I've been a fan of Quentin Tarantino's films ever since "Reservoir Dogs," but "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" is my absolute favorite. Tarantino called that movie his love letter to Hollywood.
That idea stuck with me--and it inspired me to write my own love letter, not to Hollywood, but to cave country. The result is a romance novel called "The Amphitrite Entanglement," written under the pen name Coral Leigh Tide.
I wanted to portray cave diving not as just danger and death (like Hollywood usually does), but as something romantic, beautiful, and real... something those of us who've spent time in solution caves can relate to. I tried to bring authentic diving details to the story, with characters who actually know what they're doing for a change.
Since it's a romance novel, it really just touches on technical details.
The novel takes place primarily in north-central Florida, plus the fictional Florida Space Coast University, the Cayman Islands, and Rhode Island.
Here's the blurb:
They've braved the depths together--now it's time to fight for their future above.
Oceanographer Dr. Leah Carter wasn't looking for a man--especially not a grad student with reckless charm, a haunted stare, and biceps that could curl her toes.
But when her world collides with cave diving instructor and Air Force Reserve pararescue specialist Ash McCade, he ignites something hotter than a rescue flare.
Living as aquanauts in an underwater habitat on the edge of the Cayman Trench, they explore deep reefs by day--and each other by night.
But they may not be as alone as they think.
Now the surface awaits. And the predators circling above might prove deadlier than those lurking below.
And yes, the dedication simply reads:
A love letter--to cave country.
If you're curious or just want to support a fellow cave diver, I'd love for you to check it out. It's available on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback.
That idea stuck with me--and it inspired me to write my own love letter, not to Hollywood, but to cave country. The result is a romance novel called "The Amphitrite Entanglement," written under the pen name Coral Leigh Tide.
I wanted to portray cave diving not as just danger and death (like Hollywood usually does), but as something romantic, beautiful, and real... something those of us who've spent time in solution caves can relate to. I tried to bring authentic diving details to the story, with characters who actually know what they're doing for a change.
Since it's a romance novel, it really just touches on technical details.
The novel takes place primarily in north-central Florida, plus the fictional Florida Space Coast University, the Cayman Islands, and Rhode Island.
Here's the blurb:
They've braved the depths together--now it's time to fight for their future above.
Oceanographer Dr. Leah Carter wasn't looking for a man--especially not a grad student with reckless charm, a haunted stare, and biceps that could curl her toes.
But when her world collides with cave diving instructor and Air Force Reserve pararescue specialist Ash McCade, he ignites something hotter than a rescue flare.
Living as aquanauts in an underwater habitat on the edge of the Cayman Trench, they explore deep reefs by day--and each other by night.
But they may not be as alone as they think.
Now the surface awaits. And the predators circling above might prove deadlier than those lurking below.
And yes, the dedication simply reads:
A love letter--to cave country.
If you're curious or just want to support a fellow cave diver, I'd love for you to check it out. It's available on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback.
