I envisioned the series, the characters and the writing.

I started with On Every Street which was the story of Ellie and Javier. From the first page I was sucked in...I was new to Karina Halle... had no previous experience but with this novella, she gave me these characters... she had captured my mind and it was hers while I read.
These people had back stories; they radiated heat... the kind you see on the horizon when it is so hot the air is vibrating... There was grit; charm oozed between them as they each tried to play each other... and while this was happening... I was falling in love with a man who could be child like and open then turn ruthless and cold with a turn of his head.

Javier was one of those rarefied characters authors, I'm sure, think of as the Holy Grail. He can be evil, sexy, heartless and caring. He makes you wish in the dead of night he would come to you off the page and whisper in your ear all of the naughty dirty things he did to Ellie. He can scare the shit out of you with your fascination about him and he upstages any other character who tries to compete with him on the page.... because no matter what the author may do to make you love the other interest for our girl Ellie.... it Just.Will.Not.Happen.

So I read On Every Street first... I did love Sins and Needles and followed blindly to Shooting Scars. Unfortunately, for me... Bold Tricks was not for me... and so I was done with the trilogy but hopeful when I learned of the promise of Dirty Angels. Because anything written with Javier as the central character.... I would be front and center.

This my friend is the real deal. This is back to the Javier I was captivated with.... and Karina gave him a woman worthy; a woman so strong and aware... so heartwrenching, you can barely breathe during some of these moments on the page. The life she lives with the resolve to try to make the best she can with what she has been dealt.... her determination to be.... live... and just finally take what she needs is awe inspiring.

This is not a fairly tale with pretty mind pictures. This could be described as the opposite. The realities of Drug Cartel life; the discount of women and their "place" in this world is horrifying. The actions taken are beyond description. There is no beauty. Those who do not wish to experience this type of brutal violence should stay very far away. Ms. Halle makes it very clear in the front of the the book.

However, if you have the stomach to see beyond this evil ugliness... if you look into what takes place with Javier and Luisa... see it for the strength and realization of two characters meant to be together.... then you will have an experience like no other.

You will see below, my first thoughts on this book after staying up until 5 AM to finish it... this is powerful and the first part of another series involving Javier. I will be there with my heart on a platter for him to do with it as he sees fit... as I belong to him in this Dirty Angels' World.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have been addicted to this book... not sleeping enough... not concentrating on my real life, as I should... getting up in the middle of the night to finish this odyssey Of Javier and Luisa.

I am so tired but so happy to have the real Javier back... with a tale worthy of him and Karina Halle. I will be back later to do the review... but just for this moment know... This writing... this book is the Karina Halle I fell in love with... and I am so happy to have her back.

For more reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

For fans of The Artist's Trilogy and especially for fans of Javier, this is the book where he gets to shine. We get to see the drug lord in all his glory but what we really get to see is the Javier that we got a glimpse of and fell in love with.

Javier, Javier, Javier...I have been waiting for his book for what seems forever and I'm totally thrilled with what KH has written. He is a wonderful anti-hero and I love seeing his moments of vulnerability and more importantly, his sense of honor. I especially loved getting his POV along with Luisa's.

I also enjoyed Luisa. We knew she would be beautiful but it was hard reading about what all she went through. I loved that she was a fighter though. And while I never felt that Ellie was the one for Javier, I'm happy that Luisa is.



Por Supuesto this book is steamy, after all, we are talking about Javier here. From the first moment he put his talented tongue to work, there was no going back. I loved that he "educated" Luisa properly. ;)

Esteban...do I need say more? Yes...we need MORE!!! I'm really hoping the third book, Dirty Promises, is his!

There is a warning for this book and if you don't like gruesome at all, don't read it. For the most part, it didn't bother me....just the ending with Franco. ugh!

The drama was intriguing even though Salvador is a dog. I'm happy with how that ended although it was a bit too easy...he needed to suffer.



I really enjoyed the time Javier and Luisa spent at his house and while I'm happy with the ending, I was left wanting more...even though the beach scene was muy caliente! KH states that they will make an appearance in the next book, Dirty Deeds, so that's an added bonus.



