Joan Smith: Valerie

Valerie by Joan Smith was published by Fawcett in July 1981 and it's the last I have that Allan Kass illustrated for her. If you find one that's not listed in this blog, please contact me. Valerie is the story of a girl who visits her aunt's house and finds it full of odd relatives and mysteries.

Allan Kass illustrates our couple outside a house that has some oddly shaped trees! I like that the hero and heroine are enchanted with one another. While simple at first glance, the flowering vine and lead windows lend a bit of detail to this cover.

Joan Smith: Talk of the Town

Joan Smith's Talk of the Town was published by Fawcett in 1979. Smith also wrote contemporary romances for Silhouette.  This story is about Daphne and her aunt Effie, whose memoirs were causing no little disturbance in London.

Allan Kass creates a picturesque cover here with our couple. The hero is strong and swarthy as he comes into the room where the heroine clutches a diary to her breast. I like the painting of Aunt Effie and the love letters tied up with ribbon! The heroine here is very elegant in the way only Kass seems to do!

Joan Smith: Rose Trelawney

Rose Trelawney by Joan Smith is a mystery story about a girl found  by the handsome Sir Ludwig. She has no memory of her accident or who she is but she knew that she could love her rescuer!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple on a balcony while a ball is taking place inside. I like the creeping roses that frame our couple as they share an intimate moment together and the play of shadow on the stone wall of the building.                    

Joan Smith: Reluctant Bride

Reluctant Bride is #171 in Fawcett's Coventry Romance series and was published in March 1982. Lizzie's only item of value is a diamond necklace that she plans to sell in order to secure her home. However, it is stolen on the way to London and Sir Edmund Blount offers to help them after his coach crashes into theirs!

Allan Kass shows our hero reassuring the heroine while they sit in front of an inn fire. The heroine seems relaxed while the hero talks to her. I like the light and shadows that Allan uses to highlight our couple.

Joan Smith: Perdita

Perdita was published in April 1981 and is part of Fawcett's Coventry Romance line. Perdita was wild and impetuous but when she got caught up with Lord Stornaway, the biggest rake in London, could Moira, her cousin and chaperone, help her? Especially when she had a tendre for him, herself?

Allan Kass sets this cover in a ballroom and we see our couple sharing a moment together before a dance. It's as if the hero is pleading as he places his hand over hers. I like the detail of the gold and mirrors.

Joan Smith: La Comtesse

Joan Smith's La Comtesse was published by Fawcett in 1978. Renee, the French Countess, was the toast of London. Lewis Dashford, a British agent, wondered if she was spy or just playing a part.

This is an unusual cover for Allan Kass since it only depicts a heroine and no hero. I believe that covers with couples probably sold better but this is an example of Allan's talent. We have a very beautiful lady standing near a balcony where a party is going on down below. Note her tiara, expensive jewelry, and ornate accessories. The detail of the room is a perfect setting for her, too.

Joan Smith: Laces for Milady

Laces for Milady was originally published in May 1981. This cover is a June 1986 reprint. Joan Smith writes about Priscilla Denver and her rage at finding that her house didn't actually belong to her but to the Duke of Clavering.

Allan Kass illustrates this cover (which is the same as the 1981 version) with our couple standing on the grounds of a large estate. They wear riding dress and it's fun to see the detail with the trees, pond, statue, etc. Our heroine doesn't seem quite happy with the hero and this inquisitive look makes one pick up the book!

Joan Smith: Imprudent Lady

Imprudent Lady by Joan Smith was published by Fawcett in 1978 and is the story of Prudence who fell in love with Lord Dammler after reading his book. The fun begins when she actually meets him! This book has a sequel called Reprise, which was rare in the late '70's.

Allan Kass shows our couple near a desk where the hero's trade is easily seen in the form of quill, ink, and paper. I wish the picture was bigger but it's almost as if our heroine was discovered in a room where she didn't belong!

Joan Smith: Escapade

Escapade by Joan Smith was published by Fawcett in 1977 and is the story of Ella Fairmont, who was playing a dangerous game by writing a gossip column as the mysterious Miss Prattle! Now that she finds herself falling in love with the Duke of Clare, she needs to hide the fact that she is Miss Prattle!!

This is an interesting cover by Allan Kass since we don't really see the heroine's face but only her profile. The hero is featured accepting a letter. The setting is unusual; maybe an art gallery or balcony of a famous building?

