Cartel: Book 1

By: Lili St. Germain

Narrated by: Molly Glenmore, Roger Douglas

Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

The first full length Gypsy Brothers novel from the smash hit author Lili St. Germain.

Now a USA Today best seller!

How much is a life worth?

Mariana Rodriguez is the eldest daughter of a Colombian drug lord. Growing up in Villanueva, Colombia, she has never wanted for anything. Private schools, a lavish lifestyle, and the safety of the cartel that her father works for.

At 19 she's got her entire life mapped out, and what a good life it's going to be: graduate from college, move to America, and finally be free from the stifling grip of the cartel.

Only her father messes up. A shipment of cocaine - a very large, very valuable shipment - is seized by the authorities while under his care, and he becomes liable for the debt. Half a million dollars' worth of cocaine.

Half a million dollars he does not have.

But he has a daughter, a very smart one - a daughter who would give up her very existence and offer herself as payment for her father's sins, to ensure her family survives.

But falling in love with the man who owned her isn't part of the plan....

©2014 Lili St. Germain (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

great story. major cliffhanger!

Love the story line and the characters. Not just a clean cut love story like most. I don't like waiting for the next book!

I love all the drama

This books gives me all the things I require in a book. It's a weird kind of naughty, two people who share the same kinks, but the situation they are in is very unstable. I love the angst. In my opinion it was well worth my credit. Enjoy!!

Exciting

Keeps you engaged in this story. Brutal yet so interesting and exciting. Characters seem so sexy and beautiful yet dark, definitely a twist!

This is NOT your typical romance...in a GOOD way!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this audiobook to anyone who can handle dark "romance", violence and gut-wrenching heartache. While it was certainly a dark listen, it was refreshing to have an author not accommodate the "hearts and flowers" HEA that most listeners look for. I appreciated that the author made the story seem real by writing it where every scene didn't turn out perfectly (not even close) for the main characters - she provided a brutally honest glimpse into the life of crime and didn't try to portray it thru rose colored glasses.

What other book might you compare Cartel: Book 1 to and why?

I would compare Cartel to the Dark Duet Series by CJ Roberts because, like the Dark Duet Series, Cartel is truly a dark listen that will captivate you and evoke emotion that softer reads are incapable of. I've never felt sadness, anger and despair while also experiencing drama, love and laughter like these two books provided.

What does Molly Glenmore and Roger Douglas bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I was an avid reader before having children and a career, so I've done my share of both reading and listening. I've got to say that I prefer to listen because I feel like I'm able to interpret the book the way the author intended when it is performed. It's always nice to hear the male POV in a male voice instead of thru my female voice in my head while I'm reading.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Any additional comments?

My only complaint about this series by Lili St. Germain is that the last book of the trilogy is taking FOREVER to be released. I almost wish that audible wouldn't have provided the first two books until the third was at least much closer to it's release date. Oh well, it will be a good reason to listen to the first two again, right before the release of the third. :)

Ok

Not like the hot bikers I started to read, not this type of story not hot and sexy!!!

OUTSTANDING SURPRISED AT THE NEW GENRE

Captivated all throughout the evening to 9 am in the morning the next day! I never heard of this book or author. Usually into fantasy or vampire ya adventure ROMANCE series but I absolutely loved every second couldn't stop listening and I'm staying awake as long as I can through out the new day to listen to the next 2 audio books in this series .
oh and at times funny as heck, except the taking the lords name in vain and over and over at times that is one thing I can't handle , if you're cursing fine but keep the lords name out of it!

Ummm I’m just not sure

The narrators were great. However I did not like that Dornan point of view was in 3rd person. I like dark romantic stories but there is NO romance but now they love each other??? And Dornan has 2 wives. I don’t get it. Probably will pass on book 2. The book did keep my attention but not my cup of tea.

Addictive!!!!

I didn't think I could like Dornan after the Gypsy brothers series but holy hell, do I LOOOVE this dark, twisted and dangerous man!! Lili St Germain's narrative is spellbinding and addictive!! I cannot wait to listen to KINGPIN next!!!

I don't know what to think.

I originally thought Emilio would be the male protagonist, you know, since the name was cartel and he runs it. But when there was no real chemistry between him and Marianna, I was kind of happy. That said, his son is the main character and the story turns into an MC novel mixed with cartel. It was strange. I liked the plot, but it felt like it was dragged out for the other books. I got bored toward the end and while things were technically happening, it felt like things were stagnant regardless. Not only that, but the male protagonist is kind of... sleazy. I didn't like that he was basically cheating on his wife this whole time and that he had a bunch of (6 to be exact) kids at home, regardless of the circumstances. It just didn't do it for me. I pushed through but I don't know that I'd be interested in continuing this series at this point.

OMG !! SO DARK & REAL !! CREDIT WORTHY !!

If you could sum up Cartel: Book 1 in three words, what would they be?

DARK !! THRILLING !! SHOCKING !!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I like all the characters as a whole. I swear I'm not sick or crazy but if I HAD to choose a favorite character it would be Emilio, the Kingpin of the Cartel. His actions & frame of mind was so POWERFUL.

What does Molly Glenmore and Roger Douglas bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I could have read the book with or without audio. I'll take the time to read the book if my hands are free otherwise I use audio when I'm working, cleaning, shopping etc ....The narrators voices were pleasant to hear. It fit the characters well.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES !!! I was listing to it all the time. I had on my headphones while cleaning, grocery shopping,and Bluetooth in my car as I was driving. It was serious !!!

Any additional comments?

This is a DARK & TWISTED novel. NOT for the light hearted at all. It's really dark ( like Pepper Winters style dark). You'll need to read it with an open mind.DEFINITELY WORTH MY CREDIT !!!