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Ancient Mariners
Ancient Mariners is a 72,000 word dark, slightly supernatural, coming-of-age novel. Beth, a normal, 14 year-old and her crewmate, Silas, 45, have lost their families to violence. They sail the South Pacific, seeking solace for their grief. But Death has a task for them they cannot refuse.
After Beth Portman, a normal, happy, 14 year-old loses her parents to a suspicious fire, she stays with her best friend Judy and her dominating father until Judy sends her away. Beth reunites with her sailing mentor and close family friend, Silas Tuft 45, aboard his sailboat. Silas, an ex-SEAL, still blames himself for the death of his wife and daughter. Together, Beth and Silas head into the Pacific Ocean seeking solace and peace.
The two are natural shipmates. Along the way they find love and a new home. But, as always, Death has it's way and grief drives them to wander the sea, like Ancient Mariners searching for a port. In the Philippines Beth's dark side emerges; in Australia Beth thinks she may have broken the curse that follows her and Silas – She's wrong.
Beth and Silas finally understand Death's plan for them when Judy runs away and joins them, pursued by her abusive father. However, their journey is not over. In a magical jungle, Beth faces down a primordial spirit; in Hong Kong she endures one more painful test of her will. Surviving, Beth is no longer a happy-go-lucky girl of 14. She and Silas then prepare for the grim act of revenge that will set them free of their guilt and grief.
“No use looking back. There’s no family or friends to wave goodbye to. This is not our home anymore, and it’s likely we’ll never be back. The last four years prepared Silas and I for this day, this morning. It’s said that bad memories prepare you for life. If so, we’re ready. If I hadn't met Silas, I wouldn't have any memories any different than any ordinary girl. If I hadn't met Silas, there’s a good chance I’d be dead. Funny how things work out.”
Beth Portman
After Beth Portman, a normal, happy, 14 year-old loses her parents to a suspicious fire, she stays with her best friend Judy and her dominating father until Judy sends her away. Beth reunites with her sailing mentor and close family friend, Silas Tuft 45, aboard his sailboat. Silas, an ex-SEAL, still blames himself for the death of his wife and daughter. Together, Beth and Silas head into the Pacific Ocean seeking solace and peace.
The two are natural shipmates. Along the way they find love and a new home. But, as always, Death has it's way and grief drives them to wander the sea, like Ancient Mariners searching for a port. In the Philippines Beth's dark side emerges; in Australia Beth thinks she may have broken the curse that follows her and Silas – She's wrong.
Beth and Silas finally understand Death's plan for them when Judy runs away and joins them, pursued by her abusive father. However, their journey is not over. In a magical jungle, Beth faces down a primordial spirit; in Hong Kong she endures one more painful test of her will. Surviving, Beth is no longer a happy-go-lucky girl of 14. She and Silas then prepare for the grim act of revenge that will set them free of their guilt and grief.
“No use looking back. There’s no family or friends to wave goodbye to. This is not our home anymore, and it’s likely we’ll never be back. The last four years prepared Silas and I for this day, this morning. It’s said that bad memories prepare you for life. If so, we’re ready. If I hadn't met Silas, I wouldn't have any memories any different than any ordinary girl. If I hadn't met Silas, there’s a good chance I’d be dead. Funny how things work out.”
Beth Portman
335 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2012
1 person is currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
David Burton
23 books11 followersDavid Burton is an American writer living in sunny Southern California. He traveled by motorcycle through Mexico, US, Canada and Alaska. From motorcycles he turned to the ocean, building and sailing his own boats to Mexico, Tahiti, Hawaii, and through the Panama Canal to Florida. He spent a lot of time reading while on the water, so he decided to write books he would have wanted to read at sea.
Having swallowed the anchor he now mops floors and collects trash for money, writes for a living, and has become a (temporarily?) unrequited sailor.
He can be contacted at dcburtonjr@gmail.com
Having swallowed the anchor he now mops floors and collects trash for money, writes for a living, and has become a (temporarily?) unrequited sailor.
He can be contacted at dcburtonjr@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 12, 2019
Dark and edgy, yet I couldn’t help but feel so much for the main characters, Beth, the teenage orphan girl who becomes the ward of Silas, a salty sailor with his own demons chasing him across the seas.
