She’s here! Free at last. Out into the big world all on her own.

I’m not sure how I feel about that.

Excitement, absolutely. Relief, yes. Tiny anxious, for sure. A bit down? Maybe. Or just tired.

Either way, proud too. I believe in this baby girl. And whether This Sea Within makes a big splash in the world, or a tiny one, or barely a ripple, I’m glad we made this trip together, and I’m glad she’s part of this larger literary community.

I want her to do well, so I’ll do my “due diligence” in promoting her as much as I can, here and elsewhere.

But mostly, I just want to get her into the hands of people who will love reading This Sea Within as much as I loved writing her.

How You Can Help

So that’s why I’m asking for your help. Ask your public library for a copy of This Sea Within, or get your copy at one of the following locations.

Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, and Bookshop.

After that, please post an honest review of This Sea Within on Amazon—today if you were an early reader, or whenever you get a chance to read it. Like it or not, Amazon is the biggest engine we have to get books into readers’ hands, and reviews are the fuel that drives that engine.

Then if you can, please post your review (using these highlighted links) on Goodreads and Bookbub, if you have accounts there, or Bookshop and Barnes and Noble, if you shop there.

Please share This Sea Within on your social media feeds. Recommend her or When Things Go Missing to your book club. And tell your friends and neighbors about her.

I know this is asking a lot of you. It’s a lot for me too, a woman who rarely asks for help from anyone. But it’s what we mothers do for our offspring. After putting so much love and patience and perseverance to push them into the world, we want to give them the best start possible as they move forward.

Why I’m Asking

Thank you, my friends, for taking this journey with me. This is why I created this blog fifteen years ago. To create the platform and the community of readers everyone said I needed if I wanted to be a successful author. And while I came to love blogging all on its own, whether I ever wrote a book or not, now that I am publishing books, I want to use this space for the purpose it was originally created.

I’ll do that alongside the kinds of posts on poetry and art and music and personal writing I’ve been doing all these years. I hope you will continue following me on this path, and encourage me with your likes and comments. And I will reciprocate in kind.

We would not be here if we were not readers and writers. If we did not take pleasure in connecting with other like-minded people.

Book Tour & Giveaway

This coming week my Book Tour continues: Two more reviews and another podcast.

Wednesday, June 17 – Dawn Pisturino, Author, Poet, Blogger, My Writing Journey: REVIEW

Friday, June 19 – Wynne Leon & Vicki Atkinson, Authors and Hosts of The Heart of the Matter podcast: PODCAST

Saturday, June 20 – Peter Springer, Teacher, Author, & Blogger at Pete’s Blog: REVIEW

I hope you join us. I’d love to hear your thoughts. And don’t forget, there’s a book giveaway opportunity in progress: You will have a chance to win a free ebook of either This Sea Within or When Things Go Missing, my debut novel. All you have to do is subscribe to this blog if you haven’t already and leave a comment on the participating sites. Three lucky readers will receive their choice of an ebook.

A New, Unexpected, Book Review

In case you don’t know by now what The Sea Within is all about, here’s a new book review that tells you all about it. I was surprised and very pleased to see this book review pop up on Goodreads this week.

By Laura Flavin June 3, 2026

“This Sea Within is a sweeping, emotionally charged, and beautifully realized historical novel that blends political upheaval, personal transformation, romance, and revolution into a deeply immersive reading experience. Deborah J. Brasket transports readers to the turbulent political landscape of 1970s Central America, where questions of justice, identity, loyalty, and sacrifice collide against the backdrop of a nation on the brink of change.

What stood out most was Lena Landon’s remarkable transformation throughout the novel. Her journey begins as one of self-discovery and cultural reconnection, but gradually evolves into something far more profound as she becomes entangled in the realities of revolution, oppression, and resistance. Lena’s struggle between her ideals and the brutal truths she encounters gives the narrative tremendous emotional weight and authenticity.

The novel also excels in its portrayal of political conflict without losing sight of the deeply human stories at its center. The relationships Lena forms, particularly those shaped by love, loyalty, and divided allegiances, add emotional complexity to the larger historical narrative. The tension surrounding her family connections and the dangerous secret linking her mother to the ruling regime creates a compelling layer of suspense that drives the story forward.

Brasket’s writing vividly captures both the beauty of the natural world and the violence of political unrest. Themes of identity, courage, freedom, and moral conviction are woven seamlessly into a narrative that feels both intimate and epic in scope. Richly atmospheric, emotionally resonant, and intellectually engaging, This Sea Within is a powerful novel that lingers long after the final page.”