Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Anne Duffield: Dusty Dawn

January 1975 was the publication date of Dusty Dawn by Anne Duffield. Laurie had always assumed that she'd marry Jeremy since everyone said that they were the perfect couple. While they were friends, there never was that spark of passion. She travels to the Riviera to be with him and meets Jacques, a Frenchman who will try to make her forget Jeremy!

Allan Kass creates a quaint picture for this book. I like the couple standing tenderly in front of the castle. This contemporary cover has a dated feel due to the clothing of the couple. What do you think?

Monday, June 28, 2010

Anne Duffield: Come Back, Miranda


Come Back, Miranda is the first of 8 books written by Anne Duffield and illustrated by Allan Kass. February 1974 is the publication date from Berkley. Miranda Rendle is in love with Sir Frederick Clayton, but he's a hopeless playboy and she puts him out of her mind until they reunite in Lisbon. Will they fall in love again, or not?

Allan Kass creates a great cover for this story. I love the harbor setting and our heroine's long flowing black hair! The hero's outfit seems dated, but the heroine's is not! Allan used his daughters and residents of Big Sky, Montana as his models and doing a modern cover must have been fun after all of the historical ones!

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Dorothy Dowdell: Arctic Nurse


Arctic Nurse is a first in this collection since it's a Nurse Romance in the Candlelight Romance line. Published in June 1969, it's obviously one of Allan Kass's earlier works.

Lori Waters goes back home to Alaska, fleeing heartbreak, but who ends up becoming the new doctor, but Cliff Randolph, the man she loved and lost. Can love blossom in the frigid arctic?

Allan Kass illustrates our couple against the Alaskan mountains. They are dressed in warm jackets, but still wear the cap and uniform of their occupation. Note the totem pole right behind the hero! The image quality isn't the best, but it's a unique Kass illustration that I hope you enjoy and I'm wondering if he did others for the Candlelight line?

Monday, June 14, 2010

Diana Douglas: Surgical Nurse


Surgical Nurse is the last Allan Kass illustrated book that I have by Diana Douglas. If you think you may have one, please contact me.

July 1975 is the date of this book and the story is about Toni Goddard, whose fiance died 3 years earlier. She has no use for men until she meets Dr. Dick Lane and joins his surgical team. Can a famous surgeon fall in love with a pretty nurse?

Allan Kass illustrates our couple inside a pretty room and our heroine is arranging some flowers when our hero arrives. She is dressed in her uniform and he is casual in a dress shirt and jacket over his shoulder. I like the cool calmness of the room and wonder if it is in the hospital?

I hope you have enjoyed these nurse romances illustrated by Allan! I think they are wonderful and I like seeing the difference from his regency covers. He was such a gifted artist and I'm still hunting for more of his work!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Diana Douglas: Surfing Nurse


Surfing Nurse by Diana Douglas was published by Signet in September 1971 and is another of the themed sports/nurse books which are hard to find. Kara Simmon was on assignment as the team nurse for the American Surfing Team. Two brothers are vying for her attention.

Allan Kass illustrates this cover with our two surfers and nurse heroine. Our hero is a typical Kass hero and it's fun to see one in a bathing suit! I also love the blue wave in the background that it a myriad of colors! Great cover for a hard to find book!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Diana Douglas: Ski Lodge Nurse


Ski Lodge Nurse was published by Signet in February 1970. Ria Madden has been a nurse at the Hurricane Valley Ski Lodge and thinks it's the perfect job! This year, however, is different with a famous skiier and a hovering doctor both paying her attention.

Allan Kass illustrates this cover with our nurse, a skiier, and a dangerous man holding a rifle! Our skiier wears reflective ski wear and our nurse is in her uniform. I like the contrast of the white snow and the blue-green of the trees behind.

I believe that these themed nurse romances were quite popular in their day.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Diana Douglas: Sea Nurse


Sea Nurse by Diana Douglas was published by Signet in June 1970 for their nurse romance series. Melinda Madison has taken an assignment on a cruise ship as a way to escape a tragic love affair. She is now working with Dr. Peter Raymond, who she remembers from her student nursing days. Could he also be running away, too?

Allan Kass illustrates our couple in a tropical location wearing leis and a Hawaiian shirt. We see a ship in the background with images of people and parties. This is an interesting cover in regard to the color: lots of orange and yellow. Another earlier illustration of Allan's.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Diana Douglas: Nurse in Spain


May 1975 saw the publication of Nurse in Spain by Diana Douglas. Fran Kelly transfers to Spain hoping for an easy tour of duty. She meets two different men and has to make a decision whether to love the handsome American doctor or the passionate Spanish matador!

Allan Kass illustrates this book with a montage of Spain. We see the matador and bull along with some indistinct skyline. Our couple is almost incongruent; the nurse, white and plain, and the matador, all colorful and decorated! What's your take on this cover?

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Diana Douglas: Nurse in Disaster


Diana Douglas's Nurse in Disaster was published by Signet in March 1972. Dorrie Mason is a nurse harassed by a hospital administrator and attracted to a doctor when a hurricane hits their town and secrets come to life!

Allan Kass illustrates our nurse on the cover of this book. Interesting that she is alone and that there is no hero on this cover! We do see a ship floundering and a palm tree swaying in the wind. Our nurse is prominent and wears a cape over her uniform. This cover has a familiarity to another artist I enjoy: Walter Popp!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Diana Douglas: Nurse Deceived


Nurse Deceived was published in May 1973 and is the story of the romance between Michelle Banfield and Dr. John Rentoul which becomes strained after the reconstruction surgery of a girl whose memory and face had been destroyed by an accident. Michelle is concerned that the beautiful face being created for this girl hides an evil person.

Allan Kass illustrates our couple against the backdrop of San Francisco! Our heroine is pretty with her dark hair and pristine uniform. Our doctor hero young and handsome. I like the Golden Gate Bridge and other famous sites of San Francisco! Enjoy!!