Earlier this year, a woman was snorkeling off a lovely white-sand beach near the Frederiksted Pier on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She was bitten by a shark and, despite the heroic efforts of bystanders, she died from blood loss.
On the extremely rare occasion a human is attacked by a shark, blood loss is generally the cause of death, because we are not commonly included in a shark’s diet, so these unusual events are almost always a simple case of mistaken identity. We humans flail about in the water when swimming or surfing and appear to be dying creatures, which might attract a shark looking for an easy meal. They are opportunistic animals, and the lure of food that won’t put up much of a fight can be tempting, especially to a naïve juvenile shark.
I have been a scuba diver for over 20 years and the Frederiksted Pier is one of my all-time favorite dives. The area is filled with mellow sea turtles, jewel-colored fishes, elegant spotted eagle rays, chameleon-like peacock flounders, and, occasionally, seahorses and magical octopuses.
And, yes, sometimes sharks appear. Those who have never put on scuba gear might be surprised to know that the sighting of sharks underwater is considered a gift. They are beautiful creatures, not the mindless monsters humans have painted them to be. These animals mostly avoid us, though sometimes they approach, often just curious. But divers, with all their bubbles, appear large to sharks and they simply don’t see us as prey, so these interactions almost never result in harm. I say almost because there are some inexperienced divers who feel the need to chase or touch sharks, and there is little sympathy if they get bitten.
Here’s something to consider if you are currently fearful about entering the water. There are about six unprovoked shark attack deaths worldwide annually. Six. You have a much higher risk of dying while driving to the beach or being struck by lightning. Note that humans kill about 100 million sharks every year, so who are the real monsters in this relationship?
Not too long after the attack, I put on my scuba gear. I can’t say I didn’t scan the turquoise Caribbean surface by the pier and wonder about the shark that caused a woman’s death. Still, I dropped in, confident that if I behaved like the guest I am in their world I would be fine.
THE CASTLE
ANNE MONTGOMERY
Suspense/Thriller
Ancient ruins. Haunted memories. A ruthless predator. Can Maggie survive the ghosts of her past – and the monster hiding in plain sight?
When she returns to her job as a National Park Ranger at “The Castle”—a centuried-old Native American pueblo carved into an Arizona cliff—Maggie hopes the comfort of familiar ground will help her heal. Battling trauma and the grief of unimaginable loss, Maggie’s days are carefully measured, her life held together by the thinnest of threads.
But strange things are happening at the park. A mysterious child appears and vanishes without a trace. And a predator watches her every move, planning his attack.
With the help of friends, fellow survivors, and the land itself, Maggie begins to reclaim her strength. But the danger is closer than she knows, and soon Maggie will have to face a deadly threat… and her deepest fears.
Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.
Praise for The Castle
“A deftly written and riveting read from cover to cover, “The Castle” effectively showcases author Anne Montgomery’s genuine mastery of the Romantic Suspense genre.” – Midwest Book Review
“A slow burn thriller, mixed in with a touch of mystical realism…A true five-star experience!” – Sara Steven Chick Lit Central
“A beautifully considered, sumptuous novel from a skilled storyteller.” – SaraRose Auburn Writing & Reviews
“This is a novel about good rage, about channeling the injustices of the world around us and fighting to do some good with both words and deeds. Lucky for readers, it was penned by a maestra like Anne Montgomery, so that we got a tense, powerful novel in the bargain too.” – Jennifer deBie-Rosie Amber Book Reviews
“Ms. Montgomery manipulates uncomfortable subjects and dark suspense into a gripping tale with hints of romance and humor carefully guiding readers on an informative journey of survival and self-discovery.“ Tonya Mathenia InD’tale Magazine
“Soul-stirring. A brilliant book…Truly a masterpiece.” – Anu Menon Thought is Free Book Blog
“I was gripped from start to end.” – Katherine Hayward Pérez Just Katherine Blog
“Ms. Montgomery has an almost magical talent to draw the reader into the worlds she creates through her words. Her characters are interesting, vulnerable and strong. While describing the locations in which her books are set, she weaves history with vivid images, immersing the reader in a hard-to-put-down story full of history, beauty and mystery.” – Margaret Millmore Author
Author Anne Montgomery 
Well said, Anne. We are truly guests in this world, whether in the ocean, forests, jungles or on the road less traveled. Respect for all Earth’s inhabitants is the key to a wonderful life. Happy scuba diving, my friend!
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I couldn’t agree more, Sharon. Respect is the key. Thank you. 😉
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