
Welcome to RJ's Cowboys
I love writing Cowboys & Ranchers – in fact, Texas was my first big series and after that, Montana. There is something about men in their worn jeans with their can-do attitudes. They are hard workers, passionately tied to their land and loving the animals they tend.
In Texas and Montana, both ranches are struggling financially. In Texas, Jack is blackmailed into marriage because of his vulnerable financial situation. In Montana, Nate hires in Jay to help turn the ranch around, and in doing so finds love.
In Legacy (the spin-off from Texas) each boy needing help is partnered with a horse, and the Legacy Ranch, set up by Jack Campbell-Hayes, is a place for healing
In the Wyoming duology (Book 2 coming early 2021) Micah fights a brutal winter to rebuild his ranch and fights ghosts from the past to make a home for his family.
I hope you enjoy the weekend and watch Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for competitions and Sales.
RJ's Competition
Gabriel
Trapped in darkness, can an escort find a man to help him into the light?
Gabriel Reyes never gave in. He fought and was hurt, was abused but escaped with his life. He made his way in the world using the one thing he was good at: sex. He earned a place with a man who controls everything but Gabriel is safe; he’s made it.
Cameron Stafford hires Gabriel for a night, needing nothing more than a pretend boyfriend to get his dysfunctional family off his back. With the money he has in the bank and his own hotel, why won't they just leave him alone? It doesn’t matter that a degenerative disease has stolen his vision, or that his last boyfriend was a bastard who tried to steal from him; for now he has purpose.
When Gabriel and Cam fall for each other, can they find real happiness and, maybe, a forever that will save them both?
A new story set in the world of Jack and Riley Campbell-Hayes and the Double D Ranch, Texas.
Please be aware: emotional and physical abuse are depicted on the page in this book
More info →Daniel
When the world crumbles around them both, Legacy ranch becomes their only hope.
Daniel trusted a man and lost everything. Unable to make his way in the world he takes Jack Campbell-Hayes at his word and asks him for help.
Corey wants the truth even though he knows it will lead to heartbreak and pain. Money can’t erase his family’s mistakes but he has to find Daniel to make things right.
More info →Winter Cowboy
Tragedy tore them apart and hate got in the way of love. Is a second chance even possible?
Micah Lennox left Whisper Ridge after promising the man he loved that he would never return. But the only way he knows to keep his pregnant sister and nephew safe is to go home. Spending winter in Wyoming opens too many old wounds, but he's on the run from justice which can't be far behind, and this is his last chance at redemption.
After a hostage situation leaves Doctor Daniel Sheridan struggling with PTSD, he returns to Whisper Ridge. Joining his dad in family practice is a balm to soothe his exhausted soul, and somehow, he finds a peace he can live with. That is until he meets Micah in a frozen graveyard, and the years of anger and feelings of betrayal boiling inside him, erupt.
Micah and Daniel have a past that was destroyed by lies and tragedy, and even if hate could turn to love, will Micah stay at Whisper Ridge?
More info →Kyle
Two men destroyed by the past learn to live—and love—again.
Kyle Braden has nowhere else to go. With no money and no prospects, he turns to the only man who promises him help. Jack Campbell-Hayes wants to show Kyle that he can be more than he ever thought.
Kyle begins to see how far he’s come from being the scarred man who shut everyone out, when the first person through the doors of Legacy Ranch is Jason; a young man with nightmares that follow him when he's awake.
Lost in the system and with three years on the streets marking every inch of his body, Jason Smith is scared. His life is an evil mess of hate and despair, and even the offer of a fresh start and a clean bed isn’t enough for him to feel safe. Until Kyle comes into his life and shows him that it's okay not to be in control.
For these broken men, Legacy Ranch offers more than a place to live and work.
It offers hope.
More info →Home For Christmas
Can Connor show River a real Texas family Christmas?
When Connor finds River perched on the roof of the campus admin building, drunk and shouting into a snowstorm with a bottle of vodka in hand, getting him down is the easy part. The real challenge begins when Connor insists that River come home to Texas with him for Christmas.
