Derek Haines

About

An author of fiction, historical fiction, essays and poetry, Derek Haines writes his books from a view of what fascinates him and not from a formula based on one theme or genre. Starting with poetry before moving into essays and fiction novels, his writing is varied but is always written in a style and voice that communicates with, and engages his readers.

Most of all, the stories told by Derek Haines are about people, their feelings, regrets, hopes and struggles with life. Ordinary people, but with extraordinary qualities that makes their story worth telling. With splashes of sometimes black humour or simple satire, his stories can develop from the simplistic to the complex and back again leaving the reader to decide if it is time to laugh or cry. Or both.

Born in Australia, but now living in Switzerland with his wife and a black cocker spaniel, his stories cross a wide geographical range but often draw from elements of his life and experiences in the two countries he calls home. From the rugged, dry and hot desert country of Australia and its crowded cities to the cafés of Europe and the peaks of the Swiss Alps. The hustle and bustle of Sydney to the quiet life of the Swiss countryside.

When not writing, he is usually doing what he equally enjoys. Teaching English.

What Readers Say About Derek Haines

‘Derek has a great sense of comic timing in this book and captures character extremely well. The twists and turns of the plot kept me reading right up to the last page.’

Vincent - Amazon Reader

‘Derek’s attention to plotting and characterisation soon had me hooked and I truly wanted to know what happened to Feb and his sisters,…’

Nettie - Words and Pictures

‘This time, Derek Haines goes more Dostojewski, than Adams, more boulevard of broken dreams, than the creation Of Sun and Moon by Michelangelo.’

Natalie - Amazon Reader

‘Derek Haines strength is developing his characters, and he does an extraordinary job describing three distasteful men who deal with their circumstances in the only way they knew how. While doing so, he does offer his readers a different perspective…..’

Mary - MRC-Bookreviewer

‘This novel definitely held my interest. Lots of twists and turns. Filled with interesting characters. Reading this book was time well spent.’

George - Amazon Reader

‘Derek Haines manages to deftly skewer political manoeuvring and/or family dysfunction/backstabbing, while telling an exciting story about a hapless underachiever who's forced to suddenly grow up and take responsibility….’

Debbi -The Book Grrl

‘Douglas Adams has reincarnated and is living in Switzerland with wife and dog. Of course he has a new name these days. It’s Derek Haines.’

Jack - Amazon Reader

‘Derek Haines has definitely raised the bar with this story. I highly recommend this book. Go buy it! Read it! You'll love it.’

Steve - Amazon Reader

‘As an adult and inspiring writer, I was greatly impressed with the ending. Derek’s words in his last paragraph, his last two sentences, could not have been written more perfectly to end this entertaining story.’

Mary - MRC-Bookreviewer

‘Derek Haines plays with some crazy ideas in his head and lets his vivid imagination go wild.’

Vivo -Amazon Reader

‘Derek Haines has now definitively become one of the favorite persons to inhabit my Adamsy-pythonesque little universe.’

Natalie - Amazon Reader

‘There are touches of George Orwell and Iain Banks in Derek Haines' writing and at times this book reminded me of films such as Logan's Run and more recently, The Island. A thoroughly recommended read.’

Tracy - Amazon Reader

The Kurdish Connection

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Description

KURDISH SCAVENGERS UNCOVER A CACHE OF NERVE GAS IN IRAQ AND OFFER THEM TO KURDISH FIGHTERS IN TURKEY. THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS BEDLAM ALPHA TEAM MUST SECURE THE WEAPONS BEFORE THEY CAN BE USED."You must swear by Allah never to say a word of what I'm going to tell you. This is the most important secret. Ever!"In their daily struggle for survival, Iraqi Kurdish scavengers uncover a cache of chemical weapons. They offer the weapons to fellow Kurdish rebels in Turkey and Syria to assist in their quest to free an imprisoned leader and create a unified homeland. After receiving a tip from an unlikely source, the newly formed Special Operations Bedlam team is called to arms! Travel with Craig Cameron and his international team on their covert operation as they weave their way through war-torn regions seeking to locate and recover the weapons before they can be used to cause irreparable harm and instigate a world crisis. The odds are stacked against them. Can they manage to keep their operation hidden and prevent further clashes before it's too late?"The Kurdish Connection--a compelling read. A story of friendship, danger and intrigue."--Ann Everett, Amazon Best Selling Author...". Randall's authentic voice adds a powerful push to keep a reader turning the pages." --Janet Taylor-Perry, author of The Raiford Chronicles, The Legend of Draconis Saga, and April Chastain Intrigues."Topical - Engaging - Intriguing - Powerful ... A real page turner."--Rikon Gaites, author of Mummy's Little Soldier and Darius Odenkirk...". Randall Krzak brings his wealth of experience living in this troubled part of the world and his military knowledge to bear in this exciting story..."--John L. DeBoer, author of When the Reaper Comes...". a journey full of history, suspense, intrigue, and action...a MUST READ for all!"--Les Stahl, Retired NSA Executive...". Readers need to fasten their seatbelts for a fast-paced tale made believable by a writer who knows what he's writing about."--Preston Holtry, author of the Morgan Westphal mystery series and the Arrius trilogy (forthcoming)."A behind the scenes story, ripped from today's headlines deepening the reader's understanding of an ancient strife ... filled with the sights and smells of the market place and secret meetings, the reader is admitted to the secret heart, the desperate longings of those that must fight and win, or see continued subjugation by their masters..."--Oliver F. Chase, author of Camelot Games, Levant Mirage, Blind Marsh, and Marsh Island.

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Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Strange Read By Vivo This review is from: An Uneducated View of Sex, Food and Politics (Paperback) This was a very strange read. At first I had trouble understanding what the book was about at all. It wandered from subject to subject with seemingly gay abandon and then suddenly came together at about page 125. The author describes it as a rampage, and I have to agree. He even admits to forgetting the foreword and then includes it half way through the book. In the end, it is collection of thoughts about parenthood, life, age, love and things the author likes and doesn't. It is the first book I have ever read that has recipes dotted through the story, but they really are connected to each story. I haven't tried to cook any yet though. Some of the stories are truly off the wall, but then I think Derek Haines really wants his readers to think he is a bit odd. It was an enjoyable read and written in a very direct and individual style.

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