Fiona Hill: The Wedding Portrait

The Wedding Portrait was published by Berkley in June 1975. Hill wrote a few other regency romances. Laura is about to be married and enjoying all of the festivities surrounding the event until Baron Lowland's son Ashley comes to paint her portrait and she wonders if marrying a man she's known forever is the right choice romantically!

Our hero is definitely dashing in this cover by Allan Kass! He paints the heroine in this scene and she is garbed in an elegant white gown with creamy accessories. I like seeing his painting equipment sitting on a nearby table. Allan always gets his details correct.

Fiona Hill: The Trellised Lane

The Trellised Lane was published by Berkley in April 1975. Julia was anxious to travel, so she coerced her brother Fitz to take her to London where she was to find adventure and love!

This cover by Allan Kass is interesting to me because it could almost be a modern day couple with a few tweaks of clothing and hairstyle. There is a 1960's feel to the colors and styles of the clothes or maybe it's the white picket fence that has the modern touch.

Fiona Hill: The Practical Heart

The Practical Heart was published by Berkley in August 1975. Gillian Spencer is a governess for the Viscount Sherbourne's two lovely daughters. As she teaches and guides them to become ready for their London season, she wonders if she's too old herself to marry?

Allan Kass shows our elegant couple standing in a pensive pose. Our heroine is dressed simply but her hair is braided prettily. She holds a rose to her face while the hero embraces her. His greatcoat is almost overwhelming on him and a focal point of the picture.

Fiona Hill: Love in a Major Key

Fiona Hill's Love in a Major Key is the first of four books illustrated for her by Allan Kass. This book was published by Berkley in January 1976. Daphne has left home for London and the season and the only man that she is attracted towards is a pianofortist!

Allan Kass creates a cover within a circle. We see a very elegant heroine with the hero behind her. She is the most striking element in the picture with her brunette hair and plain yellow gown but Allan adds other details that make you feel as if you've intruded into the room!

Georgette Heyer: Venetia

Venetia by Georgette Heyer is a Berkley publication dating September 1976. Venetia Layton's life has been quiet and secluded due to her stern father. The arrival of their nearest and most scandalous neighbor, Lord Dameral, brings excitement and romance to her world.

I like this cover by Allan Kass. We see the rakish Dameral worried about Venetia, who is elegant in her riding habit of gray. Unlike some of the Berkley covers, this one is pretty close to the characters in the novel.

Georgette Heyer: The Unknown Ajax

The Unknown Ajax by Georgette Heyer was published by Berkley in February 1974. Hugh Darracott emerges as the heir to Darracott Place and unknown to the family as his father was a black sheep! He realizes quickly that the family is planning on marrying him to his cousin Anthea in order to smarten him up and neither of them are excited about the prospect!

Allan Kass portrays our couple taking a break from their riding. They sit on a stone bench near a church and we see a fountain nearby. I like the heroine's severe riding dress and wonder which horse is hers! She and the hero seem to have come to an understanding.

Georgette Heyer: The Toll Gate

The Toll Gate by Georgette Heyer is a Berkley publication from June 1973. John Staple is a veteran of the wars and finds an adventure when he reaches a toll gate to discover that the keeper has disappeared. He stays to help his son only to find love with Nell Stornaway along with his adventure!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple in a vehicle which is appropriate since we read a lot about the toll road and gate in this novel. Our hero is well dressed in evening wear which is unlike most of the story and our heroine pretty in a light dress. I like that we see his concern about her evident problem.

Georgette Heyer: These Old Shades

 These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer is one of my favorite books! If you've never read a copy, find one immediately!! This is the story of the rakish Duke of Avon and the beautiful French girl, Leonie, who masquerades as his page for half of the book. Set in Georgian France and England, it's a story of treachery, revenge, and love.  The Signet copy is a January 1988 publication while the Fawcett dates from December 1983.

Allan Kass created both covers and the first one for Signet is a favorite. We see our older hero with his enchanting heroine, both in Georgian garb, but very elegant. The heroine's fiery red hair is curled and ornamented with pearls and ribbons, which echo her elaborate gown of blue and rose. The hero wears a powdered wig and long burgandy coat with a gold waistcoat underneath.

The Fawcett cover shows our heroine in an ornate ball gown of green with rose decorations and the hero in red. They steal a minute away from a grand ball. This edition is harder to find, but beautiful.

Georgette Heyer: The Talisman Ring

The Talisman Ring is a Fawcett publication dating from approximately 1976. It is the story of Sir Tristram and Eustacie who are being forced into marriage by Tristram's uncle. Eustacie runs away and he goes after her but they both find other people to love during this adventure!

Allan Kass creates a unusually plain cover for this book of our couple. Our hero is astride and injured on this winters day with our heroine on foot holding a pistol. She is definitely the focus of this cover as she stares behind looking for a villain!