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Wheels Up: A Novel of Drugs, Cartels and Survival
"Author Jeanine Kitchel has flipped the script on mobster novels, giving us a strong, nuanced female lead character. In Wheels Up, the dialogue crackles as deals and death guide the journey through the Mexican drug world." -- Self-Publishing Review
When her notorious drug lord uncle is recaptured, Layla Navarro catapults to the top of Mexico's most powerful cartel. To expand cartel influence she accepts an offer to move two tons of cocaine from Colombia to Cancun by jet. Along for the ride are her abusive bodyguard/lover, the laidback Canadian pot grower who set up the deal, and a coke-addicted Vietnam vet.
The deal takes a bad turn during a stopover in Guatemala when Layla unexpectedly uncovers a sex-trafficking ring. Plagued by self-doubt, she must navigate the minefield of Mexican machismo, fight off gangsters, and outsmart government officials. Against a backdrop of lush tropical settings, Layla plots to succeed, wreak vengeance, and find herself--not to mention stay alive.
If you liked The Queen of the South, you'll love Wheels Up.
"Readers who enjoy fast paced reads that are based on the insane world of drugs and cartels will absolutely love Wheels A Novel of Drugs, Cartels and Survival." -- Artisan Book Reviews
When her notorious drug lord uncle is recaptured, Layla Navarro catapults to the top of Mexico's most powerful cartel. To expand cartel influence she accepts an offer to move two tons of cocaine from Colombia to Cancun by jet. Along for the ride are her abusive bodyguard/lover, the laidback Canadian pot grower who set up the deal, and a coke-addicted Vietnam vet.
The deal takes a bad turn during a stopover in Guatemala when Layla unexpectedly uncovers a sex-trafficking ring. Plagued by self-doubt, she must navigate the minefield of Mexican machismo, fight off gangsters, and outsmart government officials. Against a backdrop of lush tropical settings, Layla plots to succeed, wreak vengeance, and find herself--not to mention stay alive.
If you liked The Queen of the South, you'll love Wheels Up.
"Readers who enjoy fast paced reads that are based on the insane world of drugs and cartels will absolutely love Wheels A Novel of Drugs, Cartels and Survival." -- Artisan Book Reviews
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 2, 2021
Full review: https://girlswithguns.org/wheels-up-b...
This isn’t the book’s fault, but I am unable to take anyone called “Guillermo” seriously, after watching What We Do in the Shadows. But even outside of that, I didn’t find this particularly effective. In contrast to Queen of the South, where Teresa had to claw her way up the entire ladder after losing her protection, Layla is already on the second-from-top rung. On that basis, her lack of resources seems pretty questionable, and the behaviour by the top tier of cartel members doesn’t seem to make much logical sense. For example, Layla seems way too hands-on, for someone supposedly in charge of operations. I doubt you’d see Pablo Escobar flying about with two tons of cocaine. Does no-one in the cartel delegate? Other issues included the clunky switching from Spanish to English, sometimes in the middle of sentences, and an ending which comes much too soon after Layla’s final confrontation with Guillermo, leaving an excess of loose ends.
This isn’t the book’s fault, but I am unable to take anyone called “Guillermo” seriously, after watching What We Do in the Shadows. But even outside of that, I didn’t find this particularly effective. In contrast to Queen of the South, where Teresa had to claw her way up the entire ladder after losing her protection, Layla is already on the second-from-top rung. On that basis, her lack of resources seems pretty questionable, and the behaviour by the top tier of cartel members doesn’t seem to make much logical sense. For example, Layla seems way too hands-on, for someone supposedly in charge of operations. I doubt you’d see Pablo Escobar flying about with two tons of cocaine. Does no-one in the cartel delegate? Other issues included the clunky switching from Spanish to English, sometimes in the middle of sentences, and an ending which comes much too soon after Layla’s final confrontation with Guillermo, leaving an excess of loose ends.
