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The Cartel Series #1
Under Construction
When Alex takes on a new hotel project that seems too good to be true, she's soon embroiled in a mire of deception, drugs, and uncontrollably erotic encounters with two very strong willed men that soon become dangerous to both her body and her heart. Now she'll just have to stay alive long enough to choose between one really bad good guy and one really good bad guy…
* Contains Adult Content
* Contains Adult Content
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2011
43 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 9, 2020
Great story
To start with I found that this book just want for me but then by the end O found I was really enjoying the action. I really enjoyed the string female characters too
To start with I found that this book just want for me but then by the end O found I was really enjoying the action. I really enjoyed the string female characters too
October 22, 2025
This book had me hooked from the very first chapter! Alex’s world spirals into a whirlwind of temptation, secrets, and danger that kept me on edge the entire time. The chemistry between the characters is electric, and the suspense makes every page impossible to put down. A perfect mix of passion and danger absolutely five stars!
February 12, 2023
Intriguing story line
This has an intriguing storyline. However, there are several typos and grammatical errors that distracted me while I was reading.
This has an intriguing storyline. However, there are several typos and grammatical errors that distracted me while I was reading.
July 26, 2015
I have to start by saying that the main characters in this story, Alex (slutty), Cale (bad guy), and Banker (good guy), reminded me of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. There's the main girl who ends up having sex with both male leads, but is drawn more to the nice(r) guy in the end. Anyways, thankfully the grammatical errors, although found throughout the story, weren't too bad or distracting. In the end, I wasn't a fan of Alex at all which probably made the story not seem as good to me. Maybe.
First question- Was it Cale or Calen? Both were used throughout the book on my tablet.
It wasn't until the second chapter that I even realize that Max was a girl. Was it just a coincidence that the three girl all had names that could be misconstrued as male or female? Max, Alex, Cody?
What was the point of having Max, I guess bisexual? Alex mentions that Max, every so often, kisses her or fondles her or whatever else, but Alex isn't into that. So then why does she let Max do it? How did that relate to the story? It didn't, unless the author was just trying to show how much of a slut Alex was.
Alex is walking out of her office to meet Cale. She picture her walking, she's taking in Cale's good looks and all that, she trips...okay that part is believable, she's just so distracted starring at him that she's not paying attention to where she's going. But she lands on her ass, not her knees? That part doesn't make sense. Was she going up hill or something?
Alex likes to flirt. She does this with Banker. "I am a champion in-the-shower dancer", really? Unless she were actually interested in him, why say that?
When Banker forces Alex into her bathroom, which I'm not 100% sure I would consider rape (sorry to those that disagree with me), at the end of this encounter, why does she take her pants and underwear off FIRST? Why not waste time removing her shirt? I never got the feeling that she was really scared, even after she saw Banker had a gun. She lets him touch her, doesn't yell out or anything. She even admits she's turned on when he uses the soap on her legs and again when he's doing oral on her. There was no real fighting back. She wasn't scared when he left and she didn't call the police....but not because she was scared of him doing something bad to her!! Even after he returns, it's not a big deal to her.
When Alex is at Cale's place, she hears an engine starting outside. Of course it makes perfect sense to walk to the front door to see what's going on, rather than just looking out the window. When Cale gets back and finds her in his bathroom, "I couldn't sleep and came to find you", while running the bathtub. Yeah, that's believable. Only his room had a bathroom?
Revenge. Alex has Cody dress up and deliver a note to Banker. "we wanted Banker's friends to be very curious and ask embarrassing questions when came home THE NEXT DAY". So why was Banker suddenly there? And after Alex shows Banker all the sexual nonsense going on, what did she think would happen exactly? I didn't understand that part at all.
Unless you're a gold digger, who would actually take someone else's credit card, your bosses sons, and go crazy with it?
I never understood why Cash and his gang took the money and shipment from Cale's men? Obviously that was what caused the people dying.
At the end, Alex kills Cale's brother. "What about his father? I can't tell him I just shot his son." Yes, because she couldn't have just acted like the brother never told her the truth? Hello!
First question- Was it Cale or Calen? Both were used throughout the book on my tablet.
It wasn't until the second chapter that I even realize that Max was a girl. Was it just a coincidence that the three girl all had names that could be misconstrued as male or female? Max, Alex, Cody?
What was the point of having Max, I guess bisexual? Alex mentions that Max, every so often, kisses her or fondles her or whatever else, but Alex isn't into that. So then why does she let Max do it? How did that relate to the story? It didn't, unless the author was just trying to show how much of a slut Alex was.
