Are you ready for Mariana’s story in this
heart-wrenching NEW series!?
RELEASE DATE: January
27th
Review by Klaire
This book made me anxious before I even got to opening it on my kindle. I didn't want my Lili St Germain bubble to burst, I am only familiar with her Seven Sons series which were novellas and I was a little afraid that perhaps she couldn't pull off a lengthier book with the same effect. I wasn't sure if I could get my head around a story that I already knew the outcome of, a bit like The Titanic I suppose. We all know the story and how it ends but we still sat and watched it full of awe and wonder. Haha, all that fuss for nothing, of course she nailed it!
"But here, alone, nobody knew. Nobody saw. It was just them."
But Cartel did surprise me, I wasn't ready for the amount of emotion that I felt whilst reading. For me there was a pervading sadness from start to finish. A resignation in both Dornan and Mariana that their lives were meant to be the way they were, and the way they were unfolding. Like it was in their stars somehow. This is quite a raw and gritty account of Dornan and Ana and, what I'm guessing, is how Dornan came to be. The history that takes us up to Seven Sons. Christ, it's not pretty for one second but my word are there some gorgeous moments in here. Moments that are Dornan's doing. Dare I say that Mr Dornan Ross once had a heart and soul? I loved that I got so much of Dornan's POV. I know Lili had no intention of trying to make Dornan a redeemable character, somehow though you begin to "see" him as the man he once was and possibly what leads him to being the man he is in Seven Sons. This man quite literally broke my heart in places. And what he didn't, Ana most definitely did. Oh how that woman was broken. Absolutely shattered. We see the beginnings of a love between the two. One born out of necessity and lust but most likely earmarked to be something epic. This book has so much soul to it.
There are glances of some very beautiful writing in this story and sometimes I felt it was too fleeting. Yes, the story is absolutely top notch but for me I felt a little disappointed that I didn't get the written flair all the way through. Maybe it's just me I don't know but that was where it let itself down in my opinion. I have a clear visual of the bullet and the blood on that table, and that's what I enjoyed so much. The description, albeit not lengthy, gave from some great visuals inside my head. Lili wrote scenes in such a way that allowed your imagination to run with them without being overly descriptive when there wasn't really a need. Again, I'm not divulging the storyline, doing all the ins and outs. It isn't needed here if you are a Seven Sons reader. I thoroughly enjoyed the first part of the trilogy, it didn't really leave a huge cliffhanger that would get a reader all riled up, and for that I am happy
.
"Blood and pain, it was what had brought them together. What would keep them together. And he liked it."
"Blood and pain, it was what had brought them together. What would keep them together. And he liked it."
Probably due to the length, I have to say that I did enjoy sinking my teeth into this. I felt that I got a decent sized dose of Lili St Germain. Loved it and eager for book 2.
4 1/2 - 5 Star Read!
Excerpt
‘This isn’t a fairytale,’ Dornan said wryly, as he watched
her bring the soup-soaked bread to her mouth.
She paused with the bread in her hand, looking around the
room in mock surprise. ‘You mean, we’re not Beauty and the fucking Beast?’
He laughed.
‘Well, you’re certainly beautiful,’ he said.
‘And you’re definitely a beast,’ she countered, pushing
her empty bowl away and resting back on the bed.
‘But there’s no happy ever after for you,’ Dornan added,
his eyes trailing over the chains to reach the cuffs that were now permanent
bracelets on her wrists.
‘No,’ she said evenly, matching his
intense gaze. ‘Not for any of us. Not in this world.’
Book Summary
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 nineteen, 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 whilst 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 wasn't part
of the plan ...
The
Cartel Trilogy Reading Order
Cartel #1
AVAILABLE
FOR PRE-ORDER
Kingpin
#2 (June 1st)
Empire #3
(October 1st)
Additional
Books including these characters
Gypsy Brothers Series by Lili Saint
Germain
Seven Sons (Gypsy Brothers, Book One)
FREE
Six Brothers (Gypsy Brother, Book Two) ONLY $0.99
Five Miles (Gypsy Brothers, Book Three)
ONLY $0.99
Four Score (Gypsy Brothers, Four) ONLY $0.99
Three Years (Gypsy Brothers, Book Five)
ONLY $0.99
Two Roads (Gypsy Brothers, Book Six) ONLY
$0.99
One Love (Gypsy Brothers, Book Seven)
About the Author:
Lili Saint Germain
Lili writes dark romance, suspense and paranormal stories.
Her serial novel, Seven Sons, was released in early 2014, with the following
books in the series to be released in quick succession. Lili quit corporate
life to focus on writing and so far is loving every minute of it. Her other
loves in life include her gorgeous husband and beautiful daughter, good coffee,
Tarantino movies and spending hours on Pinterest.
She loves to read almost as much as she loves to write.
GIVEAWAY
Signed paperback of Cartel
Gypsy Brothers swag pack containing signed
Cartel postcards and wristbands
Cartel signed wall poster
$25 amazon gift card
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