Book Review-Blackthorne’s Bride by Joan Johnson

I received this book for free from Dell in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Blackthorne's Bride by Joan Johnston
Also in this series: Texas Bride, Wyoming Bride
Series: Mail Order Brides #4
Published by Dell on June 27th 2017
Genres: Historical Romance, Regency Era
Pages: 368
Format: eARC
Source: Dell
ISBN: 0399177744

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.

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!!

Click To Buy On Amazon

About Joan Johnston

Joan Johnston (born Little Rock, Arkansas) is a best-selling American author of over forty contemporary and historical romance novels.

Johnston was the third of seven children born to an Air Force sergeant and his music-teacher wife. She received a B.A. in theatre arts from Jacksonville University in 1970, then earning an M.A. in theatre from the University of Illinois, Urbana in 1971. She received a law degree (with honors) at the University of Texas at Austin in 1980. For the next five years, Johnston worked as an attorney, serving with the Hunton & Williams firm in Richmond, Virginia, and with Squire, Sanders, & Dempsey in Miami. She has also worked as a newspaper editor and drama critic in San Antonio, Texas, and as a college professor at Southwest Texas Junior College, Barry University, and the University of Miami.

Johnston is a member of the Authors Guild, Novelists, Inc., Romance Writers of America, and Florida Romance Writers. She has two children and one grandchild, and divides her time between two homes, in Colorado and Florida.

Website