Red Ruby

9. WHISPERS OF THE SUNKEN SHIP - THE RED RUBY SERIES A respected sea captain, Simon Verbeeck, is summoned by the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope for an urgent mission. A Dutch vessel, the Sluiskerk, has vanished without a trace, and whispers of resurgent pirates along the treacherous West African coast fill the air. Driven by a sense of duty and a thirst for the mysteries of the sea, Simon embarks on a perilous journey aboard his ship, The Red Ruby. What begins as a search for a missing ship quickly spirals into a desperate hunt for a young woman, the Governors niece, who was aboard the vanished vessel. Simons quest leads him to a chilling discovery. He found a longboat adrift at sea, carrying the dead, gold bars, and a crude map hinting at a hidden danger deep within the African interior. Simon plunges into the unknown, navigating treacherous deserts, battling hostile tribes and pirates and a cunning and powerful pirate who holds all the cards, and a dark secret that could change his destiny forever. As he unravels the mysteries, each revelation leads him deeper into peril. Will he locate the missing girl? What is the secret of the gold? And will he ever see the sea again, or will he join the crew of lost souls who perished on this desolate African shore? This tale of courage and betrayal, with its pulse-pounding action and hidden truths, will draw you into the heart of adventure, leaving you breathless until the very last page.

7. CURSE OF THE MAD PIRATE - THE RED RUBY SERIES In the bustling, sun-drenched settlement of the Cape of Good Hope, a chilling rumor takes root. A pirate ship, bold enough to defy the very shadow of the formidable Castle, has anchored nearby. This audacious act throws the colony into turmoil, sparking fear and disbelief in equal measure. When a terrified hunter stumbles into the Governors office, stammering tales of a pirate flag and cannon ports in Hout Bay, the Governor is forced to confront a reality he deemed impossible. As the threat rapidly escalates, the colonys fate rests upon the shoulders of Simon Verbeeck, a seasoned seafarer with a notorious past of pirate hunting. Called upon by the desperate Governor, Verbeeck and his crew set out in their ship, the Red Ruby, to challenge the encroaching pirate. Yet, the confrontation takes an unexpected turn, plunging Verbeeck into a harrowing pursuit that leads him far beyond the harbors safety. He finds himself ensnared in a treacherous web woven by the cunning and ruthless pirate, John Rogers, a man driven by a deep-seated vendetta and an insatiable desire for conquest. With a shocking arsenal at his disposal, including a terrifying method of attack that threatens to decimate the entire settlement, Rogers uses cunning and strategy to create a deadly game of cat and mouse, pulling Verbeeck into a desperate battle to save everything he holds dear. Secrets and betrayals unfold with every perilous turn as the line between savior and victim blurs. Will Verbeeck be able to outwit the mad pirate, or will the Cape of Good Hope fall victim to a ruthless plan that will change everything? Prepare for a thrilling high-stakes adventure filled with suspense, action, and impossible choices. The survival of a settlement, and the fate of its most beloved citizens, hangs precariously in the balance.

8. PIRATES EXECUTE THE VERDICT - THE RED RUBY SERIES A ship of death adrift off the coast of Africa Thats how Captain Simon Verbeeck, the scourge of pirates, first encounters the Sea Serpent, a slave ship ravaged by a brutal mutiny. Corpses litter the deck, and a chilling silence hangs in the air, broken only by the eerie meow of a lone cat. What began as a simple resupply stop becomes a terrifying plunge into chaos when Verbeecks own ship, the Red Ruby, is seized by the mutineers. They are a band of freed slaves led by the enigmatic and ruthless Joost van der Leeuwen. Left stranded and outmaneuvered, Verbeeck is plunged into a desperate struggle for survival. Stripped of his ship, his weapons, and most of his crew, hes forced to navigate treacherous landscapes and navigate dangerous allegiances. He discovers that Van der Leeuwen isnt just another pirate as his twisted ideals and thirst for power set him apart. Haunted by betrayal and fueled by a burning desire to reclaim whats his, Verbeeck embarks on a relentless pursuit across the perilous seas, forging uneasy alliances with unlikely allies. The stakes rise as hes thrust into a desperate fight against not only Van der Leeuwen and his men, but the very brutal nature of man and thus fighting against forces far more dangerous than the pirates themselves. A thrilling voyage of vengeance and survival ensues, where honor and justice clash with desperation and greed, all while a shocking truth simmers beneath the surface. Can he win back his ship or will his own ruthless nature ultimately cost him everything? Prepare for a tale where the line between hero and villain is as tempestuous as the ocean itself.

