“In the emotional Deeper than the Ocean, author Mirta Ojita explores the real-life tragic sinking of the steamship Valbanera, which went down off the coast of Key West during a hurricane in 1919, killing all 488 people aboard. In a story that unfolds in two time periods–the present-day and the years before, during, and after the sinking of the ship a century before–she peels back the layers of one family’s painful history, spanning from the Canary Islands to Cuba and then on to the United States. A heartfelt tale of family secrets, impossible choices, and the search for one’s true identity, Deeper than the Ocean shimmers with hope born from the ashes of a complicated past.”–Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author“Deeper Than the Ocean is one of those books that stays with you forever. With her journalistic precision and exquisite storytelling, Mirta Ojito captivates the reader with characters that move between love and loss, between exodus and reunion. An unforgettable book.” –Armando Lucas Correa, international bestseller author of The German Girl –Armando Lucas Correa, international bestseller author of The German Girl”[A] story of complex passions, tragic destinies, and Latin American culture that recalls the novels of Isabel Allende…A strong debut graced by vivid settings, strong female characters, and classic storytelling.“–Kirkus”[A] very personal work, weaving fiction into and among events that mostly took place more than 100 years ago… [an] exquisitely written novel.–Historical Novel Society”[T]he book delivers all that historical fiction fans could want: There’s passion. Love. Loss. The Old World, the New World. The real shipwreck of the Valbanera… a modern quest for identity and home that uncovers long-guarded family secrets.“–AARP“Pulitzer-winning journalist Ojito makes her fiction debut with an affecting parallel narrative of two women…This one’s tough to shake.”–Publishers Weekly”[A]n appealing novel based in fact, combining aspects of literary and historical fiction.“–Library Journal

Born in Havana, Mirta Ojito is a journalist, professor, and author who has worked at the Miami Herald, El Nuevo Herald, and the New York Times. The recipient of an Emmy for the documentary Harvest of Misery as well as a shared Pulitzer for national reporting in 2001 for a series of articles about race in America for the New York Times, Ojito was an assistant professor of journalism at Columbia University for almost nine years. She is the author of two award-winning nonfiction books: Finding Mañana: A Memoir of a Cuban Exodus and Hunting Season: Immigration and Murder in an All-American Town. Currently, Ojito is a senior director on the NBC News Standards team working at Telemundo Network. Deeper than the Ocean is her debut novel.