Elsie Gage: Your Obedient Servant

Your Obedient Servant by Elsie Gage was published by Signet in November 1985 and is the only book she wrote for them. Laura Adams was raised by farmers when she is taken in by Lady Danville, who hopes to marry off the beautiful girl. Instead, she finds three men whose advances and intentions are unclear.

Allan Kass illustrates a pretty cover for this book. I like our heroine's late Georgian/early Regency styled gown with the lace touches. She sits with the hero on a bench and we see the ornate garden wall and beautiful flowers. The hero is intent on showing his affections to her.

Peggy Gaddis: River's Edge

Our last book by Peggy Gaddis is River's Edge, #21 in the Rainbow Romance series. Allan illustrated 5 books for this series that I could find. These are some of his earliest book cover illustrations.

River's Edge was published in September 1970 and is a condensed book. The original title was The Other Dear Charmer. Kate Ryan and her doctor father have moved into the estate called River's Edge. However, this town was wary of strangers and Kate didn't like it there until she met Dr. Scott Etheridge, another newcomer who was destined for another.

This is such a pretty cover by Allan Kass. We see our couple in an embrace as they stand on a path in a wooded area. I love that he uses greens and pinks to soften the darkness of the woods.

Peggy Gaddis: Mountain Melody

Mountain Melody was published by Signet under their Rainbow Romance line in September 1970. This is a condensed book. Cherry and her sister, Loyce, are opposites, but both are drawn to a handsome lawyer named Jonathan Gayle. This story is set in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Allan Kass illustrates our couple relaxing outside together. We see a bit of the forest where they sit. The heroine holds a guitar and seems dressed up for sitting outside while our hero is dressed suitably for the scene! It's one of Allan's earlier illustrations and I hope you enjoy it.

Peggy Gaddis: Enchanted Spring

We veer off into young adult books with Peggy Gaddis's, Enchanted Spring, published by Signet in August 1982. Lynn Carter isn't impressed by rich Wayde McCuller when he moves into Oakville as the heir to Inspiration Hill. However, when he is charged with murder, it is Lynn who comes to his defense.

Allan Kass shows his skill as an illustrator in this cover of our two young people. Our hero lounges on a stone wall while the heroine leans against it. It looks like an enchanted place of quiet harmony. I like the very 70's knit jumper that the heroine wears and her bouquet of lilies. I have a few other Gaddis books that Allan illustrated which I will showcase next.

Joy Freeman: A Suitable Match

A Suitable Match was published in September 1982 and had an earlier hardcover printing in 1980 by St. Martin's Press. Vescinda Bancroft is thrown together with the Earl of Sherworth by a relative and she, being virtuous, has no time for the scandalous gentleman! Can two such unlikely people find love?

Allan Kass makes a great cover of our couple standing in an elegant room dressed for a ball or gala evening. Our heroine is pretty in yellow and her gold accessories set off her emerald and diamond jewelry. Our hero is dashing in black evening dress and we wonder to what special event they plan to attend! It's a pretty cover and I wish my copy was in better condition!

Merry Christmas!

Joy Freeman: The Last Frost Fair

Joy Freeman wrote two books for Signet Regency and both were illustrated by Allan Kass. The Last Frost Fair was published in December 1985. Madeleine St. Cross needs to marry money and for this reason she is brought to London. During the winter of 1814, London's Thames River freezes over and a fair is built upon the ice. She meets Major John Ashton and is faced with the dilemma of marrying for love or money!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple sitting on a sofa. The hero seems to be entreating the heroine to marry him! It's a colorful scene with the green sofa, red walls, pink and purple pillows setting off her yellow gown and his blue jacket. I like that it's a calm and quiet picture of true love. I'm curious that Allan didn't paint a scene from the Frost Fair of the title, but he often had to illustrate according to the demands of the publishers.

Ellen Fitzgerald: An Unwelcome Alliance

An Unwelcome Alliance is the last of Ellen Fitzgerald's books published by Signet and illustrated by Allan Kass. This copy was printed in March 1989.

Lady Belinda marries Lord Gerald even though they both love others. Can this marriage of convenience become a love match?

Allan Kass creates a pretty cover of our couple at a outside ball. Our heroine is lovely in a turquoise gown and a very elegant tiara. I like the up close pose and it's nice to see the beautiful touches of pearls on the gold lady's dress and the trim on another.

According to Fiction DB, Ellen Fitzgerald wrote regencies under other names: Lucia Curzon, Pamela Frazier, and Zabrina Faire. She also wrote gothics under the name Florence Stevenson, which Allan also illustrated.