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. 

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!

Sylvia Thorpe: The Highwayman

The Highwayman was published by Fawcett around 1976. Thorpe gives us another story set in the turbulent times of England's Civil War where a desperate highwayman named Colonel Fury ruled the flatlands of Hounslow Heath and a girl named Rowena is determined to find her brother with the help of this desperado!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple sitting in a bar with our heroine acting as a barmaid possibly to fool the man entering the door. Her outfit is typically countrified but note her earrings and bracelets! The hero is resplendent in gold and lace and has a look of Hugh Grant from his Barbara Cartland movie day!

Sylvia Thorpe: A Flash of Scarlet

A Flash of Scarlet was published in 1976 by Fawcett and is the sequel to Fair Shines the Day. Major Bradwell saved Imelda from two drunk men at an inn. She was on her way to visit her cousin Charity and the major was a man her family wouldn't approve as a spouse.

Allan Kass creates an intimate picture of our couple with her brushing her hair as he enters the room. She is a lovely Kass heroine while the hero looks the soldier in his armor and bearing. Note the heavy wood detail which gives a feel of an old rustic building.

Sylvia Thorpe: Fair Shines the Day

Fair Shines the Day was published around 1977 by Fawcett for author Sylvia Thorpe. Fawcett was publishing a lot of historical and regency romances at this time and would have a named series a few years later.

This story features Charity and is set during England's Civil War. She is in love with her neighbor Darrell Conyngton who soon leaves for war. Unfortunately his jealous cousin shows up and plots to take over his home and future wife!

Allan Kass shows our couple seated outside but having a sweeping view of the countryside. Our heroine is pretty in her blue gown while the hero looks like a gallant from the days of Charles I! I like the slit sleeves both wear and the colors of the sky.

Sylvia Thorpe: The Changing Tide

The Changing Tide by Sylvia Thorpe was published by Fawcett around 1977, having earlier been published in a hardcover version. The beautiful Roxanne was determined to follow her love to Barbados but never realized the danger and excitement that would happen on the voyage!

Allan Kass gives us a cover ready for action as we see our hero prepared to defend himself against the villain in black. Our heroine is pleading with him, looking very pretty while she does so. I hope you'll enjoy this very different cover illustration by Kass!

Sylvia Thorpe: Beloved Rebel

Beloved Rebel by Sylvia Thorpe was published by Fawcett around 1978. Elinor Dane is married at 13 to Gerase Ashbourne, but doesn't meet her husband for 5 years while he's fighting with Monmouth's men against the king! Now that Monmouth is defeated, her husband is a wanted man but all she wants is to see him!

This cover by Allan Kass shows our heroine trying to help her wounded hero. I wish the couple were featured a bit more so that we could see all of the detail of her dress and his expression. This story was set around 1700, so it's interesting to see the difference in garments from the regency covers that Allan usually illustrates.

Richard Hough: Captain Bligh and Mr. Christian, The Men and the Mutiny

March 1974 is the publication date of the Berkley paperback of Richard Hough's Captain Bligh and Mr. Christian. This is a story about Mutiny on the Bounty and according to the preface, "a reinterpretation of the major characters forces this stirring saga of the sea to take on new meaning."

What I find more interesting is that Allan Kass illustrated the cover!! What's unique is that there are no women on it. It's one of the few books that only features either men or women only. We see our sailors and feel the tension of what is happening with the older man's hands tied and the younger brandishing a sword. My only wish is that this could have been a larger picture! Enjoy!

Georgette Heyer: Simon the Coldheart

Simon the Coldheart is another of Georgette Heyer's historical novels. Set in medieval times, young Simon of Beauvallet has risen from his birth to be a page, squire, and now a lord of the land. He cannot love and that has earned him the name of Coldheart until he meets Margaret of Belremy. This book is a prequel to Beauvallet! Published by Fawcett in December 1984.

Allan Kass probably loved the idea to create a medieval romance cover! I love all of the detail from the roaring fire to the stained glass and crests above the fireplace. Our heroine is beautiful with her heavy braids and rich red gown. She has a jeweled belt and carries a dagger, as if to ward off an enemy. Our hero looks like a knight of old with his outer robe and crest to the chain mail underneath.

Molly Costain Haycraft: Too Near the Throne

Last by Molly C. Haycraft is Too Near the Throne. Signet published this story in June 1974. Arabella Stuart was in love with the Earl of Essex and had her cousin, Queen Elizabeth, as a rival!! Can she play this dangerous game?

I think this is my favorite cover Allan Kass did for Haycraft's books. Our couple are situated in front of a royal standard.We see the heroine, very Kass-like in facial features, holding a diary. The only downside to this cover is the couple isn't full length. Our hero also has a Kass-like masculine look and wears a ruff around his neck over his doublet and hose.

Molly Costain Haycraft: The Reluctant Queen

Next from Molly Costain Haycraft is The Reluctant Queen. Published by Signet in September 1974, it is the story of King Henry the Eighth's sister, Mary Tudor, and her love for Charles Brandon. A great recent show to watch this story is The Tudors!

This cover by Allan Kass seems less detailed than the others. His lady looks historically Tudor with her facial features and and elaborate headdress. Our hero is handsome in his regal robes. Note the full, heavy sleeves on the robe and shirt! Her gown has layers and a heavy shawl for the cold rooms of the castle. The blue background is mysterious and historical feeling.

