Vanessa Gray: The Wayward Governess

The Wayward Governess by Vanessa Gray was published by Signet in June 1979. Narcissa Bentham is a match for all the men in her life: grandfather, suitor, cad, until she meets the Marquis of Carraford, who is different from any other.

Allan Kass paints a great cover for this book! Burnt orange isn't my favorite color, but the hue illuminates the room where our couple stands and is echoed with the light and the fireplace. Our heroine is tall and willowy in her yellow day dress and I love her gold jewelry along with her upswept hairdo. The hero is dashing and I like the globe with the pile of books next to it, showing that this is a comfortable and much occupied room.

Vanessa Gray: The Reckless Orphan

The Reckless Orphan by Vanessa Gray was published by Signet in December 1981. Julia Edgeworth, our orphan, is impoverished after the death of her father, but is desired in marriage by Lord Charles Langley, a rich and powerful aristocrat.

Allan Kass shows our couple standing near a staircase in a richly decorated area. Our hero wears a green coat, which is rare in Kass illustrations, while our heroine is pretty in lilac and green. What's outstanding about this illustration is the ornate wood carving of the staircase. Allan outdoes himself with the details on this cover.

Vanessa Gray: The Reckless Gambler

The Reckless Gambler was published by Signet in August 1985. Caroline Finlay is furious when her grandfather betroths her to Lord Julian Carteret, without her permission. She's also angry because Julian ignores the formalities of their engagement and leaves her alone in London. So she decides to do something about the men in her life!

Allan Kass creates a cover worthy of a Joshua Reynolds painting here. We see our couple, their dress almost late Georgian, standing on a balcony. Our heroine wears a rose dress trimmed with lace and pearls while our hero has a loose brown jacket and his hair in a queue, as was customary. I think the heroine has one of the prettiest faces Allan has painted!

Vanessa Gray: The Orphan's Disguise

Vanessa Gray's, The Orphan's Disguise, was published by Signet in November 1986. Corliss Hewett was a runaway who sought refuge with a lady who now was pressuring her into tricking Colonel Douglas Renfrew into falling in love with her. Trouble was following her and might keep her from falling in love!

Allan Kass illustrates a great cover for this book! We see our couple in an elegant room decorated with a striped sofa and other object of art. Our heroine wears a simple day dress that is accented with some gorgeous jewelry and a beautiful blue shawl. Our hero seems to be reassuring her about something. He is another handsome Kass hero! There is a nice balance of color on this cover.

Vanessa Gray: The Masked Heiress

March 1977 was Signet's publication date for Vanessa Gray's The Masked Heiress. Gina Buxton, a prisoner in Newgate, trades her release to become an imposter: the long lost heiress to an elderly Lord!

Allan Kass creates an interesting cover of our couple as they stand at the bottom of a staircase. Our heroine is richly dressed with frills and an expensive gold shawl and our hero handsome in black and gold. We see an ornate fireplace and exquisite painting on the wall behind. The red walls tend to create a shadow of dark and doubt on the picture. Note the letter that the hero holds loosely! Could it contain some information about the heroine?

Vanessa Gray: The Lonely Earl

The Lonely Earl, by Vanessa Gray, was published by Signet in February 1978. Faustina Kennett had known Hugh Crale for ever since they lived on adjoining estates. After his disastrous marriage and her first season, they discover that what they both want might be right next door!

Allan Kass creates a great cover for this early regency book. We see our hero and heroine outside a wisteria covered doorway with the purple gown of our heroine's echoing the flowers. We see a tender moment shared. I like the heroine's day dress with a rose accent and her gold jewelry. Kass has done other variations of this dress! We don't get a good look at the hero, but he seems to have long sideburns! Note the details like the bench and the rectangular windows. Enjoy!

Vanessa Gray: A Lady of Property

A Lady of Property was published in April 1988 by Signet for it's Regency Romance series and is written by Vanessa Gray. Charlotte Forester is an heiress who is determined to be loved for herself, instead of her wealth. She ends up with many adventures, as a governess and runaway, before finding true love.

Allan Kass illustrates our couple outside on a portico. Our heroine is wearing a lilac empire day dress with pearl jewelry while our hero, who is embracing her, is handsome in a red coat. Her auburn hair blends into his coat! I like the details of the stairway in the background and the sunlight gleaming off the column.