Favorite quotes

♥ “My darling. You’re going to be my undoing.”

♥ "Just don't grow a mangina."

♥ “Don’t mistake broken pride for a broken heart. No man wants to look like a fool. Because of her, I lost almost everything, and it took years for me to get it all back. That isn’t something you can forget overnight.”

♥ “I don’t want to save you,” she said, bringing her face closer to mine. “I want to join you.”

♥ "The saying goes, if you love something, let it go. I always thought it was better to just shoot the damn thing so it’d never go anywhere."

♥ “But your cartel,” I started.

He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. None of that matters. Only you matter, Luisa, only you.”

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

This one is a little hard for me to review because I just don't know what I felt for it. By the end I was just kind of meh about these characters and realized I had so many more questions about their relationship. The weird part is, I liked Javier as a lone character, but when Luisa got involved into it, he started to fall flat for me. Alone I could see the darkness that lurked inside of him, and it made me want to know more about him. But then when his plan for Luisa started to play out I was left a little confused about where the dark side to him went.



I liked the premise of the story and that's what kept me invested. From the moment Luisa met Salvador I was wondering how everything would play out, so it was impossible for me to put the book down. My rating is a 3.5 because of how captivated the story had me, even when the characters weren't as great as I would have liked.

Going into this, I really thought Javier would be my man and another book boyfriend on my shelf. But sadly that's not what happened. If only the darkness that I thought I saw in the beginning, and then I actually got to see near the end of the book, was evident throughout the whole story. Maybe I'm just too fucked up in the head and need some seriously dark shit to happen, but his character was overall underwhelming and didn't please me as a drug lord that was supposed to be ruthless.



Luisa was confusing, at least for me. Sometimes her character came off as this tough heroine, and I enjoyed those parts, but other times she was this scared little girl. The parts where she was actually afraid of the situation she found herself in seemed to come out of no where and it gave me a bit of whip lash. I didn't not like her character, but I also didn't enjoy her too much.

Bottom line, I did like the story but it wasn't the best. The characters kind of ruined it for me, and I honestly didn't see any connection between them at all. There were parts I was just begging for Luisa to leave so I could just get more about Javier. However, I was very invested in the story and couldn't put it down, so it's still a winner in my eyes.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was most definitely not your typical fairytale romance; but it was a love story all the same...Just a love story that was more dark and tarnished!
If you are looking for a story where the bad guys get taken down, and some of them redeem themselves and all of a sudden become good; then you are looking in the wrong place! Most of us met Javier in the Sins and Needles book; and we all knew just how evil Javier could be. Well, in Dirty Angels, his evil ways are still out in full force with no end in sight! I am ashamed to say that I love this guy!!! He cracks me up at times, and then at other times he ticks me off! Ironically though, Javier is a man who is capable of extreme badness, but he does have his own code of honor, and for that reason I am able to develop somewhat of a soft spot for him at times! This quote is in typical Javier style:

"The saying goes, if you love something,let it go. I always thought it was better to just shoot the damn thing so it'd never go anywhere."~~Javier

When Javier decides to take a major drug Lords wife as hostage, he gets way more than he bargained for. Eventually, he learns that Luisa is not a woman who is easily broken, which makes his plan suddenly extremely hard and steers it in a new direction. Javier and Luisa end up having an affair...I'd like to say a love affair; but for the most part, love has very little to do with it. Passion,lust, and even violence are at the center of their affair. These two are electric together, and the passion is explosive. Very quickly, these two realize that they have met their match. This puts Javier in a very touch predicament, as he is supposed to kill her. This plan does not seem appealing to him anymore. Will Luisa be able to convince him to let her go, or will Javier live up to his reputation of being a man with no soul?

All in all, I loved Javier and Luisa together. There isn't anything about Luisa that I didn't like as a heroine. Is she pure as the driven snow?? Not even close! Life has treated her bad, and she has become hardened because of it. She is a survivor, and is willing to go to any lengths to survive, as well as protect the people that she loves. She is a woman who will literally knock anyone down to get what she wants. This makes her the perfect match for Javier in my eyes.
I loved how Luisa doesn't expect Javier to become a man that he is not..and in Javier's eyes he likes it too..

