Sarah Carlisle: Widow Aubrey

Widow Aubrey is the last book by Sarah Carlisle that I own illustrated by Allan Kass. It was published in 1978 and is the story of Caroline Aubrey, the widow of a Virginia planter, who returns to England and is encouraged to remarry by her grandmother. Can she find happiness in a second marriage? Carlisle did write other regencies for Fawcett.

Allan Kass creates an interesting cover of our couple in a library, probably in a private house. The heroine is on a moving stairway, used to reach the highest books. She wears a simple yellow day dress and holds a few books. Our hero is gorgeous in green and is holding her hand. They seem to be enjoying each other's company!

Regency romances were becoming very popular in the late 1970's due to the publishing of both Georgette Heyer and Barbara Cartland. Readers were eager for the next book and publishers like Signet and Fawcett began to produce more. Soon, other publishers such as Avon, Zebra, and Jove were also publishing regencies. Fawcett began a numbered series in 1979. The 1980's were the decade of the regency novel and some of the best stories were written and published!

Sarah Carlisle: Kit and Kitty

Kit and Kitty is the second book I have of three that were illustrated by Allan for Sarah Carlisle. This particular book was published in August 1981 and is the story of Kit, who is titled, and Kitty, who is rich and are betrothed without ever meeting one another. Can two strangers find love with each other?

Allan Kass displays our young couple out of doors in a wood near a waterfall where they are enjoying nature! They are both dressed informally and seem to be enjoying a quiet moment together. I like how Allan depicts the rushing water and the growth of weeds and grasses around it. A rural and unusual cover for a regency title!

This book was part of Fawcett's Coventry series of regency romances and is titled #132. These books were published from 1979 through 1982.

Sarah Carlisle: Cleopatra's Carpet

Cleopatra's Carpet is the first book by Sarah Carlisle that I have illustrated by Allan Kass. It was published in December 1979 and is the story of Louisa Bardoff and her unrequited love for Lord Geffrey. Can a London Season bring them together?

Allan Kass illustrates a beautiful night scene for this cover! Our couple standing in front of a fountain and are sharing an intimate moment. Our heroine is pretty in purple, a dress which has quite a modern cut to it, but also Grecian in style. Our hero embraces her and seems cast into the shadow of the evening. Note the cupid on top of the fountain and the flowers growing around the grass. A very pretty cover!

Most regency girls dreamed of going to London during April-July for the season. It was also referred to as the "marriage mart" since many people came to visit and court. A season was expensive and some girls traveled to relatives or in groups in order to attend. For many, it was the one chance to meet young men from outside their neighborhood!

I'm happy that this is the 100th Allan Kass book cover that's listed in my blog! I have just under 800 covers illustrated by Kass and am looking forward to posting all of them here. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Allan Kass did approximately 1000 covers, so I'm convinced that a few are lurking out there that I don't have!