The Baron Brand — Jory Sherman

It is the eve of the bloodiest war in American history, but the ranchers of the Rio Grande Valley are already locked in combat -- with the Apaches and each other. Martin Baron, who finds himself in a feud with his neighbor, Matte Aguilar. is soon in grave danger when a killer from New Orleans conspires to destroy everything he has worked so hard to create.

Meanwhile, Anson Baron. Martin's proud, yet heartsick son, must head out alone on a mission to stop the Apache chief Culebra from massacring the settlers. It is a story of slave smuggling, murder, treachery, violence, and passionate love as the men and women of central Texas struggle for wealth and power in a savage and uncertain world.