Books published by Bent Banana Books

Drug squad agent Ernest Moneylove Idolises the famous film star James Bond to the extent Moneylove wants to be on top of his profession beside 007.To assist him in attaining his ambition Moneylove does everything to enhance his small, somewhat unattractive body,He wants to be robust enough to tackle drug-peddling lawbreakers and obtain the interest of beautiful women.Ernest constantly refers back in his mind to how James Bond would handle any problem he faces but it does not always fit the situation in Ernest’s department boss would love to be rid of him and a fellow agent undermines him whenever he can.The humorous versus in this book include coverage of human life in a way that delights readers.Author Vera M Murray continues to mix adventure, humor, and presentations of human foibles in her distinctive witty style.

Australian spy Ernest Moneylove aspires to be as suave and sophisticated a solver of crimes as James Bond. Unfortunately the physical and intellectual attributes of Bond. Vera  M, Murray presents clever and witty yarns in her anthology which combines adventure and comedy.Vera Murray's gothic horror novel Leap Year Blood Lust was noted for its humor interspersed in the bloody tale. In her first anthology of short stories, Ms Murray turns the formula on its head with these humorous tales featuring romance, mystery and suspense.Most of the stories in this book were inspired by the author's personal experience, or the experiences of others who at various times have crossed the writer's path, with, however, some exceptions. These exceptions  include a trip to Mars, arriving at the pearly gates, meeting possible Aliens, winning millions, being a drug squad agent, and, of course, being murdered.

What do unsolved murders in a seaside hamlet have to do with a bloody cycle of leap years? How does the bloodless Lord of the Manor control the simple townspeople of Rockville, inspired by the author’s visit to Tasmania’s west coast, despoiled by slag heaps of abandoned mines? Vera Murray’s chilling gothic horror story, transported to Australia brings an ancient curse to life.

The Writers Anthology Group, based in Pine Rivers, Australia, presents the 2019 anthology, From the Edge. This is the eighth anthology in the series begun by the Arts Alliance Pine Rivers in conjunction with WAG.This edition includes a retrospective. Along with more than 20 new stories and poems,  included are at least one story from each of our previous volumes. The full complement of WAG editors is back with past editors Anne Olsson and Lorraine Noscova providing retrospective stories. We acknowledge the work of our current editorial panel: Bernie Dowling, Ronald Holt, Raelene Purtill, David MacLaughlin, Vera Murray, and Jenny Woolsey. as well as cover designer Ken Armstrong.Some writers, cover artist, Ken Armstrong, and editors have been with us from volume one; others are newbies; we thank all for their contributions. Authors range from people who earn or have earned a living from writing to those being published for the first time.Our winners in the Peter Campbell Memorial/ WAG Literary Awards for local high school students are Sonya Simonds and Amy Capstick.It was more than  12 months ago that we chose our title From the Edge, and it was predictive of the zeitgeist, the spirit of our times, the evil soul of which, like a vampire, has no reflection in a mirror, paradoxically revealing its true character to the world. When short stories went out of fashion, we lost great artists holding up a mirror to evil souls, and beautiful souls, and funny ones, and fantastic ones, and mysterious ones. Lost souls, too, to be mourned or comforted or redeemed. In their humble ways, our authors bring us their sometimes unpolished and cracked mirrors.So, hang on to a life-giving tree as you view the world From the Edge.