Margaret Summerville: Knave's Gambit

Knave's Gambit by Margaret Summerville was published by Signet for its regency romance line in September 1986. Valaria Harwood was chaperoning her niece, Kitty during the season but it became a trial when she fell for the Earl of Traverhurst because Valaria was not immune to him also!

Allan Kass creates a pretty cover for this story. It's one of my favorites!! The heroine is so pretty as she leans up against the hero and I love her olive gown which seems to make her part of the view. The hero is gorgeous and the house unbelievable! It's a calm, relaxing pose and I hope you enjoy it!

Margaret Summerville: The Infamous Earl

The Infamous Earl by Margaret Summerville was published in January 1997. She is a prolific regency author and wrote other books for this line. Georgiana Morely decided to get permission to wed the man of her choice by tricking her parents into thinking she wished to marry the Earl of Dunraven, a notorious rake! However, it looked as if Georgiana's plot was going to go awry!

This is a later cover of Allan Kass's and we still get a feel for why he's such a great illustrator! Our couple sit on a modern looking iron bench. The brick circle and planter also give this cover a modern feel but the couple are essentially regency. I like the detail of the flower and little dog which makes this a comfortable picture.

Margaret Summerville: The Improper Playwright

The Improper Playwright was published by Signet in March 1992 for its regency romance line. Lady Verity de Lacy had a talent for acting that was bound to get her into trouble with her family and fiance! However, she had a friend in Lord Ranley, a patron of the theater!

Allan Kass creates a scene from the book, which looks like Romeo and Juliet! Our couple is dressed in costume and I'm sure Allan enjoyed the challenge which would have been a bit different than his usual elegant regency dress. I like the pink gown which suits the heroine's coloring and the flowing cape of the hero!

Margaret Summerville: Highland Lady

Highland Lady was published by Signet in September 1985 for prolific regency author Margaret Summerville. Alison Murray was distressed when an English marquess bought the estate next to hers! She was a loyal Scot and his grandfather had fought her people! How can love flourish between two very different people?

This is Allan Kass at his best! We get a beautiful view of the castle and the Scottish landscape along with an intimate look at our couple. The colors are fantastic and I really like our Kass hero who is calm and confident in his pursuit of the heroine!

Margaret Summerville: Fortune's Folly

Fortune's Folly by Margaret Summerville was published by Signet in May 1994. Pandora Marsh's life changed when an emerald necklace was sent by a mysterious man to her and that caused the ton to stand up and notice this poor, quiet beauty!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple in a museum that contains statues and carvings; possibly the Elgin Marbles! Our heroine wears a walking outfit of lime green trimmed in pick which almost clashes with her red hair! The hero is young and dashing. I would have liked seeing the infamous emerald necklace, but you can't have everything!!

Florence Stevenson: Kilmeny in the Dark Wood

Kilmeny in the Dark Wood by Florence Stevenson was published in December 1973 by Signet. Kilmeny was a changeling in her noble family and love Charles Cameron who was the one person who could help her understand her family.

The only other place I've seen the name "Kilmeny" used was one of L. M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables) who wrote a book: Kilmeny of the Orchard.

Allan Kass shows a heroine who looks like a wild gypsy as she runs barefoot on rough ground. She is very enchanting and is set in a perfectly scary scene with the mansion and overcast skies. We don't know if she's being chased or just runs loose like this.

Florence Stevenson: The Ides of November

The Ides of November was published in March 1975 and it is the story of Verity Valcourt, whose absent father wills her a house that everyone else seems to want for some mysterious reason. Florence Stevenson writes a tale of romance and fear!

Allan Kass shows our heroine running on a boardwalk where a creepy mansion is behind her. It's an interesting picture with the house, carousel, and ferris wheel! The heroine is pretty in her white gown with dark fringe shawl. I like her flowing hair as it is whipped by the wind.

Florence Stevenson: The House at Luxor

The House at Luxor was published in September 1976 and Florence Stevenson tells a story about Electra Ordway who is in England visiting the estate she has inherited. Disturbing dreams take her to Luxor, the other half of her inheritance, where the terror continues!

At first glance, this is a simply drawn cover by Allan Kass until you look deeper. I love the hieroglyphics carved on the round column next to the lovely heroine, who is dressed in a cool white robe. I like her gold jewelry of earrings and bracelet, which is a Kass touch! Note the building and palm trees in the background.