Sheila Bishop: Honora Clare

Honora Clare was published in March 1981 by Fawcett under their Coventry Romance line #101. It is the story of Honora who is left with two houses in Bath after the death of her father. She decides to open a boarding school for young ladies with these buildings and never realizes that her young ladies could lead her to love and romance!

This is what I would call a typical illustration of Allan Kass for a regency story. His early regency pictures were elegant with the couple always emphasized and the other details always true to the time period. This cover is pretty and set outside in Bath, probably in a park, and shows our couple sharing a moment together. Her purple day dress is simple and her necklace and bracelets are typically Kass. Our hero is handsome in bottle green jacket and buff trousers. I like the rotunda building and swans!

Bath is a beautiful city set on the river Avon in England and a treat to visit. It was built by John Wood and his son, architects who designed the Georgian buildings and town layout. Some of the famous places are the Circus, Royal Crescent, Laura Place, Pulteney Bridge, Bath Abbey, and the Roman Baths. It is an easy city to walk and has many shops, sights, and restaurants. In the 1800's it was considered a place for invalids who took advantage of the baths and water.

Sheila Bishop: Consequences

Consequences was published by Fawcett in September 1981 under the Coventry line #137. It is set in Georgian England (late 1790's) and is the story of Lavinia, who is depressed after the death of her fourth child and finds that intrigues involving both her marriage and the country are brewing.

Allan Kass creates a beautiful illustration with our couple in an outdoor setting. Note the beautiful gazebo and fountain. The heroine's dress has a Georgian style with a full skirt and long sleeves. Our hero is dressed in a typical style of a full coated jacket and knee breeches with stockings. His hair is long, unpowdered, and in a queue.

The Georgian time period spanned the reigns of George 1 through George 4 (1714-1830). This was a great era of change, from social, such as the abolition of slavery, to political, such as the losing of the American Colonies and the revolution in France. It was also a great time for the arts, architecture, and music.

Juliette Benzoni: Marianne and the Privateer

Marianne and the Privateer was published by Berkley in April 1975. This is another story in the saga of Marianne who is rescued from a deadly fire by her only true love, privateer Jason Beaufort. This story in intense as they are drawn apart once again and he is charged with murder and treason.

Allan Kass paints another illustration that is a departure from his elegant regency covers. We see our couple on the high seas with the heroine being threatened (?) by the hero. She holds a sword either in anticipation of an attack by the ship in the background or by the hero, himself! She is dressed in gyspy garb; note her hoop earrings and torn skirt. The hero is scruffy and not Kass's usual elegant hero! He carries a pistol and also wears an earring! I love the background with the ship, turbulent water, and sunset or sunrise!!

Juliette Benzoni: Marianne

Marianne by Juliette Benzoni was published by Berkley in February 1975. This is the story of Marianne and her adventures from her birth in revolutionary France, to her marriage in England, to her return to France to serve Napoleon Bonaparte! Marianne is a story reminiscent of books like Angelique!

Allan Kass draws an illustration that is a slight departure from his regency romance covers! It shows the couple in an embrace that is reminiscent of a true historical romance! The heroine is beautiful in a yellowish-green gown while the hero is resplendent in uniform. Note the mysterious note, chest, and knife on the table. The opulent bed or chaise in the background gives us a clue to the hero's intent!
I was excited to find this cover and see that Allan did a few books that were different from his elegant regency illustrations.

Anne Barbour: A Talent for Trouble

A Talent for Trouble was published by Signet in August 1992. Author Anne Barbour writes a tale about an artist named Talitha who is in London for her first season. Witty Viscount Chelmsfold is penning a satire of society and wants Talitha to illustrate his work. What happens when the shy debutante and sarcastic lord work together is the plot of this novel.

Allan Kass paints a unique picture for this cover. He captures our heroine artist at her easel with the tools of her trade nearby. She is dressed in a yellow day gown and most noticeable are her locket and titian hair! The hero stands in the background: is he looking at the easel or her?? It's a very colorful illustration that captures the heart of this book.

The author makes a note that this novel is based very loosely on Life in London by Pierce Egan, which was an adventure story set during regency times about Tom and Jerry! Yes, those names are now part of our culture with the cartoon inspired by this work!

Anne Barbour: Kate and the Soldier

Kate and the Soldier was published by Signet in May 1993. Anne Barbour writes a story about Kate, who is glad that her childhood love, David, is back from the Napoleonic Wars. She still admires him but will a penniless soldier fall in love with an heiress?

Allan Kass creates a scene from the book where our couple is treasure hunting. It's interesting to see our heroine holding a shovel. Note the dirt on her dress! The hero holds a lantern and they both are intent in hunting for something! This is a unique and interesting cover!

Many places in Britain still have Roman ruins that are even now being excavated. Also, people hid jewels, money, and gold when England's Civil War, under Oliver Cromwell, broke out. Some older houses and estates still haven't given up their secrets!

Anne Barbour: A Dedicated Scoundrel

The next author in the Allan Kass series of illustrations is Anne Barbour. She wrote quite a few books for Signet, but 3 were illustrated by Allan. A Dedicated Scoundrel was published in June 1997 and is the story of Catherine who meets a smooth stranger and realizes that he's not what he seems. She distrusts men after being cast aside by a faithless suitor and fears that Mr. Smith is such a man.

Allan Kass illustrates this book with a picture of our couple standing near an estate. The heroine is dressed in a simple morning dress with a coordinating shawl. Her hair is down, which would suggest very early morning or a clandestine meeting with our hero. He is dressed very informally; maybe wearing the clothes of a servant. Note the horse: was our hero riding him? It's an intriguing cover and one of Allan's last ones since he retired in 1998.