Saturday, January 28, 2012

Candice Hern: A Change of Heart


A Change of Heart by Candice Hern, was published by Signet in December 1995 and is part of a series of books called the Regency Rakes. This is the only book that Allan Kass illustrated for Hern.

Lady Mary Haviland knew she wouldn't wed because she was older and plain. So she laughed at the rumors about her and the Marquis of Pemerton, her friend! He was one of the biggest rakes in London and definitely not for her. Or so she thought!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple outside taking a walk. We see a grand house in the background and a pretty countryside. It may be an early spring day since our heroine is well wrapped in a blue pelisse and gloves. Our hero is bright in his red coat and striped waistcoat! I like the little touches of flowers on the hat and the lace drops on the umbrella.

For more information on this author: http://www.candicehern.com/

Friday, January 27, 2012

Charlotte Herman: Just We Three


Now a change of pace from the regency covers with a young adult story by Charlotte Herman called Just We Three, published by Signet in November 1975.

This is the story of 2 friends, Myrna and Louise, who befriend beautiful Arabella, a new student from New York, and find that being a trio can be a lot of fun when you're growing up!

In this cover by Allan Kass, we see 3 teenage girls, all in casual play clothes, posing on a big tree stump. They look to be about 13 or 14 and enjoying themselves as they play in the fresh air. We get the impression that this may be a favorite meeting spot. I like the details on a t-shirt and jeans, which make this cover feel authentic!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Emily Hendrickson: The Wicked Proposal


The last book by Emily Hendrickson illustrated by Allan Kass is The Wicked Proposal, which was published by Signet in May 1992. Lady Penelope Winthrop is avoiding a match with her cousin and just wishes to find a spouse that will leave her alone. She enlists the Earl of Harford to help her, not realizing that he may be her perfect match!

This Allan Kass cover shows our couple taking a break from the ride they were on and pausing at a scenic place near a river. Our heroine is gorgeous in a purple driving dress with a matching hat. Our hero's green coat compliments her gown and accessories. It looks like a cool day, but our couple seem pleased with one another.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Emily Hendrickson: The Unexpected Wife


Emily Hendrickson's The Unexpected Wife, was published by Signet in October 1998, making this one of Allan Kass's last covers.
Juliet Winterton runs away from the mess of an arranged marriage to the empty property of the Viscount Hawkswood and pretends to be his wife. It's a good plan until he arrives, also running from a husband hunter! Can they survive joining forces?

Considering that Allan Kass was in his early 80's when this cover was made, it's an excellent depiction of our couple, especially when you note the pattern in her gown and the detail of the background. The couple are lovely, the children charming, and the setting blooming. It's a shame that he retired in 1998.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Emily Hendrickson: The Scoundrel's Bride


The Scoundrel's Bride was published in June 1994 by Signet for Emily Hendrickson. Chloe Maitland had a problem. She could either accept the aging roue, Lord Twisdale, or the poor but rakish Julian St. Aubyn. What can an obedient girl do?

I like this cover by Allan Kass since it portrays a whimsical moment between our couple! Our heroine uses her fan to flirt and the hero is showing her how to hold it just so! She is richly dressed while our hero is neat in a black coat. The room's colors give off a warm glow and suit the feel of the cover.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Emily Hendrickson: A Scandalous Suggestion


July 1991 is the publication date of A Scandalous Suggestion by popular regency author Emily Hendrickson. Sibyl Eagleton should have been happy since she was engaged to the handsome Lord Buckingham. However, she wasn't and decided to enlist her friend, Robert Medland, for his help!

Allan Kass paints a pretty picture of our couple standing near a low wall which borders a lazy river. It looks as if they are stopping while taking a walk back to the town beyond. Our hero is typical Kass in feature while our heroine is handsome in her orange gown, which has a late Georgian look to it. I like the detail of the mossy wall and setting sunset.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Emily Hendrickson: Miss Wyndhan's Escapade


Miss Wyndham's Escapade by Emily Hendrickson was published in September 1990 by Signet. Marianna Wyndham was branded a thief by another at her finishing school and left under a cloud of scandal. Can Lord George Barringer's plan save her reputation?

