Cartier Cartel [Paperback]

Nisa Santiago (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2009

Cartier Timmons and Monya White were born to teenage mothers who were also best friends. At 15, Cartier formed her own crew aptly named the Cartier Cartel. The main and only vision of the crew; Cartier, Monya, Bam, Lil Momma, and Shanine was to do petty crimes in order to wear the flyest gear. While Monya loves boys, clothes, and money (in that order), Cartier is tired of the petty boosting to keep a few dollars in her pockets.

Always wise beyond her years, Cartier observes how the corner boys hustle drugs and figures her crew could do the same. Cartier realizes too late that her and her crew are in more trouble than they can handle. Once a rival drug-hustler gets murdered, Cartier's Cartel will need to make a life-altering decision.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Melodrama Publishing; Original edition (April 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193415718X
• ISBN-13: 978-1934157183
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #663,288 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nisa Santiago came bursting onto the literary scene in 2009 with her debut title, Cartier Cartel. The book garnered rave reviews and left her readers wanting more. She followed up with the sequel, Return of the Cartier Cartel - which turned into a national bestseller. The Library Journal declared that Santiago's sequel, [Return of the Cartier Cartel] "Will keep readers hooked to the last chapter."
Born and raised in Brooklyn, and now living in Harlem, the author is moving at full speed with her writing endeavors. Coined the Duchess of Hop-Hip lit, Santiago humbly admits, "I'm just grateful to be doing what I love as a career and not just a hobby."
Her latest novel, Bad Apple - The Baddest Chick is slated for an October 2011 release date. The author emphatically states that her decision to start a new series instead of penning part 3 to Cartier Cartel was a brave one. "My readers love Cartier and they wanted more." Santiago wants her readers to know that she has so many stories to tell and shows no signs of slowing down. Dirty Money Honey is an anthology with her peers, Erica Hilton and Kim K., Melodrama Publishing's new trinity of authors.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Do the Ladies Run This Mutha..., June 1, 2009

By 

Ms Toni "Readinista Extraordinaire" (Midwest - USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Cartier Cartel (Paperback)

The Cartier Cartel, headed by Cartier Timmons, is an all girl crew out to make money. They started out boosting, but Cartier saw the bigger picture and greater potential in stepping up their game to drugs. If the boys can do it, why can't they? With drug dealing, however, came different risks. They traded in having to watch out for mall/store security to the dangers of other dealers. When a confrontation with a local dope boy, Donnie, goes terribly terribly wrong, will the Cartel remain standing?

This novel's initial pace is slow as the relationship of the girls is detailed. It's not until about the middle of the book that the plot picks up speed, which is unfortunate. From that point on, it was an enjoyable story and a very quick read. Like another reviewer mentioned, I'm not too hot on the idea of a sequel either. I would have preferred a complete story.

3.5

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hood Story, May 13, 2009

By 

Marissa Palmer "avid reader" (detroit, mi usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cartier Cartel (Paperback)

This book was excellent from beginning to end. The part about the friends becoming lovers was unnecessary. This book also taught a lesson that I think everyone should be aware of. Sometimes we don't realize how much influence we have over people. We sometimes need to step back and take responsibility for playing a part in helping to lead people down the wrong path. So if you have people that look up to you. Rather friends or family, always try to go down the correct path, the path less chosen.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars from Street Life to The Life, April 5, 2011

By 

Ms.Cochran "@mscochran" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cartier Cartel (Mass Market Paperback)

This book was very intense. I would have to say that Jason brought the most emotion out of me. To watch how he and Cartier's relationship evolved and to see her mature the way she did, under the circumstances, warmed my heart. When the last chapter was done, I ran out and got the next book because this book really put me on a reading high.