Miranda Cameron: The Meddlesome Heiress

The Meddlesome Heiress is the third book illustrated by Allan Kass for Miranda Cameron. It was published in December 1983 by Signet. It is a story about Diantha Cunningham whose possession of an estate managed by Lord Rotherford causes some hard feelings between them. Could love be part of the problem?

This is a very pretty cover by Allan Kass. Our couple is outside spending a moment together. What initially strikes me is all the color in this cover. Our heroine is golden in a gown of the same color with darker trim. Our hero leans against the wall dressed in a smart coat. Note all of the shadow and shading in this cover. Very nice!

Back in the early '80's, most regencies had a similar plot with a heroine being pursued by three eligible gentlemen and this one is no different! These earlier stories usually had a good plot and good writing.

Miranda Cameron: Lord Cleary's Revenge

Lord Cleary's Revenge was published in August 1985 and is the story of Felicia Mannering who is engaged to Darcy Vellacort. Vellacort killed Lord Cleary's brother in a duel, so he plans to take his revenge by wooing away Vellacort's fiancee!

Allan Kass illustrates a classic and beautiful cover for this book. Our heroine is featured as she sits on a bench with our hero wooing her from behind. She wears a simple regency empire dress in rose and gold jewelry, which compliments her dress. Our hero is handsome in maroon and the detail of the garden wall is fascinating! It's noteworthy to mention that most books published in the 1980's didn't have the beauty and attention to detail as Allan created!

Miranda Cameron: The Dissolute Duke

The Dissolute Duke is the first of five books Allan Kass illustrated for Miranda Cameron. This book was published by Signet in September 1986. The story is about Celeste and her conviction that the Duke of Malvern was the worst man in England! She couldn't figure out why she was so attracted to him when he was such a monster to everyone else!

This is one of Allan Kass's classic cover illustrations. I think during period from 1980-1990 he produced some of his best work! This cover is an example with all the detail of the background, outdoors, and people. Our couple stand in an embrace by a window with a beautiful scene of the English countryside. Note the gathers of her bodice and the folds of his sleeve. Also, the bracelets on the wrist of the heroine are a classic Kass feature! He was superb in his rendition of the human figure!

June Calvin: My Lord Ghost

My Lord Ghost was written in October 1996 by Signet and it is the second and last book of June Calvin's that Allan Kass published. She did publish more regencies by Signet. This is a Halloween themed book also trying to mimic the popular paranormal books that were being published. Juliette doesn't believe in ghosts, but is wondering if Hammerswold Castle contains one!

Allan Kass didn't like illustrating gimmicky covers and tried to stay away from them. He paints a Halloween ball scene in this one with our couple on a balcony where our heroine looks as if she's seen a ghost! I like the positioning of the pumpkin and the gargoyle! Our couple is handsome in evening clothes and the people in the background are enjoying the ball. The elegance of the scene keep it from becoming gimmicky.

June Calvin: The Jilting of Baron Pelham

The Jilting of Baron Pelham was published in December 1994 by Signet for June Calvin. This is one of 2 books that Allan Kass published for her. This is the story of Davida who is new to London and being pursued by three very different gentlemen with three very different agendas!

I really like this cover by Allan Kass. Our couple is outside enjoying a picnic in a very pretty spot. Looking at the cover, it suggests that our couple is pausing in their walk to the gazebo in the background where they plan to picnic. Our heroine is bright in a yellow dress and the daisy that the hero is presenting her compliments her dress. He is informal in a vest and trousers. Note his belt, which looks very modern! The apple, checked cloth and stone bridge all add to the beauty of the cover.

London society was an adventure for a young miss looking for a husband. One had to be wise to navigate through the suitors and gentle in order to catch one!

Janet Caird: The Shrouded Way

The Shrouded Way by Janet Caird is the second gothic romance I have that was illustrated by Allan Kass. It was published by Signet in January 1974. It is the story of Elizabeth who discovers the key to sunken treasure off the coast of Scotland and finds that her life is now in danger. Can the Laird of Mourie House save her or is he part of the trap?

This is a very pretty cover at first glance but after looking closely at it I see some interesting features. It's fascinating that the heroine's outfit doesn't look outdated 35 years later! I also like how Allan uses the color green to show off the countryside, but also emphasize the water by making the sky a green haze. Not too menacing at first glance, but it does make one want to pick up the book and examine it! Another favorite from Allan Kass!

Janet Caird: The Loch

Janet Caird writes The Loch, which may be one of the first Gothic Romances that Allan Kass illustrated in my blog. This book was published in March 1974 and is a story of Janet Ogilvy who is intrigued by the caves that appeared after a tidal wave and she's worried about her love, Alan, who may be in danger.

Allan Kass paints an interesting cover in a typical gothic fashion with our heroine in the center of the cover with a haunted looking house in the background and the loch of the title calm and quiet. She is dressed in a long sleeved sweater and long skirt, but very different than the regency covers he mainly painted. I hope that you enjoy the gothic covers and the differences with the regencies.