I spent years building an empire, proving I was just as ruthless and unstoppable as the men who came before me. The streets fear me, my cartel moves like a machine, and I finally got the one thing I never thought I’d have—the love of my life, Livia. She is the only woman who ever saw me beyond the blood and power. But just when I thought I had it all under control, he came back. My uncle was the ghost I never saw coming. And now, he’s back to take everything I’ve built—including her.
This ain’t just about business anymore. This is a war, and it’s personal. I’m fighting on all fronts to keep the throne, protect my woman, and prove that I can be both the boss this cartel needs and the man Livia deserves.
I already buried my uncle once. Now, I gotta make sure he stays dead.
I fought my way to the top, earned my crown in blood, and made sure my name rang bells in the streets. But none of that matters if I don’t have Aria.
I lost her once because I let my rage, pride, and demons come between us. But I’ve spent every second since trying to be the man she needs and the man who loves her right, with patience, discipline, and everything in me. And I swear on my life, once I get her back, she will never slip through my fingers again.
But Stone has resurfaced from the dead, and he ain’t just coming for me. He wants Aria, too. He’s a ruthless, cold-blooded mfer who crawled out of hell just to drag me down with him. He wants to burn my world to the ground, take everyone I love, and make me feel the same pain I felt when I had to bury my mother and father.
But I refuse to let him win. I’ll spill as much blood as it takes to make sure Aria is safe in my arms, where she belongs. Because once I get her back, she’s mine forever.
Author of Urban Chick Lit, Erotica, and Contemporary Urban Fiction... Jessica N. Watkins was born April 1st in Chicago, Illinois. She obtained a Bachelors of Arts with Focus in Psychology from DePaul University and Masters of Applied Professional Studies with focus in Business Administration from the like institution. Working in Hospital Administration for the majority of her career, Watkins has also been an author of fiction literature since the young age of nine. Eventually she used writing as an outlet during her freshmen year of high school as a single parent: “In the third grade I entered a short story contest with a fiction tale of an apple tree that refused to grow despite the efforts of the darling main character. My writing evolved from apple trees to my seventh and eighth grade classmates paying me to read novels I had written about kids our age living the lives our parents wouldn’t dare let us”. At the age of twenty-eight, Watkins’ chronicles have matured into steamy, humorous, and realistic tales of women's literature. She hopes that The Epitome of Femistry series will successfully emulate ideal femininity while tackling stereotypes, familiar heartache, and relatable distress in a humorous, sophisticated, and erotic fashion.
Jessica N. Watkins is available for talks, workshops or book signings. Email her for more information at Jessica@femistrypress.net.
Jealosy is like a disease and is very dangerous when someone wants what you have. Legend,Icon, Tempo, and Saint found that out. Legend and Icon didn't know who to trust once they learned their Aunt Nadine was a snake, the uncle they grieved for two year's who they thought died alongside their father. Was actually still alive and was the one behind their mother, father, and Dane murder. They also found out their Uncle Stone was the one who started the war with Big A and his crew. Stone came back bragging thinking he was about to take the Cartel from Icon and Legend. The brother's grief turned to full fledge anger and revenge once Stone bragged about what he done. Trying to have both crews take each other out. Saint and Tempo found themselves kidnapped by Quin. Going behind Legend and Icon back trying to make their own moves backfired. Quin wasn't as smart as he thought he was though. I was laughing hard asf when Legend took his belt off to whoop Saint and Tempo after finding out what they did. I thought Livia mother was a damn mess but Aria mother Patricia had Livia mother beat. I felt sorry for Aria. Learning the truth about who her father really was, the truth behind his death, and the truth about her mother was heartbreaking. It was truly devastating the lengths Patricia went through to keep her secrets buried. The way she kidnapped Aria and allowed Stan to put his hands on her was wrong, scandalous, and trifling on so many mfn levels. Legend knew in his heart after having Aria tracked and didn't see her. Something was right and he really knew once Aria mother answered that door. I was so glad they found her because I had a feeling Patricia was going to let Stan kill Aria. Livia found herself kidnapped too after her son called Security turned on her. Good thing Nadine had enough sense to make Nando let her go. I couldn't even feel sorry for Nadine. She been married to Stone for year's and knew his obsession with over the Cartel Sterling built. Nadine should've known when Stone plotted, planned and executed his own brother and sister in law. She was no exception to the rule's. Stone turned on Nadine which wasn't surprising. Especially when he was cornered and his plans failed. Women like Imani are disgusting. Imani because obsessed with tearing Livia down after Icon screwed her and tossed her to the side. Imani was told from the beginning not to be desperate and throw herself at Icon but she didn't listen. She thought her pretty face was enough and it wasn't. Livia didn't want Icon doing anything to Imani. Livia wanted to handle it herself and she did.
I should have stopped after the first book. First, the Caucasian hands on the cover??? Super weird when the visuals of the main to brothers is of dark/midnight black men😒. I wanted to see the end, but this book was like a bad reality show or Tubi movie. Following 9-10 characters with various storylines that connected, but didn't, was so unnecessary...there were like 4-5 novellas in this one book. There were too many storylines going and so many of them were cringey af. Livia felt like a silly teenager or some bird from LAHH...how old was she, and Icon for that matter? You got the teenage brother/Saint with an identity crisis throwing his life away for the streetz, "to belong," when he really needs a good therapist or the grand love stories of forever happiness with marriage, a baby, and mansion in the hills while you evade death every time you step out the door...the shenanigans went on and on with no realistic flow or completion because there was too much going on. Maybe I just not into urban drug dealer stories or this authors' interpretation because it was underwhelming and overwhelming at the same time, stereotypical (not in a good way) with lots of cringe...but it could just be me.
Icon and Legend life was the cartel before Livia and Aria came into their lives. Iconill trying to navigate between the two. Aria to run her museum she told Legend he's not responsible for his parents death and him that Saint is not responsible for his mama's death. Icon did what he had to do to stop Imani from messing with Livia. Livia took it to extreme. Livia ran her clothing company then finessed into a consulting firm. Tempo decided hustlin wasn't for her. She is going to be a pamperd princess and get spoiled by her brothers. Nadine got what she deserved cause her idiot husband wanted to be the head of the cartel. Selina is only Livia bestfriend. To me Livia was kind of salty because Legend went all out for Aria's proposal. Icon proposal got interrupted by cartel business. Saint is loving his new role as the enforcer in the family which means he was expected by Legend. Legend tortured Stone for what he did to their parents, Icon just finished him off. All of them came into their own. Tempo and Big A is going to fall for each other. Meanwhile Saint is going to play the field until someone special comes into his life.
This finale had me laughing, grasping at my pearls, and a.little angry with certain characters. I couldn't hold my laughter when Saint and Tempo bit the bullet and told Icon what had happened to them, then Legend stepped in took off his belt to discipline them too funny. Even though Legend kept Saint at arms length he was there for him as well as supported him. Now Aunt Nadine and Uncle Stone deserved everything they got, for him to be that jealous of his brother then for their aunt to play in their faces only to be terrified when things switched up; and delusional Imani was just spoiled but deserved what she got for trying to destroy Livia but Olivia handled things with class and won in the end. So happy everything worked out and the family was finally getting peace. I hope Tempo and Big A get together I think he would do right by her; and Saint is going to take after the old Icon by being a playboy until he comes across the right one.
Icon and Legend are sooo hurt to find uncle Stone to be alive all the dirt he did to them and their family! Aunt Nadine is sooooo done! Takedown the Cartier family is Stone and Nadine’s goal but it is beginning to be more than one of the 2 can take? Meanwhile as Aria finds out about her parents, she is riddled with guilt and soo much pain. Lucia is being hurt not only by her mother, sister but her friend and a stalker Imani whose dad put her as a deal with Nadine to get Icon!
