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!

Mira Stables: Stranger Within the Gates

Fawcett books published Stranger Within the Gates, a book by Mira Stables, in 1976. This is the rocky romance of Robert Develyn and the beautiful Francesca Thornish, the ward of his late uncle.

Allan Kass shows us a pretty picture of a modest house behind our couple. The heroine is very beautiful as she says goodbye to the hero. Her face and hairdo is more Victorian than Regency in style and even her dress seems so, too. I like when Allan includes animals in his illustrations because we see what a good artist he really was!

Mira Stables: Marriage Alliance

Marriage Alliance is another story by Mira Stables. This book was published by Fawcett in 1975. She also wrote other books for Fawcett besides the 5 illustrated by Allan Kass. This story is about Fleur and her husband Marcus whose marriage was arranged by their relatives. He thinks her too young and ignores her until the day he realizes that he's married a beauty!

Allan Kass illustrated our couple interestingly. The hero looks like a highwayman and the heroine a bride. We don't know if he's trying to kidnap her away from her wedding or if they are in costume? Her gown is very simple but the cape gives it a touch of elegance.

Mira Stables: Lissa

Lissa was published in 1974 by Fawcett and is the story of Viscount Stapleford who left London after a disappointing season and when he met the young Lissa, asked her to be his sister's companion. However, Lissa's parentage was unknown and she was falling in love with the viscount, so she ran away!

This cover by Allan Kass is a pretty picture of a skating party. We see the large estate in the background and our couple who are skating together. I really like the heroine's fur lined cloak and matching muff. The hero is typically Kass handsome, as he gazes on the heroine! It looks like so much fun on a cold, icy day.

Mira Stables: High Garth

High Garth, by Mira Stables, was published by Fawcett in April 1980. Ann is the daughter of a gentleman who takes a position as housekeeper for a man in Yorkshire. He is a farmer and has a son, but Ann soon realizes that she belongs at High Garth.

Allan Kass portrays our couple at the top of a hill which overlooks a farm and pretty rolling country. The heroine is simply dressed in a periwinkle blue gown and her hair is flowing loose in the wind. The hero is casually dressed and we wonder if he's been herding the sheep in the background. It's an unusual and pretty picture.

MIra Stables: The Byram Succession

Back to the Regency with Mira Stables book, The Byram Succession. Published in 1976 by Fawcett, it is the story of Alethea, who inherited all of Cousin Albert's fortune and soon engaged the attention of the Duke of Byram, to her cousin's fury.

Allan Kass illustrates our couple on a roadside where they have stepped out of the coach and are resting in the fresh air. I like the stone wall and you can almost see the dirt and mud of the street while feeling the mist of an early morning. The heroine's red cape is cheery and functional. They seem to have reached an understanding as they stand handclasp.