Freedom Ranch was their refuge—now it’s their battlefield
The Reckoning of Chaos and Magic
In the aftermath of a devastating worldwide EMP, Freedom Ranch becomes more than a refuge—it’s a frontline in the battle for survival and the awakening of supernatural power. What begins as a fight against raiders and abduction soon reveals deeper threats, both human and otherworldly.
At the heart of the story are Mel, Gail, Shelly, and Raven—women bound by combat experience, courage, and a mystical tattoo that unlocks their evolving powers. Guided by Adalinda, an ethereal dragonette, and protected by Ruffus, a heroic Belgian Malinois with secrets of his own, they rise as magical warriors in a collapsing world.
Meanwhile, TJ and the Freedom Ranch security team confront mounting dangers, including a seductive enemy with demonic strength. As battles unfold across physical and spiritual realms, the survivors must defend their community, uncover hidden truths, and prepare for an oncoming reckoning.
Blending survival action, paranormal discovery, and unbreakable bonds, The Reckoning of Chaos and Magic delivers a gripping tale where midlife warriors, mystical allies, and spectral forces collide to decide the fate of a shattered world.
Find it on Amazon
Literary Titan Review
Todd Ockert’s The Reckoning of Chaos and Magic picks up in a world torn apart by disaster and violence, where ordinary people cling to survival through grit, loyalty, and a surprising spark of the supernatural. The story follows Mel and her crew from Freedom Ranch as they navigate a brutal new world after civilization’s collapse. Between biker gangs, gunfire, and a hint of midlife magic, Ockert weaves an intense and emotional tale of resilience and found family. It’s a mix of post-apocalyptic survival, combat realism, and mystical discovery, all grounded in friendship and love.
What really struck me about this book was how human it felt. The writing is raw, fast, and filled with emotion. You can feel Mel’s fear and fire. She’s strong, sarcastic, and flawed in all the right ways. The story never slows for long, yet it never loses sight of its characters.
Link to complete review: https://literarytitan.com/2025/10/20/the-reckoning-of-chaos-and-magic/
Book Two
Magic Revealed, Anarchy Reigns
Livin’ the dream—except the dream has turned into a nightmare.
When a worldwide EMP throws civilization into chaos, Freedom Ranch becomes a lifeline for survivors. Stockpiled supplies and military training keep the group alive, but each new arrival strains their resources. As they fight to endure, something stranger awakens—magic, prophecy, and creatures of the unknown.
TJ, Mel, and their loyal Belgian Malinois Ruffus lead the charge, standing side by side with their allies Gail and Shelly. A Memorial Day remembrance turns into a fight for survival when TJ’s team is drawn back to the treacherous Rubicon to rescue a friend—only to face ruthless gangs, dangerous hostiles, and the mystery of who is taking people hostage.
Back at the ranch, the women uncover a staggering truth: their world is not what it seemed. The EMP was only the beginning, and their newfound powers may be the key to surviving what comes next.
Blending gritty survival, supernatural discovery, and unshakable bonds, this series is a thrilling ride into a broken world where midlife warriors, mystical allies, and one extraordinary dog fight against the rise of darkness. Book Three is on the horizon—promising more magic, action, and unexpected twists.
Find it on Amazon
Book One
When the sky went silent, everything changed.
Former Navy veteran TJ Bush thought a weekend on the Rubicon Trail with his best friend John would be just another off-road adventure. But when an EMP rips across the country, every piece of modern technology dies—and survival instantly becomes the only mission.
With their old 4x4s still running, TJ, John, and Ruffus—their fiercely loyal Belgian Malinois—race home to Freedom Ranch, where their wives, Mel and Shelly, have held the line. Along the way, they battle desperate strangers, violent gangs, and the cold truth that civilization can collapse in hours, not weeks.
At the ranch, the small prepping community begins to grow: trauma nurses, deputies, a Marine neighbor, even a chef. But every new ally brings both hope and risk. As whispers of foreign attacks and supernatural shadows surface, TJ and his team must build a tribe strong enough to endure not just the collapse of society—but the dawn of something far darker.
Rubicon Escape is the explosive first entry in the Supernatural Apocalyptic War series—a blend of tactical grit, prepper realism, and pulse-pounding supernatural suspense. Perfect for fans of William Forstchen, A. American, and Franklin Horton.
Find it on Amazon
What I'm working on
I'm working on a new post-apocalyptic series. The protagonist or heroes must return to Central Texas from California after the EMP hits. Book one in this series is complete, and I have started on book two. I haven't chosen a name for this series yet.
I'm also working on two military thrillers. The first one begins with my main character, Striker, in Afghanistan, tasked with taking out a high-profile target. He is called off the shot, though he takes it anyway. At the same time, in his hometown, his parents decided it was time to stop paying protection money to the local gang. In retaliation, they run Striker's parents off the road, ultimately killing them. The battles will take him around his old hometown, eliminating the threats as they work to spread their poison in the community. In the meantime, he meets an old flame that gets rekindled.
The other military thriller has the hero, who has retired, living in the local community, and then his local Home Improvement store is attacked by terrorists. He eliminates them and has to go through the process with the police after the shooting. It is declared a justified shooting, and he is released. The terrorist finds the location of his house and attacks. He, his girlfriend, and their friends defend their home. The terrorists get away, though Joel and his friends wound one terrorist, who is captured. The overall leader wants Joel killed, as he is on their deck of cards, and has a high price tag on his head. The terrorist organization sends more people to our country to eliminate Joel, though it comes at a high price to them.
The last book I'm working on features a coronal mass ejection hitting the Earth, which kills most of our electronics. Just like today, AI is taking over a lot of things; in this story, AI is everywhere. AI detects the solar storm and is able to protect itself to some extent, allowing it to survive. The four main characters come together and devise a plan to survive. The AI system starts to take over the surviving electronics and works to eliminate humans. Book one in this series is almost complete, and then I'll start editing it before submitting it to my editor for final review.
This book has more AI used in the generation of the plot and character development. I then wrote the rest of the material for the book, filling in those gaps to complete the story. I plan to make this a five-book series, though we will see how it progresses.
I'm not sure how I find time to work on all these books with a full-time job. It is fun to craft these stories for you all to read.
I hope that you enjoy them.