4. ECHOES OF THE SKY - THE RED RUBY SERIES Captain Simon Verbeeck, a renowned seafarer, sails the Red Ruby through the treacherous waters of the West Indies, a region rife with pirates and hidden dangers. During a seemingly insignificant discovery, a drifting skiff containing corpses and a cryptic message, throws Simons well-ordered voyage into chaos. The message, carved into the wood, speaks of a missing ship, the Valencia, and a mysterious command that states. Go to Barbuda. Driven by a sense of duty and a thirst for adventure, Simon deviates from his course, sailing towards the small, seemingly insignificant island. But Barbuda is not what it seems. There, he uncovers a conspiracy far grander than he could have imagined, involving pirates, rogue Spanish officials, and a shocking betrayal. He finds himself a prisoner on his own ship, forced to confront a cunning enemy who holds the key to a vast treasure and the fate of the entire region. Simon must forge unlikely alliances, facing down betrayal and near-certain death, to expose a web of deceit and reclaim what was stolen. A daring escape and a desperate fight for survival propel him back towards Barbuda, not as a victim but as a force to be reckoned with. The fate of the islands hangs in the balance as Simon navigates treacherous waters, battling not just pirates, but a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of power. Will he succeed in unraveling the truth and bringing justice to the lawless seas, or will he become another echo lost to the sky?

5. QUEST FOR THE PEARL OF MALSIA - THE RED RUBY SERIES Captain Simon Verbeeck, a man haunted by loss at the hands of ruthless pirates, finds his life irrevocably intertwined with the fate of a legendary jewel and the beautiful woman he loves. When his beloved wife, Maria, is kidnapped by the notorious pirate Antonio de Santos, Simon embarks on a perilous chase across the treacherous waters of the Malsia Peninsula. But their reunion is short-lived, for fate has more cruel tricks up its sleeve. Their paths cross again when Simon is forced to rescue the kidnapped daughter of a Malsia king, an act that earns him a treasure beyond his wildest dreams - a golden pearl of immense value. However, this newfound wealth comes with a price, as betrayal and treachery lurk within his own crew, threatening to destroy his plans and steal his hope. A bitter struggle ensues between Simon and his ruthless pirate foe. It is a contest of skill and bravery on the high seas, but just as victory seems within Simons reach, a devastating loss changes everything and sends him on a new desperate journey. With his ship destroyed and his wife once again in the clutches of De Santos, Simon embarks on a desperate trek into the heart of the Malsia jungle. Here, fate is a fickle mistress, and the odds are stacked against him. From encounters with treacherous crew members to perilous confrontations with rival factions, Simon is relentless in his pursuit. Driven by a fierce determination and the burning desire to reunite with his wife, Simon must risk everything to confront his enemies and reclaim his life, while battling against overwhelming odds and treachery. Will Simons courage be enough to win, or will he fall victim to the ruthless world of piracy and deceit? This is a story of love, loss, and the relentless pursuit of justice, set against the backdrop of a lush and dangerous world where the stakes are as high as the sails that propel them through the wild sea.

