Sunday, July 25, 2010

Gail Eastwood: The Persistent Earl


March 1995 saw the publication of Gail Eastwood's The Persistent Earl. Lady Phoebe Brodfield is a widow living in the same London mansion with the Earl of Devenham, who is recovering from war wounds. She believes that she is immune from his charm since she has decided to never fall in love again, but he is determined to win this lady!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple standing in a bookroom or library. Our heroine wears a pretty yellow day dress with a beautiful strand of pearls. Her black hair is piled high on her head and she wears button pearl earrings. Our hero is classically Kass in his pose and features. I like the details of the painting behind them and the ornate blue Chinese vase. Beautiful cover!!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Gail Eastwood: A Perilous Journey


A Perilous Journey is the next Allan Kass illustrated book by Gail Eastwood. See the nice comment Gail left on this site after my blog entry about her book, The Lady from Spain!

This book, published by Signet in July 1994, is about Gillian Kentwell and her efforts to escape an arranged marriage. She meets up with a man called Rafferty, who is willing to help her!

Allan Kass captures our couple in a playful moment as they rest from their journey. I love the hero's playful antics with the daffodil! Allan paints a lot of details in this cover: from our couple sitting on a tree log, to the daffodils at their feet. I love the ivy growing up the tree and the horses grazing in the background. It's a beautiful, serene cover that I hope you enjoy!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Gail Eastwood: The Lady from Spain


Now we're back to regency romance covers with Signet's publication of The Lady from Spain by Gail Eastwood. Published in September 1997, this story is about a lady named Falcarrah Colburne, who comes to claim a legacy as a daughter of a British noble! Is she who she says she is? Lord Jeremy Danbridge plans to find ou!!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple outside in a public setting. Our heroine wears a Spanish mantilla on her head and a rich red shawl over her white empire gown. Our hero is handsome in a top hat and formal wear with a caped greatcoat over his arm. I like the features of the other couple walking and the carriage behind our couple. Allan is the master of the detail with items like her fan and his cane bringing an elegant touch to this cover.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Margaret Eastvale: As the Sparks Fly


As the Sparks Fly was written by Margaret Eastvale and published by Fawcett for their regency romance line in October 1975. Catherine Woodleigh was glad to leave school and go live with her young guardian, but she finds herself falling in love with him. Unfortunately, he's engaged and his fiancee is throwing her at other men!!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple outside of a coach. Our heroine looks as if she's traveling and our hero is either picking her up or escorting her somewhere. I like the calm scene of the water and grass behind them. Our heroine wears a cloak over her dark green empire gown, which is cut low for traveling. Our hero wears a many caped greatcoat, but what's interesting is his large emerald ring! This is the only book that Allan illustrated for Margaret Eastvale.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Curtis Eady: The Twins


Curtis Eady's The Twins was published by Signet in July 1971. It's a novel about identical twins who decide to pay back the man who has been playing around with both of them! The ultimate novel of two women scorned!

This is Allan Kass's only R rated cover! The red color hides the nakedness of the people. It's an interesting study and a totally different cover than Allan usually did! I think drawing twins would be difficult and Allan did a few covers with twins on them. Well, I hope you're not too scandalized! What do you think??

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Lois Duncan: Down a Dark Hall


Lois Duncan writes a young adult mystery called Down a Dark Hall, published by Signet in September 1975. This is about Kit Gordy, who have been sent to Blackwood, a girl's school, along with three friends, to develop their "psychic talents."

Allan Kass illustrates our schoolgirl running down a hallway of a mansion. We see her plaid skirt and blazer jacket which were typical school uniforms of the 1970's. I love her face and her long strawberry blonde hair flowing behind her. While we don't see anything sinister, it's assumed by her expression and her actions. The darkness of the room and the open window with the purple curtain waving suggest an eerie feeling to the hallway.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Anne Duffield: Tomorrow is Theirs


Tomorrow is Theirs is the last Allan Kass illustrated book I have by Anne Duffield. This copy was published by Berkley in December 1974.

Julie Conroy is swept off her feet in a whirlwind courtship and marriage to Valentine Carrell, a dashing lawyer and heir to a Virginia estate. However, things are not what they seem and Julie finds that only Val's cousin, Fairfax, believes her.

Allan Kass illustrates our couple outside a mansion. It's a pretty house framed with trees and flowering shrubs. Our heroine is pretty in a pink blouse while our hero embraces her in comfort. I like her jewelry: note her necklace and bracelet. Also, the lone light in the window gives an eerie, gothic feel to the cover. I hope that you have enjoyed all of these contemporary couples!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Anne Duffield: Harbor Lights


Harbor Lights, published by Berkley in November 1973, is the story of widow Rose Panton, who is cruising in the Mediterranean to get away from all her sadness when she realizes that she knows the ship's navigator, Maxwell Ramsey, and he's interested in knowing her better!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple on deck during a beautiful sunset. Our heroine is pretty in a bright blue suit while our hero wears a ships uniform. We see a pretty city lit up in the evening and a sunset casting an orange glow across the sky.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Anne Duffield: The Grand Duchess


The Grand Duchess by Anne Duffield was published by Berkley in November 1973. Anna has been orphaned and is bound for Vienna to the home of Sir Charles Tremaine, a friend of her guardian. She meets Captain Kim Forrest, aide de camp of Sir Charles, and likes him, though he is the ex-lover of Sir Charles's wife, Sara. Can they all peacefully coexist in a volatile Vienna?

Allan Kass illustrates our couple outside in a snowy world! We see a mansion behind them and a car, probably with its engine on, waiting for one of them. Our heroine is lovely in a white fur coat while our hero is handsome and passionate. Allan Kass used to draw for Detroit's motor companies, so the car is an interesting addition to this cover.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Anne Duffield: The Golden Summer


The Golden Summer by Anne Duffield was published in January 1974. Lora Russell, an artist, was invited to spend the summer in the foothills of the Pyrenees and serve as hostess to a party of Americans for the owner, the Countess d'Anely de Vaucours. She decides to go, even though she loves the Countess's son, Gervaise.

Allan Kass illustrates this cover with our couple outside near a ruin and lake. Our heroine has been painting, as we see her easel set up in the background. I think the hero is splendid; one of Allan's most handsome ones!! I like that the greens and yellows evoke the feel of summer in this cover. Enjoy!!

Friday, July 2, 2010

Anne Duffield: Forever Tomorrow


Forever Tomorrow is next in the Berkley series by Anne Duffield. This copy was published in October 1974 and is about Lucy, who travels to Spain to visit her sister where she meets a handsome Frenchman, Lys. However, family life at the Casa Isabella isn't happy since her sister's husband is cruel. Can they bring back the happiness?

Allan Kass shows our couple in the corridors of the Spanish home. We see the beautiful tiles on the roof and the Moorish arches. Our heroine is being comforted by the hero and it's a somber and quiet picture.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Anne Duffield: Fiametta


Anne Duffield's Fiametta was published by Berkley Books in November 1974. Fiametta was a glorious garden of romance nestled in the Italian mountains and it's the place where Jack Morell meets Fanny, who is there to discover her missing brothers whereabouts.

Allan Kass illustrates our couple against the backdrop of the sea and mountains. Our heroine is classically Kass as she holds a flower in her hand. Her long hair and beautiful face evoke his regency ladies. Our hero, dressed in 1970's style, is tender and romantic. I hope you enjoy these different covers by Allan Kass!