“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” – Stephen King

BOOK ONE

When things go wrong, it’s good to have support. Dead broke and with his sailboat resting in the mud two miles under the ocean’s surface, Hank Gunn needed help. But not all military veterans need a suicide prevention program to cope with life’s setbacks. After an ill-advised statement to his psychologist, Hank imagines unrealistic consequences of a predatory state. Initially, it appears he suffers from paranoia, but he soon discovers that his suspicions are justified.

Olin Ou is among the world’s wealthiest souls. With the help of a self-aware AI, he recruits Hank into his eccentric family as an accomplice to his own exit strategy. Even with Olin’s resources and Hank’s sailing experience, escape from the smothering overreach of world governments is far from certain.

Bella wraps up a no-tech, tropical vacation. But the forced relaxation doesn’t prepare her for what awaits. Gregory unexpectedly meets her at the airport in Singapore, insisting she agree to be his wife. Bella panics and loses him in the crowd. Her answer is obvious and he texts, “You’ll regret this.” Not a hollow threat coming from this powerful man.

Everyone is running away from something. The past and the present are reason enough for escape, but the future is more sinister. In Managed Paranoia – Book One, Hank and Bella travel the Pacific and converge on a storm at sea that will determine if they can confront the threats to their freedom and discover a new way forward.

BOOK TWO

He’s already sank one sailboat, and is pretty sure he is in for a life of catastrophic failures, but billionaire inventor Olin Ou has another opinion of the young sailor. With the help of his personal AI, he calculated Hank should have been dead years ago. That he lives, is enough evidence for Olin to want Hank (and his luck) on his yacht as they navigate dangerous seas. They will need the odds in their favor if they are to survive storms and escape the clutches of a vindictive government.

Bella is an excellent marine biologist, but not a good judge of character. She took too long to learn her boyfriend, Gregory, is not only a creep but an international criminal. And now she is learning that narcissists have problems accepting “no” for an answer. Gregory tried to have her kidnapped, but that didn’t work. This time, he’s determined to take her back himself.

Her father’s deep ocean aquaculture station is her refuge and the sanctuary that keeps Olin’s damaged yacht and his dream afloat. But the safe haven brings Hank and Bella together at the worst possible time. The very thought of another man in her life repulses her—yet Hank is intriguing. Hank is determined not to hurt another woman. But he has never met anyone like Bella—she is in a class of her own. 

Will they be able to find what truly matters and confront the threats to their freedom? Together, will they create a new way forward?