The Heart of Texas

Texas Series, Book 1

By: RJ Scott

Narrated by: 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

Really interesting

There was nothing dull about this story and I loved Jacks nickname, “het boy” for Riley. It was interesting and fun and I look forward to more.

Amazing

Omg!!! I love this book!!!! It’s 3:30am and couldn’t put it down until I was done. Now I’m moving on to number two before I even go to bed lol

Great

Fantastic job in narration. Story and series is great.
Worthy entertainment. Eastern and modern together
Enjoy

My favorite go too book

The twist the tirns the barn yard loving. I love this book and these two guys together.

Good story line not filled with sex

It had just the right balance between a good storyline and a bit of descriptive romance!

The Heart of Texas

The Heart of Texas is the first in RJ Scott’s Texas series. This series must be read/listened to in order as it follows the lives of Riley and Jack Campbell-Hayes and their family. I’ve read and listened to this book many times, and every time I’m like, whew, that’s a soap opera.

Nothing is simple in the lives of Jack and Riley, not even their relationship. This first book explores each of the characters and the unusual way they became a couple and the even more unusual way they became a family. Jack is an easy to love character. Even though his family doesn’t have money, this shows how rich they are and that they really have it all. Jack’s family is a unit, whether they agree with each other or not, they support and stand up for each other. They love and they love hard.

Riley’s character isn’t as open as Jack’s and it takes time to learn him. Though it would be easy to not like him at first, I always did. To the outside world, he has it all, but the reality is without his money there’s nothing there. His family is backbiting, untrustworthy and schemers and some criminals. His story shows that being wealthy means nothing in the end. But, Riley finds the family he needs in Jack’s and that’s able to help guide his family.

Sean Crisden is a fantastic narrator that brings this story to life! Even when I read this story, I hear his voice narrating it in my head because it’s perfection! He is able to give each character distinctive voices and is consistent with the use. He has an easy-to-listen-to voice, keeps a great pace and is clear and concise is his narration. He conveys emotions through the characters and lets the focus be on the story and characters, not the narration.

If you’ve never listened to this audio, or read this series, I’d highly recommend it! Though I love both the books and audiobooks, my preference is the audiobook. It’s easy to fall into the story, shut out the outside world and just be part of the Campbell-Hayes family.

Overall: 5+++++++
Performance: 5+++++++
Story: 5+++++++

Really liked this book!

I liked this book from beginning to end, and think Sean Crisden is an amazing narrator. I was so caught up with the relationship between Jack and Riley, as well as the family secrets and drama, that I didn’t do what I normally do, which is look ahead for hints! I just let the story absorb me, and savored every minute of it. Looking forward to Book 2!