Molly Costain Haycraft: The Lord Brother The Lionheart

My Lord Brother The Lionheart was published by Signet in December 1974 for Molly Costain Haycraft. Princess Joan of England is back after her husband, the King of Sicily's, death and will not be remarried by her brother, the king. She hopes for a true love of her own choice!

Allan Kass shows our couple standing in a castle doorway. Our heroine is regal and very elegant as a falcon sits on her forearm. I like her crown and jewels, which set off her simple red gown. The knight behind her waits with her horse and is obviously one of the important guards. It's a different style for Allan and he nails it!

Molly Costain Haycraft: The Lady Royal

The Lady Royal by Molly Costain Haycraft was published by Signet in November 1974. Isabel, the daughter of King Edward III, was twice betrothed, but still not married. She is disappointed at the lies being whispered throughout the country and vows to marry only for love!

Allan Kass creates a vivid picture of medieval life on this cover. We see our hero and heroine with a cameo behind them of the hero in battle. I can see the fashion evidence of the 1970's in the heroine's robe and jewels! It's an interesting and different cover for Allan and I'm glad to have them!

Molly Costain Haycraft: The King's Daughters

The King's Daughters by Molly Costain Haycraft was published by Signet in January 1975. This is a romance set in medieval times and is the story of Elizabeth, King Edward I's daughter, who is promised to the Earl of Holland, but is in love with the Earl of Hereford! Will she fulfill her duty or defy her country for love?

This is an interesting departure for Allan Kass, as it is one of his earlier works and a book cover done in another time period. He will do 4 more books for Haycraft, which we will see later this week. I like the cameo effect of this with our couple featured outside with the castle, representing duty, in the background. Allan has drawn our couple as young, in love, and stealing a passionate moment together.

Leigh Haskell: The Vengeful Viscount

Leigh Haskell's book, The Vengeful Viscount, was published by Signet in November 1990. Felicity Bellwood was a beauty enjoying all that the London season had to offer, but she was not ready to get married! Her favorite beau, Justin Havilland, was also of the same mind. As they spend time together, they seem to be perfect for one another except that he is recovering from the death of his wife and feels a failure as a husband.

Allan Kass creates a brilliant picture here of our couple dancing at a ball. The colors in their clothing are rich and bold! Our heroine wears an exquisite hairpiece that compliments her decorated gown while our hero is dashing in purple and gold! I like the background of the ballroom with its long windows and gilt ceiling. Click to enlarge!

Leigh Haskell: The Paragon Bride

Author Leigh Haskell pens two Signet Regency Romances and Allan Kass illustrated both. This copy is from October 1989. Emmaline Hazlett is the guest of the Dowager Countess Langdon and is excited to become engaged to her heir until the mysterious Nicolas Ransom is determined to become a wedge in the relationship!

Allan Kass shows our couple standing outside near a fountain in a garden. Our heroine echoes the flowers in her gown of pink and is trying to keep the hero from talking! Our hero is Kass-handsome and obviously in love with her! The walled garden looks like a nice place to sit and read on a summery day!

Judith Harkness: The Montague Scandal

The Montague Scandal, published by Signet in November 1979 for author Judith Harkness, is the last of her books illustrated by Allan Kass. Roselind Arden needed to marry for wealth and her best prospect on the marriage mart was Reginald Darnley, even though others, like Peter Grey, told her it would be a disaster to marry him.

Allan Kass creates a great cover for this book. It is dark in tone because of the red curtains and wood paneling. Our heroine's dress echoes the colors in the room while the hero's red coat is the one bright spot in it! I like Allan's use of jewelry on the heroine and her long green scarf is elegant. Allan's commitment to detail shows with the ornate desk in the background.

Judith Harkness: Lady Charlotte's Ruse

Lady Charlotte's Ruse was published by Signet in August 1982 for Judith Harkness. Charlotte is ready to wed Gerald Kirkland until he flees and finds another. After finding herself engaged to the Marquis of Beresford, Charlotte realizes that her chance for happiness is slim to none unless she does something about it!

Allan Kass illustrated this cover and I like the distinctions of it with our couple standing in the china cabinet display room. Our heroine has a high color to her cheeks, but is a typical Kass heroine with her bangle bracelets and elegant dress. Our hero is handsome in a black dinner jacket. I wonder if they are preparing to go to dinner? His hair is a bit longer than most, which looks as if he needs a trim! The blue/purple tones on the wall give a soft light to the room and pick up the color in her gown.