6. THE KINGS RANSOM - THE RED RUBY SERIES The tranquil waters of the Indian Ocean conceal a deadly secret, a buried treasure that promises riches beyond imagination, and a journey paved with treachery. Captain Simon Verbeeck, a renowned hunter of pirates, finds himself on an unusual quest, not for justice, but for fortune. Guided by a mute former pirate, John Tobey, whose past is etched with cruelty and betrayal, they seek an island whispered about in legends. But paradise is a deceptive facade. Their arrival shatters their expectations, revealing a hidden presence and a chilling conspiracy that twists the familiar into the terrifying. What begins as a hunt for treasure becomes a desperate fight for survival as loyalties are tested and friendships shatter under the weight of greed and cunning. A band of outcasts, the dregs of the pirate world, rise up to claim their own bloody destiny, and Verbeeck is caught in their desperate struggle. Will his courage and skill be enough when his greatest enemy isn't a foe on the high seas but the very men he trusted? Against a backdrop of exotic lands and treacherous seas, this is a tale of daring escapes, high-stakes gambles, and the haunting echoes of past betrayals. Who is the true enemy? What is the price of freedom? And can Verbeeck overcome his deepest fears and reclaim what was stolen? Dive into a story where every wave hides a threat, every shadow conceals a deception, and the line between hunter and hunted blurs until it vanishes altogether.

2. THE PIRATES TREASURE - THE RED RUBY SERIES Seafarer Simon Verbeeck, a renowned pirate hunter, is ready for his next adventure. After three months of respite, the call of the sea is strong, and his magnificent ship, the Red Ruby, is primed for action. But a chance encounter on the streets of Table Bay throws his carefully laid plans into turmoil. A mysterious, crippled stranger intercepts Simon with an urgent plea. He must visit a condemned murderer, Arie Zeeman, imprisoned in the local castle. Intrigued, Simon ventures into the castles depths and discovers Zeeman carries not only guilt but a staggering secret. It is a living map tattooed onto his back, leading to the legendary treasure of the Santa Rosa, a Spanish galleon lost at sea. But Zeemans secret is also coveted by the ruthless pirate, Devil Harrison, who is not far behind. Suddenly, Simon finds himself abducted and on a treacherous journey, caught in the crosshairs of a deadly treasure hunt. Imprisoned, tortured, and betrayed, he must use all his courage, resourcefulness, and the bond he forges with fellow captives to outwit Harrison. Simon must decide if he will reveal the secret map and what price he will pay for it to achieve justice and his own survival? Will he be able to escape Harrisons clutches, or will the secret of the Santa Rosa be buried with him forever? This is more than just a treasure hunt; its a gripping tale of loyalty, betrayal, and the unbreakable spirit of those who dare to challenge the darkest corners of the sea. Prepare to be swept away on a voyage where courage is tested, secrets are deadly, and the line between pirate and hero blurs with every wave.

3. EMERALD OF THE HIGH SEAS - THE RED RUBY SERIES Off the coast of Barbados, a lone ship, the Red Ruby, charts a course home, its captain, Simon Verbeeck, eager for respite from pirate encounters. But a mysterious white flag fluttering from a tiny, uncharted island disrupts their journey. Driven by curiosity and a seamans instinct, Simon investigates, unearthing a grim secret. The bleached skeleton of a man clutching a magnificent, blood-red ruby, and a journal speaking of a hidden Paradise of Malu and its cursed treasure. The diary hints at a lost love, a woman named Juanita, and a perilous journey that ended in tragedy. Simon, captivated by the mystery, alters course to Barbados, determined to uncover the truth. His quest brings him face-to-face with the ruthless pirate, Jeremiah Hicks, and the alluring but enigmatic Juanita. A clash of swords and desperate escapes ensue, leading Simon down a rabbit hole of secrets and ancient curses. The pursuit of the Paradise of Malu becomes a high-stakes race, with the legendary treasure and the deadly curse drawing both Simon and his enemies closer. Betrayal, perilous seas, and a haunting, singing rock all stand in his way. Can Simon navigate the treachery, outwit his foes, and claim the treasure, or will he succumb to the curse that haunts the legend of Malu? This is a story of adventure, greed, and a fight for survival in a world where the line between truth and myth blurs.