Alex is walking out of her office to meet Cale. She picture her walking, she's taking in Cale's good looks and all that, she trips...okay that part is believable, she's just so distracted starring at him that she's not paying attention to where she's going. But she lands on her ass, not her knees? That part doesn't make sense. Was she going up hill or something?
Alex likes to flirt. She does this with Banker. "I am a champion in-the-shower dancer", really? Unless she were actually interested in him, why say that?
When Banker forces Alex into her bathroom, which I'm not 100% sure I would consider rape (sorry to those that disagree with me), at the end of this encounter, why does she take her pants and underwear off FIRST? Why not waste time removing her shirt? I never got the feeling that she was really scared, even after she saw Banker had a gun. She lets him touch her, doesn't yell out or anything. She even admits she's turned on when he uses the soap on her legs and again when he's doing oral on her. There was no real fighting back. She wasn't scared when he left and she didn't call the police....but not because she was scared of him doing something bad to her!! Even after he returns, it's not a big deal to her.
When Alex is at Cale's place, she hears an engine starting outside. Of course it makes perfect sense to walk to the front door to see what's going on, rather than just looking out the window. When Cale gets back and finds her in his bathroom, "I couldn't sleep and came to find you", while running the bathtub. Yeah, that's believable. Only his room had a bathroom?
Revenge. Alex has Cody dress up and deliver a note to Banker. "we wanted Banker's friends to be very curious and ask embarrassing questions when came home THE NEXT DAY". So why was Banker suddenly there? And after Alex shows Banker all the sexual nonsense going on, what did she think would happen exactly? I didn't understand that part at all.
Unless you're a gold digger, who would actually take someone else's credit card, your bosses sons, and go crazy with it?
I never understood why Cash and his gang took the money and shipment from Cale's men? Obviously that was what caused the people dying.
At the end, Alex kills Cale's brother. "What about his father? I can't tell him I just shot his son." Yes, because she couldn't have just acted like the brother never told her the truth? Hello!
March 6, 2013
I really did not like the beginning of this book. Not sure what it was - maybe it was, at first, awkward for the author to transition from once genre to another? Anyhow - what it boils down to, is that the beginning was, to me, a frantic effort to get a bunch of unorganized smut out of the way. It was almost like that twilight-zone space between 3 too many drinks and passing out among strangers. You are left cringing and asking WTF?
But then something good happened. Maybe Ms. Ellis stepped away from the book for a bit to gather her thoughts and she defined/redefined her direction.
The book turned around and became very entertaining towards the middle chapter 11. There begins a true effort from our author with very few setbacks. I was glued to the book by chapter 16. Once I hit the end of the book, I instinctively purchased the 2nd book and began reading it as if I had only just turned the page. The whole of book 2 was fantastic. Unfortunately, book 3 is only out on Kindle right now and I have a Nook.
If you read this book - first remember it is FREE. But if you just don't like the beginning, keep with it as I did. I walked away from the book for over three months.
But then something good happened. Maybe Ms. Ellis stepped away from the book for a bit to gather her thoughts and she defined/redefined her direction.
The book turned around and became very entertaining towards the middle chapter 11. There begins a true effort from our author with very few setbacks. I was glued to the book by chapter 16. Once I hit the end of the book, I instinctively purchased the 2nd book and began reading it as if I had only just turned the page. The whole of book 2 was fantastic. Unfortunately, book 3 is only out on Kindle right now and I have a Nook.
If you read this book - first remember it is FREE. But if you just don't like the beginning, keep with it as I did. I walked away from the book for over three months.
November 26, 2012
I got this one as a free read for my Kobo. And I love it. You have Alex a women who started a construction business with her hubby and got the business when they divorced. Alex is smart, funny and kickass. Not only that she is also involved with two Major Alpha men. Hot damn. I like Banker. Cale is good but Banker is my fav. And what girl doesn't have two best-friends who are more like sisters? I cried at the end and was completely shocked at he ending. I didn't expect it. I really didn't. The question is will she seek revenge with everything that has happened? Or stay? I really want to know.
I will say that I am going to be getting the next book in the series. This book is excellent! Fast paced. It is funny. Their is a kinda love triangle. And life and death situations where you are not quite sure what is going to happen next. And of course sex. Everything you want in a book. I highly recommend it.
I will say that I am going to be getting the next book in the series. This book is excellent! Fast paced. It is funny. Their is a kinda love triangle. And life and death situations where you are not quite sure what is going to happen next. And of course sex. Everything you want in a book. I highly recommend it.
