Dirty Promises

by Karina Halle

[littleread1]

I might have to go back through and re-read this just for quotes on GR. But basically, I loved this book so much it made me a little concerned for my mental well being. This is NOT a sunshine and romance book. Not even a little. These people are FUCKED UP. And I loved every single horrible torturous minute.

I don't know where to begin ... ever since we met Javier in Sins & Needles or On Every Street (depending on the order you read them in) I have been in lust. Not in love; Javier is not a man you want to fall in love with. He is a bad bad man. But he is beyond fascinating and sexy and intriguing. And when he finally (I thought) got his own version of a HEA in Dirty Angels I was satisfied. Not that I don't want more Javi of course, I mean HELLO. And we do get a few brief glimpses of him in Dirty Deeds, and things were not looking ... well let's just say we found out some things going on behind the scenes that let you know things were going to get worse before they had a chance to get better. And in the Mexican drug cartels there is no promise of things getting better. (See what I did there? The book is called Dirty PROMISES ... ok I am easily entertained)

Luisa and Javier have not had an easy time of it since we really knew what was happening with them. If you read Dirty Deeds, you will know what I am talking about. If not, you learn pretty early on. Javier, not having the emotional stability to deal with that, redirects his energy to "other activities" ... *coughwomencough*. And even though Luisa on one level understands, it still hurts. Add to that that someone in their inner circle has plans to take over the cartel, and wants to use Luisa however he can ... well things go from bad to worse in less time than it takes to do a line of coke. (For the record, I am guessing here. I have never actually done coke OR tried to take over a cartel.)

Now is a good time to mention ... you PROBABLY don't want to be eating anything while you read this book. It is ... let's just say bloody. And gory. And full of body parts missing from the bodies they belong to. I have a strong stomach and there were a few bits that made me squirm. Which makes the fact that I LOVE this book so disturbing. I mean, what is wrong with me that a book about people cutting people into pieces, torture, murder, killing, drugs, and all sorts of other nasty bits is one of my favorite reads of 2015? I had a normal childhood, my parents love me, I've never been kidnapped ... *books appointment with psychologist ASAP*

With all that said, Halle continues to amaze (and let's be honest, scare) me with her writing style. For most of this book I felt like a fly on the wall, watching things happen in real time. I really shouldn't be surprised anymore, having read (and loved) everything she has written to date, but sometimes I am still astonished with how she pulls you into the story and makes you bear witness to the horrible, and sometimes beautiful, things her characters do to each other and themselves.

As for Luisa and Javier ... I am not going to tell you if they work things out. I was guessing all the way through and I want to keep you guessing as well. And Javier, my love, this is not goodbye, but so long for now. Whether or not you turn up in any future books, I will always have you to reread over and over again.