Jocelyn Kettle: Memorial to the Duchess

Memorial to the Duchess by Jocelyn Kettle was published by Berkley in March 1974. It is a historical novel about the life of Alice Chaucer, who became the Duchess of Suffolk during the days of Agincourt and through the reigns of Henry VI and Edward IV. She was second in rank under the queen!

Allan Kass, who is mentioned on the back cover as the author, shows us an early Elizabethan beauty along with her hero. We see them lavishly dressed in the heavy velvet cloth of the day and the heroine's headpiece is the most interesting feature of this cover. The hero looks like one of Elizabeth's courtiers and we see a distant castle which is their home.

Carla Kelly: Summer Campaign

Summer Campaign by Carla Kelly was published by Signet in March 1989. Onyx Hamilton was on the verge of an impressive marriage when she met Major Jack Beresford and swept her off her feet, but not towards marriage! Would she marry a stable, kind gentleman or a rogue?

This cover by Allan Kass is almost too busy and not something I normally say about his work. Our couple stand in a room but we see the outdoors, too. The colors all compliment with our heroine's pink day gown being the focal point. It compliments her dark hair but clashes a bit with the hero's waistcoat! A colorful cover!

Carla Kelly: Reforming Lord Ragsdale

Reforming Lord Ragsdale was published by Signet in October 1995. Lord Ragsdale, a notorious rake, does a good deed when he saves his cousin's daughter from indentured servanthood. Now he wonders what to do with her but she has her own plan: to reform him!

This is one of my favorite covers by Allan Kass. I love the pale aqua tones of the heroine's dress and the periwinkle bows that accent it. The hero's coat reflects the color compliment. The room in which they stand is nicely furnished with the focus point being the globe, which may show a future of travel for our couple?

Carla Kelly: Mrs. McVinnie's London Season

Mrs. McVinnie's London Season by Carla Kelly was published by Signet in June 1990. Jennie McVinnie was a widow helping Captain William Summers, a naval hero, guide his young niece through the London season. What they don't realize is that the real romance of the season will be theirs!

This is a gorgeous cover by Allan Kass! We see our heroine coming down the stairway arrayed in a deep emerald green gown slashed with pink. Both are dressed for a ball or important evening event. The hero has on all of his naval decorations and is equally elegant. I think his expression is evidence of his feelings for the heroine.

Carla Kelly: Miss Whittier Makes a List

Miss Whittier Makes a List was published by Signet in July 1994 for Carla Kelly. American and Quaker Hannah Whittier finds herself on board an English man-of-war after her ship was sunk by the French. She falls in love with its captain, but can an American and a Englishman compromise during a time of war?

This is an awesome cover by Allan Kass! I love seeing our hero dressed in his naval uniform with the heroine, wearing borrowed clothing, in seaman's garb. The focus is definitely on them. He's dashing and she's beautiful.

Carla Kelly: Miss Grimsley's Oxford Career

Miss Grimsley's Oxford Career is a Signet publication dated March 1992. Ellen Grimsley thinks it's a shame that she can't attend Oxford when her brother who is definitely not a scholar, can.  When James Gatewood finds out about her talent, he encourages her in her studies and she doesn't know that he is really Lord Chesney, a famous Shakespearean scholar.

There is a lot to admire on this cover by Allan Kass. The one jarring thing to me is the color of the heroine's bodice. I'm not sure why he painted it that color but I admire everything else: her unique bracelet, the city and landscape, the large setting sun. What do you think?

Carla Kelly: Miss Chartley's Guided Tour

Miss Chartley's Guided Tour was published by Signet in July 1989. Omega Chartley was jilted at the altar and ended up a teacher. When she runs into her sweetheart again, she needs to make a choice whether to live in the past to take a second chance on love.

Our heroine's blue gown is definitely the focal point in this cover by Allan Kass. It's light among all of the warm orange tones. Our hero looks careworn and a bit older than his usual heroes. I like the heroine's braid which gives her hairdo a coronet effect. Note her snake bangle and the round cushion pillow. They are interesting details.