"Even with everything that I was,she didn't want to change me, she didn't want to save me. Perhaps it was because I was so beyond saving. Either way, she saw who I was and all my filth and she wanted to roll around in it with me. She had become my equal."

Once again, Karina Halle has written a book that I was highly entertained by. She is my go to author when I need a read that is unique, a little on the edgy side, and always has great sex! So far, I have never read a book I didn't like by her.. I can't wait until her next book which stars Javier's sister. It will not be a disappointment I am sure!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY FAVORITE DRUG LORD?????!!!!!

[Patrycja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: Dirty Angels
Series: Dirty Angels #1
Author: Karina Halle
Release Date: June 2014
Rating: 3 stars
Cliffhanger:. No
HEA: Yes



Dirty Angels is yet again book by Karina Halle that didn’t exactly made my body hum with pleasure. In no means was it bad or boring, it just didn’t offer me everything I hoped and wished for.



Maybe it’s because even though I was a big fan of Artist Trilogy, I’ve never liked Javier Bernal. He didn’t have the strength to catch my attention enough to make me crave his dirty mind. And while I know that he holds a lot of appeal it was lost on me. However, I just can’t say no when Karina Halle’s novel is screaming at me ‘pick me up!’. So despite the fact I didn’t appreciate Javier I dived into his story.

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

Dirty Angels was definitely fast paced and intense. There were lots of great parts that made me bite my nails and had me go mad with fear. Yet, I was lost when somewhere around I realized that the villain Javier stopped existing. When the manipulative, evil Drug Lord stopped being so BAD around Luisa I was fuming. There where parts when I was having hard time even remembering why should I classify Dirty Angels as a suspense romance.

"I have a lot of respect for beautiful things, you know. They are usually the most dangerous."

The grittiness and bloodlust I craved wasn’t exactly there; the whole plot lacked few things a name like Javier promised. I think it has something to do with me being not so in love with Javier and seeing him as worse person than he actually was, which in the end meant I was ready for him to be a huge villain once again. Here, in Dirty Angels, he actually was more considerate toward the main heroine.

“You must feel your soul is dirty then.” He gave me a wry smile. “Oh, my darling. No,” he said, opening the French doors for me. “I don’t even have a soul.”

I was also a tiny bit disappointed with the steam factor. There were only a few pretty hot scenes that I can remember. I wanted Javier to be a more of a freak in bed. Frankly, I expected more.



Although, I can’t say I fell in love with this story, I also can’t write that I didn’t enjoy it. There were many things I liked. The possessiveness, the intense and full of violence world was definitely appealing to me. So, for every fan of Javier Bernal Dirty Angels would be a huge hit and I am sure lots of other readers will find him not only interesting but sexy, just like me. And though, I still am and will be forever TEAM CAMDEN, Javier (despite him being in light version) got few brownie points from me.




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[Didi · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 STARS

Okay, I'm just going to say this because it's been bothering me for a while, well, since finishing the Artist's Trilogy and On Every Street. Javier, Javier...the man was not the RIGHT man for Ellie. There.
I was rooting for Cam by the end of Shooting Scars, not because he was so much better than Javier, but because he was exactly what Ellie needed. Javier broke my heart with the things he did with Ellie, but I've LOVED him regardless, almost unconditionally. So I'm so happy to say that this book gave him exactly what he deserved, exactly what he needed from a partner in life. And I loved it.

