The Reckless Bride
4 Stars

Series note: As with the previous books in the series, this final installment takes place in parallel with the first three. New information concerning the ongoing plot is added in each book and as such, the series should be read in order.

Similar to book #2, the couple travels across the Middle East and Northern Europe. Once again. Laurens' attention to geographical and historical detail is excellent, and it is interesting to follow Rafe and Loretta's journey, which is, thankfully, not as tedious as Gareth and Emily's.

While not as independent or compelling a heroine as Linnet, Loretta is likable and has none of Emily's immature self-absorption. Like the other heroes in the series, Rafe is honorable and respectful, and not nearly as reckless as his nickname implies. He and Loretta have a strong attraction, but their romance develops at a slower and more believable pace.

In terms of the ongoing Black Cobra plot, my suspicion as to the identity of the villain is correct and it is very apt that they are brought down by a member of their own sex - yes, the female of the species is deadlier than the male. The climax and resolution are very satisfying and the epilogue summing up the various relationships is endearing.

Overall, this has been an entertaining series, and I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of couples from both the Bastion Club and the original Cynster series'.

( )

And the story concludes, Rafe Carstairs takes the long way home to England via Europe. En route he meets up with Lucy and her Great-Aunt Esme who are re-visiting Esme's old haunts; they go by river and then later land in England for a climatic showdown the the real Black Cobra. It's not just Rafe that's in peril and it takes them a while to realise what's going on there.
It wraps things up nicely and left me feeling happy with the read. Possibly helped by being ill and needing to stay abed with a book and a cat. ( )

ok.. now I've finished the quartet I'm going to comment on them as a whole. I really didn't like these as much as other Stephanie Lauren books I've read.

I've always been a bit cautious with series in which events from each book is referenced in the others. Simultaneous events with everything coming together at the end - often quite fun (e.g. the Gambler's Daughters series by Sharon Sala. Together at the beginning, separate during the main body of the story, then coming together at the very end). Having said that, the fact that I was willing to attempt this series is a sign of my faith in a SL story being generally enjoyable.

Truthfully, I really did find this series too 'jerky' with the references of 'X is current at Y'. Still I'll be keeping this series for completion's sake if nothing else.

Now comment regarding this book in particular. The thing which bugged me is that Loretta specifically mentioned that her potential husband would have to be able to deal with her profession (that of writing a newspaper column). Rafe was curious about what her 'secret' was. It was never explored. At the end of the book it's mentioned that Loretta wrote the story up for the general public so the truth would be known. HOW did Rafe know to do this. I mean, it's not a major thing but I'm just thinking that the discovery deserved a paragraph at least... or maybe that's just me. Anyway, it's not that major a niggle truth be told. ( )

The end a bit pat, but enjoyable and riveting nonetheless. A good story arc. ( )

The final book of the Black Cobra Quartet finds Rafe Carstairs traveling from India to England carrying the original document of damaging evidence which will identify the Black Cobra. Rafe has decided to take the river route through Austria and Germany but finds that he has inadvertently endangered Loretta and her great-Aunt Esme and so is forced to include them in the plans to get to England. Pretending that he and his man, Hassan, are guide and bodyguard they proceed over the Danube and Rhine rivers. During their travels love and danger envelope them.

It was fun to finally see that the Black Cobra would be apprehended and who it turned out to be. The reunion of the other characters from the first three installments was the perfect ending. ( )