Heartbeat [Mass Market Paperback]

Joan Johnston (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1997

Dedicated Texas Ranger Jack Kittrick is hard on the trail of a killer who is preying on the helpless in a large San Antonio hospital--a hunt that leads him to Maggie Wainwright, the beautiful, enigmatic legal eagle who had access to the victims. . .and a motive for the crimes. The more Jack learns about Ms. Wainwright, the more this secretive lady--who makes his spurs tangle and his heart run wild--enthralls and perplexes him.

When her own son becomes the killer's target, Maggie can no longer keep silent about her painful. shadowy past. With everything she truly cares about at stake, Maggie must cast her fate to the Texas winds. . .and trust her future--and her love--to the determined lawman who has more questions for her than she has answers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Johnston does contemporary weaterns to perfection." -- -- Publishers Weekly

About the Author

One of the most popular romance writers in America today, former attorney and college professor Joan Johnston, a New York Times bestseller, has over 10 million books in print worldwide.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (September 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380782413
• ISBN-13: 978-0380782413
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #987,583 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #32 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Authors, A-Z > ( J ) > Johnston, Joan

More About the Author

Joan Johnston, the New York Times bestselling author of the Bitter Creek novels A STRANGER'S GAME, THE NEXT MRS. BLACKTHORNE, THE RIVALS, THE PRICE, THE LONER, THE TEXAN, THE COWBOY, and the historicals NO LONGER A STRANGER and COLTER'S WIFE, has written more than forty award-winning historical and contemporary romance novels. She received a master of arts degree in theater from the University of Illinois and graduated with honors from the University of Texas School of Law at Austin. Joan Johnston lives in Colorado and South Florida.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Romantic suspense at its' best, July 13, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Heartbeat (Mass Market Paperback)

While investigating a serial mercy killer of terminally ill children, Jack Kittrick meets attorney Maggie Wainwright, one of his suspects. As they get to know each other better, they begin to fall in love. However, Jack has problems with Maggie being an alcoholic since it reminds him of his unhappy childhood growing up with a drunken mother. Maggie feels guilty that she caused the deaths of her husband and one of her children, and the brain damage suffered by her other child.

As the couple becomes intimate, they realizes that a deranged killer targets Maggie's surviving son as the next victim. Maggie and Jack must quickly act to halt the plan of a maniacal serial killer, before more tragedy strikes the pair. If they fail in their quest, their potential future together may also die from the subsequent despondency.

HEARTBEAT is a brilliant romantic suspense that novel will remind readers of some of the best works of Nora Roberts and Tami Hoag. The lead characters will steal the hearts of readers as they struggle to surmount tragedies from their past and stop a new calamity from happening in order to forge a future together. There is some graphic sex scenes that might turn off some readers, but fans of serial killer mysteries or romantic intrigue will devour Joan Johnston's terrific tale.

Harriet Klausner

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not one of her best, July 15, 2002

By 

mahikahn (Columbus, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Heartbeat (Mass Market Paperback)

I've enjoyed all of this author's books that I've read but, wasn't too jazzed about this one. The plot idea was good but I too figured out who the culprit was about half way through the book.

The characters were not well-developed. Because of the fact that we didn't get enough background, it was not easy to figure out their motivations for the things they did.

Jack's attitude toward Maggie was arrogant & self-centered. She was good enough for him to have sex with, but not good enough to have anything more with because she was an alcoholic. Who by the way hadn't had a drink in almost ten years and during that time gone to law school and had a thriving practice. I realize his mother was an alcoholic but his mother NEVER stopped drinking! And it's not like he was perfect!

2.0 out of 5 stars Subject Matter too Dark and stressful to enjoy, August 11, 2005

By 

Undisclosed - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heartbeat (Mass Market Paperback)

This book was a disappointment as someone looking for an easy romance. Its nothing like the Hawk's Way series and, to my mind, I read for enjoyment and stress reduction. Reading about dead children, brain damaged children, a cold blooded murderer without a conscious, a drowning and comatose child, and alcoholism is just not my idea of a relaxing read. And what happened to the breathtaking romance Joan Johnston created in prior novels? You will not find it here. I say skip this one in favor of the Hawk's Way novels if you are seeking a romance read.