Irene Saunders: The Difficult Daughter

Back to regencies with Irene Saunders' The Difficult Daughter. This book was published by Signet in February 1992. Rosalind Marshall had to choose between two very different suitors--one good, the other not so good! Hence the title!

Allan Kass gives us a pretty cover with our couple sitting outside on a warm evening near a pond. Both are dressed for a ball or dinner and it's clear that the hero has much to say to the heroine and possibly brought her outside for an proposal! What I like is how Allan always gets the perspective correct, both human and room or building. Note the classical statue nearby and the detail in the garden, bench, and building.

Marcy Elias Rothman: The Divided Heart

The Divided Heart by Marcy Elias Rothman was published by Signet in September 1994. She wrote at least 3 books for Signet's Regency romance line, 2 of which Allan Kass illustrated.

Colby Mannering proposes a shocking bargain to Lord Nevil Browning which would give each something they desperately wanted but would love be part of the bargain?

Allan Kass shows our couple at a military review where the hero is handsome in his uniform. Note all of the detail that Allan gives! The heroine is pretty in purple and I like the parade with the others watching in the background.

Marcy Elias Rothman: The Elusive Rake

March 1997 is the publication date of Marcy Elias Rothman's The Elusive Rake.  Lady Jane Daitry was going to London for the season, but she makes plans to continue her training as a painter with interesting results!

Allan Kass gives us a fun cover of our artist heroine and her subject, the hero! I like all of the color here besides the artist's palette and her work. Also, the flowers and pot give a nice touch in this relatively simple background.

W.E.D. Ross: Beauty Doctor's Nurse

We have a treat in store with W.E.D. Ross's book Beauty Doctor's Nurse. Published by Signet in November 1973, it is the story of Irene Hunt and the two doctors that she is attracted to who both work in plastic surgery.

Enough about the book. Look at the cover!! Allan Kass didn't illustrate many nurse romances, but they are a treat for the eyes. This one is just gorgeous, from the setting to the couple. The heroine is so pretty with her white nurses uniform and a sweater over it. The hero is handsome in a quiet, brooding way. I'm sure that these were fun to create and I hope you enjoy them. If you find any others not listed in this blog, feel free to contact me!

Mary Linn Roby: When the Witch is Dead

Last in our list by Mary Linn Roby is When the Witch is Dead. Published in May 1972, it is the story of Margaret Williams who is being manipulated by a woman involved in witchcraft who is now using her daughter as a pawn. Can a handsome stranger break this curse?

Allan Kass paints a lonely house on a dune from where we see our heroine fleeing. She is typical of his other gothic heroines with long hair, big earrings, and wide belts! I like that Allan doesn't create the same haunted castle in every cover although he probably had editor standards that had to be met. I'm sure that these were easily created, yet you can see the detail he puts in each picture.

Mary Linn Roby: The White Peacock

The White Peacock was published in March 1974 by Signet. Mary Linn Roby gives us a story of a dying matriarch and the art expert who has come to catalog the house and gets involved in the family, especially David, the handsome grandson of the house!

Allan Kass creates a manor house set in a beautiful woodland for this cover. Our heroine stands at the edge of a pond looking at someone or something. This cover has a very regency feel to it in look and dress and I like the muted colors.

Mary Linn Roby: The Silent Walls

The Silent Walls was published in October 1974. This story by Mary Linn Roby tells the tale of Ann Hever and how she flees to Tunis to escape the memory of a failed love affair. Soon she is friendly with an actress who invites her to her private island where she becomes a virtual prisoner. Can Robert, her lover, save her or is he being influenced by the actress and her friends?

While the castle looks like it belongs in England or Scotland, Allan Kass gives us a beautiful heroine to admire! She has a gypsy look to her with her dark hair and hoop earrings! She looks as if she's hiding from someone nearby. I love Allan's use of jewelry; it's one of his trademarks. I hope you enjoy this cover!

Mary Linn Roby: Shadow Over Grove House

Shadow Over Grove House was published by Signet in May 1973 for prolific gothic author Mary Linn Roby. Amanda is a widow since the tragic death three years earlier of her husband when a man with a disturbing resemblance to him appears to tell her that he was murdered! Can she believe this mysterious stranger's words?

Allan Kass creates an almost normal cover for this gothic. He does include the lighted window, but other than that, it's the angle of the heroine and the house behind her that give us a spooky feeling, along with the bare tree. I love the 1970's outfit and jewelry!

Mary Linn Roby: Reap the Whirlwind

Reap the Whirlwind was published in July 1972 by Signet and is the story of two families and the tyrant who ruled them all. This story is set in Scotland.

Allan Kass shows our heroine in a soft green gown as she wanders through a graveyard. We see a typical haunted mansion in the background and the light shows that it's either dusk or dawn. Our heroine is a pretty girl and even though this cover is over 40 years old, it could be used on a book today!

Mary Linn Roby: This Land Turns Evil Slowly

This Land Turns Evil Slowly was published in October 1971 for Mary Linn Roby by Signet. This story begins at the seaside where 20 years ago, an accident happened to one of Nora's friends. But coming back returns all of the guilt and ghosts of that day.

Allan Kass creates a heroine walking along the shore. Her dark purple dress is timeless but her jewelry isn't! I think her hair flying away looks odd but Allan seems to have her in motion. I like the white mist drifting in the background.

Mary Linn Roby: The House at Kilgallen

The House at Kilgallen was published by Signet in November 1973 for Mary Linn Roby. Mara Hanley is called to the Kilgallen estate because of the inheritance, which she should have no part. But the greed that surrounds her becomes a trap of evil and she's not sure if she can trust anyone.

What I like about Allan Kass's gothic romance illustrations is that he uses color as an emphasis. I like the soft green that surrounds this illustration and gives it an otherworldly feel. The heroine's hip clothing could be worn now, 40 years after this cover was painted!

Mary Linn Roby: Dig A Narrow Grave

Dig A Narrow Grave by Mary Linn Roby was published in March 1971 by Signet. Gothic romances were very popular in the 1970's. This story is about Paula, called to help a family where one was a psychotic killer!

Allan Kass shows our heroine at the edge of the woods where we see the gloomy mansion behind her. What I like about these is that we get to see Allan's earliest cover illustrations but also see how he doesn't veer too far from what other artists were illustrating for this genre. Allan didn't illustrate many gothics but I always look for his signature on the cover just to make sure!