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A prequel to Ashley and JaQuavis "New York Times "bestselling Cartel series, this story follows the rise of notorious gangster Carter Diamond, taking listeners through his days on the mean streets of Michigan to him becoming the biggest drug lord Miami has ever seen. Before the cartel was ever created, he stood alone."

3 pages, Audio CD

First published September 2, 2012

378 people are currently reading
2535 people want to read

About the author

Ashley Antoinette

77 books7,361 followers
ASHLEY ANTOINETTE COLEMAN is one of the most successful female writers of her time. The feminine half of the popular married duo, Ashley and JaQuavis, she has co-written over 40 novels, including the bestselling Cartel series. Several of her titles have hit The New York Times bestsellers list, but she is most widely regarded for her continuing racy saga, The Prada Plan. Born in Flint, MI, she was bred with an innate street sense that she uses as motivation in her crime filled writings.

Picking up a deal with publishing powerhouse St. Martin's Press while simultaneously inking deals at Warner Brothers Studios and NBC/Universal, Ashley shows no signs of slowing down. She is currently hard at work on a new book series and two television pilots.

To keep up with everything Ashley Antoinette follow her...
twitter @novelista
Instagram @ashleyantoinette

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5 stars
1,314 (64%)
4 stars
481 (23%)
3 stars
172 (8%)
2 stars
54 (2%)
1 star
24 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
Profile Image for ♥Milica♥.
1,868 reviews734 followers
August 26, 2022
CARTER DIAMOND THE MAN THAT YOU ARE!!! I love Carter, he's amazing and he sticks to his principles. The audiobook was fun, the narrator brought everything to life, and it didn't feel like a novella at all. Can't wait to get to part 2.
Profile Image for Tonikia.
206 reviews15 followers
September 4, 2012
Love this book!! The only reason why I gave it 4*s was because of some typo errors, but other than that the book was AWESOME! I love a book that will take you back in time!!!!
Profile Image for Me'Tova Hollingsworth - Bethley.
413 reviews1 follower
July 14, 2013
Most would have probably complained that the story was too short and too pricey for its length, but if you are a true Ashley Antoinette fan, then you will read any of her work at any cost. Like most, I had the pleasure of reading The Cartel series before Carter Diamond, so I pretty much knew the story. BUT if you want to read some more indept details of how it all began, then Carter Diamond is for you. Ashley paints a very vivid picture of how some of the major players from The Cartel series got their start (i.e. Polo, Estes, Tryan & etc). You actually get to meet Carter Jones' and Tryan's mothers, and you get to experience first hand what type of people they are; whereas in The Cartel, you only read stories or they were just briefly mentioned. The only major complaint that I have is that there were way to many grammatical errors for a senior writer with such a superior penmanship. With that being said, I rated this book 4.5 stars. I will be moving on to the sequel, so that I can see how well Carter Diamond stood alone and held his on before there was a Cartel.
Profile Image for Tonya Johnson.
735 reviews22 followers
June 13, 2024
I love these authors, alone or together. The stories are always great!!
Profile Image for Diane Rembert.
1,256 reviews42 followers
July 2, 2017
This prequel to The Cartel series takes you back to how Big Carter got his start. It confused me for a minute, but once I continued to read, all of the pieces started to come together. The page count may be few, but the information is powerful.

Unfortunately, I had to give it 💎💎💎💎, because of some errors found throughout the book. Please do not let that discourage you from purchasing this short story from the minds of @ashleyantoinette and @realjaquavis.
Profile Image for Amanda.
348 reviews34 followers
June 1, 2018
This was a very short, quick read. It does share some insight into the humble beginnings of Carter Diamond. Since I listened to the audio version, I avoided the typos and grammatical errors that many other reviewers have mentioned, thank goodness!
Profile Image for Trina.
7 reviews
October 11, 2017
Good book...quick read