Allan Kass illustrates our couple at an easel where we see our heroine painting or drawing. She wears a simple golden gown and has a curious stickpin in her hair holding her bun. Our hero is intent on the easel and looks like he's making a suggestion to the heroine about her work. I like the shawl draped on her chair and the cheery blue walls.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Emily Hendrickson: Miss Cheney's Charade


Miss Cheney's Charade by Emily Hendrickson was published by Signet in March 1994. Emma Cheney was the picture of serenity but looking for an adventure! She found one by masquerading as a man to visit Sir Peter Dancy's treasure exhibit and his finding out about her!

Allan Kass shows our couple in a scene from a circus or carnival. Our couple is seen up close and dressed in evening wear while they walk through the event. We notice others in the background, but all eyes are on the heroine, who is bridal in white with pink roses as accents. Our hero is Kass elegant in blue with a unique white waistcoat.

http://www.emilyhendrickson.com/ to find out more about this author.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Emily Hendrickson: Lady Sara's Scheme


June 1989 is the publication date for Lady Sara's Scheme by Emily Hendrickson. Lady Sara needed to choose a husband, but she crosses Myles Fenwick, Earl of St. Quinton, off her list of eligibles. However, the path of true love doesn't always go smoothly, as Lady Sara is about to find out!

This is a pretty cover by Allan Kass. We see our heroine in an elegant yellow gown and sapphire jewels, walking through a ballroom with the hero, who is also very splendidly dressed. Her gown is low cut and trimmed with lace with an under dress that starts at the side instead of the middle. I like that her dress blends in with the hero's gold waistcoat. The violets she carries are echoed in her hair. Note the hero's high collared shirt and gold fob!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Emily Hendrickson: Double Deceit


Double Deceit by Emily Hendrickson was published in December 1990 under Signet's Regency Romance series. Caroline Beauchamp plays a dangerous game as she helps her friend regain the love of her husband while she ventures into the marriage mart!

Allan Kass illustrates this cover with our couple sitting in a curricle during a bright fall day. We see a lane of trees in a park or on an estate. Our heroine is pretty in a purple military styled riding dress with a matching hat. Our many caped coated hero embraces her and seems to be imploring for her love. Again, Allan is perfect in his dimensions and sense of detail.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Emily Hendrickson: The Debonair Duke


The Debonair Duke by Emily Hendrickson was published by Signet in July 1996. A rash of jewel thefts are taking place in London and during this time Lady Pamela Taylor is sent a beautiful necklace of sapphires with a cryptic note signed "JR". She wonders who could have sent them to her: a Russian prince, a handsome French comte, or the wealthy Duke of Wexford, all who have these initials!

Allan Kass gives this cover a casual look with our couple sitting outside near a lake. Our heroine was reading a book and we wonder if the hero found her there, or they had walked out together? While he is very casually attired, our heroine is pretty in a summery yellow day gown trimmed in blue. Allan is the master of form as we notice the heroine's perfect profile and the shape and size of the man's hand.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Emily Hendrickson: A Country Miss


A Country Miss, by Emily Hendrickson, was published by Signet in November 1988 for their regency romance line. From the early 1980's-2006, Signet averaged 3 regency romances a month.

Charity Lonsbury is madly in love with the Marquis of Kenrick, but he has no time for a country girl. The Vicar's daughter knew she was, but she could also become a sophisticate! Can she transform herself with the help of her aunt's fortune and help?

Allan Kass illustrates our couple in a conservatory, surrounded by exotic flowers. Our hero is attracted the the heroine and she is aware of it, as she arranges the flowers in front of her. I like the rich colors and different flowers depicted here.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Emily Hendrickson: The Colonial Upstart


April 1990 is the Signet publication date of Emily Hendrickson's The Colonial Upstart. Louisa Randolph from America was on her way to seek help from the Earl of Wescott's father, only to find out he has died. However, she is ignorant of English society and he is frustrated with her manners. Can two different people make a marriage?

This is such a pretty cover by Allan Kass. Our couple are standing in a outdoor gazebo where we see a peek of the grand house behind them. I love the heroine's blue gown with its darker shade of sapphire. Both seem pensive as they ponder deep thoughts!