Corinna Cunliffe: The Unsuitable Chaperone

The Unsuitable Chaperone was published in February 1988 by Signet for Corinna Cunliffe. It is the last of the regency romances that I have of hers. Lady Laura Firle is a widow who is surrounded by men who wish to marry her. Can she make the right choice?

Allan Kass illustrates our couple outside a grand house during a twilight evening. We see the setting sun illuminating the sky and reflected on the water below. The hero and heroine stand on a bridge and it's obvious that they are in love. I like the heroine's lilac dress with the split sleeves and her pearl jewelry. Another great cover by Allan Kass!

Corinna Cunliffe: Play of Hearts

Play of Hearts was published in February 1986 by Signet and is the story of Perdita Chase, the daughter of actors, who is brought up by her wealthy grandparents and is raised to be most proper. After she marries Sir Jeremy Dole, she realizes that she'll need all of her latent acting talent in order to make her loveless marriage one of happy ever after!

Allan Kass illustrates our handsome couple in a small room or hallway. We see the mirror behind and the porcelain ornament on the table that mimics their pose! I like the bright blue of our heroine's gown with the gold trim. Note her jewelry, which is one of Allan's trademark looks! Our hero's hair is longer and bushier than usual. He seems a dark figure! I like how Allan uses the room to give the illusion of wealth.

Actors and actresses were very popular during the regency and people loved attending plays. They, however, were not accepted into polite society and many actresses were considered little more than prostitutes.

Corinna Cunliffe: Hand of Fortune

Hand of Fortune by Corinna Cunliffe was published by Signet in August 1985 and is 1 of 3 books by her that are illustrated by Allan Kass.

Henrietta St John loses her house and horse to Lord Hintlesham. In disguise as a stableboy, she persuades him to let her ride the racehorse to victory. Can she fulfill this vow and also stay incognito?

I like this cover by Allan Kass. He show our couple out riding. Our heroine wears a very fetching green riding dress and carries a crop. The blond hero stands behind her. I like the positioning of the tree and hill which gives the effect of them standing on a steep hillside. Also note the light playing through the tree branches and the well rendered horses grazing.

Jeanne Crecy: The Winter Keeper

The Winter Keeper is the last Allan Kass illustrated book cover that I own for Jeanne Crecy. This copy was published by Signet in May 1975. Jan takes a position at Smoke Valley in order to find out the real reason of her sister's death. What she finds is a man that she could love, but does he know more about the death than he's telling?

Allan Kass creates a great cover of our heroine walking through the snow from the chalet in the distance. We see the rugged terrain and the play of sunlight on the snow. She is dressed warmly in a heavy pink, fur trimmed coat with snow boots over her jeans. It's a great nature picture that I hope you enjoy.

Jeanne Crecy: My Face Beneath the Stone

My Face Beneath the Stone was published in September 1975 by Signet for their gothic romance line. Ria Allen is in Europe on an art buying mission when she begins being mistaken for another woman and finds herself in a mystery that may be the death of her!

Allan Kass illustrates our heroine on the rocky shore with a haunted castle looming in the background. Our heroine wears a nightgown of purple, that billows around her legs. Is she waiting for a coming boat to rescue her? I like the green-ness of this cover that simulates darkness and the rocky cliff and shoreline.

Jeanne Crecy: The Evil Among Us

The Evil Among Us is next in my Allan Kass illustration lineup! I have 3 gothics by Jeanne Crecy and I hope you enjoy viewing Allan's interpretation of the gothic romance cover.

The Evil Among Us was published in December 1975 by Signet and is the story of Vala Holl, an ancient Norse farmstead and the people who live within. Kristin, an American cousin, comes to visit and soon is trapped in the lives of those family members along with falling in love with the wrong man!

Allan Kass uses the black clouds against the white background of the mountain and fford to illustrate our heroine and her flight from the little building behind her. She wears a heavy jacket and her outfit doesn't look out of place for being drawn 35 years ago. I like her necklace swinging on her chest as she moves. I hope that you enjoy seeing these gothic covers!

Catherine Coulter: The Rebel Bride

The Rebel Bride is the last of Catherine Coulter's regency romances published by Signet and illustrated by Allan Kass. This book was published in December 1979. Coulter is a popular author and currently writes romance and suspense books.

Julien St. Clair marries Katharine Brandon in a marriage that should bring joy to everyone, but where both bride and groom carry a secret. Can a stubborn woman and proud man find love together?

Allan Kass creates a wonderful cover which depicts our hero and heroine in a bedroom, which is ornate and probably the heroine's. She is dressed in gold and green low cut empire gown that is nice enough for an evening event. Our hero stands sardonically behind her. We feel the tension between them in this moment. It's a great pose and superb illustration....one of Allan's best!