Sunday, July 24, 2011

Sandra Heath: An Impossible Confession


An Impossible Confession by Sandra Heath was published by Signet in September 1988. Helen Fairmead was new to society, so her older sister selected the perfect suitor. However, another suitor, handsome and scandalous, seems perfectly suitable to her!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple outside taking the air in a park. We see a group of carriages behind them with sightseers. Our heroine is pretty in a pink walking dress with a matching bonnet. Her dress is low and plain, but accented with a darker shawl. Our hero is dashing in his top hat and striped waistcoat. I like the illusion that they are the only two people around when they look at each other!

Friday, July 22, 2011

Sandra Heath: A Highland Conquest


A Highland Conquest by Sandra Heath was published by Signet in February 1994 under the regency romance line. Lauren Maitland was an American who comes to England to claim an inheritance. She meets two brothers who are interested in her, but is it for the right reason of love or wrong reason of money?

Allan Kass creates a close up view of our couple as they stand overlooking a beautiful mountain and lake scene. We see a castle in the background but our attention is focused on the hero and heroine who are dressed for riding. Our heroine wears an amber colored riding habit which is echoed in the hero's waistcoat. It's a good match with her complexion and hair color. I like the detail of ruffles on her blouse and the gauze bow on her hat. The hero is calm and seems peaceful with the heroine and the surroundings.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Sandra Heath: The Fawn's Folly


The Fawn's Folly by Sandra Heath was published in June 1998 and is one of Allan Kass's last illustrations for Signet. Anne Willowby is engaged to marry Gervase, the new Duke of Mowbray, but he has returned from Italy enchanted and only she can break the spell so they can find true love.

During the late 1990's, more regencies were written with fantasy themes in order to attract the large and growing paranormal readers.

Allan Kass didn't like the crazy elements that the publishers wanted him to produce into the illustrations. I assume this wasn't one of his favorites. However, it's a pretty cover of our couple and the fawn is enchantingly cute.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Sandra Heath: Fashion's Lady


October 1982 is Signet's publication date for Sandra Heath's Fashion Lady. Susannah Garland is a proper young lady, but decides to go into trade as a dressmaker. She is enabled by the handsome Sir Jeffrey Stratton, but being wooed by another man who she adores!

Allan Kass shows our young couple in front of an ornate fireplace mantel. Our heroine clasps the back of an interesting chair while our hero is enticing her. She dresses as a fashionable lady with her ornaments of a watch. I like how Allan's covers could be a picture of our ancestors.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Sandra Heath: A Commercial Enterprise


Sandra Heath's A Commercial Enterprise, was published by Signet in September 1984 for their regency romance line. Caroline Lexham turned the elegant London mansion she inherited into a fashionable hotel. What she didn't expect were those who were wishing for her downfall, among them the dashing Sir Henry Seymour!

Allan Kass creates a cover of our couple dancing in an elegant room with exquisite paintings and people! Our heroine is striking in her jewels and finery while our hero is handsome! I consider Kass's work during the 1980's some of his best when it comes to the regency covers. This one is a good example with the details to the couple and room itself!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Sandra Heath: A Christmas Courtship


A Christmas Courtship, by Sandra Heath, is one of many delightful themed romances that Signet would publish for its readers. This copy has a publication date of December 1990. Blanche Amberley thought she loved one man and hated another. Will the Christmas holiday show her that she could be wrong?

Allan Kass illustrates our couple sitting in a cozy room near a roaring fire. Our heroine is warm in her lilac dress. Her hair color really stands out on this cover being a silvery gold. Our hero is dashing in his red uniform.

Some of these holiday stories and Signet's books of short stories by multiple authors are great favorites to read again during the season!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Sandra Heath: A Change of Fortune


October 1985 is the publication date of A Change of Fortune by Sandra Heath. Miss Leonie Conyngham is beautiful, but her family has just lost its wealth and even though she has important suitors around her, another lady is determined to eliminate her as a rival for one of them! Will a change of fortune leave her brokenhearted?

Allan Kass creates a beautiful snowy scene with our couple inside a warm room standing in an embrace. Our heroine wears a long sleeve green day dress decorated with lace and ribbon. Our hero is dashing and romantic in his dark jacket. I like the heroine's gold necklace, which is a typical Kass touch!

Monday, July 4, 2011

Sandra Heath: Camilla's Conscience


We begin with a series of Regency Romances by the talented Sandra Heath, who wrote many for Signet. Camilla's Conscience was published in February 1995 and is the story of a widow who is being courted by the man who tried to break off her engagement to her late husband and she is wondering if she can withstand his campaign against her!

Allan Kass illustrated quite a few of Heath's books and we see our couple standing in an Oriental inspired park. Our heroine wears a typical regency day dress while our hero is informal in his buff jacket and loose knotted tie. It's one of Allan's later illustrations, but beautiful and elegant.