David Rory O'Neill

Biography

What sort of writer am I?
Take DH Lawrence's sensuality and sensitivity, mix in a big dollop of John Steinbeck's earthy humour and truth, spice with a dash of Joyce's inventiveness and bawdiness. Sprinkle in a spot of Becket's radical originality. Cook in a slow simmering cauldron over an Irish peat fire given extra heat by the Scots/Irish hard burning coal and dish up in a new bowl of non-conformist Belfast manufacture. That's me. These are big names to live up to but I try.
I live in beautiful and splendid isolation over looking the Shannon Valley in County Clare, Ireland. I'm a bit of a cultural orphan - but thanks to the beloved B, I'm very happy in our eclectic art and book filled rural nest.

Smashwords Interview

How do you approach cover design?
I work closely with my designer Samantha to find an image that suits the story then leave it to her to find fonts and colors that suit. We may start on the cover before the book is complete. It's important and deserves as much time as it needs to get it right. We believe that people do judge a book by its cover, much as I, as writer, might wish it were otherwise.
What do you read for pleasure?
Since I became a full time novelist I find I don't read anything like as much as I once did. Research for the next novel tends to dominate my reading. I do go back to John Steinbeck, my great hero for inspiration often. I've just finished re-reading The Pastures of Heaven and The Long Valley. I'm working on short form novellas and these two are supreme examples of short form literature at its best.
Read more of this interview.

Where to find David Rory O'Neill online

Where to buy in print

Series

The Daniel Stories
Conflict
Price: $2.99 USD.
Challenge
Price: $2.99 USD.
Passion
Price: $2.99 USD.
Grip
Price: $2.99 USD.
Judgement
Price: $2.99 USD.
Pyramid
Price: $2.99 USD.

Books

Beloved Warrior
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 32,650. Language: English. Published: October 4, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Historical » United Kingdom, Fiction » Literature » Literary
A story of related to The Prairie Companions. A continuing family saga set during the turbulent years of the First World War.
Rachel's Resurrection
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 62,770. Language: British English. Published: January 29, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Psychological thriller, Fiction » Literature » Literary
Rachel is back from a near death coma. The fuel that will drive her recovery is vengeance. Rachel will make war on those that cost her so much. Can she survive her rage and guilt?
Always Leoti
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 66,200. Language: English. Published: May 13, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Historical » General, Fiction » Romance » Contemporary
A novel exploring time and relationships. Fourteen short stories in which we follow the same characters in different historical periods.
Rachel's Might
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 34,590. Language: British English. Published: November 14, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Spies & espionage, Fiction » Women's fiction » General
Rachel Robello withdrew from the most dangerous operations she’d been involved with in order to start a family. However, her need for the adrenalin rush and danger of undercover operations for a reformed Det16, draws her back into active service.
Chepi The Butterfly Effect
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 78,070. Language: British English. Published: May 25, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary, Fiction » Visionary & metaphysical
Chepi was born into the void between male and female – the void between First Nation Cree and European Canadian – the void between native mysticism and science. Chepi must forge a new path using her unique abilities that may be a burden or a priceless gift. Chepi will touch the lives of many and change their life-paths, but Chepi will always be separate and alone.
Rachel's War
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 47,810. Language: British English. Published: November 27, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » Contemporary, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Spies & espionage
We met Rachel in the novella ‘Rachel’s Walk.’ We followed the awkward and innocent country girl from school to joining the Royal Navy. There she met the woman who would change her life forever. Lauren Greer introduced Rachel to serious weights and the bodybuilding that liberated the pudgy young woman and created an amazon of huge power and beauty. She was drawn into a dangerous world.
Lauren The Butterfly Effect
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 132,980. Language: English. Published: October 20, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary, Fiction » Romance » Contemporary
Commander Lauren J Greer-Bouchet RN DSC is a highly decorated officer of the Royal Navy. She earned these decorations not at sea in conventional warfare but in the murky world of anti-terrorist undercover work. Lauren is a woman of power and beauty who pays a heavy price for her unwillingness to conform to stereotypes and sexual roles. This is her path – her path to ultimate freedom.
Bonny The Butterfly Effect
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 120,030. Language: English. Published: October 20, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary
It is said that history can change—that rivers will rise and mountains will fall—as the eventual result of a single flap of a butterfly’s wing. For Bonny, a life-path rerouted at a tender age will be pitted with perils and disappointments as it winds through a world of secrets, spies, and covert government operations—leading her toward breathtaking self-discoveries and sensual awakenings.
Rachel's Walk
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 50,670. Language: English. Published: August 16, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Adventure » Action, Fiction » Romance » Contemporary
The story of an awkward teen who becomes a fearsome amazon warrior. A romantic and sexy thriller.
The West Cork Trilogy Omnibus.
Series: The West Cork Trilogy., Book 4. Price: $6.99 USD. Words: 320,460. Language: English. Published: August 28, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary, Fiction » Romance » Action/adventure
A thrilling saga of romantic love, families, dangerous obsessions, revenge and ultimate healing.
Animal.
Series: The Novellas, Book 2. Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 22,720. Language: British English. Published: August 21, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary, Fiction » Romance » Contemporary
When Ian first saw Eva, the word 'animal' came to him and remained as an unshakeable label each day he saw her prowling up the avenue on her way to and from a solitary lunch break. The name came from her movement, sinuous and dance like; her walk was a tango of aching sensuality. Eventually he’d have to act and risk a mauling by approaching the Animal.
Trial
Series: The Daniel Stories, Book 7. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 130,840. Language: British English. Published: March 28, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Spies & espionage
Daniel’s trial takes many forms. There is the legal trial he must face knowing if he reveals the truth behind the conspiracies he’s been fighting, those conspirators and others unseen will attack his family and friends. There will be the trial of isolation and fighting the demons within that are perhaps the greatest threat.
Pyramid
Series: The Daniel Stories, Book 6. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 106,750. Language: English. Published: March 20, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Spies & espionage
Daniel is struggling with the lack of drama in his work and with the ongoing after effects of his physical trauma. During this working holiday with the family in Rome, extreme drama will come at the Dawes from an entirely unforeseen source.
Judgement
Series: The Daniel Stories, Book 5. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 98,020. Language: British English. Published: December 31, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Spies & espionage
Daniel had stared death down and refused to die. Now he has embarked on some huge and dreadful thing. Compelled to end the fear and tackle the threat head on. He would not run or hide from his fear but would do what he’d always done - he would strip it bare and face it. Let it rip at him and when he’d found its foul heart, he’d kill it, no matter what the risk, no matter
Grip
Series: The Daniel Stories, Book 4. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 95,610. Language: British English. Published: December 30, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Psychological thriller
As Daniel, Lauren and Bonny take a holiday, a plot to silence Daniel is unfolding. He will be tested like never before. When it’s over, his grip on his sanity and his life will hang in the balance.
Passion
Series: The Daniel Stories, Book 3. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 119,900. Language: British English. Published: December 30, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary, Fiction » Romance » Contemporary
A gentle bawdy romance with a few thrilling twists. Daniel Dawes has come back from the war in the Falklands with a broken back and a burden of guilt for the stress he has caused Bonny and Lauren. The Dawes’ past returns to haunt them. Old conspiracies, fear of discovery and a need for revenge create danger that they must defeat or run from, forever living in fear.
Challenge
Series: The Daniel Stories, Book 2. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 88,670. Language: British English. Published: December 30, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Spies & espionage, Fiction » Literature » Literary
(4.00 from 1 review)
Bonny and Lauren face the greatest challenge of their lives as they try to rescue their man Daniel from an impossible predicament. He has crashed behind enemy lines and cannot move. If the Argentine secret police get hold of him he will be tortured and may die. If they do nothing, he will die. They must act alone. They set out on a dangerous mission to bring him home. The challenge is formidable.
Conflict
Series: The Daniel Stories, Book 1. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 105,230. Language: British English. Published: December 29, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Spies & espionage
(4.00 from 1 review)
Conflict is often a crucible for evil and pain but out of a dirty little war a thing of unique and loving beauty is created. In this urban conflict two beautiful children meet. Later in life conflict thrusts them together again. Into their war comes Bonny, destined to be a victim, but their unexpected love rescues her and sets the three on a hard-fought path to total liberation.
Blue Sky Orphan
Series: The West Cork Trilogy., Book 3. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 110,480. Language: British English. Published: December 23, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary, Fiction » Romance » Contemporary
Emma Montgomery lives in rural West Cork but travels the world as a Captain-pilot working for a corporate jet charter company. Her early life was marked by abuse but Emma found escape and healing playing in the blue sky.
Beauty's Price
Series: The West Cork Trilogy., Book 2. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 82,560. Language: British English. Published: December 23, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary, Fiction » Romance » Contemporary
Beauty’s Price continues Regan’s story from Surviving Beauty. Love’s power to heal is tested and Regan, Mary and David face the greatest challenge of their young lives. Can they pay beauty’s price?
Surviving Beauty
Series: The West Cork Trilogy., Book 1. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 128,210. Language: British English. Published: December 22, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary, Fiction » Romance » Contemporary
Regan was just seven years old when her mystical beauty became a curse rather than a gift.
The Prairie Companions
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 134,560. Language: English. Published: December 22, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary, Fiction » Historical » General
A stunning evocation of a unique time and place—and a powerfully moving story of courage, commitment, love, loss, and endurance—this unforgettable saga follows two extraordinary young women from their boarding school in Victorian England to the North American wilderness.