by
Robert Joncas
Genre:
YA SciFi Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Horror
I
had to do it.
I
wouldn't let anyone else I love die.
What
did I do ...
A
wild adventure that takes you on a journey from the California coast
to the depths of the Grand Canyon. Dive into this fast-paced,
suspenseful Sci-Fi fantasy novel that melds sizzling romance, action,
heart-stopping horror, and a high-stakes battle to save humanity.
After
her father's tragic death, eighteen-year-old Skye Conner and her mom
visit her Nana on the California coast. There, Skye stumbles across a
mystical conch shell in the surf. Suddenly her dull, empty life takes
on a thrilling and terrifying turn.
Skye
has had to endure a despondent mother drowning in grief, living in a
private world of darkness. Nana is a feisty, intelligent,
take-no-bull grandmother with a flaming sense of pride and heart of
gold. Then comes a handsome, mesmerizing alien on a mission to save
the Earth. But are his intentions sincere, or does he have another
agenda?
Skye
has finally found someone to love, but can he be trusted? Changing
Tide is a witty, original page-turning thriller that will
make you look at First Contact in a whole new way.
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--snippet
of a review from OnlineBookClub.org--
“Robert
Joncas has crafted a compelling narrative that keeps readers on the
edge of their seats. The pacing is well-balanced, and the author's
ability to evoke a wide range of emotions is commendable. Skye's
character development is particularly noteworthy, as readers witness
her transformation from a grieving and vulnerable girl into a brave
and determined young woman.
....Changing
Tide is a remarkable book that grabs the reader's attention from
the very first page. With its compelling characters, intriguing plot
twists, and seamless blending of genres, it is a true page-turner. I
thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent reading this book and was
genuinely sad when it came to an end. Without a doubt, I highly
recommend picking up Changing Tide by Robert Joncas and
awarding it a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars.
--snippet
of a Review from Literary Titan--
In “Changing
Tide,” Robert Joncas masterfully entwines an evocative narrative of
a young girl, Skye, wrestling with her personal turmoil while being
swept into a journey far beyond her understanding. Haunted by cryptic
dreams and grappling with the tragic loss of her father and her
mother’s spiraling depression, Skye’s world is painted with a
brush of melancholy. However, a glimmer of hope emerges as she
rekindles a connection with Paul, an alluring figure from her past,
previously known for his childhood mischief.
Robert Joncas
showcases an exceptional ability to portray raw emotions and delicate
sentiments. His narrative is an intricate tapestry of romance,
familial bonds, suspense, and an unmistakably human touch enveloped
in a mantle of science fiction. The characters are vividly
constructed, each contributing a unique hue to the narrative palette.
Nana, Skye’s vivacious and fearless grandmother, was a particular
standout, embodying a captivating blend of loyalty and audacious
spirit.
The narrative is
particularly successful in illustrating Skye’s internal struggle –
her battle against emotional turmoil and her hesitant forays into new
friendships. The character development of the alien entity is equally
commendable, with its adaptation and backstory revealed in a layered,
compelling manner.
“Changing Tide”
is a warmly recommended read, particularly for young adults who yearn
for a slice of relatable, yet enchantingly fantastic, reality. This
novel embodies the essence of heartfelt storytelling interlaced with
an adventurous spirit, ensuring a riveting reading experience.
Chapter
I
First
Contact
I
never thought anyone close to me would die. I know it seems
unrealistic because, sooner or later, we all die. But dying is
supposed to happen in the future, like getting old. When you're
eighteen, you shouldn't have to think about death. The idea of death
takes you to a dark place where no one young ever wants to be.
It
was the second week of June, and the first faint evidence of dawn
trickled into the room. I
pulled the curtain back, and fog blanketed the beach, darkening my
mood. But then, a peculiar light shone from the shoreline in the
distance, casting an eerie glow, like a beacon, in the mist.
I
pulled a pink tee shirt from the closet and grabbed a pair of shorts
from the pine dresser. Finally, I jerked a purple hoodie over my
head, slipped on my flip-flops, and ran outside.
The
strange light in the distance glowed like a full moon on a cloudy
night. I crossed the beach and drifted in that direction. The long
lines of white waves that swept across the shore glowed with a warm,
radiant light. I kicked off my sandals at the shoreline, treading
barefoot in the cold surf. Shivering, I clutched the sweatshirt tight
around my neck. The ocean swirled around my ankles. I felt tiny
shells and bits of seaweed in the ribbed sand under my feet.
