BOOK REVIEW- Blackthorne's Bride: A Bitter Creek Novel by Joan Johnston

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.  AMAZON 4 STARS

I really enjoyed this story.  It had great main characters along with some very interesting major misunderstandings.  Most of those were on Josie's part; leaving a very confused Marcus.  When they first met, their was a really brutal situation that he rescued her from.  Too bad she doesn't remember too much about what happened after.  And she's really mad about where she got dumped.  Until she meets both of his nephews, Spencer and Clay.  She ends up standing up for them every chance she can as they are mistreated. She becomes their protector and it just adds another bone for her to pick with Marcus. Those who boys have had to be kind of tougher to survive this household but somehow find a way to remain sweet too.  Spencer is the older brother who has protected Clay as much as he can but he's still a little boy too.  How could Marcus leave them at the mercy of this household and never check up on them?
There are plenty of mysteries that have to be unraveled to get to the truth of that.  
Marcus has been a man deep in grief over the death of his wife Fanny in child birth.  Not even his son lived either.  It was easy to see after a while why Josie was confused about who he really is.  Is he a caring, loving man or is he the thoughtless, neglectful man that facts seem to say he is?  A man with two totally different sides maybe?  It does get straightened out when ALL of the facts come out. 
Marcus has twin sisters and one of them Lark, has a bit of a side story in this book. she has had a crush on Seaton, who is the best friend of Marcus.  Yes, trouble follows those two but you'll have to read it to find out that happens.
It was kind of fun to realize as I was reading this book, I recognized some of the characters from other books that I read and they were about Josie's family.
Thing do come to a happy conclusion with a surprise or two at the end. Nice Epilogue.
Just wanted to add that I thought the eBook cover was really attractive too.