Clare Darcy: Gwendolen

Gwendolen is next from Clare Darcy. Signet published this paperback in September 1979. Gwendolen fell in love and got quickly engaged to Captain Henry Belville of the navy. Now that he has been away, she doubts whether she really loves him and the romances of her sisters complicate the matter along with a handsome new Lord on the scene!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple in front of a fireplace. Our couple seem very taken with one another. Our heroine's pink gown has some interesting decoration. The carving of the goddess on the fireplace seems the most striking aspect of this cover. These past covers remind me of the ones that Allan did for Georgette Heyer's Berkley romances.

Clare Darcy: Eugenia

Eugenia was published in June 1978 and is the story of said titled lady who is on the marriage market and is being advised by everyone around her what to do! However, she plans to pursue true love at any cost.

Allan Kass creates a grand illustration for this book. We see our couple in a very decorated room with a peacock tapestry on the wall and our hero standing by an ornate clock on an equally ornate marble topped table! Our heroine lounges on a couch nearby. She is dressed in a simple white muslin, but wears a gold shawl and necklace. This would be another of Allan's earlier regency covers and I hope that you enjoy it!

Clare Darcy: Elyza

Elyza is next in line, being published by Signet in July 1977 for Clare Darcy. Dressed as a young man, Elyza is rescued from a cruel innkeeper by Cleve Redmayne and she realizes that she doesn't have to settle for a dull and boring marriage!

Allan Kass illustrates Brighton UK on this cover. We see our couple strolling in a park and the Prince Regent's Royal Pavilion in the background! Our heroine wears a sunny summer dress and carries a matching parasol. Our hero blends into the scene in his green jacket and I like how he casually holds the heroine's hand.

John Nash redesigned the Royal Pavilion building in an Indian theme. The inside decorations are mainly influenced by Indian and Chinese designs. George IV, formerly the Prince Regency wanted a house in Brighton from where he could visit the seaside. Queen Victoria sold it to the city in the 1850's.

Clare Darcy: Cressida

Cressida by Clare Darcy is next in our Allan Kass illustrated book cover lineup! This book was published by Signet in October 1978. Cressida is the darling of London society, but she is waiting for Captain Rossiter, who broke off their engagement 6 years ago, to return and once he does, she is determined to win him once again!

Allan Kass shows our couple in a vibrant room. Our heroine is dressed in an olive green day dress and shares a tender moment with the hero, who is dressed in traditional black jacket and buff colored pantaloons. Note the red watch fob off of his trousers. I like the detail of the heroine's jewelry, especially her bracelets and earrings.

Clare Darcy's books are some of the first that Signet published along with other authors: Joan Wolf, Catherine Coulter, Sandra Heath, and Vanessa Gray. Allan Kass illustrated a lot of their books, too!

Clare Darcy: Caroline and Julia

January 1983 saw the Signet publication of Caroline and Julia by Clare Darcy. Caroline, an orphan, moves in with Julia, a sophisticated London widow. They help each other weave through the maze that is London Society and find husbands!

Allan Kass illustrates both of our heroines and their heroes on this cover. They stand in a music room and our heroine in pink carries a fan and is dressed for the evening's activities. The hero behind her holds a glove and has a hand in a pocket, which is unusual. The other couple stand closer and seem more attached to each other! I like the instruments along with the paintings and porcelain on the table. It's a very busy cover!

Clare Darcy: Allegra

Allegra is the first book Allan Kass illustrated for Clare Darcy. We will see 12 different covers over the next days for the different novels that Darcy wrote and Kass illustrated!

Allegra was published in February 1976 by Signet and is the story of a feisty lady who shocks Regency London by not accepting the hand of her distant, wealthy cousin and then travels to Brussels on the eve of Waterloo!

Allan Kass shows our couple dancing at a ball. Maybe this was the famous ball in Brussels before the Battle of Waterloo! Our hero and heroine move elegantly down the room while we see the musicians play and others watch. I really like the detail on his jacket and her headdress! It's too bad that it's not a full cover illustration, but I hope that you enjoy it and the others to come!

Emma Darby: Into the Arena

Into the Arena is the other book by Emma Darby illustrated by Allan Kass. It's a Signet publication from April 1973. Celia is done dealing with her husband's affairs and decides to do something about it.

Allan Kass illustrates our couple in a pensive moment. Our hero is made human by his holding the family cat. I really like seeing Allan's contemporary illustrations as evidenced by our hero with the beard! Our heroine is calm in feature, but seems awkward towards the hero. I like the montage painting behind them. Note Allan's signature under the flowers.

Emma Darby: A Conflict of Women

A Conflict of Women is one of two books that Allan Kass illustrated for Emma Darby. This book was published by Signet in March 1973 and is the story of Anna and Stephen, married 16 years and with 3 children. He is a lawyer and happy until a young girl named Natalie enters their lives and causes them to question the decisions they've made.

Allan Kass illustrates this book with a montage of the main characters: our lawyer husband in his robes, the young girl with flowing hair and youth, and the wife, older and morose. We see a view of London's Big Ben, too. It's an interesting cover, but not Allan's usual style. I would like to have seen a full length version of the characters, but this may be what the publishers wanted back then.

Rebecca Danton: Star Sapphire

Star Sapphire is the last of Rebecca Danton's books illustrated by Allan Kass. Fawcett printed this regency romance in 1979. Sonia Goldfine is amazed when the Marquis of Fairley asks her uncle for her hand because she is Jewish and not in high society. She falls in love with him, but doesn't realize until after the ceremony that he has fallen upon hard times and needed her fortune. Can their love survive all obstacles?

Allan Kass shows our handsome couple at a ball. Our heroine is pretty in cream and wears a magnificent necklace! Our hero has long blond hair and wears an order on his jacket. We see the intricate ballroom along with other party goers who watch our couple while on the dance floor.

An interesting theme is that all of Danton's regencies had a "jewel" name!

Rebecca Danton: French Jade

French Jade is the next book from Rebecca Danton illustrated by Allan Kass. It was published by Fawcett in April 1982 and Minna overhears Oliver Seymour call her "plain and dowdy"! She decides to get back at him by masquerading as her French cousin, Gabrielle, and hoping to make him fall madly in love with her!

Allan Kass creates a great cover here with our transformed heroine seducing the hero! I love her red curls and emerald green dress! The gold accessories and jewelry match perfectly. Our hero is obviously infatuated! They stand near a window which overlooks a park and nearby a harpsichord. Again, Allan is all about the details and that's what makes his book covers stand out; you feel as if you're looking at a real regency couple! Enjoy and don't forget to click to enlarge!

Rebecca Danton: Fire Opals

Fire Opals was printed in 1977 and Rebecca Danton writes a story about a young girl who marries well but quickly gets into situations over her head! Charlotte marries Lord Arundell who is not her choice and finds out that he has a mistress! Little does she know that her husband is really in love with her and not carrying out an affair!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple in a room with some interesting artifacts within. Our heroine is a pretty redhead and wears a lilac dress trimmed with blue. Our hero is dashing in black. What I really like about this picture are the other objects in the room. The tapestry behind the couple looks old and valuable. Note also, the miniatures in the shadow box on the wall! Photography hadn't been invented yet, so painters would create miniatures so that you could view and remember your loved one! Enjoy!

Rebecca Danton: Amethyst Love

Amethyst Love is the first of four books that Allan Kass illustrated for Rebecca Danton. 1977 is the date of publication. Valerie is working as a governess when she is told about the death of her brother. She accepts Malcolm, her brother's army friend, in order to escape her situation and an arranged marriage, but wonders if this marriage, also arranged, can be loving?

Allan Kass illustrates our couple wearing evening dress, as if they plan to go out soon. Our heroine is pretty in amethyst purple with matching jewels around her neck. I like the contrast with her sage green shawl. Our hero wears the traditional black jacket and beige trousers. Note his ring on his left hand!

Dorothy Daniels: The Purple and the Gold

The Purple and the Gold was published by Signet in March 1980. In Vienna of 1912 young Magda Karoly comes of age and is pursued by men who are interested in her title and her beauty. Can she find true love in the mad age before World War 1?

Allan Kass illustrates our couple at a ball. I like this cover because it evokes the beauty of his regency pictures, but we see his talent in creating the elegance of the Edwardian age. Our heroine wears a low cut ball gown of blue and a choker of diamonds that match those in her ears. Her hairdo is styled a pompadour. Our hero is handsome in black tuxedo and very dapper with his mustache! I really like the crowd behind them dancing and enjoy looking at the variety of clothing colors and styles. The ballroom is ornate with decorated walls and a huge chandelier. This is the only cover that Allan did for Dorothy Daniels and I hope you enjoy it!!

Megan Daniel: The Unlikely Rivals

November 1981 is the publication date for The Unlikely Rivals, the last Allan Kass illustrated book for Megan Daniel. Saskia is pitted against her cousin, Derek, by their aunt in order to win her fortune. Until then, they had never met and both are determined to inherit!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple in a beautiful room with a large ornate mirror behind them. Our heroine holds a fan in her right hand and is looking away, almost shyly, as the hero attempts to kiss her! For some reason, the colors should clash, but they don't and I don't know why! Click on the photo to enlarge.

Megan Daniel: The Sensible Courtship

The Sensible Courtship by Megan Daniel was published by Signet in August 1982. Both Richard Devlin and Francesca Waringham are looking for a spouse. They agree that the upcoming house party at Hockleigh is the perfect hunting ground, and make a pact not to marry each other!

Allan Kass creates a marvelous scene of our couple embracing! The room they stand in seems masculine with the hunting pictures and antlers on the wall. I love the scene outside the window of the park beyond. Note our heroine in a dark green riding dress with her bow trimmed hat on top the table nearby. Our hero wears hunting red and one interesting aspect of this cover is that both are redheads!

House parties were common during regency times. It was a time for friends and relatives to gather and often lasted 4 to 6 weeks. It would be a great event to get to know others in order to find a spouse.

Megan Daniel: The Reluctant Suitor

March 1981 saw the printing of The Reluctant Suitor by Megan Daniel. Margaret inherits a fortune that, in order to keep, she must marry within the month! Geoffrey, a young bachelor trying to pay off family debts, is willing to help her find a husband, but not quite willing to marry his childhood friend, himself!

Allan Kass shows our couple in front of a large mirror and marble topped table. Our heroine is a pretty brunette and wears two elegant chains around her neck. Our hero looks older on the cover than he is in the story, but is handsome in black evening wear. I like the contrasts in the heroine's dress and shawl colors!

I think the "marriage to keep a fortune" plot is a popular one among regency authors, but don't know how true it was in reality.

Megan Daniel: The Queen of Hearts

The Queen of Hearts was published in August 1986 by Signet for Megan Daniel. Mallorie French has returned to England after 10 years and meets Tony Howell, Lord Rosslyn. Can two ill suited people find romance together?

This is a unique cover by Allan Kass, because the young heroine is prematurely gray. She and our hero sit near a river that contains swans and a beautiful red Chinese bridge. I like the purple flowers that grow in the grass. Our heroine's yellow gown compliments the blue of the hero's coat. It's a pretty, peaceful scene that I hope you enjoy!

Megan Daniel: The American Bride

The American Bride was published by Signet in September 1983 and is the story of Abigail Dawson, who was on her way from Pennsylvania to London to get married to an Earl. She meets Charles Lydiard on board and begins to reconsider her arranged marriage plans!

Allan Kass creates a wonderful seafaring cover for this book! We see it as through a close up shot of our hero and heroine. She is beautiful in a red gown and purple cape. The black tie emphasizes her long black hair, blown by the wind. Our ginger haired hero is gorgeous in dark green and black! I like the picture of the boats in the background. It's another of his great regency covers.

Megan Daniel: Amelia

Amelia is the first book that I have authored by Megan Daniel and illustrated by Allan Kass. It was published by Signet in November 1980. Amelia is a society beauty and all of London watches to see who she will choose as a husband: Sir Julian Denventer or the Marquis of Tyrone?

Allan Kass paints a wonderful cover for this book! Our couple stands in a embrace in a open hallway. Our heroine is a lovely redhead with a elaborate hairdo, which looks hard to duplicate, much less illustrate! Our hero is in love with the heroine and has an athletic feel to him. As usual, look at the background details: the painting above the doorway, the Chinese porcelain, etc. Click on the picture to enlarge.