Tempo and Saint are trying to carve their own way into the Cartel but that fails badly as they have to once again involve their brothers and as well Saint just wants to provoke himself to his brothers as a Cartier and he will at the loss of what??? As the Legend and Icon battle family and try to clean up mess after mess and protect their loved ones it does get scratchy but these men are cut for it!! Part 3
The Cartier Cartel 2 (The Finale): The INC was an amazing book! If you read book one in the series, then you know how it ended. Icon and Legend didn't play about the Cartel, their women, and their younger sister and brother, Tempo and Saint. We get the drama and romance. I love how much Saint matured and came into his own because of Aria. Icon found a long-lasting love with Livia. I can't wait to see Saint and Tempo as they come into their own. I'm glad that the truth came to light about how and who was behind the parents' deaths. I'm glad that everyone who betrayed Icon and Legend got what they deserved. I love how strong Livia and Aria were when dealing with what they went through. Overall, I loved this book, and I can't wait to see what's in store.
i loved this final installment to the Cartier Cartel. Icon and Legend came into their own. Saint and Tempo supported one another in all ways possible. Nadine and Stone received everything that should have happened to them, along with Imani. Aria and Livia, now they were some strong women dealing with Legend and Icon respectively. I was thrilled that Aria was at a point where she couldn't fight her feelings for Legend, she truly helped him become the man he waas always meant to be. Livia and Icon were just as good together,Livia definitely ruled Icon and he could careless, she was his world! Loved the epilogue and I'm looking forward to reading Saint and Tempo story, especially Tempo, because she and Big A are made for each other!
(3.5⭐️)Part 2 was an overall good read. I think I enjoyed it more than part 1 because I think we actually got to see their relationships build & grow without them fighting attraction. The author did a great job showcasing the personal growth for Legend…because baby he was a top tier crash out in book 1. And there was a lot more Cartel-ish business in this one. Even though I think the “war” dragged on just a little bit too long.
The author says Saint & Tempo are getting a book. BUT I would need a serious time jump for Tempo & Saint’s story for me to consider reading it. At least 5 or 6 years. I don’t know if it’ll make it any less weird for me reading with a time jump given that her love interest became interested while she was barely legal🥴
This was a wild ride full of mess, mess, and more mess. It hooked me in though!!! Mind yall I aint read book 1 so i kinda was just thrown into this universe and its characters but i caught on quick enough! I'm not even sure where to start with this one- the plot twists and the plotting was actually insane. The male voice narrator tho.....where I find him at- i mean- WHO SAID THAT????
No but fr overall this was great for some messiness truly. every character in here was basically hiding something from somebody and had me stuck a couple of times like "WHAT DID HE/SHE SAYYYYYYYYYYYY??????" I may go back and listen to book one shooooooooot.
Legend and Icon really took me for a turn. That cliffhanger from book one was definitely the plot for this story. One thing I can say is expect the unexpected! You wouldn’t believe what role everyone had in what unraveled. I can’t wait for Tempo and Saint’s story. Because baby the way Big A is described, well let me just lick my lips and smirk lol.
Power is a drug and people really will go to the extremes just to obtain it.
I really liked this book and the first book especially Icon and Livia. I think instead of the first two books being focused on both Legend and Icon each should have had their own book like Saint and Tempo. I wanted more storyline for Icon and Livia. Most of the love story portions of the book is focused on Legend and Aria. Theirs was cute but her calling him “Big Baby” made me cringe every time. Then to end with Livia just asking for her ring back nahhh wasn’t a fan of how that played out. But overall good read on to the last two books.
This book was amazing icon and his siblings along with their brother from another took care of business. It’s a shame how family are always the ones lurking in the back ground trying to see you lose everything. However, they figured out what they conniving uncle was doing and what he did to their parents and they made it right. Great book. Great story loved it. Can’t wait to see what happens with temple and Saint.
What is family many ask this question bc what once was , had vanished because of betrayal and greed. IT WAS pleasant to see how tempo and icon loved and accepted Saint. Legend grew in some areas but not what was important. His fathers infidelity should have not been a punishment to saint a clear case of misdirected anger. He needed a victim and saint was it. I can't wait to see how Icons, tempos, and saint stories play out.
