The Look Of Love (Arabesque) [Mass Market Paperback]

Monica Jackson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Beautiful! An Encanto romance to snare your heart. I highly recommend this one." -- Huntress Book Reviews, September 1999

"If you've had it with overused plots, this book may start to restore your faith in the genre . . . LOOK OF LOVE is a sweet, sexy novel with Cinderella-like charm. No matter what your ethnicity, you're likely to find it as delightful as I did. 4 Stars!" -- The Romance Reader, October 1999

"Look of Love is the first of [four] connected romances for the Encanto line. If the first book is any indication, then all [four] are sure to find space on many readers' keeper shelves.

Kudos to Ms. Sandoval. LOOK OF LOVE is a classic romance, with warm fascinating characters that will stay with you long after you put the book down. It is sure to warm your heart in any language." -- Writers Club Romance Group Reviews, September 1999

"The writing flowed and the romance sizzled. Lynda Sandoval has crafted a fun, engaging story. 4 1/2 Stars!" -- Scribe World Reviews, September 1999

"With sure strokes, Sandoval proves her talent in this hilarious and fun-loving romance. 4 Stars!" -- Romantic Times Magazine, October 1999 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

Esme Jaramillo learned long ago that brains count more than beauty. Her prestigious academic career pays off when she'd invited to appear on a national talk show as a genetics expert. Little does she know that the episode is really entitled, "Those Bookworm Looks Have Got to Go!" Worse yet, gorgeous make-up artist Gavino Mendez was in on the prank. But, he's about to make it up to her--by convincing Esme that, in his eyes, she's already a knockout. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Kimani Press (December 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583140697
• ISBN-13: 978-1583140697
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,304,540 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Monica's wanted to write ever since she could hold a pencil. She had surgery in 1994, the longest time off work (as a registered nurse) she'd ever had in her life. She used the time to write her first novel and sold it to Kensington for the Arabesque line in 1995. In 1997, it finally appeared on the shelves. That book MIDNIGHT BLUE, was produced as a BET television movie of the week in 2000. Eight novels and eight novellas and short stories later from that first book, she's now a national bestselling author (says so on the books!).
Obligatory Props

Monica has won awards for her work, and has been nominated for Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. She's appeared in several radio and television appearances and has given workshop presentations. She has done television spots and also has been featured in a People magazine article, unrelated to her writing, but hey, it counts.
Awards

Nominated for Romantic Times Career Achievement award
Nominated for the Black Alliance's Golden Pen Award
Winner of Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award
Winner of Romance in Color's Award of Excellence Award
Winner of Romance in Color's Reviewer's Choice Award
Awarded the rare Romantic Times Gold Medal 4 1/2 star rating twice
Awarded Romantic Times Top Pick six times
Awarded Romantic Times 4 1/2 star rating five times
National and Blackboard bestselling author

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True Love Is For Everybody!, December 5, 1999

By 

B. J. Woodbury (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Look Of Love (Arabesque) (Mass Market Paperback)

If you have either experienced or presently live the life of a plus-size woman and felt true love is just not for you. This is the book to read! Ms Jackson has taken the time to provide in this story all the necessary tools a woman must take when she takes the journey of discovery herself. The story offers hope, faith, a new and refreshing outlook, encouragement, strength of endurance, lots of laughs and lastly love. I truly enjoyed this story and how well it was written and thank Monica for doing a story such as this one, its a story that should make women who are facing this today feel real good about themselves after reading it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent story for all us 'Phenomenal Women', August 3, 2000

By 

Margo Long - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Look Of Love (Arabesque) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the first novel I've read by Monica Jackson and I enjoyed every bit of it. This is the story of a woman named Carmel Matthews who in the process of running a nursing agency, meets and falls for a sexy Doctor named Steve Reynolds, but because she refers to herself as, and believes herself to be 'a fat pig' she feels she's not good enough for him. Little does she know Steve is very much attracted to her and all her healthy curves and feels she is the sexiest thing going.

After seeing a photo of Steve's former wife and photos of other women he's dated, she decides she's going to go on a diet, become supermodel size and have Steve panting over her. Only things didn't quite go as planned. She may not have lost any weight, but she gained the love of a handsome doctor and most importantly she gained the love and exceptance of herself.

This book is for any woman - or a girl on her way to becoming a woman - who feels insecure in any way. One famous line comes to mind.

"I'm a woman phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, that's me." -Dr. Maya Angelou

I loved this book! I can't say it enough. You would be a fool to skip over such good reading.

...and Monica... YOU GO, MY PHENOMENAL SISTER!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indeed, true love OUTWEIGHS everything else!, July 12, 2000

By 

Luv2Read "imareader2" (Baton Rouge, LA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Look Of Love (Arabesque) (Mass Market Paperback)

Hats off to Monica Jackson! A great story about two wonderful people. Carmel Matthews had the nerve, as well as the sense, to realize that true love is just that -- true love. Love does not hurt and love is not unkind. Love is not based on how much an individual weighs or what an individual looks like.

Although Carmel was a full figured woman, she was still a beautiful person -- not only on the outside, but inside where it really counts. Carmel realized that she had to accept herself as she was -- weight and all -- if she was to respect herself and see herself as she wanted others to see her. Not only did Carmel's views affect herself, but her issues with her weight affected her family members also. Her daughter started seeing herself through Carmel's eyes and it almost resulted in ill health. However, through love, everything worked out.

Now, about Dr. Steve Reynolds! WOW! Dr. Steve turned out to be just what I thought he would be -- one kind, considerate, and nonjudgemental brother. Sure, he had a negative thought or two about Carmel's weight, but he was not thinking as himself, but Steve was thinking as others would think. However, Steve did not hold those thoughts for long. Steve knew what he wanted and went after it -- Carmel, along with her baggage -- her weight!

Ms. Jackson really captured the essence of true love in this one. It should be an inspiration to women, not only to the full figured women, but every woman. Everybody is somebody and if we will just be ourself, we can survive. As the saying goes, "If life gives you lemons, then make lemonade."

For the full-figured women out there, if you are feeling low or discouraged and you have not read Monica Jackson's "The Look of Love," get a copy, sit back, relax, and enjoy. It will truly be an enlightenment to you. And ... for those of us who are not categorized as "full-figured," this book is still an enlightenment. It lets us know that we are not the only females in the world that can turn a man's head -- even a fine man such as the likes of Dr. Steve Reynolds. Keep your chin up girls!

Again, good work, Ms. Jackson! A true eye opener!