Juncture

The silky brush was erotic, like hands everywhere, the multiple lovers she had never had, and then it was not. The first stinging jolt surprised her… A godly nun, the victim of untold puncturings in Palau’s Jellyfish Lake. A honeymoon couple, their kayaks overturned by orcas off Vancouver Island: in the green deeps the whales drive the girl through the water with a force that finally breaks her back; her groom dies in a bloody burst. Nighttime in the Sea of Cortez: an underwater photographer dragged into the deeps by swarming Humboldt squid; fixing to his hands, his mask, powerful suction cups wresting, the squid flashing iridescent rainbow colors, communicating in a way heretofore unseen. In the oceans creatures are stirring, a fast-rising tide of seemingly random shocking events not random at all. Cedar Mahoney, golden-hued dive boat operator, is athletic, sensual, independent and facing the heartbreak of letting go of her only child, about to leave the island of Palau for a better future with his father in Chicago. But sixteen-year-old Justin -- graceful swimmer and strangely attuned to the sea – just might decide the future. Strange events on and under Palau’s sapphire blue waters enfold a cast of characters. Crusty Santy, fuel dock despot with two gears, complaint and nosiness. Able, a detective too wise for a small island. And Marty Haruo, local pilot, possessed of a gentleman’s elegance and a boyish charm; Cedar’s best friend, and then her lover. All are drawn together by a series of strange unfoldings that upend their world, and, quite suddenly, the world far beyond. For something lives beneath Palau’s waters; something ancient and wise; something capable of a lover’s tingling touch and calculated storms of terrible violence. Something that has observed this world for epochs and now, at this fateful crossroad, is forced to act. Mother, son and primordial creature are about to connect, and mankind’s future balances on the outcome. Fiction? Yes - and no. The oceans really are changing. And we are truly at a Juncture.Ken McAlpine is the author of six books. He lives in Ventura, California. facebook.com/kenmcalpineauthorkenmcalpine.com

Ken McAlpine is the author of ten books;fiction, non-fiction and selected essays. Of his novel TOGETHER WE JUMP, USA TODAYsaid, "There's a beautiful Forrest Gump feel to this book. The main character was a delight, and I just loved his sad, wistful, wonderful tale." His non-fiction work OFF SEASON: DISCOVERING AMERICA ON WINTER'S SHORE was a Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers selection. He is currently finishing the last book in a three-book series (JUNCTURE, NEXUS, DEPARTURE), a tale part cerebral JAWS, part TWENTY THOUSAND LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA and part warning.

Most important, Ken lives in Ventura, California with his wife and their two sons.He likes to stand in his yard at night looking at the stars, but he does not like to spend any time during the day doing yard work. For more information, please see kenmcalpine.com