Last
week, after my high school graduation, Mom and I had flown from
Phoenix to Nana's house in Crescent Cove, a small tourist town on the
California coast. It was a two-hour flight from Phoenix to
Sacramento, then another forty-five minutes in a small plane to the
nearest airport. It would have been almost ten hours in the car had
we driven. Unfortunately, Mom was in no condition to help me drive,
so Nana said she would pick us up at the airport.
By
the time we picked up our luggage, Nana was waiting outside the
terminal in her old VW van. The trip was hard on Mom. Dark circles of
exhaustion were under her eyes, and her hair hung in matted strings
against her pale cheeks. She collapsed into the front seat while Nana
helped me load the baggage into the back of the van.
When
we drove up to the house, I knew it right away, even though it had
been five years since I'd last been there. The red shutters and gray
wood shingle siding looked the same as I remembered. I knew the
inside would smell of lemon polish, and everything would be spotless
and scrubbed.
Without
seeing it, I knew the old back deck would be the same: weathered but
sturdy and always covered in sand. I could picture Dad grilling and
sipping beer while Mom and I watched the waves crash on the shore. I
had hoped coming here would be a distraction, but memories of Dad
continued to flood my mind.
My
stomach ached as I remembered the heavy black dress I wore to Dad's
funeral on that scorching day in Phoenix. The air was sizzling, too
hot. I'd had to take deep breaths to keep from passing out. Although
a canopy shaded the gravesite, the temperature was over 100 degrees.
I ached with grief that I couldn't at least see Dad one last time —
to make sure it was really him who'd died in that horrible accident.
The burning car wreck left his body unidentifiable. The funeral home
cremated what was left of his remains.
As
I followed the light through the surf, the sea surged with a rolling
wave that knocked me over. It was as if something had stirred below
the ocean and was rising from the deep. I threw my hands out to break
my fall but landed in the shallows on my butt. I sat motionless in
the surf, shivering in my wet clothes…
Can you, for
those who don't know you already, tell something about yourself and
how you became an author?
I have
always read books since I was a kid. I knew that eventually I would
write a novel.
What is something unique/quirky
about you?
I have always believed in
reincarnation. Even as a kid, I could not relate to other children my
age. I have always felt like an old soul.
What are some of your pet peeves?
People that need a lot of
attention. I am never bored; I always have something to do or
somewhere to go.
Where were you born/grew up at?
I was born in Colchester, England
and grew up in Southern California. It was nice to be able to go from
the mountains to the beach in one weekend. I also liked the mild
weather.
Who is your hero and why?
I don't really have one person as a
hero. I admire people that struggle to succeed. It's easy to give up.
What kind of world ruler would you
be?
Compassionate.
What are you passionate about these
days?
My work and writing. I am a Real
Estate Broker and sell mostly second home mountain resort properties.
Lots of people in Phoenix want to get out of the heat in the summer.
I sell to a lot of teachers and retired folk. I enjoy what I do.
What do you do to unwind and relax?
I did a lot of skiing and
backpacking. Now I'm getting older I enjoy traveling and writing. I
spent the last few years during COVID finishing my novel.
Describe yourself in 5 words or
less!
Stress free, laid back.
When did you first consider yourself
a writer?
I had a short story published a few
years ago in an anthology of International Writers. It was about a
girl that bought an old muffin pan at a thrift store and the muffins
she baked in it killed people.
Do you have a favorite movie?
I would have to say "Silence
of the Lambs" is one of my top 10.
Which of your novels can you imagine
made into a movie?
Haha! I only have one out. Changing
Tide would make a great movie. Also, it wouldn't break the bank to
cast it.
As a writer, what would you choose
as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
I guess it would have to be an
alien. One of the greys, like in my book.
Robert
grew up in Southern California and has worked as a Real Estate Broker
in Flagstaff, AZ, for many years. He has a BS in Health Science and
graduated with Distinction from the prestigious UCLA Writers'
Program, where he studied under Author Lynn Hightower in her Master
Novel Classes. He is a member of the Alliance of Independent Authors
and the Horror Writers Association.
Website
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