The Loner

Bitter Creek #3

by Joan Johnston

The Blackthornes and the Creeds. Two powerful Texas dynasties–and lifelong enemies. Set in the heart of the modern-day West, New York Times bestselling author Joan Johnston brings to passionate life the clash of wills between Blackthorne and Creed . . .  as a man and woman discover a love stronger than the forces trying to tear them apart. Summer Blackthorne swore she’d never forgive Billy Coburn for running out on her and their future together. But that was before she found out she wasn’t Jackson Blackthorne’s child–Billy was. And now the “Blackthorne Bastard” has come home for a final day of reckoning...to the town that damned him and the woman he had always wanted. Only Summer can satisfy the hunger burning deep within him. Only she can help him hold on to his own unwanted son. It will be a marriage of expedience only. Until doubts and mistrust vanish in the heat of passion...and a man and a woman who never stopped loving each other fight bitter blood and impossible odds for a glorious second This edition includes an excerpt from Joan Johnston's Sinful.

Genres: Romance, Westerns, Western Romance, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Adult

386 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 26, 2002

About the author

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.

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

Reviews

[Dinjolina · Rating 1 out of 5]

The 'hero', and I use this term lightly, takes the money from the heroine's father. The father is paying him to leave her. He....wait for it...does. He has a 'legitimate' reason-He wants to make it before he goes back to her. But...again,wait for it...does not tell her to wait for him. Does not even tell her what he plans to do. He just POOF, is gone.
Because he was sooooooo depressed, he bangs everything that moves and gets a woman pregnant. From this point on, he raises his son,alone.
Good for him! The poor fella!
Not.
Btw, just in case you were wondering-he got the random woman pregnant two weeks after he left the heroine.
Two measly weeks!
Later, this horrible excuse for a leading man begrudges the heroine for having a fiance in the time he was away. That being more than two years.
FROM THE MAN THAT GOT SOMEBODY PREGNANT TWO WEEKS LATER!
I mean, really!
Also, everybody in this story is getting pregnant.
Preferably with the wrong people, or people already married to somebody.
Kids are not the kids of their designated parents and you virtually have no idea what the next page will bring you. And not in a god way.
Don't get me wrong....I love drama. And furthermore, I am not squeamish.
But yeeeehs, this has to much of a' Latino soap opera' feel for me.

Oh, and to tell you the truth: The name of this book? The loner? It should have been 'The loser'.

[Miss Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Loner is my favorite of this series, so far. We first meet Bad Billy Coburn in The Texan. He learned he is the bastard son of his family’s enemy, Blackjack Blackthorne. Before he had this important news, he was in love with Blackjack’s daughter, Summer Blackthorne. Oh no! Summer is his sister! But wait, Summer overhears her parents arguing and learns that she is not Blackjack’s daughter! Her father is her mother’s lover. Blackjack learns this and is crushed; however he still wants Billy to stay far away from Summer. He bribes him with a dream job, and tells him never to come back.

Well that was 2 years ago and he’s back. His momma is dying, and he’s got to take care of her. He runs into Summer his first night back in town and realizes he’s never stopped caring for her. She is engaged to someone else, though.

Summer has been raised as a spoiled princess. She is the only daughter of the wealthy Blackjack Blackthorne. Her dream is to run her father’s company, The Blackthorne Cattle Company, one day. However, Blackjack has other plans for her. He wants to match her up with man that will bring more land to the Blackthorne family. As a teenager she befriended Billy Coburn, and ultimately realized she loves him. But he just coldly ditched her and up and left town.

Now that he is back, they both realize they want each other, but there are many complications. One being Billy has a baby son now….

A great story! It’s full of love, mystery, suspense…

[Christel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Summer Blackthorne and Billy Coburn. Summer and Billy had alsways been friends until 2 years previous when they become more interested in one another. Billy has loved Summer for years, but unbegknowst to him he is really the bastard son of Jackson Blackthorne and Dora Coburn. Summer is actually not the daughter of Jackson Blackthorne but the daughter of Blackthornes wife Eve and Blackthorne's foreman Russell Handy, who is in prison now convicted of murder.
Okay, Phew had to get things straight.
Also is the continuing story of Jackson's love for Lauren Creed and the new love story of Sam Creed and Emma Coburn. A marriage of convenience, a unwanted pregnancy, and murder all all covered on this book.

How Ms Johnston keeps 3 different stories that are integral to the story seperated but still needed for continuity amazes me. They are not hard to follow and they are all intertwined in one another. Just a good Sunday afternon read.

[Stephanie Jenkins Ortiz Cerrillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the Bitter Creek series and I do believe it's my favorite of the three! The ending to the book is so heart warming and made me so happy! You never know what will happen next in the fued between the Blackthornes and Creeds. This book has so many twists, turns and surprises that you just won't want to put it down.

Summer Blackthorne had never planned on forgiving Billy Cogburn for taking Blackjacks offer and leaving Bitter Creek and her. Billy is now back in Bitter Creek after getting a phone call from his sister Emma. Emma told Billy that their mother was dying and that she needed him back home. Billy has a secret he's been keeping from everyone and that secret changes everyone's lives.
This is a must read and I can't wait to read next book, The Price.

[Soracha H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I'd read this on a beach vacation because it was a well needed light easy read to escape but my backyard was just as good.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this one. I was glad to see some of the feud between the two families resolved. Would have like more of Emma and Sam's story.

[HanneC · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too much sex for my tastes.

[Shanie Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 Stars convoluted melodrama

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Loner delves into the lives and romances of Summer with Billy, Lauren (Ren) with Jackson, the evil twist that leaves Jackson a widower and free to marry his longtime love, and Sam and Emma---what twists and turns. Always presented is the question of whether love will be revealed to the object of affection or kept a secret forever. The reader always knows love will be professed and lives lived happily ever after because who wants a romance story left with a sad ending? In that way one always knows the story outcome. The thrill of novels like this are the stories surrounding the romance(s). Joan Johnston is very good at the multiple storylines she presents and the resolution of each one. I particularly like the way she leaves a hint of a story to come. In this book she lets drop the idea that Luke Creed is in love with someone who is left unnamed! That pretty much insures a sequel! No longer is this a trilogy but more with promises of additional stories.

In her letter to the reader at the end of The Loner, the author suggests the next in the Bitter Creek series is The Price. Barnes and Noble also has available book #5 in this series, The Rivals. I have ordered both. While I wait for delivery I plan to consume Sweetwater Seduction by Joan Johnston. I have already read Kid Calhoun and I believe this is the prequel to that novel! Read on, read on!

[Donna (Currently Busy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of the first three Bitter Creek books written by Ms. Johnston, this one seemed really far-fetched. It's also a book where I'm glad I read "The Cowboy" and "The Texan" first because I don't think it makes a very good stand alone novel. Please don't get me wrong, I liked it. The author provides resolutions to questions I had starting with book one. Like the age difference between Trace Blackthorne and Callie Creed Munroe Blackthorne is explained. Trace and Callie are about three years apart in book one. But Lauren discloses she was pregnant with Callie (Jesse Creed's daughter) when she first falls in love with Jackson Blackthorne in the first book. (The math just didn't work.) Other answered questions are who the true birth parents are of the main characters in this book, and what eventually happened to the crush Emma Coburn had on Luke Creed.

Would have given it four stars, but didn't truly believe Eve Blackthorne's character would take such drastic measures to separate Jackson Blackthorne from Lauren Creed indefinitely. Beginning in book one, it was established that Eve was a very selfish and self-centered woman. It's hard to imagine such a conceited person would follow through with the extremely detailed plan she devised. Granted, it was also disclosed in book one that Eve was a bit mental.

Overall, a good story that was a bit too neatly tied up at the end.

[Glenda Kinard · Rating 5 out of 5]

WoW and oh double triple whammy I could keep on for days at the twist and turns throughout this book I mean really how can one be willing to plan a suicide and go thru such deviousness to try and keep people apart even at the expense of ones own children how can one garner that much such hatred?? To actually go as far as commit the said suicide and make it look like low down murder. Well such is the lives of the filthiest of the richest of this booming Texas family and I could on an on giving scenarios from this book but one has simply got to read how deep hatreds and family loyalties will go to have or not have what the Blackthornes and the Creeds truly want. Excellent book although way way out of my reading genre I guess after this my 3rd book in the series I am in for the long haul. Never say never to a book with a great storyline even if it is not your normal reading. Up next The Price I am off to see what Hell the Blackthornes and Creeds are up to now I am sure it'll be a barn burner as the previous 3 have been smoking. Joan Johnston definitely knows how to hold ones interest from one book to the next even with some of same characters making multiple appearances throughout the books. She writes in such a way one never gets tired of repetitive characters

[Tonya Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Loner might be my favorite book yet in Joan Johnston's Bitter Creek Series. The revelations revealed, anger intensifies, and the deception just keeps adding up. Amazing writing, I just can't get enough.

[Richard Guerrero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not care for the whole Summer and Billy drama, her moving to his house. Thought it was a little too much. This series to me is a combination of As the World Turns, young and the restless, and Dallas.

[Nadine Bourgault · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family, bitter feuds, romance, deviousness, all rolled into one. Can you determine how it will end? Sure. Is it fun to read? Yes. It moves along swiftly, and keeps you guessing. Highly recommend.

[Mary Shreffler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer Blackthorn has always loved Billy Colborn but when he comes back after being gone for 2 years Summer is engaged. It didn't take long for the 2 to be together and married and then work together to get Jackson Blackthorn free and find happiness forever

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely the strongest of the initial trilogy, The Loner features the two most compelling couples - as evidenced by how much time was spent setting up Billy and Summer in the previous book. And while I wish that Sam would have gotten his own book, at least he got his own love story.

[sandy forguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and storyline the Blackthorne screeds and coburs all coming together really like the notes eve left to the family would highly trcommend👍

[Sharon App · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Blackthornes, Creeds and Coburns !

This book brings everyone together, and as what usually happens when they do, it’s a knock’em, sock’em time for all....

[Mackenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too many side stories that could have easily been their own novels!

[Theresa Hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! Loved Summer and Billy's story!

[Linda Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Angela]

5

[Paula Stern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very captivating novel!

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was soooo glad after book #2, "The Texan," that "The Loner" was written about Billy and Summer! I have been rooting for those two since "The Cowboy." This was an interesting take on their relationship in regards to how they initially came together. The addition to Billy's life when he presented back to Bitter Creek was a pleasant surprise. That added a twist that made me wonder if Summer would end up pursuing Billy, or if it would be a roadblock. I understand the idea of neither confessing their love for one another immediately, especially with the time lapse that occurred since they have seen one another. Yet, on the other hand, it was just like, "Spit it out! Get it over with!" I was thinking the ENTIRE time. I feel that it was a bit dragged on, their love story. However, was grateful there was other aspects within the story to keep us intrigued!

[Kristal Chaffin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Billy’s character is awful. He basically abuses Summer the entire book and somehow we are supposed to like this guy? I hate that her character settled for such a loser…
I had high hopes for him because of the second book in the series but it took a dramatic turn for the worst.

And the entire “investigation” was very lacking as was the plot for this one.
Also Sam having his little romance with a knocked up teenager was also just weird and unnecessary.

[♥ Vonda M. Reid ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall Rating: 5.00
Action: 3.0 / Emotion: 5.0 / Romance: 5.0 / Sensuous: 2.5 / Suspense: 4.0 // Laughter: 4 / Giggle: 2 // Tears: 8 / Teary: 3

The Loner: 5.00:
Joan Johnston's third book in The Bitter Creek Series is one of those books that is impossible to put down after reading that first sentence. This over-nighter, un-put-down-able book was so engaging, intriguing, and emotionally moving that it was impossible not to give it the highest rating -- five stars. Basically, this book just "spoke" to me.

Hero: 4.95:
'Bad' Billy Coburn: You have to love a hero that never gave up. Billy overcame an extremely difficult childhood and turned out to be an honorable, compassionate man. It also helped that Billy was an incredibly masculine hero that had that special something that bad boys usually possess that melts a reader's heart. It would have been nice if he would have admitted his love for Summer sooner.

Heroine: 4.00:
Summer Blackthorne: Even though she came across as unlikeable in the previous books of the series (a spoiled little rich girl with a sense of entitlement), Summer won hearts because she was willing to try to live in Billy's world in spite of his mother and sister, who didn't like her. It was easy to identify with Summer because she exposed the same vulnerabilities to readers that all women seem to possess to some degree or another.

Story Line: 5.00:
Johnston did a great job with this story line. She built the romance between Billy and Summer, while in the background finishing up the unrequited story of love between Jackson "Blackjack" Blackthorne and Lauren "Ren" Creed, and including a third mini love story between paraplegic Sam Creed and Emma Coburn. Also, the twist that Eve threw into the mix was quite original and entertaining.

Action: 3.00:
Although the story moved along at a quick pace, it was not filled with a lot of action and adventure scenes to add extra excitement to the book.

Emotion: 5.00:
Johnston is simply gifting at tying the emotions of the reader to her characters. Johnston engaged the readers on such an emotional level that she brought forth laughter, giggles, that tight throat feeling, and tears.

Romance: 5.00:
This book will filled with three love stories in one. A strong sense of romance permeated all three of those stories.

Suspense: 4.00:
Johnston managed to keep the readers guessing all the way through the book. Was Billy ever going to confess his love to Summer? Was Summer ever going to realize she loved Billy? Were Blackjack and Ren going to get their belated happily-ever-after? Would Sam and Emma grab hold of their happiness? Would Billy and Summer solve the murder investigation in time?

