Review: 3.75 out of 5 Stars
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 18, 2014
Shooting Scars is the second installment of the Artists Trilogy by Karina Halle and picks up exactly where the first installment ended. Ellie Watt is a con-artist seeking for redemption and wanting nothing more that to live a normal life again. In her hometown, she even bumps into her childhood best friend Camden McQueen and the spark ignites again - even though her old habits die hard.However, trouble is right around the corner and her ex-lover and drug lord Javier Bernal re-appears after 6 years and is holding Camden's ex-wife and son hostage. For Camden's sake, Ellie chooses to go with Javier and whatever he has planned to leave Camden's family intact.But she didn't think that Camden would come looking for her wherever Javier took her...Shooting Scars is the story of a relentless pursuit laced with action, suspense and of course, steam! While Camden is trying to find a way to get Ellie back, and fighting hard to do so, Ellie is stricken with guilt, desperation and a tad bit of Stockholm syndrome when it comes to Javier, who doesn't refrain from playing his mind games with her.It is a brilliant dual-POV that will reveal the weaknesses and strength of both characters and will only make you like them more. At least, that's how it happened for me: Camden has not exactly become a perfect book boyfriend to me, but he's certainly become the epitome of strong and determined manliness, driven by his love for Ellie all the while embracing his soft side, angsts and weaknesses. Plus it's always a nice addition when they are tattooed and buff, have dark hair and blue eyes and wear geeky Clark Kent glasses. Absolutely drool worthy.One thing I found annoying (all the while loving the story) was definitely Ellie's behaviour. Ok, not sure how anyone would react when put in her place, but I feel like in this part of the trilogy, Ellie is very weak and gives in too easily. And I couldn't help but feel really bad for Camden, who is in some way betrayed...But other than than, it really is a great read which I would definitely recommend. It is not as good as the first or the last instalment, but it certainly is great :)