Molly Costain Haycraft: The Lord Brother The Lionheart

My Lord Brother The Lionheart was published by Signet in December 1974 for Molly Costain Haycraft. Princess Joan of England is back after her husband, the King of Sicily's, death and will not be remarried by her brother, the king. She hopes for a true love of her own choice!

Allan Kass shows our couple standing in a castle doorway. Our heroine is regal and very elegant as a falcon sits on her forearm. I like her crown and jewels, which set off her simple red gown. The knight behind her waits with her horse and is obviously one of the important guards. It's a different style for Allan and he nails it!

Molly Costain Haycraft: The Lady Royal

The Lady Royal by Molly Costain Haycraft was published by Signet in November 1974. Isabel, the daughter of King Edward III, was twice betrothed, but still not married. She is disappointed at the lies being whispered throughout the country and vows to marry only for love!

Allan Kass creates a vivid picture of medieval life on this cover. We see our hero and heroine with a cameo behind them of the hero in battle. I can see the fashion evidence of the 1970's in the heroine's robe and jewels! It's an interesting and different cover for Allan and I'm glad to have them!

Molly Costain Haycraft: The King's Daughters

The King's Daughters by Molly Costain Haycraft was published by Signet in January 1975. This is a romance set in medieval times and is the story of Elizabeth, King Edward I's daughter, who is promised to the Earl of Holland, but is in love with the Earl of Hereford! Will she fulfill her duty or defy her country for love?

This is an interesting departure for Allan Kass, as it is one of his earlier works and a book cover done in another time period. He will do 4 more books for Haycraft, which we will see later this week. I like the cameo effect of this with our couple featured outside with the castle, representing duty, in the background. Allan has drawn our couple as young, in love, and stealing a passionate moment together.

Sheila Bishop: The Phantom Garden

The Phantom Garden was written by Sheila Bishop in 1974 and published by Fawcett. It is a Georgian romance and is the story of Celia who is a singer at Vauxhall Gardens and is being pursued by Charles, who wishes her to become his mistress. When she says no, he asks to marry her. She says no to that and what happens next is the plot of our story.

Allan Kass paints an authentic picture for the setting of this story. Georgian England was the period of time before the regency and clothes were fuller and definitely more colorful. Our hero is wearing a suit of gold with a coat of purple. His hair is longer and tied back. It's a different style than the plain black of the regency! Our heroine is beautiful in a low cut aqua dress with a white underdress. Her hair is curled as the fashion stated. She carries a plumed hat. It's interesting that Allan Kass is mentioned on the back cover of this book as the illustrator! The setting is soft and calm with the water behind the couple with green trees and blooming flowers.

Vauxhall Gardens was a place of merriment in London. You could get there by crossing the Thames in a boat or drive a carriage. It was open to anyone who could afford a ticket and was also famous for its dinners of shaved ham and rack punch. Dancing, singing, fireworks, and dark walking paths made this a popular outing site for couples. It was still popular during regency times but closed sometime later in the 1800's. Nowadays, there is a train station called Vauxhall in London!

Sheila Bishop: Consequences

Consequences was published by Fawcett in September 1981 under the Coventry line #137. It is set in Georgian England (late 1790's) and is the story of Lavinia, who is depressed after the death of her fourth child and finds that intrigues involving both her marriage and the country are brewing.

Allan Kass creates a beautiful illustration with our couple in an outdoor setting. Note the beautiful gazebo and fountain. The heroine's dress has a Georgian style with a full skirt and long sleeves. Our hero is dressed in a typical style of a full coated jacket and knee breeches with stockings. His hair is long, unpowdered, and in a queue.

The Georgian time period spanned the reigns of George 1 through George 4 (1714-1830). This was a great era of change, from social, such as the abolition of slavery, to political, such as the losing of the American Colonies and the revolution in France. It was also a great time for the arts, architecture, and music.

Juliette Benzoni: Marianne and the Privateer

Marianne and the Privateer was published by Berkley in April 1975. This is another story in the saga of Marianne who is rescued from a deadly fire by her only true love, privateer Jason Beaufort. This story in intense as they are drawn apart once again and he is charged with murder and treason.

Allan Kass paints another illustration that is a departure from his elegant regency covers. We see our couple on the high seas with the heroine being threatened (?) by the hero. She holds a sword either in anticipation of an attack by the ship in the background or by the hero, himself! She is dressed in gyspy garb; note her hoop earrings and torn skirt. The hero is scruffy and not Kass's usual elegant hero! He carries a pistol and also wears an earring! I love the background with the ship, turbulent water, and sunset or sunrise!!

Juliette Benzoni: Marianne

Marianne by Juliette Benzoni was published by Berkley in February 1975. This is the story of Marianne and her adventures from her birth in revolutionary France, to her marriage in England, to her return to France to serve Napoleon Bonaparte! Marianne is a story reminiscent of books like Angelique!

Allan Kass draws an illustration that is a slight departure from his regency romance covers! It shows the couple in an embrace that is reminiscent of a true historical romance! The heroine is beautiful in a yellowish-green gown while the hero is resplendent in uniform. Note the mysterious note, chest, and knife on the table. The opulent bed or chaise in the background gives us a clue to the hero's intent!
I was excited to find this cover and see that Allan did a few books that were different from his elegant regency illustrations.