February 22, 2013
A quick, fun read, but not really very believable. The characters were engaging and the action fast paced. The only cons were the many gramatical/punctuation errors and the unbelievable situations that Alex, the heroine (kinda), of the story somehow manages to find herself. Basically, Alex, a jilted divorcee and owner of a construction company, finds herself in the middle a layman's undercover operation to expose her wealthy business benefactor, while entering into a whirlwind romance with his son, Calen. Overall, a good read and intro into the series.
April 13, 2013
You know how they say "don't judge a book by it's cover"? Well I wasn't too excited to read this book. In fact I just randomly picked it since I was bored and didn't know what I would like to read. Wow was this book great! This book really intrigued me. The storyline was different, the characters are fascinating, the emotions are tumultuous! I can't wait to read the next two books. I highly recommend this book, definitely a must read!!!
September 6, 2013
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. But daayyyuummmm I really liked it!! It was a fast read and I love that Alex is no wall flower! Her friends Max and Cody are a hoot! Ohhh and Banker...yeah I'm really digging him! As for Cale hmm...there is just so much more to him that I'm sure will be revealed in book 2. I was so freakin' happy when Alex avenged Max & Cody by taking Victor out! Thank you Summer as I look forward to the rest of the books in this series.
July 19, 2011
If Suzanne Brockmann, Janet Evanovich, Susan Mallery & Maya Banks made a baby that baby would be named Summer Ellis & the grandbaby would be Under Construction The Cartel Series.
Hilarious, cute, sweet, sexy as hell, hot, suspenseful, hot men, gun fight, murder, sex, tattoos, rough sex, girl on girl implied, and Dogs.
Bob & Penelope Barker make the book.
Hilarious, cute, sweet, sexy as hell, hot, suspenseful, hot men, gun fight, murder, sex, tattoos, rough sex, girl on girl implied, and Dogs.
Bob & Penelope Barker make the book.
July 20, 2013
This book is quite light and fun to read and I enjoyed the story. I was going to give it a 4 stars rating until the last 2 chapters. It is ridiculous to kill off almost every character in the story and then left an open ending leading to the next book. One thing I hate about amazon free books that are series read is that most of them have an open ending. It always take one star off the book.
May 28, 2013
There were some odd scenes in this that left me thinking "what the heck just happened?" And maybe a bit of rushing through some parts or not quite enough detail. But overall a great reading find for me that I'd just happened upon and I'm glad. 3.75 Stars.
Some very drastic events at the end, so I'm definitely committed to find out what happens next.
Some very drastic events at the end, so I'm definitely committed to find out what happens next.
May 23, 2015
1,5 stars. It wasn't an absolute crap but it was close - a mixture of un/responsible behavior, mob, two sexy and mysterious guys... it felt like the author didn't know what to tell. The main female character was a complete slut - one moment she has sex with one man, the next with the other. At least dialogues were somewhat decent.
June 20, 2015
Unpredictable and exciting
3.5 stars. I had know idea where this was going but now i can't wait for the next book. A really interesting read with a female lead who starts off a little TSTL but improves towards the end.
I can now add that I would never have predicted where this series goes. Worth a read
3.5 stars. I had know idea where this was going but now i can't wait for the next book. A really interesting read with a female lead who starts off a little TSTL but improves towards the end.
I can now add that I would never have predicted where this series goes. Worth a read
July 27, 2014
Unpleasant
Unpleasant
I will just say this should/must be 21 or older to read. Way to exotic for my reading taste. To be far to the author I will not give my opinion of what I read which was half the book.....
Unpleasant
I will just say this should/must be 21 or older to read. Way to exotic for my reading taste. To be far to the author I will not give my opinion of what I read which was half the book.....
August 17, 2012
awesome book for her first! cant wait for restricted access.
November 28, 2012
A great fun read! Looking forward to the next book in this series!
January 23, 2013
This was an okay book, but not a believable story. It had just enough gore and sex to hold your interest. Quick read.
March 13, 2013
3.5 starz!
Want to read
April 19, 2013Amazon freebie 4/19/13
June 3, 2013
Ended a little too abrupt...
September 10, 2016
Love this series
September 8, 2016
Cute, light and fun
June 21, 2014
The story line is about a recently divorced strong woman solving a mystery. That is great. The reason for the low rating is the 2 very unsettling near or actual rapes. Very distrubing.
October 1, 2015
I LOVED this book and the whole series! I couldn't put it down and enjoyed every action packed, funny and steamy moment. Amazing writing and hope there may be a book from Banker's POV in the future
October 15, 2012
Close to 4 stars if it wasn't for the editing mistakes.
June 25, 2013
http://www.amazon.com/review/R196RVW4.... wrote my review on Amazon so here's the link!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews