Martha Kirkland: The Secret Nabob

The Secret Nabob by Martha Kirkland was published by Signet in January 1996 and is the story of Madeline Wycliff who has two sisters causing her stress on top of their financial losses which is heading towards disaster when the new mysterious neighbor moves into Balenger Hall and becomes intimate with their family.

I think that this is a pretty cover by Allan Kass. Our hero seems to have been out riding and stops to greet the heroine. The different colors are vibrant and springlike.  The heroine seems to like his attention and we predict a summer wedding!

Martha Kirkland: The Ruby Necklace

The Ruby Necklace by Martha Kirkland was published by Signet in April 1996. Emaline Harrison is a vicar's daughter who becomes a widow after a marriage in name only. Now her only problem is to fend off the fortune hunters when the most attractive of them is her late husband's cousin and heir!

This is an interesting cover by Allan Kass. Our hero is arranging the necklace on the heroine. It's almost a clash with her hair! I like that the hallway has a busyness to it which is from the different colors and textures and looks homey and normal. It goes without saying that both the hero and heroine are handsome.

Martha Kirkland: The Honorable Thief

The Honorable Thief was published by Signet in December 1996 for Martha Kirkland. Honoria Danforth, as honorable as her name, finds herself posing as the wife of a dishonorable rake after finding a hurt man by the side of the road in order to keep from being taken up as a thief!

Allan Kass creates a delightful cover of our hero and heroine walking about on a cold winter's day. I love the heroine's blue muff and matching bonnet, which strike a nice balance with her brown coat. Our hero wears a natty caped coat and a wool beaver hat. Allan doesn't miss the details like gloves and the heavy gray sky. Delightful!

Martha Kirkland: The Artful Heir

The Artful Heir is one of four books by Martha Kirkland that were illustrated by Allan Kass. She has written many regency romances. This one was published in April 1998, which makes it one of the last illustrations by Allan.

Sarah Sterling traveled to Donmore Hall to restore paintings in the place of her ill father. She finds a place where a mysterious heir has surfaced and where paintings are mysteriously disappearing. Can she discover the mystery and could love be found in an unexpected place?

I like the waterfall on this cover by Allan Kass. His natural scenes are definitely as good as his interior ones. Our couple look as if they've paused by the water as they've taken a walk and are sharing a lovely moment.