The Untamed Bride    by Stephanie Laurens Order:  USA  Can Avon, 2009 (2009) Paperback, e-Book Read an Excerpt    Reviewed by Bob Walch The Untamed Bride is the first title in the Stephanie Laurens' bold Black Cobra quartet of new romances. The stories will feature four dynamic heroes who are operatives of the East India Company. The men's adventures will bring them into encounters with murderous groups of violent cultists and, of course, a bevy of dynamic, empassioned women. In this first adventure, Colonel Derek Delborough, the leader of the elite corps of East India Company officers, is given the task of bringing down the Black Cobra. To do this the colonel has to ensnare the leader of the cult who happens to be a highly placed member of the British peerage. Delborough's assignment takes him back to England where he encounters the beautiful and willful Deliah Duncannon. A ravishing woman with plenty of secrets to hide, Deliah is vital to the success of Derek's mission. Like it or not (and the war-hardened soldier will eventually like it!) the two must collaborate to vanquish a mysterious and deadly enemy in an adventure that flows from the streets of Bombay to the manors of the English countryside. This new series is a direct offshoot of the author's Cynster books. 'The concept evolved from wondering what happened to the soldiers who fought alongside the Cynster cousins in the cavalry troop at Waterloo,' Laurens writes. 'The answer is: five of them went to India to serve with the army of the East India Company, under the direct command of the Governor-General of India, who in 1822, gives all five a mission: do whatever it takes to bring a fiendish villain, the Black Cobra, to justice.' I have to admit I only read novels of this ilk as a change of pace from my usual fare. Although a very quick read, I can't say I found much to recommend this novel. In fact, I'm not sure why the dashing Derek Delborough was so taken by Deliah. Go figure! Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Romance books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews