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Bitter Creek #.5
The Men of Bitter Creek
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Joan Johnston comes two classic stories of the unforgettable MEN OF BITTER CREEK.
Cale Landry
When THE MAN FROM WOLF CREEK leaves his secluded mountain refuge to seek revenge on the thief who robbed him, he never expected he’d end up taking home the wily old bandit’s gorgeous and spirited daughter Raven. But Cale will never get back what he lost, until he learns to trust in love.
Conn Benton
Conn Benton is shocked at the suggestion he should marry a Winthrop—especially that tall, redheaded Emaline—to end the feud between their families. He might marry her and bed her, but he has no intention of loving her. It takes a Yuletide miracle, THE CHRISTMAS BABY, to heal his vengeful heart.
Cale Landry
When THE MAN FROM WOLF CREEK leaves his secluded mountain refuge to seek revenge on the thief who robbed him, he never expected he’d end up taking home the wily old bandit’s gorgeous and spirited daughter Raven. But Cale will never get back what he lost, until he learns to trust in love.
Conn Benton
Conn Benton is shocked at the suggestion he should marry a Winthrop—especially that tall, redheaded Emaline—to end the feud between their families. He might marry her and bed her, but he has no intention of loving her. It takes a Yuletide miracle, THE CHRISTMAS BABY, to heal his vengeful heart.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2004
About the author
Joan Johnston
126 books754 followersJoan 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.
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
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
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 22, 2024
Two short stories: Story #1
The H is a loner embittered by his fiance cheating on him 10 years ago. He helps a man stuck in a blizzard who attracts him while he's sleeping, knocking him out and stealing the pelts from a year's worth of trapping. When the H tracks the thief down, the furs have been gambled away so the thief offers the use of his daughter for 3 months. The rest of the story is formulaic - patience in wooing and realization that marriage is the answer
Story #2 Feuding families learn to live in peace when the H from one family marries the h from the other family. The baby that is due at Christmas will belong to both families but a grieving father seeks revenge on both families and tries to undermine the truce. The H grieves the loss of his first wife 2 years ago.
The H is a loner embittered by his fiance cheating on him 10 years ago. He helps a man stuck in a blizzard who attracts him while he's sleeping, knocking him out and stealing the pelts from a year's worth of trapping. When the H tracks the thief down, the furs have been gambled away so the thief offers the use of his daughter for 3 months. The rest of the story is formulaic - patience in wooing and realization that marriage is the answer
Story #2 Feuding families learn to live in peace when the H from one family marries the h from the other family. The baby that is due at Christmas will belong to both families but a grieving father seeks revenge on both families and tries to undermine the truce. The H grieves the loss of his first wife 2 years ago.
August 13, 2020
First story is a beauty and the beast retelling between a recluse mountain man and a Native American woman.
Both stories are a hate to love. They were both good but I liked the second story a little bit more.
Summer Fling Readathon Prompt: Down Home Country
Both stories are a hate to love. They were both good but I liked the second story a little bit more.
Summer Fling Readathon Prompt: Down Home Country
September 30, 2024
Not two complete novels: the first was a short novella, the second was a long short story, both worth reading, although neither made much of an emotional impact and I suspect will be quickly forgotten. Still, it was a pleasant, undemanding way to spend an afternoon.
September 10, 2025
Finished The Man from Wolf Creek. 3.5 stars
A Christmas Baby 4 stars.
A Christmas Baby 4 stars.
October 2, 2024
I loved the story about the mountain man. I have a sensitive nose, and Joan's description of his and the cabin's odor made me shudder.
Both stories portrayed prideful, stubborn men and women who tried to tame those men. Joan Johnston is now my favorite American West Historical writer.
Both stories portrayed prideful, stubborn men and women who tried to tame those men. Joan Johnston is now my favorite American West Historical writer.
December 11, 2024
A long feud between two families is resolved in a most unusual way.
In the west men were men. And women were a second thought. Or were they? Could they subtly change the course of history? Read and find out!
In the west men were men. And women were a second thought. Or were they? Could they subtly change the course of history? Read and find out!
May 12, 2025
This anthology was a perfect way to try out the author's writing style.
I like the way she wrote no-nonsense men and women who were just trying to make the best of their situation and harsh life styles.
I like the way she wrote no-nonsense men and women who were just trying to make the best of their situation and harsh life styles.