Joan Smith: Endure My Heart

Endure My Heart is another regency prolific author by Joan Smith. Published in June 1980, it's the story of Mab, her brother Andrew, and their life after the death of their father with a band of smugglers.

The cover by Allan Kass is gorgeous with our very handsome uniformed hero, our spirited heroine, and the beautiful scenic cove. The heroine's bold red gown highlights the red in the hero's uniform and keeps our eye on this electric couple. I'd hope the author was pleased with this illustration of her story!

Joan Smith: Delsie

Delsie by Joan Smith was published for Fawcett's Coventry Romance line in January 1982. This series ran from 1979-1982 and mostly featured regency stories, but had a few Edwardian and Victorian ones too. Smith is a prolific writer who has also published a lot of historical romances.

Delsie is a teacher who married a dying man and inherited his house and daughter! Now she just has to deal with new brother in law! This book is reminiscent of Georgette Heyer's The Reluctant Widow.

Allan Kass illustrates a favorite cover here. We see a typically Kass hero comforting one of his beautiful heroines. Everything about her is exquisite: her hair, her gown, her jewelry, and her accessories. The room they stand in is almost too cluttered with the delft tiles to the stained glass.

Joan Smith: Dame Durden's Daughter

Published in 1978, Dame Durden's Daughter (who comes up with these titles!!) is the story of Edith Durden who liked Helver, the heir of the Duke of Saymore. Everyone else thought he was a hellion and did their best to separate the pair!

Allan Kass shows our couple in front of an ornate bridge in the middle of a pretty lake. The hero and heroine seem in harmony as they walk close to one another. I like the hero's purple jacket which is a foil for the heroine's yellow gown. It's a shame that we don't see such artwork on romances anymore.

Joan Smith: The Blue Diamond

Joan Smith's The Blue Diamond was published by Fawcett in October 1981 for its Coventry Romance line. This story is set in Vienna during the Congress while Napoleon was imprisoned on the island of Elba. Maria Kruger was interested in the handsome Lord Moncrief, but he seems more interested in Mlle Feydeau and her stunning jewels!

I've always like Allan Kass's illustrations that take place in ballrooms and this is no exception. Our couple dance divinely and it's fun to see their clothing, jewels, and the others depicted in the picture. Who wouldn't want to be part of that fun?

Joan Smith: Babe

Babe by Joan Smith was published by Fawcett in February 1980. Babe was the scandal of London and her new guardian, Lord Clivedon, was about to change that reputation. Or would he?

Allan Kass illustrates our couple in front of a window on a bright sunny day. Both hold a glass of wine and perhaps are celebrating, though the heroine looks pensive. The scenery is interesting with the curricle outside and the wrought iron railing. It's another pretty cover by Kass.

Joan Smith: Aurora

Aurora by Joan Smith was published by Fawcett in February 1981 for their Coventry Romance line. Aurora meets a stranger but doesn't know if he is the long lost Kenelm Raiker or his illegitimate half brother!

Allan Kass creates a cover with our couple standing next to a gypsy caravan. Our heroine is simply dressed in blue while the hero looks natty for someone living in a wagon! I like the touch of flowers and the springtime vibe of this cover.

Joan Smith: Aunt Sophie's Diamonds

Aunt Sophie's Diamonds by Joan Smith was published by Fawcett in 1977. The diamonds of the title were owned by a tyrannical old aunt who took them, literally, to her grave. Claudia didn't care about the diamonds but she did care about Sir Hillary Thoreau!

Allan Kass features these diamonds in this illustration! We see the hero placing them around the heroine's neck and assume that they are the necklace of the title. The heroine's purple dress shows off the necklace while the room is a setting for her beauty.

Joan Smith: An Affair of the Heart

Prolific author Joan Smith wrote An Affair of the Heart in 1977 for Fawcett crest books. Regency romances were beginning their popularity and Smith was one of the earlier authors of the genre. This is a lighthearted story about two sisters and their beau!

Allan Kass illustrates an elegant cover for this romance with our couple standing in a library. The heroine wears a simple gown but an elaborate hairstyle! The hero is Kass handsome. Some of these early covers are his best and I wish the picture was larger for viewing. I love the beauty of the couple and detail he takes with their clothing and setting.