In Blackthorne's Bride, Marcus comes across a girl while touring America, who is being beaten. He comes to her aide after admiring her strength while she's tortured. He nurses her back to health on the ship back to England and this is where his infatuation with her grows. His intention is to see her well, then ship her back to America with enough funds to find her family. This is where the story of Marcus and Josie begins. I have to say, I love their dynamic. I find too often in books that the main characters have so many miscommunications, I literally end up frustrated reading the book. That was not the case here. Of course there is some friction, which leads to a good story, but I never had a moment where I needed to take a break to get away from the drama. I couldn't put this book down! It has a very heart warming ending.

Joan Johnston's Bitter Creek romance series has a prequel series called Mail Order Brides, and it is your guilty pleasure romance required reading this summer. I have read several of the Bitter Creek novels, and Blackthorne's Bride did not disappoint me. I appreciate her ability to always have a satisfying conclusion to each story - appealing characters, interesting dialogue, inhabit the world of Joan Johnston to escape reality!

My rating would actually be 3.5, but I rounded up to 4 because I really did enjoy the story.

The story follows Marcus Wharton, Duke of Blackthorne and American Josie Wentworth. It has a really exciting beginning with Marcus and his best friend coming upon a Sioux renegade whipping a young woman (Josie) who is tied to a post and stripped to the waist. She’s almost dead and Marcus rescues her. Marcus is fascinated by the girl’s bravery and instead of leaving her in the care of someone in America, he brings her aboard the ship he is taking back to England. However, when he gets there, he turns the arrangements for her care and eventual return to America up to his best friend. Since Marcus is marrying his best friend’s sister as soon as they return to England, he doesn’t want his rescue of the girl to cause any issue with Fanny – his betrothed. Things really go awry from there – Fanny dies, Josie has been virtually imprisoned on one of Marcus’ properties (without his knowledge), Marcus’ estate is bankrupt and he has to marry an heiress. The rest of the story is filled with Marcus and Josie getting together and falling in love. I won’t give you a step-by-step because that will spoil the story for you.

What didn’t I like?
* The author really needed to do more research. Evidently, she normally writes westerns or contemporary novels and that is probably why this book just doesn’t ‘feel’ right for the time period and the place. A couple of examples of where more research would help.
** Marcus is NOT a royal duke, but the author mentions that over and over and over in the book. In order to be
a ROYAL DUKE he must be the son or grandson of the current reigning monarch and the story doesn’t say
anything about that at all.
** Spencer and Clay are not Lord’s. As children of a second son, they would be plain Spencer and Clay. They
do not have an honorific.
* The regular use of the term ‘mail order bride’. That is a common American term, and I understand that is the name of the series, but it isn’t a normally used term in England and therefore, the Duke wouldn’t think of himself as marrying a mail order bride. He would think in terms of him having a marriage of convenience.
* I didn’t like Fanny – and maybe I wasn’t supposed to. She is supposed to be this ethereal, sweet, and angelic (too good to be true??) person, but she does some pretty rotten things.
* The ending/solution just felt rushed to me. I could have done with less of the book on the American part of the family and more on the resolution of the issues between Josie and Marcus.

What did I like?
* I absolutely LOVED the epilog – it was a great wrap-up for the story.

"I requested and received this book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."

This book was all over the place. Exposure to characters all over America and England was confusing until I figured out there must have been many books in a series prior to this about the youngest daughter. I could feel the Dicken's influence in the story with orphans and trials and happy endings. This did have a happy ending, but it was a bumpy ride getting there.

I loved how well this story tied into the others in the series. It is a great ending to the Wentworth sisters stories.
Marcus and Josie sure did have to take a round about way to find their happy ending. It was well fought for that's for sure.

This book is a great example of its genre! Fun and light - although the side plot with Lark and Saeton felt both unnecessary and a little contrived.

If your looking for a good spring read this is it. It is a bit predictable at times, but it does give you everything that a good historical romance should. I hope you enjoy as much as I did.

This was an author I have not had much exposure to in the past, primarily because her main focus has been historical westerns, a genre that for whatever reason just doesn't typically enthuse me. When I saw the opportunity to review one of her books through NetGalley that was set in England, I thought I'd give it a try.

Overall, I just couldn't work up much excitement as the book progressed. I think that was in large part between it read like a western to me, and a lot of the book referenced the previous books in the series (with chapters actually involving the heroine's siblings over in the U.S.). The initial premise had hope for me...the rescue of a young woman who was then taken to England to heal, and then our hero loses track of her (but never forgets her) as we returns to his planned life and marriage. The story picks up a couple of years later after the death of Blackthorne's first wife. He's in desperate financial straits and has advertised for a bride...with the plan of marrying an American heiress.

We then meet our heroine again, who has fully recovered but has spent the past years toiling as a maid in one of our hero's remote properties (without his realization), living a meager life and doing her best to protect the Duke's two young nephews who also life at this property under the care of a feuding governess and housekeeper. To say she has negative feelings for the Duke, whom she believes abandoned her and his nephews, is an understatement. Long story short, turns out she's an American heiress and that her siblings who live in America have been searching for her for years.

From there it becomes a story of enemies to lovers, with Josie hiding her identity from the Duke, marrying him instead of immediately returning home as a way to protect his nephews and get some sort of revenge. The scars on Josie's back eventually give her away, and the miscommunication and misunderstandings continue.

The premise had potential, but I think because of not having read the previous books in the series and the feel of reading a western set in England (I have no idea why I'm so biased against westerns!), it just never worked for me. I didn't feel much sympathy for our hero or heroine overall, although from time to time they seemed to pull it together. If you like Johnston's previous books, I think you will no doubt enjoy this one as well. I do definitely recommend reading the first three books in the series though to more fully understand the backstory and various siblings that are in some ways central to this particular story.

From Goodreads: A rogue nobleman, a rescued lady, and revenge undone by romance all play a part in New York Times bestselling author Joan Johnston’s irresistible novel of best-laid plots, delicious deception, and unexpected passion.

Two years have passed since Josie Wentworth was bought from the Sioux for a gold watch and whisked back to England by Marcus Wharton, the Duke of Blackthorne. When Marcus breaks his promise to return Josie to America, she ends up as a maid in the home of his charming but neglected nephews. Once Josie’s long-lost family finds her, however, the suddenly wealthy heiress sets out to save the two boys from their indifferent uncle—and teach the duke a lesson in honor.

Learning that Marcus is seeking a rich American bride to save his estate, Josie plots to catch his eye—certain he’ll never recognize the beauty she’s become as the ragged captive he rescued. But Josie doesn’t wager on her marital charade taking a tender turn, as the nobleman she’s despised for years proves to be a very different man than she’s imagined. And there’s no denying his passionate caresses, as she falls deeper under the spell of a husband determined to claim her heart.

Joan Johnston always writes about strong women who overcome difficult circumstances. This book is no exception. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end!

When seemingly small details spark a memory you can’t help but sit back and try to gather your thoughts – kind of produce an image of something that sounds almost familiar. And of course there’s a good reason for that in BLACKTHORNES BRIDE by Joan Johnston.

BLACKTHORNES BRIDE is the fourth and last book in the Bitter Creek Mail Order Brides series. Each book has enthralled us with an adventure that was at times really harsh and then moved on to show once again that what’s important is family and love. The Mail Order Brides series centered on an amazing family and with each installment the characters became larger and impressive. Joan Johnston imbues her characters with grace, strength and integrity even in the face of great adversity.

I realized that I’d met some of these characters before – several years ago actually – yet they were still so vivid.

In BLACKTHORNES BRIDE we experience a different sort of mail order bride. The Duke needed a wealthy wife to secure the financial future of his debt ridden estates and pride had him searching beyond the realm of his peers. So he advertised in America and candidly got what he asked for. An American wife. But Marcus Wharton, the Duke of Blackthorne had no idea what he had agreed to – he had entered into this marriage agreement firmly resolved it to be loveless and passionless. Marcus couldn’t bear the pain he felt when his wife Fanny died in childbirth.

As for Josephine “Josie” Wentworth, she was equally perplexed. In her mind this marriage was going to help her in two ways. First was to get back at the duke for failing to live up to his promise to get her back home to America after rescuing her from a band of Sioux. Instead Marcus had left her at one of his distant properties Tearlach Castle. At Tearlach Josie was working as one of the maids. Captured once again with no ways or means to go home. And secondly Josie’s plan to take the dukes two young nephews Spencer and Clay back with her to America. The two lads had become very important and dear to Josie while they too lead a less than gracious life at the castle.

Once married to Marcus Josie’s role as Duchess was hopefully going to give her the means to finally meet her goals of returning home and save Clay and Spencer. But what she never expected was her attraction to this man who didn’t seem to recognize her. Marcus’ was giving it his best shot fighting feelings towards this woman who didn’t hesitate to speak her mind. Josie definitely wasn’t like any ladies of his peers. Josie was strong and fierce which also made Marcus realize how different his new bride was from Fanny.

Josie had become used to referring to Marcus as the Dastardly Duke but with each passing day she was seeing him in a very different light. Now the issue was – which is the real Marcus. How could she trust her instincts when Marcus was becoming quite dear to her. Josie had quite a dilemma. And there was too much at stake to make the wrong decision. Family first and as yet Josie didn’t consider Marcus as part of that group.

Sorry to see these wonderful characters go. As I often do – as soon as I finished BLACKTHORNES BRIDE I immediately pulled the first three books from my shelves and read them once again. I loved all these stories and was so pleased that Joan Johnston decided to grace us with Josie’s story.

Rating 2.5

First time reading this author and found I didn't really care for her plot/story.

The story opens in America with Marcus, The Duke of Blackthorne and his friend rescuing Joise the heroine from Sioux. Joise is tide to a post and is being whipped when the Duke comes upon the scene. Marcus barters/trades Joise for a knife and his fathers gold watch. Marcus is engaged to his friends sister.

The Duke takes Joise back to England and during the trip back to England he nurses Joise and develops feelings for her. Marcus knows it wrong as he is about to marry, so he asks friend to care for her.

Two years later Marcus is a widower, his wife has died and during that time he couldn't stop thinking of Joise. But he believes she was well taken care of, thanks to his friend. But The Duke needs to marry, for money a his estates are in need of monies he has had difficult times.

Joise, unfortunately wasn't well taken care of, in fact she was dumped at one of Marcus's estates that is crumbing and became a servant/slave. She's angry and hurt as she was told she would be cared for and sent back to America. At the estate was also Marcus's two nephews who were also dumped and mistreated. Joise came to care for the two boys and loved/nurtured on them. Joise wants revenge on Marcus and an opportunity is handed to her. She finds out she's a heiress and also that dear Marcus is now a widow and in search for a wife that is wealthy. She devices a plan to marry and then take the two boys with her back to America with her.

I did not like two major premises of this story. One thing that really, really bugged me was that Marcus marries and during his two years of marriage he thinks of Joise and can't forget her. That overshadowed the story for me throughout, just not okay in my eyes. And two, Joise pretty much lies to Marcus for over half the story and harbors hurt and bitterness but never thinks to just confront and ask him why he never kept his promise (this is almost two thirds now into the book) and about the nephews too.

The conclusion was rushed and had several other problems that bothered me again (Marcus wife was involved in Joise's staying at the estate and being ill treated) and felt like an obvious easy out. So for me this was a real disappointment. Not sure if I will endeavor trying this author again.

Writing was average and pacing was good but the plot and storyline was not at all to my liking.

The beginning was rough because the explanations for why he was easily around the Sioux was not clear and her getting released from Indians seemed too easy. I liked the characters and story. There were parts where the descriptions and character thoughts were too long and sometimes repeated. I would buy another book from this author.

Josie and Marcus are great characters set in a story of the twists and turns of love. Great blend both of America and England with these two lovers. The supporting cast of characters were equally as interesting. Thank you for a wild ride across continents and social classes into each others arms. Loved Josie's independence!

This is a different twist to the old story about being a captive. I really enjoyed the premise up until "spoiler here" she allows so much time to go by before getting to her family. At times it seems contrived to make a longer story. Otherwise it was a good read.

This is the first book in the series I've read. I have to admit, I didn't like Josie for a bit with how she wavered back and forth on if she should trust Marcus or not. After I got 2/3 of the way through I Loved Josie! What I liked most about the book was how Josie tried to treat everyone the same, no matter their standing! The last chapter did have me in tears with the ending, I'd have to say it was perfect!

I was disappointed in this book. I’m not a big fan of romance novels where the entire plot turns on a communications failure between the heroine and hero, and this time around, the failure felt incredibly contrived and interminable.

Josie Wentworth is rescued from torture by Marcus, the Duke of Blackthorne, and taken to England to recover. In dubiously contrived plot twist number one, she is sent to a remote estate as a maid. There, in contrived plot twist number two, she meets up with the duke’s orphaned nephews, who have also been sent to the remote estate, but where they are being mistreated by the duke’s staff. Somehow, all of Josie’s attempts to bring their plight to the attention of the duke go awry, and it isn’t until she is tracked down by a Pinkerton detective hired by her family that she is rescued and returned to London, where (and this is where the contrived plot twists overwhelmed me) she marries the hated duke, without telling him who she is, or that his nephews need rescuing.

While I liked all the characters in this book, the contrivances of the plot made it a failure for me.

Thanks for the ARC.

Blackthorne's Bride by Joan Johnston is the long awaited book 4 in the Bitter Creek series. This story is the youngest sister Josie's tale. This was an excellent and thorough story full of life, revenge, deception, passion, and of course romance. The main characters are Marcus who is the Duke of Blackthorne, and Josie who turns out to later be a wealthy heiress, interact well together. The plot and setting in the story are well thought out by the author as she takes you on this journey. The web of revenge and deception by Josie is an interesting concept that later is dissolved when she falls in love and discovers the truth about Marcus.

I truly enjoyed the book and getting to meet all of her family again in America from the previous books. Joan Johnston is a gifted author and I look forward to reading more stories in the future.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange of my honest opinion.

Summary

Jose Wentworth while with her siblings traveling across the west, was captured by indians, and was tortured and whipped near death until a Englishman traveling, saved her life and took her to England while helping her heal from her wounds with the promise of sending her back to England. But its been two years since then, and she is practically working as a slave at one of his country estates, taking care of his two nephews who without her would be abused in the fighting and bantering between the governness and housekeeper. But when she learns that she has inherited a fortune and that the same man that rescued her is the same one that is searching for a rich wife to save his estates. And once she is his wife, will take his nephews away from the abuse and to her home in America, but she finds herself doubting her plan as she softens towad her husband and falls in love with him despite his faults, she wonders if she can trust him fully
Plot and Story Line

What a story and I have waited years for this book to come out and man did I love it so very much and so different from what I was expecting. This series is loosely connected with Johnston's Bittner Creek series, only back in the 1800's era instead of a contemporary setting. The first three books are based on this family of siblings, all orphans after their parents were killed. They are pretty close to each other. Josie had the worst of beginnings of them all though. I didn't expect this author to stretch herself and write a story set in Regency England, since she normally focuses on western themes, but she did a dang good job on this one and I was very impressed and I wouldn't complain if she wrote more Regency romances because I fell in love with this one. Our heroine, has been working as a servant, protecting these two young boys as best as she can, and they are very close to each other. Our hero, has lost his wife and infant child and a part of him is still grieving. But a part of him has always been in love with Josie, ever since rescuing her from the indians two years previous. At first he has no idea that this woman offering him marriage in return for her fortune is actually the same woman that he fell for two years ago. I did find it a bit odd that he didn't recognize her, but I guess she was badly beaten but I did find it a peculiar detail. Josie is obviously keeping a secret from our hero, but I understood why. There are other factors involved into why Marcus was left in the dark, but if offers some conflicts that this couple has to face and I enjoyed the way they draw close to each other despite the misunderstandings and secrets that develop in the story, it doesn't take too much away from the romance. and it did have some strong emotional undertones and I am curious to see what this author comes up with next.
The Cover

The one thing that really drew me to this cover, was the pose we have here. I love this cozy and tender pose we have here. And her dress is so pretty, and I like the red, it just works with the yellow.
Overall View

Blackthorne's Bride is a sweeping tale that takes you from the wild west of the America's to Regency England....a feisty and surprisingly enticing romance that takes you on adventure through the city streets of London and the countryside, and discover a powerful masterpiece of history and a delectable love story!!

The book starts with such an intriguing beginning that you are hooked right from the first paragraph. The romance between the hero, Marcus Wharton, the Duke of Blackthorne and the heroine, Josie Wentworth is beautifully written.

But there is some discrepancy in the book about the Duke of Blackthorne having a royal title. I don't understand why the author keeps insisting the Duke is royalty. He is not a son of a king but a duke from a title that was bestowed upon his ancestors so he is only nobility and not royalty. Apart from this fact, I really enjoyed the novel and would recommend it.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

A thoroughly enjoyable historical romance with plenty of chemistry and engaging characters, this book had me on the edge of my seat. I was doubtful in the beginning. What was going to happen when he figured out just who he married? How was it all going to turn out with the deception ran so deep, but the ending is more than satisfying! Marcus and Josie are dynamic together in a book that hasn't forgotten that romance isn't quite dead yet!