Friday, May 31, 2013

Allison Lane: The Impoverished Viscount

The Impoverished Viscount is the first of four books by Allison Lane that were illustrated by Allan Kass. This title was published by Signet in July 1996. Lady Melissa Stapleton found herself at the mercy of Lord Heflin and fleeing from him, went straight into the arms of another rake, Charles Rathbone, who asked her to play a masquerade as his bride and to outwit Heflin, she did so.

This cover by Allan Kass shows our couple dressed for an actual masquerade with our heroine as a Grecian beauty and our hero looking like a count from Transylvania! The room shows other party goers and could be a foyer since it isn't decorated. It's unusual to see a heroine with her hair long and down on a regency cover.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Martha Kirkland: The Secret Nabob

The Secret Nabob by Martha Kirkland was published by Signet in January 1996 and is the story of Madeline Wycliff who has two sisters causing her stress on top of their financial losses which is heading towards disaster when the new mysterious neighbor moves into Balenger Hall and becomes intimate with their family.

I think that this is a pretty cover by Allan Kass. Our hero seems to have been out riding and stops to greet the heroine. The different colors are vibrant and springlike.  The heroine seems to like his attention and we predict a summer wedding!

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Martha Kirkland: The Ruby Necklace

The Ruby Necklace by Martha Kirkland was published by Signet in April 1996. Emaline Harrison is a vicar's daughter who becomes a widow after a marriage in name only. Now her only problem is to fend off the fortune hunters when the most attractive of them is her late husband's cousin and heir!

This is an interesting cover by Allan Kass. Our hero is arranging the necklace on the heroine. It's almost a clash with her hair! I like that the hallway has a busyness to it which is from the different colors and textures and looks homey and normal. It goes without saying that both the hero and heroine are handsome.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Martha Kirkland: The Honorable Thief

The Honorable Thief was published by Signet in December 1996 for Martha Kirkland. Honoria Danforth, as honorable as her name, finds herself posing as the wife of a dishonorable rake after finding a hurt man by the side of the road in order to keep from being taken up as a thief!

Allan Kass creates a delightful cover of our hero and heroine walking about on a cold winter's day. I love the heroine's blue muff and matching bonnet, which strike a nice balance with her brown coat. Our hero wears a natty caped coat and a wool beaver hat. Allan doesn't miss the details like gloves and the heavy gray sky. Delightful!

Monday, May 27, 2013

Martha Kirkland: The Artful Heir

The Artful Heir is one of four books by Martha Kirkland that were illustrated by Allan Kass. She has written many regency romances. This one was published in April 1998, which makes it one of the last illustrations by Allan.

Sarah Sterling traveled to Donmore Hall to restore paintings in the place of her ill father. She finds a place where a mysterious heir has surfaced and where paintings are mysteriously disappearing. Can she discover the mystery and could love be found in an unexpected place?

I like the waterfall on this cover by Allan Kass. His natural scenes are definitely as good as his interior ones. Our couple look as if they've paused by the water as they've taken a walk and are sharing a lovely moment.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Katherine Kingsley: Wild Rose

Wild Rose was published by Signet in January 1988 as part of its Regency Romance series. Katherine Kingsley writes a story about Bryonny Livingston who was raised in the Caribbean but comes to England for a London season and meets two very different men to choose as a mate!

This is an enchanting cover by Allan Kass. It has a tropical feel to it even though we know it's set in England. I'm sure that it was a favorite walk of our heroine! She has picked some pink roses and I wonder if the hero has happened upon her? The muted colors really help the heroine's lime green gown pop. Enjoy!

Monday, May 20, 2013

Katherine Kingsley: King of Hearts

King of Hearts was published by Signet in February 1993.  Hannah Janes grew up hearing horrid tales about the Earl of Blakesford. When she ends up visiting the latest earl, she finds that he's not the monster that his ancestors were said to be.

I think what is almost more interesting than the couple on this Allan Kass cover is the beautiful garden and landscaping around the house. We see some pretty topiary trees and a bluish tree of some sort. The colors echo the heroine's dress and cape. It looks like a lovely place to relax.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Katherine Kingsley: Honor's Way

Honor's Way by Katherine Kingsley was published by Signet in August 1988. Caroline Manleigh changed her identity to Honor Winslow in the hope of discovering the secret of her father's death. However, in the middle of this campaign, she meets the Earl of Chesney and falls in love.

I really like this cover by Allan Kass. I love the detail on the heroine's gown and also her matching headband in her hair. Our hero seems to think her a beauty also as he clasps hands with her near a pond. Note the long tails of his coat!

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Katherine Kingsley: A Dishonorable Proposal

A Dishonorable Proposal is the first of four regency romances by Katherine Kingsley illustrated by Allan Kass. This book was published by Signet in July 1989. Annabelle Hatfield is to wed the Duke of Paxton, a man that she has never met. She is resigned to her fate until she meets Henry Ravenhurst, a scholar, and falls in love.

Allan Kass gives us a close up of our hero and heroine on this cover. We see them standing on a hill with a beautiful country scene spreading out behind them. I think this is interesting because it seems hard to blend faces together as Kass has done and yet have both be distinct. I like the heroine's hairdo while the hero is very nattily dressed.