River has no family or place he truly calls home outside of college. He’s perfectly content spending Christmas alone in his budget motel, watching reruns of Elf. But Connor’s persistent tales of his family’s picture-perfect holiday celebrations on their ranch are starting to chip away at River’s resolve. He never asked to be dragged to Texas. He didn’t want to fall in love with the larger-than-life Campbell-Hayes family. And yet, he does.
From one Christmas to the next, this is Connor’s chance to rescue River—and himself. Along the way, there are mistakes to make, hearts to heal, sparks to ignite, and love to discover. For Connor, showing River what it means to belong to a family isn’t just about Christmas—it’s about forever.
More info →Texas Gift
A heartfelt gift for every reader who ever wondered what came next for Jack and Riley...
When Hayley first arrived on the steps of the Double D, Jack and Riley knew their lives had changed forever.
Told through their eyes, this story spans ten unforgettable years of family, following Hayley as she grows up, falls in love, and embarks on her own journey. Along the way, Jack and Riley navigate hurricanes and illness, welcome new babies, share moments of joy and heartbreak, and balance the chaos of work, play, the barn, and the office. Through it all—friends, foes, and everything in between—the one constant is the enduring love that binds them all together.
More info →Texas Wedding
Sometimes, Riley and Jack find themselves stepping into the fray, fighting for what’s right—not just for themselves, but for others.
As the nation waits for a landmark SCOTUS decision on same-sex marriage, Riley and Jack face life-changing choices of their own. But just as hope shines bright, distressing family news and the looming threat of long-buried secrets surfacing test their resilience like never before.
Through the highs and lows—children, family milestones, laughter, and heartbreak—Riley and Jack's bond remains unshakable. This chapter in the Texas series weaves together every challenge they face, proving once again that their love is the foundation of everything they hold dear.
More info →Texas Fall
Jack and Riley’s peaceful family life is shattered when a dangerous cartel entangles Riley, threatening everything they’ve built, while love and life unfold for the rest of the Double D family.
Jack has poured his heart into building an equine therapy program for children with special needs, balancing it alongside his thriving horse training and breeding operations. He and Riley have settled into a quieter, more grounded family life, finding joy in the everyday moments—and occasionally making full use of the barn with the door.
But calm skies rarely last long.
Everything unravels when Riley and his new assistant head to Laredo for an exploratory mission that takes them across the border into Nuevo Laredo. What begins as a routine trip becomes a nightmare as Riley finds himself entangled in a dangerous cartel conflict. Suddenly, the peace Jack and Riley have built is shattered, and Jack must face the terrifying possibility of losing everything he holds dear.
Meanwhile, Vaughn and Darren’s story unfolds, alongside updates on Robbie and Eli, Liam and Marcus, and Sean and Eden—complete with a long-awaited wedding that may not go as planned.
More info →Texas Family
Jack and Riley Campbell-Hayes are about to embark on a journey that will forever alter the course of their lives.
At the heart of the sprawling Double D Ranch, where love and family have always thrived, change is brewing—change that will ripple through the lives of everyone in their world. Jack and Riley, deeply in love and stronger than ever, are ready to grow their family of three. Their dream? Surrogacy, with Jack as the father.
At first, everything seems to fall into place with surprising ease, but both men know their lives are anything but ordinary. When has anything in their world ever gone smoothly? Beneath their excitement lies a quiet dread, a sense that the road ahead might not be as straightforward as it seems.
And then, the unexpected happens. A vulnerable four-year-old boy in foster care enters their lives, bringing with him a whirlwind of emotions, challenges, and hope. Suddenly, Jack and Riley find themselves navigating uncharted waters, balancing the delicate process of surrogacy with the possibility of offering a child in need a forever home.
As the days unfold, they’ll face trials that test their resolve, their love, and their unwavering belief in the family they’re building. Against a backdrop of ranch life, community bonds, and the ever-present unpredictability of Texas, Texas Family is a story of love, resilience, and the lengths we go to for the people who matter most.
More info →Texas Heat
What happens when secrets are exposed and lies unravel? How far are Riley and Jack willing to go to play matchmaker—and what will it cost them?
Life seems picture-perfect for Riley and Jack Campbell-Hayes. Jack is thriving with the DD Ranch’s expansion into training quarter horses, Riley is on the brink of securing his first ethical-based contract, and their daughter Hayley is nearing ten, her joy lighting up their world. But in Texas, tranquility rarely lasts.
