Maggie MacKeever: A Notorious Lady

A Notorious Lady was published by Fawcett in 1978 and is the story of Lady Phillipa Harte, called Pippin, and her arrival in Scotland. Her presence intrigue Lord Afton and scandalize the local vicar!

This is a unique cover for a regency romance in that it shows no hero. Single person covers were very rare in the 1970's unless the book was a gothic romance which usually pictured the heroine fleeing a haunted house. I like the heroine's purple gown her silver bows and pearl jewels along with her direct gaze. She looks like a force to be reckoned with and again, Allan Kass does a brilliant job!

Maggie MacKeever: The Misses Millikin

The Misses Millikin was published by Fawcett in July 1980 for their Coventry Regency line and authored by Maggie MacKeever. Angelica is the oldest and plainest in a large family where she's taking care of them and also making matches! When a handsome rogue looks her way, she realizes that maybe she doesn't need to stay the spinster sister!

Allan Kass illustrates this cover with a picture of our couple in costume at a masquerade. Both wear Georgian garb and look very dashing. We see others in the background from different historical settings. The heroine may be Queen Antoinette but the hero could be a dashing highwayman!

Maggie MacKeever: Lord Fairchild's Daughter

Lord Fairchild's Daughter by Maggie MacKeever was published by Fawcett in January 1976, as a precursor of its Coventry Romance line.  This story has a gothic feel to it since Loveday, the heroine, runs away from her father's gambling only to stay with distant relatives who are convinced that she is the key to solving earlier murders.

Not quite a gothic cover by Allan Kass! Our couple are riding on a large estate and our heroine is prettily attired in riding dress. I like how her hair hangs down on the side and while the hero is smaller, we can still see Allan's skill by how he is drawn, along with the horses.

Maggie MacKeever: Lady Sweetbriar

Lady Sweetbriar was published by Fawcett in February 1982 for their Coventry Romance series. Nikki, Lady Sweetbriar, is newly engaged to Sir Avery, but is determined to keep her jewels when she makes this new marriage and in doing so involves a multitude of misunderstandings!

This cover depicts our couple outside of an elegant house. The heroine is dressed for walking in a pretty purple gown with her hat, shawl, and parasol very elegant accessories. My only criticism with these Fawcett covers are that the pictures are so small and it's hard to see all of the detail that Allan Kass creates in his covers.

Maggie MacKeever: Lady Bliss

Lady Bliss by Maggie MacKeever, was published by Fawcett in December 1979. This edition is from January 1987. Jessamyn Lennox, known as Jynx, gets mixed up with a crowd that her new fiance, Lord Roxbury, knows only too well!

Allan Kass pictures our couple in front of a building while the heroine alights from a carriage. Our hero is typical Kass as he gazes on the heroine who is elegant in her blue gown and darker blue pelisse and hat. Her purse or reticule is an interesting shape and she looks ready to shop or make calls. Note the ribbon effect at the bottom of her gown.

Maggie MacKeever: A Banbury Tale

Next in our author lineup is Maggie MacKeever, who wrote regencies for Fawcett in the late 1970's. A Banbury Tale was published in 1977 and is the story of Mathilda who was a widow and definitely not planning on remarrying! However, she wasn't ready to give up her place as the reigning queen of society!

This cover by Allan Kass shows our couple on a balcony where in the room behind, a ball is taking place. Our couple share an embrace while the dancers in the background complete a measure. My eye is caught by the gentleman in the pink coat--he must be a dandy!

I wonder if the popularity of Barbara Cartland's books during this time helped this genre become popular? Other popular romances of the time were the gothic and these regency stories were definitely different in flavor. Also this was the beginning of the sexier historical romance with Kathleen Woodwiss's The Flame and the Flower being published around 1977, too.