i do have to say that books set in the west aren't my favorite. I really prefer regency set in england or scotland. However saying that I did like this book pretty well. Its the last book in the series, of which i haven't read any of the others, so I think i would have liked the Blackthorn series better if i had.

I have read the other 3 books in this series. I was looking forward to reading this and was excited when I got the book from Netgalley. It is a great read and I am looking forward to more.

Great heroine and hero in this book. While some of the book seemed implausible, it all tied together neatly in the end for a happily ever after.

It takes a lot for me to give up on a book. I hate marking something DNF...I always feel like I didn't try hard enough.

I tried with this book. I really did. But while the rescue was a cool start, everything after made me cringe and want to skim. If this woman really thought Blackthorne was a liar and so callous as to abandon her and those boys, there is NO WAY she would want to marry him. That's not revenge, that's ridiculous. On top of that, I knew this book was part of a series, but there was way too much info dumping about Josie's family and their backstory. I don't even care about her yet and I get a chapter basically summarizing everything that happened in previous books.

To be fair, I only read about 20%. But everything irritated me, made me eyes roll, or left me cold.

Some people loved it, though. It just wasn't for me.

BLACKTHORNE'S BRIDE is about the relationship between rogue gentleman Marcus Wharton, and unexpected heiress Josie Wentworth. The story focuses on the mystery of her family conditions, and the tension between the married couple as Josie questions his disregard for his own family members. Romantic complications follow: will the two of them stay together despite the conflict?

The story opens with my favourite scene in the whole book, mainly because the opening scene is where the majority of the action happens, even if it isn't fully explained. Josie is tied to a post and being whipped for a social crime. Her courage sparks Marcus's interest, who is just passing by. He saves her, although he is forced to part ways with her, already engaged to marry another. However, his wife dies early on and two years later, he must seek a new wealthy bride to cover his expenses. Both characters are only really interesting in this early scene, we see Josie's courage and we see Marcus' kindness and compassion. After this however, neither character really appears to do much else. They predictably end up married, but the rest of the story is simply focused around the mystery of whether he will recognise her, and why he left her and his relatives in poor conditions. It's slightly strange that Josie wants to take revenge by marrying the man who caused her friends harm, and inconsistent that after their marriage she does nothing to give him the hell that she thinks he deserves. Of course, this all stems from a predictable misunderstanding which grows quite unsatisfying.

Unfortunately, there was little to no romantic chemistry or development. They talk slightly about their lives, but they never truly seem to act like real people. The lack of major conflict in the story slows down the pace and I found missing constantly wishing that something exciting will happen, that the stakes will be risen. While I did enjoy the intriguing setting and world-building in a historical context, the story and character development was somewhat lacking. Additionally, there are some words here and there that reflect the language of modern day users, and not characters from a long time ago.

I felt that the premise was interesting, but after the beginning the story seems to fall apart without anything bringing it back together again. The author could have done so much more with it, and there wasn't really any character that I could root for. The minor characters are either completely innocent or simplistically evil. Knowing the premise, one could easily predict the rest of the story. At times, the writing was good, but the story unfortunately fell flat for me. I didn't feel any emotional depth or development, and was unable to get invested. Both romantic leads were generic, predictable and easily forgotten. Overall, I'd suggest giving this one a pass and checking out one of the author's other works. This one didn't quite hit the spot for me.

Note: kindly received via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher and the author for this opportunity.

The last in the series, this story brought everything to a close. I enjoyed Marcus as we saw his kind-heartedness as he rescued Jose, his devotion to his late wife, even his self-absorption as he did what he could to restore his family home. Josie is a strong woman, surviving everything she went through and willing to accept the truth as it comes to light. There are glimpses of characters from the previous books, and I had tears in my eyes as this story came to an end.

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.

Finally. I waited over four years for this title and I am happy to have taken this journey with these four women.

Marcus Wharton, the Duke of Blackthorne rescues Josie Wentworth from some rogue Sioux who were determined to see her dead with a gold watch and an ivory knife. After bringing her home with him to England to nurse her back to health he realizes his fiancee may not be to happy about the woman and asks his best friend (and fiancee's brother) to see that she gets back to America when she has healed. That is the last he sees or hears of her. Long story short, two years later, Marcus's wife is dead and Josie has been hidden away for two years as a maid in one of Marcus's estate with his two nephews. Determined to save them from the cruel house keeper and governess, when Josie discovers her inheritance she devises a plan to marry Marcus so that she'll be their Aunt and can whisk them away to America, away from their abusers and the uncle who doesn't seem to care about their plight to say nothing of keeping her prisoner.

Josie, like all of her sisters, is fiercely protective of those she sees being mistreated and is determined to right those wrongs by any means within her power (a very easy kind of person to like). Also like her sisters, she is very independent and secretive. If I had any complaint about this series it would be how very similar all four sisters are. While I enjoyed all four books in the series, it at times felt like all the same people. The difference here was that Josie was marrying a Duke, not an American rancher. The Duke of Blackthorne, was a great character as well. He is honest, forthcoming, and has the capacity to care deeply. Even when Josie is lying to him he tries to understand her and her motives. I really like that about him.

Overall, a great series. You get some great historical American west romances (in a variety of states) and one set in England, all by chance mail-order and all somehow discovering people related to one another.

I voluntarily read an advanced review copy of this book

I really liked this book, it made me happy inside when I was done. Joan Johnston did a great job spinning this tale that had so many layers that were... slightly obvious but still very enjoyable.

I loved Josie and Marcus together. I really liked that he was so caring and that she was so brave and daring. Together they had the potential to be a great couple. The only thing standing in their way was....lies.

Can Josie and Marcus find away to make things work even though they both have so many secrets in their past? Read and find out!

Blackthorne's Bride is book four in the Mail Order Bride series. It is part of the Bitter Creek universe the Wentworth family married into the the Creed family in the previous book of this series. The Wentworth's are orphaned, their parents died in a fire and the children went to an orphanage. The older siblings one by one ran away taking the younger kids with them. The girls had no choice but answer mail order bride ads to save themselves and their siblings. Josie was with her older twin sisters in a wagon train when it was attacked by the Sioux. Josie defended herself and for that she was captured and tortured. Marcus Wharton, the Duke of Blackthorne, was in the American west with the hope of hunting buffalo what he found was a young woman with a will stronger than anything he's ever seen. After buying her from the Sioux he nursed her and brought her back to England with him. He asked his best friend and soon to be brother-in-law to make sure she made it back to her family after she healed.

Marcus continued living his life he married but his wife died along with the child she was carrying. Marcus was devastated by their deaths and finding out just how much his father squandered away a left the family and estates in desperate need of funds. In his final act of desperation Marcus put an add in the paper looking for a willing heiress. Marcus often thought about that girl he saved and where she was now.
Josie Wentworth wasn't that far way, she never made it back to America she was taken to one of Marcus' forgotten estates in Scotland and became a maid-of-all-work she grew to hate him not just for not sending her back home but also for the abandonment of his nephews, two rambunctious boys. But that all changed the day a Pinkerton man came to the estate and told Josie that not only was her family alive and well but the money they thought was gone after their father's death had been stolen by their Uncle and was now returned to the children. She was now an heiress.

Josie hated leaving the boys behind but her plan was to convince Blackthorne to give her custody of the nephews he cares so little for and she will give him the money he needs. Josie doesn't remember what Blackthorne looks like she was too fevered to remember and she's hoping he doesn't recognize her. The plan changes slightly after meeting Marcus she agrees to marry him that way he gets his money and she has every legal right to the boys. But Blackthorne isn't who she thought he would be and she finds herself falling in love with him. Marcus is intrigued with the beautiful American who showed up on his door in just enough time to save the day. Josie hiding who she is isn't the only problem they face the Dowager Blackthorne hates Josie, Marcus' twin sisters are beautiful young woman but trouble makers and Marcus' best friend is hiding something he should have told his friend long ago.

Overall, this was a typical Joan Johnston romance novel, that's not a bad thing, I love her books it just means that the main characters go through a lot before they finally get their HEA in a way that is very telling to Joan Johnston, I could probably pick out her books anywhere. I love the Bitter Creek series but this is my first of the Mail order Bride series, I did feel a little lost not knowing everything that had happened before but not so much that I didn't enjoy the book. I will add this series to my Joan Johnston library.

Another wonderfully engrossing read by Joan Johnston with many plot twists, multiple levels of deception and two hearts that fear heartache. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you interested throughout the book. I love how the English lifestyle of a duke was woven into this western. Then there is the happy ending that ties together all of the books.

Five Star, yes I said five stars for my very first Joan Johnston book, I know what your thinking what idiot starts with the last book in the series, well hands up I guess me! Seriously though when I picked the book I had no idea; the cover captured my attention , the book blurb pulled me in even father and truth be told the story is so well written it does not matter, you can read this as a standalone and not be lost.

Our heroine Josie Wentworth along with her sisters and brothers survived the great Chicago Fire , unfortunately loosing their parents and sending them all to an orphanage. Life at the orphanage was so terrible the older sisters resort to answering ads for mail order brides, setting the remaining family on an adventure to the American west. An Americ west that is still in its infancy , still being settled and still being fought over between the invading white man and the Native Americans .It is that very Wild West that finds Josie's wagon train being attacked, then she is carried off by a Souix warrior, a warrior who when injured by Josie in her desperate attempt to escape, chooses to repay his single injury by inflicting so much more, beaten ,half stripped and strapped to a whipping pole,enduring the lash of the bull whip across her back and wishing for death is how the Duke of Blackthorne, Marcus Wharton finds her. To spite his freind seaton's urgng and ides urging not to get involved Marcus does just that, he rescues her fromThe Souix warrior in the end by trading her life for his great grandfathers pocket watch and a hunting knife. Marcus is in awe of this young women her bravery and spriit .
Marcus finds himself enthralled with this young women and unable to leave her behind as ill as she is , he chooses to take her back to England with him, see to her wounds and nurse her himself But Josie's ongoing fever no healing requires more time than the voyage back to England allows.
Marcus is after all returning to England to wed his best freind Seaton's sister Famny , so his infatuation with this young Unkown girl must end , he leaves her in Seaton's hands to ensure her well being and make sure that she is returned to her family in America.
This however is where the deception begins .
Two long years later Josie is still trapped in England a maid of all work at a remote holding of the very man who rescued her and promised to return her back other family in America , just a broken promise . However if not for Josie the Dukes orphaned nephews would be left to the devices of battling staff that have no intrest in protecting no cring for these young men; Josie finds herself caring for these boys and keeping them out of harms way . Frustrated with her and the boys situation she writes letter free letter to the Duke with no answer . Leaving Josie to wonder why the Duke never comes to seethe girl he rescued or his two nephews , what type of man leaves his two nephew s to the whims of an uncaring staff for two years without so much s looking in on them once .
Fate intervenes for Josie and the boys when a Pinkerton man arrives seeking her out , informing her that her family s been searching for her and she is also. Wealthy heiress , her families fortune pre Chicago Fire having been found.
Josie determined to save the boys from their hell chooses to visit The Duke of Blackthorne and entreat him to allow her to take them back to America since he cars not for them. What Josie discovers when she reaches London is that the very same Duke is seeking an American heiress to wed to save his financially ruined estate
Josie , just happens to be an American heiress, one who is plotting some revenge that will cost of her new found wealth , but that will save the boys also. Marrying the Duke to achieve the desired result a small price to pay. Once she is the boys aunt she will not have legal issues leaving with the boys. And doubly the Duke would bother to follow. What she does not expect is to fall in love.

Overall, a wonderfully engrossing read with plot twists multiple levels of deception nod two hearts that fear heartache. Of course in the end an Hea for all!

I'm a fan of historical romance.
I'm a fan of perfect male characters : arrogant, sexy and dreamy but oh so sweet.
I'm a fan of strong, loyal, bold and courageous heroine.
And I love a good plot that involves sweet and hot romance, good secondary characters and big loving families.

This book was great. I spend a good time reading it and I recommend for all lovers of historical romance.

I always enjoy Joan Johnston books. Cowboys, Dukes, England, Indians, mail order brides, current day, doesn't matter to me. Never read one I didn't enjoy. This one was mostly in England, with family in America. I love reading about the decendants of the previous books. Blackthornes and Creeds. I need to go back & reread my old books to catch back up on everybody.

I might be new to Ms. Joan Johnston works this being the first book of hers I have ever read even though this is in a series the book is easy to understand. There is enough background in the story that you could read the book as a standalone because that is precisely what I have done. The characters major and minor are very three dimensional plus engaging that you can’t help but like them. Of course I will plan on reading the rest in the Bitter Creek novels because I want to know the rest of the sister’s stories. Ms. Johnston just has a captivating way of writing that pulled me into the story and didn’t let go until the very end. Along with a beautifully well-done cover this is exactly how I pictured what Josie and Marcus to look like.
Marcus Wharton Duke of Blackthorne while in America in a Sioux village along with his future brother-in-law David Madison the Earl of Seaton watch in horror as a young girl is getting whipped. Marcus can’t believe the atrocity and viciousness done to a girl so he saves her by taking her back to England. Two years later Marcus has been married, widowed, left without an heir and in debt has never forgotten the girl. Marcus knows that he must marry well an heiress in order to save his home so advertises for a wife. Fortunately a girl Josephine “Josie” Wentworth answers the ad who is she Marcus wonders and why can’t he keep his attraction to her without losing his heart?
When I first started reading about Marcus I was just knew I was going to like him. He was chivalrous, kind, sensitive, loving and charming. Obviously he loved his first wife and despite his resolve not to fall for Josie he just couldn’t help himself or his heart. In fact I couldn’t help but crush on him a little bit myself. I felt kind of bad for him especially when everyone was kind of picking on him and betraying him. I just kept thinking poor guy and just wanted to give him a hug. Josie was also just a wonderful heroine beautiful, feisty, smart and independent. She wasn’t scared to stand up to anyone no Sioux Indian, Mrs. Pettibone, Miss Sharpe even Marcus most of the time even though she had so much animosity toward Marcus I was cheering her on. I did want to shake her a few times especially when she wanted to be mean to Marcus and run away. I can understand why but still she should have heard him out. I can highly recommend this book for any lovers of historical Western romance and will definitely be reading more books by Ms. Johnston!

While the plot of this story was beyond belief, the love story was very sweet. Josie's determination to be a champion for Marcus's nephews was very endearing.

I was intrigued by this story from the very first sentence and enjoyed finding out where it would take me as I read. The story is set predominantly in Victorian England although Josie is American. The premise is rather far fetched — it's a rags to riches story — but it's fiction so stretching the bounds of probability is permissible, I think.
Josie and Marcus are both strong characters who were easy to like though Josie annoyed me a little at times with her impetuous actions when a little plain speaking would have served her better. Poor Marcus doesn't deserve half of what she does to him!
The story flows fairly well though the flow is interrupted from time to time by chapters involving Josie's family, which are s et in America. These info-dumps detract from the main story and are, in my opinion, unnecessary.
It might seem from my comments that I didn't enjoy this story, however that is not the case. For the most part I was along for the ride and hoping for the happy ever after.

I was not disappointed by this book. Mostly it is difficult to keep the series alive but this one was even better than the previous three. It is very well written and I just love the way Joan Johnston writes and makes her characters alive in the stories. Also the supporting characters makes the stories even better because they feel like it really has happened and that they have a point to the story. You get to catch up with their stories from the previous books and I loved that.
Marcus and Josies story is filled with emotions but there is not that much drama in it as some of the previous books. It is more about the romance and their way into their relationship. Marcus has an ex-wife that of course give him a lot of trouble and his friend is not the kind of friend I think is the best.
Josie is very brave in this book and smart and I like when the women in stories dare to be who they really are.
I would have loved the ending to not be that rushed and in a way unfinished. It would have been nice to hear what happens with them. I also do not like when people lies that much as Josie does in this story. But that is a part of it. Also the marriage Marcus has before Josie is weird. He does not love her and thinks about another woman all the time. But yes, I know it is part of the story.

ARC provided for an honest review.

I received an uncorrected e-book copy to read and review.

I have to ask you, how often do you read a Regency romp that begins with the Indians on the plains and ends on the Texas frontier? There is a good, well fleshed-out story in the middle, too.

When Marcus Wharton, Duke of Blackthorne, and his future brother-in-law come upon Josie in a Souix village, she is very nearly at the end of a severe beating, one that will probably end her life. Her crime? When captured, she first attacked the Indian with a whip and unseated him from his horse. Now he is whipping her.

A large man, Marcus intervenes by wresting the whip away from the Indian, whereupon the Indian tries to gut him with a knife. Marcus retrieves his own knife from his boot and the two begin to parry. Realizing the Indian is absorbed by the intricately carved whale bone handle of his knife, Marcus offers to trade him for the girl. Passed down from the first Duke of Blackthorn, the knife is priceless and irreplaceable. Marcus gets the girl only after he throws his grandfather's gold watch into the bargain. Then the real story begins.

Marcus personally attends to the barely conscious Josie as they travel across the states to New York and on the long transatlantic voyage London, always assuring her that he will help get her back home.

Once in England, Marcus turns the care of the woman whose name he does not even know and the task of getting her home over to his brother-in-law Seaton. And, and in good Regency romp fashion, sets off to get himself an heir. He marries and is widowed when his wife dies in childbirth. Now, in need of an heiress to save the Blackthorne estates, the real story begins.

Two years after her arrival, still in England, Josie reenters Blackthorne's life with a vendetta, a vengeance, an agenda, and the plan to get even with Marcus who, after all, did not keep his promise. She believes him to be a thoroughly bad man on many different levels.

You'll find plots within plots, and many side adventures as you read about the tale of Josie and Marcus as they reach the inevitable conclusion. After all, you know it is the Regency romance. And, how do they end up in Texas? Well, that is all just part of the story.

This is a captivating story with romance, drama, betrayal and heartache. Marcus is a caring man, but very gullible. He's been obsessed with the girl he rescued in America, even while married to his first wife, even while mourning her. He has been oblivious to what's actually been happening in his family, while believing that he's done his best. He can be charming, sweet and amusing or indifferent and unfeeling. Josie is a survivor, she's tough and stubborn and strong willed. She's kind, loving and giving. Except when it comes to the man who broke his promise to send her home. But maybe he's not who she thinks he is. The two have their own reasons for staying aloof, and both are confused about what they are feeling. It's a brilliant storyline with intriguing characters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. This is my voluntary and honest opinion of it.