Blackthorne's Bride
Mail-Order Brides #4
by Joan Johnston
Publisher ~ Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine
Genres ~ Historical Romance, Western Romance
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.
Blackthorne's Bride has a dramatic Prologue with an interesting combination of a Historical Romance with a little bit of Western Historical.
I will be honest and say that it took me a few tries to complete the book but once I settled into the pages I was impressed with Marcus's character. He did mesmerize me in the Prologue and I felt a little disappointed in who he was two years later. However, he did redeem himself and once again became a man I admired as the book continued. The author handled this transition with finesse causing this reader to continue reading with interest.
Josie was quite the interesting girl/woman. With all the trauma in her youth one would expect a bitter woman instead she is very loving to others worrying about their welfare more than her own. Which makes her revenge, not fit her personality though it does fit her circumstances. I kept expecting her to give up her desire for revenge, but she was rock solid on her reasons.
Author Joan Johnston's scenic descriptions were rich and fully detailed. Her ability to weave in Josie's family in America and Josie in England was unique.
I give this 3.5 STARS and plan to read more of this authors books.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
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.
Awards
* Paperbook Book Club of America's Book Rak Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best Western Historical Series Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best New Western Writer
* Romantic Times' Best Historical Series Award (twice)
* The Maggie (twice)
* Romance Writers of America RITA Award finalist for The Disobedient Bride
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