I enjoyed the book. Kept me reading and I finished it quickly. Must read Carter Diamond 2 to see what happens next.
Profile Image for Buck.
37 reviews7 followers
September 4, 2012
I love the fact that Ashley & Jaquavis takes us back to where it all started...I was into the book from start to finish lovin every bit of it understanding more of how things happen the way they did in the beginning...Yes it was a short story, it tells u on the cover an yes it may have a few editing errors but if your a true reader u would get past that..anyway I caught myself all in it when Carter did what he had to do no doubt..and I know that f*ckin loso had something to do with it...Great Job ur still my #1 Authors...
Profile Image for ChloeShondra Robertson.
163 reviews3 followers
January 12, 2022
I read the Cartel first before reading the short ebook series. I love how it explain how Carter became who he became in the streets. I really hate how Carter did Tonya cause she stood by his side when he didn't have nothing. Also he was too young to be fooling around with Taryn,but I guess age doesn't matter. I was pissed at Tonya for not saying anything about her pregnancy and stealing that man money. Great story...
Profile Image for Aisha.
134 reviews
September 26, 2012
Good book it was to short and it leaves you hanging that's why I gave it 4 stars.
Profile Image for Nene.
1,783 reviews25 followers
June 1, 2015
Great Read
Profile Image for Denise Gilliam.
715 reviews21 followers
August 18, 2016
This was a good read short but good. I can see how Carter got his start in the game. I'm really hyped to see what happens in part 2.
Profile Image for Dia.
17 reviews1 follower
September 16, 2012
I'm looking forward to part 2 of this series
1,160 reviews4 followers
Read
April 2, 2023
After discovering this & its sequel available on audiobooks I was looking forward to learning more about the man who'd gotten one to the forehead in the beginning of the book THE CARTEL: CARTER DIAMOND.
Then, after listening to CARY HITE Narrating how CARTER LEFT HIS KNOCKED UP GIRLFRIEND TANYA/TONYA(MOTHER OF HIS FIRSTBORN CARTER JONES)BEHIND IN FLINT MICHIGAN, WHILE HE STARTED A LIFE IN MIAMI FLORIDA WITH A YOUNGER, MULTIETHNIC GIRL IN TARYN, I WAS DONE WITH CARTER DIAMOND!
I ROOTED FOR TONYA/TANYA TO TAKE THAT DOUGH & START LIFE ANEW. HE TREATED TONYA/TANYA (I LISTENED TO THE AUDIOBOOK I DIDN'T READ THE BOOK. SO THE SPELLING TO ME IS UNKNOWN) LIKE SHE WAS A GNAT ON HIS NUTS, DESPITE HER BEING DOWN FOR HIM BEFORE HE'D GOTTEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET ON DOWN BOTTOM, WHICH MADE ME NOT LIKE CARTER DIAMOND ALTOGETHER AFTER THAT INCIDENT!
Oh Yeah, CARTER DID NOT GO TO FLORIDA TO ATTEND COLLEGE, AS UNCLE POLO HAD TOLD CARTER JONES; CARTER DIAMOND FOLLOWED HIS FRIEND DOWN SOUTH TO GET IN THE DRUG GAME!
Profile Image for Robyn Bush.
12 reviews
December 9, 2017
Name confusion

I enjoyed the plot of the story, but it was confusing to the reader if you weren't paying attention. You were reading about a conversation in one part of the book, then a couple of lines down it was introducing a different person. For instance, Taryn went for popcorn but it the conversation of Breeze and Carter. I gave it a 3 because of the inconsistency from the Cartel book. It stated her brother died when she was 10. Luckily I like the series so I hop book 2 and 3 of the eBook is better.
Profile Image for Andrial Durant.
104 reviews
February 22, 2018
I enjoyed the audiobook by Cari Hite. I always wanted more information about the infamous Carter Diamond, father of Carter Jones. Good read and gave me a better understanding of The Cartel Series, wish I had read this book first before the cartel series but even after reading it last...it’s still answered a few lingering questions about the rise and fall of the Diamond-Jones clan.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
27 reviews
August 7, 2020
I'm thinking maybe my likes in books are just changing.
This book was OK to me. I know it's just me because I've read other books by Ashley & JuQuavis and I was in love.
I'm going to complete the series-because you don't start something and not follow through.
I will say it was a quick read and that was nice
737 reviews2 followers
May 9, 2017
Good short story

It was a good short story. Just too many errors for the number of pages. The wrong name was used too many times which is confusing. But Carter Diamond is interesting.
1 review
April 2, 2018
Ex,ce!lent!! I want every book by this author. I have read a number of the Cartel books and loved all of them

Great start to this one and I can't wait to read 2 and 3! I want to keep reading another put it down!

Profile Image for Tyra Racquel .
124 reviews3 followers
May 4, 2018
Carter Diamond

The reason why I’m giving this 4 stars is because it needs to be edited. The confusion between Tay & Breeze was difficult because their name was in places the others should’ve been. I love that this is giving insight of how The Cartel started though.
1 review
June 14, 2019
I Love this whole story. I just wish i would have read this series first b4 the Cartel

This is one of the best books ever. I would recommend this to every one of readying age. I love the detail.
1 review
July 23, 2019
Good read!

As usual, Ashley and JaQuavis didn't disappoint. Love this story as if it were real. After reading the The Cartel series I'm so excited to keep it going in some way. Great read absolutely loved it!
2 reviews
October 11, 2019
Great book!!!! Can't wait to read the Carter Diamond 2

5 stars because it kept me on the edge of my seat. I love all of your books and will continue to keep reading any novel you guys published.
2,670 reviews23 followers
October 19, 2019
Good Good!

This read like a race at Daytona ,it was fast and good. I love the writer is setting us up to get a look at the man in the making. This was the markings of a good story,it was just short. Looking forward to what happens next.
29 reviews
Read
January 12, 2020
Great Introduction

Great short story, I believe that it was a great back story to the main character of the book I love it what a great way to introduce the key players and the them all together.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews

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