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 Daughter of the Sea and the Sky

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Description

After centuries of religiously motivated war, the world has been split in two. Now the Blessed Lands are ruled by pure faith, while in the Republic, reason is the guiding light—two different realms, kept apart and at peace by a treaty and an ocean. Children of the Republic, Helena and Jason were inseparable in their youth, until fate sent them down different paths. Grief and duty sidetracked Helena’s plans, and Jason came to detest the hollowness of his ambitions. These two damaged souls are reunited when a tiny boat from the Blessed Lands crashes onto the rocks near Helena’s home after an impossible journey across the forbidden ocean. On board is a single passenger, a nine-year-old girl named Kailani, who calls herself “the Daughter of the Sea and the Sky.” A new and perilous purpose binds Jason and Helena together again, as they vow to protect the lost innocent from the wrath of the authorities, no matter the risk to their future and freedom. But is the mysterious child simply a troubled little girl longing to return home? Or is she a powerful prophet sent to unravel the fabric of a godless Republic, as the outlaw leader of an illegal religious sect would have them believe? Whatever the answer, it will change them all forever… and perhaps their world as well.

Story Behind The Book

It all ended after World War Two. Or so it was thought. While medical and physiological experimentation on humans was repugnant and against all sensibilities, it remained valuable and above all highly profitable. Just simply believing something had gone away was good enough for most. Not for Milo Moon and Mary Seaton, who became proof of an international conspiracy to hide the truth. Simple and childish they may have been, but they held a history in their beings that was a threat to international political stability. For the Swiss government faced with such a discovery on their soil, the art of politics necessitated compromise and calculation to find a solution. A viable outcome that gained maximum political benefit of course; which is the habit of seasoned politicians. However, above all this had to remain a secret and be buried again behind the walls of political cloak and dagger, secret services and a need to protect the sensitivities that we call modern history. Therefore, it never happened.

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Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable read By jenku This review is from: Milo Moon (Paperback) Not usually in the genre I use to read, this book was a pleasant surprise. The story starts a little science-fictionish, but soon develops into a political thriller that kept me hooked all the way through. It is well written in an easily flowing prose with lots of enjoyable dialogue. An extra plus for naming someone Carruthers in an espionage context.

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