Sunday, June 29, 2014

F. van Wyck Mason: Eagle in the Sky

Next is a series of 4 historical fiction books by F. van Wyck Mason. Definitely a different type of cover illustration for Allan Kass!

Eagle in the Sky was published by Berkley in November 1975. It is the third novel in van Wyck Mason's bicentennial series of the American Revolution. It's the story of doctor Peter Burnham and his life of a privateer!

Allan Kass shows our hero but has scenes from the story behind him. I think this cover is interesting because of the black slave. Kass didn't illustrate many black people on books and it makes this one unique! Unfortunately, this style of cover, which the publisher probably wanted, doesn't reflect Kass's talent as some others, less busy, do.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Helen Tucker: A Wedding Day Deception

Fawcett published A Wedding Day Deception in November 1981 and it numbers #151 in the Coventry Romance series, which ran from 1979-1982. Juliana received a cryptic message the eve of her wedding and wonders if she could be still be in love with a man who walked away.

Allan Kass shows her dilemma as he pictures the bride between two suitors, all dressed formally for a wedding! This gown seems more fitting for the elegant regency bride and I like her hairstyle, which is reminiscent of the coming Victorian period. It's a pick me up cover since we wonder who she will choose?

Monday, June 9, 2014

Helen Tucker: A Strange and Ill-Starred Marriage

1978 is the publication date for this novel by Helen Tucker. Jocelyn  was married to an older man to avoid financial ruin but finds herself falling in love with his younger brother!

Allan Kass illustrates this dilemma on this cover with the bride gazing at the hero while her new husband stands behind. During regency times, most brides would wear their best dress, not necessarily a white gown. Her dress is almost too modern looking. What do you think?

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Helen Tucker: Season of Dishonor

Season of Dishonor was published in August 1982 and numbered #206 for Fawcett's Coventry Romance line. Miranda Stanfield is about to embark on her first London season and learns that handsome is as handsome does!

I like this cover by Allan Kass. It shows our heroine in a pensive mood and the hero encouraging her. Both are elegantly dressed for dinner and the room in which they stand fine indeed. I like that she plays with the pearls at her neck; it shows us her emotions.

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Helen Tucker: The Halverton Scandal

The Halverton Scandal was published by Fawcett in October 1980. Set during the reign of Queen Victoria, Faine Tillery is persuaded to pretend to be married to Norris Halverton in order to protect his inheritance from his own brother!

Allan Kass gives us a double dose of hero in this book cover! Two handsome twins and a heroine who is having problems making up her mind! The setting is colorful while the heroine's white gown seems a bit heavy and fussy next to the cool elegance of the gentlemen.

Friday, June 6, 2014

Meriol Trevor: The Fortunate Marriage

Switching gears back to the regency, The Fortunate Marriage was published by Fawcett in 1976. Louisa ends up in the middle of a scandal when her cousin dies and the blame is cast on her cousin's handsome husband.

Allan Kass illustrates our couple in the process of dressing for the outdoors in the middle of a wintery day. Note the warm fire blazing and the snow covered trees outside the window. Lots of detail and I like the heroine's pretty purple gown.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Julia Trevelyan:The Tower Room

The Tower Room was published by Signet in June 1979. Richard Prine brought his new wife, Jane, to Thorncroft, a gloomy isolated mansion inhabited only by his older relatives. The only person she could turn to was the handsome local doctor!

Allan Kass illustrates our heroine fleeing the mansion. This outfit is typical 1970's jumper dress with blouse. I like his touch of the long flowing gold necklace. The purple and gray colors give this an eerie feel.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Julia Trevelyan: Greythorne

Greythorne by Julia Trevelyan was published by Signet in April 1974. Suzann Hampton was invited by relatives to Greythorne but soon finds two brothers who both desire her and a house filled with dark secrets.

This is one of my favorite gothic illustrations by Allan Kass! I just love everything about it: the beautiful heroine, her bright red dress, the stormy clouds and billowing water, and the gloomy mansion. It's just gorgeous. I hope you enjoy it.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Sylvia Thorpe: Torrington Chase

1968 is the publication date for Torrington Chase by Sylvia Thorpe. A regency romance, it is about Perdita, the governess at Torrington Chase who is told not to have any contact with Jason Hawkesworth, a relative with a secret of his own!

Allan Kass illustrates this remote estate on a cliff top in a desolate land. Our couple embrace on a hillside and seem to be in love with each other. The heroine's striped dress and matching bonnet are pretty. This picture embodies the wildness of the countryside.

Monday, June 2, 2014

Sylvia Thorpe: Sword of Vengeance

Sword of Vengeance, published around 1975, is the story of Verity Halland who had been kidnapped by Dominic Fane in a desperate love triangle set in the days of Charles the Second.

Allan Kass shows our restoration couple on the bank of a stream where they have stopped to rest. It's a shame we can't see more detail of the couple but they are dressed in the dark heavy clothing of the day while we note the horse in the background. I like the rocks and weeds of the stream which are detail most would omit. 

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Sylvia Thorpe: The Sword and the Shadow

The Sword and the Shadow by Sylvia Thorpe was published by Fawcett in the mid 1970's. No paperback publication date is given. Lady Frances is fleeing England and her cousin so she takes passage with Captain Barbican, who has sworn to protect her. They sail to adventure in the West Indies!

Allan Kass illustrated a few covers of the sea and ships and this one is romantic with the hero holding the heroine while he stands to defend his ship. Note the detail of both vessels where you see how fine an artist Kass really was! I love the heroine's flowing hair and simple dress while the hero looks like a pirate himself!