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Barton Family Adventure #1
Change in the Wind
Join Nat and Ruth Barton, who see everything in their life change overnight and are launched into the unknown. Little did they think that helping missionaries would turn into the adventure of a lifetime. While living aboard and sailing to tropical destinations, they encounter pirates, spies, witchdoctors, and experience things beyond their wildest imagination.
In this, the first of the Barton Family Adventures, learn how it all began. Learn how everything was turned upside down, how they came to live on board a sailboat, and how their first adventure landed them in the hands of modern day pirates and boat thieves. Their faith and trust in the Lord is put to the test as they wonder if rescue will come in time.
Book excerpt:
The darkness was barely gray, not yet really changing from black. Why was I even aware of it? It must have been early, just about daybreak when the sunlight is struggling to push out the shadows. Didn’t I just go to bed? All I wanted to do was roll over and go back to sleep. Just a little while longer and then I might get up.
Instantly I was awake as I realized we were moving!
When a boat is tied to the dock, it will rock back and forth rhythmically with the waves. The feel of a boat in motion is different.
Everything was silent. The engine wasn’t running. If dad had decided to set off early, he would have started the engines to move out of the waterway. But that didn’t make sense. He wanted us to test handling the boat as crew. He would have wanted us on deck as we cast off.
Why were we moving? Were we drifting? Had we somehow broken loose from the dock during the night?
I thought about that for a minute, but that didn’t make sense either. If we were adrift, there would be no pattern to our movements, but we were definitely moving in one direction. There was purpose in our going forward.
I don’t know what urged me to do so, but I slowly, silently eased out of bed. My bare feet hit the cool floor and I cautiously edged to the door feeling for the handle. It turned easily and I slowly cracked the door open only about an inch.
Through the skylight in the pilothouse, I could make out the mast above outlined against the gray background. There was no sail unfurled. How could we be moving ahead and in one direction with no sail and no engine running?
Something was very wrong here.
I could make out the shadowy form of a human figure behind the wheel. Who is that? I strained to make out some kind of detail. Is that dad? I didn’t think so. Dad is taller, I think.
There was movement to the right. There was the figure of someone moving from the bow past the pilothouse windows and into the cockpit. Now it looked like there were two people I didn’t know aboard.
I closed the door and sat on the edge of my bunk with my mind racing. How could the boat be moving? Who was behind the wheel? What was going on? Where was dad?
I decided to take another look out my door. They were still there in the cockpit. I had to know what was going on and where dad was.
I opened the door just enough so that I could get through and without a sound closed it behind me. I stood motionless for a few seconds to make sure that I was hidden in the darkness of the cabin and couldn’t be seen from the outside. Once I was sure, I crouched as low as I could and began to work my way forward through the salon. My eyes were adjusting to the dark and I could make out some shapes, but I didn’t make a move without first feeling my way.
I didn’t dare lift my head. I didn’t want whoever it was out there to see me. The door slowly swung open and someone came out. It was still too dark to see who it was, but I had to do something.
In this, the first of the Barton Family Adventures, learn how it all began. Learn how everything was turned upside down, how they came to live on board a sailboat, and how their first adventure landed them in the hands of modern day pirates and boat thieves. Their faith and trust in the Lord is put to the test as they wonder if rescue will come in time.
Book excerpt:
The darkness was barely gray, not yet really changing from black. Why was I even aware of it? It must have been early, just about daybreak when the sunlight is struggling to push out the shadows. Didn’t I just go to bed? All I wanted to do was roll over and go back to sleep. Just a little while longer and then I might get up.
Instantly I was awake as I realized we were moving!
When a boat is tied to the dock, it will rock back and forth rhythmically with the waves. The feel of a boat in motion is different.
Everything was silent. The engine wasn’t running. If dad had decided to set off early, he would have started the engines to move out of the waterway. But that didn’t make sense. He wanted us to test handling the boat as crew. He would have wanted us on deck as we cast off.
Why were we moving? Were we drifting? Had we somehow broken loose from the dock during the night?
