Confessions [Paperback]

JoAnn Ross (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1995

Whiskey River is a quiet Arizona mountain town--until it's rocked by murder. The death of Laura Swann Fletcher, the wife of senator and presidential hopeful Alan Fletcher, makes headlines across the nation. As sheriff, it's Trace Callihan's job to solve the murder. But this case is different, because Mariah, Laura's sister insists on being "completely" involved.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

There're lots of four-wheel-drive vehicles in modern western romance. Heroine Mariah Swan drives her Jeep Grand Cherokee from Malibu to Whiskey River, Arizona, to make a new beginning with her estranged sister, Laura, the wife of a no-account, philandering Senator. Regrettably, before Mariah arrives, someone murders Laura and her unborn baby. Mariah, who's an Emmy-winning TV mystery writer, stays on in Arizona to catch the killer and win Trace Callahan, the sexy but vulnerable sheriff. Trace has a hard time fighting his hormones, and mixing passion with his murder investigation threatens to compromise his squarejawed integrity. As is increasingly common, both lovers have been knocked around by life-a characteristic that provides another obstacle and opportunity for intimacy. Old-hand Ross (Legacy of Lies) follows all the usual trails, sometimes using cliches to indicate thrills and chills instead of delivering the goods.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

". . . a hot, steamy mystery sure to keep the reader guessing right up to the final climax. A page turner." -- A Little Romance

". . . masterfully weaves a tale of momentum and curves. Between the intrigue and the steamy romance, you'll be left breathless." -- Romantic Times

"...touches of humor nicely relieve the suspenseful nature of the intriguing and intricately plotted tale. Bravo! -- The Paperback Forum

"JoAnn Ross takes her audience on a thrilling roller coaster ride that leaves them breathless." -- Affaire de Coeur --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Mira; First edition (December 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155166092X
• ISBN-13: 978-1551660929
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 3.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,357,528 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I wrote my first story -- a tragic romance about two star-crossed Mallard ducks -- as a second grade writing assignment. The paper earned a gold star. And I kept writing.

I've since written around a hundred novels and have been published in twenty-six countries. Two of my titles have been excerpted in Cosmopolitan magazine and my books have also been published by the Doubleday, Rhapsody, Mystery Guild, and Literary Guild bookclubs. As a New York Times, U.S. Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller, I'm also a member of the Romance Writers of America's Honor Roll of best-selling authors.

I'm currently writing my Shelter Bay series, set on the magnificent Oregon coast where, when I was eighteen-years-old, my high school sweetheart bought me a bag of taffy, then proposed. The smartest thing I ever did was say yes!

My husband and I live in our beloved Pacific Northwest, with three rescued dogs who pretty much rule the house. (And, in case you're wondering, that taffy store is still there! )

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An intriguing book....., April 2, 2003

By 

Teri L. Perez "Avid reader" (Rochester, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Confessions (Mass Market Paperback)

The murder of Laura Swann Fletcher, wife of senator and presidential hopeful Alan Fletcher, rocks the town of Whiskey River, Arizona. Trace Callaghan spent 16 years on the Dallas police force, before accepting the job of sheriff in Whiskey River, where things like this haven't happened in years. He will be tested over and over again in solving this murder, and to add fuel to the fire, Laura's sister Mariah returns to town, determined to help find the killer.

Politics aspirations and family skeletons have a big part in this story. Mariah, a well known, award winning TV mystery writer, thinks she possesses the skills to assist Trace with his investigation, and has pegged her brother-in-law Alan as the killer. Add to the plot that Laura was pregnant, and Alan was not the father, and another interesting turn of events - and suspects emerge.

Trace, being the upstanding, intelligent guy he is, tries to deny his growing feelings for Mariah, knowing his vulnerability to her will only compromise his investigation. After attempts are made on Mariah's life, this plan goes by the wayside as the sparks fly between these two intriguing characters. No one is whom they seem in Whiskey River, leaving a lot of secrets to uncover in this steamy and intricately plotted suspense. JoAnn Ross delivers again, leaving readers guessing right up to the end.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a must read!, February 9, 2005

By 

That's Life! - See all my reviews

This review is from: Confessions (Hardcover)

This book is a murder mystery as well a romance and has a twist at the end. I read a lot and found this book worth the read. It sets the scene for a saga based in Whiskey River. The other books are "The Outlaw," "Untamed," "Wanted," and "Ambushed." (The last four books are Harlequin Temptation. They are all worthy.)

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great romantic suspense...., March 22, 2003

By 

iheartjackbauer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Confessions (Mass Market Paperback)

Mariah Swann has come home to Arizona after a nearly fifteen year absence. Her family was ripped apart when she was a teenager for reasons she and her sister, Laura, were never clear on. Wanting to get out from her father's thumb, she decides to head to Hollywood where she is extremley successful. First as an actress, then as a writer, Mariah feels she can finally come home to Arizona in triumph. All she wants to do is mend her relationship with the sister she has always loved. When she gets home and finds that Laura was murdered, she vows that she will not shed one tear until her sisters murderer is brought to justice. Nothing will stop her from finding who killed her sister, not even Sherriff Trace Callahan.

Trace Callahan was a big city cop turned small town Sherriff. The only crimes that he has had to deal with since becoming Sherriff were noise disturbances and small domestic disbutes. He suddenly finds himself heading the investigation of the murder of a Senator's wife and dealing with a head strong blonde that he can't get out of his head. He feels that he is being very chivalrous letting Mariah tag along during his investigation. He soon learns that Mariah doesn't tag along with any one.

You can't go wrong in Ross's novel of desire and murder. There are a lot of secrets in this small Arizona town, secrets that Trace and Mariah work together to uncover.