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.

Elizabeth Walker: The Lady Next Door

May 1981 is the publication date for The Lady Next Door by Elizabeth Walker. Part of the Coventry Romance series by Fawcett, it is the story of Marianne and her love for her neighbor, Lord Latteridge.

Allan Kass gives us a beautiful heroine for our cover. I really like how her red hair is dressed high with one long curl lying on her shoulder. Her Georgian style gown is simple but pretty with long lace sleeves. The hero seems to be seeking a response from her and it's as if we've caught a moment in time.

Sylvia Thorpe: The Scarlet Domino

The Scarlet Domino was published in November 1975 by Fawcett and is a Georgian romance. Antonia and Geraint are forced into marriage by her grandfather for revenge of an ancient murder.

Allan Kass shows our couple on the balcony overlooking a maze or garden. Dressed for a masquerade, they have stepped outside for a breath of air in the twilight. The heroine's hair is powdered and she wears a pretty gown of blue with a gold underdress. The hero's gold waistcoat echos her outfit.

Sylvia Thorpe: Rogue's Covenant

Rogue's Covenant by Sylvia Thorpe was published in the mid 1970's and is a romance set in the mid 1700's. Joanna was intrigued by the stranger visiting from Barbados and ecstatic when he proposed to her! However, he isn't what he seems to be and will lead her into scandal before all is well.

Allan Kass depicts a typical Georgian couple sitting outside on a summer day. The hero is enchanted with the heroine, who is elegant in a flowing golden dress. We see a modest house behind them and it's a very romantic picture.

Sylvia Thorpe: The House at Bell Orchard

The House at Bell Orchard was published in December 1979 by Fawcett and is a Georgian story about Charmain Tarrent who suddenly becomes an orphan and has to live with a greedy uncle and his son. However, Sir Piers Wychwood, a neighbor, is interested in this new beauty!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple outside on the grounds of a beautiful estate. The heroine wears a purple gown that is almost too heavy and fussy for her frame. The hero is handsome in rust and orange. It's interesting to see the difference in fashion from the mid 1700's to the regency times of 1810!

Sylvia Thorpe: Captain Gallant

Captain Gallant by Sylvia Thorpe was published in February 1976. It is the story of Christina Westlake whose uncle had stolen her inheritance but she had a plan to get back her estate with the help of Captain Adrian Clare!

This is a very pretty cover by Allan Kass. I like the Georgian clothing which is a bit fuller and fussier than the later Regency styles. Our heroine's dress is low cut but very full skirted. The hero's cravet and cuffs are real lace! I also like seeing the heroine's long hair, which wasn't the style in the future. Note the rose arbor and cute fountain.

Sylvia Thorpe: Beggar on Horseback

Next in line is prolific author Sylvia Thorpe. Allan Kass illustrated quite a few of her historical romances for Fawcett. Beggar on Horseback was published around 1977 and is the story of Dorothea Stratton whose life changes for the worse after her brother gambled away their fortune. Little does she know that the injured stranger she's helping is the man who won the fortune!

Allan Kass shows our couple in front of a window where the hero is reading and the heroine comes to check on his arm. I like the Georgian style clothing and the simple but comfortable details of this room. I think the hero is wishing to spend the day outside, but can't because of his wound.

Mira Stables: The Swynden Necklace

The Swynden Necklace is a Georgian romance published by Fawcett in 1974. Honor Fenton was a poor girl until she inherited the Swynden necklace. Soon, a Mr. Jocelyn came with an offer to purchase the necklace for his client. She wasn't too sure about him or his offer!

Allan Kass didn't illustrate many Georgian covers so they are all a treat to see. This one shows our couple dancing, possibly a minuet, and the hero's hair is powdered and his dress is more colorful and intricate than the regency style of the future. The heroine wears a low cut emerald green gown over a lighter green underskirt that is very elegant. I'm sure it was a fun departure from his usual illustrations!

Irene Northan: Phyllida

Back to Georgian England with Irene Northan's Phyllida, published by Fawcett in 1976. Phyllida is determined to marry her handsome lieutenant instead of the steady, reliable neighbor.

I like this cover by Allan Kass because the hero is more glorious than the heroine! He is resplendent in his uniform and Kass gets the details correct. Our heroine is almost plain in comparison with her low cut green gown with white underdress. It's interesting that her hair is left down, too. No jewelry or ornaments. The scene looks like a favorite of the heroine, too.

Freda Michel: Quest for Lord Quayle

Quest for Lord Quayle by Freda Michel was published by Fawcett in October 1979. Marianne Holroyd's fiance was murdered as they approached the church door to be wed and she swore vengeance on the man who committed the deed.

Allan Kass depicts the actual moment of the murder and it's interesting to see his view of the masked man approaching the groom and the heroine's look of fear. There is nothing prettier than a bride and ours is elegant in her full gown of white satin and lace. The groom is suitably bridal and the masked stranger menacing. I like that we can see inside the church to its stained glass windows. Note the gargoyle above the doorway!

Freda Michel: The Price of Vengeance

The Price of Vengeance was published by Fawcett in 1976 and is the story of Rosalind, who dressed as a highwayman holds up the duke's carriage. He sees a resemblance to his former mistress and decides to use Rosalind as a means of vengeance.

