Monica Heath: Raneslough

Raneslough, by Monica Heath, was published by Signet in July 1976 for their gothic romance line. Quinn O'Toole is an amateur historian and is interested in her paternal roots, so she flies to Ireland to find out more about her father's mysterious death. Raneslough Castle holds the clues, but her extended family isn't welcoming.

This cover is a bit different for Allan Kass since the heroine's face has a "out of focus"feel to it. She is pretty and in his style wears silver jewelry with her outfit. I like his use of aqua in the sky and sea, which makes the castle and cliff seem even darker and more mysterious.

Monica Heath: Mistress of Ravenstone

March 1973 saw the publication by Signet of Mistress of Ravenstone by Monica Heath. Lorraine Laughlin is the new bride of Ravenstone but is haunted by the legend of another bride who was killed by that long ago ancestor in order to be able to marry another. Is there a curse on the mansion?

Allan Kass's illustration for this cover isn't one of my favorites, I must admit. I don't like the "all in one" pictures where there is no definition of the scene or person. While his work is wonderful, we must wonder if this is what the publisher was wanting, knowing that this was a popular style during the 1970's?

Monica Heath: House of the Strange Woman

House of the Strange Woman by Monica Heath was published by Signet in May 1977. Carey McKee goes looking for her father after the death of her aunts, but finds that he has died, but left a wife. She decides to visit her only to find danger following her with every movement.

Allan Kass creates a vision on the cover of this book! Our heroine is lovely and elegant in her red gown with a peep of a petticoat. Her black hair is long and reminiscent of other Kass heroines while her gold jewelry are a trademark of his artistry. She stands out in a sea of brown with everything else portrayed in that color. It's an interesting juxtaposition of elegance and crudeness.

Monica Heath: Dunleary

Dunleary, by Monica Heath, was published by Signet in January 1967. My copy looks like a third printing. Deirdre Rynne is stunned when the Laird of Inish Laoghaire chooses her for a bride! She is married and taken to Dunleary, a castle that sits on a cursed island!

Allan Kass illustrates our heroine as she flees the haunted castle. I like that the building isn't far in the distance and the clouds and water almost look identical. She sports Kass touches: her gold bracelets and hoop earrings. The photo isn't as rich and beautiful as the book, which we see was originally bought in a drugstore!

Monica Heath: Duncraig

Duncraig, by Monica Heath, was published by Signet in January 1974. Corry Collins visits Duncraig, a castle on the Irish Sea, where someone is threatened by her claim to the family fortune!

Allan Kass creates a stunning cover for this book with a heroine, dressed in a mint green gown which echoes the color of the sky, fleeing from a ruin behind her. Her red hair is wild and free flowing and I like the Kass touch of the arm bracelet! Kass didn't do a lot of gothic romance covers, but this is one of his best with the cover not only being beautiful, but also giving off a feeling of menace.

Monica Heath: Clancumara's Keep

Clancumara's Keep by Monica Heath is next in our list of Allan Kass illustrations. This book was published by Signet in November 1978. Kerry Carillo is searching for the truth about her mother and hoping to find the father she's never met. Her clues lead her to Clancumara and the mystery that she finds there!

Allan Kass's gothic romances are infinitely better than most! We see a beautifully illustrated heroine along with all of the gothic touches: lonely castle, lone light, and eerie time frame! I am amazed at how modern his women look, even 30 years after the illustration! We see a beautiful brunette, in black and green velvet, outside of the keep, which is dark and mysterious. Sorry that my book isn't in the best of condition.

Monica Heath: Chateau of Shadows

Back to Gothic romances with Chateau of Shadows, first from author Monica Heath. This book was published in October 1973 by Signet and is the story of Marva McLarnen, who is drawn to a handsome doctor, whose wife has died mysteriously.

Allan Kass creates a sweeping illustration for this book with our heroine, pretty in a lilac gown, running up a steep hillside. We see the chateau and mountains with waterfalls. The blues in the painting give us a cool, chilly feel of this scene, along with the eerie light showing on the castle tower! The heroine is typical Kass with her sweeping hair, gold jewelry, and fine boned structure.

More Monica Heath books to come in the next few days!