When Jack hires Robbie, a man grieving a devastating loss, as his right-hand ranch hand, sparks of change ignite. At the same time, Riley’s audacious and flamboyant photographer friend, Eli, storms onto the ranch, declaring the DD the ideal location for a cowboy-themed model shoot. With twenty scantily clad male models parading across the ranch, the stage is set for chaos, humor, and unexpected revelations.
But Eli isn’t just here for his art. Beneath his charm and mischief, he harbors secrets even Riley doesn’t know. When Eli sets his sights on the guarded and grieving Robbie, his instant attraction sets tongues wagging. Everyone can see they’re meant for each other—except Robbie.
As Riley battles the unrelenting oil establishment determined to see him fail, the heat of a Texas summer stirs emotions, challenges loyalties, and pushes boundaries. From a raucous Gay Rodeo to a brawl at the Rusty Nail, Texas Heat is a story of humor, heartache, and passion, where love is tested, secrets come to light, and Riley and Jack’s bond proves unshakable in the face of it all.
More info →Texas Winter
Riley Hayes thought he'd left the ghosts of his past behind, but fate had other plans.
As Riley navigates the demands of running Hayes Oil, his late brother’s shadow resurfaces in ways he never could have predicted—threatening his reputation. When a shocking discovery implicates Riley in a federal investigation, the FBI comes knocking, and it’s not just his career on the line. Riley’s integrity, family, and future are all thrown into jeopardy.
Thankfully, Jack Campbell, his rock-solid husband, is by his side, providing unwavering support. But as the pressure mounts, Riley questions how much more Jack can endure. Love may conquer all, but can it withstand the weight of betrayal, secrets, and Riley’s dangerous family legacy?
Amidst the chaos, a revelation during their delayed honeymoon shakes Riley. He has an eight-year-old daughter—one he never knew existed—turning his world upside down. Struggling to connect with a child he’s only just met while fighting to clear his name, Riley must find a way to hold his life together.
With time running out and his enemies closing in, Riley faces the ultimate test of his love, resilience, and determination to protect his family. Will he and Jack emerge stronger than ever, or will the secrets of Riley’s past destroy everything they’ve built together?
More info →The Heart of Texas
In a world of wealth and power, where love is a liability and family can be a weapon, Riley must decide if winning is worth losing everything. The Heart of Texas is a tale of blackmail, revenge, passion, and redemption that will leave no heart unscarred.
Riley Hayes is the golden boy of the Hayes family—wealthy, charming, and ruthless in both business and pleasure. As heir to HayesOil, his future seems guaranteed until his father’s will throws everything into chaos. To secure his inheritance and control of the family empire, Riley must do the unthinkable: marry for love and stay married for a year.
Furious and desperate, Riley concocts a plan that will both satisfy the stipulation and humiliate his father’s oldest enemy. He turns to Jack Campbell, a rugged and principled rancher—and the son of his family’s greatest rival. But Jack has no interest in being a pawn in Riley’s game. Until Riley uncovers a devastating secret that gives him leverage to force Jack into a marriage neither of them wants.
As the world watches their union with suspicion and scorn, Riley and Jack are drawn into a web of lies, betrayals, and dangerous ambitions. Enemies circle, alliances shift, and murder lurks in the shadows of the Hayes empire. Jack, with his quiet strength, becomes Riley’s only anchor—but their growing connection threatens to expose Riley’s carefully constructed façade.
More info →Montana Sky
Martin's heart was broken by his father's sins. Is love possible for someone so damaged?
Martin's name was the very last on Justin's kill list. As the son of a murderer, his childhood was engulfed in a horrific cycle of death, hardening his heart. Now, thanks to the man who called him brave and spared his life, he no longer has to look over his shoulder. But one question haunts him: why did Justin let him live?
Geologist Tyler has uncovered a critical flaw in the seismic mapping system monitoring earthquake activity. Sent to Crooked Tree by the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, his mission is to install a new remote station. However, his growing attraction to Martin, a heartbroken man who thinks he isn't worthy of love, distracts him from his task.
As Tyler and Martin navigate Montana's rugged mountains, their chemistry is off the charts, but is passion enough to prove that even the most dark-hearted of men deserve love?
More info →Second Chance Ranch
Rob runs to Crooked Tree determined to find a safe place for his nephews. A family for them is the final thing on his list, and then he can vanish completely. Falling for a local paramedic along the way is a disaster in Rob's otherwise perfect plans.
Paramedic Aaron, the middle of five brothers, would like someone to love. A great believer in fate he is convinced though, that one day he'll find someone. He just never thought it would be a man in so much pain, or that children would be part of the package.
Rob is ready to leave. Aaron wants him to stay. Can they find a way to save what they have?
More info →Snow In Montana
A small-town sheriff faces chaos when the closeted actor he loves is forcibly outed by a stalker.
Jordan Darby, AKA King of Christmas, is famous for starring in eight made-for-TV holiday romances, always ending up with the girl. But filming at Crooked Tree Ranch in the snowy Montana wilderness, Jordan is battling to establish his new company while keeping a massive secret under wraps. Who would believe in his romantic straight lead persona if rumors about him being gay were confirmed?
Sheriff Ryan Carter believed that advising on a movie set at Crooked Tree would be straightforward until he encountered the charismatic lead actor. As their attraction grows in secret, Jordan's hidden truth is revealed through betrayal, plunging Ryan's once-peaceful life into disarray.
Set against the dramatic backdrop of Montana’s winter wonderland, will Jordan find the courage to be true to himself and build a future with Ryan?
More info →A Cowboy's Home
One burned and broken man finds his way back to Crooked Tree Ranch. Can he find peace in the arms of a man easy to love?
Justin, scarred by his service battling domestic terrorism, never truly embraced the man he was meant to be. Haunted by the death of his best friend—a tragedy he feels responsible for—Justin's life is a constant struggle. After getting shot, he decides that if he's going to die, it should be on the soil of Crooked Tree Ranch. Home.
Ranch chef Sam, deeply rooted in Crooked Tree’s legacy, sees the offer to buy into the ranch as a dream come true. But when he finds the secretive, injured Justin, his priorities shift.
As they navigate their feelings amidst the breathtaking backdrop of Montana, Justin must confront his past to face his future and learn to live as part of a family. In a place where bonds run deep and love heals all wounds, can a broken cowboy find solace and a home in the arms of the man who loves him?
More info →The Rancher's Son
A man without memories and a heartbroken cop who never gave up hope.
Waking up in the hospital after a brutal beating, John Doe has no memory of who he is or who attacked him. The police find no clues to his identity, and he can't recall anything useful—except for the name Ethan and a recurring image of a place from his dreams: Crooked Tree. These two cryptic words are his only lead.
With his family at the center of a loss, Detective Ethan Allens has never stopped working on the cold case of two boys who vanished twelve years ago. When a report with potential new leads crosses his desk, Ethan heads to the hospital. The man he finds isn't his brother, but he holds the key to unraveling the mystery of the past.
As they delve into a web of forgotten memories and hidden truths, they must confront the real demons of the past. Against all odds, a connection forms between them, but if they find the truth, will it destroy their future?
Set against the rugged backdrop of Crooked Tree Ranch, Montana, this is a story of hope, resilience, and unexpected love.
More info →Crooked Tree Ranch
The cowboy, the man from the city, and the ranch where adversity turns to love.
Amidst the chaos of his crumbling life, Jay seizes the opportunity to apply for a marketing role at a dude ranch in Montana. Leaving New York behind, he embarks on a fresh start at Crooked Tree Ranch. However, the infuriating cowboy who constantly challenges him begins to stir up more than just frustration. Falling for the gruff cowboy shocks Jay, but when kisses turn to more, could love be possible?
Nate, a former rodeo star and the ranch's foreman, has been shouldering the responsibility for five years after his mentor fell ill. Encouraged by his brothers and determined to keep the ranch thriving, Nate realizes the necessity of bringing in an expert to propel the business forward. Yet, when the new arrival arrives with a troubled family, Nate is caught off guard by the magnitude of the challenges they bring. As he and Jay work together to transform the ranch, Nate finds himself unexpectedly drawn to the charming city guy, one stolen kiss at a time.
Against the backdrop of the Montana mountains and in saving Crooked Tree Ranch, Nate and Jay fall in love, one kiss at a time.
More info →
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