The Heart of Texas
Texas Series, Book 1
By: RJ Scott
Narrated by: Sean Crisden
Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 08-09-16
Language: English
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 Hayes Oil, 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.
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+++++++
* ~ * ~ *
Texas Winter
By: RJ Scott
Narrated by: Sean Crisden
Series: Texas (Scott), Book 2
Length: 3 hrs and 59 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 12-23-16
Language: English
Riley's past comes back to haunt him both professionally and personally.
His dead brother left more than just bitter memories for Riley to deal with. The FBI get involved and suddenly it is more than his good name that is on the line. Jack is always there for him, but how much more can Riley's husband reasonably be able to understand?
Especially when Riley finds out on his delayed honeymoon that he has an eight-year-old daughter he never knew existed...
Nothing is simple in the lives of Jack and Riley and in this second book, that constant remains. I loved the first book but this one I love more. I love seeing the love between Jack and Riley grow and the lives they're building together. They’re still learning and when Riley’s past comes back to them, in several different ways, it makes them stronger as a couple and family.
I love the addition of Haley to the family. It shows another side of the characters and from the beginning, Jack and Riley are family men. Though the soap opera drama in this book is less than the first, there is still plenty of drama.
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+++++++
No comments:
Post a Comment