Early ReviewersA.G. Russo

The homefront, summer 1942, Brooklyn, New York.

Six months after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, America was fighting overseas with the Allies in World War II. Maeve O’Shaughnessy’s fight for survival was different. Her three brothers were shipped out and left her with their new detective agency and fifteen-year-old brother to manage. Before the War, Maeve worked as a secretary. She knew nothing about detective agencies. From the start she struggled to make enough money to feed Jimmy and herself. Vic Marino, a no-nonsense ex-cop, showed up and told her he was going to help her make a go of the agency. Maeve vehemently protested but Vic insisted she had no choice.

Against the backdrop of a war many Americans never wanted, more men were drafted and volunteered to serve every day. Those left behind supported the war effort the best they could. As 1942 wore on sacrifices were necessary for the War, while the losses became real and heartbreaking. Thousands of women took up the cause working outside the home. Yet Maeve found herself trapped in circumstances beyond her control.

Vic’s “deal” to help the detective agency survive came at a cost. He took on responsibility for the detective agency along with an angry naïve woman and her teenage brother. The business was sinking and needed to make money fast. They needed a client. One walked in on Vic’s first day in the office. Mrs. Sullivan implored them for help. Her daughter Lucille, a “beautiful angel,” was brutally murdered in an expensive apartment owned by a rich businessman. The police showed no interest in her violent death. Maeve and Vic had no choice. They took the case nobody wanted.

From the mean streets of Brooklyn to Chinatown to the Brooklyn Navy Yard to the Fulton Fish Market to upstate New York, dealing with thugs, colorful characters, and puzzling clues, O’Shaughnessy Investigations, Inc. pursued the baffling case. A neo-noir mystery. Book 1 of 3.

Content Warning: Please be aware this book contains issues of violence, racism and racial slurs (in the context of the times), sexism, pregnancy and childbirth, and abusive language.

Previously published as O'SHAUGHNESSY INVESTIGATIONS, INC. Episodes 1-32 on Kindle Vella.

OCELLICON is a military science fiction story with elements of legal/detective/mystery/feminist/noir sci-fi. Earth barely survived nuclear battles until the militaries of the world took over from authoritarians. But rebellion was agitating from within. Prosecutor Major Annalisa Farrell, Military Academy honors graduate, war hero, wounded warrior, and child abuse survivor fought to champion justice. An unexpected adversary turned out to be Judge Bennett McCrae, the “Judge Prince.” In his courtroom, the Military, and the general population, he was as popular as Annalisa was hated. Before appearing before Judge McCrae, Annalisa Farrell fought in numerous conflicts, was special ops, and had missions in space where she worked side by side with aliens.

As a “wild child of the tunnels” her extraordinary journey to a position of power was unparalleled. Adoption by General Farrell saved her life and gave her the loving family she never had and a mission as a daughter to be proud of. Suspected of being genetically engineered, unfounded prejudice followed her through the ranks. Though Annalisa learned to control her emotions better than most humans, even relaxed Military standards could not keep some relationships from disaster. Marriage contracts, casual sexual standards, and freedom to pursue multiple partners, could not totally eliminate human passions and obsessions.

An apocalyptic struggle for power and control from within threatened to destroy years of Earth peace and interrupt alliances with other planets, unless the traitors could be discovered and stopped. Aliens distrusted tumultuous human emotions. Answers had to be found before disaster occurred. Could heroic warriors save humans from their own self-destruction?

Content Warning: Please be aware this book includes descriptions of child sexual and physical abuse, military war violence, interpersonal violence, imagined injuries and violence, and death and destruction. Adults age 18+

Previously published as OCELLICON Episodes 1-38 on Kindle Vella.

Can we save ourselves in the future from our worst inclinations and survive?

Earth barely survived nuclear battles until the militaries of the world took over from authoritarians. But rebellion was agitating from within. Prosecutor Major Annalisa Farrell, Military Academy honors graduate, war hero, wounded warrior, and child abuse survivor fought to champion justice. An unexpected adversary turned out to be Judge Bennett McCrae, the “Judge Prince.” In his courtroom, the Military, and the general population, he was as popular as Annalisa was hated. Before appearing before Judge McCrae, Annalisa Farrell fought in numerous conflicts, was special ops, and had missions in space where she worked side by side with aliens.

As a “wild child of the tunnels” her extraordinary journey to a position of power was unparalleled. Adoption by General Farrell saved her life and gave her the loving family she never had and a mission as a daughter to be proud of. Suspected of being genetically engineered, unfounded prejudice followed her through the ranks. Though Annalisa learned to control her emotions better than most humans, even relaxed Military standards could not keep some relationships from disaster. Marriage contracts, casual sexual standards, and freedom to pursue multiple partners, could not totally eliminate human passions and obsessions.

An apocalyptic struggle for power and control from within threatened to destroy years of Earth peace and interrupt alliances with other planets, unless the traitors could be discovered and stopped. Aliens distrusted tumultuous human emotions. Answers had to be found before disaster occurred. Could heroic warriors save humans from their own self-destruction?

Content Warning: Please be aware this book includes descriptions of child sexual and physical abuse, military war violence, interpersonal violence, imagined injuries and violence, and death and destruction.

Previously published as OCELLICON Episodes 1-38 on Kindle Vella.

Ava is a feisty little girl who loves dogs and likes bandaids. One day a large old dog follows Ava and Gramps home. Ava's mom won't let her have a pet so she can't keep him. But she does name him Diego. He is smelly. They take him to the rescue shelter the next day but Ava and Gramps visit him there every week. Who will give Diego a home? A heartwarming adoption story of unconditional love.