Mary Jo Putney: Carousel of Hearts

Carousel of Hearts by Mary Jo Putney was published by Signet in November 1989. This story sounds like a couples mixup with two couples who almost end up with the wrong partners! Mary Jo Putney began her career writing Signet regencies but now is well known for her historical romances.

Allan Kass's cover is elegant. We see a handsome gentleman escorting two beautiful ladies on a walk. Our ladies wear summery day dresses and seem to be enjoying his company. We wonder which of the ladies is his favorite!

Eileen Putman: The Dastardly Duke

January 1998 is the publication date of Eileen Putman's The Dastardly Duke. She wrote a few other regencies for Signet. This story is a "My Fair Lady" story with our duke wagering that he could turn any female into a lady of the ton! When he is introduced to Hannah Gregory, he wonders if his heart will become forfeit!

Allan Kass illustrates one of his last covers here but a delightful one. I like the heroine's simple blue gown. Even at age 80, Kass gets the details correct as we see a country cottage set in a sylvan landscape. Note the thatched roof on the cottage and the grass growing between the slabs of cement.

Carol Proctor: An Unlikely Guardian

March 1990 is the publication date for Carol Proctor's An Unlikely Guardian. Rakish Evelyn Lovelace, Earl of Sinamor is the guardian of young Philipa Raithby. Society waited with bated breath to see what would happen to this innocent under this scandalous rake's care! Proctor wrote a few other books under this line.

This is a gorgeous cover by Allan Kass! The heroine is simply beautiful and our hero handsome and rakish! I love her sapphire and pearl jewelry that she wears as ornament to her evening dress. We catch them in the act of leaving for an evening's ball.

Carol Proctor: A Dashing Widow

A Dashing Widow is the first of two books by Carol Proctor. Published by Signet in September 1991, it's the story of Annis Burham, a young, rich widow who has many men dangling about her. But she has a secret that she didn't want society to know.

Allan Kass creates a cover set in a ballroom for this book. It's always interesting to me when he does a scene with other people besides the hero and heroine because it's fun to compare the dress and facial features of the others. In this cover, our couple are prominent, elegant, and handsome. What catches my eye is the heroine's intricate hairdo. Click to enlarge.

Margaret Evans Porter: Toast of the Town

Toast of the Town was published by Signet in April 1993 and is the last of our books by author Margaret Evans Porter. She wrote others for Signet.

Trevor Cotterell, the Earl of Leafield, has chosen Flora Campion to be his latest mistress. Soon, he learns that she plays her own game of love and that they both may lose!

Allan Kass shows our heroine behind the stage in her costume. The hero has just given her flowers and we get a glimpse of the audience behind. The hero seems captivated by this dark beauty!

Margaret Evans Porter: Sweet Lavender

Sweet Lavender was published in August 1993 by Signet. Margaret Evans Porter tells a story about Beryl Kinnard, the youngest of a large family who is tempted by the Marquis of Elston even though she has vowed to wed the absent Peter Yeates!

Allan Kass gives us a musical cover for this book. Our heroine is seated at a harpsichord and our hero holds a violin. We assume that they have just played a duet. Music would have been an important accomplishment and always performed live in those days before the record and phonograph. Note the detail on the instrument itself and the features of the room.

Margaret Evans Porter: Road to Ruin

Road to Ruin by Margaret Evans Porter was published by Signet in December 1992. Nerissa Newby is fleeing an engagement when she meets up with the shocking Baron Blythe and impulsively agrees to help him in a masquerade!

Allan Kass shows our couple in a bedchamber where we guess from the cover that they aren't married. I like that the heroine is closer and in more detail than the hero, who gazes at her as they discuss their situation. The loud design of the bedspread is a nice touch and give a glimpse of color to the illustration.