May 25, 2018
Wheels Up by Jeanine Kitchel promises to deliver an adventure about drugs, cartels and survival – and it does. It does not mention on the cover, and is left to the curious and immediately hooked reader to discover, that it also comes embellished with powerful and interesting characters – prominent of which is Layla, the new female head of a dominant, Mexican cartel, a headstrong, independent, and strangely principled young woman – and a wonderful array of exotic and mostly Yucatan-based locales, with enough adventure packed into its fast-moving pages to satisfy the most ravenous armchair thrill-seeker. The book begins with a drug-loaded airplane crash into the jungle and never relinquishes its momentum after that.
Layla Navarro, the Latina heroine (ironic word) of Jeanine Kitchel’s intensely engaging, drug-based escapade, Wheels Up, is a uniquely likable if questionable example of a powerfully ambitious woman determined to take her rightful place at the top of a very dangerous food chain. She is equally intimidating and attracting to the men conscripted to protect her, and to those most determined to liquidate her with supreme prejudice. Goaded to the limits of her already rather compromised ethics through discovery of human trafficking by her so-called business partners, Layla seeks vengeance for the deaths of her beloved body-guard and the young Mexican girl she meant to save. This is where the fun, or rather the race for survival, begins. Ms. Kitchel gives the avid reader no further chance to breathe as she narrows her exciting plot down to its final, deadly confrontation. No spoilers here. Get your own self hooked.
Joel R. Dennstedt - Top Reviewer for Readers' Favorite
Layla Navarro, the Latina heroine (ironic word) of Jeanine Kitchel’s intensely engaging, drug-based escapade, Wheels Up, is a uniquely likable if questionable example of a powerfully ambitious woman determined to take her rightful place at the top of a very dangerous food chain. She is equally intimidating and attracting to the men conscripted to protect her, and to those most determined to liquidate her with supreme prejudice. Goaded to the limits of her already rather compromised ethics through discovery of human trafficking by her so-called business partners, Layla seeks vengeance for the deaths of her beloved body-guard and the young Mexican girl she meant to save. This is where the fun, or rather the race for survival, begins. Ms. Kitchel gives the avid reader no further chance to breathe as she narrows her exciting plot down to its final, deadly confrontation. No spoilers here. Get your own self hooked.
Joel R. Dennstedt - Top Reviewer for Readers' Favorite
August 18, 2020
Oh, those Sinaloa cartels! So terrible, yet so tantalizing. The United States Intelligence Community considers the Sinaloa Cartel "the most powerful drug trafficking organization in the world". Wheels Up introduces the newest cartel head, Layla Navarro, heroine and star of this fast-paced crime thriller.
She’s a beautiful woman. It may be tough to be a woman in Mexico, but Layla is here and ready to take over the cartel after her uncle is imprisoned. From cartel accountant to mariachi singer to assassin- she’s all in and holding her own. Until everything goes sideways.
“Wheels Up” refers to the time or point when a plan or operation is executed. And Layal is ready to do what needs to be done to rectify a terrible wrong. Layal has taken a personal oath, “The woman is coming.” This guides her through terrifying ordeals in Mexico, Guatemala, and ultimately Cancun.
The author takes her personal knowledge of the Yucatan Peninsula to bring this story of drugs, human trafficking and adventure to life. The food, culture, and scenery are all as lively as the characters.
From the gorgeous cover to the exciting ending, this is a good read! Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for a review copy. This is my honest review.
She’s a beautiful woman. It may be tough to be a woman in Mexico, but Layla is here and ready to take over the cartel after her uncle is imprisoned. From cartel accountant to mariachi singer to assassin- she’s all in and holding her own. Until everything goes sideways.
“Wheels Up” refers to the time or point when a plan or operation is executed. And Layal is ready to do what needs to be done to rectify a terrible wrong. Layal has taken a personal oath, “The woman is coming.” This guides her through terrifying ordeals in Mexico, Guatemala, and ultimately Cancun.
The author takes her personal knowledge of the Yucatan Peninsula to bring this story of drugs, human trafficking and adventure to life. The food, culture, and scenery are all as lively as the characters.