Sensuous: 2.50:
Johnston may not include graphically detailed love scenes in her books, but there is just something about the way she writes those scenes that adds a sizzling sensuality to the story that is always a wonderful addition to any romance book.

Secondary Characters: 5.00:
One thing that Johnston does extremely well in her books is to include secondary characters that bring her books to life. In this book, numerous secondary characters were given a point of view voice that greatly enhanced the story. Besides Blackjack, Ren, Sam, and Emma, the other secondary characters that added a vivid flavor to the book included: {1} Evelyn "Eve" DeWitt Blackthorne; and {2} Dora Coburn. Also enjoyed the cameo visit of Callie and her children and Bay and her children when they visited Uncle Sam.

A more in-depth, detailed, spoiler-ridden review of The Loner appears at Wolf Bear Does Books.

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

I threw the book down on pg. 12 when I found out Billy had a freakin son from "the barmaid he'd shared a bed with." This book can go screw itself. I'm so pissed off at this crap. Who would choose to write a story where these 2 people fall in love two years ago, only to break apart cuz they're believed to be half-siblings, then have it cleared by the revelation that they're not related, and then fastforward 2 years to where a sleezy 1 night stand resulted in a baby? A sick person. It takes someone with no class and no morals to write this crap. What a sweet, romantic story. He's got a kid from some slut, "the only thing he ever did right." Well if he considers this kid right then he's worse than I thought. I wouldn't even lower myself to read this filth.
And Summer peers into the truck, breathing "he's beautiful." Who gives a shit what the baby looks like? The fact is the man you loved, who supposedly loved you, went and knocked up some slut and had a baby with her, not you. What the hell is up with the irrational reactions of awe and adoration when the man you love has a baby with someone else? It should cause pain, heartbreak and betrayal, and make her cry and hate him even more. And he has the absolute nerve to get hurt and jealous that she's about to marry someone else. You piece of crap hypocrite. How dare you get upset cuz she's about to marry someone when you had a baby with someone else? God, these double standards are pissing me off. I used to think their story was sweet and I was looking forward to reading about the loner, but that's pretty much the exact opposite of what he is, mr. slut it up with a random barmaid and get her pregnant and end up raising the kid alone. Screw this crap. Way to ruin what could have been a good story. And it's conveniently left out in the description that he knocked someone up. You don't blindside readers into this utter filth. And Billy, who had such problems with being a bastard son, has a bastard son. Okayy. That makes sense. You'd think he'd be conscientiously trying to prevent a pregnancy, or not having sex with random people, especially people that are not Summer, but no. I'm guessing he had unprotected sex with what's-her-name, the woman that thrusts the baby at him and says take care of it. And that seems to be a really proud moment for him that he managed to have a kid and take care of it. Idk why you'd be proud of a 1 night stand that resulted in a baby out of matrimony. That makes the kid a bastard. At least I know you've got 1 thing to relate to him about.
I am so done with this classless, trashy series I should have never read in the first place. Screw this crap, and this author is going on my list of trashy, classless, disgusting, and distasteful authors I will never read. If this wasn't a library book I would throw it in the trash where it belongs.

[Saadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

First time reading this author. Surprisingly gripping story with lots of melodrama and multiple people falling into each other's beds. The pace of the story was very fast and at times I wished for a little more insight into the characters' personalities. What made Eve, the beautiful talented artist turn sour and vindictive and eventually use her own suicide to frame her husband for murder? Hell has no fury like that of of a woman scorned. What made Summer grew into such a loving cuddly and giving woman when her mother and father bickered for her entire life? What did she and Billy Coburn see in each other, beyond the attraction? As a matter of fact, the theme of overwhelming attraction runs through the entire story, as well as the story lines of the other related characters, assorted brothers and sisters in the Blackthorne, Creed, Coburn families. I had a difficult time understanding why there was dislike and hatred amounting to a feud when so many members kept falling for each other. Sleeping with people one des not love and begetting a child is another theme that pops up over and over.

[Veda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer Blackthorne and Billy Coburn have been in the background of all the previous books of this series, this is there story. Both of lots to prove, to themselves and to each other. The road to a happy ending is not a smooth one. Once again you will want to keep reading to see what happens next.
Also featured in this book is Emma Coburn and Sam Creed. Their story will also keep you turning the pages to see how it will all turn out.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book. The Blackthorne/Creed and their unlikeness of each other. They tie together from way back but don't like each others. Two families make for an interesting story. I will say I would hate to have a woman like Eve as a so called friend. It is a page tuner and probably the 357 pages will go fast.