Saturday, September 28, 2013

Dorothy Mack: The Last Waltz

The Last Waltz, by Dorothy Mack, was published by Signet in March 1986. Adrienne Castle was in love with Lord Dominic Creighton but he had a fiancee! So she decided to use her only skill, cards, to see if she could get him to notice her!

Allan Kass shows our couple at a ball where they are dancing. I've always liked Allan's ballroom covers since he adds other people and detail that is fun to see. Our heroine is gorgeous in a gold gown and jeweled headdress. The hero is dashing in his military uniform. All of the guests look as if they're having a wonderful time.

Friday, September 27, 2013

Dorothy Mack: The General's Granddaughter

The General's Granddaughter by Dorothy Mack was published by Signet in May 1990 for its regency romance series. Sarah Ridgemont was acting as a servant in her grandfather's house until she had a chance to see if he'd help our her family. Lord Mark Eversley knew her plan and was the only one who might foil it!!

This is a pretty cover by Allan Kass. I like the setting in a conservatory where we see plants and flowers all around our couple. Conservatories were popular on estates and were a way to provide fresh flowers year round. Our heroine's amber dress is elaborately trimmed and it looks like she and the hero are enjoying a walk either before or after dinner.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Dorothy Mack: The Gamester's Daughter

The Gamester's Daughter was published by Signet in March 1998 and is the story of Claudia Herbert, who was her father's hostess at his fashionable gaming hell. Lord Pelham is smitten but can't believe that she is a true lady until her father is murdered and she takes a job as governess to his nieces and nephews.

What's amazing to me is that this is one of Allan's last illustrations (he retired in 1998) and yet at age 80 it's a beautiful cover with much detail and beautifully proportioned people. I like the orange glow of the scene which makes it a warm and inviting picture.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Dorothy Mack: The Courtship of Chloe

The Courtship of Chloe was published by Signet in September 1992. Chloe Norris, a sensible lady, was visiting the Montrose family and in trying to sort everyone out, found herself attracted to Lord Ivor, in spite of her own engagement to a worthy gentleman!

Allan Kass creates a pretty scene where our hero and heroine stand in a garden and share an embrace. I like the flowers in her hair and the expression on the statue in the pond!

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Dorothy Mack: The Counterfeit Widow

The Counterfeit Widow was published in November 1996 and is the story of Charity Leonard who disguises herself as a widow in order to be her sister's guardian as she has her season in London. The sparks begin to fly when Lord Tyndale sees through her disguise and threatens to reveal her secret!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple on a balcony where a stately coach is moving below. We see the gates to a park or mansion. Our couple is handsomely dressed and I especially like the fob hanging out of the hero's pocket. I like that they seem to be content in each others company.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Dorothy Mack: The Blackmailed Bridegroom

The Blackmailed Bridegroom by Dorothy Mack is the first of twelve books by Mack that Allan Kass illustrated. She is one of the earlier Signet Regency authors.

This book was published in February 1984 by Signet and is the story of April Wendover and how she blackmailed Lord Adam Glenville into proposing to her after he had snubbed her family. However, she wasn't ready for what came after the vows had been said!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple seated on a bench in a garden. Our hero is typical Kass with strong, well defined features. Our heroine is pretty in a very low cut gown of soft pink. She seems hesitant to accept his attention. I like how Allan seems to capture a moment and also shows us detail of the scene besides always drawing the people in exact lifelike dimensions.