Joan Smith: Endure My Heart

Endure My Heart is another regency prolific author by Joan Smith. Published in June 1980, it's the story of Mab, her brother Andrew, and their life after the death of their father with a band of smugglers.

The cover by Allan Kass is gorgeous with our very handsome uniformed hero, our spirited heroine, and the beautiful scenic cove. The heroine's bold red gown highlights the red in the hero's uniform and keeps our eye on this electric couple. I'd hope the author was pleased with this illustration of her story!

Joan Smith: Delsie

Delsie by Joan Smith was published for Fawcett's Coventry Romance line in January 1982. This series ran from 1979-1982 and mostly featured regency stories, but had a few Edwardian and Victorian ones too. Smith is a prolific writer who has also published a lot of historical romances.

Delsie is a teacher who married a dying man and inherited his house and daughter! Now she just has to deal with new brother in law! This book is reminiscent of Georgette Heyer's The Reluctant Widow.

Allan Kass illustrates a favorite cover here. We see a typically Kass hero comforting one of his beautiful heroines. Everything about her is exquisite: her hair, her gown, her jewelry, and her accessories. The room they stand in is almost too cluttered with the delft tiles to the stained glass.

Joan Smith: Dame Durden's Daughter

Published in 1978, Dame Durden's Daughter (who comes up with these titles!!) is the story of Edith Durden who liked Helver, the heir of the Duke of Saymore. Everyone else thought he was a hellion and did their best to separate the pair!

Allan Kass shows our couple in front of an ornate bridge in the middle of a pretty lake. The hero and heroine seem in harmony as they walk close to one another. I like the hero's purple jacket which is a foil for the heroine's yellow gown. It's a shame that we don't see such artwork on romances anymore.

Joan Smith: The Blue Diamond

Joan Smith's The Blue Diamond was published by Fawcett in October 1981 for its Coventry Romance line. This story is set in Vienna during the Congress while Napoleon was imprisoned on the island of Elba. Maria Kruger was interested in the handsome Lord Moncrief, but he seems more interested in Mlle Feydeau and her stunning jewels!

I've always like Allan Kass's illustrations that take place in ballrooms and this is no exception. Our couple dance divinely and it's fun to see their clothing, jewels, and the others depicted in the picture. Who wouldn't want to be part of that fun?

Joan Smith: Babe

Babe by Joan Smith was published by Fawcett in February 1980. Babe was the scandal of London and her new guardian, Lord Clivedon, was about to change that reputation. Or would he?

Allan Kass illustrates our couple in front of a window on a bright sunny day. Both hold a glass of wine and perhaps are celebrating, though the heroine looks pensive. The scenery is interesting with the curricle outside and the wrought iron railing. It's another pretty cover by Kass.

Joan Smith: Aurora

Aurora by Joan Smith was published by Fawcett in February 1981 for their Coventry Romance line. Aurora meets a stranger but doesn't know if he is the long lost Kenelm Raiker or his illegitimate half brother!

Allan Kass creates a cover with our couple standing next to a gypsy caravan. Our heroine is simply dressed in blue while the hero looks natty for someone living in a wagon! I like the touch of flowers and the springtime vibe of this cover.

Joan Smith: Aunt Sophie's Diamonds

Aunt Sophie's Diamonds by Joan Smith was published by Fawcett in 1977. The diamonds of the title were owned by a tyrannical old aunt who took them, literally, to her grave. Claudia didn't care about the diamonds but she did care about Sir Hillary Thoreau!

Allan Kass features these diamonds in this illustration! We see the hero placing them around the heroine's neck and assume that they are the necklace of the title. The heroine's purple dress shows off the necklace while the room is a setting for her beauty.