From the gorgeous cover to the exciting ending, this is a good read! Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for a review copy. This is my honest review.
July 8, 2018
This novel is full of adventure and fun to read. It describes all the trouble I imagine a female drug lord would get herself into.
November 13, 2019
It’s Tea Time Tuesday once again my Mammoth Manuscript Munchers. I hope your day went well. Today’s Gem is the color of Copa d’Oro, Cup of Gold, a beautiful Mexican flower. This Gem is white with a beautiful golden center. It is also the color of cocaine, which so many seem to think will make them gold and all their troubles go away. Hold it in your gloved claw and it is heavy, a cumbersome burden to bare. Do not touch it, it is Death to all who seek it out.
Our Gem Maker is Jeanine Kitchel who has lived in Mexico, built a house and business there at one time. She brings us “Wheels Up: A Novel of Drugs, Cartels and Survival”. Her characters are realistic. They are not over the top, like some cartoonish Hollywood version of Cartel overlords. These people are smart, ruthless and deadly, just like the product they sell. But for the past few decades it has not only been drugs they sell. Drugs can be gotten on the relative cheap, but can only be sold once. They have thought up a new investment, a new game, a game that hurts, a game to the death: Human Trafficking. This game effects us all.
Kitchel’s main character, Layla, has become the head of her family’s cartel, the Culiacan Cartel. The former head, her uncle, El Patron, is in prison for a very long time. His partner, Don Zoyo, has been running things until he named Layla as his successor. Normally a woman would not be named, but Reynoldo, Layla’s brother had been killed while running the cartel and Layla was the only choice. She was a good one. She’d kept the books prior to her promotion. She had a mind like a computer, she was smart, savvy and quick to learn. Her time has come.
One night in Guatemala at Don Guillermo’s Villa she is there with her body guard, Carlos and her Canadian partner, Clay. They are to make the final arrangements for a huge cocaine shipment. Layla makes a terrifying discovery, one she cannot ignore. Human trafficking is going on in a form she cannot ignore. She lets her temper get the better of her and she shows her hand at supper in Guillermo’s Villa. A dangerous move and this is when everything gets rolling. Put on your seat belt, keep your hands inside the ride at all times, this is about to get dangerous.
From this point on the action does not stop. A plane crash, assassination attempts, every cartel everywhere is out to get Layla and her men. I loved this book. Never a dull moment. I never like drug dealers in books. I think Layla is growing on me and it scares me a bit. I do hope Jeanine writes a sequel because there are questions to be answered, bad guys still breathing and relationships still up in the air. There is still a chance for this Cartel Queen to be rehabilitated.
If you are looking for a book to keep you on the edge of your seat, this is it. It is available now on Amazon and is available in both Kindle and paperback. Get it today.
Until tomorrow, I remain, your humble book dragon, Drakon T. Longwitten
I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Our Gem Maker is Jeanine Kitchel who has lived in Mexico, built a house and business there at one time. She brings us “Wheels Up: A Novel of Drugs, Cartels and Survival”. Her characters are realistic. They are not over the top, like some cartoonish Hollywood version of Cartel overlords. These people are smart, ruthless and deadly, just like the product they sell. But for the past few decades it has not only been drugs they sell. Drugs can be gotten on the relative cheap, but can only be sold once. They have thought up a new investment, a new game, a game that hurts, a game to the death: Human Trafficking. This game effects us all.
Kitchel’s main character, Layla, has become the head of her family’s cartel, the Culiacan Cartel. The former head, her uncle, El Patron, is in prison for a very long time. His partner, Don Zoyo, has been running things until he named Layla as his successor. Normally a woman would not be named, but Reynoldo, Layla’s brother had been killed while running the cartel and Layla was the only choice. She was a good one. She’d kept the books prior to her promotion. She had a mind like a computer, she was smart, savvy and quick to learn. Her time has come.
