Monica Heath: Duncraig

Duncraig, by Monica Heath, was published by Signet in January 1974. Corry Collins visits Duncraig, a castle on the Irish Sea, where someone is threatened by her claim to the family fortune!

Allan Kass creates a stunning cover for this book with a heroine, dressed in a mint green gown which echoes the color of the sky, fleeing from a ruin behind her. Her red hair is wild and free flowing and I like the Kass touch of the arm bracelet! Kass didn't do a lot of gothic romance covers, but this is one of his best with the cover not only being beautiful, but also giving off a feeling of menace.

Monica Heath: Clancumara's Keep

Clancumara's Keep by Monica Heath is next in our list of Allan Kass illustrations. This book was published by Signet in November 1978. Kerry Carillo is searching for the truth about her mother and hoping to find the father she's never met. Her clues lead her to Clancumara and the mystery that she finds there!

Allan Kass's gothic romances are infinitely better than most! We see a beautifully illustrated heroine along with all of the gothic touches: lonely castle, lone light, and eerie time frame! I am amazed at how modern his women look, even 30 years after the illustration! We see a beautiful brunette, in black and green velvet, outside of the keep, which is dark and mysterious. Sorry that my book isn't in the best of condition.

Monica Heath: Chateau of Shadows

Back to Gothic romances with Chateau of Shadows, first from author Monica Heath. This book was published in October 1973 by Signet and is the story of Marva McLarnen, who is drawn to a handsome doctor, whose wife has died mysteriously.

Allan Kass creates a sweeping illustration for this book with our heroine, pretty in a lilac gown, running up a steep hillside. We see the chateau and mountains with waterfalls. The blues in the painting give us a cool, chilly feel of this scene, along with the eerie light showing on the castle tower! The heroine is typical Kass with her sweeping hair, gold jewelry, and fine boned structure.

More Monica Heath books to come in the next few days!