So happy that Legend, Aria made it to the altar. And are now parents. Also, who is the mode? Nothing was ever mentioned as to whom it is.
Tempo and Big A will bloom soon. Guess Legend semi retired or stepping back for now since newly married. Surely as a head of a cartel he far from retired. Where is Icon and livia wedding? Saint will be the next one in line to join his brothers.
I love this series I hope you make more books around the characters in the cartier cartel... like if saint finally find love, does livia and Icon have a baby and get married, do Big A and Tempo becomes something or better yet introduced a back story on the brick layers ( Sterling and Stone) of the Cartier Cartel and how it came to be, whatever you do dont stop here this was a dope series and i would love to read more
I am so happy for the legend and icon to amazing Brothers. Maturely and found two amazing ladies like Ariel and Livie I hope Legend will love and embrace Saint as his real brother. Because he is his brother he’s a Cartier ..saint Has proven himself time and time again that he along with his brothers. I hope in the neck, but he will get the love in return from legend and he’ll get his happiness.
This book was 5 stars for me and I finished it in one sitting....I kept telling my self, just one more chapter, LOL. I didn't listen though. A few questions I had in part 1 were cleared up in part 2. I would love for Saint to get his own book. I don't think his story is over yet. I think Saint is the most ruthless of all.
Legend matured so much in this book and I love that for him! The discipline scene was hilarious! I'm just so proud of Mr. Crashout! SAINT has arrived and getting all that he wanted.
He just may be my new favorite brother. I can't wait to see what the future holds in a spinoff that I pray is coming for Saint and Tempo. Great end to the series!
This book was a great continuation to the 1st book!!!…Imani, Nadine and especially Stone got everything that had coming!!!.. I was soooo happy that the family was able to get the battle completed, but I wanted so badly to see what was going to become of Tempo!!!…I hope she gets her a book!!…
I am so glad that all threats has been eliminated. All the blood sweat and tears that his father went through did not go in vain. Saint was made for this, and I don't like how Big A got it before him. His big brother needs to let it go. How should not have to keep paying for his father mistakes.
This is a great book. I loved the characters and the twist and turns. I won’t give away the story because I know some people like to read the reviews first 🥰
I gave it four stars due to the editing mistakes which took away from the story. Other than that the series is a must read!!!!
This is the second series that I have read and once again I enjoyed the writing by Jessica N. Watkins! That Ledgen was a beast, but Saint shocked me. Stone deserved what he got. This book was good from beginning to end. Now, I am intrigued to see what Saint has going on!
Books 1 & 2 of this series were addictive page turners! These books were packed with Drama, action and plot twist that leave you scratching your head because you don’t expect it at all. These books have everything! I could not put it down, Legend and Icon Cartier are just 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 These are two men who you do not want to cross. I highly recommend reading this Series look forward to Reading book 3!
I absolutely love Jessica N. Watkins and this book gave me everything that I love about her books. It was well written, flowed well and definitely kept my attention. The character development in this book was quite noticeable. Stone’s jealousy got him just what he deserved.
What a wild ride Stone was a Thorne in my side till he wasn't anymore. Legend Icon and Saint proved the will continue to dominate and continue the legacy left for them. Tempo learned to be patient and trust her family to make moves for everyone's benefit. This was a great read recommend to anyone that enjoys Cartels and some drama..
I was not so patiently waiting for this book but I’m glad I waited. Stone and Nadine got what they deserved. I still feel like there were enough loose ends that could fill another book and hopefully we will get another look at this family.
I need a story with just Saint and Tempo. I want to see if Tempo and Big A can find their love connection. See where Saint ends up and if he find his one. Gret read Jessica
I’m glad they got stone I wish Nadine could’ve been saved maybe she could’ve been reformed for her role in trying to hurt them and I think tempo need her own book so we can see her and big a sneak around lol great job thanks again for giving us another banger
I loved everything about this 2 book series. Absolutely dynamic it checked all the boxes for me blood guts sex and lies❤️now I need Tempo and Big A to get together.