The Heart of Texas

Texas Series, Book 1

De: RJ Scott

Narrado por: Sean Crisden

Riley Hayes, the playboy of the Hayes family, is a young man who seems to have it all: money, a career he loves, and his pick of beautiful women. His father, CEO of HayesOil, passes control of the corporation to his two sons; but a stipulation is attached to Riley's portion. Concerned about Riley's lack of maturity, his father requires that Riley 'marry and stay married for one year to someone he loves'.

Angered by the requirement, Riley seeks a means of bypassing his father's stipulation. Blackmailing Jack Campbell into marrying him for love suits Riley's purpose. There is no mention in his father's documents that the marriage had to be with a woman and Jack Campbell is the son of Riley Senior's arch rival. Win win.

Riley marries Jack and abruptly his entire world is turned inside out. Riley hadn't counted on the fact that Jack Campbell, quiet and unassuming rancher, is a force of nature in his own right.

This is a story of murder, deceit, the struggle for power, lust and love, the sprawling life of a rancher and the whirlwind existence of a playboy. But under and through it all, as Riley learns over the months, this is a tale about family and everything that that word means.

©2011 RJ Scott (P)2016 RJ Scott

Fantastic

Absolutely one of my favorite series. Can read and now listen to it over and over again. Cant wait to listen to all 7 of the books. A full blown soap opera just in a book. The Heart Of Texas will get you from the 1st page. Hook, Line and Sinker.

I Love This Book & the whole Texas Series!

I love the story of Jack & Riley. I have read the whole series and this is one book I keep re-reading over and over. Come fall in love with Jack & Riley. Well worth your time to enjoy the whole Texas series.

Iove book

I I've all the books in this series I also love all the by this author

😲 wow

what a fabulous book to start a series! I loved the storyline, characters, and tempo of this book. On to the next one!

keeps you on your toes....

The story involves a lot of characters, a couple different stories that intertwine and has romance, suspense, and a bit of mystery. There are several times that I thought I knew the who dunnit/was involved but then it twists again and I find myself running through all the characters to figure out who else would fit. OMG I totally ruled out the actual who dunnit but it was an awesome twist.

The book is from multiple POV. After the 4th POV, I was tempted to call it quits because in the past the multiple POV books didn't work to well for me especially on audio with one narrator. I am so glad that I stuck with it. I think without the multiple POVs the book wouldn't have been as good and Sean Crisdon hit it out of the park. Differences were subtle but enough to tell you it was a different point of view (the book also makes sure to let you know whose POV it is but I find with audiobooks it is necessary to have different tones/voices for different POV.

I highly recommend it.

Don't judge a book by its description!

I had seen this book in my reccomended list for quite a while and just wasn't that interested in the description. I hate books where the Mc is a d0uche, for lack of a better term, and the other Mc still falls in love with him and/or stays with him and that's exactly what this sounded like. Boy was I wrong! Yes Riley is flawed, but there are reasons behind what he does, and you may want to smack him upside the head sometimes but he never makes you dislike him. From the beginning you're rooting for him to break away from his family and be his own man and to fall for Jack. A great book with an unpredictable story line that keeps you guessing throughout.

Brilliant Series, Brilliant Bringing to Life

Overall Series 5th Re-Read 2019:
As I've said many times before, RJ Scott's Texas series was the first published M/M genre book that I read so they will always hold a place of pride in my heart. No matter how many times I read or listen to the journey Jack and Riley Campbell-Hayes, their friends and family take I never tire of it. The characters and the paths they take are so real, so honest, the good and the bad, the heartache and the healing, it never fails to put a smile on face.

As for the audio versions, I can't imagine anyone other than Sean Crisden bringing these stories to life. Sean's voice make Jack, Riley, and the whole Texas family(which grows with each entry because its not just blood that connects everyone) real. Honestly I felt as if I looked up I'd see Jack with Solo Cal out in the yard or Riley on the floor with his maps.

If you haven't read/listened to Texas before I highly recommend giving it a go but it is a series needed to be experienced in order. I warn you though Jack and Riley can be addictive, you'll never want to say goodbye and now thanks to audio you really don't have to😉😉.

Sizzling Romance and Family Drama

If you prepare yourself for a Dallas/Dynasty style soap opera and take all the family drama and secrets, the absurd marriage stipulations that led to the ‘fake’ marriage, and the murder-mystery plot all with a pinch of salt this is a fun and rather enthralling romance. In fact, as the story progressed I found it compelling and entirely believable in a TV drama sort of way.

There’s a host of characters here: from the gorgeous Riley and Jack, whose wonderful sizzling romance is the pivotal point of the story, to the OTT stereotypical ‘baddies’ and the sweet sisters and friends in between. The story is told via multiple points of view, which threw me a little at first as I tend to read romances with only one or two POV. Thankfully, Riley and Jack receive the most scene time, but it was good to be a part of what was occurring elsewhere.

The chapters are generally short, ranging from a couple of minutes to a maximum of twenty-one minutes. The plot moves swiftly and succinctly at times, with no added or unnecessary details. Many of the chapters end with a mini cliffhanger—just like TV soaps often do.

I soon became caught up in all the intrigue and the anticipation of what would happen between the two rival families. I guessed a few of the secrets, but some took me by surprise, which added to the angst I felt for the main characters.

I particularly enjoyed the interaction between Riley and Jack and the way their relationship progressed from ‘enemies’ to ‘fake’ husbands to lovers. The chemistry between them was sizzling from the start and their various sex scenes were hot and narrated with passion.

I always enjoy Sean Crisden’s narration and the distinct voices he creates for the assorted mix of characters. I especially loved the deep sexy drawl he gave to Jack. Great job.

So glad this series is going audio!!

I love this series!!! I've read the series more than once and I'm so glad that it's finally going audio. Sean Crisden has done a wonderful job. I hope we don't have to wait long for the rest of the series!!!

Great story

The author pulls you into the lives of the characters. The narration was great as well. I can see myself reading this again.