Mafia Kingdom (Restless & Wicked 1) by Vi Carter-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 24, 2025

Marco

Power is everything. And in my world, power is built on blood.

I rule this city with a ruthless grip, feared by my enemies and respected by those smart enough to stay in line. But when Sasha Gillespie walks back into my life, desperate and reckless, she shatters my control. She’s asking for my help—dragging me into a war I didn’t start, but it’s one I damn sure intend to finish. The men who dared threaten her family don’t realize they’ve just signed their death warrants.

She thinks she can make a deal with the devil and walk away unscathed.She’s wrong.
Because once I claim something, I don’t let it go. And Sasha? She was mine long before she even knew it.

Sasha

Marco Walsh is the last man I should run to for help.
Dangerous. Unrelenting. A king carved from blood and brutality. He’s everything I was warned to stay away from—everything I swore I’d never be a part of. But when my father’s debts come due, and my little sister’s life is on the line, I don’t have a choice.

Now, I’m trapped in his world, where mercy is a weakness and love is a liability. He says he’ll protect me, but the price is steep. A single favor, a night on his arm…a deal I can’t refuse. I should be terrified.

But the most dangerous part of all?
I’m not sure I want to escape.

•••••

REVIEW:MAFIA KINGDOM is the second instalment in Vi Carter’s contemporary adult RESTLESS & WICKED erotic, Irish Mafia romance series. This is Irish mafia heir Marco Walsh, and Sasha Gillespie’s story line. MAFIA KINGDOM can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Marco and Sasha) MAFIA KINGDOM follows Sasha Gillespie’s return home to Ireland following months abroad at culinary school but upon her return Sasha discovers her father’s questionable actions have threatened the safety and security of her younger sister. Desperate for help, Sasha approaches Mafia heir Marco Walsh, a man who is determined to claim Sasha as his own but as Marco begins to dig deeper into Sasha’s claims, the reality goes much deeper, and our hero discovers his own family life is spiraling out of control. A fight for power in the city, and within the family, will see death and destruction on both sides.

The world building focuses on the dysfunctional family dynamics and the ultimate betrayal for Marco Walsh: brother pitted against brother; father against son; friend against friend. Marco struggles to trust the people in his life, as he slowly falls for the woman he will grow to love.

The relationship between Marco and Sasha begins as a rescue, of a sort as Sasha is desperate enough to seek help from our story line hero but Marco needs something in return, and finds himself guardian and protector of the woman with whom he is falling in love. The $ex scenes are passionate and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters, many of who will not survive. We are introduced to Sasha’s father George, her sister Lily and Aunt Karen; Marco’s brothers Lucas, Danny, Damien, and their father Patrick; Marco’s second Tony; Patrick’s seconds Gerald and Michael. The requisite evil has many faces.

MAFIA KINGDOM is a story of dysfunctional family dynamics; betrayal and vengeance ; murder and madness, power and control, acceptance and love. The premise is dark, dramatic and edgy; the romance is impassioned; the characters are determined, charismatic and lively. MAFIA KINGDOM ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of the prequel MAFIA CROWN

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

VI CARTER: When Vi Carter isn’t writing contemporary & dark romance books, that feature the mafia, are filled with suspense, and take you on a fast paced ride, you can find her reading her favorite authors, baking, taking photos or watching Netflix.

Married with two children, Vi divides her time between motherhood and all the other hats she wears as an Author.

She has declared herself a coffee & chocolate addict! Do not judge

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