I thought about that for a minute, but that didn’t make sense either. If we were adrift, there would be no pattern to our movements, but we were definitely moving in one direction. There was purpose in our going forward.
I don’t know what urged me to do so, but I slowly, silently eased out of bed. My bare feet hit the cool floor and I cautiously edged to the door feeling for the handle. It turned easily and I slowly cracked the door open only about an inch.
Through the skylight in the pilothouse, I could make out the mast above outlined against the gray background. There was no sail unfurled. How could we be moving ahead and in one direction with no sail and no engine running?
Something was very wrong here.
I could make out the shadowy form of a human figure behind the wheel. Who is that? I strained to make out some kind of detail. Is that dad? I didn’t think so. Dad is taller, I think.
There was movement to the right. There was the figure of someone moving from the bow past the pilothouse windows and into the cockpit. Now it looked like there were two people I didn’t know aboard.
I closed the door and sat on the edge of my bunk with my mind racing. How could the boat be moving? Who was behind the wheel? What was going on? Where was dad?
I decided to take another look out my door. They were still there in the cockpit. I had to know what was going on and where dad was.
I opened the door just enough so that I could get through and without a sound closed it behind me. I stood motionless for a few seconds to make sure that I was hidden in the darkness of the cabin and couldn’t be seen from the outside. Once I was sure, I crouched as low as I could and began to work my way forward through the salon. My eyes were adjusting to the dark and I could make out some shapes, but I didn’t make a move without first feeling my way.
I didn’t dare lift my head. I didn’t want whoever it was out there to see me. The door slowly swung open and someone came out. It was still too dark to see who it was, but I had to do something.
- GenresYoung Adult
87 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 29, 2013
13 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Mark Huebner
4 books2 followersBeing around kids and teens has helped to keep my spirit young and brought me to the point that I had to get some stories out ... and 'kilrB3 Media' was born. The inspiration for 'kilrB3 Media & Design' springs from my experience in raising the three killer "B's" ... Brandon, Blake, and Brianna." Along with raising a family, for many years both my wife Donna and I have been very active with church youth groups and students from all walks of life.
I am currently involved with a College & Career class and have been with young people, both teens and young adults, for over 20 years having held positions ranging from Junior Church programs to Youth Pastor, from school teacher to Athletic Director, and from summer camp to directing youth activities.
The Barton Family Adventure series is aimed at kids and young teens, but great for home school moms, parents, or those who like wholesome adventures. My desire is to tell the story that being a Christian doesn't have to mean "boring". In fact, putting faith into action can be the biggest adventure of your life!
You can learn more at www.kilrB3.com or on Amazon at ...
"Change in the Wind" - http://www.amazon.com/Change-Wind-Bar...
"Ultimate Power" - http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Power-...
I am currently involved with a College & Career class and have been with young people, both teens and young adults, for over 20 years having held positions ranging from Junior Church programs to Youth Pastor, from school teacher to Athletic Director, and from summer camp to directing youth activities.
The Barton Family Adventure series is aimed at kids and young teens, but great for home school moms, parents, or those who like wholesome adventures. My desire is to tell the story that being a Christian doesn't have to mean "boring". In fact, putting faith into action can be the biggest adventure of your life!
You can learn more at www.kilrB3.com or on Amazon at ...
"Change in the Wind" - http://www.amazon.com/Change-Wind-Bar...
"Ultimate Power" - http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Power-...
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 10, 2019
Apart from needing an editor this is an excellent start to this Christian series. Yes, it is a little slow getting into the adventure but the author has to set the scene/background. Written in first person, meet Nat (Nathanael) Jeremiah Barton, his older sister Ruth and their parents.
Having always been in church and having a dad who was in a good job thus them wanting for nothing how do the two siblings feel when they parents inform them that they are going to live aboard a boat and travel wherever missions help is needed? The boar part is no biggie as the family has always loved being on the water. Leaving public school, starting homeschooling and moving all the time though is slightly different! Ruth is not impressed at all whilst Nat tries to see it God's way along with respecting his parents. It is still not easy though.