December 21, 2010
These are two interesting tales of men (and women) who find love in very odd situations. Definitely not mushy but intriguing.
December 28, 2012
Both books are great but the first is my fa orite one of all time. I wish i could find it in an ebook.
October 8, 2024
A Inspiration
I love how sacrifices could bring people together and forgive and find love when it wasn't expected. What hate can destroy a person,family and country
I love how sacrifices could bring people together and forgive and find love when it wasn't expected. What hate can destroy a person,family and country
March 12, 2026
The Man From Wolf Creek (Read March 11 2026)
This story features an interesting set up. this might not work for newer HR readers, but those more established will love this premise. The premise is that the hero has been robbed that is worth of a year income or more so he agrees to a trade for the thief’s daughter to help around his home in return for the theft. Our heroine is of Native American heritage and she hasn’t found a place or a home to love until now. She connects with Cale. He is rugged around the edges but treats her with friendship and gentle caring. I really enjoyed seeing how she and Cale connect. At first it’s angsty and then we see a good friendship blossom between them and we see the swoons form between them and that final love declaration was beautiful.
The Christmas Baby (Read March 12 2026)
This features a family feud between the Benton and the Winthrop families. When Emaline is determined to put a stop to the violence between the families and the constant deaths. She makes a decision …to offer herself as a bride to a Benton for marriage and bring a union of peace to their families. At first Conn is full of bitter anger, he lost his first wife and daughter to the feud. He doesn’t want to get married again especially not to the enemy. But both Conn and Emmaline know the peace matters more than their own feelings. But as they try to learn marriage together, a slow love and affection forms between them. I had so much love for this story and what is delivered within it. The strong inner strength of the heroine, the tortured hero who has to work through some difficult emotions and families that find peace and unity and overcome hate and violence. Definitely my catnip as I adore a good family feud setting.
This story features an interesting set up. this might not work for newer HR readers, but those more established will love this premise. The premise is that the hero has been robbed that is worth of a year income or more so he agrees to a trade for the thief’s daughter to help around his home in return for the theft. Our heroine is of Native American heritage and she hasn’t found a place or a home to love until now. She connects with Cale. He is rugged around the edges but treats her with friendship and gentle caring. I really enjoyed seeing how she and Cale connect. At first it’s angsty and then we see a good friendship blossom between them and we see the swoons form between them and that final love declaration was beautiful.
The Christmas Baby (Read March 12 2026)
This features a family feud between the Benton and the Winthrop families. When Emaline is determined to put a stop to the violence between the families and the constant deaths. She makes a decision …to offer herself as a bride to a Benton for marriage and bring a union of peace to their families. At first Conn is full of bitter anger, he lost his first wife and daughter to the feud. He doesn’t want to get married again especially not to the enemy. But both Conn and Emmaline know the peace matters more than their own feelings. But as they try to learn marriage together, a slow love and affection forms between them. I had so much love for this story and what is delivered within it. The strong inner strength of the heroine, the tortured hero who has to work through some difficult emotions and families that find peace and unity and overcome hate and violence. Definitely my catnip as I adore a good family feud setting.
September 9, 2020
Two good stories tied together. #1 A loner mountain man is robbed of his of his skins he has collected for the winter by a older white man who steels them and sells then. When Cale catches up to him all his furs are gone. As he is about to kill the old man, the old man offers him his daughter Raven who is half Native and half white for a year. As Cale has a cabin she agrees to live with him to honor her fathers bargain. When the two lost souls begin to work together to survive the winter, they discover that when two people work together for the good of both, both are rewarded.
June 3, 2020
I enjoyed reading.
January 20, 2022
Both stories are good reads. They have good pacing and keep your attention
June 19, 2022
The stories were fine, but I don't need the play-by-play in the bedroom. I can get that at home.
May 8, 2024
enjoyed these 2 love stories
October 3, 2024
2.5 stars ?
bought on a whim (new to me author), I think it was on sale
just ok. the stories and characters had potential but under-delivered in the end.
bought on a whim (new to me author), I think it was on sale
just ok. the stories and characters had potential but under-delivered in the end.
October 19, 2024
Loved both stories!
My favorite was the second...I'm a sucker for a sweet Christmas!
I enjoyed both story plots. They were well written.
My favorite was the second...I'm a sucker for a sweet Christmas!
I enjoyed both story plots. They were well written.
March 27, 2025
The Men of Them Bitter Creek
I've numerous books by author Joan Johnston and have enjoyed reading each one.
Recommend Joan be added to your reading list.
I've numerous books by author Joan Johnston and have enjoyed reading each one.
Recommend Joan be added to your reading list.
April 25, 2026
Interesting stories by an author I enjoyed in the past. I'm generally not thrilled by short stories. These were decent for that genre.
September 9, 2020
Another good Bitter Creek read! Two stories The Man from Wolf Creek and The Christmas Baby. Liked both stories.
October 24, 2025
Two short romances. I enjoyed them both. They were predictable, but well-written. I liked the characters and the writing style. I just wish they would have been longer and more developed, but for they are, they are enjoyable reads.
February 15, 2020
The Men of Butter Creek
I thought that I had read these books before, but I hadn't. As usual, Joan Johnston has written a compelling account of the early settlers and their fights against the elements and greed in both of these stories. A feud between the town's leading families is being kept alive by someone that isn't even related due to an incident that killed one each of the feuding families. Grief can be a powerful motivator. Love can be just As powerful as a cure.
I thought that I had read these books before, but I hadn't. As usual, Joan Johnston has written a compelling account of the early settlers and their fights against the elements and greed in both of these stories. A feud between the town's leading families is being kept alive by someone that isn't even related due to an incident that killed one each of the feuding families. Grief can be a powerful motivator. Love can be just As powerful as a cure.
February 10, 2020
I had a hard time connecting with the hero in the first story, but it got marginally better toward the end for me. The second book was much better. I enjoyed reading it.
December 23, 2016
Dua cerita dalam 1 buku. Yang pertama ttg pria gunung, Cale dan Raven, gadis keturunan Indian yg terpaksa hidup satu rumah. Ayahnya Raven menipu Cale dan mencuri hasil buruan Cale yg berupa bulu binatang (yg kalau dijual katanya bisa buat biaya hidup 1 th), akhirnya utk menebusnya si Raven diminta Cale utk ikut tinggal di rumahnya selama 3 bulan sampai salju pertama turun. Cale diceritakan sbg pria yg kesepian dan meninggalkan gaya hidup ala manusia beradab, sampai akhirnya si Raven bisa memaksa dia utk berubah.
Buku kedua ttg perseteruan 2 keluarga gara-gara rebutan sumber air dan sering terjadi pertumpahan darah dari kedua pihak. Sampai akhirnya dibuat kesepakatan untuk menikahkan satu pasang pria-wanita dari kedua keluarga/klan tsb supaya bisa berdamai.
Overall lumayan buat ngisi waktu luang
Buku kedua ttg perseteruan 2 keluarga gara-gara rebutan sumber air dan sering terjadi pertumpahan darah dari kedua pihak. Sampai akhirnya dibuat kesepakatan untuk menikahkan satu pasang pria-wanita dari kedua keluarga/klan tsb supaya bisa berdamai.
Overall lumayan buat ngisi waktu luang
January 16, 2020
Both stories were really good. I love how Joan always tells the stories of the west. I always love her characters. To me both stories show how love can heal so many trouble past in the hero's life. I don't want to go into to much detail about the novels.
I would give spoilers away if i did. All I can say is this is a book worth reading.
I would give spoilers away if i did. All I can say is this is a book worth reading.
June 8, 2008
This book was.. ok. But I'm not usually a fan of a romance book unless there's a little suspense to it. This was actually two novellas in the same book. The first one was ok, the 2nd one was better. Both of them had slightly cheesy storylines but the 2nd had a little drama to it, which made it a bit better than the first.
June 25, 2012
'Two treasured classic novellas by a "New York Times" bestselling author are bound into this single volume--a winning pair of heart-soaring, emotionally rich tales of two rugged, stubborn heroes who meet their matches in headstrong, extraordinary women.
January 29, 2025
Enjoyed
This book was short and very sweet. I enjoyed the story and the characters were wonderful. I also enjoyed the development of the characters and the process of learning that everybody, no matter which side of the family, are individuals.
This book was short and very sweet. I enjoyed the story and the characters were wonderful. I also enjoyed the development of the characters and the process of learning that everybody, no matter which side of the family, are individuals.
July 22, 2012
July 2012
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews