Sins and Needles

The first installment in Halle’s Artists Trilogy of romantic suspense novels is a thrilling mix of tattoo art and con artists. Ellie Watt is a talented scammer. She leaves Cincinnati after almost getting caught cheating men out of their money in an online dating scheme, and returns to Palm Valley, Calif., where she lived as a teenager. She knows her Uncle Jim won’t be happy to see her, but Camden McQueen sure is. Ellie is shocked that Camden, a fellow outcast in high school, has gone from skinny goth to gorgeous tattoo artist. The attraction is instant and mutual, but Ellie is reluctant to give up her scams and settle down, and when the tables are turned on her, she can’t tell whether Camden is friend or foe. Multi-layered characters change and are explored at depth, and the story keeps readers guessing up until the very end. Sexy, romantic, and intensely suspenseful, Halle’s series-starter is an excellent debut from a fresh new voice. (Sept.)