The Reckless Bride

This amazing series written by Stephanie Laurens concludes with the fourth book, The Reckless Bride. I have enjoyed reading this book and having read two of the previous three books. (I skipped the first but may go back to read it.) Why do I like this four-book series? Women are not presented as the helpless, defenseless females typically depicted in movies. The former officers all have an incredibly important mission. Their mission, on occasion the men’s lives are left ...

The Reckless Bride

This amazing series written by Stephanie Laurens concludes with the fourth book, The Reckless Bride. I have enjoyed reading this book and having read two of the previous three books. (I skipped the first but may go back to read it.) Why do I like this four-book series? Women are not presented as the helpless, defenseless females typically depicted in movies. The former officers all have an incredibly important mission. Their mission, on occasion the men’s lives are left in the hands of these competent, capable, and fearless women. The women are willing to put themselves in harm’s way to protect their man. Typically, the heroine in the book is attracted to the hero but resists and denies that temptation for as long as she can. The mission, assigned to him by the leader, Royce Wolverton, keeps the couple on the run. Danger is everywhere. However, to Captain Rafe Carstairs’ chagrin, he has a different set of orders than his fellow messengers. While the others are to engage the enemy and reduce their numbers as much as possible, Rafe is to avoid confrontation and attention from the Black Cobra cult. This book contains a number of surprising twists and turns. Throughout the series the reader is left to guess at just who is the Black Cobra. The answer came right out of left field and was not revealed until the end. You will wonder who is trying to harm Esme Congreves, great aunt of Loretta. The answer will surprise you! This book has a fitting end that will keep you turning the pages until the very end. As to the characters, you learn what they are thinking as well as what they are saying. Their hopes and fears are revealed. The Black Cobra cult has taken over India at the bidding of well-to-do English leaders. Having learned of the incriminating letters that the four messengers are carrying the cult is attempting to retrieve them at all costs.

The story revolves around two people: Captain Rafe Carstairs, a person who is perceived by his fellow former officers as willing to take lots of chances. His nickname: “Reckless”. He is very strong effective, fearless; an accomplished fighter, and a very capable leader. He has a companion from years of fighting in military, Hassan. The heroine is Miss Loretta Violet Mary Michelmarsh. Michelmarsh is not what she appears to be. What suitors see is a façade. She passes herself off as the dainty lady who is clueless, who must be taken care of and concerned about the events of the day. She uses the façade to dissuade suitors. Marriage is not a very high priority for her. In fact, she has turned away eight suitors; many of whom have the titles and background that matches or exceeds her background. Her failure to accept the eighth lord’s hand, Lord Eggles, is seen as scandalous. Pressure is upon her to get married before her 25th birthday to a man of stature. Loretta’s brother, Robert has threatened to take things into his own hands if Loretta does not find a suitor to her liking quickly. A knock at the door of the residence saves the day. The family’s matriarch, all powerful and rich widow, Lady Esme Congreve proposed, no demanded, that Loretta pack her belongings so that Loretta could accompany Lady Congreve on a trip abroad.

This is the fourth and final book of the Black Cobra books. I have enjoyed these books. This final book provides a fitting conclusion to a set of thrilling adventures of romance and fine character development. In each book a woman befriends and becomes the lover of the former military officer who is attempting to get his assigned mission accomplished at all costs. Rafe and Hassan decide to travel on the water rather than by coach or horseback given that they suspect Black Cobra spies are posted along the key routes back to England. Traveling on the river enables them to elude the Black Cobra cult at first. Their travels are rather uneventful until Rafe and Hassan arrive at the Danube Embankment, Buda. There they rescue Lady Esme Congreve from two ruffians. She was headed to the Excelsior Shipping Company office to obtain two tickets to travel on the Uray Princip riverboat up the Danube. There the two gentlemen met up with Lillian, who was accompanying her great aunt, Lady Esme. Reluctantly, Rafe agreed to travel together with Lady Esme and Loretta’s party since the cultists might not be looking for such an entourage. Rafe Carstairs initially sees Loretta Michelmarsh as a burden; someone to be protected. (However, she turns out to be anything but a liability) She comes to his aid on several occasions during their very dangerous journey.
There is a subplot in the story that has local attackers who are not cultists seek to harm Esme. At various stops along the way for the purpose of sightseeing, hired assassins attempt to murder Esme. Fortunately, Rafe and Hassan are there to protect and/or rescue her. You might wonder why her? I will not give this interesting secret away. Loretta and Esme do put themselves in harm’s way because of their desire to stop in many small, historical towns where either Black Cobra cultists or separately paid assassins await.

Felixstone is the destination. Three messengers make it home. Black Cobra has obtained message tubes from at least two of the three. Now the cult is reasonably certain that it is Carstairs that they must find. That he is the holder of the original letter. The cult knows as well his destination, so they lay in waiting for him at several junctures leading into the town. He must come overland for the last part of his journey? Will they catch him? Will they kill him and take the message he carries? Can Royce Wolverton’s forces find and protect Rafe and Loretta? What will become of Loretta and Rafe’s budding relationship? How will the story end? Will there be a big celebration or bitter disappointment and failure? Will those living toast the fine officer who discovered the incriminating letter, the late James MacFarland?

THE RECKLESS BRIDE is the fourth and final book in the Black Cobra Quartet. The series tells the story of four men who have discovered the identity of the English leader of a murderous cult in India. The four men are coming back to England with proof of the leaders identity. This book is about the fourth man, Rafe Carstairs, aka "Reckless" who has the original letter. While on his way back to England, Rafe ends up meeting Loretta Michelmarsh who is traveling with her great-aunt. Of course, th...

THE RECKLESS BRIDE is the fourth and final book in the Black Cobra Quartet. The series tells the story of four men who have discovered the identity of the English leader of a murderous cult in India. The four men are coming back to England with proof of the leaders identity. This book is about the fourth man, Rafe Carstairs, aka "Reckless" who has the original letter. While on his way back to England, Rafe ends up meeting Loretta Michelmarsh who is traveling with her great-aunt. Of course, the two end up working together to defeat the Black Cobra.

This was my favorite book in the series. I liked the action better. The book flowed more cohesively between the travels and the English action. In addition, the numerous characters that appeared from the Cynster and Bastion Club series were better used here and did not feel as disruptive to the story. I also loved the characters of Rafe and Loretta. Reckless Rage must learn in this book to be careful and protective and Loretta must shed her proper facade in order to take control of her strong, independent and powerful side.

I sped through this book because the story was tight and engaging. There was some good suspense action and while I figured out the twist before the reveal, I was satisfied with the resolution of the ongoing story.

Rafe was adorable and I truly felt that the characters built a serious relationship. At times, Laurens substitutes sex for relationship building. Here, Rafe and Loretta had a relationship outside of sex.

I think that readers could skip the other three boss in the series and not miss much. This is the gem.

Rating 4.5.