Elsie Gage: Your Obedient Servant

Your Obedient Servant by Elsie Gage was published by Signet in November 1985 and is the only book she wrote for them. Laura Adams was raised by farmers when she is taken in by Lady Danville, who hopes to marry off the beautiful girl. Instead, she finds three men whose advances and intentions are unclear.

Allan Kass illustrates a pretty cover for this book. I like our heroine's late Georgian/early Regency styled gown with the lace touches. She sits with the hero on a bench and we see the ornate garden wall and beautiful flowers. The hero is intent on showing his affections to her.

Peggy Gaddis: River's Edge

Our last book by Peggy Gaddis is River's Edge, #21 in the Rainbow Romance series. Allan illustrated 5 books for this series that I could find. These are some of his earliest book cover illustrations.

River's Edge was published in September 1970 and is a condensed book. The original title was The Other Dear Charmer. Kate Ryan and her doctor father have moved into the estate called River's Edge. However, this town was wary of strangers and Kate didn't like it there until she met Dr. Scott Etheridge, another newcomer who was destined for another.

This is such a pretty cover by Allan Kass. We see our couple in an embrace as they stand on a path in a wooded area. I love that he uses greens and pinks to soften the darkness of the woods.

Peggy Gaddis: Mountain Melody

Mountain Melody was published by Signet under their Rainbow Romance line in September 1970. This is a condensed book. Cherry and her sister, Loyce, are opposites, but both are drawn to a handsome lawyer named Jonathan Gayle. This story is set in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Allan Kass illustrates our couple relaxing outside together. We see a bit of the forest where they sit. The heroine holds a guitar and seems dressed up for sitting outside while our hero is dressed suitably for the scene! It's one of Allan's earlier illustrations and I hope you enjoy it.

Peggy Gaddis: Enchanted Spring

We veer off into young adult books with Peggy Gaddis's, Enchanted Spring, published by Signet in August 1982. Lynn Carter isn't impressed by rich Wayde McCuller when he moves into Oakville as the heir to Inspiration Hill. However, when he is charged with murder, it is Lynn who comes to his defense.

Allan Kass shows his skill as an illustrator in this cover of our two young people. Our hero lounges on a stone wall while the heroine leans against it. It looks like an enchanted place of quiet harmony. I like the very 70's knit jumper that the heroine wears and her bouquet of lilies. I have a few other Gaddis books that Allan illustrated which I will showcase next.

Joy Freeman: A Suitable Match

A Suitable Match was published in September 1982 and had an earlier hardcover printing in 1980 by St. Martin's Press. Vescinda Bancroft is thrown together with the Earl of Sherworth by a relative and she, being virtuous, has no time for the scandalous gentleman! Can two such unlikely people find love?

Allan Kass makes a great cover of our couple standing in an elegant room dressed for a ball or gala evening. Our heroine is pretty in yellow and her gold accessories set off her emerald and diamond jewelry. Our hero is dashing in black evening dress and we wonder to what special event they plan to attend! It's a pretty cover and I wish my copy was in better condition!

Merry Christmas!

Joy Freeman: The Last Frost Fair

Joy Freeman wrote two books for Signet Regency and both were illustrated by Allan Kass. The Last Frost Fair was published in December 1985. Madeleine St. Cross needs to marry money and for this reason she is brought to London. During the winter of 1814, London's Thames River freezes over and a fair is built upon the ice. She meets Major John Ashton and is faced with the dilemma of marrying for love or money!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple sitting on a sofa. The hero seems to be entreating the heroine to marry him! It's a colorful scene with the green sofa, red walls, pink and purple pillows setting off her yellow gown and his blue jacket. I like that it's a calm and quiet picture of true love. I'm curious that Allan didn't paint a scene from the Frost Fair of the title, but he often had to illustrate according to the demands of the publishers.

Ellen Fitzgerald: An Unwelcome Alliance

An Unwelcome Alliance is the last of Ellen Fitzgerald's books published by Signet and illustrated by Allan Kass. This copy was printed in March 1989.

Lady Belinda marries Lord Gerald even though they both love others. Can this marriage of convenience become a love match?

Allan Kass creates a pretty cover of our couple at a outside ball. Our heroine is lovely in a turquoise gown and a very elegant tiara. I like the up close pose and it's nice to see the beautiful touches of pearls on the gold lady's dress and the trim on another.

According to Fiction DB, Ellen Fitzgerald wrote regencies under other names: Lucia Curzon, Pamela Frazier, and Zabrina Faire. She also wrote gothics under the name Florence Stevenson, which Allan also illustrated.

Ellen Fitzgerald: A Streak of Luck

A Streak of Luck was published by Signet in July 1987 for Ellen Fitzgerald. Rachel Villiers thought good fortune had found her when Gervais Fenton proposed! However, after they are wed, she finds out that he lost a wager with her father and had to marry her. Now she wonders if a marriage built on game of cards can become a streak of luck for her?

Allan Kass creates a pretty illustration of our couple at a pretty lily pond. They stand near an ornate stone wall and we see a beautiful pagoda on the island behind. I love the colors of blue, green, and pink he uses which echo in her purple dress. Their pose is interesting since we see more of the heroine than the hero. I like that it's a tender moment they are sharing and think this is another of Allan's best outdoor covers!

