Review of Mayhem on Mulberry by Vincent DeFilippo- Book 1.(#contests- Enter to win A $50 Amazon Gift Card- 2 winners.)

MAYHEM ON MULBERRY

by Vincent DeFilippo

October 12 - November 21, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

CHINESE GANGS CLASH WITH THE OLD-SCHOOL ITALIAN "FAMILIES." It's 1990 in New York City. The AIDS pandemic is raging, murder is at an all-time high, an arsonist burns 87 people to death in a Bronx social club, and garbage and graffiti overwhelm the city. Though a sense of lawlessness pervade the city, being a gangster just isn’t the same anymore. In fact, it may be the twilight of the Italian mob: Under pressure from the feds and their loss of new recruits, the real menace facing them is the other ethnic gangs that are encroaching on their territory—in particular the Chinese.

BOOK ONE: RISE OF THE EAST

 What if the only way to protect the one you love is to destroy everything you've ever known?

New York City, 1990-a city teetering on the brink of chaos. The AIDS pandemic is ravaging communities, crime is at an all-time high, and the streets pulse with the tension of gang warfare. The once-dominant Italian mafia, now in its twilight, faces a new threat: the rise of ruthless ethnic gangs determined to carve up their territory.

Enzo DeCarlo, heir to a fading mob empire, is caught between two worlds. His father, the old-school Don Vincenzo, clings to the traditions of the past while the DeCarlo family crumbles under pressure from the feds and encroaching Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean gangs. Enzo's loyalty to his family has always been unwavering-until he meets the captivating Jen Mo Li, a woman with secrets as dangerous as her beauty.

Jen, the daughter of a powerful Chinese crime family, is no stranger to the brutal world of organized crime. Overlooked and undervalued by her own family, she fights to prove herself in a male-dominated world, growing colder and more ruthless with each passing day. But when her brother is murdered, and the blame falls on Enzo, Jen's desire for revenge spirals into something far more deadly-especially as her heart betrays her by falling for the enemy.

With tensions between their families at a boiling point and betrayal lurking at every turn, Enzo and Jen's forbidden love becomes a ticking time bomb. When Jen takes control of the notorious Black Dragon gang, the violence escalates to all-out war in Chinatown, with blood flowing in the streets and power shifting hands. But Jen's bold moves come at a terrible cost, and when a tragic mistake links her to a human trafficking operation, she finds herself hunted by both the law and her enemies.

As their worlds spiral out of control, Enzo and Jen are forced to make impossible choices. Can Enzo defy his father and the mafia's brutal code to save Jen and their child? And can Jen survive long enough to claim her throne in the criminal underworld-or will the betrayals she's suffered drive her to a darker fate?

In this explosive tale of love, betrayal, and survival, nothing is certain, and no one is safe. Dive into the pulse-pounding world of gangland New York, where power, loyalty, and love collide. Will Enzo and Jen escape the deadly shadows of their families-or be consumed by them?

The streets are unforgiving. Are you ready to find out who survives?

MY THOUGHTS:

Mr. deFilippo has crafted a novel filled with mystery, suspense, and a dynamic cast of characters that enhance the book's excitement and intrigue. 

I particularly admire the protagonist, Jen, who works alongside her father in their family business. As a woman of Chinese descent, she faces prejudice and is often deemed unworthy. After her brother is killed by a gang, she joins the Black Dragon gang to prove herself and establish her reputation. 

Jen falls for Enzo, whose father is the head of the most powerful Italian family in New York City. Unbeknownst to Enzo, Jen's family history complicates their relationship, and he must sneak around to see her due to their cultural differences.

The book is fast-paced and filled with fight scenes, some of which are quite gory, and it features multiple subplots. All of the characters interact well, keeping me hooked from the beginning, and the ending is unpredictable. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. 

 

 

 

BOOK 2: FALL OF AN EMPIRE

 How far would you go to destroy the ones who wronged you?

In Mayhem on Mulberry: Book Two, the ruthless battle between the Chinese mob and the Italian Mafia rages on—but this time, vengeance runs deeper than blood. It’s 2020, and Jen Mo Li, presumed dead for decades, is very much alive. Back in New York under an assumed identity, Jen has one goal—to annihilate the DeCarlo family. She’s spent years plotting her revenge, using her beautiful daughter, Julia, as the perfect weapon to tear them apart from the inside.

