Edith Layton: Red Jack's Daughter

Red Jack's Daughter was published in May 1984 by Signet for author Edith Layton. It is the story of Jessica Eastwood who becomes an heiress after the death of her beloved father and how she navigates London's season with the most desirable suitors claiming her attention!

Allan Kass gives us a delightful cover picture of our hero and heroine. What I love about his early work is the immense detail that goes into every cover. Note the carving on the fireplace mantel and the bookshelf beyond. Our hero is amorous while our heroine is lovely in yellow and emeralds. Click on the photo to enlarge and enjoy.

Edith Layton: The Mysterious Heir

The Mysterious Heir by Edith Layton was published by Signet in January 1984. Elizabeth DeLisle goes to the Earl of Auden's estate to see if she can convince him to name her young cousin as heir in order for them to survive, since they are poor. However, there are other heirs in waiting besides her attraction to the earl!

I think this is a lovely cover by Allan Kass. I love the heroine's white ball gown and her white pearl jewelry. Our hero is also handsome in his black tie and the evening colors emphasize the setting and their coloring.

Edith Layton: A Love for all Seasons

A Love for All Seasons is a Signet Super Regency which was published in May 1992. Signet Super Regency is an offshoot of the Signet Regency Romance series and is a longer story than the traditional regencies. Signet began this line around 1989. As far as I know, this is the only book of short stories done by the same author for Signet, even though they are well known for their Christmas short stories.

Edith writes about 4 different girls and their tales of love during each season. Felicia, Adela, Bronwen, and Marjorie's stories intertwine and culminate in the story about Felicia's mother, Rachel. I think the cover by Allan Kass is interesting in that it shows each of the seasons but only one couple. It almost has a vintage plate look!

Edith Layton: Lady of Spirit

Lady of Spirit was published in October 1986 by Signet and written by famous author Edith Layton. Victoria Dawkins accepts the Earl of Clune's offer to become a paid companion even though he first came to her with a quite different proposition which she wholeheartedly rejected!

Allan Kass does a great job showing our roue hero and our virtuous heroine here! I love the style of her coral regency day dress with the ruff and sheer bodice insert while our hero is dashing in black jacket and buff pantaloons. Notice the large dog on the floor. It's a homey scene and a great romance cover.

Edith Layton: The Indian Maiden

The Indian Maiden was published by Signet in June 1986. Edith Layton writes a story about Faith Hamilton, an American, who is sent to England to find a husband from the upper classes. Both Barnabas Deal, a rake, and the Earl of Methley, who needed a rich wife, were her suitors in this season of enchantment!

Allan Kass's beautiful depiction of our heroine is definitely the focal point of this cover. Her unique gown of red, white, and blue may be a mocking jest at the English where she is making her presentation.

There are a few regencies where the heroine was American, but it would have been uncommon for one to travel the ocean during the regency, which was a time of hostility between the two countries.

Edith Layton: False Angel

False Angel by Edith Layton was published in October 1985 by Signet. Lady Leonora is falling in love with the Marquess of Severne as she guides her cousin Annabelle through the season. When Severne begins to show interest in Leonora, Annabelle's jealous schemes almost keep them apart.

An unusual action cover by Allan Kass, here we see our hero and the two ladies involved in this story. Annabelle is the blonde that the hero is helping with the bow and Leonora stands behind watching. I like the beautiful depiction of the grounds with the topiary gardens. It's also an interesting cover since The Hunger Games has made archery popular again.

Edith Layton: The Duke's Wager

The Duke's Wager is our next novel by Edith Layton and was published by Signet in February 1983. This book is a prequel to yesterday's The Disdainful Marquis in that it also contains the hero from that book, the Marquis of Bessacarr, who is a suitor to the hand of Regina Berryman. Along with the Duke of Torquay, they both are rivals in life and now love. Regina needs all of her instincts to decide which is her heart's desire.

I like this cover because we see both heroes with our heroine! Allan Kass does a superb job illustration the angelic duke with the rakish marquis and their jealousy. I think the heroine is gorgeous in her mint green ball gown and love her matching jewels. It's an elegant cover and one of Allan's best examples of his "early regency" work.

Edith Layton: The Disdainful Marquis

The Disdainful Marquis by Edith Layton was published by Signet in August 1983. I am lucky to have an autographed copy and treasure it! This story is about Catherine Robins who was the companion of the Duchess of Crewe, but was expected to please the duchess's male friends, one of who was the rakish Marquis of Bessacarr!

I think this ranks as one of my favorite covers by Allan Kass! I love the hero, who is a typical Kass hero: mid 30's, handsome, chiseled, and well dressed. The heroine is lovely in her sapphire blue gown, which flatters her dark hair and matches her blue eyes. They stand in an elegant room full of beautiful objects of art where you can almost feel the heat of the fire, too. Click to enlarge and enjoy!

Edith Layton: The Abandoned Bride

Next we come to author Edith Layton, who was lucky enough to have Allan Kass as her illustrator on all of her Signet regencies, save one! The Abandoned Bride was published in May 1985 and is the story of Julia Hastings, who eloped with Nicholas Daventry's nephew but was never wed to him. She becomes a companion when she realizes that her elopement has hurt her family and meets Nicholas, who has no love for her.

Allan Kass creates a romantic cover for this novel. I like the simplicity of the park setting with our heroine dressed as if she had been taking a stroll in the garden. We definitely feel as if we're intruding on an intimate scene!

Sadly, Edith Layton died a few years ago, but she became a very popular romance author. You can find her book list at edithlayton.com