Catherine Coulter: An Intimate Deception

An Intimate Deception was published in April 1983 by Signet for Catherine Coulter. Evangeline de Beauchamps's father is being held by Napoleon as a hostage and she has come to England as an unwilling spy. Richard Clarendon, the Duke of Portsmouth believes her to be a widow and she is terrified of his discovery and also falling in love with him!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple at the seashore. Our heroine wears a simple dress with matching straw hat. Note her pretty bracelet. Our hero seems quite taken with her! I like the feel of the ocean behind them and its colors of blue and green! The rocks and flowers make a nice place to picnic nearby. Another great cover by Kass!

Until 1816, England had been at war with France for many years. There was constant spy activity since it was easy to cross over the English Channel. Both countries participated in spying!

Catherine Coulter: An Honorable Offer

An Honorable Offer was published in December 1981 for Catherine Coulter by Signet. Coulter was one of Signet early regency authors, along with Joan Wolf, Sandra Heath, and Vanessa Gray. Signet published their regency romance line for 25 years, until 2005, when the paranormal romance became very popular. Hopefully, regencies will return someday.

This story is about Sabrina Eversleigh, who is afraid of men after being attacked by a relative. She escapes and is found by Philip, a Viscount, who has to marry her after caring for her. Can this gun shy girl and proud man find love together?

Allan Kass shows our couple in a library or office. They both wear riding gear and I'm not too sure about the cuffs on the hero's jacket! I like the stained glass windows in this room. They are very unique!

Catherine Coulter: The Generous Earl

The Generous Earl was published by Signet in July 1981. Brandy Robertson met the new Earl of Penderleigh and realized that although he was her new guardian, he was a man that she could love. However, he was determined to marry another. Can two very different people fall in love?

Allan Kass paints a wonderful picture for this book with our couple in a walled garden. Our heroine is comfortable in a rust color dress with matching shawl and casually dressed hairdo. Our hero wears a plum jacket and seems anxious for the heroine's attention. I like that the garden has a dark feel; maybe it's twilight. Note the ornate wooden door in the wall.

Catherine Coulter: The Autumn Countess

The Autumn Countess was published by Signet in January 1979 and is one of the earlier books in their regency romance series. Coulter writes a story about Andrea James, who marries an older lord for convenience, but wonders if it is really convenient once she meets his young and handsome son?

Allan Kass illustrates this couple in hunting gear and standing in an office that is decorated in a masculine fashion with hunting pictures on the wall. Our heroine wears a dark green habit and styles her hair in curls. I like the little watch pinned to her shoulder! Note the hero in a typical red riding jacket! He seems to be asking something of the heroine. I have more of his work for Coulter's other regency novels and I hope that you enjoy seeing them later this week on the blog!

Catherine Cookson: Matty Doolin

Matty Doolin is the last young adult book by Catherine Cookson that I have. My copy is an August 1976 printing and is a story about the young boy titled who wishes to become a vet. His father expects him to work at the docks and can't provide a further education. However, dreams can happen and that's the plot of Matty Doolin!

Allan Kass illustrates our teen in a field holding a lamb while his dog is nearby. We see the beautiful English countryside and the boy who seems such a part of it! He wears work clothes of jeans, boots, and a jumper (or sweater) and has the longer haircut of a boy in the 1970's. It's a sweet cover and I hope that you enjoy the difference from his historical ones!

Catherine Cookson: Joe and the Gladiator

Next in our Allan Kass Book Cover list, we have a wonderful young adult book by Catherine Cookson, known for her adult stories, called Joe and the Gladiator. This copy was published by Signet in April 1977.

It is the story of a boy named Joe and a horse named The Gladiator, an old nag that now belongs to Joe and how he has to work hard to manage his upkeep. He has friends, like Anna and her father, the vet, but needs help and ideas in order to keep the horse.

Allan draws a wonderful picture of Joe and his horse! We see the young teen, proud and happy, with his horse, who is old and looks tired. The docks are in the background and we get the sense that Joe is smarter and able to rise above working as a common laborer. It's an interesting juxtaposition and says a lot about his family's life in England. Allan has a great ability to show the hopefulness in the boy and optimism that he can take good care of this horse, even though everyone else has doubts! I have another young adult book by C. Cookson tomorrow.

Jane Converse: Undercover Nurse

Undercover Nurse is the last book that I have illustrated by Allan Kass for Jane Converse. If you know of any others, please contact me. This copy was printed in February 1972 and is a story about nurse Gail Arnold. When a mysterious patient enters the hospital, beaten and near death from a heroin overdose, Gail finds herself working close to Dr Cranston, who she admires and fear of the new patient, whose world of narcotics spells danger for Gail!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple with a Main Street background behind them. Our heroine is pretty and serene in her uniform while the doctor hero is handsome, yet wary. I'm sure that the Main Street has to do with their town, but seems very picturesque and the last place that our villain would be located! Note the church: a symbol of deliverance, perhaps?

These books were lots of fun to hunt and find! When I first contacted Allan Kass, I was unaware that he had done any contemporary book illustrations, so finding these nurse and young adult books have been a joy! Even though most of his work was for Regency Romances, we see his style and flexibility, and also similarity, with these books. I hope that you enjoy and feel free to click the photo to enlarge.