Brutal Collateral

An Irish Mafia Enemies to Lovers Arranged Marriage Dark Romance (Quinlan Empire, Book 1)

By: Deborah Garland

Narrated by: Lucy Rivers, Joe Arden, Derek Duvall

I don’t want a wife. I don’t want a prisoner. But she just became both…

Seven years ago, Hadleigh Castille fell into my bed and never left my heart.
Then she disappeared and my hunger for vengeance was born.
My body wasn’t the same after that night.
She left for war, but I lived a daily life of blood and violence for the Irish Mob.

Now, I’ve risen to power in my own right, but to keep my crown I must align with the enemy.
When he presents his sister to me as a bride, my heart takes a tumble.
The woman I knew, the siren I never got over isn’t Hadleigh Castille, Navy Lieutenant.
She’s the missing Greek Princess, Ava Zervas.

Only, she’s not a princess at all.
She’s tough, brash, mouthy, and hates me more than her brother at the moment.
She’s my weakness, but I’m her downfall.

She thinks I’ll let her go in six months.
She doesn’t know the meaning of obsession and desire.
Until now.

Brutal Collateral is Book 1 in the Brand-New Irish Mafia Series: Quinlan Empire.

This exciting new dark mafia series features the Quinlan Brothers from the Astoria Royals Series who also first appeared in Rebel Billionaire (November 2020).

©2025 Deborah Garland (P)2026 Deborah Garland

Love the start to the series!

What a wild ride! Deborah Garland starts her new series off with a bang and I am along for the ride! It's fantastic. Yes, it's morally gray, but it's a phenomenal story. Ava was sent to the US Navy to be saved from being sold for her father's debts. Here she becomes the fierce killer she is. But one night, she met Griffin, the next head of the Irish mafia and has a one night stand that neither can forget. When it comes time to make a deal with Greek mafia, Ava's brother offers her to Griffin as his new wife. Little did these two know they would ever see each other again. But is it all flowers and chocolate? Garland works in humor, dirty talk, danger, and ways to showcase just how incredible they both are. Spicy and passionate, dark and dangerous, I was all in on this listen and now I can't wait to hear what comes next in the Quinlan Empire.

Lucy Rivers, Joe Arden and Derek Duvall are the story tellers and WOW. The attitude, the danger, the passion, it's all there with each one, bringing the characters alive. Rivers creates the best strong woman that is Ava/Hadley. Arden is so good as Griffin, dirty talking leader and Duvall pops in with a few cameos letting me know just how good the upcoming books are going to be. I loved their story telling!

Great narration. Fun story.

If you are going to include medical issues, please do the minimal research. Diagnosing a splenic rupture with xray was an interesting choice but calling the "renal surgeon" to fix it sent me. Otherwise, this was a fun story and the narration was fantastic.

Wow, just amazing!

I loved the entire Astoria universe. I think this series is my favorite and it's only the first book in this series. Griffin is hands down hot AF.

Holy cow

Holy cow! I love this story! I love Griffin and Ava so much. Not gonna lie, Ava really pissed me off there for a little while. The fact that she was so over the top bratty and pushed Griffin away so much really bothered me. But, I can see why. It’s not like any of this was her choice. But I mean, come on, your dream man got dropped in your lap as your arranged husband, and you’re still gonna throw a fit about it? I love the story. The spice was great. The drama was great. And I love that she got her happily ever after.

Wild Ride!!!

Deborah gave us a fast-paced, suspenseful, emotional story with great banter, spice, and some laughs mixed in. This story hooks you from the start and doesn't let go! I loved all of the characters, and I look forward to continuing this series. The narration is outstanding!!! 👏