Heck Carson is finally enjoying his dream of being a rancher, though with money being in short supply, he still has to spend much of his time working as a bounty hunter for the Texas governor. With his brother, two ranch hands, and an orphan boy he finds on the trial, Heck is able to start building his ranch into something, but just when his dream of success finally seems within reach, a local cattle baron starts a range war.Mason Lorde owns the largest ranch in Parker County, and he uses his vast wealth to hire an army of gunhands and cutthroats to either force the small ranchers to cut and run or to kill them off. With his brother as town marshal and his oldest friend as county sheriff, Lorde figured there would be no one to stop him from controlling the territory, but he was wrong.Heck is not a man to run from a fight, so with no other choice, he builds an army of his own and prepares to go to war. As the death toll mounts on both sides of the fight, Heck Carson and his men must not only protect themselves, but they also must find a way to protect the innocent folks of Parker County before they become casualties of war.Forbidden Country is the fifth book in the Heck Carson series and brings the Old West alive with thrilling chases and edge of your seat excitement. Fans of the series will not be disappointed as Heck Carson continues to fight for law and order on the Texas frontier while also trying to build a life and legacy of his own.QUOTES: "You've got quite the reputation yourself, Mister Slater," Heck replied. "Let's you and me settle this business here and now. I don't believe in putting off till tomorrow those I should kill today.""Well, boys," Heck said, "I reckon we can all go to the devil together, or you can all drop your guns in the dirt and ride out of town.""Say what ya will, ' Heck replied, "but I've got a job to do and I ain't gonna quit till it's done.""Suit yourself, but I guarantee your boss ain't paying ya enough for this," Heck said, pulling his Peacemaker."Tell Horace Snow the next time he wants to show me where I belong, he'd better do it himself. If I ever see either of you again, I'll bury ya where I find ya.""They're not savages, kid. They were men just like us, but with a different set of beliefs. We did what we had to do, and they did what they had to do. The only difference is, we get to see another day...""Sheriff, I think you know as good as I do that this ain't just one or two dregs stealing a couple of cows for whiskey money. Mason Lorde wants to force all the small ranchers out of the county and cutting fences and stealing stock is just the beginning. He'll keep upping the ante till we give up or we're six feet under.""That's right, so just let the matter drop and get outta the territory. The cattle business is full of men just like Mason Lorde and you're better than their kind. The law is an honorable profession, and from what I've heard, you were a credit to your badge. Any town would be proud to have you as their marshal, and while you might not die rich, at least you'll put your head on your pillow each night with a clear conscience.""I encourage you to try," Heck said, "but you and your brothers will be dead before you clear your holster.""This place won't never amount to anything as long as Mason Lorde and the other cattle barons are set on running us out, so yes, if a war's gotta come, it's better that it comes now."The Sheriff picked up his beer and took a long drink, after which he turned to Mason and said, "Mason, you're a rich man, and while you might own everything for as far as the eye can see, you don't own the law. As long as I wear this badge, I intend to uphold the law, even if that means going against you, my oldest friend."
