She came to find herself. She stayed to fight a revolution.
Some waves you can't outrun.
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 San Balanque, her estranged mother's homeland, to learn more about her Maya heritage.
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.
"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
"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.
"An epic, page-turning tale filled with passion and beauty, political intrigue and revolution." Mark Paxson, author of The Jump.
Industry Reviews
"A stirring reminder that love lies at the heart of every revolution. The prose is marked by lyrical imagery and visceral depictions of exotic landscapes, along with an unflinching dive into taboo ideas, making this an impressively timely and radical read." SPR Review
"This Sea Within features complex and revolutionary characters, exciting prose, and streams of consciousness that lay bare the psyche of the key characters. Fans of The Red Sparrow trilogy and The Kite Runner will enjoy how this book explores the way personal passion becomes inseparable from the cataclysm of history." Readers' Favoriteâââââ
"This Sea Within slowly pulls you into its world and makes you feel emotionally connected to the characters and their journeys. What stood out was how beautifully the story balanced emotion, romance, history, and self-discovery. The writing has a cinematic quality to it, and the atmosphere stays with you even after you finish reading." The Reading Lane
"This Sea Within kept me turning pages late into the night. This is a character-driven novel told from Lena' s POV, a coming-of-age story and a love story about freedom, rebellion, and living up to one's principles. I highly recommend it." D. W. Peach, award-winning fantasy writer
"This Sea Within is a sweeping and emotionally charged novel that immerses readers in a world of revolution, forbidden love, and personal awakening, capturing the fierce courage it takes to fight for identity, justice, and the life you were meant to claim." New In Books
"Lena is an incredibly relatable main character. Besides meticulous character work, the worldbuilding is a reward in itself. 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 âââââ
