Black Collar Empire

Black Collar #1

by A.N. Latro

After two years away, Seth Morgan has returned to New York, desperate to honor his father's dying wish for a unified family. But the heir’s welcome is sadly lacking: his family’s criminal empire is divided, the woman he loves hates him, and his brother Caleb has become a cold stranger.

When a brotherly spat becomes a vicious misunderstanding that ends with Caleb dead, Seth is left reeling, and unsure who to trust.

Emma Morgan grew up while her closest cousin was away. She’s been sheltered her entire life from the realities of their family—something Seth has every intention of changing upon his return.

But not everyone in the syndicate is happy to have Seth home, and there are secrets surrounding Caleb’s murder. The deeper Seth and Emma dig, the clearer it becomes that not everyone shares their dream for the Morgan Syndicate, and not everyone wants the heir to ascend.

Genres: Dark

355 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 18, 2014

About the author

You can follow me on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/AN-Lat...

Reviews

[~ Becs ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Black Collar Empire is the first full length novel in the new Black Collar series from A N Latro. There are two prequel novellas, Black Collar Beginnings: Cuba and Black Collar Beginnings: New York each giving us a little background to the two Brothers who are heir apparent to the Morgan Family Crime Syndicate. The series will continue with Black Collar Queen due for release next spring.

Something is rotten in the state of Denmark

~William Shakespeare

I have to say that this book was a bit of a departure for me. I read exclusively romance novels but I wanted to give this one a try – it’s very much a Mafioso style thriller and not at all romance. It’s exceptionally well written and has an almost dark film noir quality to the narrative. Told in the present tense third person POV, it has an edgy feel to the whole book.

We begin as Seth Morgan has returned to New York after a two year exile working with a Cuban Syndicate at the behest of us Uncle, the head honcho of the family. And when I say family, think Corleone not Waltons. This is not the warm welcome he probably, in all honesty, didn’t expect – his brother hates him, the woman he loves hates him and his uncle is guiding the family in a different and unexpected direction. Everything has shifted and now the favoured son is a little lost, trying to get up to speed with all that he has missed while he has been gone. The only person pleased to see him is his little cousin Emma, not so little anymore it seems!

This is such a harsh, brutal and cold depiction of life inside a syndicated crime family where loyalty is often fleeting and deadly. Seth’s fear throughout this book and his novella, was a palpable thing and I honestly had no idea which direction this was all going to take. I trusted no one and constantly feared for Seth’s life – the author isn’t afraid to take out big, important characters at the end of a smoking gun!

Emma is a Principessa –a crime Queen in waiting. Still at High School, she’s edging closer to the life that most of the family have attempted to shelter her from and she grows exponentially during this novel, moving on from canny school girl to absolute rightful heiress to the family. She manages to show that she’s made of sterner stuff than the other women in the family and is every inch a Morgan.

I did really enjoy taking a break from my regular reading this this series of books – crime thrillers aren’t really my drug of choice but I did enjoy how well written this novel was and just how suspenseful it came to be. A thrilling read.

4 deadly stars

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[Red Cheeks Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story, set in a criminal kingdom, of betrayal, sex, ruling kings, traitors, drugs and the price one pays when a dark prince returns to a family determined to see the end of him. This was an intense story. I have to admit it took me a little while to get into it but I soon become hooked into the lives of these characters and the dark and dangerous world they live in.

“The city must have time to forgive him for leaving, and he must have time to learn his city from an entirely changed perspective; as an outsider, like he never could before he left.”

There are many characters within the book that play very important parts. Some I hated, some I loved, some I couldn’t figure out but but I just want to mention a few of my favourites;

Seth- of course he was a favourite. The dark, dangerous and hated dark prince who has been through hell for his family and who returns to a kingdom filled with turmoil and death. I felt for him, wanted him to succeed in controlling the family, thought he was sexy and controlling and completely loved him!

“He is like a living saint among men, washed in holy neon yellow, back from the blackened hells.”

Emma- another huge favourite of mine. She was clever, slightly naive which was endearing, sweet, innocent and then dark and deadly herself. I admired her ruthlessness and her desire to be taken seriously and thought she made a brilliant female lead. I also love Rama but I won’t say anything more about him so as to not give anything away.

“She hasn’t truly been in his arms, without the threat of being found, or the watching eye of her cousin, in too long. Now he is the very heart of the empire, the heir in his arms, and he doesn’t care.”

The plot line was intense. Maybe slightly confusing at first until you figure out who all the players are within the game. But it was such a brilliant story line, filled with so many aspects that makes a dark story like this really contend with some of the best dark books out there. It was clever, sexy, dangerous, made you think and need to keep reading because you would never be able to guess the ending.

“A sea of light, the burning heart of the city they rule.”

The ending was so explosive and I honestly didn’t see it coming, I was holding my breath till the last page and was satisfied with ending. It didn’t leave me angry because it was a proper and finished ending for the first book. But it has left me excited to read the next to see what happens next in this dangerous world.

Bethany

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black Collar Empire by A. N. Latro is a 2014 A&A Literary Publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It's been a long time since I came across a good mafia/crime syndicate novel. Black Collar Empire has a modern crime story atmosphere while paying homage to the old school family crime sagas. It's a perfect blend that gives us an inside view of the Morgan family as they make the transition from older regime to the new one when the family patriarch dies and a power struggle ensues.

There are two novellas that introduce the reader to the Morgan family and the main characters. I would recommend you start with those so you have an understanding of the situation leading up the beginning of this full length novel.
Seth has just returned to New York from Cuba after his father's passing. We know there are hard feelings about Seth's being the heir apparent to the throne, but what happens in the beginning of the book will blow your mind. I never saw that coming.

Seth's reign will begin as he discovers that his two years away in Cuba has left his family in shambles. He reunites with Nicolette, his girlfriend and the daughter of another powerful crime family, he begins to uncover secrets, and begins training his cousin, Emma to take her place by his side in the family business. Trust issues, double crosses, violence, sex, power, control and betrayal all mingle and mix together as a disturbing truth begins to unearth itself.

This is one wild ride and absolutely absorbing. I have often found our curiosity about crime families interesting. What is it about these morally bankrupt people who feed our vices, who stab each other in the back, who live their lives on an sharp and dangerous edge and make no apologies for anything, that captures our imagination? We pull for some and dislike others. We wait with baited breath to see who will betray whom, who will gain the power, who will fall from grace. It's powerful stuff and this novel will grab you from the beginning and won't let go until the stunning conclusion. I hear there is another novel in the works, and I will be there front and center to see what will happen next. This one is 4.5 stars rounded to five.

[Monica **can't read fast enough** · Rating 4 out of 5]

Black Collar Empire is a wonderfully engrossing mafia read. I couldn't read this series fast enough! You really need to start with the two free novellas before you dive into Black Collar Empire so that you can get Seth's family history and all that has happened that made him into the man that returns at the beginning of book 1. The two novellas are very quick reads, but there's important information in them that will help set you up for book 1.

I love a good mafia book and Black Collar Empire sucked me in with it's depth of character development and amazingly crazy but wonderful story line. Treachery, violence, organized crime, and vengeance are all part of this fantastic book. After returning home Seth has to deal with betrayal from family and begin to forge new connections and resurrect old alliances. Seth is determined to take his rightful place at the head of the family empire and wants to have Emma at his side.

Emma is a sheltered daughter of a powerful crime family and the one person Seth had to return to. When Seth returns she is forced to face the hurt that he inflicted when he left. Emma has to decide if the danger of joining Seth is worth it. Emma starts out young and relatively naive but quickly finds her own strength and a ruthless streak that she readily embraces. Seeing Emma develop over the course of Black Collar Empire was fantastic and I look forward to seeing what will happen with her next.

Lantro has created a fast paced story laced with intrigue and danger that will leave you yearning for more!

**I received ARCs in exchange for an honest review.**
You can find more from me at Monlatable Book Reviews
http://www.monlatablereviews.com/

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initial Thoughts: This book was different than what I usually read. I try to stay more on the light, romancy side but this one just sounded so interesting that I had to give it a try. And I'm glad I did. Although it was dark, thriller, mafia type book, I really enjoyed it.

The Characters & Story: Seth has been gone for two years in Cuba on his Uncle's orders. He comes back and everyone hates him for leaving although he was told to and was doing so to make their empire stronger. The first night back, Seth thought he would be welcomed by his family but that doesn't even happen. Even his first encounter with his brother after two years end badly.

"He laughs, and it is so cold, the realization that his brother has drawn arms against him. This is the culmination of silent and prolonged grievances. Of leaving too soon and staying so late."

Nothing was how Seth left it. As I said everyone hates him and his Uncle is trying to change the way they have always run and acted. Seth doesn't really know what to do with all the change that has happened and he tries to understand quickly. Though I might have lied when I said everyone hates him, one person doesn't and that is his cousin Emma who is still in high school. I really liked her. She grew as a character over the book into someone strong and apart of the family empire and into to ruler she's meant to be.

