Anne Barbour: A Talent for Trouble

A Talent for Trouble was published by Signet in August 1992. Author Anne Barbour writes a tale about an artist named Talitha who is in London for her first season. Witty Viscount Chelmsfold is penning a satire of society and wants Talitha to illustrate his work. What happens when the shy debutante and sarcastic lord work together is the plot of this novel.

Allan Kass paints a unique picture for this cover. He captures our heroine artist at her easel with the tools of her trade nearby. She is dressed in a yellow day gown and most noticeable are her locket and titian hair! The hero stands in the background: is he looking at the easel or her?? It's a very colorful illustration that captures the heart of this book.

The author makes a note that this novel is based very loosely on Life in London by Pierce Egan, which was an adventure story set during regency times about Tom and Jerry! Yes, those names are now part of our culture with the cartoon inspired by this work!

Anne Barbour: Kate and the Soldier

Kate and the Soldier was published by Signet in May 1993. Anne Barbour writes a story about Kate, who is glad that her childhood love, David, is back from the Napoleonic Wars. She still admires him but will a penniless soldier fall in love with an heiress?

Allan Kass creates a scene from the book where our couple is treasure hunting. It's interesting to see our heroine holding a shovel. Note the dirt on her dress! The hero holds a lantern and they both are intent in hunting for something! This is a unique and interesting cover!

Many places in Britain still have Roman ruins that are even now being excavated. Also, people hid jewels, money, and gold when England's Civil War, under Oliver Cromwell, broke out. Some older houses and estates still haven't given up their secrets!

Anne Barbour: A Dedicated Scoundrel

The next author in the Allan Kass series of illustrations is Anne Barbour. She wrote quite a few books for Signet, but 3 were illustrated by Allan. A Dedicated Scoundrel was published in June 1997 and is the story of Catherine who meets a smooth stranger and realizes that he's not what he seems. She distrusts men after being cast aside by a faithless suitor and fears that Mr. Smith is such a man.

Allan Kass illustrates this book with a picture of our couple standing near an estate. The heroine is dressed in a simple morning dress with a coordinating shawl. Her hair is down, which would suggest very early morning or a clandestine meeting with our hero. He is dressed very informally; maybe wearing the clothes of a servant. Note the horse: was our hero riding him? It's an intriguing cover and one of Allan's last ones since he retired in 1998.