Georgette Heyer: Sylvester

Sylvester, by Georgette Heyer, is another Berkley paperback published in November 1975. This is the story of the proud Duke of Salford and his mother's ward, Phoebe Marlow, who she wishes him to wed. Can two people who hate the idea of a arranged marriage change their minds, especially after the publication of a novel written by the heroine?

This is an interesting cover by Allan Kass. Again, it feels muted and I'm not sure if that's the printer's fault or just the way he designed this painting. Our couple stand in a sylvan glade and we see a swan swimming on the lake behind them. Our heroine is pretty in white and wears interesting green fingerless gloves which match her ribbon.

Georgette Heyer: Sprig Muslin

Sprig Muslin, by Georgette Heyer, was published in this edition by Berkley in November 1972 and is the story of Sir Gareth Ludlow, who has made up his mind to propose to Lady Hester Theale, but on the way to do so finds Amanda and has the devil of a time convincing everyone that he's not in love with this young runaway!

Allan Kass displays a tender scene from this novel where our heroine comes to care for the injured hero. We see them share an embrace while sitting in a window seat. There is almost a muted feel to this picture, as if we are to gaze from a distance.

Georgette Heyer: The Spanish Bride

Georgette Heyer's The Spanish Bride is the story of the real Harry Smith and the Spanish girl he wed while a soldier in the Napoleonic Wars. Published by Signet in December 1984, this story tells of the quick marriage between the young, aristocratic Juana and the dashing officer that could only happen in wartime.

Allan Kass's cover shows our hero in his military uniform embracing a dark beauty in a quiet courtyard. Her purple gown is embellished with a darker lace and we see a black cloak hanging over her arm. I like the moss dangling from the tree branches above them and the potted plant, which give this a semi tropical feel.

Georgette Heyer: Simon the Coldheart

Simon the Coldheart is another of Georgette Heyer's historical novels. Set in medieval times, young Simon of Beauvallet has risen from his birth to be a page, squire, and now a lord of the land. He cannot love and that has earned him the name of Coldheart until he meets Margaret of Belremy. This book is a prequel to Beauvallet! Published by Fawcett in December 1984.

Allan Kass probably loved the idea to create a medieval romance cover! I love all of the detail from the roaring fire to the stained glass and crests above the fireplace. Our heroine is beautiful with her heavy braids and rich red gown. She has a jeweled belt and carries a dagger, as if to ward off an enemy. Our hero looks like a knight of old with his outer robe and crest to the chain mail underneath.

Georgette Heyer: Royal Escape

Royal Escape by Georgette Heyer is one of her historical novels portraying the escape of Charles Stuart from Worcester to France during the time of the Cromwell's republic. He was the rightful king, but a time of civil war had pushed his father off the throne and many wished for a republic instead of a monarchy. This story tells of how he was helped, with some romance along the way, as he made his escape.

Allan Kass breaks from his regency covers and shows us the rich and elegant garb of the 1660's in this cover. Our heroine is wearing a blue outer robe covering a white under or night dress while the hero is richly clad in lace and a slashed gold and cream coat. My copy has some bleeding due to a stamp on the inside cover, but I hope you can see the beauty anyways.

Georgette Heyer: The Reluctant Widow

The Reluctant Widow by Georgette Heyer was published in March 1975 by Berkley paperbacks. Elinor Rochdale is a governess who, stepping into the wrong carriage, embarks on a great adventure which involves housebreakers, a deathbed marriage, French spies, a great shaggy dog, and romance!

Allan Kass shows our couple relaxing in a quiet room. Our heroine lounges on a sofa and wears a pretty bronze dress with a simple hairdo and shawl. Our hero is clad in an older fashion with a lacy cravat and red waistcoat. The paneling and pictures show the country estate of a gentleman.

Georgette Heyer: The Quiet Gentleman

The Quiet Gentleman was published by Berkley in November 1972. Drucilla Morville is a guest of Lady St. Erth and is present when the new earl arrives to live in his ancestral home. When she realizes that Gervase is in danger, she is willing to help him find out who is behind it but this very quiet man has his own game to play in love and war!

This is a charming cover by Allan Kass of our couple sharing a private moment together. He is very simply dressed and she wears a pretty blue day dress accented with pink ribbons. The room is also simple and might be an office or servants room.

