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 Maker of Worlds

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Description

If you had the chance to remake the world, what kind of world would you choose?When tragedy strikes Lucas Mack's young life, he desperately yearns to escape its sorrow, and takes an improbable leap through the mythical maelstrom. Rather than splashing down on the far side like his neighbors, he's transported to a magical realm where he has the power to redefine not only who he is, but the world in which he resides.As he stumbles about trying to find his way, he meets Mia, an equally troubled fellow pilgrim. With the help of a mystical guide and an aging wizard, they navigate the enchanted land while learning to control their newfound powers. Yet this realm is more complex than they expected, with seasoned sorcerers who've been corrupted by the sinister side of magic.Limited by natural law and seduced by magic's power, they are tested as never before. Will the gift of magic bring renewed hope or drive them to the edge of the void?

Story Behind The Book

This book is a work of fiction. A fictional story about a man who was my friend. As a child and a teenager he would tell me stories. Mysterious tales of far off lands and people. He would sing mysterious songs in mysterious languages. As a young boy, I had never heard of the word enigma, but now I know my friend Louis was exactly that. Louis never lied to me. He only told me what he wanted to tell me, but somehow always managed to slide around a part of a story that would have possibly necessitated at least a white lie. At around eleven years old, I clearly remember asking him with a child’s innocence if he had ever killed someone. He replied that the subject of death should never be discussed by people who did not drink brandy. At thirteen, I tried my first brandy. Louis laughed and laughed as I choked and spluttered on my first ever small mouthful of brandy. It tasted vile, and burnt my lips, tongue mouth and throat. Not one to give in easily, I tried again some weeks later, finding that very small sips rolled around my mouth until enough saliva developed to be able to swallow helped. I still choked from time to time. And Louis laughed every time. He never did answer my question directly. He did show me his 1929 Smith & Wesson .38 though. With his horse tail flapping from side to side to keep the flies at bay, Louis and I passed many, many afternoons together. For a young innocent country boy, he was my only route to the wonders of the world outside my little country town. He taught me how to imagine. It is now nearly forty years since my friend died. The right time to tell his story from the corridors of my imagination. So Louis is not forgotten.

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Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable read By jenku This review is from: Louis (Paperback) "Louis" is the fascinating story about a man who had little choices in his life, yet lived a life many a young boy dreams of living. Raised from early childhood to become a spy, he is sent to places like Egypt, Switzerland, Palestine and South Africa. Still, his life is a lonely one, without the company of a woman or family. Whether it is all true or not doesn't really matter, it's a fascinating tale to read and Derek Haines' easy style of storytelling makes it a enjoyable read throughout.

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