One night in Guatemala at Don Guillermo’s Villa she is there with her body guard, Carlos and her Canadian partner, Clay. They are to make the final arrangements for a huge cocaine shipment. Layla makes a terrifying discovery, one she cannot ignore. Human trafficking is going on in a form she cannot ignore. She lets her temper get the better of her and she shows her hand at supper in Guillermo’s Villa. A dangerous move and this is when everything gets rolling. Put on your seat belt, keep your hands inside the ride at all times, this is about to get dangerous.
From this point on the action does not stop. A plane crash, assassination attempts, every cartel everywhere is out to get Layla and her men. I loved this book. Never a dull moment. I never like drug dealers in books. I think Layla is growing on me and it scares me a bit. I do hope Jeanine writes a sequel because there are questions to be answered, bad guys still breathing and relationships still up in the air. There is still a chance for this Cartel Queen to be rehabilitated.
If you are looking for a book to keep you on the edge of your seat, this is it. It is available now on Amazon and is available in both Kindle and paperback. Get it today.
Until tomorrow, I remain, your humble book dragon, Drakon T. Longwitten
I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 19, 2019
Wheels Up: A Novel of Drugs, Cartels and Survival
By Jeanine Kitchel
Jeanine Kitchel, 2018
Available from Amazon Books: Paperback or Kindle
Wheels-up: A Novel of Drugs, Cartels and Survival, is Jeanine Kitchel's fast-paced debut novel in her cartel trilogy. Mexico aficionado and prolific writer Kitchel will transport you into the heart of the drug cartel business. Zooming from cities to jungles and haciendas located in Mexico, Colombia, and Guatemala, the story will keep you wondering what could possibly happen next.
When El Patron, the head of the Culiacan Cartel in Sinaloa, Mexico, is imprisoned and the men in direct-line for succession are either dead or unsuitable, his niece Layla Navarro is chosen as his replacement. Layla's vivid descriptions of life inside the double-crossing, brutal existence of the Mexican drug cartels are precisely as I imagined.
In the beginning, Layla is adrift in the male-dominated business operating in a macho culture, but with the assistance of Carlos, her overbearing bodyguard and lover, she quickly learns the ropes. Until she doesn't — and that leads to a deadly mistake for Layla and her accomplices.
Jeanine Kitchel has written for The Miami Herald, El Universal/Mexico City, The Herald/Mexico City, Baja Times, The Mexico Files and Fodor's Travel Guides. For decades, she has had an ongoing love affair with Mexico, eventually settling in the fishing village of Puerto Morelos on the Quintana Roo coast. Her local knowledge and experience with Mexico and its culture gives the story an authenticity that is captivating.
I must admit I was prepared to unconditionally loathe the female protagonist, Layla, simply because of her position as boss in a ruthless, soul-destroying business. She is tough and weak, smart and sometimes clueless, but she has a line that she won't cross — human trafficking. By the end of the novel I was rooting for her to survive.
Jeanine is currently working on the sequel, Layla's Law… and I am impatiently waiting to read it.
Layla's comment, 'You don't quit the cartel, the cartel quits you,' sums it all up quite nicely.
Published or Updated on: February 16, 2019 by Lynda L. Lock © 2019
By Jeanine Kitchel
Jeanine Kitchel, 2018
Available from Amazon Books: Paperback or Kindle
Wheels-up: A Novel of Drugs, Cartels and Survival, is Jeanine Kitchel's fast-paced debut novel in her cartel trilogy. Mexico aficionado and prolific writer Kitchel will transport you into the heart of the drug cartel business. Zooming from cities to jungles and haciendas located in Mexico, Colombia, and Guatemala, the story will keep you wondering what could possibly happen next.
When El Patron, the head of the Culiacan Cartel in Sinaloa, Mexico, is imprisoned and the men in direct-line for succession are either dead or unsuitable, his niece Layla Navarro is chosen as his replacement. Layla's vivid descriptions of life inside the double-crossing, brutal existence of the Mexican drug cartels are precisely as I imagined.
In the beginning, Layla is adrift in the male-dominated business operating in a macho culture, but with the assistance of Carlos, her overbearing bodyguard and lover, she quickly learns the ropes. Until she doesn't — and that leads to a deadly mistake for Layla and her accomplices.