This cover by Allan Kass is interesting because it shows a heroine in slacks, which was a definite no-no back in Georgian days. Kass gives us the scene of the holdup and we see the hero taking the pistol away from the heroine. It's interesting that Fawcett posts another photo of this cover on the back of the book with a blurb and the name of the artist, spelled wrongly (Alan Kass). In a time where the cover illustrators got little to no acknowledgment, it's great for those of us hunting book covers to find.

Freda Michel: A Curious Proposal

Next in our list of Allan Kass illustrations are 3 books by Freda Michel. A Curious Proposal was published in July 1980 and is the story of Francesca Northwood who is trapped into a dangerous marriage after being jilted by her fiance. This story has a gothic feel to it which is not too surprising since they were very popular books in the 1970's.

Allan Kass's cover also has a gothic feel with a dark castle lurking menacingly in the background. Our couple seem to be fleeing and our hero has a sword at the ready. Both wear Georgian dress and while the hero's coat is ornate, we see little of the heroine's plain dress, excepting the lacy sleeve.

Georgette Heyer: These Old Shades

 These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer is one of my favorite books! If you've never read a copy, find one immediately!! This is the story of the rakish Duke of Avon and the beautiful French girl, Leonie, who masquerades as his page for half of the book. Set in Georgian France and England, it's a story of treachery, revenge, and love.  The Signet copy is a January 1988 publication while the Fawcett dates from December 1983.

Allan Kass created both covers and the first one for Signet is a favorite. We see our older hero with his enchanting heroine, both in Georgian garb, but very elegant. The heroine's fiery red hair is curled and ornamented with pearls and ribbons, which echo her elaborate gown of blue and rose. The hero wears a powdered wig and long burgandy coat with a gold waistcoat underneath.

The Fawcett cover shows our heroine in an ornate ball gown of green with rose decorations and the hero in red. They steal a minute away from a grand ball. This edition is harder to find, but beautiful.

Georgette Heyer: The Talisman Ring

The Talisman Ring is a Fawcett publication dating from approximately 1976. It is the story of Sir Tristram and Eustacie who are being forced into marriage by Tristram's uncle. Eustacie runs away and he goes after her but they both find other people to love during this adventure!

Allan Kass creates a unusually plain cover for this book of our couple. Our hero is astride and injured on this winters day with our heroine on foot holding a pistol. She is definitely the focus of this cover as she stares behind looking for a villain!

Georgette Heyer: The Masqueraders

The Masqueraders, by Georgette Heyer, is a Georgian romance and adventure about two siblings, Prudence and Robin Lacey. They masquerade as the opposite sex in order to foil political enemies, but the fun begins when they fall in love with others under this masquerade.

Allan Kass shows us one of the "couples" with our heroine dressed as a man and presumably the hero is the man with whom she has fallen in love. Note the bright yellow and red colors which wouldn't have been used in men's dress during the regency, unless it was part of a uniform.

Georgina Grey: The Reluctant Rivals

Next by Georgina Grey is The Reluctant Rivals. This book was published by Fawcett in March 1981 and is #103 in their Coventry Regency line.

Kate is upset when she discovers that Lord Gilcrest, her ideal beau, is being tricked into a betrothal with her cousin, Belinda. So she decides to do something about it!

Allan Kass creates a great pre-regency cover here with our characters dressed in Georgian fashion of brightly colored silks and satin fabric. Note the differences from the regency with the heavier fabrics, fuller cut clothing, and longer, fuller hairdos. The placing of the people is interesting and shows the love triangle of the storyline.

Jennie Gallant: Minuet

September 1980 saw the publishing of Minuet, by Jennie Gallant, a pseudonym for Joan Smith! This is from Fawcett's Coventry Regency line and is #66.

Lady Celeste, known as Minou, has escaped France during the revolution to England to find her father. She meets Lord Degan and they plot to return and rescue her mother and brother!

This is a great Georgian cover by Allan Kass, but I wish it was larger. The detail is exquisite and we miss the trimming on her gown and in her hair and the details of the room unless you stop and look. I like the ornate candlestick and the green gauze apron on her gown.

Unfortunately, these books are becoming harder to find since regency romances are not being published with any regularity. Check your used book store and eBay for copies.

Rachelle Edwards:The Smithfield Bargain

August 1981 saw the publication by Fawcett of Rachelle Edwards's book, The Smithfield Bargain. Annabel Haygarth is unjustly dismissed from her governess position and immediately becomes involved in a scheme with the daughter of the house to help her run away to be married. She then meets Lord Cranbourne and falls in love with her friend's fiance!

Allan Kass illustrates our Georgian couple in a dark forest. Our hero wears a tricorn hat decorated with a red cockade and a red overcoat over his red dress coat. Our heroine is young and pretty in her pink dress and purple cloak. Her long, unbound hair gives her the illusion of youth. I like the lace details, which was common in the dress of that period. It's a dramatic scene of confronting a villain and another melodramatic book that falls under the Coventry regency line!

Rachelle Edwards: Miranda's Folly

Miranda's Folly by Rachelle Edwards is a 1978 publication from Fawcett. Miranda runs away from home dressed as a boy, only to be discovered in that disguise by Lord Dornford, who decides that this may be the woman for him!

Allan Kass shows our couple sitting on the edge of a pool in a very pretty avenue. Our heroine is wearing a blue overdress slashed with olive and decorated with pearls while our hero wears what looks like 18th century shorts with hose underneath! Probably they are knee britches, but I guess they would look shorter when sitting! His long hair in is a queue tied with a ribbon. It's a pretty scene and one that I hope you enjoy!