Author Shawn Martin invites readers to sail into a sun-drenched paradise where secrets run deeper than the blue waters of the Caribbean. His debut novel, “Coral Bay,” launches worldwide on July 31 and is now available for pre-order on Amazon.
Set against the lush backdrop of the U.S. Virgin Islands, “Coral Bay” introduces readers to Michael Bennett, a down-and-out man chasing redemption in paradise — until he finds himself tangled in a web of romance, greed, corporate intrigue and betrayal.
Bennett was once a rising star in the fight against overdevelopment and the environmental decline of South Florida, until he was betrayed by a trusted partner and lost everything. Now living on a sailboat in Key West, he’s traded ambition for simplicity — until an old friend offers him a shot at redemption.
In the sun-soaked Virgin Islands, Bennett is tasked with untangling a stalled marina project in the environmentally fragile Coral Bay, St. John. It’s the kind of challenge he was made for, but this time, the stakes run deeper than just red tape.
The mysterious death of an old friend casts a long shadow on Bennett’s efforts. And as local resistance builds, he is drawn into a web of shady executives, island politics and personal conflict that has him questioning the project, his loyalties, even the woman he finds himself falling for.
Forced to dig deeper, Bennett encounters a stranger and an FBI agent who reveals a truth that changes everything.
Now caught between redemption and ruin, he must decide: is he here to revive his career or fight for something much bigger?
To save Coral Bay — and himself — he’ll have to confront not only the present, but the ghosts of his past.
Author Shawn Martin is a veteran sailor, scuba instructor and marine biologist who brings firsthand experience to every page.
“Coral Bay” is the first novel in the Michael Bennett series. Fans of crime fiction, island mysteries and character-driven thrillers will be hooked by Martin’s atmospheric storytelling and authentic details.
“Coral Bay” will be available on Kindle July 31, and soon in paperback, on Amazon and at select retailers.Pre-order now on Amazon at: https://a.co/d/bB0zqWg. For more information, visit shawnmdean.com or email shawn@shawnmdean.com.