Georgette Heyer: Pistols for Two

Pistols for Two, published by Signet in November 1984, is a collection of Georgette Heyer's short stories. They are tales of love and romance set during regency times and it's fun to read them and wonder how a longer story would have flushed out. My favorites are Pink Domino and A Husband for Fanny.

Allan Kass illustrated a scene in one of the stories also called Pistols for Two. We see the heroine embracing the hero while interrupting a duel with another gentleman. Note the early morning sunlight in the wooded area since duels were against the law and done in quiet, obscure places.

Georgette Heyer: The Nonesuch

Georgette Heyer's The Nonesuch was published in the late 1970's by Fawcett. It had an earlier paperback publication date, but this copy is a newer edition.

Sir Waldo Hawkridge has inherited Broom Hall and the locals are excited to have an eligible bachelor in their area! Especially the young and beautiful Tiffany Wield, who has yet to attach the man of her choice! Unfortunately for her, Waldo's eye falls on her governess/companion, Miss Ancilla Trent!

This is a gorgeous cover by Allan Kass! We see our sporting hero with his red coat and whip looking down at the heroine, organizing flowers in the church. It's as if he's interrupted a quiet, pensive moment as she twirls a flower in her hand. The dark brown stone of the church is a pleasing setting to this quiet introduction.

Georgette Heyer: The Masqueraders

The Masqueraders, by Georgette Heyer, is a Georgian romance and adventure about two siblings, Prudence and Robin Lacey. They masquerade as the opposite sex in order to foil political enemies, but the fun begins when they fall in love with others under this masquerade.

Allan Kass shows us one of the "couples" with our heroine dressed as a man and presumably the hero is the man with whom she has fallen in love. Note the bright yellow and red colors which wouldn't have been used in men's dress during the regency, unless it was part of a uniform.

Georgette Heyer: Lady of Quality

Lady of Quality by Georgette Heyer was published by Signet in August 1992. Annis Wynchwood is happy being a Bath spinster until she helps out Oliver Carleton's niece, Lucilla, and realizes that there may be more to life than being a maiden aunt!

This cover by Allan Kass is just beautiful. I love everything about it: the colors, the couple, and the detail. The couple look just as I imagined them to be and I like the blue/gray color of the heroine's dress, which blends into the blue painted room. The orange flowers give an exotic look to the cover.

Georgette Heyer: An Infamous Army

An Infamous Army, by Georgette Heyer,  has two copies which Allan Kass illustrated. The Signet edition is dated September 1984 and the Fawcett edition is from approximately 1977.

Lady Barbara Childe is a beautiful, scandalous widow who shocked all Brussels by accepting the hand of Colonel Charles Audley on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo. After a disastrous first marriage, she is wary of his love and really wonders if what she feels for him is love.

My favorite is the first cover done for Signet. I think it captures the beauty and elegance of our heroine while showing us our dashing hero. We almost feel as if we've intruded onto an intimate scene.

The Fawcett cover shows the ballroom and its occupants talking about our couple. The heroine looks a bit more dashing with her green eyeshadow and low cut gown while our hero is elegant in his military uniform. It's an interesting juxtaposition of the different scenes in a ballroom.

Georgette Heyer: The Grand Sophy

The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer is a Berkley publication dated May 1976.  Sophy Stanton-Lacey is sent to live with her London relatives while her diplomatic father travels to Brazil. Once there, she begins to turn this family upside down as she solves problems and makes matches. It is one of my favorite books and definitely one to track down and read if you haven't given yourself the pleasure!

This cover, by Allan Kass, looks like something Sophy would have worn while driving or traveling. Our heroine is dashing in her fur lined driving coat and matching muff. In the distance we see our hero and the grounds of an estate. I like the subtle variations of color in the sky and that the heroine is prominent on this cover.

Georgette Heyer: Friday's Child

Friday's Child, by Georgette Heyer, is a paperback Berkley edition from May 1975.  Lord Sheringham, jilted by a beauty, vows to marry the next female he sees, which is his childhood friend, Hero Wantage! Their runaway marriage is the talk of the town and this romance is an amusing tale of friends, family, and love.

Allan Kass's cover shows our heroine shopping in the fashionable part of town and wearing a dashing bonnet and carrying a bandbox on her arm. We see a gentleman watching her, but he doesn't look like the youthful Sherry of our story! The background shows St Paul's Cathedral and a riding coach.