Caroline Farr: Castle of Terror

Castle of Terror by Caroline Farr was published by Signet in August 1975. Megan Wentworth arrives with her employer to Storm Haven, a castle owned by the mysterious Count Rienzi. Can Shane, her employers son, keep her safe in the castle of terror?

Allan Kass illustrates our heroine fleeing the castle. This cover is unique because our heroine is pictured smaller than usual, enough so that it's hard to see her features. The castle, trees, and rocks loom bigger that our heroine. I like her purple robe or coat over the pink gown. Hopefully she blends into the night!

Caroline Farr: A Castle in Canada

October 1972 is the publication date for A Castle in Canada, another gothic romance by Caroline Farr. Darleen Tracy visits the Montaigne family chateau in anticipation of seeing her fiance, Raoul, but he has vanished and his family, who will inherit if Raoul doesn't marry, is hateful.

Allan Kass illustrates a typical gothic cover with our heroine, in her nightdress, fleeing the dark mansion. What I really like about this cover is how Allan uses the woman's dress and hair as movement and motion. He's dead on in her pose and we feel her next move. The castle's reflection of itself in the water is creepy, too!

Caroline Farr: Brecon Castle

Brecon Castle is the first of many Caroline Farr gothic romances that Allan Kass illustrated. This title was published by Signet in October 1976.

Gillian Owen was hired to serve as nurse to David Brecon's young daughter, but quickly realized that the villagers were right and Brecon Castle harbored some kind of evil which threatened her and her young charge.

Allan Kass illustrates one of my favorite gothic covers here! I love the heroine: her dark flowing hair, her emerald green gown and wrap and her beautiful face! She blends into the shadowy scene of the castle and landscape as she walks along the stone wall near the water. I think it's one of Allan's best gothic covers and I hope you agree!!

Elisabeth Fairchild: The Rakehell's Reform

The Rakehell's Reform is the last Elisabeth Fairchild book that I have illustrated by Allan Kass. She did write other regencies for Signet.

February 1997 is Signet's publication date. Selina Preston's father wanted his wealth to buy his daughter a noble husband. His choice, Jack Ramsey, had the worse of reputations and he was definitely not her first choice!!

Allan Kass paints a elegant cover for this book with our couple standing outside near a doorway surrounded by flowers. I love the hero's blue almost purple jacket because it goes so well with his red hair! The heroine is complimentary in green with purple trim and she holds a bunch of yellow roses. You can tell that they like and maybe even love each other!

Next blog will feature more of Allan's gothic romance covers!

Elisabeth Fairchild: Marriage a' la Mode

December 1997 was the publication of Marriage a' la Mode by Elisabeth Fairchild. Lord Hay hears Melody Bainbridge in a crowded London scene, and is intrigued by her laughter. However, she is in the process of being divorced from an abusive husband and is not looking for another relationship.

Allan Kass paints a calm scene with our couple feeding a deer that is in the park behind the mansion. Our hero carries the feed while the heroine feeds the deer. This would be one of Allan's last illustrations, but he still concentrates on the details like the garden and the animal. I'm not too sure about the heroine's red coat with her complexion, though!! Enjoy this bucolic cover!

Elisabeth Fairchild: The Love Knot

The Love Knot by Elisabeth Fairchild was published by Signet in November 1995. Aurora Ramsay is determined to catch Lord Walsh as a husband, so she asks Miles Fletcher to help her captivate him. Soon she learns that her teacher may be her true lover in fact!

This cover by Allan Kass shows our couple playing archery. I love the autumn outdoors and our heroine's warm green dress. They seem in a playful mood as she helps him with his aim! Note the temple in the background and another target full of arrows!

Elisabeth Fairchild: Lord Ramsay's Return

Lord Ramsay's Return is a March 1996 Signet publication by Elisabeth Fairchild. Miss Prudence Stanhope is in danger after meeting the enigmatic Lord Charles Ramsay, who has recently returned from India and is handsome and charming. Brighton is the setting for this story and is a beautiful seaside location in England known for the Prince Regent's Pavilion.

Allan Kass illustrates our couple among Oriental treasures. Our hero is dressed as we would consider typical Eastern costume with white shirt or tunic and a bright purple sash. Our heroine is pretty in a blue day dress. This cover pops because of the detail of the statue and ornate light behind the couple.