Castle Hart Series by J.R. Biery

Wooden Shoes is the story of Hans Ole Hoebeek, almost eight, the youngest of the illegitimate children Robert Yardley has left scattered over the world after nearly twenty years of adventuring as a sea captain and privateer. as the first son of Ida Click should have had a place of honor in the family. Instead, he is despised by his mother, often beaten by his step-father, and scorned by his younger, blonde, blue-eyed siblings... moreWooden Shoes is the story of Hans Ole Hoebeek, almost eight, the youngest of the illegitimate children Robert Yardley has left scattered over the world after nearly twenty years of adventuring as a sea captain and privateer. as the first son of Ida Click should have had a place of honor in the family. Instead, he is despised by his mother, often beaten by his step-father, and scorned by his younger, blonde, blue-eyed siblings. With dark hair, gray eyes, and the strong will of his father, the incorrigible boy has never felt he belonged or was loved. When Robert and Mary arrive in Holland to reclaim the boy, it is a stormy beginning as they try to lay claim to his heart and make him part of their new family. Brant, the oldest son, understands the war within Hans to adjust to the sudden change of being part of a wealthy family and allow himself to trust in the reformed pirate and his lady. After all, Brant and his sister Melody have just survived a similar experience. Fleeing back to Scotland, their troubles are not behind them. Robert’s lawyer warns them that the British navy is pursuing the De Santos for their theft of gold from the city of Port Royal. They want Brandon and Melody for questioning and are determined to find and punish someone. Even more worrisome, there is news of other illegitimate children responding to the promise of wealth by coming to London. While Robert is trying to decide whether to keep them safe in his castle, or rescue a possible daughter in imminent danger, Hans has his own problems. After making his first true friend, he has a terrible accident. Is it possible to make a true family from so many scattered lives and will Hans’ brave heart be enough to conquer all? less

FRENCH WAIF Twila Perot is miserable, her controlling but beloved grandmother is dead. Now grand-père insists that they must cross the cold stormy channel to London. He is taking her to the terrible pirate who her grandmother blamed for everything wrong in her life. Robert the Hawk was the reason she had no father, no sisters or brothers, no friends. Because of him, her mother wasn’t buried in the church graveyard... moreFRENCH WAIF Twila Perot is miserable, her controlling but beloved grandmother is dead. Now grand-père insists that they must cross the cold stormy channel to London. He is taking her to the terrible pirate who her grandmother blamed for everything wrong in her life. Robert the Hawk was the reason she had no father, no sisters or brothers, no friends. Because of him, her mother wasn’t buried in the church graveyard. Grand-père says he cannot take care of a little girl and she will be better off there. She is lucky Earl Robert Yardley has ordered her to come live with him and his new wife. But it feels like her own heart is breaking. Robert Yardley left the sea to find a port to rest his weary body and restless heart. He found both on the Isle of Mull and in the green eyes of his beloved, Lady Mary. Now rich and comfortable, all should have been perfect. But his new bride, believed barren by all, desperately wants children. When she learns of Robert’s scattered seeds, she begs him to welcome them all home to join them. Then his orphaned daughter, Twila Perot, arrives with her grieving grandfather on his doorstep. Although there is an immediate misunderstanding that nearly frightens the pair away, there is no doubt when Robert sees the stubborn, gray-eyed girl that she is his own child. An emotional Mary and Robert are eager to welcome her to join their unique family, but Twila takes a lot of convincing. They are all too nice and welcoming, and she struggles to accept that this strange fierce man and beautiful woman can really be offering her the home and happiness that she has always wanted. Then there are his other strange children that she will have to learn to trust and maybe love as well. But can a little girl who has been raised to fear and hate a man ever call him papa and can a collection of scattered seeds ever become a true family? less