Nicky DeCarlo, son of Enzo, is determined to break free from the fading mob legacy and start fresh. But when Julia, under Jen’s manipulation, seduces him and lures him into a dangerous heist, Nicky’s dreams of escape turn into a nightmare. Unbeknownst to him, Julia is not just an enemy—she’s his sister.

As the Chinese mob tightens its grip on New York, the Italians plan one last high-stakes score, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown. Betrayal, forbidden love, and shocking family secrets collide in a deadly game where no one is safe, and loyalty could prove fatal.

Will Nicky uncover the truth before it’s too late? Or will Jen’s plan for vengeance destroy everything he holds dear?

Dive into this pulse-pounding sequel that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Get your copy today and find out who survives the mayhem

 Book Details:

Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Crime, Action
Published by: ViennaRose Publishing
Series: Mayhem on Mulberry

Buy Book 1:

 Amazon | Kindle Unlimited | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub

Buy Book 2:

Amazon | Kindle Unlimited | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub 

 

Author Bio:

Dr. Vincent DeFilippo, an international financier and former CEO of a private equity fund in Hong Kong, where he aided numerous executives and businesses in raising billions of dollars in capital.

Currently residing in New York, he is a Professor at Monroe College, where he mentors and teaches young people to achieve their goals. Driven by his passion for writing and storytelling, he captivates readers with his fiction works and provides practical business and financial advice through his non-fiction books.

Catch Up With Vincent deFilippo:

VincentdeFilippo.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub
Instagram - @vincedefilippoauthor
LinkedIn - Vince Defilippo
X - @DefilippoAuthor
Facebook - @vincedefilippoauthor

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway!

Click here to view the Tour Schedule

Don't Miss Out! Enter Now for Your Chance to Win!

This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Vincent deFilippo. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

MAYHEM ON MULBERRY by Vincent deFilippo [Gift Card]

Can't see the giveaway? Click Here!

 

 

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

 

Book Blitz of A Sabre in the Hemlock by Dorothy Dreyer. (#contests- Enter to win A paperback copy of the book.)

A Sabre in the Hemlock
Dorothy Dreyer
(Blade Bound Saga, #2)
Publication date: November 18th 2025
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

With enemies closing in and magic slipping from her control, Celeste draws closer to unraveling a prophecy that could cost her the man she loves—as well as her soul.

In the wake of the carnoraxis attack on Ivystone Citadel, Celeste Westergaard’s battle for her future has only just begun. Trapped under the king’s watchful eye and hiding the magic awakening within her, Celeste must play the role expected of her, all the while uncovering secrets buried throughout Terre Ferique.

As the royal court embarks on a tour to solidify Dante’s claim to legitimacy, whispers of war and treachery follow their every step. The Shadow Tsar’s reach is growing, and the prophecy that fuels his reign foretells the rise of a power that will bring his downfall—one tied to the blood of the fae.

From glittering courts to bloodstained battlefields, Celeste must walk a knife’s edge between duty and desire, deception and truth. Because if the tsar discovers who she really is, he won’t just come for her magic, he’ll come for her soul.

A Sabre in the Hemlock is the thrilling sequel to the award-winning A Dagger in the Ivy, weaving romance, danger, and dark intrigue into an unforgettable tale of power and sacrifice.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

His jaw flexes. “You used your magic again.”

“Dante—”

“You promised you wouldn’t,” he says, voice quiet but taut, threaded with frustration. “You said you’d wait. You said you’d let Ezra figure it out.”

“I never promised,” I snap back, chin lifting. “You asked me not to, but I never agreed.”

“You bled, Celeste.” He leans closer, his voice low, heated. “I could tell something was wrong, even from the water. And what I couldn’t see, Nadya filled me in on.”

Of course she did.

“I had to help you.” The words come out louder than I intend, sharp with the emotion I’ve been burying all day. “They sent armed soldiers after you. You were bleeding underwater. You could have been pummeled by a f***ing tsunami. You don’t get to ask me to sit and watch you die.”

His hands flex, fists clenching just beneath the surface. “And what if helping me had killed you instead?”

I stare at him, my breath shallow. I don’t have an answer—not one that would make him feel better.

He paces a few steps through the water, raking a hand through his hair until it curls wild and damp around his temples. “Gods, you’re so damn stubborn.”

“And you’re so damn arrogant if you think you can tell me when and how I’m allowed to use a power that’s mine.”

He turns sharply, water sluicing off his chest, his gaze fierce enough to stop me in place. He crosses the space between us with quick, sure strides—and suddenly, he’s there, his hands finding me beneath the water, one arm locking around my waist, the other curling so that his hand is tugging the hair at the nape of my neck.

The heat of him burns through the chill. My breath stutters.

“Of course you’d fight me,” he mutters, his voice hoarse against my cheek. “Even when I’m trying to protect you.”

“And of course you’d push me,” I breathe back, “even when I’m trying to save you.”

The air thrums between us, thick with something neither of us is willing to yield. My pulse hammers as his thumb grazes the side of my throat, slow and reverent, like he’s trying to memorize the beat of my heart.

“I told you,” he says, his forehead almost brushing mine, “you bleed for no one.”

“And I told you,” I whisper, “you don’t get to decide that.”

His jaw tightens—and then, in one breath, his lips are on mine.

Author Bio:

Dorothy Dreyer is a Philippine-born American living in Germany with her family. She is an award-winning, USA Today Bestselling Author of fantasy, romance, and horror books that usually have some element of magic or the supernatural in them. Aside from reading, she enjoys movies, binge-watching series, chocolate, take-out, traveling, and having fun with friends and family. She tends to sing sometimes, too, so keep her away from your Karaoke bars.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Newsletter

GIVEAWAY!

A Sabre in the Hemlock Blitz

—

Guest Post by Briana Chen Author of The Thieves Carousel (Adult Fantasy Novel- #contests- Enter to win a signed copy of the book and some swag.)

/

 

I want to welcome Briana Chen to Books R Us. She is touring the blogosphere with I read Book Tours. The author has written a guest post for my readers. She is giving away a signed copy of the book and some swag. Enter below.
 

Book Details:

Book Title:  THE THIEVES' CAROUSEL by Briana Chen
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+),  300 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Z-Choice International
Release date:  August 2025
Content Rating: PG-13 +M: Some bad language, violence, and dark themes (implied abuse, self-harm)

 

Book Description:

What price would you pay to undo a death?

In the shadowed streets of Aspizia, two thieves—Lyo Morandi andJasper Bray—risk everything to rewrite the past. Haunted by the death of their friend Milo, they set their sights on a forbidden prize: a ring reputed to alter time.

To steal it, they must infiltrate the Thieves’ Carousel, a ruthless exhibition where the city’s most dangerous criminals flaunt their treasures—and fight to keep them. But as Lyo and Jasper descend deeper into the catacombs beneath Aspizia, they uncover a truth far more dangerous than they imagined: the ring’s power comes at a devastating cost.

Loyalties splinter. Betrayal lurks around every corner. Loyalties splinter. As the game turns deadly, they must ask themselves: How far will they go to rescue the past and save the future—and how much of themselves are they willing to lose?

The Thieves’ Carousel is a gripping tale of ambition, sacrifice, and the haunting price of second chances.

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon ~ B&N

 GUEST POST:

 

How to Write While the World is on Fire

When I started The Thieves’ Carousel, I thought I was writing about power, smoke, masks, and the machinery of control. Halfway through, I realized I was writing about collapse. About what happens when beauty curdles into decadence, and faith rots into ritual. It became less a fantasy and more a mirror, a city devouring itself while pretending to celebrate.

Aspizia—the heart of the novel—is a city built on guilt and gold. Its canals shimmer by candlelight, but they also carry the dead. The air smells like incense and iron. Gambling halls gleam beside orphanages, and masked aristocrats sip wine as the streets flood. I wanted readers to feel seduced by it, then unsettled by how familiar it all felt, a world that dazzles while quietly unraveling.

That’s what writing during chaos does to you. You start to see the poetry in the fracture lines.

I wrote most of Carousel while the world itself seemed to be falling apart—politically, environmentally, existentially. There were days when art felt absurd, like I was painting roses while the ceiling burned. But it was in that absurdity that I found clarity. The story became a way to confront decay without surrendering to it.

Writing while the world is on fire means learning to create inside the smoke. It’s not about ignoring the chaos, but transmuting it. Every flicker of fear becomes world-building; every grief becomes dialogue. The setting isn’t separate from you—it’s an emotional translation. Aspizia’s fog is just my own uncertainty given form. Its collapsing cathedrals are my sense of helplessness, turned tangible.

Sometimes the act of storytelling itself feels like rebellion. When you write, you insist that something still matters, that a story is still worth telling, that people are still worth saving, even in fiction. I think that’s why I poured so much of that ache into Lyo and Jasper, the story’s central bond: two thieves bound by loyalty and loss, trying to repair a world already rigged to break them. Their story is equal parts devotion and defiance, a testament to the idea that even in ruin, love can still be a kind of protest.

And maybe that’s the point. Writing in dark times doesn’t mean pretending the darkness isn’t there. It means looking directly at it and lighting a single match.

Carousel’s heartbeat is that quiet persistence. Beneath the blood and smoke and impossible choices, it’s a story about endurance and the belief that even when the cycle repeats, someone will choose to try again.

The truth is, the world is always on fire somewhere. It always has been. But the miracle is that we keep rebuilding—

Brick by brick, word by word.

 

Meet the Author:

 

 BRIANA CHEN is an award-winning fantasy author and repeat offender when it comes to falling headfirst into fandoms. She loves morally gray characters, unpredictable plot twists, and books that make her stare at a wall for hours afterward.

She is also a digital artist, gamer, and graduate of Carnegie Mellon University. She currently spends her time battling artist’s and writer’s block—sometimes simultaneously—and pursuing more adventures to add to her hoard of treasure.
Connect with the author: website ~ instagram ~ goodreads

---

Enter the Giveaway:

THE THIEVES' CAROUSEL Book Tour Giveaway

Book Blitz of Lovely Torment by Kimberly Quinn. (#Contests- Enter to win An Amazon Gift Card.)

Lovely Torment
Kimberly Quinn
(Savage Hearts Syndicate, #2)
Publication date: November 18th 2025
Genres: Adult, Dark Romance, Romance, Suspense

He’s cold, calculating, and lethal. A killer.

He’s also my hero.
Finn Decker rescued me from a life in captivity, but not out of mercy. I’m his key to destroying the Bratva leader who shattered both our lives. A pawn in his ruthless game of vengeance.

I should be afraid. I should run.

Instead, I’m drawn to the darkness in his eyes, the craving he ignites, and the promise of retribution he offers. And I realize—I want him to use me in ways that have nothing to do with revenge.
Only, it’s hard to tell if I’m his leverage, his weakness, or something far more dangerous.
His.
Because in a war this savage, there’s no room for mistakes.
Or love.

Goodreads / Purchase

—

 

EXCERPT:

A thrill shot through me.

It was sharp and vivid, and suddenly, I was drowning in him. In his heat, in his scent, in the way his body caged mine like he was the only thing keeping me upright.

“Don’t lie,” he growled. “You can be pissed at me. You can be scared. You can feel whatever the fuck you want. But don’t pretend you don’t want something more from me. You’ve been clinging to me since the day I took you out of Rykov’s house.”

“Well, I wasn’t angry before.” I lifted my chin and let all my irritation flow into the glare I gave at him. “But now? Yeah. Now, I am.”

“Good. Get angry for a change. Stand up for yourself. Prove you’re not just a victim looking for a goddamn savior.”

“You think that’s what I want from you? That I’m so weak and desperate I can’t stand on my own?” The words tumbled out, fueled by a courage I didn’t recognize. A fire I’d never dared stoke before.

“No, Lena,” he growled. “I think you’re a thousand times stronger than you know. And I think if you knew me at all, you’d understand why friendship isn’t something I can give you.”

“But you’re friends with Robin.”

“I don’t want to fuck Robin.” His voice was rough. Like the words had clawed their way up his throat.

And they stunned me.

My mouth opened, but nothing came out. Was I even still breathing?

He twisted my arm higher up my back—the dull pinch of it, reminding me I was at his mercy. “I can’t be your friend. Because every time you get close, it gets harder to hold back. Harder to pretend I’m not about to lose my fucking mind.”

His hold loosened, just slightly, like he was about to let me go. But before I could process it, his fingers flexed, and in a swift, merciless motion, he’d wrenched my other arm behind my back, pinning both wrists in one unyielding hand.

“You want something safe. Someone stable. But that’s not who I am.” His free hand slid up to wrap around my throat, his fingers pressing into the side of my neck. “This is the kind of man I am.”

And God, despite the edge of fear, despite the voice in my head telling me to run, my panties were soaked.

He leaned in, his mouth hovering at my ear and breath rough against my skin. “What I want is to tie you up and then take you apart. Slowly. Thoroughly. Until you forget every man who ever came before me. I want to ruin you for anyone that isn’t me. Then build you back up from the wreckage. Stronger. Fiercer. Like the queen I already see when I look at you.”

He paused, his breath hitching. “And then do it again. And again. And a-fucking-gain.”

Author Bio:

Kimberly is a contemporary romance author, born procrastinator, and lover of morally gray heroes. She enjoys lively conversations, usually with imaginary people, and can often be found daydreaming at work.

She writes gritty, messy, dangerous romances, featuring beautifully flawed characters, pursuing love at all costs. It's romance with rough edges.

When she’s not busy writing, you can find her with a coffee in hand, dog at her side, and exploring the wilds of her hometown in Ontario, Canada… Or on her couch, getting lost in a good story.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!

Lovely Torment Blitz

—

Spotlight of The Forbidden Heiress by Glede Brown Kabongo (#contests-Enter to win an $25 gift card- 2 winners.)

THE FORBIDDEN HEIRESS

by Gledé Browne Kabongo

November 17 – December 12, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

 

Synopsis: 

Sabree Warner's biggest mistake wasn't taking the job—it was being born.

Drowning in grief and desperate for work, brilliant cancer researcher Sabree Warner leaps at the chance to join Montague Pharma, one of the world's most powerful pharmaceutical dynasties. Her first assignment seems straightforward: investigate why promising drug compounds were mysteriously abandoned before they could be developed into life-saving medicines.

But someone doesn't want her digging. A car nearly runs her down on a quiet street and speeds away, and her apartment is vandalized. Undeterred, Sabree probes further and uncovers a twisted game of corporate espionage. The abandoned drugs weren't shelved by accident—they were buried to hide a secret that could destroy the Montague empire.

Then Sabree discovers her connection to the powerful Montague family runs deeper—and deadlier—than she could ever imagine. As a vicious succession battle rages, someone has been watching her every move, someone who has already killed to keep the truth about her identity buried. In this world of ambition and ruthless power games, Sabree is fighting for more than answers.

She's fighting to stay alive.

Because in the Montague family, secrets don't stay hidden, they get eliminated.

Book Details:

Genre: Psychological Thriller
Published by: Indie
Publication Date: October 22, 2025
Number of Pages: 350
ISBN: 979-8-9913219-6-9

Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Goodreads | BookBub

 Author Bio:

Gledé Browne Kabongo writes twisty, unputdownable psychological thrillers about resilient women navigating dark secrets, deadly lies, and impossible choices. A multiple award-winning indie author, her books resonate best with readers who enjoy thrillers with complex characters, dark secrets, multiple deceptions and betrayals, unforgettable twists, and intellectual and emotional engagement.

Her novels include: A Game of Malice, Our Wicked Lies, Fool Me Twice, Conspiracy of Silence,Fearless Series.

Readers have described Gledé’s work as "unbelievably addictive," "brilliant," "unputdownable," and "haunting and complex."

Gledé has spoken at multiple industry events including the Boston Book Festival, Sisters in Crime (SinC) New England Crime Bake, and the Women in Publishing Summit. She lives outside Boston with her family.

Catch Up With Gledé Browne Kabongo:

www.GledeKabongo.com
Goodreads
BookBub - @GledBrowneKabongo
Instagram - @authorgledekabongo
Facebook - @gledekabongoauthor

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway!

Click here to view the Tour Schedule 

 Don't Miss Out! Enter Now for Your Chance to Win!

This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Gledé Browne Kabongo. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

THE FORBIDDEN HEIRESS by Gledé Browne Kabongo [Gift Cards]

Can't see the giveaway? Click Here!

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

 

@partnersincr1me,

@partnersincrimevbt / TW,

@partnersincrimetours,