Ellen Fitzgerald: Romany Summer

Romany Summer is another Signet Regency Romance authored by Ellen Fitzgerald and illustrated by Allan Kass. This book came out in October 1987. Felicity Carruthers was once young and naive, but no more. She doesn't plan to lose her heart to a rake like Sir Lionel Graves!

Allan Kass paints a delightful outdoors scene of our couple with a beautiful view of rolling hills and farmland behind them. Our couple stand near a stone wall on the edge of a road looking at the scenery. Our heroine's hair is loose and she holds some wildflowers that match her golden dress. Our hero is enamored of her and we see a caravan in the background which we presume they have been traveling. If you like scenic covers, this is one of Allan's best!

Ellen Fitzgerald: Rogue's Bride

Rogue's Bride was published by Signet in January 1986 for Ellen Fitzgerald. Ariadne Caswell-Drake is caught between different men: her husband, Sir Iden Peverell, who she married to avoid scandal, and Sir Robert Heath, attentive and charming! Who will she choose in the end?

Allan Kass paints our couple outdoors relaxing near a river. We see a rowboat in the water and assume that it is their mode of transportation. Both wear casual clothing for the era and our heroine has brought a basket to pick some fresh flowers. I like her ballerina shoes, which would be stylish nowadays!

Click to see an enlarged version of the cover.

Ellen Fitzgerald: The Player Knight

July 1989 saw the publication of The Player Knight, a Signet regency by Ellen Fitzgerald. Arabella Ashmore knows that a lady never performs on the stage, but is intrigued with the idea when she sees her best friend become an actress and also meets the dashing actor, Julian Sherlay!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple outside during sunset on a cold day. Our heroine wears a dark blue cloak, which has figured in a few of his illustrations!! Our hero's dark green jacket must have also been a popular color choice for the dashing regency buck! I feel as if this elegant pair doesn't belong, but are visiting, the setting where they stand.

Ellen Fitzgerald: Lord Caliban

Lord Caliban is another regency written by Ellen Fitzgerald and illustrated by Allan Kass. This book was published by Signet in March 1985 and Clemency is saved from injury when Lord Rodger Colbourne rescues her from a collapsing tower. Now he is determined to marry her, but she is concerned about his reputation as "Lord Caliban".

Allan Kass creates a classic cover with our couple taking a walk. Our hero is obviously infatuated with the heroine and she is summery in her yellow gown, which blends with the outdoors. I really like the ornate gate behind them. The trees make a shady spot above where they linger. Beautiful cover, which you can click to enlarge.

Ellen Fitzgerald: Lessons in Love

Lessons in Love was published in July 1986. Diana Forsythe falls for Sir Sabin Mallory and hopes he will do the same. Instead, he asks her for help in winning the heart of the most beautiful girl in London! She hopes their lessons will turn his heart towards herself!

Allan Kass paints a beautiful cover of our couple outside on a snowy day. The sunset reflects on the pond behind them and illuminates our heroine's purple winter coat and our hero's heavy green one. The trees in the background seem a fitting frame for this regency couple. Sometimes as I pull these books off of the shelf, I forget how pretty and elegant these covers really are! Signet books was smart to keep the lettering light and let the illustration shine!

Ellen Fitzgerald: Julia's Portion

April 1988 saw the publication of Julia's Portion by Ellen Fitzgerald. Julia was a new heiress and while others had ideas how to manage her fortune, she had her own ideas of freedom that included Lord Alysford!

I really like this cover by Allan Kass! It shows our couple on board a ship in a rough shoreline. Note the house on the cliff! Could it be our heroine's house? I like the heroine's pink gown which seems to brighten the cover. I wonder if they are on a pleasure cruise or traveling somewhere? Allan did a few illustrations on board ships and they are interesting to compare.

Ellen Fitzgerald: The Irish Heiress

The Irish Heiress was published by Signet in July 1985 for Ellen Fitzgerald. Sheila Corbett is intrigued by Lord Rande, but after his dealings with her brother, she knew that she should avoid him, but is tempted by something that may be love!

Allan Kass creates an outdoor scene near an old castle where our couple seem to be embracing. I like the splash of color that the heroine's purple gown make against the stone wall and her long black hair is unusually flowing! Our hero is handsome and elegant in his red coat. Allan's daughter said that many times he painted himself as the face of the heroes and after seeing a photo of him, I concur!

Ellen Fitzgerald: The Heirs of Bellaire

The Heirs of Bellair is next in our Signet regency romance series by Ellen Fitzgerald. This book was published in January 1987. Pamela Caldwell plans to marry childhood friend Tom Bellair until Sidney Questered arrives on the scene. She is intrigued by him and marries him not knowing that he is really Arthur Bellair, one of the heirs of Bellair!

Allan Kass shows our couple sharing a tender moment in front of a large fireplace. She wears jade jewelry against a pink gown while our hero is formally dressed in black. Allan gets the details correct with the grandfather clock and engraved fireplace hearth. Enjoy!