The Elusive Bride

I'm a big fan of Stephanie Laurens. I have all the Cynster and Bastion books and have enjoyed them. But, let's face it, Ms. Laurens had become quite formulaic. Many genre authors have a template, especially prolific ones, and Ms. Laurens was definitely one of them. But by the 8th or however many books I've read, I could almost do my own breakdown of the scenes before even cracking open the cover. I could also pretty much describe her hero and heroine, save their height, hair color, and eye color. And all that is OK -- up to a point. That's why "The Elusive Bride" was such a pleasant surprise. The changes are subtle, but meaningful. Her hero, Gareth Hamilton, is everything a dashing male lead should be. He's handsome, virile, and honorable. But the touch that Ms. Laurens adds to this necessary mix is quite expected -- a believable vulnerability. A Laurens male lead that has doubts?! Who isn't sure that the heroine is attracted to him?! Wow, didn't see that coming. Major Hamilton just seems so grounded and human, while still being the stuff that female readers can wistfully pine over. The female lead, Emily Ensworth is also a welcome evolution of the Laurens archetype. Smart and capable without being an Ice Princess. No cold aloofness that the hero has to crack through with a jackhammer. Instead, she knows what she wants and goes after it with a determination that is believable. Emily is probably, for me, the most likable Laurens heroine since Althea of the Cynster series "A Secret Love." All in all, just such a nice change of pace for a Laurens book. I'm really looking forward to "The Brazen Bride." The excerpt I read seems promising. I hope in this next book that Ms. Laurens continues to challenge her own formula.

I liked the book and the characters. The book seemed to drag which I never have happen with a book by Stepanie Laurens. I like a take charge kind of girl which Emily is. The story is good but so similar but that is expected with the quartet layout. Not to be picky but alot of typos and I am not an English Major. The book should have been proofed better. I like seeing the old characters come back.

In 1822 Captain MacFarlane escorts the visiting niece of the Governor of Bombay Emily Ensworth as they flee the Black Cobra Cult. Realizing they cannot make it to safety, MacFarlane gives a letter to Emily asking her to deliver it to his superior Colonel Delborugh; he plans to wait for the cult in order for her to deliver letter though he knows he will be dead soon. She makes it and gives the letter to the Colonel and three other officers. She is immediately attracted to one of them Major Gareth Hamilton and wonders if he might be her "one". Emily learns the four men resigned their commission and vanished although she knows Gareth is heading home through Aden. Impetuously she tells her beloved Uncle she is returning home via the Pyramids and arranges a speedy voyage to Aden to be there before Gareth to learn if he is her one. In Aden, Gareth sees a cultist try to kill Emily, but he intervenes. He rents a house to keep their combined traveling teams of nine safe. Emily tells Gareth he has a copy or the original of the letter that must be important that he and his comrades had to resign. He mentions the four are racing to England separately to deliver it to the Duke of Wolvestone so that the Black Cobra Roderick Ferrer will be convicted of crimes and his high placed father will not be able to protect him. They travel together with cultists trying to kill them while falling in love, but Gareth feels Emily deserves better while she knows he is her one. The story line is filled with constant exciting action as the tough yet seemingly inept Cult mount attack after attack. Fast-paced with an expected but terrific final twist and a strong support cast traveling with the courageous lead couple, fans will enjoy this engaging late Regency Era thriller with more to follow. Harriet Klausner

I loved it!! Very suspenseful and fun to read. Although the middle does tend to drag on a little. But overall I thought it was wonderful and I can't wait to read The Brazen Bride.

The Governor-General of India has given Major Gareth Hamilton and his four closest friends and comrades the task of bringing down the villainous Black Cobra, head of a merciless, murderous cult that has been ravaging Indian villages. While escorting the niece of the Governor of Bombay, one of Gareth's friends discovers a key piece of evidence to prove the Black Cobra's identity. But before he can get back to his comrades, the man is killed, leaving the governor's niece, Emily Ensworth, to deliver the evidence to his friends. Fulfilling his request brings Emily right into Gareth's path. Emily knows at once that there's a good chance Gareth is her "one." The one man she could see falling in love and building a life with. But before she can explore her attraction to the handsome major, he up and leaves India! There's only one thing Emily can do - follow him. What Emily doesn't expect is that her quest for true love brings great danger with it, as the Black Cobra's assassins are not only after Gareth and the evidence he's carrying to his contact in England, but Emily as well. With assassins around every corner, there is no place in the world for Gareth and Emily to escape peril. And behind closed doors, there's no place to hide from the attraction swiftly brewing between the two. Emily's gut instinct might be right about her and Gareth's future, but to prove her point the two will have to make it to England alive, first. Be advised Stephanie Laurens fans new and old: The Elusive Bride is one of this talented author's best books yet! Get ready for a sweeping journey from India to England, with many stops in between as one determined, honorable hero and his bold, brave heroine battle and outwit cultists even as they navigate through the uncharted territory of falling in love. Gareth is the strong and sexy hero I have come to expect from Ms. Laurens, but he's got a little something extra that makes him stand out in a crowd: his patience and immediate acceptance of Emily's intelligence and resourcefulness. Emily is my favorite heroine of Ms. Lauren's so far. She has a boundless energy and hopefulness that drew me to her from the start. Throughout The Elusive Bride Ms. Laurens includes Emily's diary entries and those more than anything made me connect to her, as if she were a friend. I adored the fact that she saw Gareth as her "one" right from the start and, as she grew more certain of this fact, she carefully set out to make him see it as well. In a word, Emily is a "fun" heroine. Sparkling and bright and I rooted for her to not only aid Gareth in his mission, but to get her happily ever after with him. It's no secret that he falls for her fast, but I was happy to discover that this English major has a surprisingly romantic way with words. The Elusive Bride is the second book in the Black Cobra Quartet and Ms. Laurens does provide the basic information from the first story so that those who have not read The Untamed Bride can follo