Rosita Bird
I love children and have worked with children for over 20 years as a registered childminder and also at a nursery school. I am married with 2 children and 4 grandchildren. My childhood experience as well as my work experience has given me an insight into the minds of children. I love to write educational, fun, healthy eating books as well as other topics such as autism and mental health. Emma Tate now has been awarded 5 stars from readersfavorite.com Also The Elf's Secret, Jake is Different, and Sophie the Seagull Who was Afraid to Fly.
All my books are also available from myself through Rosita's Children's Books on Facebook.
My other hobbies are genealogy and history, during my research I discovered my family link to William Marwood the Lincolnshire Executioner. Together with newspaper clippings I decided to put it all together into a book called Memories of Rural Lincolnshire Families and the Gentleman Executioner and Cleethorpes, Grimsby Central Hall and Fishing Memories.
We're thrilled to welcome back bestselling author Richard Powell as our Monthly Guest, with a new selection of titles that showcase his incredible range and talent.
Richard Powell
Yes, I am a pirate 200 years too late. The cannon don't thunder there's nothin' to plunder I'm an over 60 victim of fate. Arrivin' too late. Been my fate.
My apologies, to Jimmy Buffet.
Moving away from the legend, officially I arrived in this world an Iowan. Notice, unlike many from this fine state I didn't say Hawkeye. Instead of attending that fine institution of higher learning, I chose the Harvard of the Midwest, Drake University. (Though some might say Harvard is the Drake of the East.) Where I completed a Masters Degree. After convincing myself I needed further education I completed my Doctoral Studies at Ohio University, in Athens Ohio. At this point, I also need to mention that contrary to popular opinion. Ohio is the Bobcat State. (Who would want to be thought of as some kind of poison nut? Even squirrels don't eat buckeyes)
Excuse me had to pause at this point to recover. Patted myself so hard on the back, I got a cramp.
Yes now, where was I?. Oh yes, I just finished sharing my intellectual credits.
While employed as a Psychologist, I dabbled in the forensic area of the field. Not just child custody, but identifying and working with real evildoers. Most are ordinary people like you and I. (At least I hope I'm ordinary in that regard) But there are true monsters out there. How they got to that point is often heart-rending, but once they reach that point, they need to be put away to keep the rest of us safe. Not abused mind you. As that road usually led to where they are, but comfortable and confined.
Moving on. I met and married a wonderful woman, why she picked me or didn't at least avoid me successfully I am uncertain. I would put her picture here, but she refused to allow it. Doesn't want to be hassled by the paparazzi while shopping. That can be quite annoying I'm sure. The fact that we've remained together for thirty years is a testament to her strength.
Together we produced three children, two boys, and a girl. All awesome despite my influence.
I have always been a scribbler of sorts but took a hiatus from fiction while I practiced my profession. Retired now I have time to devote to this craft. Since taking up the pen I have been compared to such prolific writers as James Patterson, John Grisham, Mike Connely and even Kelly Rimmer. I also admit to being influenced by James Lee Burke and Kurt Vonnegut. I hope what I produce provides you as much pleasure as I get from producing it.
Max de Grussa
Max, born in Western Australia, has travelled extensively for work and leisure.
After living in England for twenty-five years he retired to Perth to be with family, write novels, short stories, children’s books and other stuff.
A past aviator, Max enjoys walking daily, being involved in community activities and meeting people.
He also enjoys travelling and dining out whenever possible.
Max plays the guitar badly but enjoys it immensely.
Ian Austin
IF EVER A DETECTIVE WAS CONCEIVED WHOSE CHARACTER WAS FORGED IN THE FIRES OF AUTHENTICITY, THEN DAN CALDER IS THAT DETECTIVE.
Ian Austin was born in 1963 in Southampton, England. His very un-remarkable school life ended at 16 with no qualifications. Drifting into and out of several jobs including hotel porter and photocopier salesman he eventually found his salvation in the Hampshire Police. A career as first a constable and then detective in the UK followed. He also served as a tactical firearms officer, covert surveillance operative and National Crime Squad operative and trainer.
His career was truly amazing. From being almost beaten to death on Christmas Eve 1990, to tackling IRA terrorists at Stonehenge; or accidentally pulling off a dead man’s arm to becoming the youngest Covert Surveillance Trainer in Crime Squad history. Overcoming depression and a breakdown or having a concert pianist play Beethoven for him whilst dressed in full combat gear and discussing the Falkland’s war with the Lord of the Admiralty whom he was tasked to protect. Ian Austin’s real-life experiences could fill a library on their own; add them to his incredible imagination and unique ability create word tapestries for his readers provides a recipe for something very special.
He transferred to the New Zealand Police in 2003 having visited several times before and falling in love with the country and the Kiwi way of life. He lives in Tuakau south of Auckland with his Border Collie Willow.
Austin knows what his weaknesses are and surrounds himself with ‘the best’ in those areas; for example, having Rankin editor Stephen Stratford edit his works.
The Dan Calder series initial trilogy began with The Agency, self- published in paperback in 2016. Its runaway success included several appearances in the Neilsen Best Sellers List and universally positive reviews from critics and reviewers at home and abroad.
The Second Grave followed in 2018, with third and final chapter of the trilogy, Frozen Summer debuting in 2019.
In November 2021 a brand new Dan Calder novel, Bonded is published. Bonded begins with an apparent botched bombing at Auckland Airport. Calder is initially drawn into the investigation but quickly discovers the bombing is not what it appeared to be. He sets off to St Louis, Missouri to solve the most audacious crime he's ever encountered. Bonded has its roots in the unbelievable true story of the Plate 77 Penny Red postage stamps, known around the world as the Holy Grail for philatelists. Mixing the legend of the Plate 77's into a crime novel has Dan Calder operating at his very best.