Rating: Summary: All Smiles...NOT! Review: All Smiles by Stella Cameron did not make me smile...I thought it was the worst! I hated most of the characters and thought the plot was stupid. As a rule I generally like Stella Cameron books, but not this time. I thought All Smiles was a major disappointment. If you want to read a few worth while books try anything by Kim Corum, Kate White, or Adele Lang.
Rating: Summary: Mystery and romance in Mayfair Square Review: ALL SMILES is the second book in Stella's new Mayfair Square series and it is a worthy successor to MORE AND MORE, the first book in the series. It is 1821 and Jean-Marc, Count Etranger from Mont Nuages, has come to London for his 17-year old sister's debut in society, an onerous task but one he is determined to accomplish. When Meg Smiles, the impoverished daughter of a country parson and resident of #7 Mayfair Square, brazens her way into his home offering to help prepare Princess Desiree for her debut, he readily agrees. Not only does he need help with Desiree but he also finds Meg quite compelling in her own right, even though she is far beneath him socially and completely "unsuitable." Add a meddlesome ghost, delightful secondary characters and a huge gray cat and what follows is a classic British romp with quirky characters, sparkling wit, a whiff of danger to spice things up, and plenty of sensuous romance. Stella has outdone herself in ALL SMILES. The wry, dry wit was just delightful. Jean-Marc, the hero, is a harmless (but loud) blusterer. Meg, the heroine, is a spunky and eccentric foil for him. They are clearly meant for each other no matter how they struggle against it. I cheered them on as they learned about themselves and each other. And as much as I enjoyed the hero and heroine, the secondary characters just glowed. Princess Desiree is a very precocious 17 year old and sister to Jean-Marc. Verbeux is a sexy but very mysterious valet. Ila Upworth is a "fallen woman" with an agenda of her own. Sibyl Smiles is Meg's sister who watches in horror as Meg becomes closer and closer to the unattainable Jean-Marc. And the troublesome ghost, Sir Septimus Spivey, simply cannot remain quietly in his newel post in the front hall of #7 and stirs things up hilariously. The other residents of #7 also make many appearances and each character continues to develop leaving me eager to read their stories.
Rating: Summary: TOUCHNG AND FUNNY--AND SEXY Review: Everything in this book, from Sir Septimus the arrogant ghost, to the servants who are already a real part of Ms. Cameron's Mayfair Square books, keeps you turning pages. Meg Smiles is wild. When I realized she'd gone to some potion shop near Bond Street and bought something daring to dye her hair red, I loved it! She's decided she's got to attract a husband who will keep Meg and her sister, Sybil from total poverty. So she sets out to make herself attractive. She even decided she ought to make the best of her bosom and makes lowcut dresses. She's modest and this is hard for her. The count, Jean-Marc is a dish. He seems unattainable but he's certainly worth the effort and he and Meg make a really sexy couple. They are very much in love, though, and the sex between them seems so right. There's danger in the book. Ms. Cameron always does that and she makes you involved in the whole plot. I had fun with the first book, More and More and now I want a book about Sybil. Hope someone who can do something about this is reading!
Rating: Summary: Stella Cameron is on my favorites list Review: I don't usually buy all of the books that I read, however, I too bought this book because of the title, 'All Smiles'. I did read the previous book in this series called 'More and More' and liked it. I was glad to see that Ms. Cameron decided to write another book continuing the tale. The only negative I could say about the book is the ghost. I don't mind him being part of it, but it took me a while to understand that he was against some of events that were happening and he was actually trying to sabotage the characters' plans. Have him help them in some way instead. I do, however, like that he acts as narrator in some spots in the book to give insight into the background of the characters and the plot as it is unfolding.
Rating: Summary: Not the best in the series Review: I have to say I was very disappointed in this book. More & More (7 Mayfair Square series, 1) and 7B (3rd in series) were much, much better. I disliked Count Etranger immensely. He was overbearing, arrogant, selfish, foul-tempered, and autocratic. I found it incredibly hard to believe that Meg Smiles' had any difficulty in deciding if she should be Jean-Marc's mistress after what she did with him (and to him) in his bedroom the first day she met him. I found that scene in poor taste since it was so soon in their acquaintance. Jean-Marc seemed to know how to say what Meg wanted to hear. For a man who wanted to coax her into being his mistress (because she wasn't socially acceptable as a wife for him) he did a poor job, even shouting at her in front of people on one occasion. Oddly enough I liked both characters much better in Meg's sister Sibyl's book, 7B. Although Meg seemed a bit arrogant too there (must be hubby's influence). The interesting thing about All Smiles was its introduction of the Count's half-sister, Princess Desiree. I am hoping she gets her own book - with Adam Chillworth as the hero of course!
Rating: Summary: This book brought me back! Review: I haven't read a romance book in years. They all started to seem the same. I picked up ALL SMILES because I liked the title and what it said on the back of the book. Things have changed! Ms. Cameron has made me want to read romances again. Meg Smiles is a bit whacky, but she's brave and endearing and a good match for the count. He's one I'd like to meet! All the characters were fun and interesting. That Spivey is a mean old ghost. More and More is the next one for me. Then I'll read everything Ms. Cameron has written and look around to see if I can find some other good ones.
Rating: Summary: So glad to hear there is MORE to come! Review: I just love these books, first More & More & now All Smiles! Can't wait for the next installment to hit the market! I fell in LOVE with all the residents of Mayfair Square, they are mysterious, funny & a JOY to read about! I do not usually read mysteries, but Stella has a way of writing that adds fun & of course some GREAT SEX to her books. She is a wonderful author who has the ability to draw new readers to her & make them ever-so glad they came. *G* Meg & Jean-Marc are wonderful together & I also like the fact that Stella doesn't make you sit on the edge of your chair wondering just when the hero & heroine are going to admit to themselves that they care about each other. There were so many people who could have been the "bad" guy that I was kept guessing right up till the end, and I never did suspect the one who turned out to be a part of it all! I can't wait to hear about the other resident's of #7 & Princess Desiree` story. Stella if you see this, I just want to say "THANK YOU" for the joy of reading about these people & the anticipation of the ones to come!
Rating: Summary: Keeps you turning those pages! Review: I just loved More and More ... now the All Smiles! We can't wait to read the next episode I easily fell in Love with all the populace of Mayfair Square, they are very inexplicable, hilarious enjoyable to read about. Stella always has a way of writing that adds fun, mystery and great sex to her books. Meg and Jean-Marc are fantastic together. I also love that Stella doesn't make you wait, wondering, just when they are going to admit they want each other! Stella is a great author and never predictable.... that's why I love her works! I can't wait to hear about the other inhabitants.
Rating: Summary: Typical Stella Cameron - Silly and Mediocre Review: I really want to like Stella Cameron's works, I really do. But - frankly - I just don't develop any sympathy for "silly" characters with poor development. This just may be my tastes, and not a reflection on the work. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who prefers Regencies from Mary Balogh, Karen Ranney or Mary Jo Putney. I would recommend this for fans of Amanda Quick, though.
Rating: Summary: A Page Turner Review: I rolled with laughter as Sir Spivey, the resident curmugeon ghost, attempts to "help" clear his home of boarders. His wit and comments leave a comic edge to a very sensual novel that twists and turns as we unfold the story of Count Etranger and Meg Smiles, a simple parson's daughter. Unlike some romance novels, Stella Cameron, inserts a real mystery that just begs to be solved and leaves you not wanting to put it down until you are done. It is an all night read for me!
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