When her parents died, Beth went to live with her best friend’s family, but the lecherous father became too much of a nightmare to endure and that’s when she went to Silas, an old family friend, ex-Marine and a man who would protect her, no matter what. Together, they form a bond that is both heartwarming and beautiful. But can happiness follow them across the waters onboard the Montegar or will tragedy continue to haunt them? Is Death riding the waves beside them or are the gods of the waters guiding them on a journey that will change the very fiber of Beth’s being? Will they ever find a safe harbor to land in?
ANCIENT MARINERS by David Burton is a journey of life, a coming of age for a young girl who has seen far too much darkness and a tale of relationships that grow beyond what the eye can see. Mysterious, intriguing and filled with that feeling of “other,” I was mesmerized from start to finish!
David Burton is a brilliant storyteller, his ability to set forth a tale that comes to life with characters that become real is magnetic. It isn’t that often that a book comes along that I can’t’ wait to read again, but ANCIENT MARINERS is at the top of my must read again list! If you’re looking for that special read that is clearly different, clearly one to get lost in and one that will stay with you long after that last page, this is it!
I received a complimentary copy from David Burton! A truly bright gem in the world of books! Highly recommended reading!
Publisher: David Burton Writing; 3 edition (September 9, 2012)
Publication Date: September 9, 2012
Genre: Coming of Age | Horror
Print Length: 310 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
When her parents died, Beth went to live with her best friend’s family, but the lecherous father became too much of a nightmare to endure and that’s when she went to Silas, an old family friend, ex-Marine and a man who would protect her, no matter what. Together, they form a bond that is both heartwarming and beautiful. But can happiness follow them across the waters onboard the Montegar or will tragedy continue to haunt them? Is Death riding the waves beside them or are the gods of the waters guiding them on a journey that will change the very fiber of Beth’s being? Will they ever find a safe harbor to land in?
ANCIENT MARINERS by David Burton is a journey of life, a coming of age for a young girl who has seen far too much darkness and a tale of relationships that grow beyond what the eye can see. Mysterious, intriguing and filled with that feeling of “other,” I was mesmerized from start to finish!
David Burton is a brilliant storyteller, his ability to set forth a tale that comes to life with characters that become real is magnetic. It isn’t that often that a book comes along that I can’t’ wait to read again, but ANCIENT MARINERS is at the top of my must read again list! If you’re looking for that special read that is clearly different, clearly one to get lost in and one that will stay with you long after that last page, this is it!
I received a complimentary copy from David Burton! A truly bright gem in the world of books! Highly recommended reading!
Publisher: David Burton Writing; 3 edition (September 9, 2012)
Publication Date: September 9, 2012
Genre: Coming of Age | Horror
Print Length: 310 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Read
October 4, 2019Jump right into David Burton's gripping adventure of a happy, innocent young girl who, following the murders of her parents, seeks revenge and is transformed into a brave, sexy young woman. Beth Portman, always drawn to the sea, is mentored by Silas, a salty, old seaman whose own life is plagued with pain.
Creating an unwavering bond, the unlikely pair sail around the world seeking justice, as Death follows them in the form of a black albatross which uncannily foreshadows the danger which is lurking at every port. The supernatural begins to hazily merge with reality as Beth and Silas confront an array of pirates, witch doctors, and ghosts and follow their quest in pursuit of the evil, lecherous murderer.
A real page-turner, Ancient Mariners is a story not to be missed by sea lovers and thrill seekers alike.
Creating an unwavering bond, the unlikely pair sail around the world seeking justice, as Death follows them in the form of a black albatross which uncannily foreshadows the danger which is lurking at every port. The supernatural begins to hazily merge with reality as Beth and Silas confront an array of pirates, witch doctors, and ghosts and follow their quest in pursuit of the evil, lecherous murderer.
A real page-turner, Ancient Mariners is a story not to be missed by sea lovers and thrill seekers alike.
June 13, 2018
Death is a silent companion on this quest for freedom and revenge. It's there at every turn guiding Beth to vengeance for the injustice that no one has ever righted. Now, out on the sea where she is most at home with her friend and mentor Silas, Beth will follow death's lead until she claims her due.
Received as a gift
Received as a gift
July 29, 2020
A great read! Trying to escape their pain & loss, Silas & Beth are sailing the Pacific, only to have death and chaos follow them. This is a real thriller and the ending, while you can gradually see it coming, is very satisfying.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews