The author, who moved to Auckland two years ago, says two stories have touches of magic realism, there are introductions from the grave and hints of witchcraft.
"Some explore the darker side of men - with a violent sealer and an arrogant talk back host," he says.
Ross's early career as a selfemployed contractor also saw periods of study and writing.
In 1976, before writing the biography The Holyoake Years, he completed courses in journalism and editing. The Holyoake Years was a major success for a novice writer, selling 5000 copies.
In 1981 he published a novel, End of the Circles, about a fictitious lumber town in the central North Island.
By then he had started a degree, studying extramurally through Massey University in Pacific History, Spanish and English.
In May 2001 he graduated with a BA in English Literature and in July, at 60, published his second novel, Stone Octopus about a young man's search for his Spanish father - an inverted version of the Odyssey.
Around that time he also completed a course in creative fiction with Fiona (later Dame) Kidman.
Swimming and scuba diving have been lifelong passions. Ross self-publishes his books as Invictus Press.
