A sweeping, sensual love story and political thriller set against a revolution in 1970s Latin America.
For fans of The Nightingale, Next Year in Havana, and Of Love and Shadows who also enjoy steamy love scenes.
"A captivating love story about freedom, rebellion, and willingness to die for one's principles. It kept me turning pages late into the night." — D. W. Peach, award-winning fantasy writer
She came for her Maya heritage. She stayed to fight a revolution.
1971. While American students protest the Vietnam War, rebellion brews below the border where a U.S.-backed dictator rules. Lena Landon, an avid surfer and anti-war activist, wants to do something meaningful when she graduates with a degree in journalism. Feeling the sea's restless energy pushing her toward some unknown destiny, she travels to her estranged mother's homeland in Central America to learn more about her Maya heritage.
An Atmospheric Story of Forbidden Love and Personal Conviction
There, Lena teams up with fellow journalist Daniel Weatherly to interview the Aguileros fighting to overthrow Viktor Ortiz's corrupt regime. Then she sees Raoul—the rebels' charismatic leader—rising from a jungle pool. Everything changes. That dark wave sweeps her into a life she never imagined.
Lena's transformation from pacifist to freedom fighter comes at a brutal cost as she witnesses the harsh realities of guerrilla warfare: executions, kidnapping, torture. All the while she guards a dangerous secret: her mother, the esteemed artist Dolores Machado, is married to the enemy—Ortiz's Vice President and closest confidant.
As the revolution intensifies, Lena must decide how much she's willing to sacrifice for love, justice, and a cause worth dying for.
Discover the Beginning of an Epic Trilogy
This Sea Within is the gripping first installment of a character-driven trilogy, including a satisfying conclusion with no cliffhangers. Blending intense personal passion with the chaos of 20th-century history, it explores the deep moral dilemmas of fighting for a cause, the weight of dangerous secrets, and the heavy cost of justice. Book 2 is currently in progress.
If you love high-stakes political thrillers, emotional family dramas, and steamy romances where love and revolution are inseparable, click "Buy Now" to begin Lena's unforgettable journey today!
"This Sea Within is an intimate coming of age novel perfect for readers who appreciate artful, poetic fiction with the highest stakes." Nicky Flowers, Indies Today
"An epic, page-turning tale filled with passion and beauty, political intrigue and revolution." — Mark Paxson, author of The Jump
"A passionate affair, thrilling dangers, masterful writing—what else could a reader want? This is a book you will feel and long remember." — Harvey Ardman, author of The Final Voyage
