Monday, November 30, 2009

Norma Lee Clark: Mallory


Mallory is a regency written by Norma Lee Clark and published by Fawcett in 1978. It is the story of a girl named Mallory who is a governess and takes a position with Charles Portman's twin sisters, Sophia and Augusta, who have a book by this name written later by Clark! She enters a household with two mischievous twins and a handsome brother who is on the verge of engagement to another!

Allan Kass creates a delightful cover with our couple standing on a porch talking while the young girls play on a swing. It's an elegant and inviting cover which makes you want to join the scene. I like the expanse of green lawn which looks like fun to run around. The large vase statue is a nice touch and gives the cover a clue that we're on the estate of a rich man.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Norma Lee Clark: The Infamous Rake


The Infamous Rake was published in February 1990 by Signet and is written by Norma Lee Clark. It is a story about a young girl named Dilys, who fell in love a long time ago with Lord Travis. Now that she's in London, can she get London's most notorious rake to fall in love with her?

Allan Kass creates a delightful picture for this book. Our heroine is has beautiful brown hair, which seems unique for Kass. She wears a pretty blue day dress that is decorated with pink bows. Our hero embraces her from behind. Note the regency desk and other room decorations. Allan Kass agains shows his excellence in illustration with this beautiful regency romance scene!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Norma Lee Clark: The Impulsive Miss Pymbroke


The Impulsive Miss Pymbroke was published by Signet in December 1984 for Norma Lee Clark. It is a story about the shocking young Miss Vanessa Pymbroke, who shocked society with her unrestrained manners. She falls in love with Peter, Viscount Chance, but he could only marry a proper woman. Can he be interested in her?

I like this cover by Allan Kass. It's different in that he shows our couple in an embrace while on a doorstep of a house. I like the potted trees and gate, which would look current at any house! I like the emphasis on his holding his hat and her hair loose and flowy. It's a very pretty cover.

Most young ladies were brought up to be prim and proper. It was only the older ladies who could be scandalous, within reason! Only a very rich lady could be thus and considered "eccentric"!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Norma Lee Clark: The Daring Duchess


The Daring Duchess was published in August 1988 by Signet for author Norma Lee Clark. It is the story of Mary, a duchess who disguises herself as a governess to keep herself away from fortune hunters and see if the proud, but poor Earl of Leighford could come to love her and see past her title.

Allan Kass illustrates a simple picture of our couple. The heroine wears a black and green gown and wears modest jewelry. She is pretty with a heart shaped face and upswept red hair. Our hero shares a tender moment with her and is handsome in gray. Unlike other illustrations, Allan keeps the background simple, as if they are in a favorite, comfortable room.

It was unusual for a woman to inherit a title, but not impossible. Most titles went to the next eldest born male to keep the estate and inheritance intact.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Norma Lee Clark: Cupid's Calendar


Cupid's Calendar is the first book I have by Norma Lee Clark. She wrote quite a number of regencies under the Signet and Fawcett Coventry lines. This copy was published in July 1992.

This story is about Lady Ursula, who is positive that she'll remain single after nursing her mother through an illness and attaining the age of 25 without an offer. However, cupid has his moments and she finds herself courted by two eligible gentlemen!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple on a balcony. I like the roses creeping up the wall and the window behind, giving the illusion of a closed space. Our heroine is pretty in apple green. I like her bracelet and ring, which are typical Kass accessories! Our hero is dashing in a burgandy coat. I wonder if he is proposing? Another great Allan Kass cover!

Most women married in their early 20's, so those older were considered spinsters. Since having an heir was important, most men married a younger woman who could give them children.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Marion Chesney: The Viscount's Revenge


The Viscount's Revenge was published by Signet in November 1983 for author Marion Chesney. Chesney went on to publish many more regency romances under publishers such as Signet, Fawcett, and St. Martin's Press. This story is about Lord Charles, who is fighting his attraction to Miss Amanda Colby when he is already engaged to another.

Allan Kass shows our couple in an elegant room dressed for dinner. She wears a pretty green gown that is trimmed with a ruffle around the neck. I like her bracelet! Our hero is dashing in black and white. Note his watch chain on his waistcoat. It's a typical Kass illustration with much detail in the background of the room.

Regency people always dressed for dinner and sometimes dinner took place later in the evening. Food was considered an art and many employed French chefs during this time of war with France! The Prince Regent was an epicurean and was emulated by others.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Marion Chesney: Regency Gold


Fawcett published Regency Gold by Marion Chesney in January 1980. This copy is a reprint from October 1988. They had the same cover art. I believe that this is her first novel.

This story is about orphan Jean who lives a dismal life with her drunken uncle. She dreams of the Marquis of Fleetwater with little hope until she becomes an heiress and realizes that someone is out to kill her! The Marquis jumps in as the hero, but is he the love of her life?

Allan Kass illustrates a gorgeous cover for this book. Our couple attend a ball and are dressed formally. Our heroine is pretty in gold with jewels, as befits her wealth. She carries an ornate fan. Our hero is very handsome and carries a looking glass! I really like the emeralds that she is wearing. Allan is a master at creating elegant people and this is another great work of art!