Joan Wolf: Fool's Masquerade

Fool's Masquerade by Joan Wolf was published in August 1984 by Signet. It's the story of Valentine Adrsley whose masquerade as a groom is easily discovered by Lord Leyburn who proposes marriage after he realizes who she it.

Allan Kass gives us a simply elegant cover for this book which centers on the hero and heroine. The gamine heroine is pretty in a simple yellow muslin gown while the hero is handsome in black dress. It's an intimate moment that is revealed to the audience and we can almost see them part and walk through the open doorway.

Joan Wolf: A Double Deception

A Double Deception was published in October 1983 by Signet. Joan Wolf writes a story about widowed Laura Dalwood and how she's tempted to marry Mark Cheney even though her experience with marriage told her to eschew it. Wolf's books have a gritty, realistic view to life and the times of the regency.

Allan Kass sets our couple in a pretty garden on a spring day. The heroine seems pensive as she accepts the hero's caress. A similar dress has been used in other covers, most notably Kit and Kitty. I really like the birdhouse and the flowering tree give this cover its color.

Joan Wolf: A Difficult Truce

A Difficult Truce was published by Signet for prolific writer Joan Wolf in August 1981. This book is a bit of a historical novel since it deals with Ireland's Catholic Emancipation bill and she uses fictional characters Christina MacCarthy and the Duke of Dacre to tell this story.

Allan Kass shows our hero and heroine in an embrace as they stand inside a doorway. The heroine has an odd tilt to her head as she looks at the hero but I love her periwinkle blue gown. The hero is Kass handsome in his red coat and high collar. Note the architectural detail of the door frame and room inside.

Joan Wolf: The Counterfeit Marriage

The Counterfeit Marriage was published by Signet in February 1980 and is the story of Catherine Renwick and her quick marriage to the Earl of Allandale.

Allan Kass creates an engaging cover for this book with our couple standing in front of a warm fire, though they look as if they don't need it at all! I like the Kass touch of jewelry on the heroine and  the vivid detailing on the fireplace mantel.

Joan Wolf: The American Duchess

Next is prolific regency author Joan Wolf's The American Duchess. Published in December 1982 by Signet, it is the story of Tracy Bodmin who was leaving her country to marry the Duke of Hastings in England at the bequest of her beloved father. Joan Wolf is one of Signet's early stars and has since written a number of historical romances.

Allan Kass illustrates our couple inside an elegant room and we're not sure if the heroine is quite happy to see the hero! I like how Kass gives us a feeling of informality in this setting.

Claudette Williams: Sweet Disorder

Sweet Disorder by Claudette Williams was published by Fawcett in September 1981 for their Coventry Romance line. Venetia is told that she must marry one of her guardian's nephews in this merry romp of a romance!


I think this cover by Allan Kass is stunning. Our heroine is reading when the hero shows up and smiles. She is pretty in moss green and sits in an elegantly decorated room near a warm fire. I like the connection between the pair.

Claudette Williams: Sunday's Child

Sunday's Child by Claudette Williams was published in 1977 and is the story of Barbara Rochdale who needed to marry to gain her inheritance and the one person who she could rely on to help was Lord Belfort, until she fell in love with him!!

Allan Kass illustrates a picture of our heroine being toasted by no less than three gentlemen! She's lovely in her creamy ball gown and we don't know if one or all of them plan to escort her to a party. It's a different scene and one I hope you like.

Claudette Williams: Spring Gambit

Spring Gambit was published by Fawcett in 1976 and is the story of Nicole Beaumont who was the hit of the season with every gentleman but the one she wanted!

Allan Kass shows our couple in a box at the play or opera. It's an intimate setting in a public place and our heroine seems happy with her cavalier! I like her white gown and elegant shawl which is the only color that wouldn't clash with the decorations! It's an elegant picture that I hope you like.

Claudette Williams: Sassy

Sassy by Claudette Williams was published in December 1986 with an earlier release in 1977. Sassy is a teacher at a boarding school and content with her lot until mysterious things begin to happen and involve the Marquis of Dartmour!

This illustration by Allan Kass is singular for a regency romance cover by showing only the heroine of the story! I think it looks like an old fashioned painting that one could visit at a museum. The heroine is lovely in yellow and bold with a short haircut. She poses near a stream that is cool and serene.

Claudette Williams: Naughty Lady Ness

Naughty Lady Ness by Claudette Williams was published by Fawcett in October 1987 (an earlier edition came out in 1980). Lady Vanessa Grey was sent to Cornwall and discovered the strange happenings around Viscount Montlaine and decided to scandalize the countryside by finding out what was happening! This is a prequel to Mary, Sweet Mary.

I like this dashing cover by Allan Kass! It shows our couple near the sea and with danger approaching. It's intriguing and romantic enough to make me want to pick up the book and read the plot!

Claudette Williams: Myriah

Myriah by Claudette Williams is a regency romance and was published for Fawcett's line in 1978. Lady Myriah was running from an arranged marriage when she met a wounded stranger and in nursing him to health meets his handsome brother!

Allan Kass illustrates a sweet cover of our couple as they attend a ball. The hero is attempting to charm the heroine into dancing and she is lovely in her pink gown and matching hairband. I like the chandelier hanging over the room along with the carved wooden table nearby.

Claudette Williams: Mary, Sweet Mary

Mary, Sweet Mary was published by Fawcett in April 1988; an earlier issue was in 1980. Mary Montlaine decides to use Lord Severn in order to make Lord Richard jealous but the joke is on her when she falls in love with Severn!

Allan Kass places our couple at an evening's entertainment in this cover. Our couple is elegant as they stand talking among the crowd. My only complaint is with Fawcett for sticking the large title over the picture!

Claudette Williams: Jewelene

Jewelene by Claudette Williams was published by Fawcett in 1979.  It's the story of the Marquis of Lyndhurst who is masquerading as someone untitled to see if a woman could love him for himself. He meets Jewelene but doesn't realize that she's also masquerading!

Allan Kass shows our couple at the gaming table and our heroine is lovely in red and diamonds while the hero looks on in appreciation. It's lovely in the details: note the hands holding cards and the action and movement of the people. This is Allan Kass's brilliance in illustrating; we can almost feel them making their discards and bets.

Claudette Williams: Hotspur & Taffeta

Hotspur & Taffeta was first published in June 1981 by Fawcett and is the story of Lady Taffeta and her boldness and let her beholden to Lord Tarrant, also known in society as Hotspur. Can two bold society darlings become a loving pair?

The covers by Allan Kass are identical, yet reversed for the later issued in March 1989. I think that the earlier edition is the actual painting while the publishers reversed the cover for the later issue. I'm not too sure why they did this since other reissues were not reversed. Kass shows our couple at a ball with the hero asking the heroine to dance. It's almost a better picture of the hero than heroine in my opinion. Judging from the scene, it looks like a lively party!

Claudette Williams: Cotillion for Mandy

Cotillion for Mandy was written by prolific regency author Claudette Williams and published by Fawcett in 1978. Mandy's twin brother is accused of murder and she needs the help of her elderly guardian to rescue him. Only that her guardian isn't elderly and falls into love with her at one glance!

Allan Kass creates a nice cover of our couple seated on a marble bench on a sunny day. The scene is serene as they share some time together and we wonder if he speaks of his love. I really like the pink flowers all around them.