I know this book is classified as a standalone, but honestly, Javier is like a good wine, in order to appreciate him, you have to understand where he came from and what he went through...in life, love, and hardship. In other words, you need time to get to know him. Is Javier perfect? No. He's done bad things, unforgivable some of them, but I see the man and the goodness beneath the bad. So reading the Artist's trilogy and On Every Street, may not be 'stated' as necessary, but highly, highly, CAN'T EMPHASIZE ENOUGH...HIGHLY recommended. Beyond recommended. Had I read this as a standalone, never having met Javier in the past, I wouldn't even come close to loving him the way I do, or understood his motives and insecurities.
Anyways, this was fantastic. I loved everything, EVERY-THING. I loved Javier, obviously. I loved how he has matured, how he hides behind his failures. I never realized how much he was affected by everything that happened with Ellie until reading this. And what was really great was how for the majority of the book, things were subtly alluded to with his past. Of course I knew precisely what those things were and how they happened, which made me connect with Javier more. He was considerate, kind, fair, loving, vulnerable, and seductive. But he was also ruthless, unforgiving, competitive, ambitious and unafraid to always carry out his promises, whether good or bad. UNTIL LUISA.

Luisa was one of those characters that morphed into who exactly she was supposed to be. Her difficulties in life, her sacrifices, her failures, they were all a stepping stone for what was to become of her existence. I felt so bad for her in the beginning, having to live with a monster like Salvador and endure his brand of torture and defilement was heartbreaking. But when she was with Javier, her growth and evolvement was beautiful. She started living instead of surviving. Some people may have seen her change as negative, but I loved it. She was the yin to Javier's yang. SHE was what he was waiting for, NOT Ellie, and thank God for that. Javier bloomed in her presence and finally found the queen worthy of his throne.

Was this dark? Not really. Well, compared to other dark work I've read this doesn't register as dark, maybe disturbing at points but we are reading about drug cartels in Mexico. Darkness is subjective anyways depending on what you've read, but this was highly entertaining, beautiful, fantastic...just all around perfect for me. Javier always complained that he had no soul, but it was there, buried beneath the choices he's had to make to survive and get ahead. Luisa was like the magnet that compelled his soul to come out and recognize it's other half. HER.
Is this review dripping in adoration for Javier? Probably, but damn! I love this man. I'm excited to read the rest of the series, the next book being about Javier's sister, Alana. The beauty about this series is they're all standalones but we are promised to reacquaint with the sexy Mexican and lovely Luisa once again! Loved this!

[Geri Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 to 3.5 stars!



Sorry, Javier fans but I didn't love this one.

It could be because I had such high expectations of the book. Or maybe because Javier's character became too watered down that it's almost unrecognizable -- and this is coming from someone who've read only one book (On Every Street) from the Artists Trilogy -- or what. Honestly, I can't seem to put my finger on why this just didn't wow me but I will try.

I have to say, there were flashes of his ruthless personality and twisted sense of humor throughout the book but it was sparse and inconsistent. He was floundering especially when compared to Luisa's character who just outshone him in the badass department.

Don't get me wrong, I love a badass heroine but not to the point where she outshines the hero. And Luisa definitely did outshine Javier.

Don't open this if you don't want ranty spoilers.

The whole drug lord thing was laughable. I mean, this was a drug cartel but most of these guys were just holed up in their "hideout" twiddling their thumbs, playing medieval torture, and waiting. I would have been okay with waiting. But then he had absolutely no BACK-UP PLAN whatsoever if their original plan fails. And it did FAIL. In epic fashion, in fact. Luisa had to take up the slack and go back to her husband.

I had to wonder, how in the world did this guy became a drug lord again? And they way he asked the DEA for help? WTF? I wish he would have gone commando on Salvador's ass but he didn't.

Oh well.


But more than anything else, I was pretty bored and kept putting the book down. It wasn't until 65% or so did the story pick up. The first half was just Javier ruminating about his own ruthlessness and badassery. And I can't believe how many times I was reminded how stylish Javier was or what kind of jeans he's wearing, his suits,etc.

I did enjoy the tension between Este, the Doctor and Javier but for the most part, they were underutilized. The same can be said for Salvador. The torture scene helped a bit and the way Javier went about dispensing his own brand justice was great but for the most part



Still an okay read and many Javier fans will doubtless love this book but I wasn't that impressed. Still 3 to 3.5 for me because of Luisa and the last 20% where the action really picked up. But the rest was a bit meh for me.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so glad to be reunited with one of my favorite bad boys, Javier! After losing Ellie, he has spiraled even further down into his dark, seedy and sadistic narco world. While we all knew he had a darker side to him, previous books in the Sins & Needles series only hinted at his depravity, whereas Dirty Angels gives an up close and personal look at the monster that Javier has become. He seems to have lost touch with any shred of humanity that remained within him.

