A massacre along the Rio Grande draws Bishop and his SAINT team to the border with Mexico. Their investigation soon reveals a local conflict that challenges the Texan’s moral compass while testing the Alliance’s commitment to individual freedoms. Butter finds himself at the center of the dilemma, torn between a woman who desperately needs his help and the loyalty he feels toward Bishop and the team. Lured by a girl who has captured his heart, Butter becomes a pawn in a high stakes political game in which he is accused of murder and sentenced to death. Bishop and Terri must find a way to save their friend without pulling the Alliance into a conflict it cannot win.

The border town of Forest Mist resides in the Great Piney Woods and is famous throughout the Alliance for its lumber and rare hardwoods. In need of building materials for their new ranch home, Bishop and Terri travel east. It is the couple’s anniversary, and both feel the need for a change of scenery. As they cross Texas, they discover a dark, brewing confrontation simmering just under the surface of Alliance society. Instead of a relaxing journey through the heart of the Lone Star Nation, Bishop and Terri are thrust into a local conflict that threatens to divide Forest Mist and the Alliance as a whole. It is a test not only of their survival skills, but their values, morals, and love of freedom.

Someone is trying to shake down Pete’s burgeoning business, threats of intimidation, arson, and murder hanging in the air. When the bar in Meraton is attacked, Bishop is pulled into a fast-paced, brutal conflict that threatens the recovery of post-apocalyptic Texas. The violence continues to escalate as the Texan travels the Lone Star Republic, trying to protect his friend and livelihood. He is up against a well-organized, ruthless foe that seems to have unlimited resources and will stop at nothing to dominate the Alliance. Ghosts of the mafia seem to have arisen in the Hill Country, a shadowy organization countering his every move. Treachery and corruption come into play as Terri joins her husband on his quest. It will take all of the couple’s skills and bravery to come out of this alive. The 17th book in best-selling author Joe Nobody’s popular series, Holding Their Own, Vendetta is told directly from Bishop’s perspective, in his own words.

Diana is running for reelection, and soon discovers that there are no rules in post-apocalyptic politics. The citizens of the Alliance become deeply embroiled by the bitter contest, a ruthless challenger seeking to divide and conquer the people of the Lone Star Nation. While the brutal campaign is waged, Bishop becomes immersed in fighting a mysterious crime wave that is sweeping across the territory. His efforts soon uncover treachery, that when exposed, pushes the Alliance to the brink of civil war.

The dark shadows of her experience in Forest Mist continue to impact Terri’s life, her emotional health deteriorating to dangerous levels. Bishop, despite his devotion and support, can’t seem to help his wife heal. When it becomes clear that Blackjack Jones is still alive, Bishop is forced to take drastic action. Old friends rally to Bishop’s cause, joining him on a dangerous mission to arrest Terri’s nemesis and bring the monster to justice. It won’t be easy. Protected by his criminal empire and embedded in a city that he controls with an iron fist, Blackjack isn’t about to surrender or go down without a fight. There is no rule of law, no code of conduct. Only the strongest will survive.

Before is a prequel to best-selling author Joe Nobody’s popular series, Holding Their Own. Bishop and Terri have just begun their romance when the Texan is dispatched to the Ukraine and assigned to protect critical company assets. He, along with Spider and the Colonel, become unwillingly entangled in an international plot to overthrow the government in Kiev. After thwarting an abduction, Bishop is forced to flee across Europe. While protecting an injured woman, he realizes she is the key to exposing the conspiracy that pits patriotism against political corruption. Pursued by hostile foreign agents, Bishop must adapt to survive and use all of his skills to keep Terri alive. Brimming with non-stop action, Before will keep you on the edge of your seat while revealing some of the experiences that eventually helped everybody’s favorite post-apocalyptic couple to survive the pending collapse.