Rachelle Edwards:The Smithfield Bargain

August 1981 saw the publication by Fawcett of Rachelle Edwards's book, The Smithfield Bargain. Annabel Haygarth is unjustly dismissed from her governess position and immediately becomes involved in a scheme with the daughter of the house to help her run away to be married. She then meets Lord Cranbourne and falls in love with her friend's fiance!

Allan Kass illustrates our Georgian couple in a dark forest. Our hero wears a tricorn hat decorated with a red cockade and a red overcoat over his red dress coat. Our heroine is young and pretty in her pink dress and purple cloak. Her long, unbound hair gives her the illusion of youth. I like the lace details, which was common in the dress of that period. It's a dramatic scene of confronting a villain and another melodramatic book that falls under the Coventry regency line!

Rachelle Edwards: Miranda's Folly

Miranda's Folly by Rachelle Edwards is a 1978 publication from Fawcett. Miranda runs away from home dressed as a boy, only to be discovered in that disguise by Lord Dornford, who decides that this may be the woman for him!

Allan Kass shows our couple sitting on the edge of a pool in a very pretty avenue. Our heroine is wearing a blue overdress slashed with olive and decorated with pearls while our hero wears what looks like 18th century shorts with hose underneath! Probably they are knee britches, but I guess they would look shorter when sitting! His long hair in is a queue tied with a ribbon. It's a pretty scene and one that I hope you enjoy!

Rachelle Edwards: Lord Heathbury's Revenge

Lord Heathbury's Revenge was published by Fawcett in July 1980 for their Coventry Regency Romance line, which ran from 1979-1982. These were clean, slightly melodramatic, fun, and easy reads to while away an afternoon!

Lavinia Merridew is a young, foolish girl who mocks a man she hasn't even met, until she finds herself falling in love with him and he decides to take revenge against her!

Allan Kass illustrates a scene from the story of two men duelling. Our heroine is trying to stop the duel. She wears a long red cape and bright pink dress underneath. Both men stand in their shirtsleeves and looks like, which denotes relationship in this book. The carriage and horses are in shadow.

Rachelle Edwards: Fortune's Child

November 1981 saw the publication by Fawcett of Rachelle Edward's Fortune's Child. This is a story about a couple who were engaged 9 years ago. Can Lord Rossington convince Louisa Farnham that she is his perfect match?

Allan Kass illustrates our couple standing at the bottom of a stairwell. Our hero is dressed for riding in his red coat and visible crop. Our heroine is pretty in a blue day dress. She fiddles with a gold locket as she looks at the hero. This is one of Kass's earlier illustrations and typical of those he did during this time. Click on the picture to enlarge.

Rachelle Edwards: Devil's Bride

Devil's Bride by Rachelle Edwards is the first book by this author illustrated by Allan Kass. Fawcett published this book in 1976. Auriol Stanford is promised in marriage to the Duke of Hampden, but she loves another and plans a runaway match. The duke intercepts the couple and ends up with his betrothed.

Allan Kass illustrates our couple in an embrace while standing in a bedroom. Our heroine is pretty with her long red hair and our hero has a sardonic look to him! Someone was writing a letter and we notice details like the candle's smoking, as if just blown out. Enjoy!

Robert Eckert: The Duke's Gambit

I have not been recently blogging due to some volunteer work this summer. Thanks for your patience!

January 1987 saw the publication of The Duke's Gambit by Roberta Eckert, the only book Allan Kass illustrated for her. Andrea Howard has the number of the Duke of Haverford, and he's a womanizer in her book. She saves her cousin from a misstep with him, but wonders that she could be his next victim!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple sitting on a garden bench while a ball takes place in the room behind. Our hero wears black evening dress while our heroine wears a very low cut gown and simple silver trimmings. I like her bracelet and buttons, which give her gown a very Grecian appearance! Note the dancers in the crowded room along with the ornate windows and doors. Allan is the master of detail and I hope that you enjoy this picture! Click to enlarge!

Gail Eastwood: An Unlikely Hero

An Unlikely Hero is the last of Gail Eastwood's regencies that was illustrated by Allan Kass. She did write others for Signet. This book has an August 1996 publication date.

This is an interesting story of twin sisters, Venetia and Vivian who are called the Lioness and the Lamb for their personalities. Venetia finds a wonderful man for sweet Vivian, only to realize that he may be perfect for her!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple standing near a gated garden. Our hero is unique in that he has very light, almost white hair. Our heroine is pretty with her blonde hair and regency walking dress. I like the slit sleeves along with the royal blue trim that repeats itself on her bonnet and hair tie. Again, Allan outdoes himself with the little touches: her cameo necklace, the button at the top of her laced sleeves, the flowers over the garden wall and the hint of a bench inside the garden. Great cover that I hope you enjoy!