End Thoughts: The all the emotions that the characters were feeling throughout the book was written very well. It was easy to feel all the anger, betrayal, helplessness and everything in between. This made it easier to be brought into the story and helped me connect I thought I wouldn't. It was a good story and I'm glad I gave it try. 4 stars.

[Preet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was certain reading this novel was going to answer all the questions I garnered while reading the prequel novellas. While some were answered, most were not and many more instead were added to the list. The novel is gritty but written in a way that will leave you on the edge of your seats.

I was unable to put this book down. I read it in a matter of hours. There's the prerequisite violence and gore that comes with this type of suspenseful dark story. I wasn't prepared for a death that came, especially since I couldn't figure out with what I'd read how and why it'd happened. I also couldn't figure out Emma's relationship with her mother. Something didn't feel right there and I have a feeling we'll find out more in the next book.

There were surprises galore. Just when I thought I knew what was going on or what had happened, I was left scrambling to assimilate new information. It was easy to see Emma coming into her own and Seth trying to figure out what was really going on. The bonds of family are really stressed in this book, as Emma and Seth come to realize family is all you can count on and sometimes it's that family you need to be watching out for in case they stab you in the back. New people were introduced and they added more drama and aspects to the story, which haven't played out fully yet.

The book will keep you guessing about the motivations of characters. You will cry and cringe and take in the drama that you experience on these pages. I can not wait for AN Latro to release the second book. The action is just getting started and I'm eager to see what happens.

[Sarah Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.

This was an interesting one for me. I was drawn in from the cover instantly, and the synopsis cinched it for me. And while I really enjoyed it, I will admit that I skimmed more than usual. I think for me, the spoken dialogue vs internal dialogue was not to my liking. The characters were there, the storyline was definitely there, but something was just off. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the two prequels. While I would have appreciated and enjoyed more detailed back story, there was still plenty of character development. One the we got about midway through the book, it really picked up and I was completely entrenched in what would happen next. As odd and against nature as it sounds, I found myself rooting for a relationship between Seth and Emma. I know, once you read it you’ll be all, what in the heck Sarah? But there was just a love between them that I can’t nor want to explain. It just was. I wouldn’t even call this book a romance. There were definitely romantic undertones, but the sole or even secondary focus wasn’t on that. It was a book about family, power, dysfunction, greed, wealth, loyalty, and passion. But mostly it was a book about secrets. Secrets uncovered only to reveal half-truths and more secrets. Like an onion, I peeled this book back until the very last page. And even then I was left with a sense of foreboding. While there is no cliffhanger, there’s definitely a feeling of continuation. I cannot wait to see where this leads!

[She Hearts Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seth comes home from Cuba to find that everything has changed. His brother is mad enough at him to hold a gun to his head, his cousin isn't so young and innocent anymore, and he isn't sure where his place is and who to trust anymore. This is a different kind of story about a royal family complete with mystery, intrigue, passion, and loss. It isn't a roller coaster ride, but more of a barreling train moving forward. This is one of those books that I couldn't put down until the very end and still want more of it. As the book progresses you see Seth coming into his own laced with trepidation. The one that shows the most change from the beginning to end was definitely Emma. She begins her part in the story as the sheltered innocent princess of the family. She is spending time with Caleb who has taken her under his wing in Seth's absence. He begins to show her the not so pretty part of being in this family. She longs Seth's return and when he does her care turns back over to him in the least expected way. Seth embarks on the path to reclaiming the throne with her at his side. She learns along the way that there is always a cost to the life they lead and grows into her place as Seth's right hand. I am so looking forward to reading her story.

I give Black Collar Empire 5 hearts!

[Maria Lazarou · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Hmm how many alpha males do you need.
This was a nice change of pace for me to read, mafia style I liked it.

This book was exceptionally well written, characters and plot we fantastic.

Well worth a read.

[MacKenzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 25%

[야일 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This releases today...
Review to come on my tour stop on Aug 24.
________________________________________
As seen on Gaga Over Books:

Black Collar is all about the Morgan Family syndicate dwelling around the lives of the two sons, Caleb and Seth, and their cousin Emma. BCB: Cuba centered around Seth, the youngest son of the Morgan's, who is in exile of sorts in Cuba to strike a deal with the Cubans. Whereas BCB: NY brings us to to New York where Caleb and Emma and the other workings of the syndicate. Both of these novellas were 6 chapters and had the tinge of violence or trauma that can be associated with mafia/crime syndicates. These were interesting and sparked my curiosity for the main novel Black Collar Empire.

