Interview w/ Karina Halle-- she might be just a little bit sadistic--in an awesome way of course ;)

Sometimes the right choice can be the deadliest.

When Ellie Watt made the ultimate sacrifice for Camden McQueen, she never thought it would be easy. But walking away with her ex-lover, Javier Bernal, in order to ensure Camden’s safety has brought a whole new set of dangers. With Javier’s plans for Ellie growing more secretive by the moment, Ellie must find a way to stay ahead of the game before her past swallows her whole.

Meanwhile, Camden’s new life is short-lived. Fueled by revenge and pursued by authorities, he teams up with an unlikely partner in order to save Ellie. But as Camden toes the line between love and retribution, he realizes that in order to get back the woman he loves, he may have to lose himself in the process. He might just turn into the very man he’s hunting.

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Karina! Girl get on in here it is hot as blazes out there. Whew. I've got lemonade and fruit salad in the kitchen and figured we'd munch while we chat. Because I need some gossip on this series of yours. It sounds fantastic! 

So what are the dirty deets on Camden, Ellie and Javier? How'd they meet and what are they up to in Shooting Scars? 

Thanks for the lemonade. *spikes it with vodka* Well, pull up a chair because this might take a while. Ellie, Camden and Javier have quite the convoluted background, their lives twisting in and out of each other’s. Ellie and Camden knew each other in high school where they were the resident “freaks” and best friends until Ellie kind of screwed Camden over.  

After high school, Ellie left her town to become a con artist like her parents, focused on getting her revenge on a drug lord that had ruined her life when she was a child. To do this, she “cozies” up to the drug lord’s second in command, Javier. She ends up falling for Javier, abandoning her plans for revenge, and gets embroiled in a torrid affair with him. 

Unfortunately, the affair ends horribly and Ellie leaves the relationship, striking out on her own (whilst taking off with Javier’s car and a huge sum of money).  

Fast forward six years and Ellie returns to her hometown where she runs into the now hunky Camden who’s a local tattoo artist with secrets of his own. Only Camden’s not the only man from her past who comes into her life again. 

Is that confusing enough for you? Mind you, this is all explained in the prequel On Every Street and in the book Sins & Needles. In Shooting Scars, you see all three characters coming together, a deadly cocktail of lust and longing, revenge and redemption. I can’t say much more without spoiling it, but let’s just say fans of Sins & Needles are in for a few surprises.

Damn it sounds good to me. So, what do you think is that one thing about each of them that will make people fall for them?

For Ellie, I think it’s her adaptability and her vulnerability. For Camden, it’s his determination and his soulfulness. For Javier, it’s his passion and duplicity. I know that’s two things for each, but these are some complicated and flawed characters.

LOL I think we can let it slide ;) Could you share 3 behind the scenes fun facts about the Artists Trilogy? 

• Ellie was named after my late dog, who in turn was named after the character of Ellie Satler from Jurassic Park

• The Artists Trilogy is named such because Ellie is a con artist and Camden is a tattoo artist. The acronym actually spells out TAT and no, it wasn’t planned that way. *oh that's an excellent little happening*

• The Pontiac GTO named “Jose” in the book is almost like another character. It’s been smashed up, involved in more than one car chase, had hot sex on its hood. It’s been through a lot and it’s not over yet.

Damn. That car's seeing more action than me. LOL Alright, if Camden, Ellie and Javier could do anything and completely get away with it what would they do?

Well being that Camden is a money launderer, Javier is a drug lord and Ellie is a con artist, they kind of do get away with everything. I guess they haven’t robbed a bank yet!

::snort:: Good point, lol. Good they have *some* limits though ;) So, when you're not completely immersed in the Artist Trilogy world how do you spend your time?

I live on an island, so everything outside of writing is pretty low-key. It’s usually sailing or going to the beach with my rescue pup, or just relaxing on the porch with my fiancé and a bottle of wine. I travel a lot too, which is great when I can find the time outside of my writing. And of course, I read a ton.

Aws congats on the engagement and woot! for the rescue pup! We love rescue babies here. Alright a couple silly ones and we'll let you get back to hanging with the pooch...

Favorite thing you've done to freak someone out?

I used to take people on night hikes and leave them alone in the middle of a forest without a flashlight. Or I’d tell everyone my house was haunted and dress up like a ghost and scare the crap out of them. Or I’d send my friend threatening notes pretending to be a serial killer. Yeah, I was sadistic back then, too. *omg Karina. LOL that would so freak me out*

Yard gnomes or flamingos?

Flamingos. My best friend has a gnome phobia so she’d never come over.

Weirdest thing in your purse right now?

You won’t believe it, but it’s a picture of a gnome I saved to freak out my friend. Also, a fake mustache.  *LOL ohmygod that is so wrong*

Strangest thing you've Google searched in the name of research?

Oh man, that changes from day to day. Recently it would have to be real-life zombies and voodoo oils for my other series, Experiment in Terror. For TAT, it would be whether you could kill someone with a tattoo needle (it’s possible).

I'm completely obsessed with?

Ordering clothes from Modcloth.com. I need help.

Favorite man candy? Photos are welcome!

At the moment, I am crushing on model Caue Amaral, whom I think makes a picture perfect Camden McQueen, down to the buff build, soulful blue eyes, tattoos and glasses.

Oh now that is a yummy man! I hadn't seen him before. Whew boy! Thanks for dropping in for a chat Karina! Hope you have a great afternoon. Can't wait to check out Javier, Camden and Ellie's story!

Have you read Karina? Have a favorite? 

Feel free to leave her some comment love or questions!