Dorothy Daniels: The Purple and the Gold

The Purple and the Gold was published by Signet in March 1980. In Vienna of 1912 young Magda Karoly comes of age and is pursued by men who are interested in her title and her beauty. Can she find true love in the mad age before World War 1?

Allan Kass illustrates our couple at a ball. I like this cover because it evokes the beauty of his regency pictures, but we see his talent in creating the elegance of the Edwardian age. Our heroine wears a low cut ball gown of blue and a choker of diamonds that match those in her ears. Her hairdo is styled a pompadour. Our hero is handsome in black tuxedo and very dapper with his mustache! I really like the crowd behind them dancing and enjoy looking at the variety of clothing colors and styles. The ballroom is ornate with decorated walls and a huge chandelier. This is the only cover that Allan did for Dorothy Daniels and I hope you enjoy it!!

Megan Daniel: The Unlikely Rivals

November 1981 is the publication date for The Unlikely Rivals, the last Allan Kass illustrated book for Megan Daniel. Saskia is pitted against her cousin, Derek, by their aunt in order to win her fortune. Until then, they had never met and both are determined to inherit!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple in a beautiful room with a large ornate mirror behind them. Our heroine holds a fan in her right hand and is looking away, almost shyly, as the hero attempts to kiss her! For some reason, the colors should clash, but they don't and I don't know why! Click on the photo to enlarge.

Megan Daniel: The Sensible Courtship

The Sensible Courtship by Megan Daniel was published by Signet in August 1982. Both Richard Devlin and Francesca Waringham are looking for a spouse. They agree that the upcoming house party at Hockleigh is the perfect hunting ground, and make a pact not to marry each other!

Allan Kass creates a marvelous scene of our couple embracing! The room they stand in seems masculine with the hunting pictures and antlers on the wall. I love the scene outside the window of the park beyond. Note our heroine in a dark green riding dress with her bow trimmed hat on top the table nearby. Our hero wears hunting red and one interesting aspect of this cover is that both are redheads!

House parties were common during regency times. It was a time for friends and relatives to gather and often lasted 4 to 6 weeks. It would be a great event to get to know others in order to find a spouse.

Megan Daniel: The Reluctant Suitor

March 1981 saw the printing of The Reluctant Suitor by Megan Daniel. Margaret inherits a fortune that, in order to keep, she must marry within the month! Geoffrey, a young bachelor trying to pay off family debts, is willing to help her find a husband, but not quite willing to marry his childhood friend, himself!

Allan Kass shows our couple in front of a large mirror and marble topped table. Our heroine is a pretty brunette and wears two elegant chains around her neck. Our hero looks older on the cover than he is in the story, but is handsome in black evening wear. I like the contrasts in the heroine's dress and shawl colors!

I think the "marriage to keep a fortune" plot is a popular one among regency authors, but don't know how true it was in reality.

Megan Daniel: The Queen of Hearts

The Queen of Hearts was published in August 1986 by Signet for Megan Daniel. Mallorie French has returned to England after 10 years and meets Tony Howell, Lord Rosslyn. Can two ill suited people find romance together?

This is a unique cover by Allan Kass, because the young heroine is prematurely gray. She and our hero sit near a river that contains swans and a beautiful red Chinese bridge. I like the purple flowers that grow in the grass. Our heroine's yellow gown compliments the blue of the hero's coat. It's a pretty, peaceful scene that I hope you enjoy!

Megan Daniel: The American Bride

The American Bride was published by Signet in September 1983 and is the story of Abigail Dawson, who was on her way from Pennsylvania to London to get married to an Earl. She meets Charles Lydiard on board and begins to reconsider her arranged marriage plans!

Allan Kass creates a wonderful seafaring cover for this book! We see it as through a close up shot of our hero and heroine. She is beautiful in a red gown and purple cape. The black tie emphasizes her long black hair, blown by the wind. Our ginger haired hero is gorgeous in dark green and black! I like the picture of the boats in the background. It's another of his great regency covers.

Megan Daniel: Amelia

Amelia is the first book that I have authored by Megan Daniel and illustrated by Allan Kass. It was published by Signet in November 1980. Amelia is a society beauty and all of London watches to see who she will choose as a husband: Sir Julian Denventer or the Marquis of Tyrone?

Allan Kass paints a wonderful cover for this book! Our couple stands in a embrace in a open hallway. Our heroine is a lovely redhead with a elaborate hairdo, which looks hard to duplicate, much less illustrate! Our hero is in love with the heroine and has an athletic feel to him. As usual, look at the background details: the painting above the doorway, the Chinese porcelain, etc. Click on the picture to enlarge.