Jeanine Kitchel has written for The Miami Herald, El Universal/Mexico City, The Herald/Mexico City, Baja Times, The Mexico Files and Fodor's Travel Guides. For decades, she has had an ongoing love affair with Mexico, eventually settling in the fishing village of Puerto Morelos on the Quintana Roo coast. Her local knowledge and experience with Mexico and its culture gives the story an authenticity that is captivating.
I must admit I was prepared to unconditionally loathe the female protagonist, Layla, simply because of her position as boss in a ruthless, soul-destroying business. She is tough and weak, smart and sometimes clueless, but she has a line that she won't cross — human trafficking. By the end of the novel I was rooting for her to survive.
Jeanine is currently working on the sequel, Layla's Law… and I am impatiently waiting to read it.
Layla's comment, 'You don't quit the cartel, the cartel quits you,' sums it all up quite nicely.
Published or Updated on: February 16, 2019 by Lynda L. Lock © 2019
August 5, 2018
A well-written first novel that leaves you wanting more
It's always refreshing to run across a well-written first novel that stands out from the torrent of new books by indie writers (4,000 or more new titles every day on Amazon, some analysts say). This one is waaay better than the dime-a-dozen thrillers that flood the marketplace. Many seem to follow a formula—hook the reader with a flawed protagonist in an impossible situation, come up with an solution that leaves unanswered questions, and hope readers buy sequel books. Here, the author researches and writes about cartel drug trade involving Canada, USA, Mexico, and smaller countries in Central America. Not a new subject, but the female protagonist in this book is the accountant in the family business who wants a larger role—a great twist to the multitude of macho-dominated books, TV novellas, and movies about the cartel. The author earns five stars for writing, but unfortunately the book misses a great opportunity to have the accountant show how cartels move money. Maybe that will come in a sequel.
It's always refreshing to run across a well-written first novel that stands out from the torrent of new books by indie writers (4,000 or more new titles every day on Amazon, some analysts say). This one is waaay better than the dime-a-dozen thrillers that flood the marketplace. Many seem to follow a formula—hook the reader with a flawed protagonist in an impossible situation, come up with an solution that leaves unanswered questions, and hope readers buy sequel books. Here, the author researches and writes about cartel drug trade involving Canada, USA, Mexico, and smaller countries in Central America. Not a new subject, but the female protagonist in this book is the accountant in the family business who wants a larger role—a great twist to the multitude of macho-dominated books, TV novellas, and movies about the cartel. The author earns five stars for writing, but unfortunately the book misses a great opportunity to have the accountant show how cartels move money. Maybe that will come in a sequel.
August 14, 2018
This is the first book I have read by this author. Wow, what a first impression. I just loved the landscape and the characters. Which helped to really bring the story alive; especially Layla. Being a cartel queen is a tough job but I felt like she did a good job of finding the right balance of being tough but kind at the same time. As the story progressed Layla grew stronger and more fierce.
This story has plenty of action as well. In fact, this book is an action book that has good character dimension. I could picture this book being turned into a movie with Jennifer Garner starring as Layla. I think that Jennifer does embody the image of Layla very well.
Warning as the "f" word is used. However, it is not used crudely but to portray emotions and in the right context to help tell the story. Readers are in for a great ride full of action in Wheels Up.
This story has plenty of action as well. In fact, this book is an action book that has good character dimension. I could picture this book being turned into a movie with Jennifer Garner starring as Layla. I think that Jennifer does embody the image of Layla very well.
Warning as the "f" word is used. However, it is not used crudely but to portray emotions and in the right context to help tell the story. Readers are in for a great ride full of action in Wheels Up.
October 12, 2018
Magnificent story
Enter the life of the cartel, but it's not just about that, it's about survival and perseverance. The author brought this reader right in the middle of the story on a thrilling and intense ride. The author shows great knowledge of the setting of this book, as well as the rough and raw world she brings in this story. The characters have a lot of depth, and a grand sense of reality. Layla is part of the world, she is one powerful character, trying to make her way up to lead her family. It's filled with violence, drugs, and adventure, with adding the environment as another extraordinary character. Magnificently written. Couldn't put it down until the end!