Black Collar Empire, i believe set the perfect backdrop into the whole Morgan world and it was intense and shocking and just really nicely done. It was all told in intriguing way which made me like this whole Mafia thing (I don't really like such shady business). Anyway, I was worried for the the characters and the whole situation and just anticipating what could or would happen when I turned that page. The story was told to us in the third person present tense and the chapters were shot in a timeline as was the case with the novellas. I am really curious for Black Collar Queen now and grr it is supposed to come out next year in the spring season. That is too long.

I thought the writing and story telling was quite interesting and it kept me curious and immersed in the plot. I found myself wanting to know more about the characters. Seth and Caleb were thick as thieves along with Emma but after Seth had been gone for long and when he returned to NY after two whole years, longer than he was supposed to be gone, he found his relationship and everything around him unraveling. I was so shocked when Caleb died even though it was in the synopsis (I don't really read synopsis lol - skimming is what i do or don't do). Seth was seen crumbling and then he stood his ground and took the reins in his hand. I found Emma to be a fierce lady who stood her own with Seth. I missed Caleb but I am glad we got to see him in BCB: NY. I liked Vera a lot and I am hoping to see more of her and Seth in BCQ. Nicoletta was an enigma but meh, I am more interested in Vera. I am anticipating Rama and Emma and who knows Emma and Seth's story-line in the next book.

The last few chapters after the twist was bam (it was bam even before that) but that scene whoa, it was like an intense movie. Loved it. I loved this trio quite a lot and will be on the wait for Black Collar Queen. Can't wait. I am soo glad I signed up for these books.

Teasers:
"If he is so ineffectual at controlling his own fate, he will never move again."
(Black Collar Beginnings: Cuba)

"'Caleb watches the city. Like it's his own private playground.'"
(Black Collar Beginnings: New York)

"There is so much, in a name."
(Black Collar Empire)

A potentially great series, you can get it now and be a part of it.

[Roxanne Kade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fantastic read. It had a solid plotline, riveting writing that captured me the second I started reading, and it was well paced with enthralling twists. There was never a dull moment and I was on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next.

The characters were all really well written and defined, and with so much going on things could have easily become confusing, but they didn’t. I clearly knew everyone’s place within the underworld. I was a little surprised when a few characters seemed to drop off the pages. I had expected them to be key players, and even though in many ways they were, they just vanished only to pop up at the pivotal point of this book. It left me wondering what they had been up to, and why they weren’t heard from until the end. It didn’t, however, take anything away from this story.

I hadn’t expected Emma to play such a large role in this book, but she, of all the characters was the only one I saw develop and grow. Seth grew into a real leader, realizing his mistakes and his weaknesses, but I had expected that from him; Emma on the other hand, she just became more fierce and feisty as the story progressed. Her passion intensified and she really found her place within the family business. I was proud of her for standing up for herself, and for having the guts to put the Prince in his place from time to time. The final dining scene was the most shocking for me. She really proved that she could make it in a world of violence, and brutal disloyalty and dishonesty.

This was a thrilling ride filled with passion, love, lust, betrayal, heartache, and so the list goes on. It was dark and gritty, with a lethal dose of passion that saw its characters in a fight for the empire that was on the brink of destroying them all. Absolutely brilliant. A definite MUST READ!

[Marie Vasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so well written. It was a bit chaotic for me and I was having a hard time understanding the dynamics between the characters but eventually, I was able to grasp what was going on. There are so many important characters and each has such a significant role in the story, it felt like I was reading The Godfather. I was very impressed with how the story unfolded.

Full review to follow.

[Yolanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series continues to be interesting, I am glad one person i didnt like didnt make it out of this book. I wish another would go away not that i the character is bad in a since i just dont want them around. I still dont know whats going on with this families weird sexual connection. I still think that they aint related in some.

[♡B♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This came up as a book I might like to read. I thought why not give it a try. I enjoyed it for the most part I was hoping that it was going to be more than what I got. I guess I was expecting more gangster than what I got.

I will say that it was interesting, and it ended interesting for sure. :)

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, review to follow.

*An ARC was received for an honest review.

[Hanife]

DNF @ %14

[Clara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Seth in the beginning but ended up hating him for being so blinded by ideals. These 3 stars are for Emma Morgan!

[Maui · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[QueenBraddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated the different characters and points of view.....I look forward to the next books to come

[Tania · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to start reading the next book

[e · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe I'm saying this but this book made me fall in love with mafia books lmao