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Your next thrilling journey starts here!
- Do you absolutely love travel adventure fiction?
- Do you daydream about the back alleys and cafes you've explored in Asia, Europe or Latin America?
- In between your vagabond trips, do you enjoy immersing yourself in stories set in exotic places?
At Banana Leaf, our primary goal is to transport you . . . One book at a time!
Banana Leaf: Our Books and Authors
"Pacific Dash - From Asia Vagabond to Casino King"
Coming Soon! "Lost in Mangoland"
"Pacific Dash - From Asia Vagabond to Casino King"
A family job move transplants young Dash Bonaventure in 1968 from sleepy rural Illinois to scintillating Hong Kong.
He thinks the move is temporary but is mistaken, for thus begins his decades-long odyssey crisscrossing between continents and drifting through Asia. He backpacks through Indonesia, works in an illegal casino offshore from Singapore and eventually falls into a situation where he becomes the king of all casino gaming and one of the richest men in Greater China.
Along the way he falls in love, saves lives and is himself also saved. He makes friends with colorful, flamboyant characters who roll through his vagabond life, like Snakehead Goh, PY "Little Fatty" Lee, Jackson Toh, Chickie Schmidt, The Fabulous Fiona Ting-Ting Lo and many others.
Don't miss this novel of self-discovery and adventure, told in glorious cultural color.
Available from Amazon and many other booksellers.
Introducing Chet Nairene, Author
Coming Soon! "Lost in Mangoland"
"Pacific Dash - From Asia Vagabond to Casino King"
Chet Nairene is an American writer who truly qualifies for the honorary title of "Asia Hand".
Chet resided in Southeast Asia nearly three decades, during which time he ran barges and tankers up the coasts of Malaysia and directed retail businesses in the Philippines, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Thailand.
During his youth, fresh from college, he worked as a journalist at a midwestern USA daily newspaper.
"We've all read books that were so good that we didn't want them to end," says Chet. " Among my favorites are many by my hero, Paul Theroux, all set in far-away lands. In many ways, he inspired me in life and now, as a writer. My goal is to utterly delight my readers, taking full advantage of the many astounding things I've witnessed during my long stay in Asia. I attempt to parachute my readers directly into alien experiences in those exotic lands and always keep the fascination level high. Here's hoping my readers all enjoy the dash that intrepid young Bonaventure makes across Asia!"
We are delighted to publish PACIFIC DASH, Chet's first novel, and look forward to many more!
Coming Soon! "Lost in Mangoland"
Coming Soon! "Lost in Mangoland"
Coming Soon! "Lost in Mangoland"
"Lost in Mangoland - Sister Mari Mango and the Accidental Orphanage"
Banana Leaf Books will soon publish its second novel about young Westerners adrift in Asia, chock full of the amusing misunderstandings and enthralling consequences that arise.
"Lost in Mangoland - Sister Mari Mango and the Accidental Orphanage" relates the twisting, tangled story of Marielle Margaux. This naïve yet brave young American woman, driven by overwhelming altruism, departs the USA for Asia, seeking to change the world.
But in the process, Mari gets way more than she bargained after starting up a small orphanage in upcountry Thailand
Share Mari's gripping life story as she grows and saves lives while coming into danger of losing her own very identity, freedom and even her life.
"Lost in Mangoland" sparkles with authentic Southeast Asian color, amazing characters and customs and is designed to delight readers who are looking for an armchair trip to exotic locales.
This thrill ride of a story is coming soon from Banana Leaf Books. Don't miss it!