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 Usurper King (The Plantagenet Legacy Book 3)

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Description

First, he led his own uprising. Then he captured a forsaken king. Henry had no intention of taking the crown for himself; it was given to him by popular acclaim. Alas, it didn't take long to realize that that having the kingship was much less rewarding than striving for it. Only three months after his coronation, Henry IV had to face a rebellion led by Richard's disgruntled favorites. Repressive measures led to more discontent. His own supporters turned against him, demanding more than he could give. The haughty Percies precipitated the Battle of Shrewsbury which nearly cost him the throne—and his life. To make matters worse, even after Richard II's funeral, the deposed monarch was rumored to be in Scotland, planning his return. The king just wouldn't stay down and malcontents wanted him back.

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Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars I don't read poetry By Vivo This review is from: Loss, Limbo, Life and Love: A Poetic Journal (Paperback) I don't normally read poetry, but this book was just so very different. It is a story, but mixed up in time so I had to piece together the story of the year for myself. The author exposes himself and it is so clear what his emotions were at the time of writing each poem. Once I had finished I understood the pain, suffering, recovery and re-birth that the writer experienced over this one year. It is rare to find such raw feelings in poetry. Nothing is hidden, but it is a bit of puzzle to solve when trying to identify the characters that reappear regularly, and where they fit. Wives, girlfriends, lovers and friends seem to pop up from time to time and then disappear. Only to reappear later in a different mood. One thing is for sure, it hides nothing and made me think about how I would react in similar circumstances. Well worth a read, even is poetry is not your normal cup of tea.

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