I love the way historical facts are thrown in throughout the story. Time soon arrives for the family to fly to Florida to try out boat that they think is suitable. Little do they realize the danger they are soon going to find themselves in! Whilst this is a stand-alone story in that it was an ending I am sure you will be eager to read what happens in the next book.
As mentioned at the beginning, this book REALLY needs an editor. It was only due to it being a really interesting story that I kept reading this aloud to the kids. Mom and Dad should ALWAYS be capitalized when used as a name so this error is frequent throughout this book (and the next one we have already started reading).
"Taking our queue" should be "Taking our cue".
"......unbelievable site" should be ".....unbelievable sight".
A really big error was in talking about Florida and the Bermuda Triangle being in the Pacific Ocean! The Bermuda Triangle is in the Atlantic Ocean!
It is very unusual for me to continue reading a book like this but the adventure is good and the kids really enjoyed it. I downloaded this book onto my Kindle. I was not required to write a review but chose to do so. Thanks, Liz
Having always been in church and having a dad who was in a good job thus them wanting for nothing how do the two siblings feel when they parents inform them that they are going to live aboard a boat and travel wherever missions help is needed? The boar part is no biggie as the family has always loved being on the water. Leaving public school, starting homeschooling and moving all the time though is slightly different! Ruth is not impressed at all whilst Nat tries to see it God's way along with respecting his parents. It is still not easy though.
I love the way historical facts are thrown in throughout the story. Time soon arrives for the family to fly to Florida to try out boat that they think is suitable. Little do they realize the danger they are soon going to find themselves in! Whilst this is a stand-alone story in that it was an ending I am sure you will be eager to read what happens in the next book.
As mentioned at the beginning, this book REALLY needs an editor. It was only due to it being a really interesting story that I kept reading this aloud to the kids. Mom and Dad should ALWAYS be capitalized when used as a name so this error is frequent throughout this book (and the next one we have already started reading).
"Taking our queue" should be "Taking our cue".
"......unbelievable site" should be ".....unbelievable sight".
A really big error was in talking about Florida and the Bermuda Triangle being in the Pacific Ocean! The Bermuda Triangle is in the Atlantic Ocean!
It is very unusual for me to continue reading a book like this but the adventure is good and the kids really enjoyed it. I downloaded this book onto my Kindle. I was not required to write a review but chose to do so. Thanks, Liz
July 3, 2019
“Change In The Wind” by Mark Huebner is a very short novella that introduces readers to the Barton family and gives a sneak peek at the adventures that will soon become the family’s new normal. The story is narrated by Nat, the youngest Barton. One day, Nat’s parents came home from a church service and announced that they feel led to sell all they have, buy a boat and go into full-time ministry helping missionaries. Nat and his sister, Ruth, are quite shocked by their parents announcement. Through this first installment of the Barton Family Adventure Series, we learn how Nat and Ruth adjust to this new way of life through a series of suspenseful events...like getting kidnapped!
This was a short, fun book. To be honest, it kinda falls into the category of a self-published work that could use some professional help by an editor, but for 87 pages, it’s not so bad. The beginning of the story was a little slow, but once you made it to where the Bartons flew to Florida to look at the boat, the story picks up and finishes off with an exciting plot. I enjoyed it and will be moving on to read the next novella in the series.
This was a short, fun book. To be honest, it kinda falls into the category of a self-published work that could use some professional help by an editor, but for 87 pages, it’s not so bad. The beginning of the story was a little slow, but once you made it to where the Bartons flew to Florida to look at the boat, the story picks up and finishes off with an exciting plot. I enjoyed it and will be moving on to read the next novella in the series.
September 28, 2019
Change in the Wind
Great tweens novel with adventure and a Christian theme throughout. Lots of pretty places to visit and breezes to enjoy.
Great tweens novel with adventure and a Christian theme throughout. Lots of pretty places to visit and breezes to enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews