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.
Changing Tide
by Robert Joncas
Genre: YA SciFi Paranormal Romance, Fantasy,
Horror
“Changing Tide,” 2023 Book Awards:
*Maincrest
Media Award, Winner, YA Fiction (2024)
*Outstanding
Creator Awards, Best Fiction Book of 2023, 2nd Place
*Outstanding
Creator Awards, Fantasy (1st Place), Sci-Fi (1st Place), Romance (2nd Pl.)
*The
Global Book Awards, Bronze Medal, Science Fiction – Romance
*The
BookFest Awards, Silver Medal, Science Fiction - Romance
*The BookFest Awards, Bronze Medal, Fantasy – Contemporary & YA – Science
Fiction
*Royal
Dragonfly Awards, Honorable Mention, Best Cover, Sci-Fi, Fantasy & YA
Fiction
*American
Fiction Awards, Finalist, Romance – Paranormal: Supernatural
*American Writing Awards, Finalist - Science Fiction
*Halloween Book Festival, YA Horror – Honorable Mention
*Literary Titan Book Award - August 2023
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.
Excerpt
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…
Amazon * B&N * Bookbub * Goodreads
Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Changing-Tide-Robert-Joncas-ebook/dp/B0C9VHRC25
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/changing-tide-robert-joncas/1143633571?ean=9798987150115
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/changing-tide-by-robert-joncas
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176169899-changing-tide
What readers are saying:
“…simply elegant…from the plotline to the characters to the action
to the humor… (and) a story for anyone, young adult or adult, who enjoys a good
science fiction novel with some romance thrown in. I would recommend the book
to everyone.”
-FEATHERED QUILL BOOK REVIEWS
“…truly a breath of fresh air! …A sci-fi
romance like this was exactly what we needed. …despite dealing with things like
loss, coping, and mourning this book is surprisingly fun and
lighthearted…reading like a Disney script.”
-OUTSTANDING CREATOR REVIEW
“Anyone who enjoys sci-fi horror thrillers
will find plenty to love about this book.”
-READERS’ FAVORITE BOOK REVIEW
“I thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent
reading this book and was genuinely sad when it came to an end.”
-ONLINEBOOKCLUB.ORG REVIEW
“…an enthralling fantasy novel that immerses
readers in Skye Conner’s captivating journey…”
-LITERARY TITAN
“…traverses science fiction, fantasy,
horror, and mystery seamlessly, entertaining you with thrills galore.”
-READERS’ CHOICE BOOK REVIEW
“Nothing is as it seems… a speculative
sci-fi page turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat. …brings in
sci-fi and fantasy elements of magic seashells and aliens to create a call to
adventure.”
-INDEPENDENT BOOK REVIEW
--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.
About the Author
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 * X * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Author
Links
Website: https://www.cougarproductions.com
X: https://twitter.com/robjoncas
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/robert-joncas
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Robert-Joncas/author/B0C8BWSBQ2
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/39870545.Robert_Joncas
Giveaway
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I really like this cover. Looks amazing.
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