7b [Mass Market Paperback]

Stella Cameron (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Cameron's third Regency set at 7 Mayfair Square (following All Smiles), 28-year-old Sibyl Smiles resolves to have a child without the hindrance of a husband. Her dilemma lies in finding a man who will provide the service to get her pregnant. Discarding her shyness, Sibyl propositions her friend and neighbor Hunter Lloyd. Though wrangling with Sibyl over her offer occupies most of his attention, Hunter must also investigate the kidnapping of his law partner. Sibyl's friends add spunk and laughs as they coach Sibyl on seducing Hunter, who alternates between fighting off and embracing her advances; and the "benevolent spirit" that has been guiding matters of the heart at Mayfair Square uses its influence to push the two together as well. Readers unfamiliar with the ghost may find its asides to be a jarring intrusion, and even fans of this series will note its increased prevalence here. Clearly, though, the ghost reveals enough background information from the outset to render the straggling dialogue that bulks up the first third of the book unnecessary. Although Cameron's fans will find these rambling historicals disappointing compared to her contemporary romantic thrillers, they will undoubtedly show their devotion by reading this series through to its conclusion.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Stella Cameron is the New York Times/USAToday/Washington Post best-selling, award-winning author of sixty historical and contemporary novels and novellas. Each of her single-title releases has appeared on the WALDENBOOKS mass market, and romance lists, and on the BARNES AND NOBLE list.

Stella has won the ROMANTIC TIMES Career Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense and the ROMANTIC TIMES best Romantic Suspense of the Year Award. She has been a RITA finalist, and is the recipient of the Pacific Northwest Writers' Association Achievement Award for distinguished professional achievement and for enhancing the stature of the Northwest literary community.

Current titles include 7B, the third book in the 1820s Mayfair Square series (THE ORPHAN is the fourth book and due out in March, 2002), FRENCH QUARTER, KEY WEST, GLASS HOUSES, all contemporary romantic suspense novels, and the contemporary romantic drama, FINDING IAN. TELL ME WHY, contemporary romantic suspense, is due out in September (2001) and SLOW HEAT, a contemporary anthology is now on sale.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Mira; First Paperback Printing edition (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551667959
• ISBN-13: 978-1551667959
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,359,808 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stella Cameron is the New York Times best selling author of the acclaimed Court of Angels Series, the Bayou Books and many others. There are fourteen million copies of her books in circulation worldwide. She is the recipient of the Pacific Northwest Achievement Award for distinguished professional achievement and for enhancing the stature of the Northwest Literary community. She lives in Washington State.

Stella's current titles include OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF BODY and OUT OF MIND from her critically acclaimed Court of Angels series as well as her recent exclusive eBook releases BREATHLESS (contemporary romantic-suspense) and BARGAIN BRIDE: A NOVELLA (historical romance).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing Read for a Cameron fan, March 9, 2001

By 

Shelley Danek (Chapel Hill, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 7b (Mass Market Paperback)

I was excited about this book because I had read the other books in this series (More & More and All Smiles) and was looking forward to reacquainting myself with the characters. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. The story was bizarre (which is not always a bad thing) and confusing. Sibyl Smiles wants a baby but doesn't want a husband so naturally she turns to her friend and neighbor Hunter Llyod. The conflicts from this situation are not well explored and there is another confusing side plot involving Hunter's involvement in a high profile trial. There was too much going on and the resolution of the conflicts don't make sense. Overall I ended the book with a sense of puzzlement over what had just taken place. Stella Cameron usually hits with me but this was a rare miss.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I'm not crazy!!, March 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: 7b (Mass Market Paperback)

I hadn't read a book from Stella in a long time, and thought this one would be interesting, but instead I was confused and annoyed by the inconsistancies in the story, for example, the idea of a young woman wanting only impregnation just didn't fit my concept of the time period, the men realizing they've said the wrong thing over and over, and Hunter's conspiracy plot. I was going to write my first review, but was intimidated by the glowing reviews I read. I thought I'd have to read it again because I must have missed a lot. Thanks for saving me.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Author's most entertaining historical romance to date, February 15, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 7b (Mass Market Paperback)

In 1822 London, the remaining resident of town house 7B decides at twenty-eight she wishes to raise a child. Perhaps it is loneliness since her sister Meg married. Still, shy Sibyl Smiles knows that she wants her neighbor, friendly barrister Hunter Lloyd, to sire the child with her without any matrimonial strings.

Hunter is already in love with Sibyl. However, this is not the time for Sybil to turn into a seductress siren as he has made enemies that could endanger his beloved if any one knew how much he loves her. Hunter has just successfully defended a friend of the monarch and the losers want vengeance with the barrister and Sibyl, being easier targets. As Hunter tries to keep Sibyl safe, long time ghostly resident Septimus Spivey plays matchmaker in the hope of ridding himself of pesky non-descendent mortals.

Stella Cameron's 7 Mayfair books are always fun to read and her latest may be her most entertaining to date. Sybil and Hunter are a charming duo while Septimus remains his usually humorous and cantankerous self, arguing with other ghosts and plotting a dehumanization campaign. The story line is filled with action as the villains plan to "appeal" the court ruling through any means including violence and murder until their side triumphs. Best- selling Ms. Cameron has written another amusing tale filled with warm characters, many of which appeared in the series previous two books.

Harriet Klausner