The Texas Years

by Judith Gould

Elizabeth-Anne Hale, stunning, ambitious, and sensual, arrived in New York with a dream that seemed impossible to everyone but herself. For she knew she had the brains- and the body- to make it come true. In the free-wheeling world of high finance Elizabeth-Anne would own a glittering chain of luxury hotels. In the elite world of high society she would discover love in the arms of a brilliant and dynamic man. But in her self-created dynasty of ruthless ambition, sexual greed, infinite wealth, and scandalous power, Elizabeth-Anne would also discover that "having it all" could carry a desperate and damning price...

Genres: Fiction, Romance

Paperback

First published March 4, 1986

About the author

pseudonym of two authors: Nick Bienes and Rhea (pronounced “Ray”) Gallaher

Reviews

[Arto Mutka · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd book in a trilogy. Carries on the story started in The Texas Years... This book just keeps you enthralled and you can't put it down. Great strong central female character.

[Maryann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this novel greatly illustrated the power of a woman. Her determination, her struggles, not only 'in the kitchen', I believe that's the phrase being used, but also in the world of Business. As James Brown would have said..or sung actually, "it's a Man's world." Elizabeth Hale found that out, as a single mother of five children from the country, who had just arrived in New York. All she had was a dream. She wanted a hotel.
Her beauty, her determination and perseverance charmed everyone who were lucky enough to have known her or crossed paths with her.
The novel follows her story as she lives through generations of her family, keeping them together as well as making her mark on the world, opening various hotels everywhere and seeing them through until she knew that her legacy was in the hands of a worthy successor.
Her great grand daughter Ann, neglected by her father and raised by Elizabeth inherits the same strong streak from Elizabeth to hold a conquering story of her own.
Its an inspiration story of two great business legends with an empire of hotels and tourist attractions right around the globe...two women.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Anne Hale is a single mother, struggling on her own to raise her four children in 1928.
She drags herself up from her bootstraps to become a famous figure who owns a huge chain of hotels.
Moneyed and successful this is the Hales story, from the late 20s, through the war years and all the way upto to the 1980s.
It's a tale that spans generations, the children and grandchildren of that lone mother who became a strong and inspirational matriarch.
Thoroughly enjoyed this sweeping, epic story following a family's fortunes through 20th century.

[Maryann · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most inspiring novel I've ever read about a woman who conquers the world of economy and builds an empire of hotels in her name through sheer hard work.
She lives through three generations of her family and holds them together against the forces of the world before she finds someone worthy to carry on her empire. Her great grand daughter.

[Arto Mutka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I have read quite a few Judith Gould books and this is up there with the best of them... Maybe not as good as the classic Sins or Dazzle, but was a great sweeping intergenerational drama that made me want to read the other two books in this series straight away back to back.

[Cynthia Kairu · Rating 4 out of 5]

its such a beautiful story,i literally shed tears,after watching all the painful and tough odstacles the main protagonist went through and how she was able to jus move foward despite it all it really gave me strength.

[Misfit]

Made it to 50% and lost interest when the daughter's story began. Going to try another time to get back into it. Too many other books are a-calling me.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the characters in Texas Born, LoveMakers (both on my nook) and next I will read the "book" -- Second Love! All excellent books ...

[Jadine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think it was because it was an audio book I had trouble keeping track of the times, since it was jumping forward and back. But overall I didn't hate it.