It is apparent that he is attracted to his hostage, a former beauty queen and wife of a rival cartel boss. However, I wasn't certain if he was too far gone to truly love again...or if he'd ever really loved in the first place. (To be fair, I should probably disclose up front that I had wanted Ellie to end up with Javier and am still a little bitter over that disappointment.)

I really got into the story and even made peace with Javier moving on from Ellie. I love a story that makes me feel conflicted throughout, and Ms. Halle definitely hit the mark with Dirty Angels. My thoughts were pretty evenly divided as to whether Javier was irredeemable and should be killed, or whether he was just irresistible and made for dirty, dirty deeds. I probably need a good psychiatrist, but I chose the latter!

I definitely recommend this book. Javier is hot, hot, hot!

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

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*ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review*

Pawn: The weakest piece on the chessboard, yet the only piece that has the ability to become stronger. It is dangerous and versatile.

Luisa is a good girl surrounded by evil men. Selfless, compassionate, gentle; the qualities that strengthen her character are the ones that weaken her once she finds herself immersed in the world of cartel leader, Salvador Reyes. Salvador approaches Luisa with an offer of marriage; an offer she cannot refuse. Sacrificing a life of normalcy and happiness in order to secure the very same for her parents, Luisa becomes a pawn to the sadistic Salvador in a game full drugs, violence and rape. Despite the frailty of her situation, Luisa soon finds herself in a position of power when she becomes the possession of rival cartel leader Javier Bernal.

King: The most important chess piece of the game. No material equivalency can be applied to the King because his "loss" means the end of the game, therefore he is considered "invaluable"

Javier is a man of many faces: The merciless villain, the gorgeous Lothario, the cruel gentleman. He is Sinner and Saint. Heaven and Hell. Quite simply, Javier is a King amid subjects and a God among men. What started as a seductive prelude to Javier in The Artist's Trilogy has now turned into a delicious continuation with Dirty Angels. Javier is back with a vengeance and he is taking hostage of a woman strong enough to break him: Luisa Reyes.

En Prise: A French term meaning "in a position to be taken".

When Javier captures Luisa, she is a means to an end: a sacrifice for his organizations greater good. But Javier's motivations are slightly selfish once he sees the fire and fight she refuses to tame. The relationship that develops between them quickly blurs the lines of captor and captive. Javier's charming wit, sexual prowess and undeniable appeal awakens something in Luisa that she doesn't understand yet cannot fight. But Javier is lesser of all evils in the game that is rapidly evolving.

Smothered Mate: A form of checkmate where the King is unable to escape check because his own friendly pieces prevent him from moving.

With Javier's henchmen Este, Franco, and The Doctor inflicting their swift brand of torture and retaliation upon whomever they please, Luisa is constantly in danger. To them, she is expendable but to Javier she is an enigma that threatens his own moral code as well as his own notions about love. As the sexual tension between them reaches fever pitch, the ultimate power struggle ensues that elevates Luisa from a pawn into a Queen.

Queening the Pawn: In all cases of queening, a pawn is “queened” once it has reached the opposite end of the board.

Dirty Angels is a story about power vs. weakness, good vs. evil, strategy vs. threat. All in all, it's like a game of chess with the addition of scorching hot sex. Now the subject matter may scare some people off but the themes present in this story are worth the sometimes-violent journey. Luisa is one hell of a heroine. She is strong and brave and compliments Javier in a way that makes this larger-than-life villain human.

Queen: The strongest piece on the chessboard.

But don't worry, Javier is still the same ruthless, cunning, and deceitful man we all love to silently (or loudly) root for. He is one of the most fascinating characters I have had the pleasure of reading and every word out of his mouth is pure gold. This is one of my favorite books of 2014 and I am eagerly anticipating Dirty Deeds.

Endgame: The part of the game where the King should come out and fight.

5 stars*