Enter the life of the cartel, but it's not just about that, it's about survival and perseverance. The author brought this reader right in the middle of the story on a thrilling and intense ride. The author shows great knowledge of the setting of this book, as well as the rough and raw world she brings in this story. The characters have a lot of depth, and a grand sense of reality. Layla is part of the world, she is one powerful character, trying to make her way up to lead her family. It's filled with violence, drugs, and adventure, with adding the environment as another extraordinary character. Magnificently written. Couldn't put it down until the end!
April 19, 2025
A wild ride in narcolandia
Layla is acting head of the cartel, but she's got a conscience and follows the rules, even when the rules say she has to stop an associate by any means. Her imprisoned uncle, El Patron, expects nothing less. After the plane goes down, Layla is certain the Guatemalan plans to take her out before she can get to him. But she's tough, she'll get him first. She and her Canadian connection map out a plan with 50/50 odds, an Easter party and a Mariachi band. What could go wrong? High octane fun.
Layla is acting head of the cartel, but she's got a conscience and follows the rules, even when the rules say she has to stop an associate by any means. Her imprisoned uncle, El Patron, expects nothing less. After the plane goes down, Layla is certain the Guatemalan plans to take her out before she can get to him. But she's tough, she'll get him first. She and her Canadian connection map out a plan with 50/50 odds, an Easter party and a Mariachi band. What could go wrong? High octane fun.
July 12, 2020
In spite of the death and destruction, this is a remarkably fun read. Layla has unexpectedly become the head of her family's drug cartel and is putting together her first major deal. Things do not go as planned but Layla keeps her cool (mostly) and set things to right. I look forward to reading the sequel!
(Note: I received a free reviewer copy from For Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review ... and, honestly, I loved it.)
(Note: I received a free reviewer copy from For Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review ... and, honestly, I loved it.)
March 11, 2023
Layla inherits the mantle of jefé of the Culiacán cartel. Her first drug deal goes awry, and they are forced to crash the plane in the Yucatán jungle.
Wheels Up is an exciting novel of drugs, murder and revenge.
You won't want to put it down and, once it's finished, you'll immediately want to read the next book in the series.
Wheels Up is an exciting novel of drugs, murder and revenge.
You won't want to put it down and, once it's finished, you'll immediately want to read the next book in the series.
August 31, 2020
A sizzling five-star thriller you won’t want to put down!
I recently did a Q&A with Jeanine, and besides the fact that she owns the most beautiful quaint bookstore I have ever seen, she writes exceptionally well. Despite not being the genre I usually read, the story gripped me from the get go, describing the drug cartel and Mexican culture in vivid detail. Jeanine keeps you guessing thought the entire book – I cannot wait to read more from this author – go check out her author page on Amazon for more books. Jeanine Kitchel
I recently did a Q&A with Jeanine, and besides the fact that she owns the most beautiful quaint bookstore I have ever seen, she writes exceptionally well. Despite not being the genre I usually read, the story gripped me from the get go, describing the drug cartel and Mexican culture in vivid detail. Jeanine keeps you guessing thought the entire book – I cannot wait to read more from this author – go check out her author page on Amazon for more books. Jeanine Kitchel
January 18, 2026
I haven’t read in quite some time and stumbled upon this book at Alma Libre Bookstore in Puerto Morelos.
I could not put this book down. The characters, storyline, how descriptive it was - it was a page turner right to the very end.
Thank you Jeanne Kitchel for a great read!
I could not put this book down. The characters, storyline, how descriptive it was - it was a page turner right to the very end.
Thank you Jeanne Kitchel for a great read!
June 9, 2018
What a great book
I really really enjoyed this book from the first page till the last I didn't want to put it down, Thanks Jeanine Kitchel I hope there will be more
I really really enjoyed this book from the first page till the last I didn't want to put it down, Thanks Jeanine Kitchel I hope there will be more
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews